Feng Xi threw the ring to Yang Kai and anxiously asked, eagerly looking at Yang Kai, “I gave you the ring, now can you let us go?”
Yang Kai caught the ring as a devious smile appeared on his lips and a mocking look on his face as he stared at Feng Xi.
Feng Xi’s heart pounded. [Is this guy mute?] He followed Yang Kai’s gaze, and looked at the ring on his hand, promptly making a difficult decision. Gritting his teeth, he took his own Space Ring and threw it at Yang Kai before stating, “This is also yours. Let us go!”
“Young Sect Master is so generous. You didn’t have to do that,” Yang Kai hastily took the Space Ring and put it straight into his pocket. He then immediately switched the conversation, speaking with a cold snort, “This Young Master has already said, as long as you give up on your noble Sect’s Vice Sect Master’s Space Ring, I will let you go, but Young Sect Master has now forcefully stuffed another ring into my hands for no reason. You wouldn’t happen to be thinking of framing this Young Master for injustice?”
“Ah…” Feng Xi opened his mouth wide. He had never expected Yang Kai to speak so shamelessly.
Ice Heart Valley Elders also had extremely weird looks on their faces, staring at Yang Kai with complicated gazes. Yang Kai’s performance today had truly redefined their understanding of what a moral bottom line was. Before they met Yang Kai, they had never imagined that there would be someone so shameless in this world.
Who knew that Feng Xi would suddenly be enlightened, though, and seeing the evil look on Yang Kai’s face, he hastily continued, “Brother Yang, you misunderstand. This Space Ring is just a gift from this Feng. It has no relation with your previous condition. Brother Yang is impressive and handles things extraordinarily. You will definitely become an outstanding character in the future. This Feng only… only wants to be friends with you!”
Yang Kai broke into laughter, “Young Sect Master is so generous. We can certainly be friends!”
The corner of Feng Xi’s mouth twitched as he asked embarrassingly, “Then… Can we go now?”
Yang Kai squinted his eyes and asked, “Young Sect Master, why don’t you stay for breakfast?”
“Forget it,” Feng Xi hurriedly stood up when he heard this as if had received amnesty, dragging Yao Zhuo while they staggered towards Ice Heart Valley’s exit.
After having his Space Ring forcefully taken by Feng Xi, Yao Zhou seemed to have lost his soul. His eyes were lifeless as he seemed to have lost all his hopes after seeing Feng Xi’s performance. At this moment, he was being dragged away without mounting the least bit of resistance.
After a moment, Yao Zhou and Feng Xi had disappeared.
Only now did the Ice Heart Valley Elders finally breathe a sigh of relief. Previously, when Yang Kai had ordered them to kill these two members of the Seeking Passion Sect, holding their Martial Ancestor’s Token, they secretly broke out into cold sweat. They were afraid that this matter would force them into an unsolvable conflict. Fortunately, even though Yang Kai had robbed these two of their Space Rings, things hadn’t spiralled down to the point that it couldn’t be resolved. At least Feng Xi and Yao Zhou didn’t have to worry about their lives.
“Young Master, where is my Master now?” An Ruo Yun finally had the time to ask about this.
Yang Kai turned his head and replied, looking at her, “Senior An, don’t worry, Senior Bing Yun is safe, but it is inconvenient for her to meet you right now.”
“Inconvenient!?” Sun Yun Xiu furrowed her brow after hearing this, asking anxiously, “Why is it inconvenient?”
Yang Kai coldly glared at her and replied, “Inconvenience is inconvenience, there is no why.”
Sun Yun Xiu almost choked in anger, but she kept it choked down because she knew her Master was the one who sent Yang Kai. Moreover, he also had her Martial Ancestor’s Token, so she really had no choice at the moment.
Zhang Sun Ying asked, “Then when can we meet Master?”
Yang Kai thought for a moment and replied, “You just have to wait two or three days.” After a pause, he looked at Sun Yun Xiu and sneered, “I hope the Great Elder can clearly explain Zi Yu’s marriage after meeting Senior Bing Yun.”
Sun Yun Xiu’s face immediately turned dark, but she quickly replied, “Whether Master wants to beat me or punish me, I will bear it. It has nothing to do with my sisters.”
Yang Kai inwardly nodded. Sun Yun Xiu’s performance just now was pretty good and she gave the impression that she wouldn’t hold a grudge even though he had slapped her; however, as she had agreed to marry Zi Yu to Feng Xi, she would ultimately be punished.
She was a Great Elder, but she had pushed the Sect’s best disciple into the fiery pit called Seeking Passion Sect. However, this was an internal matter pertaining to a Sect he did not belong to, so Yang Kai didn’t say much.
An Ruo Yun, on the other hand, didn’t know what he was thinking and worriedly looked at Yang Kai and asked, “Young Master has repeatedly said that it is inconvenient for Master and it will only be possible to meet after two or three days. Could it be that Master is injured and she is recuperating now?”
All the women present had a change in their expression after hearing this.
When Bing Yun left Ice Heart Valley, she was already a Third-Order Emperor. It had already been three millennia, so Bing Yun’s strength should have grown significantly. She must be one of the top experts in the entire Star Boundary, so how could she be hurt? How many people out there could hurt her?
Yang Kai glanced at An Ruo An in surprise. He hadn’t said anything but An Ruo Yun had actually guessed it. Obviously, she was not just gentle, but also quite intelligent.
Everyone here was in the upper echelon of Ice Heart Valley, and many of them were Bing Yun’s Disciples, so Yang Kai chose not to hide it anymore. He nodded and replied, “Senior An is right. Senior Bing Yun is indeed injured.”
Immediately, all the Ice Heart Valley Elders paled.
Yang Kai hurriedly said, “There’s no cause for concern, Senior Bing Yun’s injuries aren’t serious, she’s simply recuperating in Ice Moon City at the moment. She will have recovered after two or three days!”
“Master is in Ice Moon City!?” An Ruo Yun exclaimed.
Zhang Sun Ying also asked in excitement, “Can you take us to meet Master?”
Yang Kai furrowed his brow and replied, “Senior Bing Yun is healing, won’t you be disturbing her?”
An Ruo Yun firmly stated, “We will not disturb Master, we simply wish to be closer to her. Young Master, please.”
She was a Second-Order Emperor, but at this moment, she was behaving more like a child who had been guarding the house for years, and had finally heard the news of the return of her parents. She was excited and filled with anticipation. The others, too, eagerly looked at Yang Kai with a pleading look in their eyes.
Yang Kai couldn’t stand being stared at by all these beautiful eyes so he could only agree, “Okay, okay, I will take you to see Senior Bing Yun.”
“Many thanks!” All the girls were relieved and ecstatic.
Next, An Ruo Yun instructed the disciples of the valley to activate all the barriers around Ice Heart Valley while increasing the patrols guarding the Sect. Then, the Elders all flew toward Ice Moon City with Yang Kai.
Among the dozen of them, only Yang Kai was male. It was quite an impressive sight. Furthermore, apart from Yang Kai and Zi Yu, everyone else was an Emperor Realm Master.
Such a force walking the street was naturally noticeable.
When they arrived at the gates of Ice Moon City, the cultivators guarding the city were about to step forward and interrogate them a bit, but when they saw the Emperor Realm Masters behind Yang Kai, they immediately retreated in shock, not even daring to breathe loudly.
Ice Moon City was Ice Heart Valley’s connection to the outside world, with many shops in the city owned and operated by Ice Heart Valley disciples. So, as soon as An Ruo Yun and the other Elders entered the city, Ice Heart Valley disciples constantly flew out from the shops on either side of the streets and bowed respectfully.
With this commotion, the entire Ice Moon City knew that upper echelon members of Ice Heart Valley had come to Ice Moon City in a short while. But they had no idea what they were doing in the city.
The puppet City Lord supported by Ice Heart Valley immediately ran over to greet them, drenched in sweat and trembling visibly. He thought that he had done something wrong and Ice Heart Valley’s Elders had come to punish him.
But An Ruo Yun and others just ignored him after a casual greeting, making the puppet City Lord feel sad as well as grateful at the same time.
“Greetings Valley Master An, Great Elder Sun, Elders, and congratulations on Ice Heart Valley’s marriage with the Seeking Passion Sect. It is truly an event worth celebrating. The entire world is celebrating!” Suddenly, a person flew over from the side, and landing before Ice Heart Valley’s Elders, he cupped his fists and smiled.
He was a middle-aged man and a First-Order Emperor. It appeared that he was an authoritative figure of some Sect in the Northern Territory, and by the looks of it, he was waiting here to congratulate Ice Heart Valley. When he heard that An Ruo Yun and the others had come to Ice Moon City, he proactively came to greet them.
An Ruo Yun promptly halted her step, but before she had the time to answer, Emperor Realm Masters suddenly flew over from every direction, one after another. And just like the man surnamed Hu, they continuously congratulated them.
An Ran Yun recognized these people and exchanged a few words with each of them.
The man surnamed Hu, the one who had appeared first, waited for her to finish before he curiously asked, “Valley Master An, why have you come to Ice Moon City?”
Ice Moon City was within the domain of Ice Heart Valley and was also the transit point for Ice Heart Valley to communicate with the outside world; however, the Elders of Ice Heart Valley generally didn’t come here, let alone a dozen of them all at once.
Everyone had a vague feeling that something wasn’t right. By the looks of it, it seemed as if something was about to happen, something big.
“We have something to do, ladies and gentlemen. Please make way!” Sun Yun Xiu said with a cold look on her face, “In addition, the marriage between Ice Heart Valley’s Zi Yu and Seeking Passion Sect’s Young Sect Master Feng Xi is cancelled. There is no need for any of you to remain here. You can return to wherever you came from.”
“Junior Sister Sun is a bit more direct. Please forgive her. You have all travelled tens of thousands of kilometres to come here, but our Ice Heart Valley has failed to receive you well!” An Ruo Yun gently smiled and then led her sisters into the city, leaving a group of Emperor Realm Masters stunned in their places.
After a long time, when An Ruo Yun and the others had disappeared from their sight, someone wiped the sweat from his forehead and nervously gulped before speaking, “Brother Hu Yuan, did I hear it right? Did Valley Master An and Elder Sun really say that the marriage is cancelled?”
“I heard it too.”
“Damn it, this is really worrying! What the hell are the women of Ice Heart Valley doing?” The man named Hu Yuan was also sweating and nervous.
Another person said, “I don’t know if this marriage was cancelled unilaterally by Ice Heart Valley, or if they had reached a consensus with the Seeking Passion Sect. If it was the former…”
Everyone’s expression sank as they suddenly realized something.
If Ice Heart Valley did this unilaterally, the Seeking Passion Sect definitely would not let it go.
“The Seeking Passion Sect disciples cultivate the Seeking Passion Supreme Art and take passion as their Dao. They would never easily give up the women they admire, let alone this being related to Seeking Passion Sect’s Young Sect Master. According to this one’s humble opinion, the Seeking Passion Sect will not give up on this marriage.”
“Since Seeking Passion Sect won’t easily give up, isn’t it Ice Heart Valley that’s going back on their word?”
“I heard that Seeking Passion Sect’s Vice Sect Master and Young Sect Master are both in Ice Heart Valley. Where are they now?”
“Winds are blowing and a storm is about to come. I’m afraid that the sky of the Northern Territory is going to be subverted.”
“Brother Zhou, don’t be ridiculous! Even though Ice Heart Valley is strong, how could it compete with Seeking Passion Sect? The entire Northern Territory knows that Ice Heart Valley no longer deserves to be a top Sect. If Seeking Passion Sect really pursues this matter, Ice Heart Valley would not be able to do anything!”
“I heard that Seeking Passion Sect Master, Feng Xuan, will personally grace Ice Heart Valley with his presence on the auspicious day, which is tomorrow! If he learns that Ice Heart Valley has cancelled the marriage arbitrarily…”
The Emperor Realm Masters broke into a lively discussion, all of them were a little confused. Everyone only knew one thing, and that was that Ice Heart Valley was in serious trouble this time. Who gave these women the courage to cancel the marriage at the last moment? Isn’t that no different from slapping Seeking Passion Sect’s face in front of the entire Northern Territory? How could Feng Xuan simply let this matter drop like that?
“Brother Hu Yuan, should we persuade Valley Master An and the others? I remember that your wife is from Ice Heart Valley. If something bad really happened to Ice Heart Valley, will your Transformation Sect be able to stay out of it?”
Hu Yuan’s expression changed ever so slightly after hearing this. He pondered for a moment before he hurriedly chased after An Ruo Yun and the others. By the looks of it, he wanted to persuade them to rethink their hasty decision.
Other Emperors looked at each other before they too chased after the Ice Heart Valley Elders.
They might be here just to offer congratulations, but since things had developed to this point, they also wanted to know what exactly happened to Ice Heart Valley that gave them the guts to cancel the marriage with Seeking Passion Sect.
After a while, a crowd came to the front of some inn in Ice Moon City. Immediately, they saw An Ruo Yun and the others quietly standing in front of the inn with a serious look on their faces, saying nothing. They just kept looking in a certain direction with pious and excited expressions.
There was no one within a radius of a kilometre of these women as all the irrelevant people had retreated far away, only looking in their direction.
Hu Yuan flew over and hurriedly stepped forward, but just as he was about to speak, An Ruo Yun suddenly went down on her knees.
Immediately after, all the Ice Heart Valley Emperors followed suit.
Hu Yuan’s eyes were about to pop out as he stood stupefied, gawking in a daze. He had no idea what An Ruo An and the others were up to.
The other Masters, who caught up one after another, were also stupefied by this sight, extremely shocked by the unbelievable scene.
“Broth… Brother Hu, what’s going on?” Someone approached Hu Yuan and asked in a low voice.
Hu Yuan was equally confused and just kept shaking his head in response, “I have no idea. They were like this when I arrived.”
“Who exactly is inside the inn that Valley Master An, Great Elder Sun, and the other Elders would act like this?”
Among the Masters of Ice Heart Valley, An Ruo Yun and Sun Yun Xiu both were Second-Order Emperors, while the rest were First-Order Emperors besides a single Third-Order Dao Source Realm disciple. Such a force was extremely terrifying.
But this group of Masters happened to be kneeling right on the street; in front of the inn; in broad daylight; in front of everyone’s eyes, without any kind of reluctance or hesitation. On the contrary, they gave the impression that their actions were simply a matter of course.
An Ruo Yun was the current Valley Master of Ice Heart Valley while Sun Yun Xiu was Ice Heart Valley Great Elder. Each word from their mouths and everything they did represented Ice Heart Valley, and since they were kneeling here without a care and speaking anything, it meant that there was someone inside this inn who could make them surrender!
Hu Yuan’s face drastically changed as he seemed to have thought of something, immediately muttering in shock, “Could it be…”
Before he could finish himself, an extremely excited look appeared on his face.
“Brother Hu, what is it?” Someone eagerly asked because he really couldn’t understand the scene before him.
One among the crowd of onlookers then thoughtfully spoke, “In this world, even the Ten Great Emperors couldn’t make Valley Master An act this courteously. There is only one person who can make them show such respect!”
“Ice Heart Valley’s Ancestral Founder, Senior Bing Yun!?” Someone suddenly exclaimed.
“Could it be that Senior Bing Yun is inside this inn?”
“Didn’t they say that Senior Bing Yun has already fallen? There has been no news of her in over three millennia.”
“Just because there hasn’t been any news, doesn’t mean that Senior Bing Yun is dead. Perhaps Senior Bing Yun has been living in seclusion, or perhaps she was trapped somewhere. Senior Bing Yun was already a Third-Order Emperor when she disappeared, how could she die so easily?”
As the Ancestral Founder of Ice Heart Valley, Bing Yun’s name echoed like thunder even if she had disappeared for three thousand years. After having guessed that Bing Yun was inside the inn, everyone couldn’t help but have all kinds of changes in their expressions. Among the crowd, some were close to Ice Heart Valley, and some were close to Seeking Passion Sect. Naturally, everyone would be feeling different at this moment.
“Senior Bing Yun has suddenly appeared at this critical point, and Sect Master Feng Xuan will also be coming here tomorrow. If these two Masters meet…” The speaker shuddered all of a sudden, not daring to continue.
Under normal circumstances, Bing Yun meeting Feng Xuan would have been fine. Both of them were Sect Masters of top Sects in the Northern Territory, so who knows how many times they had met with each other. However, An Ruo Yun had just cancelled the marriage between the two Sects, so once Feng Xuan arrived, he would definitely seek justice for his son.
[No wonder An Ruo Yun and the others had the gall to cancel the marriage at this point. It turns out Bing Yun has returned!]
But even though An Ruo An and the others were kneeling in front of the inn, Bing Yun was nowhere to be seen, and no one dared to spread their Divine Sense to investigate, all of them simply standing there, burning with anxiety.
In a flash, twenty or so Emperor Realm Masters had gathered before an insignificant inn. It was a shocking spectacle.
Yang Kai, standing before the inn, looked completely helpless.
He had no idea that the Emperors of Ice Heart Valley would suddenly come here and act like this, making countless people gawk at them like monkeys.
Hearing the commotion outside, Fan Xin and the others immediately walked out of the inn. They took a glance at An Ruo Yun and the others before they approached Yang Kai and doubtfully asked, “Senior Brother Yang, who are they? Why are they kneeling here?”
The corners of Yang Kai’s mouth twitched as he replied, “They are your Senior Sisters.”
“Senior Sisters!?” Fan Xin was taken aback as she immediately covered her mouth and exclaimed, “They are from Ice Heart Valley…”
Yang Kai nodded in agreement.
Fan Xin hurriedly approached An Ruo Yun and the others with her Junior Sisters and greeted with a bow, “Fan Xin greets Senior Sisters!”
“You are…” An Ruo Yun looked at her in surprise.
“Junior Sister Fan Xin. I was taken as a disciple by our Honoured Master in the Solitary Void Sealed World together with them,” replied Fan Xin, pointing at the few girls behind her.
The cultivations of those few girls were quite varied, so when they saw so many Emperors Realm Masters kneeling before them, all of them were quite speechless. After all, Emperors Realm Masters were like legends to them, but now, they could actually address them as Senior Sisters. This came as a huge pleasant surprise to them while also confusing them greatly as they had no idea what to do.
“You are our Honoured Master’s disciples?” An Ruo An’s eyes lit up.
Fan Xin smiled as she circulated her Secret Art, causing her temperament to turn extremely cold.
Sun Yun Xiu nodded and said, “It’s indeed our Ice Heart Valley’s Secret Art!”
Hearing these words, the gazes of Ice Heart Valley Elders looking at Fan Xin and the others turned gentle.
“Good!” An Ruo Yun gently smiled, “Master has finally taken in new disciples. Many thanks for caring for Honoured Master all these years. As your Senior Sisters, we are very grateful to you.”
Fan Xin shook her head and immediately stated, “It was Honoured Master who took us in, we were not able to help Honoured Master in any way. But Senior Sisters, why are you all kneeling here? Please get up.”
Zhang Sun Ying smiled and explained, “We have made a mistake. This is a punishment we deserve. Junior Sister does not need to mind us.”
An Ruo Yun suddenly asked, “Junior Sister, you just said something about a Solitary Void Sealed World. Could it be that Honoured Master has been in the Solitary Void Sealed World all these years?”
Judging by her tone, she had no idea about the Solitary Void Sealed World, but that wasn’t a surprise seeing how no one who was trapped inside that place had ever escaped. For the entire Star Boundary, the Solitary Void Sealed World was a total mystery.
“Yes, we were all trapped in the Solitary Void Sealed World, and we just escaped a few days ago with great difficulty,” Fan Xin answered with a nod.
“Master’s injuries, are they related to that Solitary Void Sealed World?” An Ruo Yun nervously asked.
Fan Xin explained, “There was a man named Chi Ri in the Solitary Sealed World. His cultivation was on par with Honoured Master’s, so when Honoured Master was about to leave, Chi Ri attempted to stop her which led to a battle…”
Ice Heart Valley’s Emperors Realm Masters knelt before the inn as they raptly listened to Fan Xin. When they heard about the thrilling and dangerous events that had taken place, they all became nervous. At first glance, Yang Kai could tell that they had many things they wanted to ask as An Ruo Yun and the others definitely wanted to know how Bing Yun had been doing all these years, and how she was now.
As such, Yang Kai decided to give them some privacy and headed back to his room to search through Feng Xi and Yao Zhuo’s Space Rings.
He had to use an Emperor Authority Bead this time, but he also obtained two Space Rings, so Yang Kai didn’t suffer a loss. Furthermore, there were countless treasures inside the rings of these two. After some calculations, Yang Kai discovered that he had not only not suffered any losses, but had instead made a fortune.
The only thing he regretted was that without the Emperor Authority Bead, he had lost a trump card.
Yao Zhuo’s and Feng Xi’s Space Rings had too many things in them so it took Yang Kai an entire day to finish taking inventory. He had collected a total of 100 million Source Crystals of Mid-Rank and High-Rank. If they were really converted into Low-Rank Source Crystals, they would amount to three or four billion at the very least.
Seeking Passion Sect’s wealth had opened his eyes.
Even if Yang Kai was wealthy before, this was still a great fortune to him. His personal wealth had become quite astonishing, making him recall when he first arrived in the Star Boundary when he and Liu Xian were worried about Source Crystals all day long. Those days now seemed like a lifetime ago.
In a good mood, Yang Kai threw all the rare and precious ores into the Sealed World Bead, letting his Embodiment refine them.
Ever since the Embodiment had refined an Emperor Realm Master using the Heaven Devouring Battle Law, its aura had faintly hit a peak and seemed to be only a step away from breaking through to the Emperor Realm.
In the Small Sealed World, not only the Embodiment, but Hua Qing Si and even Liu Yan were like this. Their cultivations were advancing by leaps and bounds, soon reaching bottlenecks.
The only one with lower cultivation was Zhang Ruo Xi, who was just a First-Order Dao Source Realm, but with her unique bloodline, as long as she had sufficient World Energy, her cultivation would catch up sooner or later.
Yang Kai had always paid attention to Zhang Ruo Xi’s bloodline. He had always kept the Space Spirit Jade that resonated with Zhang Ruo Xi, and the one time they had experimented with it, some strange and beautiful images had appeared. Yang Kai was still at a loss about what the purpose of this jade was.
Furthermore, in the Four Seasons Realm, Zhang Ruo Xi said that she met an Ancient Divine Spirit Qiong Qi, a Winged Tiger. Qiong Qi was ferocious by nature, but he hadn’t harmed Zhang Ruo Xi in the slightest. On the contrary, he had even gifted her the Pink Clouds Phoenix Robe, an Emperor Artifact with extreme defensive strength!
This matter had made Yang Kai pretty concerned and he vaguely felt that it might be related to Zhang Ruo Xi’s bloodline. However, he couldn’t confirm it.
Maybe after Zhang Ruo Xi became stronger, she could figure out the origins of her bloodline on her own.
Time slowly passed and Yang Kai sorted out the two Space Rings before entering the Sealed World Bead. There, he distributed some cultivation resources to Hua Qing Si, Liu Yuan, and Zhang Ruo Xi before returning to the room.
Before he could make any more movements, a thick sense of oppression suddenly crashed down from the sky.
Yang Kai’s expression changed and he instantly became vigilant.
This feeling was definitely because some Master had used their Divine Sense to scan the building. Although it quickly disappeared, Yang Kai had still sensed the strength of the other party. A Second-Order Emperor Realm Master could not give him such pressure, only a Third-Order Emperor Realm Master could do so!
Seeking Passion Sect’s Sect Master, Feng Xuan, had arrived!
This thought immediately flashed in Yang Kai’s mind as he rushed out of his room.
Outside the inn, An Ruo Yun and the others had solemn looks on their pretty faces. Obviously, they had noticed this man’s arrival as well.
Even the nearby Emperor Realm Masters, who had come to offer congratulations, wore serious looks. They might have known yesterday that Feng Xuan would be coming today, and that once he met Bing Yun, they would very likely fight, but when it was really about to happen, everyone still found the atmosphere suffocating and depressing.
*Hong Hong Hong…*
Continuous explosions could be heard coming from the extremely distant sky. Each explosion sounded closer than the previous, and was followed by another. A figure was rushing over. It was unclear at first, but in just three breaths, it stopped over Ice Moon City, in front of a certain inn.
In the blink of an eye, an oppressive pressure spread over the entire Ice Moon City, causing space to tremble, as if even the world must submit.
Hu Yuan and the others looked up and then hurriedly bowed, “Greetings, Sect Master Feng!”
A man was proudly standing mid-air and raised his hand as he spoke, “Friends, there’s no need to be so polite!”
His every action seemed to carry deep profundity, as if he was in harmony with nature and the surrounding World Principles. Principles lingered about his figure and Hu Yuan and the others felt a subtle force holding them and the others up. They were extremely shocked when they realized that the gap between them and Feng Xuan was like that between Heaven and Earth.
Yang Kai looked up and saw a middle-aged man dressed in scholarly attire standing in the sky. This middle-aged man resembled Feng Xi a little, but he was nobler than Feng Xi. Furthermore, Feng Xuan was far more handsome, brave, and heroic compared to Feng Xi.
He was none other than Seeking Passion Sect’s Sect Master, Feng Xuan. It was uncertain if he was born like this or it was due to the Seeking Passion Supreme Art, but coupled with the gentle smile on his face, everyone who saw him felt as if spring breeze was gently blowing past them.
Yang Kai, on the other hand, felt extremely uncomfortable. This couldn’t be helped as Feng Xi and Yao Zhou were both standing behind Feng Xuan, both of them glaring at Yang Kai, grinding their teeth as if they wanted to feast upon him.
Just a day ago, their Space Rings had been snatched by Yang Kai. They were outnumbered at that time and had to lower their heads. Feng Xi had lost all face but now that Feng Xuan was here, he naturally had a backer. His confidence was also emboldened and he secretly decided that he would make Yang Kai pay for disgracing him before letting him know the fate of offending him.
Feng Xuan only took a cursory glance at Yang Kai, not paying much attention to him; after all, a Third-Order Dao Source Realm cultivator was like an ant in his eyes. His gaze was extremely profound as if he was staring somewhere, penetrating the void, a smile suddenly appearing on his lips as he called out, “Bing Yun, you and I have not met each other in three millennia, this King is truly grateful to be able to meet you again today.”
Once he said this, everyone was shocked.
Whether it was the dozen or so Emperors of Ice Heart Valley or the Masters of various Sects who had come to offer wedding congratulations, up until now, it was just a speculation that Bing Yun was inside the inn. No one dared to use their Divine Sense to confirm it.
An Ruo Yun and the others had been kneeling at the entrance for a day and night, but even then Bing Yun hadn’t graced them with her presence. Hu Yuan and the others were beginning to wonder whether Bing Yun was actually in the inn.
If she really was here, why not show herself? Why leave her Disciples kneeling in the street like some show for others to watch?
But Feng Xuan’s words dispelled everyone’s suspicions.
Bing Yun was definitely inside the inn! Otherwise, it was impossible for Feng Xuan to say such words.
At this moment, since Feng Xuan had already come to Ice Moon City, Bing Yun would have to meet him no matter what, refusing would be extremely rude.
But to everyone’s surprise, after Feng Xuan spoke, there was still no movement inside the inn. Even An Ruo Yun and the others, who were kneeling at the entrance, didn’t say anything.
Hu Yuan and the others quietly waited for a while as they could feel the atmosphere growing slightly strange. Beads of cold sweat began to fill their foreheads as they felt an inexplicable uneasiness rising in their hearts.
Feng Xuan’s face slowly darkened as well since he could feel that Bing Yun was inside the inn. He had taken the initiative to greet the other party but received no response. This was tantamount to a disgrace! How could Feng Xuan suffer such an insult in silence in front of so many Sect Masters of the Northern Territory?
“Bing Yun, after so many years, you’ve grown quite bold,” Feng Xuan coldly smiled, obviously extremely unhappy.
On another side, An Ruo Yun, furrowed her black brow and explained aloud, “Sect Master Feng, Master is busy with some important affairs and cannot reply. Please wait a moment.”
“Important affairs?” Feng Xuan raised his brow. Who knows what was going on in his mind as he simply replied with a nod, “Very well, this King will just wait here.”
At that moment, Feng Xi, who had been grudgingly staring at Yang Kai, approached Feng Xuan and whispered in his ear, pointing in Yang Kai’s direction.
Feng Xuan’s eyes glimmered with a fierce light as he focused his gaze on Yang Kai. The next moment, he shouted, “You there, boy!”
This shout seemed to be mixed with subtle power and Yang Kai instantly felt his head ringing as he suddenly became dizzy. Panicked, he hurriedly mobilized his Spiritual Energy to resist this discomfort. In his Knowledge Sea, the Seven Coloured Soul Warming Lotus also started slowly spinning, brightly shining with seven colours.
A gentle energy rose from his Knowledge Sea, allowing Yang Kai to feel a little better, but blood was trickling down his nose and the corners of his mouth. Not only that, he seemed as if he was about to collapse, his calves going limp as he almost fell to his knees.
Fortunately, the Soul Warming Lotus helped him resist and allowed him to remain standing, only staggering slightly.
After standing firm, fire rose in Yang Kai’s heart.
Feng Xuan had launched a sneak attack against him, concealing it from everyone else around them. Clearly, this Feng Xuan wanted to make him kneel as a show of force, putting Yang Kai in his place.
If Yang Kai knelt down from a single sentence from Feng Xuan in front of so many people, everyone would laugh at his incompetence. This unbearable experience was bound to become his heart demon on his Martial Dao, and if this heart demon wasn’t dispelled, his path in cultivation might end here.
[This Feng Xuan is simply too sinister and despicable!] Yang Kai’s ground his teeth, his eyes burning with fury.
Feng Xuan, on the other hand, raised his brow as a look of surprise flashed across his face.
Contrary to his expectation, Yang Kai hadn’t fallen to his knees. He might not have used too much of his power just now, but it still wasn’t something a Third-Order Dao Source Realm Junior should’ve been able to withstand. Even an inattentive First-Order Emperor would momentarily lose consciousness and make a fool of himself in public.
But Yang Kai just staggered. It was really a surprise.
However, Feng Xuan didn’t pay too much attention to it. The huge gap in their strength made it difficult for Yang Kai to even get his attention.
While Feng Xuan was thinking so though, Yang Kai wiped off the blood trickling down his mouth and nose and sneered before mocking, “The people of Seeking Passion Sect are truly wastes who only know how to bully the weak with strength and numbers! The Vice Sect Master is so, and so is the Sect Master! You have both opened this Young Master’s eyes wide today. Your name Seeking Passion Sect is simply wrong. In my opinion, you should rename yourself as Bullying the Weak Sect!”
Just as Yang Kai said this, Feng Xuan’s expression slightly changed.
He hadn’t expected Yang Kai to be so bold, not willing to suffer the slightest loss. He even dared to ridicule Feng Xuan in public!
Hu Yuan and the other Masters present went slack-jawed and all of them broke into a cold sweat. They might not have noticed what just happened, but Yang Kai bleeding from his mouth and nose was visible to everyone. Everyone could easily understand that he had been attacked by Feng Xuan’s shout just now.
But even if Yang Kai suffered a loss, this wasn’t something he should have spoken of aloud.
[This brat must not know how to write the word ‘death’.]
An Ruo Yun and the others, who were slightly late to notice, immediately asked upon noticing Yang Kai’s pale face, “Young Master Yang, are you alright?”
Yang Kai sneered, “This Young Master was sneak attacked by a despicable fellow, and my heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys have all been seriously injured. How could I be okay! This is a very big deal!”
An Ruo Yun could obviously tell that there was nothing wrong with Yang Kai and he was just deliberately making a mountain out of a molehill, inwardly shaking her head at his ability to spout nonsense.
Hu Yuan and the others also felt dizzy. [If your heart, liver, spleen, lungs, and kidneys are seriously injured, how can you speak so energetically? Where did this brat even come from? He actually doesn’t know the immensity of Heaven and Earth. It seems the ignorant are always fearless. Does a Third-Order Dao Source Realm boy dare to challenge Sect Master Feng Xuan? Sure enough, the young are hot-blooded and aggressive.]
[It will be very difficult for this guy to survive.]
The originally tense atmosphere had been messed up by Yang Kai, and the atmosphere had suddenly turned awkward.
“Little brat, what nonsense are you spouting!?” Feng Xuan was secretly annoyed by Yang Kai’s exaggerations. While he had mixed in some Spiritual Energy into his voice just now, even if Yang Kai had been injured, it should be his Knowledge Sea that took damage. How could it be related to his five viscera and six organs?
Yang Kai asked with a snort, “Why is Senior Feng Xuan acting so anxious? I didn’t say you sneak attacked me. Senior, you wouldn’t happen to have a guilty conscience, would you?”
Feng Xuan was at a loss for words. He was a Third-Order Emperor Realm Master and he had to act like one. In any case, it would be too embarrassing for him to continue to bicker with Yang Kai.
At the critical moment, Feng Xi stepped forward and shouted, “You bastard! You dare insult my Seeking Passion Sect? If you quickly kowtow and apologize, you might be able to keep your life.”
He had a grim look on his face, as if he couldn’t wait to kill Yang Kai. Obviously, he still had not forgotten last night’s disgrace. It wasn’t surprising as he had always been treated with dignity since childhood. When had he suffered such humiliation and disgrace? Every time Feng Xi recalled what happened over these last two days, he felt like he couldn’t hold his head high. He couldn’t wait to behead Yang Kai and drink his blood; only this could end his enmity.
Yang Kai turned to him and asked with a friendly smile, “Why, if it isn’t Young Sect Master Feng? I remember you acting like a frightened baby last night, but now you’re acting all proud and mighty, I wonder what happened? Oh, is it because you found a strong backer so now you can hold your head up high? Oh, don’t stare at me like that, you might pop your eyes out.”
“You… you speak nonsense! When did that happen!?” Feng Xi glared at him, grinding his teeth, his face alternating between red and blue as he vehemently denied the charge.
Yang Kai coldly snorted and continued, “Last night, this Young Master took pity on you and let you go, seeing Young Sect Master crying and begging to spare you was deeply moving after all! I never thought that not only would the Young Sect Master not feel deep gratitude, but he would even try to repay kindness with enmity!”
When Hu Yuan and the others heard this, they all looked at Feng Xi with a weird look on their faces. They secretly thought that there was some kind of grievance between these two young men and couldn’t help but wonder what happened last night that made Seeking Passion Sect’s Young Sect Master cry and beg this young man to spare him.
[So, something like this happened. No wonder he was denying so forcefully.]
Feng Xi wanted to explain himself, but Feng Xuan waved his hand, stopping him.
Feng Xi’s face and neck were red in anger but he didn’t dare to disobey his father’s orders. He could only swallow his grievance back down as his eyes turned red, filled with complaint.
Feng Xuan looked at Yang Kai and indifferently stated, “Young man, acting boldly isn’t a bad thing, but you must also judge your situation accurately. Only a reckless person blindly charges forward without thinking.”
“Bah!” Yang Kai frivolously stood there and spat before he lazily cupped his fists at Feng Xuan and said, “Junior will take Seniors guidance to heart; however… what is it you really want to say?”
Feng Xuan furrowed his brow and asked, “I heard that you snatched two Space Rings from members of my Seeking Passion Sect last night?”
[He snatched two Space Rings from Seeking Passion Sect!?] Hu Yuan and the others’ eyes widened in shock when they heard this, none of them able to believe their ears.
Previously, they thought of Yang Kai as someone who truly didn’t fear the Heavens, a rash youth who didn’t know what was good for him, but now it seemed that he wasn’t just rash but a complete lunatic!
Who in the entire Northern Territory would dare to snatch Space Rings from Seeking Passion Sect? The answer, this young man! And it wasn’t just one ring, but two! Who knows which hapless fellow lost his Space Ring? But even if that was the case, why was Sect Master Feng Xuan personally asking about it?
This boy was finished, he wouldn’t see the light of day tomorrow.
Yang Kai immediately shouted with a serious look on his face, “Senior, you can eat whatever you please, but you cannot say whatever you want! What snatching? I take great offence to this charge! This Young Master acted openly and aboveboard, always maintaining a righteous character! I even sit upright! I have never done such a thing! Senior saying I ‘snatched’ two Space Rings is tantamount to tarnishing the noble character of this Young Master! I am very unhappy, being accused so!”
His serious face suddenly turned gloomy as if he was really angry.
Hu Yuan and the others immediately wiped the cold sweat off their foreheads.
All of them were Emperor Realm Masters, and had been roaming freely in the Star Boundary for several thousand years each, but what they saw today had truly broadened their horizons. They felt that the things they had seen in their entire lives weren’t as mind-blowing as what they were seeing today. Where did this lunatic come from? He was not showing any intention of lowering his head even when faced with a Third-Order Emperor Realm Master! On the contrary, he was speaking so flippantly and without any hesitation.
Yao Zhou angrily shouted, “Didn’t you steal this King and Xi’er’s Space Rings? Boy, don’t lie through your teeth!”
Once he said this, Hu Yuan and the others, who had just wiped the sweat off their forehead, started sweating again. To their surprise, the two hapless fellows who lost their Space Rings were the Seeking Passion Sect’s Vice Sect Master and Young Sect Master!
This had suddenly turned into a big deal that would not end simply!
Originally, everyone thought that Yang Kai had robbed the rings of some Seeking Passion Sect disciples, but the truth was far more shocking. If it was just Feng Xi, it was still somewhat acceptable as he was just a Third-Order Dao Source Realm cultivator, but Yao Zhuo was a Second-Order Emperor! How could such a Master have his Space Ring stolen?
Regardless of how this matter ended today, Seeking Passion Sect would suffer a serious loss of face. Their Vice Sect Master and Young Sect Master had their Space Rings snatched by a Third-Order Dao Source Realm brat. If word got out, Seeking Passion Sect would not be able to gain a foothold in the Northern Territory anywhere.
Hu Yuan and the others could almost see this bizarre matter being turned into a song and sung on the streets of every city. In just ten years, the people of the Seeking Passion Sect would not be able to lift their heads.
“So, you were talking about those Space Rings…” Yang Kai looked as if he woke up from a dream and was struck with realization. The next moment, his face sank as he stated with a snort, “Vice Sect Master, please choose your words more carefully. When did I snatch those two rings? One ring was a bargaining chip given to this Young Master, while the other was forcefully stuffed into my hands by your Young Sect Master. If this Young Master didn’t take it, the Young Sect Master would have been uneasy, so this Young Master reluctantly took it, but now you are using this Young Master’s kind gesture to level false accusations?”
“Little Bastard!” Yao Zhuo erupted in fury as he fiercely circulated his Emperor Qi, seemingly wanting to rush forward and rip Yang Kai into ten thousand pieces.
Yang Kai, agilely jumped back and, landing beside An Ruo Yun and the others, stared up at him, asking, “What are you doing? Do you want to kill me? You can give it a try!”
“Sect Master!?” Yao Zhuo looked back and cupped his fist at Feng Xuan as he declared, “I must kill him!”
Feng Xuan calmly stated in response, “You can’t.”
Yang Kai had jumped to An Ruo Yun and the others’ side, so Yao Zhuo had lost any chance to kill Yang Kai. And Feng Xuan, as the Sect Master of the Seeking Passion Sect, couldn’t personally kill Yang Kai as that would be a disgrace to his status. He suddenly discovered that this young man of unknown origin was giving him a terrible headache, seemingly even harder to deal with than Bing Yun.
Feng Xuan pondered for a moment before staring at Yang Kai and praising, “Little Brother is a dragon among men. You will become an outstanding character in the future. You can treat those two rings as this Sect Master’s gift to you for our first meeting.”
Yang Kai raised his brow and responded with a snort, “Senior wants to have the last word and seems quite adept at it too.”
Feng Xuan knew that he would definitely not be able to take back the two Space Rings, so he simply said that they were gifts for their first meeting. It was extremely shameless; however, it would also show the generosity of Seeking Passion Sect and save them some face.
“But there is one thing in them that this King needs back. Little Brother, please cooperate.”
Yang Kai furrowed his brow and asked, “What is it?”
He hadn’t found anything special when he went through the rings before, though there were many precious treasures.
“The Blood Jade Qilin,” Feng Xuan quickly said.
“Blood Jade Qilin?” Yang Kai murmured to himself, quickly scanning his Space Ring with his Divine Sense before taking out a red Qilin statue. This Qilin statue was just thirty centimetres tall and was quite vivid and lifelike, but Yang Kai had no idea what it was carved from. He had thrown it into his ring after a glance, and only when Feng Xuan brought it up did he suddenly remember it.
“That’s it!” Feng Xuan confirmed with a nod.
“What’s so special about this thing?” Yang Kai asked curiously. He had no idea why Feng Xuan wanted this thing back.
Feng Xuan didn’t try to conceal anything and explained, “It is useless to Little Brother as it is simply a status symbol of the Young Sect Master’s wife of my Sect. It is passed down from the Ancestral Founder of my Sect and holds great ceremonial significance to my Seeking Passion Sect!”
“The status symbol of the Young Sect Master’s wife!” Yang Kai raised his brow and glanced at Zi Yu, who was still kneeling before the entrance, thinking that Feng Xi was still very interested in her. He had sixty-nine concubines at home and yet he actually brought this Blood Jade Qilin as a gift to give Zi Yu. Obviously, he regarded her as extremely important.
But this wasn’t strange as Zi Yu was the top rising star of Ice Heart Valley. She was a perfect match for Feng Xi, whether it was her origin or aptitude. His sixty-nine concubines at home were simply no match for Zi Yu.
Yang Kai had no idea whether Feng Xuan’s words were true or not, or whether there was a secret hidden in the Blood Jade Qilin, but while he was immersed in his thoughts, a voice suddenly rang in his ears, “Feng Xuan isn’t lying. The Blood Jade Qilin is indeed the status symbol of the wife of each generation’s Young Sect Master. Only the one who possesses the Blood Jade Qilin can be regarded as the Young Sect Master’s wife. Other women would just be the concubines of the Young Sect Master.”
The voice belonged to An Ruo Yun. She would definitely not lie to him so Yang Kai secretly nodded in acknowledgement.
“Good! This King needs to take this Blood Jade Qilin back. Please cooperate and return it to this King!” Feng Xuan stretched his hand toward Yang Kai as he spoke.
A meaningful grin immediately appeared on Yang Kai’s face as he asked, “Senior only needs this thing back? There are many rare and precious treasures inside those two rings, are you sure you don’t want them as well?”
Feng Xuan proudly stated, “Although those things are valuable, they are nothing but a drop in the bucket to my Seeking Passion Sect. However, the Blood Jade Qilin cannot be lost.”
Yang Kai broke into laughter and declared, “Seeking Passion Sect deserves its reputation as a top Sect of the Northern Territory. As expected, you are really wealthy. So many treasures are nothing to you, this has indeed opened my eyes!”
Feng Xi let out a cold snort and sarcastically said, “What a country bumpkin!”
Yang Kai grinned towards him, his smile seeming to carry a deep meaning. Feng Xi couldn’t help but shudder seeing this smile, an extremely unpleasant feeling suddenly gripping his heart.
Right then, Yang Kai looked back at Feng Xuan and stated, “If Senior wants this Blood Jade Qilin back, this Young Master can return it; after all, this thing is extremely significant to your noble Sect, and this Young Master doesn’t want to take someone’s beloved treasure.”
“Many thanks for your understanding,” Feng Xuan calmly said.
Yang Kai laughed meaningfully next, “As I told your Young Sect Master and Vice Sect Master the night before, all things in this world are negotiable. If Senior wants this thing back, there is no problem, as long as… you can make it worthwhile for me!”
While speaking, he quickly rubbed his index finger and thump, indicating he wanted money.
The onlooking Hu Yuan and the others were immediately struck with dizziness.
Feng Xi suddenly turned pale as he coughed awkwardly. The last time Yang Kai said these words, he and Yao Zhou had lost their Space Rings, and now he was saying the same thing again. Who knows how he would ask for the lion’s share this time! Suddenly, Feng Xi understood why he was feeling restless just now.
Feng Xuan looked at Yang Kai with a weird look on his face and calmly asked, “Are you bargaining with this King?”
Yang Kai glanced at him, paying no heed, and stated, “Since Senior wants this Blood Jade Qilin, Senior must naturally pay an appropriate price for it. Senior is also a man of integrity so surely he knows there is no such thing as a free lunch in this world, yes?”
Feng Xuan somehow controlled his fury, grimacing in anger as he asked with a scoff, “How much?”
Yang Kai broke into laughter, “Senior is very easy to talk to, much better than your son. Out of respect for your refreshing personality, this Young Master won’t ask for much. I think this much will be sufficient.”
He stretched one finger up and waved it lightly.
Feng Xuan lightly nodded, “Ten million. Indeed not much.”
Yang Kai looked dumbfounded and failed to stop himself from laughing as he stated, “Ten million? Senior must be joking, right? This Blood Jade Qilin is something passed down in your noble Sect from the hands of your Ancestral Founder. It might not be a treasure, but it is of great symbolic significance. In Senior’s eyes, is it only worth ten million?”
“So, you want a hundred million?” Feng Xuan’s eyes flickered with a cold gleam as he angrily rebuked, “Young man, your appetite is quite big! Be careful, or your belly might just burst!”
“A hundred million?” Yang Kai sneered, “Seeking Passion Sect controls many businesses and is incredibly rich. Senior must feel embarrassed to only take out a measly sum of a hundred million, and this Young Master is equally embarrassed to ask for such a paltry amount. Your Seeking Passion Sect must not lose face here.”
“Could it be… you want a billion?” Feng Xuan’s head was buzzing, nearly coughing up blood in anger.
“A billion Mid-Rank Source Crystals should be nothing to Seeking Passion Sect, right?” Yang Kai pursed his lips into a smile.
“Mid-Rank Source Crystals!?” The corners of Feng Xuan’s mouth twitched. At first, he thought that Yang Kai wanted a billion Low-Rank Source Crystals, but he had never expected him to want Mid-Rank Source Crystals. The difference between the two sums was a hundredfold! Even if they were converted to High-Rank Source Crystals, it would still be ten million! Feng Xuan immediately shouted in anger, “Little Beast, it turns out you were just mocking this King without the slightest sincerity to return the Blood Jade Qilin! This King will teach you a lesson on behalf of your parents so you learn there are some people in this world you can never offend!”
Previously, Feng Xuan was unwilling to personally make a move on Yang Kai, mainly because of his identity and status; after all, there were many eyes on him. He, a Third-Order Emperor Realm Master attacking a Third-Order Dao Source Realm Junior, was really a shameful thing to do.
However, now that Yang Kai was making such unreasonable demands, Feng Xuan finally lost his temper. No matter how embarrassing it may be, even if he killed Yang Kai now, everyone wouldn’t think he was bullying the weak; after all, Yang Kai’s current performance was really too disgusting.
While speaking, Feng Xuan palmed towards Yang Kai, and in the blink of an eye, the Heavens and Earth dimmed as Principles began to surge.
The entire Ice Moon City seemed to have been covered by the might of this one palm strike, making everyone feel suffocated, their chests tightening as if something heavy was placed on them.
Hu Yuan and the others suddenly turned pale as they promptly backed away, secretly feeling sorry for Yang Kai. This boy really didn’t know the immensity of Heaven and Earth, repeatedly provoking a Third-Order Emperor Realm Master. He must really be tired of living.
Everyone could almost see Yang Kai’s corpse lying on the ground.
Feng Xuan attacked without any warning, so by the time the Ice Heart Valley Elders reacted and wanted to save Yang Kai, it was already too late.
Yang Kai was also rooted in his place by the Emperor Pressure, unable to move, his face pale; however, not even an ounce of fear could be found in his eyes. On the contrary, he looked calm and composed as he stared back at Feng Xuan with a look of mockery.
*Chi…*
With a soft noise, a snow-white Sword Qi suddenly flew out from somewhere inside the inn, shooting straight at the oncoming Feng Xuan’s palm with an imposing momentum.
Immediately after, a deafening explosion shook everyone’s eardrums as a huge shockwave swept out in every direction, causing the buildings within a radius of a thousand metres to rock.
The palm disappeared into nothing while the blade of Sword Qi shot straight towards the sky, disappearing in a flash.
When everyone finally regained their wits, they found a young woman standing in front of Yang Kai. This woman didn’t look very old, perhaps only seventeen or eighteen; however, her aura was extremely pure, as if she had never been defiled by the slightest dust.
Feng Xuan’s pupil immediately shrunk as his gaze completely fixed on this young woman.
An Ruo Yun and the others’ pretty eyes widened in surprise as they stared at this sudden newcomer and shouted in trembling voices, “Master!”
[Master!?]
Hu Yuan and the other nearby spectators immediately came to realize who this young woman was after hearing this. Evidently, she was the Ancestral Founder of Ice Heart Valley, the Third-Order Emperor Realm Master who had been missing for three thousand years, Bing Yun!
“Disciple greets Master!” An Ruo Yun and the others bowed on the ground together.
Bing Yun calmly glanced at them, her thoughts impossible to read. Only sparing them a moment, she then focused her pretty eyes on Yang Kai and said with a soft snort, “You’re quite bold.”
Obviously, she was talking about Yang Kai’s constant provocation of Feng Xuan.
Bing Yun had lived for over ten thousand years, but even after so long, she had never seen someone as reckless as Yang Kai. He, a trivial Third-Order Dao Source Realm Junior, dared to clamour and bargain with a Third-Order Emperor Realm Master.
“Heh heh!” Yang Kai laughed, wearing a smile on his face, “With Senior’s backing, why would I be afraid?” After a pause, he nervously asked under his breath, “Have you fully recovered, Senior?”
Bing Yun replied with a light snort, “Just about.”
Hearing this, Yang Kai couldn’t help relaxing. If Bing Yun said that she had ‘just about’ recovered, she must have completely recovered already. In other words, there was no problem with her taking action. As long as she was here to preside over the situation, there was nothing to fear from Feng Xuan.
“Bing Yun, what are you doing?” Feng Xuan coldly glared at Bing Yun and shouted, “If this King remembers correctly, your Ice Heart Valley doesn’t accept male disciples, right? Why did you stop this King from teaching this boy a lesson?”
Bing Yun glanced back at him and replied, “Wait there while I deal with some internal affairs of my valley first. I will deal with you later!”
Feng Xuan immediately froze; however, he did not argue. In the entire Star Boundary, there were few who were qualified to speak to him like this, but Bing Yun was definitely one of them. Who knows how many times they had fought, but every time, they wound up in a draw. Bing Yun and Feng Xuan dreaded one another, so Feng Xuan still had to give her face even if he was infuriated at this moment.
Bing Yun turned around and calmly said, gazing at An Ruo Yun and the others, “Get up, why are you still kneeling?”
An Ruo Yun and the others lowered their heads further; not one of them standing up.
Bing Yun coldly snorted and said, “This Queen has left for just three millennia and you are already having a difficult time speaking, is that right? No wonder you dare to marry off the best disciple of the valley. When did my Ice Heart Valley start to take cues from others? You little girls are truly impressive!”
Judging by her voice, she appeared to know the ins and outs of everything. She must have gotten some information from listening to everyone’s chatter outside.
An Ruo Yun’s soft and exquisite figure trembled slightly as she knew that her Master was truly angry, immediately stating in a panic-stricken voice, “We Disciples have gone against Master’s teachings and ask Master to punish us!”
Sun Yun Xiu anxiously spoke up, “Master, this matter has nothing to do with the other sisters. I was the one who agreed to the marriage with Seeking Passion Sect. If Master wants to punish someone, it should be me alone.”
“You think I won’t punish you!?” Bing Yun glared at Sun Yun Xiu. Sun Yun Xiu was a Second-Order Emperor Realm Master, but being glared at by Bing Yun, she trembled like a mouse that had just seen a cat, clenching her teeth while trying not to utter a single cry.
Right then, Zi Yu intervened, “Ancestral Founder, please calm your anger. Great Elder only had the valley in mind when she did this. I ask Ancestral Founder to spare her.”
Her act of interceding for Sun Yun Xiu really came as a surprise, even to Sun Yun Xiu herself, a complicated look appearing in her pretty eyes.
Bing Yun focused her gaze on Zi Yu and her expression immediately softened as she calmly stated, “You are too soft-hearted. Who would have thought that you would speak on her behalf even when she was the one to push you into the fiery pit.”
Zi Yu, shaking her head, continued to defend Sun Yun Xiu, “Great Elder was helpless. If she did not do this, it would have been difficult for my fellow sisters to survive. If Zi Yu’s happiness can be sacrificed for the safety of the other sisters, Zi Yu is willing. Even though I had such intentions, I don’t know why I wanted to run away, the further, the better. This Zi Yu was simply ignorant and unaware of the world. Ancestral Founder, please don’t blame others.” As she spoke, Zi Yu broke into tears, extremely confused and saddened.
Bing Yun’s lips parted to say something, but ultimately she just sighed before changing her words, “Rest assured, since I’m here, no one can force you to do anything against your will!”
Zi Yu’s tears immediately turned into smiles as she bowed her head, “Many thanks, Ancestral Founder!”
Bing Yun’s words seemed to have reassured her, making her feel at peace at once, so she no longer panicked as her fears all abated.
Bing Yun looked at Sun Yun Xiu again and stated, “As for your mistake, I will make a decision after I return to the valley. Get up first!”
“Many thanks, Master!” All the women thanked in unison. Only then did they stand up.
Bing Yun’s gaze softened as she looked at everyone’s face, discovering that over half of the Emperor Realm Masters present were the disciples she had taken in long ago. Today, they had all broken through to the Emperor Realm. Also, she had some impressions of the other Emperors present. They should be outstanding disciples of the valley from the past, so while they might not be her direct Disciples, all of them were among Ice Heart Valley’s first generation. There were only two or three Emperors she was unfamiliar with, never having seen them before.
These two or three Emperors Realm Master must have been recruited into Ice Heart Valley by An Ruo Yun and the others after she left.
There were always some lone cultivators without strong backgrounds who encountered Heaven-defying opportunities, allowing them to travel far on the Martial Dao. Such cultivators were outstanding geniuses who would always be welcomed by great forces. Since they could cultivate to such a high realm without any support and fewer cultivation resources, they had a very high probability of advancing to the Emperor Realm with such support.
Yang Kai was a prime example.
If cultivators like these wanted to take refuge in top Sects, they only needed to pass some simple tests and inspections to join. Of course, even after joining the Sect, they would be subjected to a long period of investigation and scrutiny to ensure they weren’t plotting anything against the Sect and they could be entrusted with important tasks.
Bing Yun looked at the unfamiliar Emperors, all of whom should have been recruited into Ice Heart Valley just like this. Since they were standing here, it meant that there should be no problem with their loyalty.
“What about Little Three, Little Five, and Little Nine?” Bing Yun suddenly asked. She seemed to have some premonitions as sadness flashed across her eyes.
An Ruo Yun quickly replied, “Third Junior Sister left shortly after Master left Ice Heart Valley. She went out to seek Master’s trail but lost contact with the valley, her whereabouts unknown.”
Bing Yun’s pupils shrank as she immediately asked, “Is her Life Lamp still burning?”
An Ruo Yun replied, “Yes, so we know Third Junior Sister is still alive; however, we don’t know where.”
“Good,” Bing Yun breathed a sigh of relief.
An Ruo Yun continued, “Fifth Junior Sister… she fell while trying to break through to the Emperor Realm.”
Bing Yun’s tender body trembled a little upon hearing this; however, she regained her calm soon and stated with a sigh, “That is also fate. Little Fifth always had a hurried temperament. I knew that her future would not be smooth.”
An Ruo Yun’s eyes reddened as she blamed herself, “As her Senior Sister, I didn’t take care of her well enough.”
Bing Yun shook her head and comforted, “It has nothing to do with you. What about Little Ninth? Is she… dead or alive?”
An Ruo Yun replied, “Ninth Junior Sister has been in secluded retreat for the past ten years. She said that she won’t exit until she breaks through to the Emperor Realm.”
“Very good,” a slight smile reappeared on Bing Yun’s face. She had left three millennia ago, and among the nine Disciples she had taken in at the time, seven of them had broken through to the Emperor Realm successfully. Among them, An Ruo Yun and Sun Yun Xiu had further lived up to her expectations by reaching the Second-Order Emperor Realm. One of them had already departed and had returned to the Heavens, while the last one, the youngest, Little Ninth, was in a retreat to achieve a breakthrough.
These results were, in truth, spectacular. As a Master, Bing Yun could be the only one in the Star Boundary to achieve such phenomenal results. Who could boast of having so many Disciples break through to the Emperor Realm? One could not help but wonder whether it was her superior mentorship abilities or simply because Ice Heart Valley was an excellent environment for nurturing talent.
“Bing Yun, if you are done reminiscing, can we talk now?” Feng Xuan urged loudly, appearing extremely impatient.
Bing Yun coldly snorted and glanced back at him before snapping, “For these three millennia this Queen has been absent, Sect Master Feng seems to have taken good care of my Ice Heart Valley.”
Her tone carried a strong sarcasm. Obviously, she was very angry about the fact that Seeking Passion Sect bullied her valley while she was away, forcing them to marry their best disciple against her will.
Feng Xuan calmly justified, “You and I represent top Sects in the Northern Territory, so there is no problem with us becoming allies! This King doesn’t think that there is anything wrong with this. Why are you being narrow-minded?”
“Am I narrow-minded or is Sect Master Feng too proud of himself?” Bing Yun replied in a light tone, “You can be considered a Senior Master, yet you feel gratified bullying a few little girls?”
Feng Xuan furrowed his brow and rebuked, “Bing Yun, your tongue is as sharp as ever. This King isn’t going to argue with you! Today, this King is here for two things, one is to let my son marry Zi Yu, and the other is to take back the Blood Jade Qilin! Bing Yun, please cooperate in these matters for the sake of our old friendship!”
Bing Yun coldly smiled as she raised her jade finger and quickly spoke, “Let this Queen make it clear to you. First, Zi Yu is my Ice Heart Valley’s top disciple, I will never let her marry your waste of a son, so perish this thought entirely. Second, I have no opinion about your Blood Jade Qilin, if you want it back, take it yourself, and if you can’t, then scram out of Ice Moon City as soon as possible, lest you lose face in front of the heroes of the Northern Territory and find it difficult to even show yourself in public again!”
Bing Yun taking an unyielding stance caught Feng Xuan by surprise.
Hu Yun and the others were even more terrified as they felt a faint oppression fill the air, like mountains were pressing down on them.
It seemed these two Masters had reached an impasse, and by the looks of it, a fight might break out. Once that happened, Ice Moon City would definitely be wiped from existence and who knows whether anyone could retreat safely. A fire at the city gates always brings disaster to the fish in the moat, so many were now considering whether they should take this opportunity to leave, lest they became those very fish
Feng Xuan sunk into a long silence before he pursed his lips into a sarcastic smile and stated, “This boy is not your illegitimate child is he? Is that why you are defending him so staunchly?”
Once he said this, An Ruo Yun and the others had a sharp change in their expressions. A Master of Feng Xuan’s stature was actually trying to soil Bing Yun’s reputation in front of so many people with such slanderous lies! Clearly he had ulterior, wicked motives here.
All of a sudden, the Ice Heart Valley Elders all became infuriated, grinding their teeth as they glared at Feng Xuan, wishing they could pounce at him and bite him to death.
To everyone’s surprise, however, Bing Yun didn’t seem to be angered in the slightest. On the contrary, she looked at Yang Kai with profound meaning and calmly stated, “If this Queen could have such an heir, then I would have no regrets in life.”
Feng Xuan was immediately dumbfounded.
An Ruo Yun and the others were jaw slacked, gawking at their Master in shock.
What did she mean by this? Was she secretly admitting it was true? This young man wouldn’t really happen to be Bing Yun’s bastard son? If that wasn’t the case, why didn’t she get angry and even go so far as to say such words?
For a moment, everyone’s gaze turned a little different when they looked at Yang Kai, as if he was now bearing the brand of Ice Heart Valley.
Yang Kai couldn’t help breaking out into a cold sweat as he bitterly looked at Bing Yun and stammered, “Senior, if you put it in this way, others might misunderstand.”
Bing Yun smiled and replied, “I just spoke thoughtlessly, don’t take it to heart.”
She didn’t mean to deliberately take advantage of Yang Kai; however, she knew that Feng Xuan was simply trying to anger her, destabilizing her mood to gain an advantage. As such, she simply chose the best option to maintain her calm.
“It seems that this brat is deeply related to you!” Feng Xuan immediately realized that the relationship between Bing Yun and Yang Kai was a bit unusual. Otherwise, Bing Yun wouldn’t ignore her reputation and say something like this.
“But even if he is really your illegitimate child, the Blood Jade Qilin must be handed to me today. Otherwise, don’t blame this King for being ruthless!” Feng Xuan sternly shouted as he suddenly took a step forward.
The entire world quaked with this step, as if it was surrendering to him.
The residents of Ice Moon City felt even more suffocated now as the pressure around them increased noticeably.
Yang Kai’s face turned slightly pale as he held the Blood Jade Qilin up high and shouted frantically, “This Young Master is quite timid! Senior Feng Xuan, please don’t frighten me! If this Young Master were to panic, he might just destroy this thing in his hand.”
Everyone was rendered speechless after hearing this, secretly thinking in their hearts, [Boy, if you can be considered timid, then there isn’t anyone in the world who can be considered courageous!]
While speaking, Yang Kai pushed his Source Qi and suddenly, a slight cracking sound came from the Blood Jade Qilin.
Seeing this, Feng Xi’s eyes bulged in shock as he cried in shock, “Father, he really intends to ruin the Blood Jade Qilin!”
“Stop!” Feng Xuan also sternly shouted, “If you dare to destroy it, I will let you know the meaning of a death without a burial!”
Yang Kai shouted, “Aiya, aiya, this Young Master just said he was extremely timid! Why is Senior scaring me so? I’m so afraid to die!”
While speaking, he pushed his Source Qi harder, causing many more cracks to sound from the Blood Jade Qilin.
Feng Xuan’s breath stopped at the sight of this and his face turned blue.
The Blood Jade Qilin wasn’t a treasure of any kind, or even that valuable; however, it was indeed the status symbol of the Seeking Passion Sect Young Sect Master’s wife. Because every generation of Seeking Passion Sect Young Sect Master would have many wives and concubines, only the one holding the Blood Jade Qilin could be considered his legitimate wife. This woman would take care of the harem on behalf of the Young Sect Master, so that the Young Sect Master would cultivate in peace and not be affected by his women’s internal troubles.
If such a symbol was destroyed before everyone’s eyes, it would be tantamount to a slap right across Seeking Passion Sect’s face.
Seeing that intimidation wasn’t working, Feng Xuan had no choice but to take a deep breath and withdraw his aura. He then said with an extremely unsightly look on his face, “Boy, what do you want?”
Yang Kai replied, snorting, “I have already given you the conditions. Why would Senior Feng knowingly ask me again?”
“You still dare to ask for a billion Mid-Rank Source Crystals!?” Feng Xuan angrily snapped. A billion Source Crystals might be nothing to Seeking Passion Sect, but if he gave in to Yang Kai’s blackmail here, Feng Xuan would be extremely disgraced.
Yang Kai narrowed his eyes and asked, “Then how much does Senior think he can pay?”
“At most a hundred million! Boy, don’t try to reach out for a yard after taking an inch!” Feng Xuan snorted and replied.
“Alright, a hundred million then, this Young Master is a very easy-going person!” Yang Kai pursed his lips into a smile.
Everyone was stunned by his reaction. They had never expected for Yang Kai to actually agree; after all, he had tried to take the lion’s share just now. Furthermore, he was completely lawless and unafraid before, so everyone thought that he would definitely blackmail Seeking Passion Sect into giving him the full billion Source Crystals. Inferring from how much importance Feng Xuan attached to the Blood Jade Qilin, as long as Yang Kai insisted, he could easily get his hands on a billion Source Crystals. No one had expected him to compromise without even bargaining.
Was he scared? Young people are always hot-blooded, but they do tend to calm down when they become frightened.
However, a mere Third-Order Dao Source Realm cultivator actually dared to blackmail the Seeking Passion Sect’s Sect Master for a hundred million Source Crystals. No one knew if there would be such an occurrence in the future, but it was surely a first in history.
“Senior Bing Yun, can I trouble you a little?” Yang Kai suddenly asked, turning her head and looking back at Bing Yun.
Bing Yun had no idea what scheme he was cooking up this time, so she suspiciously asked, “What do you want me to do?”
Yang Kai took the Blood Jade Qilin in his hand and replied while making a slicing motion, “Senior Feng Xuan is only willing to pay a tenth of the price I asked, so obviously I can only give him a tenth of this item. Senior, can you cut this thing down by one-tenth. All business has to be fair and just, never taking advantage of others nor allowing them to take advantage of us!”
Bin Yun was secretly amused by this as only Yang Kai could come up with such a wicked idea. However, in public she quietly glared at him before summoning a sword as white as snow into her hand, appearing as if she was about to cut a piece off the Blood Jade Qilin.
Yang Kai looked up at Feng Xuan and asked with a cold smile, “Senior, I wonder whether you are satisfied with this?”
Infuriated, Feng Xuan almost spurted blood. Before he could say anything, Yang Kai added, “If Senior can come up with five hundred million, then I will ask Senior Bing Yun to cut this in half. How much Senior can get will depend on how many Source Crystals he can offer. I am very fair, so… how much of it do you want?”
Feng Xuan’s blood boiled with rage as he almost gasped for breath.
He felt that he had never been so infuriated in his entire life, andthe all of this was thanks to the little bastard before him!
Hu Yuan and the others were secretly growing apprehensive as they worried in their hearts, [This young man is truly cruel. He is still insisting on stealing a billion Source Crystals from Feng Xuan. If he really cuts a tenth, or even a half off of it, will this Blood Jade Qilin still hold any meaning?]
However… by offending Seeking Passion Sect like this, Yang Kai would surely pay a terrible price! He would not be able to survive unless he really was Bing Yun’s illegitimate son!
“Father, the Blood Jade Qilin Seal cannot be destroyed!” Feng Xi cried in shock.
“Shut up!” Feng Xuan snapped back, glaring at Feng Xi with a look of hatred. He suddenly realized there was a huge disparity between his son and the young man before him.
[Is it because I have spoiled him too much?] Feng Xuan secretly reflected.
Yang Kai added, “It seems that Senior Feng cannot afford a billion Mid-Rank Source Crystals. Ha… I take back what I just said about Seeking Passion Sect having multiple businesses and being rich. This Young Master, this country bumpkin, was hoping to have my eyes opened, but who would have thought… tsk tsk tsk, Senior Bing Yun, since they can’t afford it, let’s cut it!”
Bing Yun lightly nodded before raising her sword.
Feng Xuan immediately turned livid and hastily shouted, “Alright, a billion then!”
It was just a billion Mid-Rank Source Crystals, so it wasn’t that he couldn’t pay it, he was simply reluctant to agree because he didn’t want to let Yang Kai lead him by the nose. Regardless of anything else, Feng Xuan was a Third-Order Emperor Realm Master, so it was disgraceful to be manipulated by Yang Kai before so many people. But now, he was at his wits’ end and had to agree even if he didn’t want to.
“Good, Senior Feng is a decisive man. This Young Master appreciates people with such sturdy character!” Yang Kai broke out into laughter.
As soon as he said this, even someone as indifferent as Bing Yun found her brow twitching, wondering just how he was able to spout such nonsense.
Feng Xuan’s face turned colder as he stated, “This King can give you one billion Mid-Rank Source Crystals, but this King has one more condition.
Yang Kai immediately snorted and rebuked, “I guess Senior Feng hasn’t woken up yet! Do you think you are qualified to bargain with this Young Master? Pay up the Source Crystals first, we can discuss other things later.”
Feng Xuan mockingly looked at him and asked, “Why are you refusing the condition so vehemently when you have not listened to this King’s proposal?”
Yang Kai disdainfully replied, “A dog’s mouth can’t spit ivory, I don’t want to listen, it’s that simple.” While speaking, he stretched his hand out toward Feng Xuan and beckoned, “Pay the money with one hand and take your thing with the other, don’t dilly dally.”
Feng Xuan, barely holding in his anger, stated in an indifferent manner, “My son ate a loss at your hands last night. Youngsters need to pick themselves up from where they fall. As such, my son wants to challenge you today. I wonder whether Little Brother has the courage to agree or not?”
As if acting in concert with his words, Feng Xi took a step forward, condescendingly looking down at Yang Kai. There was a look of disdain in his eyes and all that trembling and fear from last night was nowhere to be seen.
Feng Xi didn’t think Yang Kai was strong at all, believing instead that the reason he suffered so much the night before was because Yang Kai was a fox pretending to be a tiger, borrowing the power and influence of the group of Ice Heart Valley Emperor Realm Masters. He felt that he and Yang Kai had never properly faced each other head-on.
As the Young Sect Master of Seeking Passion Sect, he had learned the most powerful Secret Arts and Secret Techniques in the world, and had the most powerful artifacts. He simply had no opponents in the same realm.
One on one, Feng Xi was confident that he wouldn’t lose to anyone.
Last night and today, Seeking Passion Sect could be considered to have lost a great deal of face. If he wanted to regain some of what he lost, Feng Xi could only get it back from Yang Kai, the root cause of all this.
It was impossible for Feng Xuan and Yao Zhuo to directly make a move against Yang Kai as once they tried to, Ice Heart Valley’s Emperors wouldn’t sit idly by, which would directly trigger a war between the two Sects.
The only other option left was to let Feng Xi challenge Yang Kai and then kill him in front of everyone, regaining Seeking Passion Sect’s lost face.
Obviously, Feng Xi knew what his father was thinking, so even though the father and son duo had not discussed in advance, the former hurriedly stepped forward with a look of provocation on his face.
Yang Kai glanced at Feng Xi as he stated, pursing his lips into a smile, “Young Sect Master, it seems you might not be Sect Master Feng’s real son.”
Feng Xi was momentarily stupefied, but in the next moment, he snapped back in anger, “Bastard, all you know is how to use your tongue!”
Yang Kai disdainfully rebuked, “If you were his real son, why would Senior Feng be so impatient to send you to your death?”
Feng Xi’s face turned ashen as he argued back, “How dare you look down on this Young Master!? If you really have the ability, why don’t we see who is stronger and who is weaker in the ring!? The winner will marry Zi Yu and the loser will leave the Northern Territory rolling on the ground, never to return!”
A dissatisfied Zi Yu immediately intervened, frowning slightly, “What does this have to do with me?”
Feng Xi was really something. He is actually trying to drag Zi Yu into this without any rhyme or reason, an infuriating prospect. However, when Zi Yu recalled how Yang Kai had proclaimed that the two of them had secretly pledged their lives to one another a long time ago before so many people last night, Zi Yu suddenly understood that Feng Xi was acting out of blind jealousy.
But that was just an excuse. After everything was over, her dozen or so Martial Aunts hadn’t brought this matter up again as it was obvious to them it was all just nonsense. Only Feng Xi took it seriously, making everyone worry about the mental capacity of this young man.
Just based on this fact alone, it was impossible for Zi Yu to wish to marry Feng Xi.
“First pay up the Source Crystals. Senior Feng won’t be going back on his word, right?” Yang Kai ignored Feng Xi’s provocation and shouted at Feng Xuan, turning his attention back to him.
Feng Xuan sneered as he took out an already prepared Space Ring, “The Source Crystals are all here, but why is Little Brother diverting the topic? Are you afraid of my son? If you are afraid, then apologize to him. My son’s upbringing is pretty good, he may forgive you.”
“First pay me the Source Crystals. We can talk about it after that!” Yang Kai impatiently exhorted.
Feng Xuan coldly snorted as he threw the Space Ring, grimacing.
Yang Kai immediately caught it and scanned it with his Divine Sense, his face immediately lighting up with joy.
Rather than one billion Mid-Rank Source Crystals in the ring, there were five million High-Rank Source Crystals and 500 million Mid-Rank Source Crystals, which was exactly one billion if converted into Mid-Rank Source Crystals.
[It seems Seeking Passion Sect is indeed extremely wealthy, they paid out one billion Source Crystals just like that.] Suddenly, Yang Kai started to regret not asking for a higher price; after all, judging by Feng Xuan’s appearance, he should be able to pay out more.
Confirming that the number of Source Crystals were as agreed, Yang Kai threw the Blood Jade Qilin back.
Feng Xuan caught it and tossed it to Feng Xi right away, without so much as taking a single glance. He then indifferently stated, “If you lose it again, you won’t be the Young Sect Master anymore.”
Feng Xi’s face immediately changed and he hurriedly promised, “Lord Father, rest assured. Your son will definitely take good care of it and never lose it again.”
Feng Xuan lightly nodded before he turned his gaze back to Yang Kai and asked, “What do you think about my previous proposal?”
Yang Kai coldly laughed, “Senior, I think you are eager to send your son to his grave! It seems he is really not your real son, but I suppose that’s not a surprise seeing how Senior has countless wives and concubines. Your energy is limited, so it is inevitable that you can’t take care of all of them alone. It’s very normal for Madams to go out and occasionally find other ways to soothe their loneliness.”
Hearing this, a strange look appeared on the faces of Hu Yuan and the others. It was clear they were all trying to stifle their laughter as they didn’t dare to make a scene in front of Feng Xuan.
In this world, who would dare to talk to Feng Xuan like this? By saying this, Yang Kai was making Feng Xuan wear a green hat! Everyone had no choice but to refresh their insight on Yang Kai’s boldness, feeling equal parts admiration and shock for him.
They were all a little afraid that Yang Kai would completely infuriate Feng Xuan, and an enraged Third-Order Emperor Realm Master would be a disaster.
“Little brat, how dare you!” Feng Xuan was furious. No man would be able to remain calm if someone said something like this about them.
Yang Kai sternly rebuked, “Didn’t Senior Feng happily slander Senior Bing Yun just now? But now, when you were slandered, you suddenly turned hostile? Senior, I guess you haven’t cultivated your temperament that well, it is simply worlds apart from Senior Bing Yun.”
Feng Xuan was taken aback when he heard this; however, he quickly regained his calm and no longer showed any irritation and anger. On the contrary, a calm and composed look had appeared on his face. Obviously, he had fully controlled his mental state.
After maintaining a straight face for a while, Feng Xuan indifferently stated, “In any case, a battle between you and Xi’er will happen today!”
Yang Kai let out a cold snort before agreeing, “Since Senior is being so unreasonable and playing the bully, then this Young Master… has no choice but to reluctantly agree.”
A mere Feng Xi wasn’t really worth his attention. Even if Feng Xi had some ace up his sleeves, Yang Kai was confident that he could escape.
Considering all this, Yang Kai asked Bing Yun in a low voice, “Is it okay if I kill him?”
Bing Yun furrowed her brow lightly. She didn’t doubt Yang Kai’s words in the slightest as she had a good idea how powerful he was. Even Emperor Realm Masters had lost their lives at Yang Kai’s hands, so no matter how strong Feng Xi was, he couldn’t be stronger than them! Still, she pondered for a moment before replying, “If you can spare him, it would be better. If Feng Xi was killed by you in front of everyone, Feng Xuan would definitely not let it go. Although my Ice Heart Valley isn’t afraid of him, once the two Sects start fighting, countless disciples will lose their lives. The gains would not outweigh the losses.”
“Understood,” Yang Kai nodded, the next moment a wicked smile spreading across his face as he muttered, “Then half dead it is.”
Hearing this, Bing Yun looked at Feng Xi, who was proudly posturing, with a sliver of sympathy.
On another note, when everyone saw Yang Kai readily agree to Feng Xi’s challenge, a strange look appeared on their faces. Even the faces of the Ice Heart Valley Elders were filled with worry and concern. Although they didn’t know how strong Yang Kai was, Feng Xi was Seeking Passion Sect’s Young Sect Master, so there was no question about his strength.
If it was Zi Yu, even she might not be able to retreat unharmed from a battle with Feng Xi. Could Yang Kai be stronger than her?
Hu Yuan and the others, on the other hand, were very excited. They weren’t excited because of the fight between two Third-Order Dao Source Realm Masters. All of them were Emperors, so how could a fight between Dao Source Realm Juniors excite them? They were excited because this way, the conflict between the two great forces, Ice Heart Valley and Seeking Passion Sect, might be resolved. They didn’t have to worry about this leading to mayhem consuming the Northern Territory. They were all hoping for this. Therefore, they were a little grateful to Yang Kai for agreeing to this battle.
Everyone could tell that Yang Kai could care less about this battle, and that Feng Xuan was being completely unreasonable. He was simply oppressing others with force to save face.
At this point, Hu Yuan hurriedly suggested, “I remember that there is a ready-made ring in the city. If you don’t mind, why don’t we take this there?
Feng Xuan lightly nodded and agreed, “Since that’s the case, let’s go.”
While speaking, Emperor Qi surged from his body as his figure disappeared the next moment, along with Feng Xi. Yan Zhou gave a cold glare at Yang Kai before he left with a look of ridicule on his face.
“Master, is this alright? How about we let Zi Yu face him? Feng Xi would not dare to kill Zi Yu. Furthermore, he and Zi Yu are almost on par in terms of strength, she will make a worthy opponent for him,” Sun Yun Xiu was a straightforward person who always spoke her mind. She could care less about Yang Kai’s feelings and was clearly stating that he wasn’t Feng Xi’s opponent. Even implying he would die if he went up.
Zi Yu, hearing this, also agreed with a nod, “Ancestral Founder, I am not afraid of him! He is just an embroidered pillow, he has no great skills to back himself up.”
Before Bing Yun could say anything, Yang Kai broke out into laughter and stated, “Junior Sister Yu, I’m very grateful for your kindness, but since he is an embroidered pillow, then I don’t need to be afraid of him at all. Just watch how your Senior Brother beats him black and blue to the point that his wives would not recognize him!”
Zi Yu couldn’t help but giggle after hearing this.
Bing Yun immediately scolded, “Don’t underestimate your enemy. I know a little about your prowess and am certain Feng Xi is not your opponent, but know that when Feng Xuan reached the Third-Order Emperor Realm, he also congealed an Emperor Authority Bead just like me. If that Emperor Authority Bead happened to be with Feng Xi, you must force the battle into a quick end, ensuring he doesn’t have any chance to use it.”
Yang Kai couldn’t help but furrow his brow after hearing this.
He wasn’t afraid of Feng Xi’s personal prowess and skill, but he had no alternative but to be vigilant of an Emperor Authority Bead. Yang Kai had used Emperor Authority Beads twice himself, and each time, they displayed incredible might. If an Emperor Authority Bead was really taken out by Feng Xi, Yang Kai would really not be his opponent.
Considering all this, Yang Kai nodded and replied, “I will remember it.”
“But you don’t have to worry about it too much. If he really uses the Emperor Authority Bead, I will intervene,” Bing Yun added.
Yang Kai immediately grinned and stated, “With Senior Bing Yun’s word, I can rest assured.”
“Let’s go then. If we let them wait for too long, they will start slandering again,” suggested Bing Yun as she led everyone towards the heart of Ice Moon City.
The commotion here had already alarmed all of Ice Moon City’s cultivators and while many people might be oblivious to the facts at this moment, everyone knew that the Young Sect Master of Seeking Passion Sect, Feng Xi would be fighting an unknown young cultivator in the city’s battle stage.
Almost all the cultivators in Ice Moon City rushed toward the arena, and by the time Yang Kai, Bing Yun, and the others from Ice Heart Valley arrived, the stands were already completely jam-packed.
The ring was quite impressive. It seemed that the City Lord of Ice Moon City had specially set it up for the cultivators to solve their enmities and grievances. This ring was covered by powerful barriers so that the cultivators could freely bring out their entire strength without worrying about causing damage to the arena or the audience.
The ring was also fairly wide, with a radius of a thousand metres in an oval shape. It was surrounded by a circular grandstand with multiple levels so that it was convenient for the people to spectate.
At this moment, all the seats on the stands were completely filled. Be that as it may, more and more people were coming from all directions to enjoy the battle.
Feng Xi was already standing at the centre of the ring with an indifferent sneer hanging on his lips. There was an enigmatic and arrogant look on his face.
After seeing Yang Kai’s figure, he gestured to Yang Kai, slowly sliding his thumb across his neck, expressing that he wanted to kill Yang Kai.
“Be careful!” Bing Yun’s warning rang in Yang Kai’s ear again.
Yang Kai lightly nodded before his figure flickered and he shot straight towards the ring, landing just one hundred metres away from Feng Xi before he shot a light gaze at him.
All the spectators around the ring broke into an uproar, pointing their fingers at Yang Kai, curiously staring at him. All of them were wondering who he was, where he was from, and what gave him the guts to stand against Seeking Passion Sect Young Sect Master on the ring.
Some busybodies then began to spread word of what happened outside the inn just now.
When everyone came to know that Yang Kai had robbed a billion Mid-Rank Source Crystals from the hands of Seeking Passion Sect’s Sect Master himself, and even snatched the Space Rings of the Vice Sect Master and Young Sect Master last night, they immediately became excited.
Most of the cultivators living in Ice Moon City favoured Ice Heart Valley, so they didn’t like the Seeking Passion Sect. As such, when they heard that three members of Seeking Passion Sect had suffered huge losses at Yang Kai’s hands, they were quite jovial.
Their cheers and discussion crashed into Feng Xi’s ears like tidal waves, and an extremely unsightly look appeared on his face. His emotions were inevitably affected.
Up in the stands, Feng Xuan, who was calmly watching, happened to have sensed this and coldly snorted, “Xi’er, if you can’t thrash this little brat today, you will no longer be the Young Sect Master. But if you did thrash him, I guarantee that you will marry that girl, Zi Yu!”
Hearing this, Feng Xi’s blood immediately started boiling and his face flushed a little as he proudly shouted, “Lord Father, rest assured, your son will live up to your expectations. I will use this brat’s blood and soul to wash our Sect’s shame. I will let him know the fate of offending people who shouldn’t be offended!”
“Very good! Act with a free hand, there is no need to hold back!” Feng Xuan nodded, satisfied.
On the ring, a grim and ruthless look appeared on Feng Xi’s face as he stated, coldly gazing at Yang Kai, “Little brat, you heard what my Lord Father said. If you don’t want to suffer, kneel down and kowtow right now. This Young Master guarantees that I will give you a quick death. Refuse and…”
Before he could finish speaking, the nearby Yang Kai suddenly disappeared.
Feng Xi was shocked and promptly spread out his Divine Sense to scan his surroundings, but even then he failed to sense Yang Kai’s position. It was like Yang Kai had disappeared into thin air without any trace. Feng Xi hadn’t even seen how exactly Yang Kai moved just now.
Just when he was filled with suspicion, Feng Xi’s instincts began screaming in alarm and without a moment of hesitation, he pushed his Source Qi wildly and summoned an oval light shield around himself, enveloping him completely like a protective shield.
This was an extremely high-grade defensive artifact for sure. Furthermore, it had no dead angle, covering all sides.
Just as Feng Xi activated the defensive artifact, Yang Kai appeared right in front of him like a ghost and punched out, a mocking look hanging on his face.
Just as he fired the punch, it set off a huge storm and the world itself seemed to shake.
Feng Xi immediately turned aghast.
With a thunderous boom, the entire arena rocked.
Feng Xi felt like a mountain had smashed into him and an overwhelming force struck him right in the chest, sending his blood and Qi into turmoil. An unbearable pain filled his body as he was sent flying.
The defensive shield also caved in from the might of this punch and even gave off a crisp cracking sound.
Feng Xi’s face immediately changed when he heard this and hastily looked up to find a metre-long crack on his Dao Source Grade High-Rank defensive artifact!
He immediately turned pale as dread rose from the depths of his heart.
This was a Dao Source Grade High-Rank defensive artifact that, once activated, allowed its user to stand perfectly still and let any cultivator of the same realm attack him for ten breaths without breaking.
But now, this precious artifact began to crack with just one punch! If Yang Kai delivered another punch, wouldn’t it be completely destroyed?
Feng Xuan up in the stands fiercely stood up, his eyes bulging as his face filled with shock.
He was a Third-Order Emperor Realm Master, so the moment Yang Kai made his move, Feng Xuan realized that there was something wrong. This brat was far from an ordinary Dao Source Realm Master, and his son was completely not his opponent.
“So fast! So strong! Is this boy even human!?” Hu Yuan too cried out in shock.
“Feng Xi was sent flying with a single punch! Where did this boy come from!?”
“What do you think? He shouldn’t really be Sect Master Bing Yun’s…”
“Are you courting death!? Sir Feng Xuan might say so, but you!?”
All the Emperors Realm Masters were knowledgeable and experienced, so this one exchange was enough for them to tell that Feng Xi was completely outclassed by Yang Kai. Whether it was in terms of momentum or strength, Yang Kai had already left Feng Xi in the dust. His victory was just a matter of time.
Ice Heart Valley’s members were also taken aback at this moment. They had been filled with anxiety for Yang Kai earlier and were extremely worried about what might happen to him once he stepped into the ring, but after they saw this display, they knew that their worries were all superfluous. This Yang Kai was far stronger than Zi Yu.
The only thing they were wondering was whether it was just a momentary outburst or whether he still had strength in reserve.
The women quietly turned to look at Bing Yun, but they only saw a light, indifferent look on her face. She didn’t seem to be worrying for Yang Kai in the slightest. Only then did they realize their Ancestral Founder had long anticipated this result.
Sun Yun Xiu, when she recalled her proposal of letting Zi Yu go up instead of Yang Kai, felt her cheeks turning a bit red and hot.
“You dare to blabber on during a life-and-death match? Just watch how this Young Master smashes your mouth!” On the ring, Yang Kai relentlessly chased after Feng Xi, his fists covered in a five-coloured glow. Five Elemental Indestructible Sword Qi kept pouring out of his fists and there was not a sliver of hesitation in his attacks.
Unsure if Feng Xi had an Emperor Authority Beat on him, Yang Kai forwent all notion of hiding his strength and decided to quickly end this fight, eliminating Feng Xi as soon as possible. As such, he had no intention of holding back.
As Yang Kai kept ruthlessly punching, the Five Elements Sword Qi on his fists mutually promoted one another, filling his attacks with ferocious and ever-changing might.
With Yang Kai’s current strength, he didn’t even need to take out any artifacts to deal with the cultivators of the same realm.
Feng Xi staggered backwards as he watched Yang Kai’s punch coming closer and closer, and feeling the terrifying power behind it, he immediately turned aghast. He had already felt Yang Kai’s horror first hand from the first blow which had cracked his defensive artifact. If another punch landed, his artifact would surely be destroyed, and at that time, even if he didn’t die, he would be critically wounded.
Feng Xi wanted to use his final trump card, but he suddenly found that his vitality and Source Qi were in chaos and he was unable to mobilize his strength properly. Petrified, he hastily shouted at the top of his lungs, “Lord Father, save me!”
In just ten breaths, he had already lost his previous confidence. He was now like a bereaved dog who was begging for help from his owner.
Up in the stands, Fang Xuan too had realized the situation had turned dire. The moment Feng Xi yelled, he had already made his move, stretching out his hand to grab Yang Kai.
No matter what, he couldn’t let his son be killed in front of so many people.
Bing Yun saw this and immediately sneered, “Feng Xuan, in these three thousand years I didn’t see you, your skin has grown much thicker. Aren’t you embarrassed to intervene in a battle between Juniors?”
While speaking, she lithely and casually palmed towards Feng Xuan.
“Bing Yun, do you really want to make an enemy out of this King!?” Feng Xuan was infuriated, but he was still forced to pull back his hand to defend. Bing Yun was a Master of equal strength, so he would be injured if he didn’t mount any kind of defence, and if he was injured here, Seeking Passion Sect would be in serious trouble.
The two attacks clashed mid-air and annihilated one another, causing a terrifying explosion that set countless spectators in the arena trembling. Some of those with weaker cultivation even directly fainted from the fallout of this peak level exchange.
In the arena, Yang Kai was as fierce as a tiger and was emanating a lofty spirit. His two punches destroyed Feng Xi’s defensive artifact, leaving Feng Xi reeling in shock and coughing up blood, again and again, cutting a sorry figure.
Before Feng Xi could regain his footing, Yang Kai promptly caught up to him and sent out a third punch.
Feng Xi’s eyes widened in shock as he felt an aura of death blowing on his face, turning him pale.
He realized that he had greatly underestimated Yang Kai’s strength. As soon as Yang Kai made his move, Feng Xi had lost all chance to fight back. Had Feng Xi been aware of this great gap in strength from the start, he would have resorted to his trump card from the outset. Originally, he believed that there wasn’t any gap between his and Yang Kai’s strength, or if there was, it would be his strength that overwhelmed Yang Kai’s. It was simply impossible in his mind for Yang Kai to be his opponent. But now, it seemed that nothing could be farther from the truth.
Feng Xi, watching the fist approaching, held his breath as his pupils shrank to the size of a pinhole.
At that moment though, something suddenly changed.
The attacking Yang Kai’s face abruptly sank, as if he had suffered a sneak attack. He fiercely pulled his fist back before withdrawing, a moment later focusing his gaze on the back of his hand with a serious expression.
The aura of death vanished all of a sudden. However, Feng Xi cried out in surprise as he turned his gaze to his own arm. The next moment, he understood what just happened and immediately looked overjoyed.
On the other side, Yang Kai’s eyes widened in shock as his gaze was glued to the back of his hand.
Earlier, right as he was about to smash Feng Xi’s face in, a scorching-hot sensation came from the back of his hand. He thought that he was sneak-attacked by someone, so he halted his attack on Feng Xi and hastily backed off, prioritizing his own safety.
Anyone who could sneak attack him without him noticing was definitely an Emperor Realm Master.
What he found strange was that Bing Yun hadn’t seemed to notice.
However, after backing away and investigating things, Yang Kai found that the situation was different from what he thought. The back of his hand was still burning, but there weren’t any signs of him being attacked. The back of his hand grew hotter and hotter, as if he had plunged it into a pool of lava.
Just as Yang Kai was feeling sceptical about it and was lost in confusion, Feng Xi, who was on the other side of the ring, suddenly screamed as if he was in unbearable pain.
Yang Kai looked up and noticed Feng Xi was covering his arm with his other hand, gritting his teeth as he roared.
Not only was he like this, but cries could be heard coming from all around the arena.
[What happened?] A serious look appeared on Yang Kai’s face. Confused, he turned in the direction where the members of Ice Heart Valley were sitting and found Zi Yu was also covering her arm, profusely sweating.
However, Yang Kai keenly discovered a problem. And that was, everyone, who had encountered this odd phenomenon, was young, and there weren’t many of them. Only about a dozen or so people present, males and females, were reacting in this manner. Furthermore, all of them were Dao Source Realm cultivators.
The same thing was happening in the stands, which had also surprised those in the Emperor Realm. No one had any idea what happened to these Juniors. Bing Yuan also stopped focusing on Feng Xuan and hurriedly looked at Yang Kai with concern.
An Ruo Yun, Sun Yun Xiu, and the others gathered around Zi Yu, asking about the situation.
Before they could figure out what was going on though, specs of starlight emerged from the back of those dozen or so youngsters’ hands. It looked as if countless fireflies had gathered around and slowly flew towards the sky, a beautiful sight to behold.
“This is…” Bing Yun’s beautiful pupils narrowed, as if she understood everything at once.
The Masters of the various Sects of the Northern Territory were also shaking with excitement, their lips quivering as they pointed at these points of starlight.
At some point, the burning sensation at the back of his hand suddenly disappeared, and when Yang Kai looked down at it again, he found a pentagonal mark on the back of his hand.
An intelligent gleam flashed in his mind as he cried in low voice, “Star Seal!”
The pentagonal mark was obviously the Star Seal of the Shattered Star Sea, one of his spoils of war from the Four Seasons Realm.
Back then, when he took one of the quotas from Azure Sun Temple and entered the Four Seasons Realm, Yang Kai had collected a total of seven Star Seals. Later, he gave six to Azure Sun Temple and kept the last five-pointed Star Seal for himself.
Such a long time had passed, but the Star Seal had shown no movement, so Yang Kai had basically forgotten about it.
However, he had never expected a phenomenon to suddenly appear at the critical moment of his life and death battle with Feng Xi.
The Star Seal was the pass to enter the Shattered Star Sea. More importantly, the Shattered Star Sea was rumoured to be the place where the strongest Master of Star Boundary, Heaven Devouring Great Emperor, fell. Some rumours even said that the inheritance of Heaven Devouring Great Emperor was hidden there, which was also why untold Masters flocked towards it.
Unfortunately, every time the Shattered Star Sea opened, Emperor Realm Masters could not enter. Only those below the Emperor Realm were permitted entry.
It had already been tens of thousands of years since Heavenly Devouring Great Emperor fell, and over these countless years, Sects from all four territories of the Star Boundary had sent countless elite disciples into the Shattered Star Sea, hoping to find Heaven Devouring Great Emperor’s inheritance so they could understand why he was able to dominate the Star Boundary in the past, why he was invincible in this world. However, no one had ever succeeded.
The secrets of Heaven Devouring Great Emperor seemed to have been buried somewhere in the Shattered Star Sea following his death.
If it was just this, it might not have many cultivators; after all, there was only one Heaven Devouring Great Emperor and only one inheritance. How could it be that easy to find and acquire?
What attracted most entrants was the countless shattered Star Sources in the Shattered Star Sea. As long as any cultivator could obtain those Star Source fragments, he or she could better comprehend World Principles and improve the chances of them breaking through to the Emperor Realm.
According to some rumours, seven out of every ten Emperor Realm Masters in the Star Boundary had entered the Shattered Star Sea. It was quite clear how much influence this Sealed World had on cultivators advancing to such a realm.
For Dao Source Realm cultivators, entering the Shattered Star Sea was equivalent to putting one foot into the Emperor Realm. No cultivator could resist such temptation.
Many Emperor Realm Masters had been trying to find the entrance to the Shattered Star Sea, hoping to gain a deeper understanding of it.
However, when the several Great Emperors besieged Heaven Devouring Great Emperor, that world shattered. The Heavens and Earth were inverted and devastated the Shattered Star Sea, sending it into the infinite nothingness of the Void, making it impossible for such Masters to enter it freely, or even locate it. During that battle, Heaven Devouring Emperor fell, but he also dragged several Great Emperors down with him.
In other words, the Shattered Star Sea didn’t just have the inheritance of Heaven Devouring Great Emperor, but also the inheritances of other Great Emperors! And even if they couldn’t find the inheritance of a Great Emperor, it would be good enough to find the artifacts or Space Rings lost during that war. If anyone could find such a treasure, they would no longer have to worry about resources for the rest of their life.
For various reasons, the attention on the Shattered Star Sea in the Star Boundary had far exceeded that of any other Sealed World. It was a grand event in which all the elites of the four territories of the Star Boundary participated.
Compared to it, the Four Seasons Realm was a small side-show.
When the Star Seal suddenly started emitting specks of starlight, Yang Kai immediately understood what was going on.
“The Shattered Star Sea is opening!” A cry of excitement suddenly rose from the stands and many Emperor Realm Masters also stood in excitement.
Yang Kai grit his teeth and glared at the nearby Feng Xi, sneering loudly, “Count yourself lucky!”
Had it not been for the sudden movement of the Star Seal, Feng Xi would have been seriously injured by him. Who knows which lucky star shone on this brat today, but it had allowed him to escape at that critical moment.
Since his Star Seal had already shown a reaction, Yang Kai didn’t dare to do anything rash, lest he couldn’t enter the Shattered Star Sea if something went wrong.
Feng Xi too had a Star Seal, so obviously he would also be entering the Shattered Star Sea.
In the arena, Yang Kai could only cripple Feng Xi, but not kill him, otherwise, it would spark a war between Ice Star Valley and the Seeking Passion Sect. However, if they both entered the Shattered Star Sea, Yang Kai would be completely free of all worries. Thinking so, he didn’t bother to cause trouble for Feng Xi and simply stood in place calmly.
Hearing Yang Kai’s words, Feng Xi opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but when he noticed Yang Kai’s cold gaze on him, his pupils couldn’t help but shrink as he quickly swallowed his argument back down.
In these short few breaths he fought with Yang Kai, he was suppressed to the point that he had no room to breathe. A shadow had been left in his heart, so how could he dare to provoke Yang Kai at this point?
In the arena, Yang Kai looked around and saw that there were more than a dozen people in the stands like him, who had starlight leaking from their arms. Most of these people had an Emperor Realm Master standing next to them, earnestly giving them guidance.
They had undoubtedly come with these Emperor Realm Masters, all of them rising stars of various Sects of the Northern Territory.
Zi Yu was among these rising stars and An Ruo Yun, Sun Yun Xiu, and the other Elders were currently gathered around her. Sun Yun Xiu happened to be earnestly exhorting her while Zi Yu kept nodding in return. From time to time, she would glance towards Yang Kai.
When their gazes met, Yang Kai gently nodded to her.
Zi Yu surely had a Star Seal, so she would be entering the Shattered Star Sea with him. At that time, they could cooperate if they ran into each other inside.
On the other hand, Yang Kai didn’t know much about the Shattered Star Sea. Even though he could be considered an in-name disciple of Azure Sun Temple, even possessing the highest-ranked Azure Sun Golden Token, he didn’t get any instructions from the Emperor Realm Masters of Azure Sun Temple regarding this matter. Yang Kai also didn’t deliberately ask Wen Xi Shan or Gao Xue Ting about the Shattered Star Sea either. In this regard, he was worse off than the disciples of these big Sects.
He would just have to ask his acquaintances in the Shattered Star Sea if they ran into each other. Or, he could explore on his own.
Speaking of which, he had a fair number of acquaintances. He knew most of the elite disciples of Azure Sun Temple, as well as the rising stars of the Southern Territory. Basically, everyone he had fought in the Four Seasons Realm would definitely enter the Shattered Star Sea.
While Yang Kai was mulling over his situation, Bing Yun’s voice suddenly rang in his ears, “The Shattered Star Sea is a huge opportunity, but it is equally important to remain alive. Everyone who comes back alive is a winner!”
Yang Kai sincerely nodded.
Obviously, Bing Yun wanted to tell him more, but she didn’t get the chance because the specks of starlight leaking from the back of everyone’s hand suddenly grew denser and gathered over everyone’s head in the next moment. In the blink of an eye, the starlight gathered and formed various doors.
It looked as if a Star Field that had been shrunk countless times had appeared over everyone’s head, an extremely mysterious sight to see.
A mysterious and ever-changing aura could be felt coming from inside the starlight door, shocking all who laid eyes on it.
Right then, beams of starlight suddenly shot down, falling on the dozen or so candidates and engulfing them.
Immediately after, a dazzling flash of light blinded everyone’s sight. By the time the dazzling flash dissipated, the dozen or so candidates surrounded by the starlight had disappeared.
The same thing was happening all over the Star Boundary at this moment. Across the four great territories, thousands of Dao Source Realm cultivators were drawn into the Shattered Star Sea.
Meanwhile, on the grandstands in Ice Moon City, Feng Xuan coldly glared at Bing Yun before he stood up and left.
Even as he departed, he didn’t say anything.
It was already meaningless to talk now. The Juniors had entered the Shattered Star Sea and the marriage between Seeking Passion Sect and Ice Heart Valley could only be put on hold until Feng Xi and Zi Yu had safely returned. But if either of them perished inside, he would have to give up on the marriage.
Bing Yun had no intention of stopping him. She was not afraid of Feng Xuan since their strength and status were basically on par, but causing an incident here would not yield any benefits for either side.
…
In the dark and cold void, bleak shattered Cultivator Stars and debris floated about everywhere. This entire space seemed devoid even of World Energy and Starry Sky Storms blew everywhere, smashing everything in their path. A vast Asteroid Sea filled the sky, seemingly stretching out like an eternal river with no end.
It was extremely quiet, as if this was before the beginning of the universe, the Heavens and Earth not yet formed from the empty chaos.
Suddenly, a bright flash of light appeared somewhere and by the time the flash disappeared, Yang Kai had strangely appeared.
Before, while he was surrounded by the starlight on the ring, he had felt Space Principles fluctuating around him. He was quite familiar with this feeling and understood it was a sign of long-distance teleportation.
Apparently, the reason why the Star Seals had become passes to enter the Shattered Star Sea was that they allowed points in space to connect and execute long-distance teleportation. Without a Star Seal, one would not be able to teleport to the Shattered Star Sea.
The moment he appeared in the Shattered Star Sea, a nostalgic look flashed across Yang Kai’s eyes.
Because he was quite familiar with the sight before him. It gave him the illusion that he had returned to the Heng Luo Star Field.
When he was in the Heng Luo Star Field, he had also travelled to many Cultivation Stars, shuttling back and forth through the Star Field many times, often seeing similar scenes.
The only difference was that the scene before him seemed bleaker than Heng Luo Star Field. Yang Kai even saw a giant shattered Cultivation Star.
This Cultivation Star was at least one month away from his current location and seemed no smaller than Shadowed Star, but the left half of this Cultivation Star seemed to have been smashed by a terrifying impact.
There were a lot of these Shattered Stars all around.
Yang Kai was completely shaken by this!
He couldn’t tell how strong one must be to be able to do this kind of thing. But if anyone could do it, they must be a Great Emperor Realm Master.
[In the battle back then, many Great Emperors had besieged Heaven Devouring Great Emperor. Could that battle have taken place in this Star Field?] Yang Kai suddenly had such a thought. If this wasn’t the case, why else would there be shattered Cultivation Stars in this Shattered Star Sea!?
In that case, this battle would have been a disaster for this Star Field. Perhaps it was precisely because of that battle that this Star Field became this desolate, leading to it being thrown into the Void, only accessible at certain special moments.
Thinking so, Yang Kai became gloomy all of a sudden. He could imagine what would happen if this battle had happened in Heng Luo Star Field. If history was slightly different, then this barren wasteland could have very well been Heng Luo Star Field. There would have been no Tong Xuan Realm, no Water Moon Star, and no Shadowed Star. There would have been just some Shattered Stars and ruins of the battlefield, which would never regain life.
While he was immersed in his thoughts, he suddenly felt a strange energy fluctuation not too far behind him.
Yang Kai promptly turned to look and saw a person appear about a thousand metres from him. This figure, too, was looking around in a daze, just like Yang Kai.
After seeing this person’s face, a huge grin appeared on Yang Kai’s face, “Young Sect Master, we really share some fate!”
Who knows if it was because they were standing next to each other when the Shattered Star Sea opened, but Feng Xi had actually appeared near him. However, the other rising stars of the Northern Territory were nowhere to be seen. Only the Heavens would know where they had been teleported to.
Previously, Yang Kai’s assault had fallen short because of the phenomena caused by Star Seal, so naturally, Yang Kai was overjoyed to meet his enemy like this.
While speaking, Yang Kai’s figure was already pouncing straight towards Feng Xi.
This was the Shattered Star Sea, and there were no spectators here, nor was there any Feng Xuan and Yao Zhuo. Even if Feng Xi was killed here, no one would be the wiser and Yang Kai wouldn’t need to worry about triggering a war between Ice Heart Valley and Seeking Passion Sect.
How could Yang Kai miss such a good opportunity? As such, he used his full strength in this attack, preparing to kill Feng Xi with one blow.
Feng Xi also regained his senses at this moment, but seeing Yang Kai coming straight at him, he didn’t appear to be panicking at all. He had no intention of avoiding and instead stood in place and sneered, coldly glaring at Yang Kai, “There was a path to the Heavens but you refused to take it, instead choosing to charge through the doors of Hell.”
Saying so, he raised his hand and threw a bead towards Yang Kai.
A terrifying might spread through the surroundings as Emperor Pressure filled the void. Immediately, the Starry Sky shook endlessly.
“Emperor Authority Bead!” Yang Kai’s face immediately turned pale as he blurted out in shock.
Bing Yun had warned Yang Kai about this possibility, so he had always been wary of Feng Xi having an Emperor Authority Bead up his sleeve; however, since Feng Xi hadn’t taken it out earlier, Yang Kai had assumed this was not the case.
But the facts were laid right before him, so Yang Kai couldn’t help but become suspicious.
Feng Xi really had the Emperor Authority Bead! Perhaps because he was afraid of getting beaten black and blue like he just was, when he saw Yang Kai again, he decisively summoned this Emperor Authority Bead.
This Emperor Authority Bead contained the full-powered strike of a Third-Order Emperor Realm Master, so how could Yang Kai dare to take it head-on? After realizing that things weren’t looking good for him, Yang Kai quickly turned around and retreated a couple thousand metres using Space Principles.
*Hong…*
A powerful pressure suddenly came bearing down on him as Fang Xuan’s illusory phantom appeared in the desolate void. This phantom was incomparably huge; its head touching the sky as its feet stood on the ground. It was staring blankly at Yang Kai and suddenly pointed at him.
A shout suddenly echoed across a hundred kilometres, “Seeking Passion Finger!”
Just as it shouted, Yang Kai felt a dreadful aura fly towards his back.
He promptly cried, “Dragon Transformation!”
Immediately, Yang Kai’s entire body was covered in Dragon Scales and his arms suddenly became like dragon claws. Yang Kai did not stop here, though, and also pushed his Five Elements Indestructible Sword Qi to gather on his back for protection.
“Since the ant is bound to die, why does it bother struggling, hahaha!” Feng Xi, who was proudly standing in the void, couldn’t help but smugly laugh, looking at Yang Kai fleeing in panic.
Even though taking out the Emperor Authority Bead would make him short of a powerful trump card and even drain most of his Source Qi, as long as he could finish Yang Kai off, it was well worth it.
Yang Kai had stolen his woman and even made him lose all face in the arena of Ice Moon City, so Feng Xi was already consumed with hatred and wanted to kill him as soon as possible. But, he had never thought that he would encounter Yang Kai so soon after coming to the Shattered Star Sea. This was simply a Heaven-sent opportunity.
He didn’t believe that a Third-Order Dao Source Realm cultivator like Yang Kai could survive under his father’s Emperor Authority Bead.
Yang Kai had just displayed his Dragon Transformation and Five Elements Indestructible Sword Qi Secret Techniques.
Despite both these techniques bolstering his defences, Yang Kai still felt a tremendous pressure and was on the verge of losing consciousness even before the attack reached him. The moment he was struck, his back seemed to have been ripped open and unbearable pain filled his body. All of his bones were creaking and a sweet taste appeared in his mouth before he spurted a mouthful of blood.
Yang Kai didn’t even bother to check his injuries and promptly used the local Space Principles to teleport forward.
There was a fine line between life and death. At this moment, the power of the Emperor Authority Bead had still not played out completely, yet it had put such pressure on him. If all of it had erupted at once, Yang Kai believed that even if he was proficient in the Dao of Space, he would not have been able to escape.
The thick and dense Emperor Pressure was right on his tail and it engulfed the surrounding region, sealing off this part of the void. Yang Kai knew that once he was completely suppressed, it would be next to impossible to escape from here.
*Hong long long…*
Violent and continuous explosions coming from behind kept blasting in his ears and the might of that finger fired from the Emperor Authority Bead kept following him like a shadow. Yang Kai bit his tongue and madly burned his own Blood Essence, drastically improving his speed and allowing him to cross thousands of metres in the blink of an eye.
Another explosion suddenly reverberated, and the might of the Emperor Authority Bead seemed to have erupted completely at this moment.
A huge black hole had suddenly appeared in the direction Yang Kai had escaped, a chaotic blackness expanding outwards from the crack in space.
Feng Xuan’s illusory phantom stood still in the void, gazing at the fleeing Yang Kai in the distance, gradually dispersing a moment later.
“Hahaha, not even a shred of left behind! You are still a bit too tender to fight against this Young Master!” Feng Xi was certain Yang Kai had died, so he couldn’t help but burst into laughter. However, this laughter had tired his exhausted body even more, causing him to burst into a violent coughing fit.
After finally calming down, Feng Xi bitterly glanced in the direction of black hole before he turned around and fled in the opposite direction.
He had drained almost all of his Source Qi to activate that Emperor Authority Bead, so right now, he urgently had to find a place to restore himself, otherwise, he wouldn’t be able to fight off dangers here once he encountered any.
The Shattered Star Sea wasn’t a stable place, and in the competition to find the inheritance of Heaven Devouring Great Emperor, everyone was an enemy. They would try to kill anyone in sight without asking anything.
On another side, Yang Kai, who Feng Xi believed to have died, dragged his severely wounded body towards the nearby Asteroid Sea with great difficulty. At this moment, Yang Kai’s eyes were lifeless and his consciousness was hazy.
Ever since he had entered the Dao Source Realm, he had never suffered such serious injuries.