Tiger Roar City’s situation had become a bit strange after this battle, and over the span of the next six months, no Demon Race Army appeared to attack it.
Who knows if it was because of the fear of Tiger Roar City’s strength or for other reasons, but the Demon Race seemed to have forgotten Tiger Roar City. However, the cities in the vicinity of Tiger Roar City were still being attacked frequently.
In the first two months, Yang Kai didn’t dare to act rashly, lest he give the Demon Race a chance to strike.
But as time passed, after confirming that the Demon Race wouldn’t be attacking Tiger Roar City, Yang Kai began leading the army out to launch offensives. Since the Demon Race refused to come to him, he would go to them instead!
Thanks to Tiger Roar City’s 200,000-man army marching back and forth, the nearby cities that were in danger several times survived and even killed countless enemies when timely support arrived. Since Tiger Roar City’s Army had gained War Force, and there were nearly two hundred Emperor Realm Masters in the army, wherever they went, they were simply unstoppable and invincible, causing their fame to spread extensively.
Currently, there were many big cities in the Western Territory that were struggling hard, but if any city was in a spot and unable to defend itself, they would immediately send a request to Tiger Roar City for help. Owing to the Space Array and Sealed World Bead, Yang Kai’s support always came extremely fast and was able to turn the tide of many battles.
Although the Tiger Roar City Army performed quite well under Yang Kai’s leadership, the overall situation for the Star Boundary was far from optimistic.
In just six months, the Western Territory had lost a lot of ground; hundreds of cities had fallen and countless people had been killed in battle. The encroachment of the Demon Race was simply unstoppable. At this rate, the entire Western Territory might fall within five years. By then, the Demon Race would use the Western Territory as the springboard to attack the Northern, Southern, and Eastern Territories, shattering any semblance of peace they now held.
The Great Emperors were nowhere to be found now and no one knew what they were doing, or whether they even knew the situation the Star Boundary was currently in.
A gap slowly opened in the Defensive Array of the Tiger Roar City as the army of 200,000 men triumphantly returned. Although the Tiger Roar City Army had suffered a lot of casualties in the battles over these six months, cultivators from other cities that had fallen had come to join it every day, so its size actually remained the same if not slightly increased.
The residents of the city broke into cheers and jubilation as they heartily and happily welcomed the army’s return.
Yang Kai had led the army to provide support to a nearby city, and this trip could be considered a successful one. They had not only defended the city they went to support, but they had also repelled the attack of a million-strong Demon Race Army.
Ma Yin, who stayed behind to guard Tiger Roar City, came to Yang Kai and whispered something in his ears the moment he returned, causing his eyes to flicker with a little surprise as he gestured to the army behind him to go and rest. Yang Kai then strode into the City Lord’s Mansion.
In the main hall, someone was sitting to the side and only turned his head to look up upon sensing the movements.
As their gazes met, Yang Kai noticed that the opposite party’s eyes were completely white.
“Brother Gao!” Yang Kai smiled as he walked to the main seat in the hall and sat down, whereupon a maid served him tea before respectfully withdrawing.
It was none other than Gao Zhan, who could be considered an acquaintance, if not a close one. Yang Kai found this a little strange though, wondering what he was doing here. Gao Zhan was the Legacy Disciple of Heavens Revelations Great Emperor, so why was he here in Tiger Roar City instead of staying beside the Great Emperor?
“I really don’t deserve such status!” Gao Zhan slightly bowed, “Senior Brother Yang has had so many military achievements. Whenever the Tiger Roar Army moves out, the Demon Race trembles in fear. You have created a grand name for yourself these days.”
Yang Kai responded with a casual wave, “Brother Gao flatters me, but I wonder why Brother Gao is here. Did something happen?”
Gao Zhan replied, “I’m here on Master’s order to ask Senior Brother Yang to come over at once.”
Yang Kai asked, raising his brow, “Senior Heavens Revelations wants to see me?”
“That’s right!”
Yang Kai agreed with a nod, “Alright, give me a moment to prepare.”
Gao Zhan gestured to him to go ahead.
Yang Kai didn’t need to prepare anything much, he simply needed to inform Li Jiao and Gao Xue Ting that he was going out for a bit, and tell them to remain on high alert. The Demon Race Army had not approached Tiger Roar City since the Demon Race Half-Saint had run away after making a scene last time, but being careful never hurt. What if the Demon Race really attacked while he wasn’t here?
After having dealt with everything, Yang Kai left with Gao Zhan, travelling directly to their destination using the Space Array in the city.
After a blinding flash of light, the two had appeared in a mountain valley. The valley was quite rich in World Energy and was extremely beautiful and refreshing, adorned with many pavilions and buildings. Its scenery was quite unique and after having been fighting and killing on the battlefield for so long, Yang Kai felt a little out of sorts after suddenly coming to such a place.
Yang Kai asked, raising his brow, “Is this Heavens Spying Valley?”
He had long heard that Heavens Revelations Great Emperor lived in a place called Heavens Spying Valley, but only a few people knew where exactly Heavens Spying Valley was. Yang Kai didn’t have any idea either and never expected to one day come here.
Gao Zhan confirmed, nodding, “Senior Brother Yang is correct, this is indeed Heavens Spying Valley. Master likes peace and quiet, so it is just Master and I here. I ask Brother Yang to forgive any negligence.”
“Brother Gao is too polite.” Yang Kai stated before he started checking left and right, looking rather curious.
Gao Zhan led the way, crossing the small bridges and creaks, walking straight ahead. Heavens Spring valley was filled with winding paths, and its scenery was continuously changing at every turn. At one place, it might be a spring scenery with blooming flowers everywhere, and at the next step, one might find themselves in a snowfield.
An extremely brilliant Spirit Array was arranged here, which seemed to be able to mimic the atmosphere of the four seasons.
After arriving before a certain pavilion, Gao Zhan finally stopped and stretched his hand out, making an inviting gesture.
Yang Kai looked up and much to his shock found two people sitting inside the pavilion who happened to be looking at him smiling. He might have been checking out the surrounding scenery, but that didn’t mean that he wasn’t keeping track of his surroundings. However, he had not sensed the two sitting inside the pavilion until he had looked up and seen them, which was really strange.
But if these two were Great Emperors, everything would make sense.
One of them was naturally the owner of this place, Heaven’s Revelations Great Emperor, and the other wasn’t a stranger to Yang Kai. He was none other than Martial Beast Great Emperor, Mo Huang.
At this moment, the two were sitting face to face with each other, a stone table between them with a pot of tea boiling on it, filling the air with a unique fragrance.
Yang Kai strode forward and bowed with cupped fists, “Greetings, Seniors!”
Mo Huang stated, smiling, “Forget all the ceremonies and take a seat.”
Yang Kai thanked him before sitting down.
After this, the pavilion returned to silence. Heavens Revelations Great Emperor and Martial Beast Great Emperor remained completely silent, as if they were waiting for the tea before them to boil. Yang Kai didn’t want to disturb the peaceful atmosphere either, but at the end of the day, he was sitting in between two Great Emperors, which left him quite uncomfortable; as such, he kept fidgeting and moving about.
Mo Huang glanced at him and snorted, “Are you a monkey?”
Yang Kai embarrassingly smiled as his head immediately sunk in embarrassment, not daring to move about thereafter.
Chu Tian Ji, however, just chuckled, “It’s quite common for the youngsters to be lively and active. Why is Brother Mo being so harsh on him?”
Mo Huang justified, “Brother Chu, don’t be deceived by this little brat’s appearance, he’s far from a good and honest man.” Because of Mo Xiao Qi’s matter, Mo Huang had a lot of complaints about Yang Kai and didn’t hesitate to take him down a notch whenever he got the chance.
Yang Kai protested, feeling wronged, “Senior Martial Beast, this Junior has never offended you, has he? Back then, when I visited Dragon Island, I even helped you slightly. Last time, I even took Xiao Qi to visit her mother. Why do you say that about me?”
Mo Huang snorted even louder as he picked up the teapot on the table, filled a cup for himself, and drank it in one go.
Chu Tian Ji chuckled as he picked up the teapot and poured a cup for Yang Kai.
Yang Kai was greatly shocked and hurriedly stood up, “How can I allow Senior to do this. Please allow this Junior to serve you.” It was none other than Heaven’s Revelations Great Emperor, who was pouring him tea. Yang Kai couldn’t bear it no matter how arrogant he was.
Chu Tian Ji, on the other hand, ignored him. He only poured himself a cup after he had filled Yang Kai’s before slowly saying, “I have heard a great deal about you from Brother Mo. As expected, talented people are born in every generation, and each new generation surpasses the previous.”
Yang Kai blushed after hearing this and sat back down awkwardly, “Senior Heaven’s Revelations is too polite.”
Yang Kai knew that Mo Huang had some complaints about him so no good words must have come out of his mouth. Who knows what Heaven’s Revelations Great Emperor had really heard about him!
Chu Tian Ji continued, “Extraordinary people must do extraordinary things. At least this Old Master didn’t have as colourful a life when he was your age. Far from it in fact.”
Yang Kai fiercely rebuffed, “I’m not someone extraordinary, I am just young and impulsive. Seniors are the role models of the Star Boundary’s billions of cultivators.”
Chu Tian Ji slowly shook his head, “This Old Master could be considered to have lived for many years and seen all kinds of so-called young geniuses and rising stars, but none have ever been as eye-catching and dazzling as you. The entire world says that this Old Master can peer into the past, see the future, understand the present, and discern the secrets of the Heavens, but this Old Master can’t see through your future.”
Yang Kai asked in shock, “Does Senior mean to say that this Junior’s future is clouded?”
Chu Tian Ji shook his head, but he didn’t explain much, causing Yang Kai to grow a bit anxious; however, what could he do? His fist was smaller than the opposite party so he couldn’t exactly force Chu Tian Ji to explain. In the end, all Yang Kai could do was grab the cup of tea before him and drink it in one gulp.
Mo Huang couldn’t bear it any longer and interjected, “Stop flattering him, just get down to business. Old Chu, you are someone who just likes to be roundabout and drag things out unnecessarily.”
Yang Kai too asked with a solemn look, “Indeed, I wonder why the two Seniors have summoned this Junior. Is something the matter?”
Obviously, a trivial matter would not make the two Great Emperors ask for him to appear before them. Suddenly, Yang Kai realized the meaning of Heaven’s Revelations Great Emperor’s words, ‘Extraordinary people do extraordinary things.’ [It’s because he has a mission for me, and it should be a very dangerous mission at that!]
[Damn, a Great Emperor’s tea isn’t that easy to drink!]
Before Chu Tian Ji could explain, Mo Huang directly got to the point, “Yang Kai, we hope that you can take a trip to the Demon Realm.”
“Enter the Demon Realm!?” Yang Kai was greatly shocked after hearing this, “Why do you want me to enter the Demon Realm?”
Mo Huang replied with a grim look on his face, “Bright Moon is in a little danger. We need you to rescue him.”
Yang Kai was now thoroughly dumbstruck after hearing this. Naturally, he knew about the fall of Bright Moon Great Emperor in the Demon Realm. When the passage between the two worlds had opened, the Great Emperors had entered it to investigate, but they were ambushed by several Demon Saints in the Demon Realm and in the end, Bright Moon Great Emperor had stayed behind to hold off those Demon Saints alone, giving Mo Huang and the others a chance to escape.
Later, Yang Kai had also heard that Bright Moon Great Emperor seemed to be trapped somewhere, but no one knew where he was exactly. That was all Yang Kai had heard until this day.
Now, Mo Huang suddenly asked him to go to the Demon Realm to rescue Bright Moon Great Emperor, confusing Yang Kai greatly.
After hesitating for a while, Yang Kai asked as the corners of his mouth twitched, “Seniors, are you playing a joke on me?”
“Aha… ha…” Yang Kai forced a laugh, “This Junior is not that capable or noble…”
Before he could finish, Mo Huang added, “I also think that it would be a little reckless to ask you to do this, but Old Chu said that you must do this.”
“Why?” Yang Kai furrowed his brow, curiously looking at Chu Tian Ji.
Chu Tian Ji unhurriedly replied, “A few days ago, this Old Master suddenly felt restless and ill at ease. I vaguely felt that something momentous was about to occur and immediately started divining and received a premonition. Little Friend Yang, do you know what the prophecy was?”
Yang Kai thought to himself, [How would I know? If I knew it, then I would be Heaven’s Revelations Great Emperor. What is wrong with you?] He immediately shook his head, revealing a curious look.
Chu Tian Ji turned his head, looking to one side as he replied in neither a hurried nor slow manner, “The Moon is slowly setting, but there is still a glimmer of light left.”
Yang Kai pondered hard but he couldn’t figure out what this prophecy had to do with him and humbly asked, “I understand the part about the moon setting, obviously it is an omen indicating that Senior Bright Moon is in danger, but what does this glimmer of light have to do with me?”
Chu Tian Ji raised his head, pointing, “Look there, what do you see?”
Yang Kai followed along his gaze and immediately saw a thick poplar tree that a human could completely embrace that had dense foliage.
Chu Tian Ji continued, “That day, this Old Master was divining there, and that tree is what resonated with the hexagrams. Look again, in which direction is that poplar tree?”
Yang Kai checked the directions before hesitantly replying, “North…?”
Chu Tian Ji agreed, nodding, “The Moon is slowly setting, but there is still a glimmer of light in the north poplar! So, can my little friend understand?”
Realization immediately dawned upon Yang Kai. [North’s poplar, north’s poplar, north direction, surnamed Yang. Who else could it be pointing to beside me? But is this really reliable?] It wasn’t that he was doubting Heaven’s Revelations Great Emperor’s ability. Since the world gave him the moniker Heaven’s Revelations, and he could peer into the past and see the future, so he had the necessary skills, but what kind of place was the Demon Realm? A team of Great Emperors was forced to leave one of their own behind just to escape from the entrance to that place. What could an insignificant Second-Order Emperor like Yang Kai achieve in such a land? Forget about rescuing Bright Moon Great Emperor, just getting there alive would be a miracle.
(TL note: Poplar in Chinese is Yang(杨), Yang Kai’s surname.)
Yang Kai immediately fell into contemplation. To be honest, although he was a little curious about what the Demon Realm was like, he had never considered going there. It wasn’t that easy to directly refuse two Great Emperors right to their faces though, so all he could say was, “Seniors, even if this Junior wishes to help, I’m afraid he is powerless to do so. This Junior is completely unaware of the Demon Realm’s situation, or where exactly Senior Bright Moon may be, but more importantly, how to safely enter the Demon Realm is already an almost insurmountable obstacle. Although the passage between the two worlds is open, it is impossible for this Junior to openly or covertly make his way through it. If this Junior really tried, the Demon Race would surely tear him to pieces before he even got to the entrance. But apart from the passage, how else can this Junior enter the Demon Realm?”
“You have your own way!” Chu Tian Ji looked at Yang Kai with a smile.
Yang Kai’s brow twitched as he asked, “And what way would that be?”
Chu Tian Ji slowly shook his head, “Although this Old Master is unaware of the details, he knows you have a way to enter the Demon Realm. Furthermore, you will surely meet a tribulation in the Demon Realm, but after you have overcome it, you will soar into the sky in a single leap.”
Yang Kai asked, staring at him, “What tribulation?”
Chu Tian Ji just smiled and didn’t explain.
Mo Huang, on the other hand, was a little shocked as he asked, “Brat, do you really have a way to enter the Demon Realm?”
Yang Kai rebuked, bitterly smiling, “What nonsense!? Unless all the Great Emperors escort me in, there is no way, but if we do that, the Demon Realm would surely know all about it. At that time, even if this Junior somehow safely made it to the Demon Realm, he would not have a moment’s peace. This Junior would more than likely die a brutal death.” His face turned serious as he stated, cupping his fists, “This Junior is really powerless. Seniors, please do not make things difficult.”
Yang Kai really didn’t want to go to the Demon Realm. Even if Heavens Revelations Great Emperor said that the slim chance of Bright Moon Great Emperor making it through if he went, that was just a vague prophecy, that’s all. Even if it was really accurate, what could he do when even Bright Moon Great Emperor was unable to do anything?
Just as he said this though, Yang Kai suddenly noticed a figure walking into the pavilion through the corner of his eyes.
Upon checking who it was, Yang Kai cried out in surprise, “Junior Sister Lan?”
It was none other than Lan Xun. Who knows when she came to Heavens Spying Valley, but during these days Yang Kai hadn’t seen her, Lan Xun had become very haggard and it was clear from her red, puffy eyes that she had been crying frequently.
This wasn’t surprising though as Bright Moon Great Emperor had been trapped in the Demon Realm for so long, and she had not heard any news from him. As a daughter, she must have been extremely worried about her father.
Lan Xun walked up to Yang Kai without speaking a word, and under his dumbstruck gaze, knelt down with a thud and pleaded in a trembling voice while kowtowing, “Please, Senior Brother Yang, I beg you to save my father!”
Yang Kai was shocked and hurriedly jumped up from his chair, trying to pull Lan Xun up by her arm, “Junior Sister Lan, what are you doing? Quickly get up.”
Lan Xun, however, remained in her position, repeating, “I beg Senior Brother Yang to save my father!”
“Get up first. We can talk afterwards.” Yang Kai was truly anxious. Ever since he first met Lan Xun in the Four Seasons Realm, they had been good friends who despite only meeting a few times, had helped one another greatly. When he was weak and unknown, Lan Xun had taken care of him many times. As the daughter of a Great Emperor and the Princess of Star Soul Palace, Lan Xun had never abused her status. Rather, she had always been gentle and courteous when dealing with others.
Yang Kai had a very good impression of Lan Xun. She was so many times better than Yao Lin.
Now though, this friend was actually kneeling in front of him, putting Yang Kai in a serious predicament. A friend should never kneel before his or her friend like this.
He tried pulling her up a few times, but Lan Xun refused to budge. Yang Kai finally lost patience and forcefully yanked her to her feet, but just as he was about to speak a few words to her, he saw her break into tears before him, her pretty eyes full of helplessness and pleading, forcing him to choke down the words that were on the tip of his tongue. Bitterly smiling, he sighed, “Junior Sister, why?”
Lan Xun stated, painfully shaking her head, “I have no other choice.” She immediately added, “I know that I am forcing you to do something you don’t want to, and that the Demon Realm is extremely dangerous. But Uncle Chu said only Senior Brother Yang can save Father. So, Junior Sister has no choice but to brazenly beg you. If Senior Brother agrees, Junior Sister is willing to do anything to repay you, whether it be a maid or a slave. Junior Sister is willing to serve you as you like to repay Senior Brother’s kindness.”
Yang Kai felt a deep, throbbing headache as he sighed, “Junior Sister Lan, please don’t make such a tasteless remark.”
She had gone as far as to declare that she would be his slave, serving him for a lifetime as he liked, so it was clear to Yang Kai that Lan Xun really saw him as her only life-saving straw.
And since she had said as much, it would obviously be reprehensible if Yang Kai still refused. It would have been fine if it was a stranger, or even a casual acquaintance, but Lan Xun had done him many favours and helped him immensely over the years. Yang Kai wasn’t an ungrateful person.
After hesitating and struggling for a long time, Yang Kai finally let out the longest sigh of the day and said, “Junior Sister, don’t worry. As this matter is very important, how about allowing me to think about it for a moment?”
Lan Xun nodded, “Yes! Senior Brother, if you want to refuse, please tell me straight. Junior Sister knows she has been ungraciously rude here.” When she said this, a troubled look appeared on her face. Obviously, she didn’t want Yang Kai to take the risk, but since it was related to her father and since Chu Tian Ji had said that Yang Kai was the only hope, she had no choice but to make a last attempt.
The pavilion sunk into silence for a while as Yang Kai appeared to be contemplating, facing the poplar tree in silence.
After a long while, a long sigh finally escaped his mouth as he turned around.
The three in the pavilion looked at him. Lan Xun looked even more restless; she wanted Yang Kai to agree, but at the same time, didn’t.
Yang Kai smiled, “Junior Sister, I promise. I’ll go to… the Demon Realm!”
Chu Tian Ji and Mo Huang looked at each other plainly, as if everything happened just like they had planned. They knew he would not agree happily, but fortunately, they had the forethought to bring Lan Xun here.
“Thank you, Senior Brother,” Lan Xun lowered her head and added in a low voice. “This trip to the Demon Realm will surely be fraught with peril, so whether or not you can save my father, Junior Sister hopes that Senior Brother can safely return.”
Yang Kai assured her, nodding, “Don’t worry, I will definitely bring Senior Bright Moon back safe and sound.”
Lan Xun stated, “I’ll be waiting for you!” Having said this, she turned around and left.
Yang Kai scratched his head, [It sounded… a little unusual.]
After a while, Yang Kai glanced left and right before sullenly asking, “Are you two satisfied now?”
Mo Huang raised his brow in surprise as he asked, “Kid, you noticed?”
Yang Kai stated, snorting, “How could Junior Sister Lan just happen to be here for no reason? Obviously, this was part of your arrangements. You knew that Junior Sister Lan has shown me great kindness in the past, so I would definitely not be able to refuse her.”
Chu Tian Ji chuckled, “This Old Master had no choice but to resort to such means. Little Friend, please forgive me.”
Yang Kai stated, shaking his head, “Senior Heaven’s Revelations, there is no need to be so serious. This Junior knows that Senior Bright Moon’s safety is very important. If he can be rescued from the Demon Realm, it will certainly help the Star Boundary’s situation. It is just that this is very important and this Junior is a little afraid of failing to live up to your expectations, so I would have preferred to refuse.”
Mo Huang nodded his appreciation, “How very thoughtful of you, but then again, how will you enter the Demon Realm? And how can you ensure that you won’t be corrupted by the Demon Qi and transform into a Demon after?”
Although Yang Kai had been fighting with the Demon Race these days, the Demon Realm was the Demon Race’s backyard. Demon Qi was everywhere there and Yang Kai wasn’t a Great Emperor, so who could guarantee that he would not be demonified?
Yang Kai lightly replied, “Senior doesn’t need to bother about these things, this Junior naturally has his own way.”
Everyone has their own secrets, so after hearing what he said, Mo Huang naturally didn’t ask any more questions, he simply nodded and said, “Is there anything we can do to assist you? If you need something, feel free to ask.”
Yang Kai replied, “After I go, I’m afraid that I won’t be able to return for quite some time. I just hope that Senior can take good care of the people of High Heaven Palace and Tiger Roar City.”
Mo Huang promised, “You can rest assured about this. Although this King cannot guarantee that they won’t be injured, this King can guarantee that they will not die.”
“That’s good then.”
Chu Tian Ji asked, “Do you have any other requests? We will fulfil whatever conditions you may have.”
Yang Kai thought for a while before asking, “I would like to ask you to help me pass a message to Senior Iron Blood.”
Mo Huang raised his brow, wondering what Yang Kai was planning on asking Zhan Wu Hen.
While he was being suspicious, he saw Yang Kai take out a jade slip and fed a message into the Divine Sense.
After a while, he handed the jade slip to Mo Huang.
“That’s it?” Mo Huang looked confused.
“That’s it.” Yang Kai nodded, “For this Junior to safely enter the Demon Realm, I will need Senior Iron Blood’s help.”
Mo Huang became curious, “How can he help?”
Yang Kai grinned at him but didn’t answer.
Mo Huang angrily stated, “Boy, acting all mysterious, what exactly are you planning?”
Yang Kai simply picked up the teacup in front of him and drank it in one gulp before he stood up and said goodbye, “This Junior will take his leave first. The next time we meet, I hope that we will be fighting side by side!”
After returning to Tiger Roar City from Heavens Spying Valley, Yang Kai called Li Jiao over and suddenly declared, “Brother Li, I may have to go into a retreat for a while. You will be in charge of Tiger Roar City’s affairs until I exit.”
Li Jiao confirmed in amazement, “Retreat? At this moment?”
The war between the two worlds was flaring up like wildfire. Although Tiger Roar City had been peaceful for the past six months, no one could guarantee that the Demon Race Army would not attack again. Obviously, it wasn’t a good time to enter the retreat. If by some fluke of bad luck, the Demon Race really attacked, Tiger Roar City’s combat strength would be greatly reduced without Yang Kai leading the army.
Yang Kai quickly justified, “I have recently obtained some inspiration, I have no other choice.”
Li Jiao nodded his understanding after hearing this. He knew that cultivating the Martial Dao wasn’t easy and that sudden enlightenment was a rare opportunity, one that needed to be grasped by entering retreat as soon as possible. Once he lost this opportunity, even a decade or a century of hard work might not be enough to make up for it; as such, he had no choice but to relent, “Good! This Li will do his best to take care of Tiger Roar City. But Brother Yang, what about those members of Half-Dragon City, and Senior Fu Ling…”
“Don’t worry, I will exhort them to listen to your arrangements.”
With Li Jiao’s cultivation and identity, there was basically no problem in commanding Tiger Roar City, but Fu Ling was a problem. She was a Sixth-Order pure-blooded Dragon so Li Jiao may not be able to subdue her. Not to mention that Fu Ling was too unreliable in the first place. When Yang Kai was there, she was honest and obedient, but when he wasn’t, her arrogance knew no bounds. She might not give Li Jiao any face, but since Yang Kai wanted to entrust Tiger Roar City to Li Jiao, he would naturally arrange everything in advance.
After a while, Fu Ling was summoned and Yang Kai told her to obey Li Jiao’s orders in the future or he would send her back to Dragon Island immediately.
Fu Ling didn’t dare disagree and immediately started nodding like a chicken pecking rice. It was extremely difficult for her to leave Dragon Island so naturally she was extremely reluctant to be sent back so soon.
Afterwards, Yang Kai met with the Emperor Realm Masters in the city, notifying them that he was entering a retreat to cultivate and shouldn’t be disturbed unless necessary. Then, he finally entered a secluded room in the City Lord’s Mansion in front of everyone’s eyes and closed the door shut.
Naturally, this retreat was just a pretence. Since he promised Heaven’s Revelations Great Emperor and Martial Beast Great Emperor that he would go to the Demon Realm, he had to make arrangements for Tiger Roar City in advance; otherwise, if that day really came, things would not end well for a leaderless Tiger Roar City. He would be letting Li Jiao become familiar with things so that even after he left, Tiger Roar City would not necessarily be affected greatly.
Inside the secret room, Yang Kai triggered a Space Beacon on his wrist and in the next moment, disappeared from his spot.
When he appeared again, he was already inside a female boudoir.
“Who!?” A tender shout rang out and a cold gleam flickered as a sharp sword was stabbed towards his face.
Yang Kai, however, just flicked his finger and knocked the tip of the sword away. Immediately after, he reached out and grabbed hold of a tender white wrist before pulling it a little as a soft tender body fell into his arms. He then leaned over and stated, smilingly looking at the figure, “Yao’er, what a unique way to welcome someone.”
Ji Yao was stunned, “What are you doing here?”
“I came to see you,” Yang Kai stroked her hair, calmly staring at her.
Being stared at like this, Ji Yao felt a little embarrassed, but she found that Yang Kai’s eyes were very gentle and filled with reluctance to part with her, so she comfortably reclined in his wide arms and averted her gaze.
Yang Kai reached out and grabbed her chin, however, lifting her head.
And before she could react, a masculine aura blew on her face. Before she knew it, their lips were pressed against each other. Slowly, Ji Yao closed her eyes as the longsword in her hand fell to the ground. She then wrapped her arms around Yang Kai’s neck, tightly hugging him.
After kissing fiercely for a while, Yang Kai gently picked her up by her waist and gently placed her on the bed. He then leaned over her and wantonly started savouring her again.
The relationship between the two had progressed a lot since the walls had cracked in Ice Heart Valley’s Cultivation Technique Pavilion, but those walls had yet to completely fall. Ji Yao even seemed to enjoy these occasional thrills and never asked Yang Kai for anything more, let alone reveal their relationship to the world.
Naturally, Yang Kai wouldn’t force her either.
Like raging fire and dry wood, a blend of honey and milk, two fiery bodies tangled and rolled on the big bed, turning the air in the boudoir romantic. Only after a long time did Yang Kai finally let her go. Ji Yao lay powerless on Yang Kai’s body, violently panting.
Suddenly, Yang Kai started speaking, “Yao’er, no matter what you hear in the coming days, don’t believe it or hold grudges against anyone.”
These words were rather baffling. Ji Yao immediately raised her head and asked as if she had a premonition, looking at Yang Kai with her big bright eyes, “What will happen?”
Yang Kai pinched her nose, “Don’t ask too much. You will know when the time comes. Just remember my words.”
Ji Yao didn’t speak; she just looked at him.
Yang Kai confirmed again, “Okay?”
Ji Yao nodded her agreement, “Okay.”
Yang Kai looked at her with relief before rolling over and ravaging her again.
He stayed with Ji Yao for a night before exhorted her about a few things and quietly left.
On Spirit Pill Peak of High Heaven Palace, Yang Kai casually strolled in with a jar of wine.
When the few Alchemy apprentices at the door saw him approaching, they respectfully greeted him right away, but the most Senior among them bravely stepped forward to block the way. Speaking with a troubled look on his face, he said, “Palace Master, Grandmaster Ji and Madam Xiao are currently performing Alchemy. They have ordered that no one is to disturb them.”
“Make way, make way!” Yang Kai pushed that apprentice aside and then barged straight in, shouting as he kept heading deeper, “Little Senior Sister, Little Senior Sister!”
He walked all the way to the underground Pill Room, where he saw the doors suddenly slam open as he saw a dishevelled and dirty Ji Ying charge out. His face was completely black, covered in soot. He grabbed Yang Kai by his collar and fiercely stated, “How many times have I said don’t disturb me when I am performing Alchemy! Don’t think that I won’t dare to beat you just because you’re the Palace Master here!”
Yang Kai grinned as he gently freed his collar from Ji Ying’s hold, “Brother Ji, calm down. It’s just a furnace of pills, right? Just refine it again.”
Judging by his appearance, Yang Kai knew that the pills in the furnace must have exploded; otherwise, Ji Ying’s face would not be covered in soot. He must have been disturbed at a critical moment and be truly angered right now, otherwise, how could an Emperor Alchemist have his furnace explode so easily?
Ji Ying angrily shouted, “Refine it again!? Would I not need to spend more time and energy!? Not to mention, this will put a stain on this Ji’s Alchemy career! Damn it! Why did I ever agree to come and serve as an Alchemist in this place?”
At this moment, Xia Ning Chang walked out from behind the door, clearly trying to hold back her laughter. Although her face was hidden behind the veil, from her crescent-like eyes, it was clear what she was thinking.
“Okay, okay, I brought you a jar of good wine as compensation, look!” Yang Kai moved the wine bottle in his hand into view.
“Trash! I don’t want to drink it. Pay me for my pills!” Ji Ying pushed away the wine bottle.
Yang Kai stated, “This is a bottle of the Western Territory’s Sword Wine, the Highest Rank Sword Wine at that! Brother Ji doesn’t want to try it? It’s very rare nowadays.”
Western Territory’s Sword Wine was very renowned. When Yang Kai and Zhu Qing first met in the past, he said that he would only be her friend if she gave him a bottle of this wine to make things difficult for her. Who knew that Zhu Qing would really fetch him a bottle of Sword Wine.
Now that the Western Territory was under attack by the Demon Race, the villa where the wine was made had also been destroyed, making this bottle even rarer than before.
Ji Ying was stunned after hearing this and hurriedly snatched the wine bottle, muttering as he opened it, “This Ji has also seen and experienced all kinds of things. If you dare to lie to me, you and I will have words!”
Yang Kai earnestly stated, “How dare I lie to Brother Ji? Right, I want Brother Ji’s permission to take Little Senior Sister out. When we will return isn’t guaranteed. I will have to trouble Brother Ji for the matters related to Alchemy.”
“Where are you going?” Ji Ying raised his head and asked, but Yang Kai and Xia Ning Chang were nowhere to be found. To his surprise, Yang Kai had taken Xia Ning Chang away before he could finish speaking. Ji Ying couldn’t help but be stunned, grinding his teeth as he began cursing aloud.
At the Space Array, Yang Kai and Xia Ning Chang appeared, carefree and at leisure.
Little Senior Sister asked, curiously looking at Yang Kai, “How’s the situation in the Western Territory? Why are you back?”
Yang Kai replied, smiling, “Let the people over there be worried about it. As for me, I am back to see you.”
“Have you gone to Elder Sisters?”
“Not yet.” Yang Kai shook his head.
Xia Ning Chang reached out and straightened his clothes. Suddenly, her gaze momentarily paused as she pulled a few strands of longer hair from Yang Kai’s neck and threw them away before warmly speaking, “Go and see Elder Sisters first. I will be waiting for you here. They are fighting the Demon Race so they are definitely not as comfortable as me.”
Yang Kai’s facial muscles twitched as he withdrew his gaze from the strands of long hair dancing in the air and pulled Xia Ning Chang into his arms, kissing her on the forehead, “Little Senior Sister is the most caring of all.”
Xia Ning Chang shyly stated, “I’m not…” She then lightly pounded her fist on his chest, “People are looking.”
Disciples were guarding the Space Array year-round, so everyone could clearly see this scene. However, the Palace Master and his wife were being intimate, so who among them dared to watch? At this moment, each of them was either looking up at the sky or down at the ground, as if they were wondering if it would rain or were admiring the flowers blooming.
At this moment, Space Principles flared and three figures suddenly appeared on the Array.
After glancing at them, a jealous voice rang out, “Well, well, well, did you call us to quickly return to show us such a scene?”
Xia Ning Chang’s face turned redder as she quickly escaped from Yang Kai’s arms, moving over to the three who just appeared and greeting them.
Yang Kai looked back and smilingly stated, “Luo’er, are you even jealous of your Sister?”
Shan Qing Luo disdainfully spat and stated, “Of course, I’m fine if it’s one of my Sisters, but who knows if you had an affair with some foxes outside.”
“There is no such thing,” Yang Kai hurriedly denied.
Shan Qing Luo snorted, “Is that right? Then please explain what’s going on with that Li Shi Qing!”
Yang Kai broke into a cold sweat and turned to Su Yan, a begging look on his face.
As the Eldest Sister, Su Yan was naturally more understanding and promptly changed the topic, “Why did you call us back?”
The three of them had been staying in the same city as the original batch of High Heaven Palace and Ice Heart Valley disciples when they suddenly received a message from Ji Yao. Afterwards, they had promptly returned to High Heaven Palace.
Yang Kai replied, smiling, “It’s nothing, I was just seized by a whim and wanted you to accompany me to enjoy the beauties of nature.”
The four women believed that Yang Kai was just speaking nonsense; after all, the Demon Race hadn’t been eliminated and the Western Territory was in a state of unrest. Who would be in the mood to go sightseeing at this moment? But who knew that he would really do so?
Starting from High Heaven Palace, they directly teleported to the former site of the Southern Territory’s Thousand Leaves Sect. After confirming the directions, Yang Kai led the four around to play.
Although the Demon Race invasion was of much discussion in the Star Boundary and the flames of war had raged across the Western Territory, with the Southern, Northern, and Eastern Territories also mobilizing reinforcements constantly, the war itself was still too far from the Southern Territory so the daily lives of common people weren’t much affected.
Travelling with the four beauties, Yang Kai was living a life of ease and leisure. They crossed countless mountains and rivers, entering every city they chanced upon, which allowed Su Yan and the others to truly appreciate all the wonderful sights of the Star Boundary.
Although Su Yan and the others had been in the Star Boundary for a couple of years, they had constantly been cultivating in retreat at High Heaven Palace. When the war between the two worlds erupted, they finally followed the army to the Western Territory, so strictly speaking, this was the first time they had gone out to travel. Furthermore, they were with Yang Kai so they were all in high spirits. Everything they saw was novel to them. The man was brave and heroic, and the females were beautiful and graceful, each having their own unique charm, so wherever they went, they became the focus of attention.
Every night, Yang Kai would lead the four girls to the Sealed World Bead and sleep together with them.
Little Senior Sister had the thinnest skin, so how could she bear such a shameful thing? Su Yan, taking on the Elder Sister stance, reprimanded Yang Kai several times, but he naturally refused to mend his ways even after repeated warnings. The more strictly Su Yan reprimanded him, the more he desired to do it, and with Shan Qing Luo assisting the tyrant to perform evil, Su Yan didn’t dare to casually speak in the end and had no choice but to let it go.
Going around here and there for half a month, they finally arrived at a certain empty plain.
Seeing Yang Kai carefully exploring this place, as if he was looking for something, Shan Qing Luo curiously asked, “What are you searching for?”
Yang Kai replied, “Back then, the Four Seasons Realm’s entrance appeared here, I am trying to look for a trace of it.”
Su Yan knowingly asked, “Are you worried about Xiao’er and Xue’er?”
Yang Kai replied, sighing, “Although Liu Yan is with them, both of them are still just children. If I could at least have a look at them, I would feel more at ease.”
Among the four girls, apart from Shan Qing Luo, who had never seen Yang Xiao because she had been cultivating in the Ancient Wild Lands, Su Yan, Xue Yue, and Xia Ning Chang had met little fatty and adored him very much. And since he was Yang Kai’s adopted son, they naturally felt quite close to him.
Now that Yang Kai was looking for the two kids, they were more than willing to help him.
The five immediately spread around, meticulously searching the plain.
But in the end, they found nothing.
The Four Seasons Realm could be considered as an independent Small World, and although the entrance had appeared on this plain last time, no one could say for sure that the entrance would definitely appear here the next time too. Not to mention, Qiong Qi was the one who led them in. Perhaps Qiong Qi had some other means to enter the Four Seasons Realm they were unaware of.
Having no result, they had no choice but to leave.
Afterwards, Yang Kai took the four to Azure Sun Temple, where they stayed on his Spirit Sword Peak for a few days before setting off to Maplewood City.
This was the first city Yang Kai entered after he came to the Star Boundary so it had some special meaning to him. It was here he met Mo Xiao Qi and Lan Xun for the first time. The Myriads Sword he used was obtained here as well, and it was also here he met his first Great Emperor, though the latter was playing around among the mortals at the time.
Outside Maplewood City stood Spirit Lake Palace, where countless cultivators were still coming in and out of every day. But since Xia Sheng was no longer here, Yang Kai had no intention to visit it.
However, his old friend Kang Si Ran had been promoted to the Branch President of Maplewood City by his chamber of commerce because of the long-term trade he had established with High Heaven Palace.
When Yang Kai arrived, Kang Si Ran naturally entertained him warmly, treating him to the finest restaurants in Maplewood City where they merrily drank and chatted.
The next day, Yang Kai bid goodbye and led the four women to the old site of the Blue Feather Sect. Today, Blue Feather Sect was completely deserted. The old site of the Sect was completely in ruins. Thinking of the time when he was imprisoned in Blue Feather Sect with Liu Xiao Yun back when he had entered the Star Boundary, Yang Kai felt as if ages had gone by.
At that time, Dao Source Realm Masters were like invincible existences to him, but now he could even fight Pseudo-Great Emperors. Several dozen years had passed, giving him a deep sense of reverie.
Retracing the old road like it was another life made Yang Kai have mixed feelings.
After the Southern Territory was the Eastern Territory, and then the Northern Territory…
After three months, Yang Kai finally began leading Su Yan and the others back home. He was still travelling in neither a hurried nor slow manner, without even using the Space Array network he had arranged.
After these three months of sightseeing, caring nothing about worldly affairs, Su Yan and the others were naturally reluctant to part with Yang Kai. They felt that it would be the best thing if this could go on for the rest of their lives.
At night, after a particularly intense intimate session, slender and graceful limbs were horizontally lying on a giant bed when suddenly, energy fluctuations started rising.
Yang Kai turned his head and cried out in pleasant surprise as he looked at Su Yan, “Senior Sister, you…”
Su Yan promptly sat down cross-legged and stated, taking a deep breath, “I am about to break through.”
Shan Qing Luo also sat up in shock, “So fast?”
Su Yan was now a Third-Order Dao Source Realm, so another breakthrough would make her enter the Emperor Realm. It had only been a few years since Yang Kai brought her to the Star Boundary, and although they were receiving endless resources from High Heaven Palace, Su Yan’s rate of progress was still quite astonishing. It must be brought to notice that when Su Yan first entered the Star Boundary, she was just a Second-Order Dao Source Realm cultivator. In just a few years, she was crossing a chasm that most cultivators couldn’t cross in their entire lives.
The remaining three were still just First-Order Dao Source Realms now while Xia Ning Chang, because of her Special Constitution and constant refinement of pills, had touched the threshold of the Second-Order.
Xue Yue pursed her lips into a sweet smile as she stated, “Don’t you know that Elder Sister uses her dual cultivation Secret Art constantly? Every night, Elder Sister has been ‘fed’ by husband.”
This was indeed true. Whenever they cultivated using the Yin-Yang Joyous Unification Art, the dragon and phoenix would sing together. Dual cultivation had indeed provided great benefits to Su Yan. Even without Yang Kai, her cultivation progress wasn’t slow, and for the last three months, she and Yang Kai had been dual cultivating every night. This slow accumulation over time would work magic, so breaking through now was just a matter of course.
The bottleneck had already been touched, and the World Baptism was about to descend, so there was no time to delay.
Su Yan glanced at Yang Kai before she immediately got dressed and the others hurriedly tidied things up.
After a short while, Yang Kai and Su Yan appeared outside the Small Sealed World, whereupon Yang Kai promptly used Space Principles to lead Su Yan to a sparsely populated location and set her down before quickly urging her, “Be careful!”
Su Yan nodded before sitting down cross-legged and closing her eyes.
Yang Kai’s figure flickered next and appeared several dozen kilometres away. Next, he let Xue Yue, Shan Qing Luo, and Xia Ning Chang out with a wave of his hand as the four stared ahead together.
Observing and emulating the process of Su Yan breaking through to the Emperor Realm would definitely benefit Shan Qing Luo and the others. When they broke through to Emperor Realm one day, they would have more experience in dealing with it instead of approaching it blindly.
Under their nervous gazes, wind and clouds gathered in the sky as faint claps of thunder boomed.
A soft jade white hand grabbed Yang Kai’s big hand as Xue Yue comforted in a gentle voice, “Husband, don’t worry, Elder Sister is so strong. There won’t be any problem at all.”
Yang Kai also felt that with Su Yan’s ability, there would not be any major problems, but that didn’t stop him from feeling nervous. This might be the so-called the more one cares about someone, the more worried he or she would be for him or her.
Shan Qing Luo added, “Husband, although we don’t know why you have brought us out to sightsee, since this little tryst lasted for so long, we know that you must have to do something important soon. Go ahead and do it. We have each other to rely on, and today, Big Sister is also advancing to the Emperor Realm. You don’t have to worry about anything when you are outside.”
Yang Kai looked at her, and then looked at Xue Yue and Xia Ning Chang, who lightly nodded at him.
Obviously, they had noticed something these days; after all, they shared every moment together, even in bed. Although Yang Kai hadn’t told them outright, how could he hide it from their eyes?
Yang Kai nodded and told them everything, “I won’t hide it from you then. I will be going to the Demon Realm soon.”
Xue Yue’s slender white hand momentarily clenched while Shan Qing Luo and Xia Ning Chang also looked shocked and worried. Although they knew Yang Kai had something to do, they had never expected that he would be going to the Demon Realm.
“And I will be going to the Demon Realm through a rather unorthodox method. All I can say is, whatever you hear at that time, don’t believe it or worry about it.” Yang Kai took a long deep breath, “I don’t know when I will be back, but I can assure you, I will definitely return safe and sound!”
Shan Qing Luo leaned over and gently stated, putting her head on his shoulder, “You are the world for our Sisters, you better come back safe and sound!”
Xia Ning Chang exhorted as her eyes turned red, “Be careful when you get there.”
Yang Kai opened his arms and hugged the three girls together, laughing and assuring them, “Don’t worry, I might not be good at other things, but I’m the best at running away.”
Shan Qing Luo suddenly pinched his waist and gave it a twist as she warned, grinding her teeth, “I hear there are Charm Demons in the Demon Realm, don’t get captivated by them!”
Yang Kai replied, smiling, “It’s not certain who will captivate who.”
Right then, a deafening clap of thunder reverberated along with a bright flash as a bolt of lightning descended from the sky, striking the top of Su Yan’s head.
Everyone couldn’t help but sink into silence as their eyes immediately focused on that side.
Amid the blinding flashes, World Energy gathered around, flooding Su Yan’s location all of a sudden.
After a while, Su Yan’s figure reappeared while all the World Energy had been completely absorbed by her.
*Hong long long…”
Bolts of lightning fell one after another, forming an inescapable net that blotted out the sky in a continuous rain. Shan Qing Luo and the others turned pale at the sight of this and secretly wondered if they could deal with this when their time came.
However, they were only in the First-Order Dao Source Realm now so it was inevitable for them to find this sight extremely terrifying. When they had reached the same cultivation as Su Yan, their mentality might be different.
Heaven and Earth shook. The World Baptism whenever someone broke through a Great Realm would always be shocking. Not to mention, Su Yan was breaking through to the Emperor Realm, so the disturbance naturally spread over a great distance.
There seemed to be a city nearby and the commotion had attracted many people. In the beginning, these people were still observing courtesy, watching from a distance and not trying to get too close.
But as time passed, someone finally flew over, as if they wanted to see things from up close, but how could Yang Kai allow that to happen? He opened his mouth and shouted, “Scram!”
His voice resounded throughout the sky louder than even the World Baptism, causing everyone to flee back in a flurry.
Every Great Realm was a giant chasm for a cultivator; across it was a brand new world, and this was especially true for the Emperor Realm.
One after another, the fearsome bolts of World Energy descended from the sky. Dark clouds swirled as flashes of lightning and reverberating claps of thunder echoed.
It was an extremely terrifying sight.
A clear and melodious phoenix cry rang suddenly, resonating through the highest Heavens. A vague ice-blue phoenix illusory phantom manifested at Su Yan’s location. The Ice Phoenix was incomparably large and had its neck craned, crying aloud towards the sky. The unique aura of a Divine Spirit suddenly spread out, freezing everything within a thousand kilometres of it, shocking all who were watching the show.
Meanwhile, inside Yang Kai’s body, the Golden Divine Dragon Source began making trouble, showing signs of resonating with Su Yan’s Ice Phoenix Source. If he hadn’t suppressed it firmly, he might have transformed into a dragon in an instant.
Yang Kai was a little surprised by this as he hadn’t expected that when Su Yan broke through to the Emperor Realm, he would also have some peculiar resonations. He had no idea if it was because he cultivated the Yin-Yang Joyous Unification Art or some other reason.
As time slowly passed by, the might of Heaven and Earth grew stronger and stronger, but the illusory Ice Phoenix remained strong, its aura only increasing to rival the surrounding power of Heaven and Earth.
Finally, a shockwave visible to the naked eye spread out, sweeping away everything in all directions.
The enormous Ice Phoenix phantom disappeared and the dark clouds in the sky began to dissipate, revealing the light of day once more.
The world returned to peace.
After a long time, the onlooking cultivators finally summoned the courage to come forward and investigate, but there were no traces of the one who had just broken through.
But this entire phenomenon had exceeded the one shown by an ordinary Emperor Realm breakthrough and quickly became the talk of the town among the cultivators in the nearby cities.
As Su Yan had already broken through to the Emperor Realm, and had gained more strength for self-protection, Yang Kai felt a little more at ease.
After another five days, the group of five returned to High Heaven Palace and bid each other goodbye at the Space Array, whereupon the women shed a lot of tears. Yang Kai had a heartache at the sight of their plight.
After sending off Su Yan and the others, he helped Little Senior Sister settle in before returning to the Space Array. However, Yang Kai didn’t teleport to Tiger Roar City but instead went to Orthodoxy Temple in the Southern Territory. After he had crushed the Orthodoxy Temple conspiracy, this land had become a branch of High Heaven Palace in the Southern Territory where 50,000 disciples lived.
Although a group of people were recruited to go to the Western Territory battlefield, only a few of them were sent after all. 95% of the disciples remained here to cultivate and grow stronger.
Yang Kai didn’t disturb anyone with his arrival and instead went straight to the restricted area of Orthodoxy Temple, where the Outer Astral Wind blew.
The last time he came here, he found that the might of the Outer Astral Wind increased the deeper one ventured into the canyon it occupied and there seemed to be some kind of treasure hidden at its source. It was that unknown treasure that was generating the Outer Astral Wind, allowing others to temper their bodies in the canyon.
Since he was going to the Demon Realm, Yang Kai decided to prepare everything he could to improve his strength. Since there was a treasure in his own Branch Sect, Yang Kai would naturally try to collect it. Perhaps it could be of some help in the Demon Realm, and even if he failed to gather it, it wouldn’t be a loss.
Walking into the canyon, Yang Kai found many disciples at the mouth of the canyon, welcoming the Outer Astral Wind’s baptism, tempering their bodies with its assistance, but the cultivation of these disciples wasn’t high, so they naturally stayed in the outermost periphery.
Yang Kai teleported by them, without anyone’s notice.
He then proceeded straight to the depths where a series of caves gradually appeared on the surrounding cliffs, granting places of shelter for those tempering their bodies to recuperate. The might of the Outer Astral Wind grew stronger and stronger, but Yang Kai didn’t fear it. He had a Half-Dragon Body which made his physique quite tyrannical, so this level of Astral Wind couldn’t do anything to him.
After travelling for the time it takes an incense stick to burn, the oncoming astral wind finally began pricking his skin. The invisible wind cut against his flesh like a sharp blade. Owing to this, Yang Kai finally used his Emperor Qi to protect himself, but his footsteps didn’t slow even one bit.
After a while, even his Emperor Qi defence was cut to pieces, failing to provide any protection. The omnipresent Astral Wind cut into his body now, drawing blood that dyed his body and robes golden.
But Yang Kai had no intention of stopping here and continued to move forward in neither a fast nor hurried manner.
Sharp whistles could be heard to no end as the depths of the canyon was like a forbidden area for all life. In the middle regions, those who were strong like Xi Lie could cultivate, but not many dared to venture deeper. Yang Kai’s physique was stronger than Xi Lei’s, but whether he could survive in the deepest depths, he wasn’t confident about.
He decided to do his best and leave the rest to the Heavens!
The deeper Yang Kai went in, the more terrifying the might of the Astral Wind became.
Gradually, countless deep cuts appeared on Yang Kai’s skin, and even with his outstanding restorative abilities, he couldn’t recover from these wounds so quickly. He was bleeding golden blood from his wounds, leaving a set of golden footprints in his wake.
The Astral Wind here was very strange as not only did it cut into his body, it seemed to be affecting his five viscera, six organs, his bones, and even his meridians. In the end, every time Yang Kai took a step forward, his entire body, inside and out, ached.
Left with no choice, all he could do was assume his Half-Dragon Form which made it slightly easier to continue advancing.
The 300-metre-tall Half-Dragon Form had grown slightly, reaching a height of 320 metres now. Presumably, this was due to the dual cultivation with Su Yan over these past few months, helping his Golden Divine Dragon Source further integrate with him.
*Hong Hong Hong…*
Every step Yang Kai took caused the canyon to quake.
Who knows how long he walked for, but when Yang Kai felt that he couldn’t continue any further, he suddenly saw a familiar Void Crack ahead.
He had noticed this Void Crack the last time he came to investigate this place, and knew that it was from this crack that the endless Outer Astral Wind was blowing from. At that time, Yang Kai reckoned that if there was any treasure in this canyon, it would be hidden inside this Void Crack. It was because of the fearsome might of the treasure in the canyon that this Void Crack failed to seal and forever emitted the Outer Astral Wind.
Yang Kai’s eyes momentarily lit up now that this Void Crack was in sight.
Yang Kai, disregarding his own damaged body, strode forward against the Astral Wind, arriving before the Void Crack in a few steps.
*Xiu…*
A gust of wind slashed out from the crack like a sword wave, directly cutting across Yang Kai’s Half-Dragon Body. Yang Kai immediately lowered his head to look and saw a huge gaping wound on his waist which nearly cut through him. It was a disturbing sight to so clearly see his five viscera and six organs, but soon his golden blood began pouring out, covering the wound.
Yang Kai grimaced at the extremely sharp and piercing pain, but also grinned in anticipation towards the treasure hidden in the Void.
[It almost cut my Half-Dragon Body in two, so its power must be beyond my imagination. If I can really obtain such a treasure, it would definitely help me on my trip to the Demon Realm.]
After canceling his Half-Dragon Form, Yang Kai shot straight into the Void Crack as Space Principles flared.
The next moment, Yang Kai found himself inside a chaotic nothingness. The Astral Winds that had been harassing him had also disappeared at this moment, which made Yang Kai feel a little out of sorts.
Covering his wound with his hand, Yang Kai looked around before his eyes were quickly drawn to something floating in the Void.
It was a long vine, a very long vine rooted in the chaos!
Yang Kai was taken aback by this sight as he had gone in and out of the Void countless times where only endless void turbulence and nothingness existed. He had never expected to find a vine in such a place!
But at this moment, the long vine seemed to have withered as its entire body had turned grey and it was lacking in any vitality.
Only a bottle gourd about the size of a palm was growing at the topmost position of the long vine. The small bottle gourd was cyan in colour and there were complex patterns on its surface, which seemed to contain some kind of mystery of the Grand Dao.
Small streaks of Astral Wind flew out of the bottle gourd, blowing into the crack beside it.
The source of the Outer Astral Winds was actually this Cyan Bottle Gourd.
Yang Kai was amazed by this, but very soon he realized that this Cyan Bottle Gourd must be some kind of Supreme Treasure, perhaps not inferior to his Soul Warming Lotus.
[I found a real prize!]
Yang Kai was overjoyed and pushed his Emperor Qi as he gingerly reached out towards the Cyan Bottle Gourd and grabbed it.
Contrary to his expectations though, he wasn’t injured at all. The Astral Winds that were sharp enough to cut right through him didn’t seem to be any threat in this place and he was able to grab the Cyan Bottle Guard as easily as lifting his hand.
Then, with just a simple pull, he plucked the Cyan Bottle Gourd from the long vine.
Before Yang Kai could take a closer look at the gourd though, the long vine that appeared to have been withered for tens of thousands of years, actually shrank back and plunged into the endless chaos, disappearing without a trace.
Yang Kai was momentarily dumbstruck before he angrily patted his thigh.
Had he known that this long vine was so strange, he would have tried to collect it first. If it could bear a treasure such as the Cyan Bottle Gourd, it must be quite extraordinary. If he could have transplanted it into his Small Sealed World, there was a chance it could bear another bottle gourd at some point!
But just as this thought flashed in his mind, Yang Kai quickly denied it, because this was a treasure born from the World itself, a unique type of existence of which there could only be one. After understanding this, Yang Kai’s heart finally settled down.
Wealth lies in contentment. The fact that he could obtain the Cyan Bottle Gourd was already a big opportunity, coveting more would be insatiable.
After clearing up his mood, Yang Kai carefully played with the Cyan Bottle Gourd in his hand.
After being plucked from the long vine, the patterns on the Cyan Bottle Gourd’s surface had disappeared and it wasn’t exuding that profound and mysterious aura either, as if it had become a very ordinary bottle gourd.
But when Yang Kai scanned it with his Divine Sense, he was unable to probe the inside of the bottle gourd and immediately understood that it was ordinary only in appearance. If he wanted to release this Cyan Bottle Gourd’s might though, he would probably need to carefully refine it first.
After putting away the Cyan Bottle Gourd, Yang Kai jumped out of the Void Crack.
Since the source of the Outer Astral Winds had been taken away by him, Orthodoxy Temple Branch’s canyon had lost its Body Tempering facility. Even the Void Crack had closed under the restorative effect of the Star Boundary’s World Principles, disappearing into thin air.
It might be a bit of a loss for High Heaven Palace’s disciples, but Yang Kai could care less about that at the moment. If need be, he could simply put the Cyan Bottle Gourd back when he got back from the Demon Realm. At that time, the canyon would be restored.
Inside Tiger Roar City’s City Lord’s Mansion, Yang Kai nodded quietly from time to time while listening to Li Jiao’s report on the war in recent months.
The situation was better than he thought. Back then when he announced his retreat, the 200,000 troops in Tiger Roar City were temporarily handed over to Li Jiao, and Li Jiao had lived up to his expectations. He led the Tiger Roar City troops to support major cities frequently and had never lost a battle.
Rather than Li Jiao’s capability, it was mainly because of the great number of Emperor Realm Masters within Tiger Roar City’s troops. With an army of the same scale, it was impossible for the Demon Race to beat them; even if they were twice or thrice more, Tiger Roar City would be able to repel them.
Yang Kai was relieved. As long as these 200,000 troops remained united, they would become an invincible banner.
“Brother Yang, are you done with your retreat?” Li Jiao asked after finishing reporting the situation. It had been quite tough for him. Although he was strong, and he was the Palace Master of Fire Dragon Palace, it was tremendous pressure for one person to be responsible for 200,000 lives in the heat of battle. The battlefield was unpredictable, and regardless of Tiger Roar City troops’ winning streak, a single mistake could lead to countless deaths. It was a price Li Jiao could not afford to pay and so he hoped for Yang Kai’s quick return to take over the authority again.
Yang Kai shook his head, “I just came out to take a look at the situation and will soon enter retreat again.”
Disappointment surfaced on Li Jiao’s face.
Yang Kai, however, just looked at him and encouraged, “Brother Li, you don’t need to feel so pressured. You’ve done a good job, just keep going as you have. Even if we lose a battle, it won’t be your fault.”
Li Jiao smiled bitterly, “This Li only feels more pressure when…”
Before he could finish, Yu Ru Meng, wrapped in an icy aura, barged in fiercely with a darkened face.
Yang Kai and Li Jiao looked up together, and Li Jiao cleared his throat, “Brother Yang, this Li will leave first.”
He did not wait for Yang Kai’s response and quickly fled.
After he left, Yu Ru Meng strode over to Yang Kai in a few steps and grabbed Yang Kai’s collar with one hand, her teeth gritted, “Are you finally willing to return?”
Yang Kai feigned calm as he looked at her, “What are you talking about?”
Yu Ru Meng snorted, “You told everyone that you were entering retreat, but in fact, you left Tiger Roar City. Where did you go?”
[Damn it, how does this woman know that I wasn’t in Tiger Roar City? Could it be the Heart Seal Secret Technique allows her to sense my presence?] While pondering about this, Yang Kai maintained a calm face and broke free of her grip. He then replied with a dignified face, “Speak properly, there’s no need to get physical. It’s highly improper!”
Yu Ru Meng narrowed her eyes at him and seethed, “Why didn’t you say anything when you ran off without a word for more than three months?”
Yang Kai slapped the table angrily and exploded, “Just who ran off more than three months ago? Don’t talk nonsense. I have been in retreat and cultivating in the City Lord’s Mansion!”
Yu Ru Meng sneered, “Stop lying! Do you think I can’t sense your aura? You weren’t even in Tiger Roar City these past three months! Tell me the truth, where did you go?”
Yang Kai stood up, “There’s no point talking sense to you, this King needs to continue his retreat. Don’t you dare talk nonsense, or this King will slap your butt again!”
After that, he got up and walked towards the back hall with his hands behind his back and disappeared in the blink of an eye.
Yu Ru Meng gnashed her pristine teeth in fury before chasing Yang Kai into the secret room, pestering him madly for a while before Yang Kai finally could not bear it anymore and spanked her so hard that she cried. Afterwards, he threw her out.
The secret room was closed, but Yu Ru Meng’s shrieks could still be heard through the door, sounding just like a berserk vixen!
However, Yu Ru Meng had learned her lesson and stayed by the door of the secret room. Obviously, she did not want to give Yang Kai any opportunities to sneak away again.
Unexpectedly, Yang Kai really did cultivate in retreat within the room and did not leave for more than ten days.
Yang Kai had just obtained the Cyan Bottle Gourd and wanted to refine it as soon as possible. He also knew Yu Ru Meng was guarding the door but did not pay her any attention. He had settled what needed to be settled and done everything that needed to be done. He had no plans to go out again.
More than ten days passed by in peace.
Suddenly, on this day, when Yang Kai was still refining the Cyan Bottle Gourd, he suddenly felt the world shudder and a great pressure descend from the sky. At the same time, an angry voice echoed across the world, “Yang Kai, come out!”
In the secret room, Yang Kai’s eyes suddenly opened, blooming with gleaming light.
[He’s finally here!]
After taking a gentle breath, Yang Kai put the Cyan Bottle Gourd away and got up. After smoothing his clothes slightly, he opened the door of the secret room and walked out.
Outside the door, Yu Ru Meng looked at him suspiciously, “How did you manage to provoke Iron Blood Great Emperor? Why is he here?”
She obviously recognized that the voice just now belonged to Iron Blood Great Emperor, and judging from his words and tone, the latter did not sound like he was here with friendly intent.
Yang Kai could not help rolling his eyes, “How am I supposed to know?”
Yu Ru Meng pointed out, “You always had a good relationship with his Disciple, so why would he be hostile towards you?”
Yang Kai wondered, “Hostile? Is he?”
Yu Ru Meng snarled, “Can’t you feel his hostility?”
Her eyebrows were tightly knitted together when she grabbed Yang Kai’s arm, “Don’t go out first, let me find out what’s going on.”
The corner of Yang Kai’s mouth twitched, and clapped his hand together, “It’s fine. Senior Iron Blood is one of the ten Great Emperors, he won’t do anything extreme even if I accidentally offended him. I’ll just ask him and clarify if there is any misunderstanding.”
Yu Ru Meng thought about it carefully and realized that even if there was a misunderstanding between Iron Blood Great Emperor and Yang Kai, Iron Blood Great Emperor would not lay hands on Yang Kai. Moreover, the war between the two worlds was in full swing right now, and Yang Kai was the representative of Tiger Roar City, the military leader of more than 200,000 elite troops. It was absolutely impossible for an ally to act against Yang Kai during this sensitive period.
Above Tiger Roar City, a burly figure stood boldly in the sky. Everyone looked up, but the sky was so hazy that only a few could see the face of this visitor clearly.
However, Senior Iron Blood’s name quickly spread throughout the city, and many people realized that the visitor was actually one of the ten Great Emperors and immediately stood in awe and gaped in admiration.
A figure flew out of the city and greeted Iron Blood Great Emperor in the next moment. It was Li Jiao.
Li Jiao stopped more than ten meters away and cupped his fists, “Li Jiao of the Northern Territory’s Fire Dragon Palace, greets Senior Iron Blood!”
Zhan Wu Hen glanced at him coldly and lightly nodded.
Although it was just a glance, it contained unsurmountable majesty, causing Li Jiao to break into a cold sweat as he probed cautiously, “We were just wondering how we can help Senior Iron Blood.”
Zhan Wu Hen answered plainly, “Ask Yang Kai to come out and see me.”
Li Jiao stressed, “Replying to Senior, Palace Master Yang has been in retreat recently and has yet to exit. Full authority over Tiger Roar City has been given to this Li. If it is a matter concerning the war between the two worlds, Tiger Roar City will definitely do its best to fulfil Senior’s commands.”
Zhan Wu Hen simply replied, “This matter has nothing to do with the war. It’s just my personal grievance. You can’t help me, so you may leave.”
Li Jiao was stunned by his remark.
Iron Blood Great Emperor’s words revealed a lot of information. Personal grievances? What personal grievance could Yang Kai have with a Great Emperor that would necessitate Iron Blood Great Emperor to come all the way here?
Before Li Jiao could inquire further, Zhan Wu Hen already waved his hand, and Li Jiao involuntarily plummeted to the ground. The force sent him staggering backwards and he was only able to stop himself when a large hand supported his back.
Li Jiao turned back and was surprised, “Brother Yang.”
Yang Kai nodded at him.
Li Jiao warned him hurriedly, “Brother Yang, be careful with your words!”
He did not know Zhan Wu Hen’s intention, but the latter’s tone and attitude were definitely not friendly. There was not much Li Jiao could do in this situation even if he wanted to. How could he oppose a Great Emperor? All he could do was to warn Yang Kai to avoid provoking Zhan Wu Hen.
Yang Kai smiled slightly, stepped forward, looked up, and cupped his fists, “Greetings, Senior. I was unaware that Senior would be gracing us with his presence. Please forgive this Junior for not offering a proper welcome!”
Zhan Wu Hen looked down coldly for a while before starting, “You are indeed guilty!”
When the words fell, the whole city went into an uproar.
Although they were aware that Iron Blood Great Emperor had come with some level of hostility, to say something like this in front of the 200,000 troops and the several million residents of Tiger Roar City, Zhan Wu Hen had essentially given Yang Kai a death sentence, which did not sit well with Tiger Roar City’s forces.
So what if he was a Great Emperor? How could a Great Emperor impose charges indiscriminately? Everyone here had seen what Yang Kai had done these past few months. Without him, Tiger Roar City would have long ago been destroyed. Without him, the Tiger Roar City troops would also be absolutely fragmented if they even existed at all. The 200,000 troops here, united under Yang Kai’s banner, had killed countless Demons and won numerous great victories.
Even though Zhan Wu Hen was a Great Emperor and was the aspiration of billions of cultivators in the Star Boundary, his words still displeased many.
Gao Xue Ting immediately stepped forward and questioned with a solemn face, “Senior, may I know what exact crime Junior Brother Yang has committed?”
Yang Kai smiled slightly and raised his hand to signal her to be quiet before turning back to the figure in the sky, “Senior, this Junior does not understand. Please clarify your accusation!”
Zhan Wu Hen continued, “I will make you understand then. But let this King ask you, is there a Divine Spirit Shi Huo by your side?”
Everyone in Tiger Roar City well knew the existence of the Embodiment; after all, he too had made great contributions in the previous battles and everyone had undeniably witnessed his exceedingly powerful performance.
Yang Kai immediately nodded and admitted, “Indeed there is.”
Zhan Wu Hen demanded, “This King will ask you then, what kind of Secret Art and what kind of Secret Technique does that Shi Huo cultivate?”
Yang Kai replied, “Each Divine Spirit has its own bloodline inheritance. Naturally, he cultivated the Secret Arts and Secret Techniques of his clan.”
“Nonsense!” Zhan Wu Hen thundered, the power of his majestic voice fluctuating so violently that the world seemed about to shake apart.
Yang Kai raised his brow and asked, “Why is Senior acting so aggressively? What this Junior said is only the truth.”
Zhan Wu Hen shook his head and rebuked, “Yang Kai, with your merits of defending this city, this King does not want to embarrass you, but if you continue to be so stubborn, don’t blame this King for not showing restraint. This King will ask one last time so think carefully before you answer. What kind of Secret Art and what kind of Secret Technique does that Shi Huo cultivate?”
The reason Iron Blood Great Emperor came here furiously was just to question the Secret Art cultivated by the Divine Spirit Shi Huo! Everyone was confused and had no idea what Zhan Wu Hen was thinking. What did Shi Huo’s Secret Art have to do with him? Was it that the Divine Spirit Shi Huo secretly learned his Secret Art?
Yang Kai’s face turned ugly at Zhan Wu Hen’s aggressive behaviour and he replied in a deep voice, “Senior, this Junior already said that Shi Huo has his own Source Inheritance. Why do you keep asking me again and again?”
Zhan Wu Hen stared at him deeply with a sharp gaze, as if he was able to look into the depths of his soul and unravel all the secrets in it, “Fool! Since you are not willing to speak the truth, this King will be straightforward. The Secret Art that Shi Huo cultivates is the Heaven Devouring Battle Law, right?”
[Heaven Devouring Battle Law?] Many were dazed, vaguely thinking they had heard this name somewhere before, but most could not remember where.
However, the expressions of Gao Xue Ting, Li Jiao, and a few others changed drastically as they turned to Yang Kai in shock.
The Heaven Devouring Battle Law was the famous Secret Art created by Heaven Devouring Great Emperor and was known as the evilest art in this world!
[Did that Divine Spirit Shi Huo really cultivate the Heaven Devouring Battle Law?] Gao Xue Ting and Li Jiao could not believe it; after all, Heaven Devouring Great Emperor had fallen countless years ago, before either of them were even alive, and the inheritance of his Secret Art was supposed to be lost. How could Shi Huo, who was with Yang Kai, cultivate it? But when they considered it carefully, Iron Blood Great Emperor couldn’t make a false accusation on such a grave matter. Recalling the earlier performance of the Embodiment, it did share some similarities with the Heaven Devouring Battle Law…
Gao Xue Ting’s heart sank. If it was true, it was reasonable for Zhan Wu Chen to behave so aggressively; after all, this matter involved Heaven Devouring Great Emperor, so there was no room for carelessness.
Yang Kai shook his head in front of everyone though and replied, “This Junior does not know where Senior heard such a thing, but it is absolute nonsense. Someone is definitely trying to frame me. Please see the truth, Senior.”
Zhan Wu Hen responded flatly, “This King will know whether you are being framed or not at a glance. You only need to bring that Shi Huo out!”
Yang Kai cupped his fists, “Forgive me, Senior, this Junior cannot accept your request. Shi Huo is currently in retreat and cannot be disturbed.”
“In retreat, is it?” Zhan Wu Hen jeered angrily, “Just now Li Jiao said you were in retreat, and now Shi Huo is also in retreat? How could there be such a coincidence in this world?”
“It is nothing but the truth!” Yang Kai looked into Zhan Wu Hen’s eyes without flinching.
Zhan Wu Hen nodded slightly and let out a long sigh, “Yang Kai, among the younger generation, this King held you in the highest regard. Not only this King, but many others have great expectations for you too. They believe that your future achievements will be unlimited, and may even reach our level one day.”
It did not mean anything if this was a remark from an ordinary person, but it was completely different given that these words came out from the mouth of a Great Emperor. This meant that if Yang Kai obtained the opportunity and the recognition of the world, he would most likely become a Great Emperor.
If this came true, the 200,000 troops of Tiger Roar city would feel infinite honour and glory! However, the situation at this moment was worrying.
Yang Kai grinned, “Many thanks for the compliment, Senior. Junior will put in more effort to not let down everyone’s expectations!”
Zhan Wu Hen continued, “No one knows what will happen in the future, however, and one wrong choice is enough to bring about your downfall!” While speaking, he slowly raised his hand and World Principles began to swirl about him. He locked his solemn eyes on Yang Kai and declared, “Since you’ve stepped onto the path of evil, it is my duty to punish you. However, there is still time for you to turn back. Repent quickly to avoid making more mistakes!”
Yang Kai shook his head, “Senior, you are making an arbitrary accusation. I really don’t know what you are talking about…”
“Still trying to confuse truth and lie?” Before Yang Kai finished his words, Zhan Wu Chen slammed his palm down. For a moment, the world literally shook.
A groan seemingly echoed out from the entire Tiger Roar City as the space where Yang Kai was located shattered. Yang Kai let out a grunt and blood spurted out all over his body. He was drilled into the ground at once, leaving only his head exposed as blood flowed from his seven orifices.
After Zhan Wu Hen landed his palm strike, he strode toward Yang Kai in a domineering manner.
Gao Xue Ting stepped forward at that moment, baring his path and cupping her fists with a pale face, “Senior, please calm yourself!”
“Stand aside!” With a casual wave of his hand, Gao Xue Ting was sent several thousand metres away and locked in place.
An exalted Dragon Roar sounded at that moment as Fu Ling transformed into a 100-metre-long Purple Dragon. The dragon roared toward the sky, “How dare you hit my brother-in-law!? Die!”
Followed by the fierce Dragon Roar, a purple beam of light shrouded Zhan Wu Hen.
The next moment, Fu Ling’s face turned pale and horrified as her Secret Technique had no effect on Zhan Wu Hen. Shockingly, he approached her step by step against the might of her Secret Technique.
“Even the two Great Elders of the Dragon Clan would not dare act presumptuously in front of this King, let alone a Young Dragon like you!” Zhan Wu Hen glanced at her coldly and stretched out his hand to grasp her. The World Energy itself condensed into a large hand and grabbed Fu Ling’s giant Dragon body.
Fu Ling roared and struggled constantly, but how could she break free? Zhan Wu Hen tossed her aside with a swing of his hand, and she instantly disappeared out of everyone’s sight.
The 200,000 troops were completely terror-stricken seeing this. They all knew that the Great Emperors were the strongest in the world, but few had ever witnessed their magnificent might first-hand. Now, they were all witnessing it with their own eyes.
Both Yang Kai and Fu Ling were invincible in the war against the Demon Race, but now, they were just as vulnerable as three-year-old children in front of Zhan Wu Hen.
Zhan Wu Hen had arrived in front of Yang Kai and looked down at him coldly, asking faintly, “Do you know your mistake now?”
Yang Kai’s face was full of blood as he clenched his teeth and retorted, “This Junior doesn’t know what he did wrong!”
Followed by a shout, his entire body soared to the sky, lifting up a large area of soil and stones. Under the chaotic situation, he surged all his strength and swung a punch at Zhan Wu Hen.
Zhan Wu Hen snorted coldly and returned his attack in kind.
A loud explosion rang out as Zhan Wu Hen remained still while Yang Kai flew out like an arrow shot from a bow, spewing blood everywhere before he slammed into a building far away.
Things weren’t over yet, however, as Zhan Wu Hen reached out his hand and grasped it, causing Yang Kai’s body to fly back involuntarily.
On the way though, Space Principles fluctuated as Yang Kai attempted to escape.
But how could Zhan Wu Chen allow him to do as he wished? The surrounding space suddenly shook as his Great Emperor aura surged and he swung out with another punch.
While Yang Kai flew out, got pulled back, then was thrown back again.
“Please be merciful, Senior!” Li Jiao shouted anxiously with red eyes, like a cat jumping on hot bricks. Although Yang Kai had astonishing strength, how could he match a Great Emperor? This was one of the ten most powerful Masters in the world. If things went on like this, Yang Kai would be killed here, today. Li Jiao wanted to help, but he also knew that he was not strong enough to oppose a Great Emperor, so he could only plead.
Zhan Wu Hen turned a deaf ear to everyone else and simply kept drawing Yang Kai back before punching him out again and again, as if he was mocking him. Everyone felt unbearable pain and resentment while watching, for they felt that Zhan Wu Hen was bullying the weak with his unmatched strength, not at all displaying the dignity a Great Emperor should have.
After about seven or eight of these tragic cycles, Yang Kai’s aura had become dreadfully weak, as if he could die at any time.
Li Jiao hurriedly yelled at Yang Kai, “Brother Yang, just admit you’re wrong!”
It was not a shame to bow down in front of a Great Emperor. If Yang Kai insisted on not submitting, he really might lose his life soon.
Over the ruins of a building, Yang Kai was drenched in blood but still staggered to his feet. He was an utter mess as he held his own chest and haltingly said, “I… have committed… no wrong… What is there to admit!?”
“Obstinance!” Zhan Wu Hen seemed to be furious and stretched out his hand again, drawing Yang Kai back to him.
At this time, Yang Kai raised his hand and a stone man full of spikes, covered in evil fire abruptly appeared. Under the suction force, the pair swiftly approached Zhan Wu Hen with the stone man rapidly growing to a 60-metre-tall stone giant.
“Finally willing to show yourself?” Zhan Wu Hen looked at the Embodiment coldly. He tapped his foot on the ground and floated lightly towards the Embodiment. In the blink of an eye, the two figures, one big and one small, met in mid-air and immediately clashed.
Although the scene was intense, anyone who had eyes could see that Embodiment was no match for Zhan Wu Hen at all. It seemed that Iron Blood Great Emperor was trying to force the Embodiment to use his full strength as he slowly increased the power of his moves, without the slightest intention to unleash his own full strength.
A few thousand metres away, Yu Ru Meng suddenly emerged beside Gao Xue Ting, performed a few hand seals, and tapped on Gao Xue Ting to remove her seal, “Go and find Iron Blood’s Disciple!”
Gao Xue Ting’s beautiful eyes lit up at her words and nodded heavily, leaving quickly.
She was afraid that no one could help with the situation now, but perhaps if she could invite Lin Yun’er to intercede, Iron Blood Great Emperor would think twice about his actions.
Fu Ling also finally made her way back, and when she saw Yang Kai beaten so badly, she immediately roared furiously, “What are you looking at? Come with me and kill this shameless man!”
As a member of the Dragon Clan, she did not feel awed by a Great Emperor. She only knew that Yang Kai had been bullied, and she naturally wanted to take revenge.
But she found that no one moved at her words, and even Li Jiao just smiled bitterly.
It was not that they did not want to help, but… It was a Great Emperor in front of them. What could they do even if they went with her? It would only worsen the situation. Without the orders of Yang Kai and Li Jiao, the 200,000 army would not dare act rashly.
Fu Ling was getting increasingly maddened, and she cursed angrily, “Wastes! All of you!”
After saying so, she rushed over by herself, fearlessly.
The outcome was obvious though. Before she could even get close, she was swept away by an inexplicable force and thrown back again, falling heavily on the ground and reverting to her Human Form, apparently passed out on the spot.
“Zhan Wu Hen!” Yang Kai gritted his teeth as he yelled, “Enough!”
As if sensing Yang Kai’s desperation, the Embodiment also went all out.
As soon as he made a move, though, he revealed a clue which led to Zhan Wu Hen to snort coldly, “You really cultivated the Heaven Devouring Battle Law!”
Yang Kai replied with a cold tone, “It is one’s heart that decides whether a Secret Art is good or evil. What’s wrong if it cultivates the Heaven Devouring Battle Law?”
“That means you admit it?” Zhan Wu Hen tapped the Embodiment’s forehead with a finger, and the sixty-metre-tall Embodiment instantly froze in place.
Yang Kai gritted his teeth and glared at him, refuting in a deep voice, “He did cultivate the Heaven Devouring Battle Law, but he’s never used this Secret Art to do any harm. The people he killed were all those who deserve to be killed, none of it was unjust. Why is Senior so obsessed with his cultivation technique?”
Zhan Wu Hen answered, “It would be fine if it’s another type of Secret Art, but the Heaven Devouring Battle Law…”
Shaking his head slowly, he thundered in a low voice, “Yang Kai, do you remember about the close friend this King once told you about? His name was Cyan Lotus, and he was killed by Wu Kuang in the Shattered Star Sea.”
Yang Kai nodded, “Of course, I remember.”
Zhan Wu Hen pressed on, “Then you should also remember that this King had mentioned that this King and Wu Kuang are absolutely irreconcilable, and it’s impossible for the both of us to coexist under the same sky!”
Yang Kai said, “It’s been tens of thousands of years, why is Senior still brooding over it?”
“This King is not brooding over it, but you don’t understand the evil of this Secret Art. Wu Kuang is a true unrivalled genius, even this King admits that he is inferior to him, but because of this Secret Art, Wu Kuang lost his rationality. Although he obtained the position of Great Emperor, his name shall forever be remembered in infamy. You never experienced the horror of the name ‘Heaven Devourer’ in Star Boundary back then, nor did you witness the tragic War of Great Emperors where the Shattered Star Sea now lies, so it’s natural for you to underestimate the wickedness of the Heaven Devouring Battle Law. But now that this King knows about this, he cannot just sit back and not do anything, otherwise, it will be too late!”
Yang Kai asked deeply, “Then what does Senior want?”
Zhan Wu Hen narrowed his eyes slightly at the Embodiment, and said flatly, “Cripple the Secret Art, and abolish his cultivation!”
“Is that really necessary?” Yang Kai’s eyes dropped, his voice dejected, and the hair on his forehead cast a thick shadow over his face, blocking the light in front of him.
“It is imperative!” Zhan Wu Hen turned his head to look at him, “This King will not rebuke you if you choose to blame him, but the Heaven Devouring Battle Law absolutely cannot be allowed to exist in this world!”
As he spoke, a milky white halo shot out from his fingertip. The halo touched the forehead of Embodiment like a dazzling light that dispersed all of the darkness in the world.
A Dragon Roar suddenly shook the sky, and Yang Kai’s figure expanded rapidly. In the blink of an eye, he assumed his massive Half-Dragon Form. Dragon Pressure filled the sky, and the 200,000 troops of Tiger Roar City all trembled.
A Dragon Claw stretched and broke the void, directly grasping at Zhan Wu Hen.
Zhan Wu Hen, who had always been nonchalant, was slightly moved by this unexpected development and raised his other palm to meet the Dragon Claw.
With a loud bang, the Dragon Claw was smashed and Zhan Wu Hen staggered back. At that exact moment, a Dragon Tail swept towards Zhan Wu Hen with a Heaven-destroying and Earth-shattering might, leaving a pitch-black tear in space as it lashed the air.
Zhan Wu Hen snorted coldly before reaching out his hand to intercept the Dragon Tail.
But he seemed to have underestimated its power and was forced back thirty whole metres. Taking advantage of this opportunity, Yang Kai has already retrieved the Embodiment back to his side, and the two huge figures stood side by side, overlooking all living beings around them, their expressions as cold as ice.
“Yang Kai, don’t bring trouble on yourself!” Zhan Wu Hen looked at him drily.
Yang Kai shook his head slowly, “Senior, please leave, it’s still not too late to do so.”
Zhan Wu Hen looked at him, a little sad, “Are you turning a deaf ear to what this King said?”
Yang Kai remained resolute, “Senior, please let this matter go!”
Zhan Wu Hen sighed, “Why? You are no match for this King, and you know this too. It is only you who will suffer in the end.”
“It’s not about winning, it’s about choosing.” Yang Kai turned his head to glance at the Embodiment before continuing, “For Senior, he is not allowed to exist because he cultivated the Heaven Devouring Battle Law, but for this Junior, he is my greatest partner, and no one is allowed to destroy him!”
Zhan Wu Hen nodded lightly, “It seems you’ve chosen the difficult path.”
Yang Kai took a deep breath, “Senior, please don’t force me.”
Zhan Wu Hen guffawed loudly, “As you said, it is about choice, and one must always bear the consequences of his choices. Now, show this King your determination.”
After saying that, he rushed over in a flash.
Yang Kai’s eyes narrowed, and without communication, he and the Embodiment split into two directions. One urged a Dragon Clan Secret Technique, while the other activated the Heaven Devouring Domain, pincering the enemy from left and right.
With two loud bangs, without sensing any movements from Zhan Wu Hen, Yang Kai and the Embodiment felt an overwhelming force smash towards them. The force struck the two huge figures, sending them flying through countless houses and buildings.
Zhan Wu Hen took advantage of this opportunity to advance toward the Embodiment. From the looks of it, he was determined to cripple the Secret Art the Embodiment used and abolish his cultivation.
How could Yang Kai allow such a thing? Still flying backwards from the last impact, Yang Kai raised his hand and the Mountains and Rivers Bell was summoned. The small bell spun rapidly while expanding in the wind before he fell towards Zhan Wu Hen.
Zhan Wu Hen did not even spare it a glance though and simply sent a kick at the Mountains and Rivers Bell. There was a loud bang and the entire Tiger Roar City trembled violently as millions hugged their heads in pain.
Zhan Wu Hen quickly utilized the rebounding force from kicking the Mountains and Rivers Bell to propel himself toward the Embodiment.
The Embodiment roared in anger as the blazing evil fire on its body gathered into a blaze and enveloped Zhan Wu Hen, setting him alight.
Zhan Wu Hen did not evade as the Emperor Qi coating his body kept him unscathed. Again and again, he dashed right in front of the Embodiment, who withdrew again and again. Seeing that he was about to send a palm strike though, the Embodiment knew there was no way to retreat and could only return it with both of his fists.
At the critical moment, Yang Kai flitted over next to him, and with his huge physique standing taller than the Embodiment, they sent out a punch together.
*Hong… *
Two huge figures were thrown back as the combined force of the two was unable to withstand the power of Zhan Wu Hen’s single palm. The strength of a Great Emperor was evident; moreover, since the battlefield was above Tiger Roar City, Zhan Wu Hen was clearly holding back still. If this was not the case, it would be even more unbearable for Yang Kai and the Embodiment.
When retreating, Yang Kai’s eyes suddenly narrowed, because Zhan Wu Hen was chasing after them without any signs of slowing down.
It was his first time facing a Great Emperor head-on, and Yang Kai did not hold anything back, but the gap in strength and cultivation was simply too great, so he could not see the slightest hope of victory at all.
Zhan Wu Hen’s attacks were also extremely simple, he did not use any extravagant Secret Techniques, nonetheless, these basic punches and kicks were akin to the most powerful Divine Abilities in the world. Even a random blow from him contained immense power.
Millions of people in the city watched the battle without blinking, marvelling at the power of a Great Emperor and worrying about Yang Kai simultaneously.
Loud bangs and rumbles echoed endlessly, and countless buildings in the city collapsed. Broken walls and dilapidated structures could be seen everywhere. The battle was a one-sided situation from the beginning. Yang Kai and the Embodiment were absolutely not Zhan Wu Hen’s opponents. The two huge figures did not even have the power to fight back and were beaten around like sandbags instead.
The Embodiment’s cultivation was almost abolished by Zhan Wu Hen several times, but thanks to Yang Kai, who managed to intervene at the critical moment each time, he managed to survive. However, if this continued, defeat was only a matter of time.
The Mountains and Rivers Bell, Dragon Clan Secret Technique, Time Flies Seal, Space Divine Abilities, Yang Kai almost used up all of his means, but these techniques, which had saved him countless times in the past, were all useless against Zhan Wu Hen’s fist.
Yang Kai soon became only focused in the battle, unleashing his strength recklessly, completely ignoring whether it would destroy Tiger Roar City.
With a bang and another loud noise, Yang Kai and Embodiment were knocked into the air once again.
Only this time, Zhan Wu Hen did not give Yang Kai the chance to rescue the Embodiment. He stretched out his large hand and grabbed the massive stone body.
Under the restraint of a Great Emperor’s might, the evil fire on the Embodiment dimmed, and the sixty-metre-tall figure’s struggles turned meaningless.
Visible lines suddenly spread out from the large hand, gradually wrapping themselves around the Embodiment’s entire body like a seal.
Zhan Wu Hen’s voice resounded throughout the world, “Yang Kai, I hope you will learn from this and not go down the path of evil again.”
Yang Kai’s eyes turned red, his fists clenched tightly as he stood up from the ruins, screaming in grief and anger, “I’m not convinced! This is unjust!”
Zhan Wu Hen shook his head slowly and surged his Emperor Qi. The lines on the Embodiment’s body became denser and denser, gradually wrapping up his entire body. Even though no one knew what these lines were, they knew that it was Zhan Wu Hen’s means to abolish the Embodiment’s cultivation.
It was indeed a pity that such a powerful existence was about to be destroyed by a Great Emperor because he cultivated the Heaven Devouring Battle Law, but since this matter was related to Heaven Devouring Great Emperor and the Heaven Devouring Battle Law, no one could say whether Zhan Wu Hen was in the right or wrong.
At this moment, Zhan Wu Hen suddenly frowned and turned to look at Yang Kai.
Upon seeing him, Zhan Wu Hen’s frown was immediately replaced by shock and he exclaimed, “Yang Kai, have you been corrupted by Demon Qi?”
As soon as these words came out, everyone’s complexion changed drastically as they looked toward Yang Kai together.
There, they saw the Half-Dragon, which was Yang Kai, overflowing with black Qi that was filled with malevolence. Not only was everyone familiar with this black Qi after fighting against the Demon Race for so long, but they also had a thorough understanding of Demons too.
At this moment, Demon Qi was undoubtedly bursting from Yang Kai’s physique, and it was extremely pure Demon Qi at that. Even compared to the Demon Qi exuded by the Demon Kings they faced, Yang Kai’s Demon Qi was on a different level whether it was in terms of density or purity.
Li Jiao’s eyes were about to pop out of their sockets as he stared upwards, trying to figure out just when Yang Kai was corroded by Demon Qi.
[Wasn’t he a Shaman King? And doesn’t he have an extremely pure Dragon Clan bloodline? How is that possible that he was corrupted by Demon Qi so easily? There were no signs of it before!]
The 200,000 troops could not believe their eyes either.
Only Yu Ru Meng gazed at Yang Kai with awestruck eyes, and even extended her scarlet tongue to lick her lips, as if she was served with the world’s most delicious delicacy.
“Corroded by Demon Qi?” Yang Kai looked at Zhan Wu Hen coldly, and sneered, “Nonsense!”
Zhan Wu Hen growled with a frown, “There is a Demon inside your heart!”
Yang Kai grinned and cackled wildly, looking very pleased with himself as he roared, “It’s all thanks to Senior!”
Zhan Wu Hen rebuked angrily, “Focus your mind and guard your Soul, otherwise, you will face imminent disaster!”
Yang Kai shook his head slowly, “Senior, you can bully me just because you’re stronger than me. If I was stronger, I could teach Senior to show some proper respect too.”
“You’ve already been demonified!” Zhan Wu Hen looked extremely serious.
“Really?” Yang Kai’s smile curved into a strange grin, “Then… Demon Transformation!”
He raised his right hand slightly and pressed it against his right eye as he chanted in an eerily deep voice, “Black Eye Purgatory, Infinite Darkness!”
*Weng… *
The world trembled as it was abruptly shrouded in darkness. Not even the slightest speck of light could be seen anywhere, the only thing visible was a giant eye high up in the sky that was emitting an inexplicable darkness that seemed capable of sucking in one’s soul. Millions of people in Tiger Roar City grimaced as they looked away, not daring to stare into that eye.
There was tranquillity in this dark world, or rather stillness, as if time had stopped. Most did not notice what happened next as they only felt the whole world flood with Demon Qi, sending chills down their spine.
Only those Second and Third-Order Emperors were able to sense some violent fluctuations of power from time to time.
In this pitch-black world, Yang Kai, the Embodiment, and the Great Emperor were still locked in battle.
After a while, there was a crack in the huge eye in the sky and soon, the cracks spread out like a dense spider web. Followed by a quiet snapping sound, the huge eye shattered.
Light was restored to the world and the darkness receded like the tide, relieving the repressive atmosphere in an instant.
Everyone looked around, wondering what the final outcome of the battle was.
Zhan Wu Hen roared furiously, “Yang Kai, do you know what you’re doing?”
Yang Kai’s voice immediately followed up, but he sounded weak and haggard, “Senior forced me again and again, so I could only do this to protect myself!”
The millions of citizens of Tiger Roar City turned to the source of the voice and were dumbstruck in an instant.
Yang Kai was standing mid-air, completely covered in blood, looking like a complete mess. His huge Half-Dragon Form had reverted to his usual Human Form, but one arm and one leg were twisted at abnormal angles and were clearly broken.
Li Jiao’s eyes narrowed as this was the first time he had seen Yang Kai in such a wretched state. He had never been in such a miserable condition even when he caused a ruckus on Dragon Island. It could be seen that Zhan Wu Hen did not hold back much during their fight. It was to be expected though as no one who made an enemy of a Great Emperor would have a good end.
Li Jiao wasn’t shocked by this though, what really shocked him at this moment was that a young woman had appeared next to Yang Kai at some point, with the latter’s hand gripping her neck, clearly holding her hostage.
Li Jiao recognized this young woman. She was Zhan Wu Hen’s Disciple, a girl named Lin Yun’er, who seemed to have a good relationship with Yang Kai.
But at this moment, Yang Kai had taken her as a hostage and placed his hand on her neck, looking as though he was prepared to kill her.
[Yang Kai has really been demonified!] Li Jiao’s head buzzed in confusion, making him unable to think properly. If Yang Kai had not undergone demonification, how could he have done such a crazy thing? The outbreak of wicked impulses in Yang Kai’s mind must be the reason for him to fail to act reasonably.
Li Jiao was instantly distressed.
Gao Xue Ting also looked at Yang Kai in sorrow.
She was the one who brought Lin Yun’er here. Initially, she wanted Lin Yun’er to persuade Iron Blood Great Emperor not to be too harsh on Yang Kai, but she never expected that when they returned, Tiger Roar City would be shrouded in darkness. When the light finally reappeared, the situation had already turned into this.
She did not even notice Yang Kai seizing Lin Yun’er.
After being stunned for a moment, she quickly shouted, “Junior Brother Yang, let her go! It’s still not too late to turn back!”
Although Yang Kai’s face was covered by Demon Qi and his expression was not visible, Gao Xue Ting clearly felt that he glanced at her, but there was no response. He clearly ignored her!
Gao Xue Ting’s heart sank… Such a situation showed that Yang Kai was completely demonified, and perhaps he could not even recognize himself anymore.
“Uncle Yang…” Lin Yun’er looked down at Yang Kai’s broken arms and legs and her eyes suddenly turned red, tears trickling down her cheeks, “Are you in pain?”
As soon as she asked that though, the Demon Qi shrouding Yang Kai’s face trembled violently as he snapped, “Shut up!”
Her concern was returned with nothing but Yang Kai’s fierce roar.
Lin Yun’er cried even more. It was uncertain if it was due to the heartache from seeing Yang Kai’s injury or whether she felt sad after being yelled at by Yang Kai.
This scene was unbearable to everyone.
The man who turned the tide single-handedly with his own strength, saved Tiger Roar City from disasters numerous times, and led their army of 200,000 to countless victories, the symbol of invincibility they all looked up to and revered, had actually fallen to such a point. To protect himself, he even took a girl hostage and returned her concern with curses.
No one could accept it, but the facts were presented right in front of them. They were all silent, watching Yang Kai, who was enveloped in Demon Qi, with mixed feelings in their eyes, as if they were looking at a stranger.
Strictly speaking, when one was demonified, he or she would really turn into a different person.
“Stop this now, Yang Kai!” Zhan Wu Hen made a step forward, “Given all your contributions so far in this war, this King is willing to spare your life, I simply wish to cripple Shi Huo’s cultivation.”
Lin Yun’er immediately groaned as Yang Kai tightened his grip and a droplet of blood surfaced on her white and slender neck, followed by a cold voice from Yang Kai, “If you dare take another step forward, she’ll become a corpse!”
“You dare!?” Zhan Wu Hen was maddened! It was not easy for him to find a Disciple who he could pass his mantle down to so he cherished Lin Yun’er more than his own life. How could he allow Yang Kai to kill his Disciple?
Yang Kai continued coldly, “Senior is a Great Emperor, and I have to admit my own defeat. I’m afraid that I can’t even escape from Senior, but believe me when I say I can make her die before you kill me!”
Zhan Wu Hen’s face darkened as he stared at Yang Kai, his majestic eyes pulsing with light as he asked faintly, “Tell me your conditions for letting Yun’er go!”
Yang Kai answered, “I’ll leave this place with her, and set her free when we reach an appropriate location; however, if Senior dares to follow me, don’t blame this Junior for being ruthless.”
“That’s all?”
“That’s all!”
“How can I believe you?”
Yang Kai replied, “I’m afraid that Senior has no choice. Either you let me go, or I go to Hell with her!”
Gao Xue Ting stepped forward and offered, “Yang Kai, let her go and I’ll be your hostage.”
Yang Kai glanced at her and remarked harshly, “You’re useless.”
Gao Xue Ting’s face turned pale and she felt like her heart had been severely cut, a soul-wrenching feeling overwhelming her in that instant.
Zhan Wu Hen continued, “Even if this King agrees to your condition, you may escape for a while, but can you avoid us for a lifetime? You may have fallen to the Demon Path, but as far as this King knows, you still have four wives. Have you ever thought about what will happen to them? How are you going to let them face the world in the future!?”
Yang Kai hoarsely laughed, “My own life is at risk now, why should I care whether they live or die!?”
Zhan Wu Hen slowly shook his head, “Yang Kai, you disappoint this King greatly.”
“Cut the crap!” Yang Kai yelled as the Demon Qi shrouding him surged, showing how unstable his mood was. “I have told you about my condition. Senior may take his time to consider it, but I am afraid she won’t last that long!”
Lin Yun’er was still fine with her neck being strangled by Yang Kai, but the Demon Qi he was emitting was spreading towards her like a living creature, attempting to corrupt her body. If they continued to delay, Lin Yun’er might also become demonified.
Zhan Wu Hen knew that he could not hesitate any longer and immediately waved his hand, “Good. This King will promise you, but this King will say this first. If you dare hurt Yun’er, this King will hunt you down till the ends of the world and make you beg for death!”
Yang Kai guffawed, “Many thanks, Senior. I will be leaving now. Senior may rest assured that Yun’er will come back safely.”
Saying so, he beckoned to his side and the Embodiment immediately dashed out of a ruin. Compared to Yang Kai, his Embodiment was in even worse shape. The evil fire around his body had all been extinguished and his spines had all been crushed. It was obvious that he had suffered a great loss in the battle just now, and it would probably take quite some time to fully recover.
Yang Kai put his Embodiment back into the Sealed World Bead before flickering, vanishing from sight.
The entire city fell silent as Zhan Wu Hen looked off in a certain direction thoughtfully.
Gao Xue Ting and Li Jiao exchanged looks of shock as they simply couldn’t believe that such a thing would happen today. They felt as though they were caught in some kind of nightmare and prayed secretly that it was really just a bad dream; that when they woke up, everything would return to its original state.
“You! You did this! You forced my brother-in-law to be like that! I’ll kill you!” Fu Ling screamed as she pounced at Zhan Wu Hen and swung a punch.
*Hong…*
The punch landed on Zhang Wu Hen’s chest.
Fu Ling was dumbfounded, as was everyone else watching.
How was Iron Blood Great Emperor hit, even if it was a straight punch from a member of the Dragon Clan?
“You… Why didn’t you dodge?” Fu Ling looked at Zhan Wu Hen, flabbergasted. Although she did not feel awed by Iron Blood Great Emperor, he was still a Great Emperor so it was natural for her to be a little worried about angering him by punching him like this.
Zhan Wu Hen just looked at her quietly and answered after a while, “He had a Demon in his heart already, I did not force him to turn out like this!”
Fu Ling gritted her teeth, “Who doesn’t have a Demon inside their heart? Who dares to say that one has a clear conscience for all their life? If you hadn’t forced him again and again, how could my brother-in-law… How would he have ended up like this?”
Zhan Wu Hen shook his head slowly, “It’s too late to say this now.”
“Return my brother-in-law to me!” Fu Ling scolded as she smashed her fist on Zhan Wu Hen’s chest.
*Hong hong hong… *
The strength of a member of the Dragon Clan was so great that Zhan Wu Hen was forced back slightly by her attacks, but he did not avoid or resist; instead, he just quietly endured it.
It was evident that today’s events had a great impact on Zhan Wu Hen. He was only here to inquire about the Embodiment’s cultivation of the Heaven Devouring Battle Law, but never expected Yang Kai to completely fall to the Demon path, going from a hero with great meritorious service to the Star Boundary into someone detested by all.
If not, with the power of a Great Emperor, how could Fu Ling possibly get close to him and hit him? After today, Yang Kai would not be allowed to continue to live in the Star Boundary.
After venting viciously for a while, Fu Ling finally stopped. Rubbing her swollen red eyes, she twisted her head and looked around mournfully, “It’s not fun outside at all.”
As she spoke, she shot straight into the sky.
Li Jiao shouted, “Sister Ling, where are you going?”
Fu Ling did not respond at all, however, and soon after, a mournful Dragon Roar echoed from the clouds. A purple light vaguely pierced the sky, then disappeared. Fu Ling felt disheartened that Yang Kai had fallen to the Demon path and decided to return home, but at the moment, even those from Half-Dragon City did not bother to pay attention to her.
A desolate atmosphere enveloped the entire Tiger Roar City, and everyone’s hearts were disturbed by inexplicable emotions that could not be vented.
Zhan Wu Hen stood mid-air, seemingly waiting for something. Meanwhile, Li Jiao, Gao Xue Ting and the others dared not bother him.
…
Space Principles fluctuated as Yang Kai desperately fled.
He did not stop until he reached the Southern Swamp.
After putting down Lin Yun’er, Yang Kai waved his hand and ordered, “You may go.”
Lin Yun’er rubbed her eyes, and suddenly circled around Yang Kai with her hands behind her back, smiling, “Uncle Yang, did I do a good job?”
The Demon Qi wrapping around Yang Kai’s face trembled as he replied in a deep voice, “What are you talking about? Stop your gibberish. I will kill you if you don’t leave now!”
Lin Yun’er pouted, “Master already told me everything. Is Uncle Yang still going to lie to me?”
Yang Kai’s eyes widened, “Senior Iron Blood already told you? What did he tell you?”
Lin Yun’er giggled, “Master told me to visit Tiger Roar City at the right time, and then let you take me hostage so that you could get away.”
Yang Kai’s mouth twitched, “Why didn’t I know about this?”
Lin Yun’er shrugged, “Yun’er doesn’t know.”
“Wasn’t Senior Sister Gao the one who went to find you?” Yang Kai looked at her suspiciously.
Lin Yun’er answered, “En, but that was probably just a coincidence. Sister Gao came to me just as I was about to head to Tiger Roar City and told me that Master was causing trouble for you. She asked me to go and persuade Master. Then I went with her and you captured me… Didn’t Master tell you to do so?”
Yang Kai could not stop his face from twitching as he rolled his eyes, “I just thought it would make more sense to capture you… En, it seems that Senior Iron Blood had the same considerations, just that he didn’t give me the details.”
Lin Yun’er nodded, “Yes, yes. Uncle Yang, what on Earth are you doing this for? Yun’er doesn’t understand.”
Yang Kai smiled bitterly, “If you don’t know, don’t think about it. Never mention our conversation to anyone, just treat it as if it never happened. If someone asks about what happened after being held hostage by me when you go back, just say that I suddenly lost my mind to the corrosion of the Demon Qi and you took the opportunity to escape.”
“En en, no problem.” Lin Yun’er nodded her head repeatedly like a chicken pecking rice before she suddenly stretched out a slender finger to poke at the Demon Qi on Yang Kai’s face, “But Uncle Yang, this disguise is so realistic, is it really Demon Qi?”
“Don’t touch it!” Yang Kai retreated hastily before saying, “Go back, I should be going as well. Tell Senior Iron Blood that I will do my best about what they have entrusted me to do.”
After saying that, and with another flicker, Yang Kai disappeared from the spot.
Lin Yun’er remained standing, staring glumly at where Yang Kai was for a while, not knowing where he had gone. Only after some time did she return the same way she had come, gloomily.
…
The next day, a stream of light from afar soared over Tiger Roar City.
Zhan Wu Hen, who had been standing mid-air, looked up with a sombre expression.
The stream of light landed straight in front of him, revealing Lin Yun’er, whose eyes were red and swollen, as though she had been crying for quite some time. Even now she could not stop choking and sobbing.
Zhan Wu Hen hurriedly asked, “Are you hurt?”
Lin Yun’er shook her head, haltingly replying, “N-No, it’s just that… Uncle Yang… ”
Zhan Wu Hen asked, “Where did he go?”
Lin Yun’er replied, “I don’t know, he suddenly started acting erratically and I took the opportunity to run away. After that, I don’t know where he went.”
Zhan Wu Hen patted her head, “As long as you are fine. Go back and rest.”
Lin Yun’er nodded and walked towards the Space Array somewhat dejectedly.
Below, Gao Xue Ting, Li Jiao, and the others were looking at Zhan Wu Hen, waiting for him to speak.
Zhan Wu Hen did not keep them waiting for long. Soon, a deep voice resounded throughout the Tiger Roar City, “High Heaven Palace’s Palace Master, Yang Kai has experienced demonification and fallen to the Demon path. He is a man of great strength and high cultivation, but from this moment forth, if anyone meets him in the future and has the opportunity, kill him for the safety of the people!”
The Tiger Roar City shook at his words. In just two days, the banner of Tiger Roar City had turned into a Demon sought by everyone to be killed. Such a change made it impossible for everyone to adapt.
Zhan Wu Hen was clearly not finished though as his voice sounded again, “In view of Yang Kai’s terrible crime, all disciples under him will immediately return to High Heaven Palace and will not be allowed to leave without this King’s permission. Anyone who disobeys will be killed without mercy!”
There were five thousand disciples from High Heaven Palace in Tiger Roar City, and at this moment, all of them were enraged as it was an incredible shame for High Heaven Palace to close its gates.
But Yang Kai’s previous actions indeed deserved to be castigated, so these disciples choked back their anger and reluctance. Moreover, who would dare disobey an order from a Great Emperor?
Under Zhan Wu Hen’s supervision, the five thousand High Heaven Palace disciples were split from the rest and sent back to the Northern Territory’s High Heaven Palace via Space Array.
……
“Yang Kai has been demonified!” In a certain city, Bing Yun summoned Su Yan and others, and announced with a solemn expression, “He fell to the Demon path during a battle with Senior Iron Blood, then escaped by holding Lin Yun’er hostage, and has not been seen since.”
Ji Yao just happened to enter the room with a cup of tea at that moment, but upon hearing the news, she temporarily lost her composure and allowed the cup to fall to the ground with a crash.
She was silent for a moment before she bent down to pick up the fragments, but her tender body was still shaking. Her head buzzed with Bing Yun’s words and she could not think straight.
Su Yan and others also looked at Bing Yun in befuddlement.
“Impossible!” Shan Qing Luo was the first to express her disbelief and frowned, “Where did Senior get this news?”
Bing Yun sighed, “This Queen also thinks there is something strange about this situation, but this news was passed on by Iron Blood Great Emperor himself, and it happened just yesterday.”
Blood was drained from the faces of Su Yan and the others while Ji Yao, who was picking up the broken cup fragments, retracted her hand slightly and accidentally slipped a fingertip over a sharp piece of porcelain, causing blood to ooze out of the cut.
With a Second-Order Emperor Realm cultivation, getting cut by a piece of ordinary porcelain showed just how chaotic her mood was right now.
Slowly getting up, Ji Yao questioned, “Honoured Master, has the matter been confirmed?”
Bing Yun glanced at her and sighed, “This Queen has asked Li Jiao, and Li Jiao has confirmed the authenticity of the news. It seems to be true.”
“I don’t believe it!” Shan Qing Luo shouted, positively fuming, “That old fart Li Jiao must be making irresponsible remarks, I’m going to see him this instant!”
She stood up to leave, but Su Yan grabbed her arm.
“Big Sister!” Shan Qing Luo turned to look at Su Yan.
Su Yan slowly shook her head though and sent her a Divine Sense message, “Did you forget what we were told?”
Shan Qing Luo was startled for a moment but quickly recalled what Yang Kai had said a while ago to them. He told them he was going to the Demon Realm, and he would do so through an unconventional method.
[Was this what he meant?]
What could be a better method to go to the Demon Realm other than this? Becoming demonified and falling to the Demon path was indeed an excellent way to get the Demon Race to accept him.
Shan Qing Luo fell deep into thought after hearing Su Yan’s reminder.
Ji Yao, who was watching from the side, suddenly seemed to have realized something as well.
[No matter what you hear or see, don’t believe it.] Something Yang Kai said to her a few months ago surfaced in her mind and Ji Yao turned to look outside, [Were you referring to the current situation?]
There was a depressing silence in the hall that was only broken by Bing Yun sigh, “Yang Kai is currently missing, and Senior Iron Blood has given the order that everyone from High Heaven Palace is to immediately return to the Northern Territory. The Sect’s gates are to be closed and anyone who defies his orders and leaves the palace without permission will be killed without mercy!”
Shan Qing Luo retorted angrily, “We all have to return to High Heaven Palace? He means to put us under house arrest! How can he do such a thing?”
Bing Yun shook her head though and explained, “Calm yourself. What Senior Iron Blood is doing is not to harm High Heaven Palace, but rather a kind of protection in disguise. It seems that Senior Iron Blood is sending you back to the Sect in consideration for Yang Kai’s contributions before.”
Shan Qing Luo sneered, “Should I thank him for it then?”
Whether or not Yang Kai was demonified, his reputation had been completely ruined and it was all because of the battle with Iron Blood Great Emperor, so Shan Qing Luo naturally would have a bias against Zhan Wu Hen.
Su Yan, however, chastised, “Luo’er, watch your words. Honoured Master is right. Senior Iron Blood did indeed do this as a means of protecting High Heaven Palace’s disciples.”
If something like this happened to Yang Kai, any High Heaven Palace disciple still roaming around outside would be suspected and might even be targeted. By then, skirmishes could escalate into a major conflict. If any internal strife occurred, it would only add to the debacle High Heaven Palace was already in. Forcing them all to return to High Heaven Palace and closing the gates was the best strategy at the moment.
Since Su Yan had spoken, Shan Qing Luo did not dare to say more even though she was still angry, but her expression remained irritable.
Bing Yun spoke, “I will inquire more regarding Yang Kai’s situation. Even if he really experienced some kind of cultivation dissonance, there must be a root cause and he may even have the opportunity to set things right. You know how capable he is, so don’t worry too much. For now, gather your High Heaven Palace disciples and prepare to return.”
“Yes!” Su Yan responded and led Xue Yue and Shan Qing Luo out.
“Yao’er…” Bing Yun called.
“Disciple is here,” Ji Yao responded.
“Go to Tiger Roar City and inquire directly from Li Jiao about what happened yesterday.” Bing Yun ordered.
“Yes, I will leave immediately,” Ji Yao planned to go to Tiger Roar City to clarify the situation anyway, so now that she had Bing Yun’s command, she would not delay a moment longer and hurriedly headed over via Space Array.