In the center of the valley, there was a huge pit. It was the pit Yang Kai had dug in order to excavate the two Blood Beads, but over time the blowing sand and dust refilled the pit, eventually leaving only a foot deep depression.
Now, a thick Spirit Qi quickly surrounded the pit, but if one were to observe carefully , they could vaguely see that the Spirit Qi divided into two halves, with phantom images engaged in a ferocious and bloody battle.
The two Spirit Qi phantoms’ battle seemed to go on without end, as neither side triumphed over the other.
One day, the two Spirit Qi phantoms suddenly rushed towards the center of the pit, fell silent, and vanished from the world. The thick grey atmosphere gradually cleared, and the space between the Heavens and the Earth slowly returned to its natural state.
After a long time, a loud bang occurred, and a silhouette suddenly flew up from the pit, like an eagle soaring into the sky, before gently landing on the ground.
Shaking off a thick layer of dust before taking a deep breath, this man quietly stood in place, his brow thoroughly wrinkled, as if in deep contemplation.
Yang Kai had finally emerged!
The two Monster Beasts’ resentment had persisted even after death, and it had essentially been mandatory for him to observe their epic struggle from beginning to end. One could only describe this battle as Earth-Shattering, something from an ancient legend that no one could witness today. Yang Kai was transfixed as he watched the two Monster Beasts viciously clash, bleed profusely, but continue to persevere, never showing the slightest fear; again and again charging towards one another, again and again ripping into their opponent for the sake of ultimately destroying one another.
Both of them seemed to understand that their own death was inevitable even before the fight began, so knowing that survival was impossible, they instead fought only for their own majesty and honor!
Prior to now, Yang Kai had never thought that Monster Beasts could exude such boldness, which paralleled any supreme human cultivator. This white-hot melee made the only audience member’s, Yang Kai’s, blood boil, and granted him a bountiful harvest.
In addition, after the disappearance of the two Monstrous Beasts, Yang Kai faintly felt something more, added to his body.
When the two Monster Beasts fought, while still alive, they had failed to decide a victor, but after death, with Yang Kai’s help, they managed to confront one another once again and fulfilled their long-cherished wish. Perhaps, these two Monster Beasts had left something to him as a gift, or perhaps it was something he had achieved through his own sentiment. He might never solve the mystery.
Stretching out his hands, Yang Kai looked down and put away all distracting thoughts, while pushing the Yuan Qi in his body to run in a particular pattern.
A moment later, the loud roar of a beast resounded from his body, and as he pushed his palm forward, a fiery red figure suddenly flew out together with the wind.
A tiger roar shook the Heavens as a fierce and lifelike Tiger, purely composed of Yuan Qi, appeared. This Tiger phantom was supremely majestic and swiftly jumped forward, its jaw snapping savagely, full of proud and noble bearing, while the fangs adorning the sides of its mouth radiated a demonic chill.
Pushing his other palm forward, a mighty and magnificent Ox burst forth, roaring as it trampled the ground beneath its hoofs. The pressure it exuded was like a thousand galloping war horses, suppressing everything in its surroundings, grinding any that stood in its way to dust. Nothing, nor no one, could block its path!
The Heaven Shaking White Tiger and Earth Splitting Divine Ox! However, at the moment, this White Tiger and Divine Ox had been composed from Yang Kai’s Yuan Qi, so their entire bodies were a fiery crimson red color, which gave them an even more ferocious and murderous appearance.
The two illusory phantoms rushed out several thousand meters and gradually dissipated into glowing particles scattering in the wind.
Yang Kai started for moment before bursting into a hearty laugh, very satisfied with his gains.
This could classify as a type of Martial Skill. The only difference was that its origin was from a pair of Monster Beasts.
It should probably end up considered as a type of Beast Soul Skill.
There are many Martial Skills in this world, and those that imitated the shape of the Monster Beasts were not few. Back when he had traveled to the Nine Yin Valley, Yang Kai had witnessed Wen Fei Chen of the Blood Battle Gang cast a similar Martial Skill, but the tiger he created was only a vague image, somewhat ethereal and incomplete.
It was simply incomparable to the Beast Soul Skill Yang Kai had just cast.
Whether it was the Heaven Shaking White Tiger or Earth Splitting Divine Ox’s Beast Soul Skill, what Yang Kai condensed appeared no different from the original Monster Beast’s true body, and included their vividly realistic demeanor. The two phantoms were basically no different from real Monster Beasts, and as such, the lethality they could show was naturally much greater.
With these two similar Beast Soul Skills, Yang Kai’s combat strength had once again risen to new heights.
Yang Kai gave these two skills, in accordance with their form, the names ‘White Tiger Seal’ and ‘Divine Ox Seal’.
Turning around and checking his surroundings, Yang Kai could not help but wrinkle his brow. Considering that he had to dig himself out of a once empty pit now filled with sand, he knew the time he had spent in retreat was not short.
“Old Demon, how long has it been?” Yang Kai asked in a nervous voice.
“Half a year, Young Master!”
Hearing this, Yang Kai could not help but inhale a sharp breath. No wonder his stomach was craving sustenance, if it had not been such a long time, at his current cultivation realm, it would be impossible to experience such a feeling.
However, now was not the time for foraging. Yang Kai quickly shook off the rest of the sand on his body and sat down to organize and reflect upon all the insights and gains he had obtained from the two Blood Beads over the past six months.
After a long time, a slight smile emerged on his face, “Old Demon, let me show you a little trick!”
“A little trick?” Old Demon repeated, slightly puzzled.
Yang Kai laughed and did not answer. Instead, he immediately focused his mind and burst the Yang Liquid drops in his dantian one by one.
Half a day later, the air surrounding him suddenly began to stir as Yang Kai’s body slightly trembled and the momentum he radiated suddenly climbed.
Old Demon was extremely stunned. Somehow, completely bypassing the normal process, Yang Kai had broken through to the Separation and Reunion Sixth Stage.
[How did he do it?] Half a year ago, this Young Master of his had indeed absorbed a massive amount of energy, but until now he showed no signs of a breakthrough, instead firmly remaining at the Separation and Reunion Boundary Fifth Stage. However, now, after only meditating for half a day, he somehow managed to increase his cultivation by an entire Minor Realm! Moreover, he did not run his Secret Art, nor did he absorb any Yuan Energy. In other words, his body’s energy had not increased at all!
[How did he manage to break through?] Old Demon was truly confused.
Although his heart itched with curiosity, Yang Kai’s eyes were still closed in meditation, so for now he could only hold down his suspicions.
After another half a day, Yang Kai’s momentum rose once again.
Separation and Reunion Boundary Seventh Stage!
Old Demon’s thoughts completely stopped. Yang Kai’s breakthroughs were just too strange, and they were completely beyond Old Demon’s own understanding. It was not until after performing a thorough examination that he finally found some clues.
What Old Demon found was that the Yuan Qi inside Yang Kai’s body had undergone a big change from before. Although the total quantity he possessed had not changed, its purity and density had increased several times!
This change must have led to Yang Kai’s unusual promotion.
[Was this even possible?] Old Demon was again thoroughly shocked.
After his breakthrough to Separation and Reunion Seventh Stage, Yang Kai slowly opened his eyes. The amount of Yang Liquid in his dantian had reduced by a third, and though the number of drops was less, the total amount of energy contained within them had not changed.
This meant that the energy in every drop of Yang Liquid was significantly more pure and vigorous, so any skill that used his Yang Liquid would display greater power and higher lethality.
It was like he had refined and recast all the Yang Liquid in his dantian.
Separation and Reunion Boundary Seventh Stage was Yang Kai’s current limit. As of right now, he was unable to purify and compress his True Yang Yuan Qi any further.
“Young Master’s trick is truly enlightening, even Old Servant has benefited greatly.” When Old Demon saw Yang Kai open his eyes, he hurriedly heaped praise upon him, and although there was some excess flattery thrown in, Old Demon’s admiration was indeed sincere.
Yang Kai simply grinned.
Now that he had received a new Martial Skill, naturally he wanted to try it out.
Searching around for a long time in the valley, he finally found a Fifth-Order Monster Beast.
Casting his Beast Soul Skill, an Ox and Tiger Monstrous Beast phantom appeared and rushed out to attack the Fifth-Order Monster Beast, very quickly suppressing it to the point where it was unable to fight back. After observing for a while, Yang Kai also came forward, and after a few moments, the beast lay dead and soon condensed into a new Blood Bead.
The whole process was quick and easy, which gave Yang Kai an incredible feeling. Half a year ago, if he met a Fifth-Order Monster Beast, he would have to consider his options carefully before quietly trying to sneak around it. However, now, he could kill them as easy as cutting down grass, and even though this Fifth-Order Monstrous Beast was not very strong, Yang Kai was still convinced about his own estimations.
The Blood Bead he retrieved was neither big nor small, but compared to one condensed from a slain True Element Boundary expert, it was somewhat shabby.
Storing the Blood Bead away, Yang Kai quickly checked to make sure no one was observing him before he activated his Flaming Yang Wings and flew up.
To ascend such lofty cliffs, even a True Element Boundary expert would have to expend a lot of effort, but with his Flaming Yang Wings, it was not the same.
After only half an hour, Yang Kai succeeded in leaving the valley.
Half a day later, the now quite famished Yang Kai succeeded in finding a fruit tree and harvesting a great deal of them before casually sitting in the tree’s shade.
As he happily ate the fruit, Yang Kai began to think about his next course of action. Not long after he entered this isolated world, he had entered a half-year long retreat, so right now he had no idea of current situation inside this place. All he knew from his previous experiences was that there did not seem to be any spirit grasses here, only an endless stream of Monster Beasts.
There was also that Soul Cleansing Dew and Brilliant Flame Liquid. It would be good if he had the opportunity to collect some. The Soul Cleansing Dew was extremely useful for him, and as for the Brilliant Flame Liquid, if he could not acquire any, it did not matter too much.
Unfortunately, Yang Kai had no idea where to look for these two Precious Treasures.
While he was meditating, Yang Kai suddenly jumped up and carefully listened to his surroundings.
From the distance, he faintly heard the sounds of howling, and there seemed to be a battle taking place.
Raising his brow, Yang Kai quickly packed the remaining fruit into his Universe Bag and then activated his Movement Skill, dashing toward the direction of the disturbance, as he had to find someone to inquire about what had happened while he was in closed retreat.
After the time it would take to drink a cup of tea, Yang Kai arrived in the vicinity of the fight.
Stealthily hiding in a large tree, he planned to observe the situation secretly before acting, but his expression changed greatly once he looked.
He found two people, a man and a woman, engaged in a desperate fight, but what surprised him was that he was familiar with this young man and woman.
Reflecting Moon Sect’s Chen Xue Shu and Su Xiao Yu!
The two of them were under siege from more than a dozen Monster Beasts, but not all of them were of the same species. Instead, there was a wide variety gathered together, with most of them Fourth-Order.
If that were all, Chen Xue Shu and Su Xiao Yu would still be able to cope with the situation, but there were also three Fifth-Order Monster Beasts.
With these Fifth-Order Monster Beasts mixed in, even if Chen Xue Shu and Su Xiao Yu coordinated well with each other, they still could not break through and instead winded up surrounded by this group of beasts, looking exhausted and embarrassed.
Chen Xue Shu’s body had many scars. Blood dyed his left leg red, while Su Xiao Yu was also panting, her breathing ragged as she sweated profusely.
The strength of this Senior-Brother-Junior-Sister couple was not weak. Both of them were True Element Boundary experts with an array of extraordinarily powerful Martial Skills at their disposal, and although they were trapped, they would not fall into a dangerous situation within a short period. However, it looked like they had been fighting this group of Monster Beasts for quite a while now, and their physical strength had nearly been drained.
In the end, Su Xiao Yu was still a young woman, and her physical strength was unable to keep up with the current excessive demand. If it were not for Chen Xue Shu often covering for her, then she would probably have long been seriously injured.
If Monster Beasts had attacked someone else, Yang Kai would simply sit back and observe the situation. Rushing out to assist them would only be a foolish move, and may even lead to negative consequences for him. In this strange isolated world, where all these young cultivators had come for life experience, who would not take extra precautions? It was best to wait and see if others would behave honorably or treacherously.
However, since the two in danger were the couple from the Reflecting Moon Sect, Yang Kai was not too worried about such things.
Chen Xue Shu and Su Xiao Yu both gave him a good impression; from his interactions with them, he knew they were not scheming or malicious. In fact, Yang Kai believed them to be rather upright people.
Since he wanted to inquire about this isolated world’s current situation, asking them was undoubtedly his best option.
Considering all this, Yang Kai no longer hesitated, quietly dropping down from the trees and then swiftly moving towards the battlefield.
Both Chen Xue Shu and Su Xiao Yu’s expressions were grim, their True Qi swirling about wantonly and lashing out in ferocious bursts. Although they had managed to kill a few Fourth-Order Monster Beasts, their situation had not improved. The number of Monster Beasts was simply too great, enough to completely encircle and trap them here. The three Fifth-Order Monster Beasts were especially troublesome, with their keen senses and higher intelligence they would constantly take advantage of openings created by the Fourth-Order Monster Beasts to attack the couple, causing Chen Xue Shu’s wounds to increase steadily .
If it were not for the two of them having superb teamwork and a tacit understanding of one another, it is likely they would have already fallen.
In the midst of the battle, Chen Xue Shu’s eyes suddenly flashed a determined light, solemnly saying, “Junior Sister, I will use my full strength to open up a gap, so use your fastest speed to escape while I hold back the rest of these Monster Beasts.”
Hearing his desperate words, Su Xiao Yu immediately understood what he was planning to do and shook her head, “No! If we go, we go together; if we are to die… then we’ll also do that together!”
“Do as I say!” Chen Xue Shu roared, “We’re both running out of True Qi and there are still too many of them left! We’ll never be able to kill them all! Only if one of us stays behind will the other have a slim chance to escape! Once you have made it out, never look back, find a safe place to hide and don’t come out again! If you wait until this damned place closes you’ll be able to return to the Sect!”
“No! I don’t want to hear it!” Su Xiao Yu cried out miserably as she frantically shook her head.
Chen Xue Shu was about to try persuading her again but Su Xiao Yu suddenly said in a firm tone, “If you dare say one more word about this I’ll immediately rush into these Monster Beasts and let them tear me apart!”
“You!” Chen Xue Shu’s voice filled with anger and distress.
“Do you think I won’t?” Su Xiao Yu glared at him with her big round eyes.
“Good! Senior Brother won’t say another word! If we are both to fall here then we’ll take these beasts with us! Let’s let them taste our Reflecting Moon Sect’s Supreme Martial Skill!” Chen Xue Shu fighting spirit suddenly soared; his original despair and depression instantly blown away.
Su Xiao Yu also smiled, quietly standing side by side with Chen Xue Shu, their bodies True Qi surging rapidly as they slowly raised their joined hands.
A half-moon suddenly filled the sky as beams of silvery light radiated forth. These seemingly gentle moonbeams hid an unparalleled destructive force, scorching holes through the surrounding dozen or so Monster Beasts. Many Fourth-Order Monster Beasts died on the spot, and even one of the Fifth-Order Monster Beasts received a lethal wound, its blood splashing out onto the ground.
Reflecting Moon Sect’s Supreme Martial Skill, Soaring Full Moon!
If they could fully activate this Martial Skill, the surrounding dozen or so Monster Beasts would have no hope of survival. Unfortunately, Chen Xue Shu and Su Xiao Yu were now both arrows at the end of their flight, even with both of them joining mustering all their remaining strength, they could only summon a half moon image, so the skill’s power was severely limited.
However, the surrounding Monster Beasts which had been hit by this attack all quickly retreated, granting Chen Xue Shu and Su Xiao Yu a short reprieve, allowing the two of them to gaze into each other’s eyes, neither of them holding any regrets.
They had done their best, consumed over ninety percent of their True Qi, and no longer had any power to resist. The next time the Monster Beasts rushed them would certainly kill them.
The Monster Beasts that survived seemed to understand this, and after a brief hesitation, they once again bared their fangs, a thick murderous intent filling their eyes as they stared at their prey. Suddenly, they charged!
The pair however did not sit still; Chen Xue Shu put himself between Su Xiao Yu and the oncoming beasts, using his own body to shield her, his expression extremely solemn.
*Shua Shua Shua…* As the remaining Monster Beasts rushed over, Chen Xue Shu and Su Xiao Yu struck at the same time, pushing the last remnants of their True Qi in a final show of defiance.
A Fourth-Order Monster Beast that was leading the charge had its head smashed open and died on the spot.
They sent another Fourth-Order Monster Beast flying as well, crashing to the ground, clearly not far from death.
However, the number of Monster Beasts attacking was still overwhelming. Two fists could not block four strikes; on top of that, the two uninjured Fifth-Order Monster Beasts had circled around to their sides and were pouncing towards the battered Chen Xue Shu.
A bloody smell and an air of death surrounded the couple as the cold sharp fangs closed in.
Fortunately, in their final moment, a silhouette suddenly fell from the sky, planting itself firmly in front of Chen Xue Shu and Su Xiao Yu like a tranquil mountain.
The Senior Brother and Junior Sister pair’s eyes flashed with astonishment.
The next moment, they saw this man’s palms land on the backs of the two Fifth-Order Monster Beasts.
Two cries rang out at the same time, and the two Fifth-Order Monster Beasts that had nearly sunk their teeth into Chen Xue Su simply fell to the ground.
A series of muffled thuds reverberated from the two Monster Beast’s bodies as a fiery heat spread out from them.
After this, the man shot forward and delivered four lightning fast punches the oncoming beasts!
*Peng peng peng peng…*
The man had sent the four remaining Fourth-Order Monster Beasts flying simultaneously, struggling a bit after landing but eventually failing to stand up, their mouths leaking a conspicuous amount of blood.
“It’s you!” Su Xiao Yu cried out in shock, her mouth hanging slightly open as she immediately directed a delighted look towards Yang Kai.
“Junior Brother Yang!” Chen Xue Shu also could not help but breathe a sigh of relief, filled with the wondrous feeling of narrowly escaping death.
“En. Please wait a moment!” Yang Kai nodded before swiftly dashing forward.
Although his palm strike had knocked them to the ground, the two Fifth-Order Monster Beasts were still alive; sensing that the situation was becoming dangerous, these two Monster Beasts growled loudly, trying to intimidate this newcomer as they slowly to back away, attempting to escape.
Nevertheless, Yang Kai remained indifferent to their obviously empty threat, charging straight towards them without the slightest fear, raising his hand above one of their heads and viciously chopping down.
The Monster Beast’s reaction was also quite quick, managing to avoid this blow narrowly, but before it had time to steady itself, this downward chop turned into a sweeping palm strike.
*PA!*… Yang Kai’s palm landed right on the Fifth-Order Monster Beast’s cheek.
The huge Monster Beast’s body crashed into a tree and fell to the ground after having awkwardly spun tens of meters through the air.
Not pausing at all, Yang Kai quickly targeted the other Fifth-Order Monster Beast, delivering a Burning Sun’s Three Layer Blast squarely to its forehead.
After three muffled thuds, the Monster Beast began staggering about, as if it was drunk and dazed, while on its thick forehead, a blood red crack appeared.
Yang Kai delivered a vicious kick, sending the unsteady beast flying towards the first Monster Beast.
Swiftly chasing after it, he followed up with several heavy palm strikes and fists.
The two Monster Beasts constantly let out tragic howls, gradually becoming weak until eventually falling silent.
The Reflecting Moon pair could only stand there stunned; Su Xiao Yu’s mouth was agape, while Chen Xue Shu could not hide his surprise either.
A few moments later, Yang Kai, now stained with blood, let out a long breath and casually walked back, only to find the couple he had just rescued suspiciously looking at him, “What’s wrong?”
Hearing his question, Chen Xue Shu and Su Xiao Yu finally recovered, an awkward smile blooming on their faces as they cautiously asked, “Junior Brother Yang, what realm is your cultivation now?”
“Separation and Reunion Seventh Stage!” Yang Kai smiled and then stretched out his hand, flicking a Blood Bead condensed from one of the Fifth-Order Monster Beasts into Su Xiao Yu’s mouth.
“Ah! …” Su Xiao Yu yelped before hurriedly closing her mouth, waiting for the refinement reaction to come, her brow showing a mix of surprise and gratitude.
“Separation and Reunion Seventh Stage?” Chen Xue Shu’s face clearly showed his disbelief.
“That’s impossible!” Although Su Xiao Yu was grateful to Yang Kai for giving her the Blood Bead, she was also a little annoyed that he had tossed it into her mouth without saying a word. If it had been covered in dirt and grime, what would she have done? He had not even given her a chance to refuse.
“Why would I lie to you?” Yang Kai smiled and handed another Blood Bead to Chen Xue Shu.
Chen Xue Shu frowned slightly but still immediately reached out and accepted it, “Thank you, I will remember this favor!”
“No need to be polite, I know your True Qi is nearly depleted; we should collect these Blood Beads and then restore ourselves as quickly as possible.” Yang Kai casually pointed towards the battlefield.
The pair silently nodded and walked over to recover the recently condensed Blood Beads.
“We should leave here first.” Chen Xue Shu cautiously glanced around before leading Yang Kai and Su Xiao Yu away.
Both of them seemed to be in a hurry, not even stopping to carefully refine and absorb the energy from the Blood Beads they had just swallowed.
With Blood Beads’ help, the pair quickly restored their True Qi as they continued forward, and after less than half a stick of incense, Yang Kai suddenly heard the sounds of combat in the distance.
“Over there!” Chen Xue Shu and Su Xiao Yu both broke into a sprint, rapidly moving towards the battle.
Given the circumstances, Yang Kai temporarily set aside his curiosity and quickly followed behind them.
A short while later, the trio arrived at the source of the noise, but the scene which greeted them only made Yang Kai’s brow wrinkle even more.
In front of him were several Monstrous Beasts attacking a group of cultivators, quite similar to the situation he had found Chen Xue Shu and Su Xiao Yu in before.
“Junior Brother Yang, if you don’t want to intervene then please wait here after we finish up here we’ll bring you over and explain!” Chen Xue Shu solemnly told him and then together with Su Xiao Yu joined the fight.
“Brother Chen came back!” As soon as they discovered Chen Xue Shu and Su Xiao Yu’s figures, someone in the group could not help cheering.
“Brother Chen’s strength is really amazing! He managed to escape all those Monster Beasts and return!” Someone else shouted.
Chen Xue Shu simply smiled back wryly. Only he and Su Xiao Yu knew that those Monster Beasts had nearly torn them apart. If it were not for Yang Kai showing up at the crucial moment, how would they have been able to return alive?
The praise he was receiving right now felt rather grating.
Without explaining anything, the Reflecting Moon Sect pair quickly came to the aid of the group of cultivators, pushing back against the Monster Beast Horde.
Because of Chen Xue Shu and Su Xiao Yu safe return, the group’s spirits lifted, perhaps sensing this, the group of Monster Beasts determined that the fight was unfavorable and after a moment, a loud roar rang out.
Hearing this roar, the several tens of Monster Beasts began falling back, quickly disappearing into the jungle.
In the aftermath, a dozen Monster Beast bodies, along with a single cultivator.
Yang Kai could only stand there in a daze, unable to hide his surprise and confusion.
From what he could tell, the people gathered here were actually all from various different Sects but had somehow banded together to fight these Monster Beasts.
Yang Kai saw a lot of familiar faces, most of which he had met for the first time at the mountain lake.
The Ten Thousand Flower Palace’s four girls were among them, along with disciples from Pure Heart Palace, Water Moon Hall, Nine Star Sword Sect, Raging Fire Temple, Soaring Feather Pavilion …
Disciples of these various factions had all gathered here, totaling around thirty people, all of them leaders, and elites from their respective forces.
But now, the state of these people did not look very good, their True Qi consumption was severe, and many of them had varying degrees of injuries.
Clearly, they had just experienced a hard fight. Thus, most of the thirty or so disciples were in meditative recovery; only one person was moving about the battlefield, gathering up the Blood Beads left behind by the defeated Monster Beasts.
Looking around, Yang Kai saw a young man about twenty-seven or twenty-eight years old glaring at him coldly.
This young man had a tall stature with an arrogant bearing. Although his clothes had many rips and tears, they were still neatly arranged without the slightest wrinkle; even the numerous blood stains on him only added to his cold and imposing aura. He stood there quietly, like a sharp, unsheathed sword, ready to strike at a moment’s notice.
After staring at Yang Kai for a moment, the young man’s interest faded as he turned his eyes away and talked to the person who had just been collecting the Blood Beads, reaching out and receiving them from him.
As Chen Xue Shu and Su Xiao Yu came over, both of them revealed a tired expression as they scanned the aftermath of the battle.
“What happened here?” Yang Kai frowned; he really could not see how the situation had developed into this. These younger generation disciples had all come here from different Sects for life experience, so the relationship between them was akin to rivals and enemies. If there were no special circumstances, even if they didn’t attack one another, gathering together en masse like this would simply be impossible.
“It’s a long story!” Chen Xue Shu gritted his teeth and motioned for Yang Kai to sit down.
Seeing that Chen Xue Shu’s injury was not light, Yang Kai reached his hand into his sleeve and pulled out of a bottle, from which he poured out a couple pills.
“Healing pills…” Su Xiao Yu’s eyes lit up.
Chen Xue Shu hastily signaled to her with his eyes and quickly whispered, “Brother Yang, quickly hide those!”
Yang Kai’s brow wrinkled even more, and although he was confused, he quietly put the bottle back into his sleeve while stealthily placing the pills he had taken out into Chen Xue Shu’s hand.
He was truly puzzled; after all, it was just a few healing pills, so why had Su Xiao Yu made such a fuss? Every young disciple who came here for life experience had certainly brought a few bottles of these with them to use from time to time.
Inside his Universe Bag, he himself had more than ten bottles of pills prepared for him by his Grand Master Ling Tai Xu, although he had barely used any of them.
Su Xiao Yu quickly turned around and stuck out her tongue, an apologetic look upon her face.
“Senior Brother Chen, why are all of you gathered together?” Yang Kai whispered. This was what he was most uncertain about.
“We had no choice!” Chen Xue Shu wryly smiled.
“Somebody threatened you?” Yang Kai’s expression went cold.
“Not quite.” Chen Xue Shu shook his head repeatedly. “We didn’t gather together voluntarily, but out of self-protection. You see, if we hadn’t converged, none of us would have been able to survive up till now.”
“There’s some kind of danger here that forced all of you to join hands?” Yang Kai questioned.
“En.” Chen Xue Shu nodded his head.
“Is it some terrible Monster Beast?”
“It’s a group of people. Well, the Monster Beasts are also a problem.” Chen Xue Shu sighed deeply, glancing over and asking, “Do you remember when we were waiting by the lake side, there was a group of people whose looks and clothes were somewhat different from the rest of us Great Han Dynasty cultivators?”
How could Yang Kai not remember? The impression given by that group of people was quite strong after all. “You mean those Tian Lang Dynasty cultivators?”
Chen Xue Shu looked at him stunned, “Brother Yang even knew their origin! Our group had to pay a big price before we finally figured out that they weren’t from our Great Han Dynasty.”
“Grand Master told me before.”
Chen Xue Shu’s face revealed both shock and admiration, “Predecessor Ling is truly well informed.”
“What is the relationship between those Tian Lang Dynasty cultivators and your current situation? I know they are really strong, but in the end, there are only four of them. With so many of you here, how could they pose a threat to you?” Yang Kai frowned, only more confused by Chen Xue Shu’s explanation so far.
“If it was just the four of them, we would never fear them! If those damn Tian Lang Dynasty dogs dared act presumptuous in front of us Great Han Dynasty cultivators, we would never tolerate it! Just a few of us together here would easily be able to destroy them!” Chen Xue Shu spat out angrily before putting on a wry smile, “But now it’s not just the four of them, *haa…*, we don’t know what kind of strange Secret Art or Martial Skill they’ve cultivated, but whatever it is it allows them to enslave Monster Beasts, forcing them to fight for them! Those four people now have hundreds of Monster Beast servants, so how could we possibly fight back against them?”
Hearing this, many things that confused Yang Kai suddenly made sense, “Just now, when you were surrounded by Monster Beasts; are you saying those Tian Lang Dynasty cultivators were the ones who arranged that?”
“En,” Chen Xue Shu nodded heavily. “The disciples from hundreds of sects and various forces in the Great Han Dynasty entered this isolated world, but none of us were prepared for that group from Tian Lang Dynasty. The first month or two, that group of bastards didn’t make any big movements, mostly ignoring us Great Han Dynasty cultivators, letting us kill Monster Beasts and fight amongst ourselves. However! Two months later, after they had enslaved a considerable number of Monster Beasts, they immediately began launching attacks on us, who were still scattered and unaware. Many people were caught off guard and were hunted down by those Monster Beasts while those Tian Lang Dynasty people just sat back and watched, reaping all the rewards from our deaths without having to exert any effort themselves.”
Yang Kai was astonished, unable to regain his composure for a long time.
But now, at least all the doubts had been cleared up. No wonder he found a group of Monster Beasts from various different species attacking the two of them. Someone else had driven them!
“These past few days, those Tian Lang Dynasty peoples’ Monster Beasts are only increasing in number, there’s simply too many of them for us to kill. On the other hand, our Great Han Dynasty group has been continuously shrinking! When we first gathered together, there were nearly fifty of us, but since then more than a dozen have died, and now, aside from those you see here, I’m afraid everyone else has perished.
In other words, the only living people in this isolated world now were those four Tian Lang Dynasty cultivators and the thirty or so disciples here.
Yang Kai took a deep breath and tried to gather his wits. In the beginning, there were about two or three hundred people who entered this isolated world, but half a year later, only about one-tenth remained. Those who had died were all elites from their respective forces, so the loss to the Great Han Dynasty couldn’t be simply described as heavy.
Exasperated, Chen Xue Shu ground his teeth in frustration as his face flushed red with anger, “This is beyond shameful, once this news spreads out, all the Sects which sent disciples here are bound to lose all face…”
So many Great Han Dynasty young elites had gathered together, but they were all swiftly and decisively beaten down by only four Tian Lang Dynasty youths. If this really spread out, everyone here would become the world’s laughing stock, so he had good reason to be upset.
“Senior Brother, it’s not your fault!” Su Xiao Yu softly comforted, “It’s not that we are weak, it’s just that those people are too treacherous, plotting too deeply.”
“Haa…” Chen Xue Shu sighed dispiritedly, “I just hope that this damned place closes quickly so those of us left can escape.”
Pondering for a moment, Yang Kai suddenly frowned and asked, “With so many of you gathered together, who is in charge?”
Everyone here was an elite, in their respective forces they were all capable of summoning the wind and rain, so naturally many of them were rebellious, arrogant, and highly self-confident. If there was no one here capable of suppressing all these egos, this group would only be a mess.
Chen Xue Shu glanced towards the side and motioned, “Him. Nine Star Sword Sect’s Wu Cheng Yi, a True Element Boundary Seventh Stage master. Of everyone gathered here, his strength is the strongest, so for now, we’re all following his lead.”
As he turned his eyes, Yang Kai was surprised to find that the one Chen Xue Shu talked about was the young man who had previously been staring at him.
[No wonder he gave off the feeling of an unsheathed sword, turns out he’s an elite disciple from the Nine Star Sword Sect.] Yang Kai secretly thought.
The Nine Star Sword Sect’s disciples all cultivated the way of the sword; it was an extremely famous Sect whose reputation echoed throughout the Great Han Dynasty.
Nine Star Sword Sect could be considered the first sect just beneath Eight Great Families! A sect of such great standing in the Great Han Dynasty can be considered a sect meant to train up dragons and phoenixes!
Wu Cheng Yi possessed great personal strength and came from an extraordinary background; such a person temporary commanding this group made sense, in addition to him, there was likely no one else in this group young elites who could serve as the leader without drawing public criticism.
Yang Kai nodded and said, “This man’s temperament and demeanor really does make him look like a leader; it seems that Nine Star Sword Sect has placed a lot of emphasis on cultivating him.”
Su Xiao Yu who had been listening quietly up till now suddenly whispered angrily, “Hmph, he’s just an arrogant man who treats the rest of us like his henchmen. He demanded that all the Blood Beads we obtain by killing Monster Beasts be handed over to him so he can distribute them, who knows how many he’s greedily tucked away.”
Chen Xue Shu softly looked towards Su Xiao Yu, “Don’t say that, if not for him taking charge, it’s unlikely we would be able to gather together like this and would have long been picked off one by one by those Tian Lang Dynasty people. His combat strength is the highest, and he’s also made the most contributions, so getting more benefits is also reasonable. Besides, more than eighty percent of the Monstrous Beasts in this isolated world has been enslaved by that Tian Lang Dynasty group. Either way, we wouldn’t be able to obtain many Blood Beads. If he wants them he can have them, my only wish is to be able to escape here alive, everything else isn’t important anymore.”
However, Su Xiao Yu was clearly not convinced, “If it was just that I wouldn’t care so much, but what bothers me is he doesn’t take the lives of other people seriously. Just now, we were sent out to contain more than a dozen Monster Beasts, if not for Junior Brother Yang saving us, Senior Brother… you …”
Thinking of the danger the pair had encountered, Su Xiao Yu suddenly burst into tears, her eyes quickly becoming red and swollen like a child’s.
“Now… now, what are you crying for? Do you want to show Brother Yang here such a miserable look? Didn’t we make it out safe and sound?” Chen Xue Shu laughed while comforting her, directing a grateful smile towards Yang Kai.
On the other hand, Yang Kai frowned and asked, “Were you being surrounded by those Monster Beasts because of his orders?”
Chen Xue Shu smiled wryly, “We all take turns, it’s just our Senior Brother and Junior Sister’s bad luck that there were more than usual this time, almost causing us to fall.”
Watching him let out a deep sigh, Yang Kai could feel Chen Xue Shu’s helplessness; in their current situation, even if he was dissatisfied with Wu Cheng Yi, he could only endure it and act in the best interests of the group, if the two of them were to leave, with his and Su Xiao Yu’s strength, they would only end up dying faster.
Thinking through all of this, he finally understood why, when he took out those few healing pills, Su Xiao Yu had been so pleasantly surprised.
Over the past few months, this group must have suffered countless battles, and although each of them had brought many spare pills, by now, they had certainly run out. In addition, this isolated world did not seem to have any herbs or flowers with medicinal properties. So, even his commonplace healing pills were considered extremely rare and valuable treasures.
Hearing all this, Yang Kai’s expression sank as he secretly regretted his own careless actions; uncertain if anyone else had observed this scene. If they had, it would likely lead to something troublesome.
How could he have known that a trivial healing pill had actually become a rare and valuable treasure?
“Brother Chen, can you come here for a moment?” Wu Cheng Yi suddenly called out, which prompted Chen Xue Shu to whisper to Yang Kai, “Brother Yang, please wait a moment, I’ll be right back.”
“En.” Yang Kai simply nodded.
After Chen Xue Shu left, Yang Kai looked around and found that many people were staring at him with great interest.
This group of people had not seen a new face for a very long time. They had long since thought that the scattered Great Han Dynasty cultivators had all died, but now, seeing this unfamiliar Yang Kai, naturally their curiosity was piqued, especially since it seemed Yang Kai was alone. They could not understand how a single person could escape the grasp of the Tian Lang Dynasty cultivators.
Yang Kai also swept his eyes over the crowd and received a slight nod from the four Ten Thousand Flower Palace girls.
These four girls had entered Nether Mountain together with Yang Kai, and although they had not spoken, they had once traveled and faced danger together, so naturally they were more comfortable with each other.
Yang Kai smiled in return.
While observing this group, two people suddenly stood up and walked over, led by an exceptionally beautiful woman. She had a tall stature and wore a tight fitting green dress, which completely outlined her enchanting body. Her full breasts and well-rounded bottom were naturally highlighted along with her slender legs and fully exposed lotus like arms. Her skin resembled a pure white jade-like crystal, sparkling like fine porcelain tinged with a slight seductive luster. Even her delicate fingers, adorned with a bright red nail polish, seemed to enhance her charm. She was no doubt an alluring beauty.
However, what drew everyone’s attention the most was no doubt this woman’s towering pair of trembling breasts, full and shapely, exquisite in every way. Among the women, Yang Kai had met, only Lan Chudie could possibly be compared with her.
She exuded a mature and dangerous charm, like a beautiful snake charming its prey. Leisurely standing there, her pair of spring-like eyes stared towards Yang Kai, a meaningful smile adorning her seductive lips.
Behind her followed a towering bear of a man, a proud tiger like presence with an exceptionally sturdy figure. His stature was several times grander than anyone else there, and he stood with a cold, indifferent face completing his imposing look. A ten-centimeter scar adorned his cheek. All around, his domineering physique gave him a murderous appearance. His eyes sparked with lightning and revealed a kind of frigid and ruthless taste.
Whether it was the woman or the man, both of them gave off a kind of savage bloody aura.
Su Xiao Yu wrinkled her brow, “Are they coming to us?”
“Apparently.” Yang Kai also frowned. He had found that this glamorous woman had actually been staring at him for a while before deciding to come over.
“Junior Brother Yang, do you know them?” Su Xiao Yu asked somewhat puzzled.
Yang Kai shook his head in a confused manner. He had never met these two before, and although Ling Tai Xu had previously informed him about the majority of the Sect’s present and the strength of their disciples, the lake was simply too large. So for the people occupying the opposite shore, Ling Tai Xu could not provide any information, so Yang Kai really didn’t even know where these two had come from much less who they were.
“Perhaps it’s because… they saw you take out those healing pills?” Su Xiao Yu’s expression suddenly changed.
Yang Kai’s face also became heavy, secretly becoming angered.
“Junior Brother Yang, you must not argue with them, the two of them are very strong!” Su Xiao Yu quickly warned, a trace of worry appearing on her face.
“I’ll try.” Yang Kai nodded slightly. After all, in the current situation, he did not want to start a conflict with the people here. If he suddenly became enemies with these two, then he would inevitably be seen as an enemy by everyone here, and if that happened, a bad ending was destined. However, if someone insisted on bullying him, Yang Kai wouldn’t show any weakness.
As the hot glamorous woman and the cold towering man came over to him, all other eyes in the group turned towards them. They all wanted to know what this seemingly lascivious woman intended to do.
After a moment, the woman came up to Yang Kai and carefully looked over him. Without so much as a word, the man behind her also observed him intensely, his cold pair of eyes, like razor sharp swords, stared at him, as if to look directly into Yang Kai’s heart and soul.
Yang Kai couldn’t help frowning, “Do you two need something?”
The woman did not answer but instead continued looking at him seriously, and slowly leaned towards him. Her mouth still showed a pleasant smile while her beautiful face came right up next to Yang Kai’s and breathed in gently through her delicate nose.
Yang Kai’s face was now completely flabbergasted.
Although he did not feel the slightest murderous or malicious intent from this woman, her current actions left him and everyone else around him scratching their heads.
However, the woman completely ignored all of these stares and, like a playful little puppy kept sniffing around Yang Kai’s body. A few strands of her hair brushed past his neck and cheeks and tickled him in more ways than one.
Her own alluring scent wafted into Yang Kai’s nose, a strange mix of flowers and feminine sweat, which simulated a strange sense of arousal.
With her deep open collar, the sight of a deep and uncharted valley sandwiched between her breathtaking snow white mountains was firmly imprinted into Yang Kai’s eyes.
Facing such a fantastical scene, Yang Kai could not help swallowing, his throat was now completely parched.
“Hey … what are you doing!?” Su Xiao Yu finally recovered from her shock and cried out, her cheeks a deep shade of crimson, as her pulse racing rapidly.
This woman’s actions… she was blatantly teasing him! Other than those who were in meditative recovery, everyone present felt like their hearts had suddenly sped up, not to mention Su Xiao Yu, this young innocent girl.
She was sitting next to Yang Kai, so the view she saw was clearer than anyone else.
The sound of men swallowing their saliva came from all directions, and many of these young cultivators hearts burned with jealousy. Since they had assembled together each of them had fantasized about this woman’s full enchanting breasts, but because of the towering presence of the man behind her none of them had dared to act presumptuously.
They had not even gotten the chance to speak with her so how could they possibly be able to get so close to her?
But now this woman seemed to have taken a strong interest towards Yang Kai’s body, not even waiting for permission to get close to him. The scene that played out before them was simply too hot and spicy, especially in this crisis filled place right after a fierce battle, everyone’s blood was already boiling.
“Girl, you…” Yang Kai’s whole body felt uncomfortable. Although he was certain she had no harmful intent, this woman was just too strange. They had never met before yet she was openly being so intimate, and it was completely baffling.
“Shh…” The woman smiled even more sweetly as she stretched out a jade-like finger, and gently pressed it onto Yang Kai’s lips, which instantly suppressed his question.
She then continued to sniff him unscrupulously as Yang Kai turned bright red all the way to his ears.
“Mmm… Junior Brother Yang!” Su Xiao Yu finally could not stand it and swiftly delivered a kick to Yang Kai’s backside.
“Hahaha…” Seeing this scene, the woman suddenly giggled happily before looking straight at Yang Kai. Her delicate beautiful face gradually showed a puzzled expression and gazed at him as if in some kind of trance. Her big wet eyes clearly flashing a confused light.
“What do you think?” The woman suddenly looked back at her towering companion.
“A thick, bloody, murderous aura!” The man obviously treated his words like gold and offered only this comment.
“En.” The woman nodded slightly then suddenly laughed while putting on a warm smile, “Little Brother don’t be alarmed, it’s just because we Senior Sister and Junior Brother pair felt a sense of intimacy with you that we’ve acted so forward.”
“Hmph!” Su Xiao Yu gave a firm snort before turning her head.
She obviously did not believe these naive words.
Of course, Yang Kai did not believe them either.
Seeing his reaction, the woman still just laughed, “I know this reason is not very convincing, but I truly am not lying to you, in fact, I do not understand why I have this feeling either.”
“Ah right, my name is Ye Qing Si and this is my Junior Brother Zhou Ba!”
“Yang Kai!”
“So you are Junior Brother Yang …” Ye Qing Si smiled warmly, a carefree expression upon her face, like a gentle autumn breeze. She quickly followed up, “We Senior Sister and Junior Brother are from the Endless Sea Islands, Asura Sect, I’m afraid Junior Brother Yang may not have heard of it.”
Yang Kai’s face twitched imperceptibly before he quickly hid his reaction. He now understood why this woman had suddenly come up to him and acted so familiar.
Endless Sea Islands Asura Sect! A first-class great force!
Since the two of them were elite disciples from the Asura Sect, they had certainly cultivated their Sects most profound Secret Arts, and the Asura Sect’s Hallowed Treasure, the Asura Sword, at the moment, lay refined inside his body. Perhaps they had vaguely sensed its presence.
No wonder she said they felt a sense of intimacy! Knowing this, Yang Kai did not dare to show any outward signs. Right now, these two felt a sense of intimacy with him, but if they knew the Asura Sect Sacred Treasure was in his possession, that intimacy would immediately become murderous intent.
Of this, he had no doubt.
Pretending to be ignorant, Yang Kai put on a puzzled expression and asked, “Endless Sea Islands?”
Ye Qing Si nodded, “At the Southernmost end of the Great Han Dynasty lays The Endless Sea and within that sea, there are many Sects. Junior Brother Yang comes from deep inland, so it’s reasonable you don’t know about us.”
“Is it only this, for you who two have come here?” Yang Kai showed interest in a timely manner. He was actually quite interested in this point, seeing how he had many other Hallowed Treasures on him right now.
Ye Qing Si laughed, “A few people came from Gemini Island, but only one that is left now is that guy over there!”
Done with the explanation she lightly pointed out this person.
Yang Kai casually glanced over, and his nerves settled greatly. Thankfully, no one from the Falling Blossom Temple had come, or else they would likely show intimacy towards him for no reason as well, which would force him to explain himself.
“Where does Junior Brother Yang come from?” Ye Qing Si inquired. It was clear that the doubts in her mind had not yet been dispelled.
For no apparent reason a complete stranger produced a sense of intimacy with both Senior Sister and Junior Brother, naturally, they would be curious.
“High Heaven Pavilion.” He replied, and in an attempt to not conceal his origins he gave a plausible explanation, “Perhaps because my Secret Art and Martial Skills emphasize slaughtering intent, and because, in this isolated world, I have been stained with a lot of blood, you two have produced a sense of intimacy with me.”
“Perhaps so.” Ye Qing Si slightly pursed her lips and slightly nodded before returning to her friendly demeanor, “Well, even if we’ve met by chance, Junior Brother Yang should act with us; don’t worry, just stick by Elder Sister’s side and I’ll protect you, hahaha…”
“Thank you for your kind intentions.” Yang Kai quickly began pondering how to say he wanted to leave, but then he saw Wu Cheng Yi and Chen Xue Shu coming towards him.
“Enough with the idle chatter!” Wu Cheng Yi said with a serious face and walked up to Yang Kai while looking down at him, “I heard Brother Chen say you’re a disciple from High Heaven Pavilion, correct?”
Yang Kai frowned, slightly unhappy with Wu Cheng Yi’s domineering attitude, his overbearing and arrogant tone indicating that no dissent would be tolerated.
“That’s right,” Yang Kai decided to play along and nodded for now.
“What’s your cultivation level?” Wu Cheng Yi continued questioning.
“Separation and Reunion Seventh Stage!”
As he answered, Yang Kai clearly saw the disdain and annoyance in Wu Cheng Yi’s eyes, but that was to be expected. Of those who were still alive, who had not at least reached the True Element Boundary? Yang Kai, with his Separation and Reunion Seventh Stage cultivation, could definitely be considered weak.
Asura Sect’s Ye Qing Si’s face also showed a look of surprise. Apparently, she had not thought Yang Kai’s strength would be so low.
Originally, she had believed that since he had survived alone in this dangerous place for more than half a year, Yang Kai would at least be a True Element cultivator. But Yang Kai himself had declared that he was a Separation and Reunion Seventh Stage, shocking almost everyone around him.
“Little Brother, are you really only at the Separation and Reunion Seventh Stage?” Ye Qing Si could not help but ask.
Yang Kai simply nodded and circulated the Yuan Qi in his body, emitting a Yuan Qi wave to clearly display his current strength.
Many of the surrounding cultivators were stunned, while a burst of chuckles also emerged from somewhere.
“What are you laughing about?” Su Xiao Yu immediately stuck up for Yang Kai and fiercely scolded the group of blind fools. Although Junior Brother Yang’s cultivation had only reached Separation and Reunion Boundary Seventh Stage, his combat strength was many times greater than an ordinary True Element cultivator.
When Yang Kai had saved the two of them just now, he had killed two Fifth-Order Monster Beasts and four Fourth-Order Monster Beasts. Against those foes, she and Chen Xue Shu could only desperately struggle for their lives, so killing them off so effortlessly was a testament to his strength.
Although there were a variety of reasons for him to be able to accomplish such a feat, his strength was definitely beyond doubt.
No one here was more aware of just how strong Yang Kai was than Su Xiao Yu and Chen Xue Shu. To have such a master join them was a great blessing for this group! However, some people, in their ignorance, actually dared to ridicule him.
Su Xiao Yu felt indignant, but in the end did not press the issue. She was not some silly naive girl who would go around exposing Yang Kai’s true abilities.
“You’re only a Separation and Reunion Boundary Seventh Stage, how have you survived until now?” Ye Qing Si asked with a puzzled expression, clearly quite confused.
“I accidentally fell into a deep valley and spent the last half a year trying to find a way to climb back up…” Yang Kai shrugged his shoulders.
When he spoke these words, the many in the group around him laughed even harder. Su Xiao Yu’s breathing became rough as she held down her anger, but she could not say anything because what he said was true.
Wu Cheng Yi remained indifferent, unceremoniously declaring, “Your cultivation is too low, so you’re nothing but another body bag. However, Brother Chen brought you here so just stick with him and Sister Su. If you can at least contain one or two Fourth- Order Monstrous Beasts, then I suppose you’ll have some use!”
Finished speaking, Wu Cheng Yi hurriedly turned away, not wanting to waste any more time talking with Yang Kai.
“I’m not staying.” Yang Kai said with a frown.
After leaving the valley, all he wanted to do was find someone to inquire about the current situation, but he had somehow ended up following Chen Xue Shu here. Now that he had obtained the information he wanted, naturally he planned to leave.
Acting together with so many people simply made them an easier target. If everyone was from the same Sect, having a mutual trust and understanding of one another, then things might be different. However, in this mixed bag of goods, who could know when their neighbor might betray them? If he joined them, with his realm being amongst the lowest, then in the event when they encountered any critical danger, he would likely be the first to be sacrificed.
Knowing this, how could Yang Kai deliver his life into someone else’s hands?
If so, he might as well act alone. Although there were many dangers and uncertainties, Yang Kai was confident in his current strength, so as long as he was careful he shouldn’t encounter any real problems.
Even if he became surrounded by the Tian Lang Dynasty group, with his Flaming Yang Wings, he could still easily escape. Why would he bother joining together with these people?
In addition to all this, Yang Kai also had another major concern.
If Ye Qing Si or Zhou Ba managed to sense the presence of the Asura Sword, it would certainly create trouble for him. Therefore, although the possibility was very low, he still needed to take precautions.
Neither Yang Kai nor this group of people wanted to travel together, so why should he insist on sticking around?
“What did you say?” Wu Cheng Yi turned around and stared at Yang Kai, squinting his eyes before confirming, “You want to act alone?”
“Yes!” Yang Kai nodded.
“Brother Yang…” Chen Xue Shu’s expression changed, as he quickly came forward and whispered, “Acting on your own is too dangerous, if you stay here with Senior Brother and Senior Sister, at least we can watch out for each other. It’s definitely safer than you trying to move alone.”
Chen Xue Shu had no doubt what he said was true and did not have the slightest ulterior intent.
Ye Qing Si also tried to persuade him, “Junior Brother Yang, there’s no need for you to try to be brave, just stay here with us. Although we’ve only just met, Elder Sister really feels cordial with you; it has been many years since our Senior Sister and Junior Brother have had such a strong feeling, so we don’t want you to encounter any unnecessary misfortune. Zhou Ba, you agree, right?”
The giant tower of a man with a cold gaze simply nodded slightly.
“Thank you for your kind words,” Yang Kai chuckled, “but I’m quite lazy and don’t like to be ordered around like someone’s henchman.”
“Everyone is free to choose if they want to stay or go, there’s no need to try retaining him!” Wu Cheng Yi quipped disdainfully but then reached out his hand, “However, before you leave, leave all the pills you have on you.”
Yang Kai, Chen Xue Shu, and Su Xiao Yu’s faces all went cold.
Just now, others had apparently noticed the scene where Yang Kai had taken out those few healing pill.
Chen Xue Shu frowned, “Brother Wu, how can you do this?”
Wu Cheng Yi snorted lightly, “What’s wrong with my decision? He is just a Separation and Reunion Boundary Seventh Stage. Those Tian Lang bastards will kill him soon enough, and when they do, the healing pills he has will fall into their hands. It’s better if he just leaves them for us instead!”
Su Xiao Yu ground her teeth and yelled, “Wu Cheng Yi, you just want to rob him!”
Ye Qing Si and Zhou Ba also frowned. The two of them were obviously unhappy about Wu Cheng Yi’s behaviour, but both of them held their tongues.
However, Wu Cheng Yi just sneered, “Take a look around you! How many of us have been injured? Without any healing pills, how much of their strength will they be able to use? Only by quickly healing everyone can we hope to resist those Tian Lang cultivator’s attacks and protect ourselves! Taking his pills is not for me but for everyone in this group!”
Chen Xue Shu angrily shot back, “Wu Cheng Yi, don’t pretend to be so righteous! If you insist on forcing Brother Yang, then we Brother and Sister will not agree.”
Wu Cheng Yi shifted his sight towards Chen Xue Shu and arrogantly said, “So what if you don’t agree with me? What do you intend to do about it?”
The atmosphere around them instantly became tense.
“I also think it’s a bad idea.” Ye Qing Si smiled sweetly,and her seductive eyes stared at Wu Cheng Yi, “This just looks like the act of a robber. Wu Cheng Yi, whatever your motives are, you’re still an elite disciple of a great Sect. Don’t you think being so domineering is bad for your face?”
The latter’s face twitched. It seems he was somewhat suppressed by Ye Qing Si, but after hesitating for a long while he chuckled, “If that’s the case, then we should let everyone decide! Should he be forced to leave his pills behind, or allowed to take them away?”
“He should leave them with us!” Someone immediately said, “Brother Wu is right, with his weak cultivation he won’t last more than a few days out there alone. Why should we allow those Tian Lang animals to snatch his pills for free.”
To this statement, many people nodded in agreement.
The youth quickly followed up, “Brother Chen please calm your anger, I’m just saying what I believe is right! This High Heaven Pavilion brother’s strength is really too low. If he was going to stay with us and help support the group with his healing pills, then if someone was seriously injured, presumably he would not be stingy, but since he is determined to leave and wants to act alone, I think he should contribute his pills to us!”
Most of the people here seemed to agree with Wu Cheng Yi’s practice, which made Chen Xue Shu and Su Xiao Yu’s faces very ugly.
Arguing back, Chen Xue Shu sneered, “You really believe your actions are correct? If someone wanted to rob you of your life-saving pills, what would you do?”
Hearing his words, many of these people couldn’t help but frown or turn away. Although they knew what they were doing was immoral, right now, everyone’s healing pills had nearly been spent. Even if they could only obtain just one more bottle, perhaps at a critical time it would allow them to save a few people’s lives.
“Do unto others as you’d have them do to you!” A cold voice echoed.
Yang Kai looked up and saw a girl wearing a Ten Thousand Flower Palace robe and nodded slightly.
Wu Cheng Yi had not expected that there would be so many people speaking up for Yang Kai, so having been forced into a corner, he said, “Fine then, I will give him a choice, so no one can say I’m just using strength to bully the weak.”
Glaring at Yang Kai he declared, “Stay with us, or leave your pills, it’s your decision!”
“Ho…” Yang Kai chuckled, staring back at Wu Cheng Yi he slowly said, “I choose the latter!”
He had never wanted to work together with these people, and seeing Wu Cheng Yi act so arrogantly only further reinforced this thought. How could he possibly choose to stay now?
But now with so many people eyeing him, if he really did not leave some pills, those who had just pressured him would definitely not just let him go.
“This is your own choice!” Wu Cheng Yi stretched out a hand to Yang Kai.
However, Yang Kai shook his head and grinned deviously.
Seeing this, Wu Cheng Yi wrinkled his brow, “What do you mean?”
“I only said I’d leave the pills, I didn’t say I’d leave them to you. Don’t be so presumptuous.” Yang Kai sneered, and ignoring the extended hand before him, he took out a bottle of healing pill and threw it to Chen Xue Shu while staring coldly at Wu Cheng Yi, “Senior Brother Chen, I’ll leave those pills to you.”
As Chen Xue Shu caught the pill bottle, his brow furrowed angrily.
He had brought Yang Kai over, but now his own group of people were strong-arming him. How could he remain indifferent?
Taking a deep breath, Chen Xue Shu loudly said, “Brother Yang rest assured, Senior Brother will distribute these pills well!”
His meaning was clear. Those who had just stood on Wu Cheng Yi’s side knew they should never expected to see the healing pills inside this bottle.
Yang Kai nodded and hurriedly cupped his fists, “Then I bid you farewell, I hope we shall meet again!”
Finished speaking, Yang Kai instantly disappeared into the jungle.
“I doubt we’ll see each other again!” Wu Cheng Yi coldly snorted and awkwardly retracted his outstretched hand. His face was clearly still angry as he loudly barked towards the group, “We’ve rested here long enough, it’s time we get moving! Those Tian Lang dogs will certainly launch another attack soon. If we don’t leave now it will be too late.”
The more than thirty people quickly organized themselves according to Wu Cheng Yi’s instructions and began to carefully walk into the jungle.
No one noticed when the last person in their ranks quietly hid his presence. After the group had moved away, this youth looked in a certain direction and hurriedly dashed out.
The direction he went was clearly the same as the path Yang Kai had taken.
Yang Kai had left a single bottle of pill before leaving, but which disciple who came to this place for life experience would only bring a single bottle of healing pills? Moreover, Yang Kai said before that he had accidentally fell into a valley and spent half a year looking for way to climb out. Since that was the case, for this past half a year he certainly did not encounter much fighting, and if he had not been fighting, then he would not have been hurt, nor would he have used any healing pills.
Therefore, he must have more pills!
So Wu Cheng Yi had secretly ordered this person to go cut down Yang Kai and bring back any pills he may have on him.
A meticulous plan set up by Wu Cheng Yi; to only send a single person to complete this task so as to not arouse suspicions.
In the jungle, Yang Kai’s figure flashed like an agile monkey weaving over and through the treetops. His body floated as light as a feather in the breeze, not disturbing a single leaf along his path.
His expression was solemn, and he maintained a high level of vigilance towards his surroundings as he planned his next move. While he was dissatisfied about the way Wu Cheng Yi’s group had acted towards him, in the end, it did not affect him, and he managed to achieve his purpose.
However, he did not expect the news he obtained to be so grim.
Over the years, disciples from the various factions who entered this isolate world for life experience had often formed their own groups. Even temporary large scale alliances had occasionally been forged, but this time, because of the actions taken by the cultivators from Tian Lang Dynasty, all the Great Han Dynasty cultivators had been thoroughly bound together.
This was something that had never happened before, and it had even risen to the level of a life and death struggle between the younger generations of the two countries.
Who the winner would eventually be, Yang Kai was uncertain, but he was, after all, a Great Han Dynasty cultivator. Simply put, he did not like the idea of people from Tian Lang Dynasty dominating them.
If it were not for the two disciples from the Asura Sect and the overbearing arrogance of that Wu Cheng Yi, Yang Kai might have remained with Chen Xue Shu and others to do his part in this battle.
But what was done was done, so Yang Kai rid his thoughts of these distractions and continued forward, when suddenly he paused and looked back with a trace of suspicion flashing through his eyes.
Standing there for a moment, Yang Kai grinned, dropped to the ground, and then ducked behind a large tree to hide while he concealed his breath.
Shortly after, another figure flew over his head from the direction he had just come. As he passed, Yang Kai caught a good look at this person’s face and clothes.
This man carried a sword and wore a blue uniform. He was slightly older, probably in his early twenties and had a solemn face.
Yang Kai coldly snorted under his breath, and his eyes flashed a murderous intent!
This person was the one he had seen sweeping the battlefield; the one collecting all the Blood Beads. The Sword he carried on his back made it easy to identify him. He was a Nine Star Sword School’s disciple, one of Wu Cheng Yi’s Junior Brothers.
He had not acted together with their group and instead chased after Yang Kai, which made his intention quite obvious.
Yang Kai’s face went cold. Earlier, he had not wanted to start a fight with Wu Cheng Yi, afraid of involving Chen Xue Shu and Su Xiao Yu, but now that he had sent someone to chase after him, there was no reason for him to hold back.
Even clay is limited to three phases of heating within the kiln (There is a limit to his patience), not to mention Yang Kai’s lack of a forgiving nature to begin with.
The Nine Star Sword School’s disciple had stopped not far away, and then circled back. His eyes carefully scanned the vicinity. If one listened carefully, they could hear him mutter under his breath, “Strange, where did he go?”
He was a True Element Boundary master and was certain his speed was much higher than Yang Kai’s, but now, after chasing him for so long, the trail he followed had suddenly disappeared. Naturally, he decided to double back and check the surrounding jungle more carefully.
Yang Kai could not help admiring this man a bit. He really had some outstanding tracking ability. Along the way, Yang Kai had been very careful not to leave any clues about his direction, but this guy had still traced him.
A moment later, the Nine Star Sword School disciple stopped about one hundred meters from Yang Kai with his brow thoroughly wrinkled as he looked around.
Yang Kai remained patient, quietly hiding amongst the trees, and secretly observed this person.
After a long time, the man grinned ferociously, reached behind his back, and, along with a wind splitting noise, drew his sword from its scabbard.
With his sword in hand, his momentum suddenly climbed to new heights. His whole aura became as sharp as a blade.
The Nine Star Sword School definitely deserved its reputation! This momentum alone was vastly superior to an ordinary True Element cultivator.
“I know you’re here!” Qi Jian Xing smiled meaningfully, gripped his sword, and shouted in a confident tone, “Obediently come out and I won’t embarrass you!”
Yang Kai frowned. He was not sure if this Nine Star Sword School disciple had really found him or was just trying to trick him into exposing himself.
Qi Jian Xing added, “Little brat, I admire your guts. To this day, people who dare talk to my big brother like that, in addition to the young masters of the Eight Great Families, besides you, there is no one else. For this alone, I promise not to hurt you as long as you hand over every pill on your body so I can complete the mission big brother has given me.”
After a few moments of silence, Qi Jian Xing’s voice became cold as he threatened, “Do not reject a toast or you will suffer a loss, my offer is good only until I find your hiding place, come out now and discuss things while I am still in a good mood.”
Still receiving no response, Qi Jian Xing no longer bothered to speak. He swung his sword forward, and crisp sword cries began to ring out from all directions.
Yang Kai’s face stiffened as he suddenly felt a faint chill spread all around him, which caused him to hurriedly dash out from his hiding spot.
One by one, blades of invisible Sword Qi shot out, and toppled every tree in a radius of a hundred meters, only leaving behind smoothly cut stumps as they fell to the ground.
Yang Kai’s face sank. He now understood this Nine Star Sword School disciple’s ruthlessness. His talking with him until just now was just a trick to stall for time, but in reality he had been secretly setting up this attack.
Those invisible Sword Qi threads had been spread around while he spoke, so once his arrangement was finished, and he activated this Sword Qi, then, as long as Yang Kai was still hiding in the trees, he would not be able to escape unharmed.
Fortunately, Yang Kai had been alert and dodged out quickly, or else this Sword Qi attack would have definitely taken him by surprise and undoubtedly caused him heavy injuries.
Yang Kai no longer dared to underestimate this person. The Nine Star Sword School being called the first Sect under the Eight Great Families was not without cause, how could one of its elite disciples be weak?
“Found you!” Qi Jian Xing turned and stared coldly at Yang Kai, looking down at him from his position in mid-air, eyes filled with disdain.
However, he no longer attacked and instead chose to quietly observe Yang Kai. Facing a Separation and Reunion Boundary Seventh Stage cultivator, Qi Jian Xing was naturally fearless. His opponent was only at such a level and came from a second-class Sect, so he was certain that a single sword would be enough to behead him.
“Your ability to hide yourself is quite ingenious.” Qi Jian Xing praised him without reserve, “Who did you learn it from?”
He was obviously interested in Yang Kai’s concealment skill. In a crisis, if he had such a technique, it would increase his ability to survive, which was why he did not immediately attack Yang Kai.
Yang Kai only sneered, “You have already seen through my ability, so how exactly is it so great?”
Qi Jian Xing slowly shook his head, his eyes filled with greed while showing a trace of admiration, “I did not see through it, but I sensed your hostility towards me and my Sword Qi instinctively responded a bit. In fact, I only knew that you were hidden somewhere close by, but I could not pinpoint your location, so I took a chance and tried to force you out. It seems I got lucky.”
After he had patiently explained, Qi Jun Xing smiled coldly, “You’re a smart brat, me standing here until now, you should understand my intentions from just that. Surrender all the pills you have on you, tell me your concealment art, and I’ll consider letting you live!”
Yang Kai simply sneered, “Do you think you’ve already beaten me?”
Qi Jun Xing froze for a moment before he burst into laughter, “What do you think?”
He was a mere Separation and Reunion Boundary Seventh Stage, not even a True Element Boundary cultivator, so how was he any threat at all?
After laughing for a while, Qi Jun Xing smile’s disappeared before he slightly nodded, “Very well, once I cripple you, I can leisurely ask about your techniques!”
Before he had even finished speaking, the sword in his hands flickered.
With a *zheng* sound, a few sword waves suddenly appeared in front of him in a fan-shaped arrangement that glowed with an icy cold light. Each sword wave certainly contained a massive hidden lethalness.
“Hah!” Qi Jian Xing’s name was spelled with the character for ‘sword’. There was no doubt that his ability with the sword was great, and just this attack alone had fully displayed his extraordinary skill. The sword waves flew out, like a burst of lightning, to attack Yang Kai.
Feeling the threat of these sword waves, Yang Kai quickly retreated. The leisurely look on his face quickly disappeared.
This guy was indeed a first-class Sect’s core disciple! He was so young yet still possessed such strength.
In less than a breath of time, the sword waves had arrived in front of Yang Kai and directly penetrated his body. Qi Jian Xing frowned. He had not thought things would go this smoothly. He did not want to kill Yang Kai outright because he wanted to force him to reveal the cultivation technique of his concealment art, so when he attacked just now he had still held back.
The next moment, Qi Jian Xing eyes flashed as his sword struck out and chopped towards his side.
Another sword wave appeared and seemed to pierce the void beside him.
Just as Yang Kai’s figure emerged, the other side’s second attack flew towards him, which forced him to use his movement skill again to dodge the blow.
“Good good good!” Qi Jian Xing’s face was filled with excitement as he applauded. After only two strikes, he no longer attacked, but instead greedily stared at Yang Kai, “Your movement skill is also fantastic, a Separation and Reunion Boundary Seventh Stage being able to move at such speed, I will be sure to accept it from you later as well.”
Yang Kai let out a deep breath, stood firm, and grinned, “Since you want my concealment art and movement skill, how about we make a trade?”
“What kind of trade?” Qi Jian Xing’s interest was piqued.
“I’ll give you what you want, and you teach me some of your Nine Star Sword School’s sword skills! How about it?”
“You want to learn the sword?” Qi Jian Xing looked curiously at Yang Kai, carefully scanning his body but he found no traces of a sword.
If he had no weapon, why did he want to learn sword skills?
“Yes, we both get what we want, and nobody needs to suffer.” Yang Kai nodded. Right now he had no sword on him, but inside his body was the Asura Sword. In terms of exquisite sword skills, the Nine Star Sword School’s arts could be described as the best. Even the powerful Eight Great Families could not deny this.
“You dream! How can the Nine Star Sword School’s swordsmanship be taught to outsiders?” Qi Jian Xing sneered, “Moreover, you are so much weaker than me. I can take your life easily, why should I trade with you!”
Yang Kai laughed viciously. The pride and malice soaked into his bones were stimulated as he spoke, “I’ll ask you again; do you think you’ve already beaten me?”
“Your movement skill really is superb, just wait until I waste you, then you can elaborate on it for me!” Qi Jian Xing coldy snorted and no longer sent out sword waves. He knew that they could not take Yang Kai down, so instead he flourished his sword and charged toward Yang Kai himself.
Sword Qi instantly burst forth, and Qi Jian Xing’s figure radiated streams of light like a rainbow as he dashed straight in front of Yang Kai. The sword in his hand slashed down towards him like a curtain to trap Yang Kai beneath it, creating an inescapable shroud of death tens of meters in radius around him.
A screeching sound came from all around, like someone from the void was snapping the strings of a zither. If one looked carefully they would see tiny Sword Qi blades criss-crossing mid-air, which completely enveloped Yang Kai.
Within this flickering storm, Yang Kai’s expression became even more dignified as he ferociously pushed his Yuan Qi. His whole body exuded a sweltering heat, and he released two ferocious palm strikes to create a burst of Yuan Qi.
The two’s Yuan Qi collided, and a loud bang rang out seemingly from every direction. In that instant, more than half of the hundreds of sword waves were annihilated.
Qi Jian Xing face went cold as he cried out, “Brat, don’t get overconfident!”
Raising his sword to gather the remaining Sword Qi in the surroundings, he condensed them into a single shimmering blade and slashed down towards Yang Kai.
Yang Kai’s eyes shrunk, and he pushed his palms forward and drew out a drop of Yang Liquid from his dantian. Then he transformed it into a blood-red shield to block the sword strike before him.
*Peng* A metallic ring burst forth as the Sword Qi struck the shield dead center. The blood-red shield rippled and cracked, however it did not shatter. It did, however, exhaust Qi Jian Xing’s strike and caused its remnants to disappear.
In a flash, Yang Kai lifted the blood-red shield in front of himself and charged towards Qi Jian Xing. The latter was obviously shocked but still quickly retreated, and was instantly pursued by Yang Kai. The two became engaged in close quarter combat. Each one displayed their own exquisite movement skills, and while their cultivation levels were drastically different, they were actually evenly matched in terms of speed.
The two figures became entangled, and each one fiercely stuck towards the other.
Qi Jian Xing was stunned. He had never imagined that a second-class Sect Separation and Reunion Boundary Seventh Stage disciple could unleash such immense combat strength, which allowed Yang Kai to fight with him.
Rapidly becoming annoyed, Qi Jian Xing attacked more and more ferociously. His sword sliced through the wind, slashing and stabbing with the speed of a snake striking from its hole, fully displaying his extraordinary swordsmanship. His moves were fluid, ever changing, wild, and unpredictable.
The surrounding trees were all chopped to pieces as the two darted in and amongst them, causing dirt and sand to fly everywhere. Their battle became more intense with every clash.
After only ten breaths of time, the two had already exchanged more than thirty blows, and neither one managed to land a decisive hit. But anyone who was watching could see that Qi Jian Xing occupied the absolute advantage. For every ten moves made, eight would be him attacking.
Along with a sneer, Qi Jian Xing focused his Sword Qi and stabbed it straight into Yang Kai’s shield.
The blood-red shield, which had been formed by a drop of Yang Liquid, was finally unable to withstand this high intensity attack.
Yang Kai’s face went stiff, and he anxiously jumped back to leave Qi Jian Xing’s attack range, but how could his opponent let him get away so easily?
As if the sword had its own spirituality, after shattering the shield, it immediately flashed towards Yang Kai’s arm.
*Shua shua shau* Yang Kai’s sleeve was ripped apart, and cloth pieces flew everywhere.
Yang Kai roared furiously, and his Yuan Qi erupted forth to resist this attack. He rapidly retreated and simultaneously sent out a heavy punch, his fist was seemingly engulfed in burning flames that distorted the air around it.
Aware of this fist’s terrible power, Qi Jian Xing’s eyes showed a trace of fear. He swiftly stabbed his sword into Yang Kai’s shoulder, piercing three inches into his flesh, and used the ensuing rebound from his strike to withdraw.
However, he was still a bit too late, and Yang Kai’s Burning Sun’s Three Layer Blast managed to impact his chest.
*Pedal pedal pedal…* Qi Jian Xing was forced back ten steps to dispel the momentum of this strike, while at the same time he circulated his True Qi to resolve the hot Yuan Qi which had invaded his body.
For a moment, Qi Jian Xing’s face went pale, which forced him to take a deep breath.
He had managed to completely resolve the Burning Sun’s Three Layer Blast and eventually came out unharmed.
In contrast, Yang Kai’s right sleeve had been cut to pieces by Qi Jian Xing’s sword. His exposing bare arm now had countless small bloody lines, which instantly dyed his arm red and gave it a hideous look.
While Qi Jian Xing was neutralizing the Burning Sun’s Three Layer Blast’s Qi, Yang Kai was also lightly panting and shaking his arm as he tried to burn clean the other side’s invading Sword Qi.
*Hahaha…* Qi Jian Xing eyes flashed a ferocious light, and viciously glared towards Yang Kai, “A mere Separation and Reunion Boundary Seventh Stage brat having such strength! You are truly impressive!”
Speaking casually, he pointed his sword towards Yang Kai, “You are, without a doubt, the most powerful Separation and Reunion Boundary cultivator I have ever seen. Your Yuan Qi’s purity is already no less than a common True Element cultivator, your martial talent even exceeds my own! However… we were simply born different. My Nine Star Sword School’s sword skills are supreme, how could a random nobody like you compete with them?”
His face full of arrogance and his voice filled with indifference, Qi Jian Xing calmly continued, “Just now, I had only used seventy percent of my strength. If I use my full force, can you still resist?”
Gripping his sword before his chest, Qi Jian Xing’s face became serious, and with his True Qi bursting forth, he cried out, “Sword Body!”
*Zheng* A loud and piercing sword cry rang out as the sword in his hands trembled.
A sharp sword aura broke out from Qi Jian Xing’s body. The aura then channeled through his True Qi, where it merged with his entire presence and instantly pushed his momentum to its peak, which created a fierce wind as countless tiny sword blades enveloped him.
Looking at him, it was as if ten thousand swords were guarding his body.
The Nine Star Sword School’s sword skills were really profound.
Yang Kai narrowed his eyes as his face became even more dignified.
Qi Jian Xing was obviously enraged that he had been struck by a punch just now, so he did not hesitate to cast this “Sword Body” martial skill. By shaping his True Qi, Qi Jian Xing had become like a hedgehog. If Yang Kai wanted to strike him now, he would have to bear a certain amount of self inflicted injury.
“Forcing me to use Sword Body, you should be proud of yourself!” Qi Jian Xing stared coldly at Yang Kai, his face was filled with arrogance and disdain like he was looking down upon all creation, while he casually talked, as he slowly came over, step by step.
Yang Kai did not dare hold back, and activated Unyielding Will.
His Separation and Reunion Seventh Stage cultivation instantly surged to Peak Separation and Reunion Boundary.
When he was just Separation and Reunion Boundary First Stage, Yang Kai was able to use Unyielding Will to temporarily reach Peak Separation and Reunion. Unfortunately, now that he had reached the Seventh Stage, it was still the same.
This showed just how massive the watershed between the Separation and Reunion and True Element Boundary was. Once a cultivator completely transformed their Yuan Qi into True Qi, the difference in their strength was like the difference between Heaven and Earth.
Aware of the surge in Yang Kai’s aura, Qi Jian Xing face went cold as he sneered in disdain, “Good, so you’ve been holding back as well, but even so, you are now only Peak Separation and Reunion Boundary, you are still not my opponent.”
“Whether or not I am your opponent, once we fight, you will know.” Yang Kai grinned deviously, and stretched his hand forward as a new blood red shield appeared.
Qi Jian Xing expression darkened. Just now he had suffered a small loss when he confronted this shield head on and was unable to break it with his attacks for quite some time. Now, he saw Yang Kai easily form another, so naturally he was annoyed and shouted in anger, “Watch me shatter your piece-of-trash shield and beat you down!”
Qi Jian Xing suddenly accelerated, stabbing forward rapidly with his sword. The True Qi he had condensed outside his arm erupted out in all directions before ferociously flew toward Yang Kai.
Yang Kai quickly tried to dodge, but these True Qi swords were different from the ones he had previously faced. They seemed to be able to respond to Qi Jian Xing’s will.
As Yang Kai desperately evaded three or four times, Qi Jian Xing’s eyes filled with ruthlessness and he grinned, launching an extremely powerful sword skill, which ferociously slashed his Sword Qi towards Yang Kai.
Yang Kai swiftly lifted his shield to guard himself, *boom*. His shield trembled violently, and was almost unable to maintain its shape, which caused Qi Jian Xing to laugh viciously. Strike after strike, Yang Kai was being suppressed and constantly needed to block the Sword Qi attacks from Qi Jian Xing’s sword while being harassed by the unpredictable True Qi swords which swirled around him, and forced him to retreat, as he complained bitterly inside.
During the battle, both of them were rapidly consuming their Yuan Qi.
Engaging in such a high-intensity life and death fight was a massive load for any cultivator. In this case, physical strength was secondary, while Yuan Qi consumption was the most critical issue.
A powerful cultivator who could efficiently use their Yuan Qi would be able to pay the smallest price to cause his opponent the greatest damage.
Such control was currently impossible for Yang Kai and Qi Jian Xing. Their strength and experience had not reached that kind of realm yet. Both of them were only trying to push their Yuan Qi to its maximum extent in order to maintain their own attacks and momentum.
After just half a stick of incense, Yang Kai was unable to launch any offensive strikes. He was now completely on the defensive, which caused Qi Jian Xing’s killing intent to rise to a peak. Laughing as he ridiculed and tormented him, his eyes now saw Yang Kai as meat on the chopping block only.
Losing strength, Yang Kai seemed like he would collapse at any moment. Suddenly, he staggered slightly, and this misstep nearly caused him to fall to the ground.
Seeing such an opening, how could Qi Jian Xing let it pass? Finally striking with his real sword, he slashed straight towards Yang Kai’s neck.
Yang Kai lifted his shield in a panic to block this strike, but Qi Jian Xing was already prepared, and his sword flickered in mid strike, abruptly changing its path as it swept towards Yang Kai’s shield and fiercely slammed into it, which caused it to experience immense strain.
As Qi Jian Xing sneered even more, Yang Kai’s eyes suddenly flashed a trace of calm.
At the moment, his shield, which was about to be sliced by Qi Jian Xing’s sword, suddenly emitted a burst of light, and quickly transformed into a blood-red dagger.
Qi Jian Xing’s face was stunned, as he watched this blood-red dagger slice into his sword.
*Shing*, his sword was instantly cut in two!
Back when he was just an Initial Element Stage cultivator, Yang Kai could already destroy a Common Grade defensive artifact with a weapon condensed out of his Yang Liquid, and now that his cultivation had reached the Separation and Reunion Boundary, his Yang Yuan Qi was significantly more pure and rich, so with Qi Jian Xing’s sword being a plain steel forged weapon, and not even a real artifact, how could it possibly not be cut apart?
Yang Kai had been waiting for this opportunity for a long time and rapidly slashed his dagger forward.
As a soft ringing noise sounded out, Qi Jian Xing’s sword was sliced into several pieces, and if he had not retreated quickly, even the hand he was using to grip his sword might have been cut off.
“You…” Qi Jian Xing eyes filled with disbelief as he stared in shock at Yang Kai. Before, he had only used his Sword Qi and True Qi to attack and never needed to engage Yang Kai in a head on collision. Therefore, until now, there was never any worry about his sword being damaged, but how could he have know this tough defensive shield could actually transform.
All of a sudden, his weapon had been destroyed!
A Nine Star Sword School disciple without his sword was bound to suffer a drop in combat strength.
“Now, it’s my turn!” Yang Kai took a deep breath, and his former look of weakness and embarrassment disappeared as his eyes filled with confidence and emitted a thick murderous aura, while he stared arrogantly at Qi Jian Xing.
The latter also suddenly woke up. All along his opponent had only been acting, including when he had let his previously condensed shield be shattered. Everything had been deliberate. Yang Kai put on a good show to reduce his own wariness and make sure his guard was down, all for this single chance to destroy his sword.
Such a bold strategy, such unwavering determination! This was the first time since their battle had begun that Qi Jian Xing truly admired Yang Kai, and not just for his martial skills.
But despite all this, Qi Jian Xing remained fearless, and while tossing away the hilt of his broken sword, he proudly said, “So what if you have destroyed my weapon? You are still not my opponent!”
Having lost his sword, Qi Jian Xing could still display sword skills with his finger sword. Any cultivator at the True Element Boundary could naturally do this, but the power they could bring out would still fall and perhaps not even reach ninety percent of their maximum potential.
[Even with ten percent less power, I can still easily crush waste like you!] Qi Jian Xing sneered to himself.
However just as he was preparing to attack, he saw Yang Kai laugh proudly as he thrust out both his palms.
[Beast Soul Skill!] After holding back for so long, Yang Kai was ecstatic that he could finally show his full strength.
[White Tiger Seal, Divine Ox Seal] Both Seals burst forth simultaneously.
Suddenly, the roar of a tiger shook the Heavens, and the bellow of an ox split the Earth. Qi Jian Xing’s expression became dark as he saw two vicious Monster Beast phantoms appear out of thin air and rush towards him.
These two Monster Beast phantoms were extremely lifelike, like flesh and blood living beings. Their red bodies radiated incomparable power and majesty while their scarlet eyes emitted an awe-inspiring murderous aura.
These two beast phantoms gave Qi Jian Xing a life threatening feeling. How could he possibly be negligent?
Holding two fingers together, he formed a temporary sword, pushed his True Qi to create a sword aura at his fingertips, and slashed out, “Flashing Thunder Sword!”
A dazzling sword wave flew from his fingertips and directly struck the middle of the Monster Beast’s body, which caused its radiance to fade slightly, but completely failed to stop its charge.
“Rising Wind Sword!”Qi Jian Xing quickly retreated as he used his finger sword to display numerous Nine Star Sword School sword skills, but nothing he tried could defeat the two Monster Beast phantoms.
Seeing the two beasts pounce towards him, Qi Jian Xing bent his legs and leapt up to dodge.
But just ten feet off the ground, a sharp murderous intent fell onto his head.
Shifting his gaze above him, he saw Yang Kai maliciously grinning while in the process of launching a punch towards him.
His only escape route was blocked.
In a panic, Qi Jian Xing grit his teeth and quickly sent out three sword waves.
Yang Kai quickly countered with three fists and shattered the three sword waves, but during this moment of delay, Qi Jian Xing managed to twist his body to avoid the blow to his vitals. Nevertheless, he still suffered a heavy palm strike to his shoulder.
Letting out a cry of pain. Qi Jian Xing fell back towards the ground. Facing this life and death crisis, the Nine Star Sword School disciple pushed his combat capabilities to their max. His finger sword rapidly slashed and hacked towards the two Monster Beast phantoms and almost managed to make them collapse completely.
The White Tiger and Divine Ox simultaneously attacked, but neither could hurt Qi Jian Xing, nor collapse his sword. Surrounding his body were countless tiny sword waves, which staunchly served as protection. Every time the White Tiger and Divine Ox struck, these sword waves would automatically deflect them away.
After a brief but violent exchange, the White Tiger and Divine Ox completely disappeared.
After all, these two phantoms were condensed from Yang Kai’s Yuan Qi. They only looked like Monster Beasts, and once the Yuan Qi they were composed of was exhausted, naturally they ceased to exist.
“Hey hey…” Qi Jian Xing laughed arrogantly as he looked towards Yang Kai. He must have consumed a massive amount of Yuan Qi to summon these two Monstrous Beasts phantoms, and ultimately they had failed to even hurt him. For Yang Kai, who was only Separation and Reunion Seventh Stage, he was certain it was impossible for him to execute this skill a second time. This ‘risk all’ strategy was obviously not good at preserving his Yuan Qi in order to keep fighting.
But as soon as he started laughing, a shocking scene took place. Yang Kai, looked at him with eyes filled with contempt, effortlessly summoned another White Tiger and Divine Ox phantom, and sent them rushing towards him, exactly the same as before.
“Impossible!” Qi Jian Xing exclaimed.
“I don’t even need to act anymore; just this move is enough to grind you down!” Yang Kai glared coldly at Qi Jian Xing.
Qi Jian Xing was forced into a defensive impasse, and his face rapidly became gloomy. He knew that what Yang Kai had just declared was not an exaggeration. These two Yuan Qi Monster Beast phantoms were extremely difficult to deal with. The Qi composing his finger sword was already cracking, and would certainly collapse soon, while his True Qi consumption itself was massive. His former disdain and arrogance had long since disappeared.
“However, I am different from you. I will never underestimate any of the opponents, so… I will be attacking too!” Finished speaking, Yang Kai launched a coordinated attack at Qi Jian Xing along with the Divine Ox and White Tiger. Seeing this, Qi Jian Xing did not sit still. He roared as his finger sword flashed through the air again.
The two youths no longer held anything back. Both of them pushed their strength to the limit. Any negligence or reservation would only lead to mortal danger, if not death.
The battle was extremely fierce and dangerous.
As the two Monster Beast phantoms collapsed again, Qi Jian Xing attacked Yang Kai with his finger sword, nearly skewering the latter through completely as blood spurted from the wound and quickly dyed his cloths crimson.
On the other hand, Qi Jian Xing was significantly more miserable. Facing three enemies by himself, his Sword Body skill had been completely exhausted, his True Qi almost completely consumed. His appearance and breath were both ragged, and one of his arms drooped by his side, the forearm section covered in blood as massive teeth marks showed where the White Tiger had ripped into his flesh.
His chest injuries were even more unsightly. Several of his ribs had been broken and collapsed. This injury was caused when the Divine Ox had rammed him, and its horns almost pierced out his back.
Standing more than a hundred feet (ten zhang) apart, Yang Kai’s eyes were filled with ruthlessness while Qi Jian Xing’s expression switched back and forth between rage and depression. Never had he dreamed that one day he would lose to a little Separation and Reunion brat, but now this reality was staring him in the face.
The shame and frustration nearly drove him mad!
Yang Kai did not immediately go for the kill because he knew that a True Element Boundary cultivator’s last desperate struggle before death would be incredibly fierce, so he decided to wait for Qi Jian Xing’s momentum to fade.
“Ha… hahaha…” Qi Jian Xing also seemed to be in no rush and suddenly sneering while taking a few deep breaths to calm his mood and gradually regained his calm, “I admit that you are really strong, stronger than an average True Element cultivator. But so what if you can beat me? I am an actual True Element cultivator, so it is impossible for you to kill me, if I want to leave, you cannot stop me!”
Letting out a scornful laugh, Qi Jian Xing feet kicked the ground, and directly leaped three hundred feet into the air, and his whole body trembled slightly. One arm hung loosely by his side while the other clutched his chest wound, but he still gloated condescendingly, “This is the biggest difference between True Element Boundary and Separation and Reunion Boundary! I can fly, and you cannot, so I can leave at any time I want!”
As he spoke, Qi Jian Xing vomited some blood and struggled to maintain his posture, staring toward Yang Kai filled with hatred, and loudly declared, “I will remember this shame you have delivered me today! The next time I see your face, I swear I will end your dog life!” You’d better pray that you can live that day!
Finished speaking, Qi Jian Xing paused and stared for awhile, as if trying to burn Yang Kai’s face deep into his eyes.
Standing below him, Yang Kai remained indifferent. His face showed total lack of concern for the situation.
After a short time, Qi Jian Xing turned and his figure began to stagger away through the sky, while his whole being was filled with rage and humiliation.
[This hatred, I will definitely repay!] Qi Jian Xing swore to himself.
However, after flying less than three hundred feet, a burst of heat came from behind him along with an ice cold voice, “Where are you trying to run?”
Qi Jian Xing’s face went white as sudden terror gripped his soul. He rapidly turned his face and saw that same High Heaven Pavilion disciple actually flying right up behind him.
And extending from his back…
There was a giant pair of radiant burning wings!
These wings flapped through the wind, like a Great Peng, proud and mighty.
“You…” Qi Jian Xing’s face filled with indescribable horror. He had never heard of a cultivator who could sprout such flaming wings from his body.
Before he could spit out a second word, Yang Kai was already upon him, and a palm strike landed on his abdomen. In the next instant a big hand gripped his neck as the pair fell from the sky like lightning.
Now just inches away from each other, all Qi Jian Xing could see was the murderous intent in Yang Kai’s eyes, frigid and devoid of any emotion.
*Shua…*
Like a meteor blazing across the sky, in the blink of an eye they had approached the ground.
Just as they reached ten feet above the earth, Yang Kai roared, mercilessly throwing Qi Jian Xing down as he abruptly pulled up.
*Peng…*
Dust flew up as Qi Jian Xing’s body slammed into the ground. The impact created a small pit and shattered many of his bones.
Like a broken sack, Qi Jian Xing bounced and rolled for a distance before he gradually come to a stop.
Struggling to open his eyes, he could somewhat make out Yang Kai’s pair of flaming wings as they slowly descended towards him.
Arriving in front of him and dismissing his Flaming Yang Wings, Yang Kai dropped to the ground lightly, walked up to Qi Jian Xing, and stared at him with indifference, just as Qi Jian Xing had done before.
The disgrace! Qi Jian Xing’s shameful last resort in front of Yang Kai had actually not played any role at all.
“Such a death, it is worthy of a True Element master!” Yang Kai ridiculed, lifted his foot, and stepped on Qi Jian Xing’s neck.
“Don’t kill me…” Qi Jian Xing barely managed to say as he coughed and struggled. Blood constantly spilled from the edge of his mouth, “Don’t you want to learn Nine Star Sword School’s sword skills? I can teach you what you want to learn … I can teach you everything … Inside the Nine Star Sword School, I am also a rising star. I have learned all of the school’s advanced sword skills … Keke…”
“No need, I don’t believe you.” Yang Kai remained indifferent.
The Nine Star Sword School’s sword skills were very tempting for Yang Kai, but he simply could not believe Qi Jian Xing would really teach him these. Considering this person’s personality and means, once he had restored his True Qi he would definitely seek revenge, so the only choice was to end his life.
Hearing this, Qi Jian Xing’s already sad face became even more depressed.
“Why are you trying to make my Nine Star Sword School your enemy? If you kill me… Keke… my First Senior Brother will know, and he will not forgive you. With his strength you will be unable to resist!”
Yang Kai stared down at him as his eyes became cold, “Wu Cheng Yi? Don’t worry about your great First Senior Brother. Even if he does not come looking for me, I will definitely go to find him.”
“You really want to be so ruthless…”
“It was you who wanted to be ruthless!” Yang Kai sneered, refusing to say any more nonsense. He pressed down hard with his foot and he pushed his Yuan Qi.
With a crisp snapping sound, Qi Jian Xing’s neck was broken. His head softly slumped to the side, his body now lifeless.
At the moment when Qi Jian Xing died, Wu Cheng Yi, who stood at least a few tens of miles away, suddenly stopped and gazed off towards the distance.
Like how the Ghost King Valley’s three disciples had a special method to determine each other’s position and whether they were alive or dead, the Nine Star Sword School disciples also had a similar technique.
What Wu Cheng Yi found difficult to understand was, how did Qi Jian Xing die?
Could he have met the Tian Lang Dynasty’s cultivators? If not, with his True Element Boundary Third Stage cultivation, there was simply no other explanation.
Wu Cheng Yi’s face showed a touch of sadness. He did not care about whether Qi Jian Xing lived or died, but Qi Jian Xing still had a priceless treasure on him. It was something he and his junior brothers had found in this isolated world and split amongst themselves.
According to Wu Cheng Yi’s memory, Qi Jian Xing had not refined his portion.
“Brother Wu, what’s wrong?” A Raging Fire Temple disciple asked when he saw Wu Cheng Yi’s unsettled expression. He looked around, unable to hide the nervousness in his voice, “Are the Tian Lang cultivators nearby?”
“Possibly!” Wu Cheng Yi nodded before whispering, “We should increase our pace and try to find a safe place to hide.”
Hearing him say so, everyone’s expression became a bit more solemn as they suddenly moved more swiftly and cautiously. These months, they had all suffered a great deal at the hands of these few Tian Lang Dynasty cultivators.
When Qi Jian Xing died, as expected, a new Blood Bead condensed. It’s final size was roughly the same as the one formed when the Ghost King Valley’s disciple had died.
The two of them were both young True Element cultivators, and the gap in their strength was obviously not great.
As Yang Kai began to steady his breath, he reached out and seized this Blood Bead before scavenging Qi Jian Xing’s remains. In just a few moments, Yang Kai had found a number of different sized Blood Beads. These were the spoils of Qi Jian Xing’s battles, which he had not yet found time to refine.
In addition, there were some silver coins and a single, dark green colored bottle.
This was his entire harvest.
Storing these items in his Universe Bag, Yang Kai quickly left the scene.
Half a day later, inside a remote mountain, Yang Kai sat cross-legged, swallowed a few healing pills, and replaced his blood stained clothes, doing his best to remove any trace smell of blood.
The mountain-side cave was something he had dug out himself, and now that he knew that the Tian Lang Dynasty’s cultivators were enslaving Monster Beasts to serve as combat potential, Yang Kai had to consider his future actions more carefully. Therefore, when he dug this cave to rest and recover, he also sealed the entrance to further conceal himself and avoid potential problems.
The intense fight with Qi Jian Xing had given him a number of injuries, none were life threatening, but they definitely were not light either. With his current cultivation and his greatly enhanced physical restoration ability, Yang Kai would only need a few days to fully heal, especially with the assistance of his healing pills.
Just three days later, the three bloody wounds on his body had healed significantly. Although they were not fully recovered, they would not cause any impediment to his actions. Over these past days, Yang Kai had been going over his battle with Qi Jian Xing; using his overconfidence against him, his own cautious and careful observations to find his opponents flaws, and constantly reflecting upon his actions and decisions.
He had gained a lot!
Opening his eyes, his body teemed with energy, full of fighting spirit that gave him a comfortable and confident feeling.
The Yang Liquid in his dantian needed a little replenishing, but with the few bottles of Yang attribute pills his Grand Master Ling Tai Xu’s had left in his Universe Bag, Yang Kai was not overly concerned about this.
Swallowing a full bottle of Yang pills, he managed to add more than a dozen drops of Yang Liquid to his reserve.
As his Yuan Qi became more pure, the amount of Yang Qi required to form a drop of Yang Liquid increased proportionally. This was a good thing.
After considering for a moment, Yang Kai upended the other bottle Yang attribute pills and caused the amount of Yang Liquid in his dantian to surge.
Searching through his Universe Bag, Yang Kai took out a green bottle.
This was something he had seized from Qi Jian Xing, but until now he didn’t know what was stored within it.
Opening the bottle, Yang Kai was instantly struck by a wave of heat. This heat gave him a comfortable feeling, which affected both his body and spirit.
He was aware that the energy contained within this bottle was extremely rich, and although it gave off a similar feel to his own Yang Yuan Qi, there were still some differences.
Looking inside, Yang Kai could only see a liquid the colour of crimson flames within the glass bottle.
There was also not much, only four or five drops at most.
Other than this bottle of liquid, Qi Jian Xing kept almost nothing else on him, as if this was an extremely valuable treasure, so obviously its value was not low.
But what exactly was this? Yang Kai carefully observed, smelled, and secretly had his suspicions, while his curiosity bothered him to death.
“Old Demon!” Yang Kai summoned.
“Yes, Old Servant is ready to serve.” Old Demon quickly began to flatter.
“Look at this liquid, do you know what it is?” Asked Yang Kai.
Old Demon coughed lightly a few times, apparently a bit embarrassed.
“Forget it…” Yang Kai instantly understood that Old Demon had no clue.
This old devil’s memory was fragmented, and sometimes he could provide vital information, but sometimes he was useless. Yang Kai had long since become accustomed to this.
If Old Demon really knew what this liquid was, he would certainly try to show off his knowledge to prove his worthy, so how could he have waited until Yang Kai asked?
Examining it for a long while, Yang Kai concluded that this liquid was likely non-toxic, which after his own observation, Old Demon also agreed with.
But in the end, Yang Kai still had some concerns, so he rushed out from his hidden cave, and after a lengthy search, he found a single fourth-order Monster Beast. He instantly struck its head, knocked it unconscious, and proceeded to haul it back to the cave.
On the way back, Yang Kai plucked a long strand of grass, and upon returning, he carefully dipped it into the bottle of liquid before feeding it to the Monster Beast.
Quietly, Yang Kai monitored its reaction.
After just a few breaths of time, the Monster Beast began letting out miserable and tragic howls, as if some terrible poison was causing it extreme pain, as it twitched violently while white foam vomited from its mouth, and its whole body emitting flashes of light.
Yang Kai face went stiff as he thanked the heavens for his abundant caution, or else he would not have even known how he had died.
However, while Yang Kai was thinking this, the energy fluctuations coming from the Fourth-Order Monster Beast suddenly surged, and it instantly broke free of its restraints and attacked Yang Kai. It’s might was as strong as a dragon and fierce as a tiger, transforming this once quiet cave into a raging battlefield with Yang Kai.
Judging by its current state, where were the slightest signs of poisoning?
After a long intense fight, the beast finally fell to Yang Kai’s wrath!
Once again examining its body, Yang Kai was completely confused.
When he brought it back, it was clearly a Fourth-Order Monster Beast, weak enough for him to easily stun it, but how was it that the strength it had just displayed was so much more powerful? It was more comparable to a Fifth-Order Monster Beast.
While he was pondering this, a Blood Bead quietly condensed.
As Yang Kai’s eyes landed on this Blood Bead, he became stunned for a long time. His face twitched violently, and he immediately spit out a hail of curses!
“Young Master, please calm yourself…” Old Demon quickly tried to comfort.
The reason why Yang Kai was so angry was obviously because his previous speculation about the identity of the liquid in the green bottle was right.
He was certain of it when he saw the Blood Bead which had condensed from this Monster Beast after its death!
This Blood Bead was the size of a small thumbnail. Though not as large as a Blood Bead condensed from a Fifth-Order Monster Beast, it was still much larger than one from a Fourth-Order Monster Beast.
Something which could allow a Fourth-order Monster Beast to enhance its strength to a Fifth-Order level in such a short amount of time was clearly a super rare treasure!
Combined with the knowledge he had heard more than half a year ago, and observing the form and colour of the liquid in the bottle, Yang Kai face filled with regret.
Brilliant Flame Liquid!
A Precious Treasure used specifically to refine one’s Yuan Qi, allowing it to increase in richness and purity, subsequently enhancing one’s overall strength and potential.
In this world, Precious Treasures which could refine one’s Yuan Qi were extremely rare, so each one was priceless. Things like the Nine Yin Yuan Condensing Dew were amongst the most high-end of these treasures.
And this Brilliant Flame Liquid was definitely in the same league.
When Yang Kai had heard the Reflecting Moon Sect’s Elder Zhou Wen speak about the Brilliant Flame Liquid back at the Nether Mountain Lake, Yang Kai had not been too tempted because he already had the Nine Yin Yuan Condensing Dew, but now that he had luckily acquired this Brilliant Flame Liquid, the situation was different.
The Nine Yin Yuan Condensing Dew would be used when Yang Kai tried to break through to the True Element Boundary.
Meanwhile, the Brilliant Flame Liquid could be used right now, and using both would obviously lead to an even better result.
Unfortunately, half a drop of such a priceless treasure had been fed to a Monstrous Beast, which greatly distressed Yang Kai, causing his stomach to flip and his lungs to burn. His whole body was filled with grief.
Yet, ultimately, what was done was done. Regret would gain him nothing. He should instead be thankful for the Nine Star Sword School’s good luck, so he calmed himself and sat down cross-legged.
Carefully extracting a drop of Brilliant Flame Liquid from the bottle and placing it in his mouth, Yang Kai quickly shut his eyes, sealed off his senses, and meditated!
Rapidly circulating his True Yang Secret Art, Yang Kai felt like his dantian had been set on fire, and the flames were gradually spreading; for someone who cultivated Yang or flame attribute Secret Arts, encountering such a feeling was extremely rare.
Just this alone showed how intense and scorching the hidden energy within the Brilliant Flame Liquid was.
The burning sensation was not very strong at first, but as time passed, Yang Kai felt like he was being roasted alive inside a blazing oven. Steam poured out of his skin, and his new set of clothes instantly became soaked in sweat.
This violent burning sensation began in his lower abdomen and remained there for a moment, but was soon pulled out by his circulating True Yang Secret Art, and spread out in all directions until it gradually enveloped every part of his body.
The pain was searing his meridians! Yang Kai tightly grit his teeth, not daring to relax in the slightest, and desperately pushed his Secret Art to operate faster.
This heat felt akin to flames that could burn the Heavens, as if molten magma, which could incinerate the earth, had been poured into his meridians, constantly smelting the Yuan Qi inside.
After several circulations, Yang Kai was shocked to find that his Yuan Qi, which he had previously felt had been purified and compressed to the limit, actually began to become even more so.
Stunned for a moment, he quickly regained his focus and began to operate his Secret Art to the limit.
A moment later, the Yuan Qi in his meridians had reached its limit and could be refined no further, so Yang Kai channeled the remaining energy of the Brilliant Flame Liquid into his dantian.
Within his dantian, there were nearly a hundred drops of Yang Liquid to be refined.
Time slowly passed, and a few days later, Yang Kai opened his eyes. A radiant light seemingly overflowed from within them, and he involuntarily let out a long breath. “Amazing!”
With a single drop of Brilliant Flame Liquid, his whole body’s Yuan Qi had been refined again and again, and the one hundred drops of Yang Liquid had been condensed down into a dozen drops. Each one contained a significantly richer and more powerful energy than before.
Not only had his Yuan Qi undergone such refinement, even his meridians and physique had experienced some enhancement.
His meridians expanded and became tougher, while his body became more solid, and every inch of his skin plus every cell in his body was rejuvenated from inside to out. It was like he was reborn.
His cultivation at the Separation and Reunion Boundary Seventh Stage had been largely consolidated and was not far from breaking through to Separation and Reunion Eighth Stage!
This is the effect of refining Yuan Qi, and it sometimes promoted breakthrough, so was not only a way to increase the energy of the body!
“Old Demon, do you think I can directly break through if I refine another drop of Brilliant Flame Liquid?” Yang Kai asked somewhat eagerly.
Although Old Demon was not very reliable sometimes, he still had a wealth of experience, “It is probably useless. Young Master being able to quench his Yuan Qi to this level is the greatest effect of this kind of Precious Treasure, this is not something which taking more leads to better results. If Young Master wants to further refine his Yuan Qi, the only option is to find a stronger and more precious treasure.
“I thought so.” Yang Kai sighed slightly, and carefully placed the green vial back into his Universe Bag.
[I wonder where the Nine Star Sword School disciples found this Brilliant Flame Liquid. Qi Jian Xing had a few drops on him, so as their leader, shouldn’t Wu Cheng Yi also have some? Wouldn’t he also have a larger amount?]
Thinking until here, Yang Kai grinned maliciously.
Wu Cheng Yi had sent Qi Jian Xing to kill him, so how could Yang Kai let this go? They already had a irresolvable grudge between them, and now knowing the other has such a priceless treasure on him, it would be strange for Yang Kai not to desire his death.
But Wu Cheng Yi was currently much stronger than him, and he was also the temporary leader of that group of young cultivators. If Yang Kai really wanted to directly confront him, he was bound to suffer. This matter had to be planned out carefully.
Settling his thoughts, Yang Kai decided it was time to leave.
For the next month, Yang Kai spent his time killing Monster Beasts in different places. During this time he did not encounter a single other person, but even so, the number of Monstrous Beasts around were very few. It seemed that things were really as Chen Xue Shu had explained that day. Tian Lang Dynasty cultivators had enslaved most of the various Monster Beasts.
After a whole month, Yang Kai’s harvest was meager at best. If he could not kill any Monster Beasts, then he naturally could not get any Blood Beads, but this was only a secondary problem.
The key was that the Monster Beasts he encountered were too weak, fourth-order Monster Beasts could not stand a single blow from the current Yang Kai. Even the strength of most fifth-order Monster Beasts was not a significant threat to him, so without experiencing a difficult fight, he was unable to stimulate his own potential in order to break through to the next minor realm.
Thus, all this time, Yang Kai had been eager to baptize himself in the blood of strong enemies!
Since he could not gain any opportunities this past month, Yang Kai inadvertently spent more time exploring other uses of his Beast Soul Skills.
The Beast Soul Skills he had received from the two Monster Beasts were not just a simple means of attack! However, Yang Kai was still just in the testing phases of this second application and had yet to perfect its use.
On this day, when Yang Kai killed three fourth-order Monster Beasts, in a certain place thirty kilometers away, hidden amongst the jungle, a young woman suddenly opened her eyes, and her expression showed a hint of viciousness and surprise.
The clothing and facial features of this woman were slightly different from those of the Great Han Dynasty. She was clearly one of the Tian Lang Dynasty cultivators.
She was by no means ugly, and could easily be described as a great beauty, but somehow she gave off a very strange feeling. It was as though her beauty was a simply a guise for a viper that could strike at any moment, piercing down with her venomous fangs and condemning one to death.
Anyone who laid eyes upon her would know instinctively that she was not to be underestimated.
She dressed quite seductively. Her pair of jade arms were fully exposed, and her upper body was wrapped in a tight fitting bandeau, which could barely contain her proud chest. When she raised her hands, her flat belly and delicate navel left little to the imagination, while her lower body’s covering was even more simple, a short skirt, which seemed to highlight her enchanting bottom, from which her two slender alluring legs extended.
Looking towards Yang Kai’s direction, a faint sneer appeared on her face as she slowly stood up. Her exquisite, petite body seemingly filled with an incomparably explosive force.
When she got up, the two people standing behind her quietly retreated a few steps and stared at this young Tian Lang Dynasty woman’s back. Their eyes were filled with fear and resentment.
These two were a young man and woman!
If Yang Kai were here, he would certainly be surprised because these two were actually the Ghost King Valley disciples Jin Hao and Leng Shan.
As the Ghost King Valley’s two elite disciples were staring at this young woman’s back, their True Qi involuntarily surged slightly, and their eyes flashed some murderous intent.
“Roar…” At that moment, the surrounding several tens of Monster Beasts suddenly bared their fangs towards Jin Hao and Leng Shan and snarled, clearly warning them not to act.
The young Tian Lang Dynasty woman slowly turned around, gazing at Jin Hao and Leng Shan with great meaning, causing both of them to tremble and quickly suppress their killing intent and True Qi.
“You’re not able to kill me!” This woman’s name was Zi Mo. Even after having stayed by her side for one or two months, this was the full extent of the personal information Jin Hao and Leng Shan knew about her.
Zi Mo ruthlessly sneered, “Such an offence will only happen once. If you dare to have such thoughts again, then don’t blame me for being ruthless!”
Jin Hao and Leng Shan’s eyes were filled with unwillingness, but they did not dare to act presumptuously. Jin Hao quickly bowed, “This servant and Junior Sister dare not. Please rest assured young lady Zi!”
Zi Mo glared at him before smirking, “You should be thankful you fell into my hands. If you had met with my two Senior Brothers or Senior Sister, you would probably be dead by now.”
Finished speaking, Zi Mo casually strolled forward, and her enchanting waist lightly swayed with grace, as if she were floating on air, and on her pink lips a seductive smile blossomed.
As Jin Hao quietly watched her, he unconsciously swallowed his saliva.
Zi Mo’s body was superb, and her style was extremely bold, completely different from the Great Han Dynasty’s women. Although he had been following her for quite some time now, every time he looked at her it gave him a never before felt stimulus, especially her flat belly and exquisite navel. The combination for some reason held an unspeakable attraction to him.
She had become a focus of his fantasies. If he could strip this gorgeous woman and mercilessly ravage and taste her exquisite body causing her to scream and beg for mercy, how wondrous would that be?
But Jin Hao could only dream about such things. In front of Zi Mo, he did not have the courage to show any of these thoughts.
This young woman from the Tian Lang Dynasty was simply a murderous snake! She was crueler and more bloodthirsty than any Ghost King Valley disciple he had ever known.
As Zi Mo walked up to Leng Shan, while still wearing the same mischievous smile, Leng Shan’s expression became cold, and a disgusted look spread across her face. Her body also began to tremble, but she somehow managed to hold her voice in.
Zi Mo giggled as she stretched out her hand, gently lifted Leng Shan’s delicate chin, and focused all her attention at her bright red lips.
In the next instant, she suddenly leaned in towards her and pressed her own lips softly onto Leng Shan’s mouth.
Jin Hao quickly sucked in a deep breath, and he awkwardly bent his butt out, trying to hide his lower body as his heart rapidly beating and his blood seemed to boil.
The sounds of passionate kissing became more and more intense while Leng Shan desperately tried to resist. However, this only intensified Zi Mo’s sadistic interest. Accompanied by a seductive laugh, Zi Mo pushed her other hand into Leng Shan’s clothes and wantonly groped her body.
At this point, Jin Hao’s eyes had turned red with envy.
Inside the Sect, Leng Shan’s position was lofty, enough so that he did not dare to act presumptuously in front of her, but these days he had watched her be fully tasted and defiled in front of him, and the one to do so had actually been another beautiful and exotic woman.
Jin Hao watch as a snake-like tongue explored the inside of his Junior Sister’s mouth as her proud chest was brazenly kneaded. Her well rounded hips and bottom were groped and squeezed by those jade-like hands. The whole scene exuded a raw and beguiling sensuality.
This scene had not happened just once or twice. Jin Hao had been forced to watch this act play out seven or eight times already, and every time caused his nether region to engorge and burn with desire.
Leng Shan’s futile resistance gradually gave way to obedience, and the two women eventually lost themselves in erotic pleasure. The sounds of gasping breaths and rapid heartbeats spread around them and provoked an atmosphere of excitement and revelry.
Jin Hao forced himself to turn his head, afraid that if he continued to watch he would not be able to hold himself back.
After what seemed like an eternity, Zi Mo finally released Leng Shan. A fine crystal line was drawn between the pair’s lips as they slowly parted.
Leng Shan’s breath was ragged as she trembled lightly. The tears slowly fell from her dyed red eyes and were gently wiped by Zi Mo as she lightly laughed, akin to a gentleman comforting his lover.
“Don’t you also want to have her like this?” Zi Mo suddenly turned around and looked at Jin Hao.
“Ah?” Jin Hao was stunned by her question, a look of confusion plastered on his face.
Zi Mo smiled playfully, “You like your Junior Sister, right?”
Jin Hao shifted his gaze to Leng Shan and eventually nodded his head.
“Then I can provide you such a chance!” Zi Mo looked at Jin Hao with great meaning. “But it is up to you if you can seize it!”
Jin Hao looked like he was struggling as his face contorted, but Zi Mo was not anxious as she quietly watched him and waited for his reply. She knew Jin Hao would not refuse her proposal because he was definitely not a gentleman.
Sure enough, after a moment of hesitation, Jin Hao suddenly kneeled on the ground and earnestly replied, “This servant is willing to sincerely submit himself, henceforth only obeying the orders of Young Miss, come hell or high water, until the end of his days!”
“Ha ha ha…” Zi Mo laughed proudly while lightly tossing her hair and nodded her approval, “Very good! A wise man will submit to his circumstances. I like wise men!”
“Senior Brother …” Leng Shan face sank as she looked nervously at Jin Hao.
Jin Hao simply scratched his face somewhat embarrassed, “Junior Sister, you and I only live now so long as Young Lady wishes us to, why bother struggling in vain? Young Lady has already showed us great benevolence, and is now willing to give us such an opportunity to be together, so submitting to her now is naturally our life’s opportunity!”
Leng Shan could only look at Jin Hao with disgust, and no longer cared about him as she slowly closed her eyes.
Watching this scene, Zi Mo simply chuckled, leaned her back against a great tree, and relaxed her lithe body. Her demeanour still exuding an amorous style, as she softly said, “I want you to help me capture an individual and bring them here! After you complete this task, you may have your way with your Junior Sister, whatever you wish to do with or to her, you may do!”
Hearing this, Leng Shan’s face went pale while Jin Hao’s filled with a look of excitement.
“If you are fast enough, and you complete this task efficiently, completely satisfying me…” Zi Mo paused as her red tongue seductively licked her lips, “Letting me accompany you once along with your Junior Sister is possible… after all, be they young women or young men, I thoroughly enjoy them all.”
Jin Hao could not help but swallow hard.
Not only being able to wantonly violate his Junior Sister… but also obtaining this Tian Lang Dynasty’s exotic woman as well …
One dragon ravaging two phoenixes, such an occurrence could only occur in a wondrous dream!
Jin Hao could not contain his excitement and loudly exclaimed, “Young Lady please direct this servant!”
Zi Mo’s look became cold, and she reached out and pointed towards the distance, “Thirty kilometers in that direction you will find your goal. Move quickly, if you are too slow you might not catch up.”
Jin Hao’s brow wrinkled, “If this servant may ask, how many people are there?”
“There should only be one!” Zi Mo replied confidently.
“Only one?” Jin Hao’s complexion became slightly worse, and he quickly commented, “Someone who could survive this long on their own, their strength is obviously not weak. Young Miss, I would like to bring my Junior Sister along just in case, please allow this!”
“Hmm…” Zi Mo smiled deviously, “I want your Junior Sister to stay with me, so she cannot accompany you, but… I can send a few Monster Beasts to help you, three fifth-order Monster Beasts should be enough, right?”
Jin Hao’s face suddenly went bitter, as he completely understood that this young woman did not trust him. Three fifth-order Monster Beast were enough to suppress him. Rather than them being sent to help him, they were obviously there to monitor his actions.
“Certainly enough!” Jin Hao did not dare to show any dissatisfaction and quickly agreed.
“Go on then, remember that your Junior Sister will be waiting back here for you, and if you’re swift enough about it… so will I.” Zi Mo winked at him.
“Yes!” Jin Hao’s bitterness was instantly blown away, and he jumped up and dashed along the direction Zi Mo had pointed.
Three fifth-order Monster Beasts were also quick to keep up.
Different fifth-order Monster Beasts had different levels of strength. As Jin Hao flew out, he glanced back to see which three beasts had been sent to accompany him. Upon checking their appearances his heart could not help but curse this little slut.
If it had only been three ordinary fifth-order Monster Beasts, Jin Hao could have handled them, but the three that were sent were all mid-level fifth-order Monster Beasts, and each one was comparable to a True Element Fifth or Sixth Stage cultivator. With such monitoring, how could he have any unscrupulous thoughts?
For the moment he could only focus on his task and completely devote himself to pleasing Zi Mo.
Jin Hao moved rapidly. The thought of indulging himself with Leng Shan and Zi Mo’s tender bodies pushed him forward, and he arrived at his destination in less than a stick of incense worth of time.
Concealing his breath, he looked around but did not find any traces of people. The only thing left here was some dust. However, this dust was clearly the remains of recently killed Monster Beasts.
The three Monster Beasts quickly came up and sniffed the remains before darting off in a new direction.
Jin Hao following closely behind.
After tracking this person for a half hour or so, the three fifth-order Monster Beasts suddenly stopped and growled towards a spot in the jungle while baring their fangs.
Jin Hao swiftly landed, stared at the jungle, and lightly called out, “Fellow brother, please come out and show yourself.”
Shortly after Jin Hao called out, a hidden figure emerged from within the dark jungle.
The other side so brazenly revealing themselves caused Jin Hao to tense up as he secretly circulated his True Qi. He felt the other side’s fearless actions proved that his previous conjecture had been correct; this person was likely a hidden master.
But when the figure’s appearance became clear, Jin Hao’s pupils suddenly shrunk as he stood there stunned, like he had just seen a ghost, his face showing an expression of total disbelief.
In fact, Yang Kai, who stood in front of him, also felt quite helpless.
The other side had confirmed his hiding place, so what meaning was there in continuing to conceal himself? Staying put would mean losing the initiative, so he decided it would be better to just honestly come out.
Sweeping his eyes over the surroundings, Yang Kai’s brow wrinkled, instantly gaining a lot of insight into his current predicament.
“It’s you!” Jin Hao shouted, “How did you, no, how could you …”
“Survive?” Yang Kai grinned.
“Exactly! How could you still be alive?” Jin Hao’s voice was filled with confusion.
More than half a year ago, the three Ghost King Valley disciples had tried to kill Yang Kai. Yu Cheng Kun, who was the fastest, had closely pursued him while Jin Hao and Leng Shan had followed slightly further behind, but just before the two of them arrived at the top of a high cliff, they felt Yu Cheng Kun die.
At that time, Jin Hao thought that Yang Kai had managed to drag Yu Cheng Kun off the cliff, killing both of them, but more than half year later, they had actually met again, and this time, this High Heaven Pavilion disciple was not only in perfect health, he had also increased his strength substantially compared to half a year ago.
“Then, why should I be dead?” Yang Kai sneered.
“Didn’t you fall off that cliff?” Jin Hao tried to think of an explanation.
“No, I fell down, but then I climbed back up again. By the way, your Junior Brother did not have such good luck, when he fell to the bottom of the cliff he became a splatter of meat and blood, dying without a burial place. It was all very tragic.” Yang Kai said dismissively.
His plan was to use these words to disturb Jin Hao’s focus, stimulate his anger, and force him into making a mistake, but Yang Kai had not expected that Jin Hao remained completely indifferent, just standing there sneering at him.
If this had happened half a year ago, Jin Hao probably would have been angered, but now, with his own life held within the palm of another’s hand and unable to guarantee his own survival, how would he have time to worry about others?
Aware of Jin Hao’s indifference, Yang Kai frowned as he examined the three ferocious fifth-order Monster Beasts behind him, suddenly speaking with utter disdain “So you’ve abandoned your Sect and joined up with those cultivators from the Tian Lang Dynasty.”
The three fifth-order Monster Beasts were not the same species, yet they were just sitting there together, not fighting amongst themselves. Instead, they directed all their hostility towards him, so the only explanation was that they had been enslaved by someone.
Jin Hao did not have this ability, only the disciples from the Tian Lang Dynasty could enslave these Monster Beasts.
“What do you know?” Jin Hao suddenly became furious, roaring at Yang Kai, “You know nothing! How dare you slander me, deciding on your own what is right and wrong! If you have so much energy to spare, why don’t you first take care of yourself!?”
Gesturing to the beasts behind him, Jin Hao ordered, “Kill him!”
Yang Kai’s expression was tense, vigilantly watching these three fifth-order Monster Beasts.
But the three beasts only continued snarling at Yang Kai, completely ignoring Jin Hao’s orders to attack him.
“Damn it, that little slut!” Jin Hao could not help but curse. Zi Mo had let these three Monster Beasts follow him, but since they refused to obey his commands, what use were they?
“Pfft… haha… hahaha…” Seeing this farce play out before him, Yang Kai burst out laughing.
Jin Hao complexion went from red to blue, like he had been roasted over a fire then frozen in ice, too embarrassed to even retort. Yang Kai’s ridicule coupled with this embarrassing situation had completely infuriated him. Gripping his fists so hard that they bled, he cursed at his still laughing opponent, “Go ahead, laugh all you want, when I’m finished with you, you’ll never be able to laugh again!”
Done talking, two ghastly white claws suddenly burst forth, giving off a biting chill, and shot towards Yang Kai as swiftly as the wind.
These ghost claws swept forward, creating a gloomy light and a frigid aura which envelope Yang Kai, seemingly eroding away his life force.
Yang Kai’s face became serious, rapidly pushing his Yuan Qi to resist this erosion while defending himself from Jin Hao’s attacks.
The gap in cultivation between them was quite large. Jin Hao had reached the True Element Boundary Fifth Stage, two minor realms higher than Qi Jian Xing’s; however, if one compared them, their individual combat strengths were nearly the same.
This was the result of having different origins; Qi Jian Xing was a rising star disciple of the Nine Star Sword School, a famous first-class Sect, while Jin Hao was only from the Ghost King Valley, a second-class Sect.
Thus, even while Yang Kai fell into a detrimental situation, he had no concerns that he could keep his life.
Over the past month, his strength had also grown significantly.
The only uncertain factors for Yang Kai were the three fifth-order Monster Beasts that waited to the side.
These three possessed extraordinary strength, if they were to really attack together, his only hope would be to escape.
But after fighting for such a long time, Yang Kai was surprised to find that the three Monster Beasts were content to simply spectate, showing no intention of intervening; this development significantly bolstered his courage, in the next instant he activated Unyielding Will, causing his cultivation to soar straight to peak Separation and Reunion.
Jin Hao was ruthless, every attack more ferocious than the last, seemingly venting all his pent up anger and frustration here while completely forgetting Zi Mo’s orders for him to capture Yang Kai. He only focused all his might on tearing this little brat to shreds.
Seizing the upper hand, after a half cup of tea’s time, Jin Hao had left more than a dozen scars on Yang Kai, and although these were not mortal wounds, he had drawn a lot of blood.
“Haha… little brat, today you won’t escape death!” In the middle of this fierce battle, Jin Hao did not forget to show off his dominance, sneering at Yang Kai while he taunting him endlessly.
Yang Kai grit his teeth, throwing out a heavy punch, causing Jin Hao to take a defensive stance while he retreated.
Seeing an opening, Yang Kai raised both his palms, thrusting them towards Jin Hao’s chest.
Two energy fluctuations that seemed to contain a breath of life suddenly appeared; aware of this strike’s unusual power and murderous aura, Jin Hao instantly became vigilant.
The sound of a tiger’s roar and an ox’s bellow rang out as Yang Kai activated his Beast Soul Skill.
Flowing from his palms, two crimson lifelike figures thundered out.
Jin Hao’s face immediately went pale as he rapidly fell back; facing these two Monster Beast phantoms, he no longer dared to underestimate his opponent, pushing his True Qi to its limit and releasing one deadly attack after another.
Yang Kai cursed under his breath, attacking together with the two beast phantoms.
Although he successfully displayed the Beast Soul Skill, it was not what Yang Kai had wanted. During the past month, he had been researching this Beast Soul Skill’s other usage and had hoped he could successfully apply it to defeat Jin Hao here, but the Heavens seemed unwilling to let him succeed, forcing him to give up for the time being.
Jin Hao was indeed a master at the True Element Fifth Stage; even fighting together with the two beast phantoms, Yang Kai still could not gain a decisive advantage, only managing to create a stalemate at best.
After a short time, the Yuan Qi which composed the two beast phantoms was exhausted and they faded away.
Taking this opportunity, Jin Hao quickly charged forward, grinning as he yelled, “Little brat, time for you to die!”
Yang Kai wore a serious expression, lifting his palms again.
Seeing this familiar action, Jin Hao despaired. He was extremely unwilling to face those two deadly yet phantasmal Monster Beasts again. Feeling pressured into a corner, he decided to play his trump card.
The sound of cries and howls rang out as a black gas erupted from Jin Hao’s palm, the distorted image of a face ferociously roaring from within it, filled with a mix of Demonic Qi and murderous hostility. This apparition composed of grudges and resentment flew towards Yang Kai.
This scene was like deja vu.
On the day when Yu Cheng Kun and Yang Kai had both fallen from the top of that cliff, he had seen him use such a move.
Seeing this attack come out, Yang Kai was completely unafraid! He had actually been looking forward to Jin Hao resorting to this technique; it had simply not appeared until now.
A sneer appearing on his face, Yang Kai suddenly stopped moving, his entire mood becoming calm, as if he was totally unaware a crisis was approaching.
Pushing his palms out, the two strands of energy that appeared combined into one.
No White Tiger, no Divine Ox, no beast roar, only a softly glowing light emerged.
With a single step, Jin Hao dodged this light, avoiding it with extreme ease.
However, in the next instant, this soft light drilled into the body of one of the fifth-order Monster Beasts behind him! However, the Monster Beast did not produce any movement as it did so.
Success! Yang Kai was extremely happy.
Jin Hao was furious, quickly snapping, “You little brat, playing tricks and trying to scare I, your father, Jin!?”
Having just suffered greatly in his fight against those two beast phantoms, Jin Hao’s heart still had some lingering fear, so when he saw Yang Kai assume the same posture he had used to summon them the first time, he had not hesitated to play his own trump card, but the other side had only conjured up some fluff with no trace of those two ferocious beasts in sight, how could he not be angered?
However, just as his voice faded, Jin Hao anger turned to shock as an excruciating pain suddenly burst out from inside his head causing his expression to go pale as he writhed in agony. The circulation of his True Qi became turbulent as a look of horror spread across his face, quickly staring at Yang Kai in shock, “You… you were hit with my Ghost King Seal, how come nothing happened?”
At that moment, Jin Hao clearly felt that his Ghost King Seal had disappeared.
Like how that day Yu Cheng Kun had suffered great pain with his Ghost King Seal being devoured, Jin Hao was also currently experiencing this backlash.
“Hahaha, looks like it’s you who’s going to die!” Yang Kai grinned deviously.
“How are you able to destroy my Ghost King Seal?” Jin Hao’s face was filled with confusion and horror. How could he have guessed that, inside Yang Kai’s body right now, Old Demon was celebrating while feasting on his technique.
A Ghost King Seal was formed from a remnant devil soul fragment, it was cultivated by a Ghost King Valley disciple feeding it their own True Qi and Blood Essence, creating a symbiotic bond between the two, but to Old Demon it was just a delicious snack.
“Go ask your Junior Brother when you see him in the yellow river. He also experienced this before he died.” Done talking, Yang Kai summoned a drop of Yang Liquid into his hand and shaped it into a blood red sword.
Jin Hao’s hands had been tempered with Ghost King Valley’s unique secret art, resulting in his white ghostly claws being as hard as iron, not inferior to a Common Grade Low-Rank artifact in strength or sharpness. Thus in order to deal with him, a weapon formed from his Yang Liquid was the best choice.
Although Jin Hao still had the strength to fight back, with the inexplicable disappearance of his Ghost King Seal, his mental state had become unstable, and he no longer had the confidence to confront Yang Kai again, immediately deciding to retreat temporarily.
But before he could take more than three steps back, a sharp murderous intent emerged behind him, sending a shiver down his spine. Unable to respond in time, he was suddenly struck by the scent of blood as a burst of pain came from his neck.
Falling to the ground, Jin Hao struggled desperately to resist as his eyes caught sight of one of his “allied” Monster Beasts that had accompanied him biting into him. His heart instantly freezing over, Jin Hao roared towards the Heavens, “Zi Mo, you treacherous bitch!”
In that instant, he was convinced that Zi Mo had decided to kill him.
Facing this life and death crisis, Jin Hao suddenly pushed his strength to the limit, finally managing to free himself from the fifth-order Monster Beast’s fangs, and awkwardly stumbled to his feet, blood pouring out of the gash which had been left on his neck.
Barely managing to regain his footing, he was instantly assaulted by Yang Kai’s sword.
As the blood red sword chopped down, Jin Hao quickly raised his hand to block, his ghost claw displaying its incredible resilience. Even after taking a direct hit, it had only suffered a deep cut rather than being severed from his arm.
At the same time, that fifth-order Monster Beast had also rushed in, attacking together with Yang Kai against the battered Jin Hao. With his soul damaged and having suffered a heavy blow just now, Jin Hao could at most use thirty percent of his strength, so how could he possibly pose as Yang Kai’s opponent?
After only thirty breaths of time, Yang Kai had managed to cut off Jin Hao’s ghost claws. Having lost his all-important hands, Jin Hao no longer had the ability to resist. Fleeing in panic, but lacking the strength to even fly, he was soon cut down by Yang Kai and the fifth-order Monster Beast.
When Jin Hao died, the other two Monster Beasts which had been observing until now seemed to receive some instructions, quickly escaping together.
Yang Kai had been wary of their movements since before the fight began; knowing that they had been enslaved by the Tian Lang Dynasty cultivators, he fully intended to behead them, but they had escaped too swiftly and he was unable to keep up, so he reluctantly let them go.
Gently breathing a sigh of relief, Yang Kai looked over to the fifth-order Monster Beast beside him, his wrinkled brow gradually relaxing, his eyes slowly revealing a touch of satisfaction.
This battle had been significantly easier than the one he had against that Nine Star Sword School disciple.
Old Demon’s existence and this fifth-order Monster Beast’s defection were the keys to him so smoothly dealing with Jin Hao.
Up until he died, Jin Hao still did not understand why the Monster Beast, which had accompanied him, suddenly turned on him.
The root of everything was the Beast Soul Skill.
This particular usage was something which Yang Kai had unintentionally discovered. A few days ago, when he had encountered a fifth-order Monster Beast, Yang Kai had tried to display his Beast Soul Skill to summon the two beast phantoms to assist him, but for some inexplicable reason, the two beast souls merged together, turning into a glowing light which penetrated into the fifth-order Monster Beast’s body.
Immediately after, this fifth-order Monster Beast actually began to obey Yang Kai’s orders!
This inadvertent discovery made Yang Kai ecstatic, causing him to spend some time exploring just how and why this mysterious effect had come about, but his efforts had proven mostly fruitless. Unable to summon the same phenomenon again, he became quite frustrated.
The main problem was that the number of Monster Beasts he encountered had become smaller and smaller, leaving him with virtually no test subjects.
The one thing he had accomplished was naming this skill.
He called this new martial skill, which was formed by merging the White Tiger Seal and the Divine Ox Seal together, the Beast Slave Seal!
Now, he could either summon the two beast phantoms to assist him, or combine the two together to form this new martial skill.
While fighting Jin Hao, the Beast Slave Seal played a huge role. If not for the fifth-order Monster Beast’s surprise attack at the end of the battle, with Jin Hao’s means and strength, he most likely would have escaped.
This skill was amazing, absolutely more powerful when compared to the White Tiger Seal and the Divine Ox Seal’s power. When he summoned the two beast phantoms, although their attack strength was extraordinary, their overall combat effectiveness was somewhat lacking. Each of the two phantom’s combat abilities were slightly less than this single fifth-order Monster Beast in front of him; they could only achieve victory against it because of superior numbers.
Thirty kilometers away, the meditating Zi Mo suddenly opened her eyes, a flash of surprise appearing on her face, while her expression became somewhat confused.
Leng Shan, who was standing behind her, also had a startled look on her face, staring off towards Yang Kai’s direction in a trance. A trace of grief and pleasure appeared in her eyes, a complex mix of sympathy and gloating.
Although Jin Hao was her Senior Brother in their Sect, when he accepted Zi Mo’s request, it had caused Leng Shan to detest him, and she prayed he would fail and die out there rather than returning and defiling her body, sparing her from that nightmare. But now that her wish had been granted, she was left alone at the mercy of this moody Tian Lang Dynasty woman, her future filled with uncertainty.
When Jin Hao died, both of these women had sensed it through different methods.
“Your Senior Brother… is dead.” Zi Mo slowly stood up, lightly glancing at Leng Shan.
“Hmph, it’s good that he died!” Leng Shan sneered.
“Hehe, true, such a useless man, I couldn’t be more disappointed.” Zi Mo grinned dismissively, her brow frowning shortly after as she pondered, “But this person certainly has some means, managing to kill him in such a short period of time, he is definitely not some small fry…”
As Zi Mo talked, her eyes lit up, as if she had just received a new toy. Her pretty face showed a look of excitement, even her breath became slightly more rapid.
With a light step, Zi Mo began moving in Yang Kai’s direction, the dozens of Monster Beasts lying on the ground around her standing up and rapidly chasing after her.
Leng Shan glanced around for a moment, and then silently followed as well.
She knew that it was impossible for her to escape. Even if she could somehow ignore the multitude of Monster Beasts surrounding her, that thing that Zi Mo had planted in her body was enough to decide whether she lived or died.
Yang Kai put away the Blood Bead which condensed after Jin Hao died and then turned to look at the fifth-order Monster Beast by his side.
This thing was a Malevolent Golden Shadow Leopard, a majestic beast with a slim stature and smooth body lines. Its every muscle hid an explosive power, each limb adorned by claws sharp enough to rip apart three inches of steel.
Yang Kai could feel that this fifth-order Monster Beast was much more powerful than the few he had killed up till now; it was probably a mid-stage fifth-order beast.
Equivalent to a fifth or sixth stage True Element Boundary cultivator.
Having said that, in a real fight, it would not be a match for a True Element Boundary fifth or sixth Stage cultivator, someone at the True Element Boundary second or third Stage would be enough to kill it.
What was slightly puzzling to Yang Kai was not its strength though, but rather its current state.
He always had a feeling that it was not completely under his control.
This feeling was very disconcerting and should be impossible under the effects of the Beast Slave Seal. However, at the moment, this Malevolent Golden Shadow Leopard was restless, constantly shaking its head and tail, growling again and again.
Something was wrong!
Pondering for a moment, Yang Kai began to speculate that the method used by the Tian Lang Dynasty cultivators to enslave these Monster Beasts was somehow in conflict with his own Beast Slave Seal.
Walking up to it, while trying to sooth the Golden Shadow Leopard, Yang Kai placed his hand on its forehead, injecting his Yuan Qi into its body, examining it for any abnormalities.
After his Yuan Qi had circulated five or six times, Yang Kai finally found discovered something out of place.
Inside the skull of the Malevolent Golden Shadow Leopard was something that exuded a different life essence.
Yang Kai’s face became solemn as he stared at the Malevolent Golden Shadow Leopard, feeling it become more and more uncomfortable, now completely aware that this other life form and his Beast Slave Seal were fighting for control.
When two tigers fought, both would receive injuries, and no matter which of them won, the one that would ultimately be hurt was Malevolent Golden Shadow Leopard.
Frowning, Yang Kai increased the output of his Yuan Qi while carefully controlling the path it traveled, because the foreign life form was adjacent to the Malevolent Golden Shadow Leopard’s Beast Core; once its Beast Core was damaged, it would certainly die.
Only after the Malevolent Golden Shadow Leopard had adapted to his Yuan Qi, did Yang Kai dare to further raise the amount he injected.
After repeating this process three or four times, the thing inside of the leopard’s head was finally unable to bear it any longer and rapidly burst out, desperate to escape. Aware of this, Yang Kai focused his efforts on capturing it so he could figure out what method the Tian Lang Dynasty cultivators were using to enslave these Monster Beasts.
After about ten breaths of time, a roughly three centimeter insect emerged from the Malevolent Golden Shadow Leopard’s forehead.
Yang Kai reacted quickly, reaching out and grasping it in his hand.
Hastily examining it, he saw that this insect somewhat resembled a cross between a centipede and a leech, but before he could grasp anything more, the insect burrowed into his body along his finger.
Yang Kai’s face sank, quickly running his Yuan Qi.
Instantly, the insect was wrapped in his True Yang Yuan Qi and imprisoned in his meridians.
Wrinkling his brow, Yang Kai paused instead of ruthlessly killing it. He could feel that this insect was very afraid of his True Yang Yuan Qi; after all, if it wasn’t, it would not have fled Malevolent Golden Shadow Leopard earlier when he had injected his Yuan Qi into it.
Since his True Yang Yuan Qi could restrain it, naturally he had nothing to worry about.
Recalling his time on Hidden Island, the Heaven Devouring Insect had also burrowed into his body, but it had been overwhelmingly stronger than the insect which he was now facing.
Carefully checking it, Yang Kai could feel the insect in his meridians shivering, not daring to act frivolously, even more terrified than a mouse that had seen a cat.
There was also some kind of inexplicable energy emanating from this insect. It was very faint, and had he not been carefully examining it, he simply would not have found it.
“Old Demon, look at this bug. Something is odd about it!” Yang Kai frowned.
Old Demon quickly jumped into the Soul Breaker Awl and proceeded to the place Yang Kai had imprisoned this insect, spending a long time examining it before concluding, “Young Master, this insect has a thread of Divine Sense linking it to one of the Tian Lang Dynasty cultivators.”
“A thread of Divine Sense?” Yang Kai furrowed his brow, “Aren’t they all only at the True Element Boundary? None of them should have cultivated their Divine Sense yet, so how did they accomplish this?”
Old Demon chuckled, “Young Master, have you forgotten? You have a ray of Divine Sense imprinted on this old servant, but you are the same as them, unable to cultivate your Divine Sense yet.”
Yang Kai was suddenly enlightened, “What you mean is, someone helped them?”
Old Demon said, “Yes, Old Servant suspects that their master back in their Sect helped them inject a thread of Divine Sense into the souls of these insects so they can control them at will.”
“They control these insects, while these insects burrow into the Monster Beasts, allowing them to enslave them!” Yang Kai’s eyes shone as all the confusion weighing on his mind suddenly lifted.
Some days ago, Chen Xue Shu had told Yang Kai that each Tian Lang Dynasty cultivator had enslaved hundreds of Monster Beasts. Since then, he had always wondered how these few could possibly control so many Monster Beasts.
But now everything was clear; they were not controlling the Monster Beasts, instead they controlled these strange insects, and these insects could then direct the actions of the Monster Beasts.
Thinking till here, Yang Kai hurriedly came to the spot where Jin Hao had died, sifted through the dust, and sure enough, as he suspected, buried inside the remains was another nearly identical insect!
Grabbing it with his hand and allowing it to burrow into his body, Yang Kai ordered Old Demon to examine it, confirming shortly after that this insect also had a thread of Divine Sense embedded in it.
“Turns out that Jin Hao wasn’t working with the Tian Lang Dynasty’s cultivators …” Yang Kai muttered.
He was probably forced to collude with the Tian Lang Dynasty’s cultivators because of this insect inside his body.
This also explained why the three Monster Beasts who came with him did not obey his orders, they probably felt that Jin Hao’s position was equal to their own; it was a bit sad, but that was likely the case.
[Zi Mo …]
[That was the name Jin Hao cried out. Was the Tian Lang Dynasty cultivator controlling him called Zi Mo?]
As Yang Kai contemplated, a devious idea came to mind as a vicious smile emerged on his face, quickly asking, “Old Demon, if I incinerate these insects with my True Yang Yuan Qi, will it hurt that Tian Lang Dynasty cultivator?”
“Certainly! Although you would only be destroying two threads of Divine Sense attached to these insects, if she is caught off guard, she will definitely suffer.”
“Heh heh!” Yang Kai could not help letting out a laugh as he instantly thought up several different plots he could use to take advantage of this.
However, Old Demon suddenly interrupted, “Young Master, Old Servant has an interesting proposal, heh heh heh…”
“Oh? Let’s hear it then.” Yang Kai knew from Old Demon’s cackling that this idea of his was certainly even more devious than his own.
Zi Mo led her Monster Beast Army to the spot where Jin Hao died and quickly began sifting through the pile of dust. However, even after spending a long time searching, she was unable to find her Soul Controlling Insect and her expression became colder by the second.
Each Soul Controlling Insect the Tian Lang Dynasty cultivators had was extremely precious, not because the insect itself was valuable, but because each one had a thread of Divine Sense attached to it.
This was a serious matter. Once any of the insects fell into the hands of an enemy who destroyed them, it was bound to damage the Soul connected to the Divine Sense. If that happened in the middle of a fierce battle, it would no doubt lead to a crushing defeat, and even keeping their life was questionable.
So whenever one of her controlled Monster Beasts died, Zi Mo would rush to the position it had fallen and recover her Soul Controlling Insect.
But this time, she couldn’t find it.
Aware of the changes in Zi Mo’s expression, Leng Shan behind her couldn’t help sneering again and again, a look of happiness spreading across her face.
Zi Mo pouted a moment before closing her eyes and carefully scanning the surroundings.
Although she had not cultivated her Soul yet, and could not search a large area, the thread of Divine Sense was, after all, her own, so within a certain range she could still perceive it.
After a little exploration, a surprised look surfaced on Zi Mo’s glamorous face. Quickly turning and staring at a specific spot in the jungle, her beautiful, clear eyes radiated a mocking light.
Several tens of Monster Beasts quickly spread out and began encircling the location Zi Mo was gazing towards.
Leng Shan became stunned, instantly understanding from Zi Mo’s actions and demeanour that the situation she was hoping for was not going to pass.
She hated Zi Mo, hated that she had promised her purity to Jin Hao, and even more so that she had wantonly defiled her body before. So, now that Leng Shan thought that Zi Mo was doomed to suffer a big loss this time, she couldn’t help feeling some joy, secretly waiting to watch this good show, but she had not expected the situation to develop in its current direction.
Had the master who killed Jin Hao stuck around? Wasn’t that like throwing himself into a trap?
*Rustle* A burst of noise came from the jungle as the leaves shook, and then Leng Shan’s eyes caught sight of a figure dashing out.
Zi Mo lightly gestured with her hand and several Monster Beasts instantly raced towards the escaping figure.
Giggling as she smiled viciously, she shouted, “Don’t try to run, you can’t escape. With my Soul Controlling Insect inside your body, even if you fled to the ends of the Earth, you would still have to come back to me and become my slave unless you want to learn the meaning of suffering!”
“Shit! I knew that insect was strange!” From the jungle, a furious bout of cursing rang out. The more the cursing sounded, the prouder the look on Zi Mo’s face became, almost collapsing to the ground in laughter.
Behind her, Leng Shan secretly sighed as the small hope she held in her heart instantly burst.
In the end, the man who killed Jin Hao was now also under the control of the Soul Controlling Insect! Was he some kind of moron or idiot?
The person hiding in the jungle really stopped trying to escape, and was swiftly surrounded by the pack of Monstrous Beasts, quickly becoming a prisoner. Only a moment later, they forced him to walk out and present himself to Zi Mo.
When she saw the face of this person, Leng Shan couldn’t help herself from trembling as her eyes flashed a look of shock.
Jin Hao had recognized Yang Kai, so how could Leng Shan not? But it was because she recognized him that Leng Shan was so shocked. As she stared at Yang Kai, her thoughts quickly swirled, weighing her options.
Yang Kai’s face showed a look of reluctance and helplessness as he walked over.
Eventually standing about one hundred meters from Zi Mo and Leng Shan, he cracked a wry grin and asked, “Girl, what is this damned insect?”
“It is my Tian Lang Dynasty’s uniquely bred Soul Controlling Insect. As long as it remains inside of you, you are my slave.” Zi Mo explained patiently as she looked over Yang Kai, her pretty face filling with surprise when she discovered that he was just a teenager, and wondered how the person who had so easily killed Jin Hao could be so young.
“*Haa* Damn it, I should never have bothered searching Jin Hao’s remains!” Yang Kai sighed deeply as a look of pain and grief filled his face, immediately grinning, “Girl, now that I am your servant, how do you want me to serve you, should I help you warm your bed at night?”
Zi Mo smiled seductively, he face filled with infinite charm, “You can try, but I doubt you’ll be able to satisfy me.”
The other side being so unrestrained caused Yang Kai to roll his eyes. As she watched this, Zi Mo obviously took some pleasure in his distress, her smile suddenly becoming even brighter.
“If I tell you some useful information, can you let me go?” Leng Shan suddenly interjected, her pair of dazzling eyes staring at Yang Kai as she spoke.
“Useful information?” Zi Mo’s interest was piqued.
“It’s about him.” Leng Shan’s face remained expressionless as she pointed to Yang Kai.
Yang Kai, who had seemed relaxed up till now, suddenly became stiff, secretly pushing his Yuan Qi. Although he did not know what this Ghost King Valley female disciple would say, he was certain it would not be something beneficial to him.
Surrounded by Monstrous Beasts, if it became necessary for him to escape, he could only rely on his Flaming Yang Wings.
“Promise me, first.” Leng Shan continued to bargain.
“I cannot free you.” Zi Mo slowly shook her head while Leng Shan’s expression remained unchanged, quietly waiting for her to continue. After all, she did not really expect to gain her freedom here.
“However, I can treat you better, at least no longer taking advantage of you.”
“Remember what you just promised, or even if I have to die with you, I won’t suffer such humiliation again!” Having achieved her purpose, Leng Shan pointed again at Yang Kai, “This person’s secret art, is a Pure Yang technique!”
Leng Shan had once fought with Yang Kai before, so naturally she knew his Yuan Qi’s property, and this property was precisely those Soul Controlling Insects’ nemesis! So when Leng Shan first recognized Yang Kai, she was certain that he was not under the influence of those insects, instead he was pretending he was in order to achieve some kind of scheme.
Leng Shan felt that with his current strength, Yang Kai wouldn’t be able to kill Zi Mo, especially considering he was surrounded by dozens of Monstrous Beast; the instant he decided to attack, he would die. If he died, then nothing would change, but if she revealed this plot before then, she would have an opportunity to gain some benefits for herself, so after a moment of hesitation, Leng Shan decided to tell Zi Mo about it.
What happened next was not her concern, she only cared about improving her own situation.
Zi Mo’s smile instantly went stiff, quickly turning around and coldly staring at Yang Kai, her eyes filling with murderous intent.
The instant she turned her head, Yang Kai decisively forced the Soul Controlling Insect out of his body, pinching it in his hands as he grinned, “I know this insect has a thread of your Divine Sense attached to it, so if you don’t want to suffer, you better be obedient! Otherwise, I’ll immediately reduce it to ash!”
Zi Mo expression sank, her beautiful face becoming pale.
Yang Kai sneered repeatedly, his demeanour now unbelievably calm.
Leng Shan remained expressionless, indifferent to the whole situation.
After a moment, Zi Mo suddenly grinned, “You should have burned it while I was still unprepared so you could deal the most damage possible, maybe if you had you could have escaped, but instead you made a big mistake and tried to blackmail me.”
“Oh? Please do explain.” Yang Kai raised his brow before resuming his calm expression.
Zi Mo replied coldly, “You seem to know a thread of my Divine Sense is attached to those insects, but did you know that I can take that thread back?”
As she spoke, Zi Mo’s thoughts flashed, instantly retrieving that thread of Divine Sense attached to the Soul Controlling Insect back to herself.
However, Yang Kai not only did not appear scared, and instead began laughing, his voice getting bigger and bigger, eventually roaring out like thunder.
Listening to his rampant and unscrupulous laughter, Zi Mo felt something was very wrong. This little brat was too calm, or maybe he had already gone crazy, but given his arrogant and disdainful expression, he clearly showed no signs of madness.
If it were someone else, Zi Mo would still be interested in forcing them to serve her. Unfortunately, since this kid’s secret art cultivated Yang Yuan Qi, there was not even a one in ten thousand chance for her to control him, so Zi Mo’s face filled with murderous intent as she raised her hand, intending to order her Monstrous Beasts to slaughter him. At that moment Yang Kai stopped laughing, coldly staring at Zi Mo, he sneered, “You want to kill me?”
“Aah!” Zi Mo suddenly screamed and grabbed her head while her lithe body violently trembled.
This sudden change startled Leng Shan as she completely froze, a look of shock spreading across her face as she watched Zi Mo writhe in agony, eventually turning her attention to Yang Kai only to see him still as calm and indifferent as before; the entire scene gave her a feeling like she was dreaming.
[What happened? Between the two of them, just now, what the hell happened!?]
Leng Shan did not see the two of them fight in any way. Instead, he just laughed and Zi Mo suddenly collapsed in pain.
*AHHHHH!* Zi Mo’s dramatic change caused a response among her Monstrous Beasts, some of them even baring their fangs as they growled towards Yang Kai, approaching him step by step.
“Order your Monster Beasts to fall back, or I’ll crush your Soul and turn you into an idiot!” Yang Kai threatened.
Under a pain which felt like her Soul was being ripped apart, Zi Mo did not hesitate to order her beasts to retreat.
All of her Monstrous Beasts glanced at Zi Mo and retracted their hostility before they scattered, spreading out a thousand meters before creating a perimeter.
“Wise choice!” Yang Kai sneered as he stepped forward, grabbing Zi Mo’s hair and lifting her up.
Such a violent cruel attitude sent a chill down Leng Shan back as she involuntarily took a few steps back.
“Stay right there, I’ll deal with you once I’m done with her!” Yang Kai glared coldly at her, causing Leng Shan to immediately stop moving, petrified in fear of him.
A little more than half a year ago, when she and her Senior Brothers had surrounded this High Heaven Pavilion disciple, he was only a weakling at the Separation and Reunion Boundary Third Stage. At the time, he could only panic and flee like a beaten dog.
But now that they had met again, after such a short time, he could effortlessly beat and capture this snake woman Zi Mo from the Tian Lang Dynasty!
Leng Shan knew full well how arrogant and prideful Zi Mo was. With her Soul Controlling Insects, she could enslave numerous Monster Beasts and cultivators. Inside this isolated world, her combat strength was beyond extreme, so how could such a person, within less than half a cup of tea’s time, now be at the completely mercy of this little brat Yang Kai?
Thinking about how she had just tried to sell out this monster in exchange for some minor benefits, Leng Shan almost collapsed in terror.
The situation had changed far too quickly.
Zi Mo’s screams gradually came to a stop; covered in fragrant sweat, her completely soaked clothes clung to her body, fully exposing her exquisite figure in front of Yang Kai.
Slowly turning her head towards Yang Kai, a stubbornness and displeasure filled her face as she glared at him, an undisguised hatred and killing intent radiating from her eyes.
“It looks like… you still don’t understand who your master is now!” Yang Kai slapped her across the face and threw her back onto the ground.
The sound of Zi Mo’s screams burst out again, and this time, it was even more miserable. Wailing in pain, Zi Mo kept rolling on the ground, as if she was experiencing the world’s most unbearable torture, the sound of her cries filling Leng Shan ears caused her to shiver unconsciously.
“No… No more… please… I beg you… stop…” Zi Mo somehow struggled to drag herself in front of Yang Kai, reaching out and grabbing hold of his ankle, gripping so tight her hand went white. Her hair disheveled and her face covered in sweat, she looked up at him while desperately trying to put on a submissive expression, trembling as she pleaded, “I’ll obey you… I’ll do anything you want… just please… make it stop…”
Yang Kai squatted down and stared at her leisurely before asking, “You’re really willing to obey me?”
Zi Mo quickly nodded, the pain she was experiencing from having her Soul tortured made death seem preferable to life, but she was unable to resist; such torture was impossible for anyone to resist, it had nothing to do with her will or determination, it was simply that Yang Kai had been too ruthless.
“You swear not to disobey me later?” Yang Kai stretched out a hand and lifted her chin, his eyes staring into hers maliciously.
Zi Mo desperately squeezed out a smile on her tear stained face, “I swear not to disobey you!”
Yang Kai smiled viciously as he stretched out a finger, gently pushing it into Zi Mo’s small red mouth and probing around, provoking her sweet tongue.
Zi Mo stared at him wide eyed, but did not dare reveal the slightest dissatisfaction, quickly fixing her expression and then obediently using her snake like tongue to accept Yang Kai’s finger, passionately licking and sucking it.
Her skills were outstanding, or else it would have been impossible for her to make Leng Shan lose control of herself as she teased her. Rolling her tongue around his finger, sometimes tightly, sometimes loosely, it only took a moment before she became wet with excitement, her breathing becoming ragged as she let out a perfectly timed seductive moan.
Leng Shan quickly turned her head and cursed under her breath, “Shameless!”
Yang Kai looked up at her and sneered, pulling back his finger from Zi Mo’s mouth and wiping it on her clothes before ruthlessly pinching her cheek, causing her eyes to tear up again as she put on a pouting look while staring at him.
“I know you’re only acting, but your expression is still good!” Yang Kai continued to mock her.
Zi Mo simply laughed, “We Tian Lang Dynasty women worship strength above all else. You are strong, so my being attracted to you is normal!”
“My Separation and Reunion Seventh Stage strength is considered powerful?” Yang Kai laughed dismissively.
Zi Mo’s smiling face twitched, but she quickly managed to recover, “Your realm isn’t everything, and you are still so young. With enough time, you will definitely be stronger than anyone else!”
“Hahaha! You speak well!! I like it!” Yang Kai laughed as he stood, ordering her, “Get up!”
“Yes!” Zi Mo stood up as well and quietly tidied her clothes.
In front of Leng Shan and Jin Hao, she acted like a master, but in front of Yang Kai, she became an obedient servant, not daring to act out.
Having tasted such torture, Zi Mo was determined not to experience it again.
Finished with Zi Mo, Yang Kai turned his attention to Leng Shan and smiled pleasantly. Leng Shan’s expression was quite unnatural, a strange mix of embarrassment, anger, humiliation and unwillingness.
Not to mention her past grievances with Yang Kai, her betraying him just now was more than enough to sentence her to death.
The person she took the initiative to sell out now had the power to decide if she lived or died.
As the saying goes, the river flows thirty years to the east, then thirty years to the west, but thirty years will pass with a simple snap of the finger.
Zi Mo looked at Yang Kai, and then at Leng Shan, before coldly whispering, “Do you want her life? I can easily let her die!”
Zi Mo was a smart woman; naturally she could see the murderous intent in Yang Kai’s eyes.
Leng Shan’s expression instantly sank as she hurriedly taking a few steps back, warily watching Yang Kai and Zi Mo, her face filled with resolve.
If Yang Kai really wanted her dead, Leng Shan would definitely launch a desperate counterattack.
But after moment of silence, Yang Kai shook his head. Leng Shan could not help breathing a sigh of relief, glancing towards Yang Kai in confusion before asking, “Why?”
“Why what?” Yang Kai said impatiently.
“Why are you letting me go?” Leng Shan could not suppress the doubt in her heart. “Our elders have grievances, there is also resentment between us, and I do not believe you are such a good man to let me go now that my life is within your grasp!”
“Actually, I am a very kind man, isn’t that reason enough?” Yang Kai laughed pleasantly.
Zi Mo nearly collapsed while Leng Shan also contemptuously sneered, retorting, “If you are really such a kind man, you should order her to remove the Soul Controlling Inset from me! You say you won’t kill me now, but you still hold the power to decide my life or death, is that something a good man would do?”
“What qualifies you to question me?” Yang Kai sneered. “Are you, a Ghost King Valley Evil Sect disciple, a good person?”
Leng Shan scoffed, “I never said I was!”
“You have a sharp ivory tongue!” Yang Kai coughed before glancing at Zi Mo, ordering her, “Take your insect out of her, so she’ll know what a real good man is like.”
Zi Mo’s body twitched as she stared at Yang Kai in disbelief, she had never dreamt that this kid would make such a decision.
[Is he a moron? Without the Soul Controlling Insect, how does he plan to control this woman?]
Even Leng Shan was stunned for a moment when she heard this sentence, but a burst of joy surfaced in her eyes immediately after.
“Don’t make me repeat myself!” Yang Kai glared coldly at Zi Mo, the latter only able to wryly smile as she walked over to Leng Shan, her heart filled with a feeling of defeat.
She and Leng Shan had a major difference, although Leng Shan and this youth had their grudges, in the end, they were both Great Han Dynasty cultivators, so in these circumstances they really should band together.
“You’re lucky!” Zi Mo whispered to her, her voice filled with envy, before stretched out her hand and resting it on Leng Shan’s abdomen, concentrating her will while pushing her Yuan Qi.
After a moment, Leng Shan complexion went white as she made a vomiting sound, spitting out an insect from her mouth.
Zi Mo quickly put away her insect while Leng Shan could no longer endure, rushing to the side and vomiting non-stop.
After she wiped her mouth she walked back slowly, her face filled with a complex expression as she looked at Yang Kai.
Having suddenly regained her freedom, she was both surprised and confused.
“Did you kill Jin Hao?” After a moment of silence, Leng Shan asked.
“Yes!” Yang Kai nodded. “If you want to take revenge, I can give you a chance.”
“I won’t seek vengeance for that bastard!” Leng Shan slowly shook her head, a vicious glint suddenly flashing across her eyes as she shot a palm towards Yang Kai, coldly smiling, “But I still do not believe you will really set me free!”
A ghastly howling face appeared from her palm, directly burrowing into Yang Kai’s body.
It was the Ghost King Valley’s ultimate secret skill, Ghost King Seal!
Zi Mo’s expression sank as she stepped towards Leng Shan, but Yang Kai simply raised his hand to stop her.
“You…” Leng Shan hurriedly retreated, staring at Yang Kai in shock, when someone was possessed by the Ghost King Seal, it was normally impossible for them to control their own actions; the remnant soul fragment’s resentment would first destroy a person’s sanity, and then occupy their body.
Leng Shan’s understood her situation quite clearly. Inside this isolated world, riddled with danger, even if she had regained her freedom, she didn’t have much hope of survival, and if she encountered the other Tian Lang Dynasty cultivators, she would certainly either be killed or worse, enslaved again.
Having considered all this, she decided it would be better to destroy Yang Kai’s consciousness and seize control of his body.
Controlling Yang Kai was equivalent to controlling Zi Mo, which would give her enough capital to live.
But now that her Ghost King Seal did not have any effect, how could she not be shocked?
“You really aren’t a good woman!” Yang Kai slowly shook his head. He had already seen through Leng Shan’s unwillingness and ambitions. His actions up till now were simply a ploy to get her to use her Ghost King Seal.
“What did you do with my Ghost King Seal?” Leng Shan asked.
“You want it back? Fine! Take it!” Yang Kai coldy snorted, that ghastly face suddenly escaping from his body, once again returning to Leng Shan.
Leng Shan did not dare to remain any longer, quickly turning around and dashing into the jungle.
Quietly watching this all happen from side, Zi Mo eventually couldn’t help but ask. “Are you really going to just let her go? She tried to kill you just now you know.”
“Those who plot against me, always pay the price!” Yang Kai grinned maliciously, and as soon as his voice had faded, Leng Shan collapsed to the ground while howling miserably.
Hearing this familiar sound, Zi Mo couldn’t help trembling.
Just now, she had experienced this very same torture, the unbearable pain was enough to make one beg for death while being completely helpless to resist. But this time she had only become a spectator.
[How the hell did he do it?!] Zi Mo was utterly confused.
The torture Leng Shan suffered was far more miserable than what Zi Mo had endured. It was only after a full stick of incense that she stop screaming, but that was only because Leng Shan had completely pass out.
Yang Kai coldly ordered. “Bring her back here!”
“Yes!” Zi Mo quickly went forward, picked up the unconscious Leng Shan, and carried her back. As she looked down at Leng Shan’s sweat drenched body, Zi Mo could not help giving birth to a feeling of camaraderie.
“I’m going to recover, do not disturb me.” Yang Kai walked to the side, saw cross-legged, and began to meditate.
Half a day later, Leng Shan slowly woke up, but just as she did, she began screaming again, falling into a coma shortly after.
Seeing this sent a chill down Zi Mo’s back, prompting her to serve Yang Kai even more carefully. She now knew just how ruthless this young man was, even against a woman. She and Leng Shan were both first-class beauties, but he still did not hesitate in the slightest to submit them to inhuman torture when they defied him.
Such a person was too terrible.
He was simply a cold-blooded monster!
One day later, Leng Shan woke up again, but this time Yang Kai no longer tormented her.
After all, she was still just a True Element Boundary cultivator who hadn’t yet opened her Knowledge Sea and was unable to cultivate her Soul. If he kept torturing her like he had, she really would become disabled.
Leng Shan looked towards the distant cross-legged Yang Kai, still filled with lingering fear.
It was only after Zi Mo spent most of the day persuading her that she finally walked over to Yang Kai, her lips still trembling, her face still drained of blood, giving off the feeling of someone afraid to even breathe too loudly.
Although before she had been under Zi Mo’s control, ultimately it was only an insect inside her body which could threaten her. But now? Her very soul was being controlled; this High Heaven Pavilion disciple only needed a single thought to let her suffer endless torment or even just drop dead.
She had just escaped from the wolf’s den, only to fall into the tiger’s! Leng Shan couldn’t help feeling a sense of despair.
*fff…* Yang Kai breathed out, completely aware of the two women before him, but choosing to maintain his meditation, pretending not to notice them, curious to see what actions they would take while his guard completely down.
After a while, he was quite satisfied with the test results, whether it was Zi Mo or Leng Shan, both of them were now very well-behaved, not daring to take the slightest aggressive action.
Finally opening his eyes, he first looked towards Leng Shan, causing her to retreat backwards until Zi Mo caught her.
“Quickly apologize!” Zi Mo gently pushed Leng Shan forward, softly encouraging her, her own mood somewhat complex at the moment.
Leng Shan’s face flashed a trace of humiliation as she gently bit her lip, timidly looking up at Yang Kai before quickly avoiding his eyes again.
“If you hesitate again I won’t help you anymore!” Zi Mo was somewhat annoyed with her, but as a fellow woman, how could she stand by and do nothing? Even if they were women, they needed to act like a man and be resilient and adaptive to the situation.
Leng Shan was truly unwilling, standing there silently.
Yang Kai simply kept a light grin on his face while he stared at her.
“I was wrong…” After a long time, Leng Shan finally managed to speak, her words almost inaudible while her two hands gripped her dress, thoroughly embarrassed.
Yang Kai simply continued watching her, saying nothing.
Leng Shan grit her teeth, obviously suffering greatly, until finally Zi Mo lightly sighed, “She understands her mistake, from now on she won’t dare act against you. Come on now, don’t cry.”
While speaking up for Leng Shan, Zi Mo reached out and gently wiped her eyes.
“Don’t touch me!” Leng Shan swatted away Zi Mo’s hand in disgust.
“I’ll let this pass only once!” Yang Kai said indifferently. After hearing this, Leng Shan could not help but breathe a sigh of relief because she that as long as she stayed in line, she would not have to experience that inhuman torture again.
“How did you do that?” Leng Shan hesitated for a long time before working up the courage to ask.
Just before now, she had hit Yang Kai with her Ghost King Seal, only to have it returned to her a moment later along with something else that took root in her conscience. However, because she had not cultivated her Divine Sense yet, Leng Shan was unsure what it was, yet she knew that this thing was what he was relying on to control her.
“I am also very curious about this; could you please tell me?” Zi Mo smiled charmingly, batted her eyes at Yang Kai, and pursed her lips while putting on a slightly pouting look to form a truly attractive picture.
“It was simple, I just placed a brand onto your Souls,” Yang Kai replied offhandedly.
Hearing this, the two women were shocked.
How was that simple? Although they had not cultivated their Divine Senses yet, they knew full well just how hard it was to implant a seal onto another’s Soul. Say they completely ignored the fact that Yang Kai was only a Separation and Reunion cultivator, then even if he was an Immortal Ascension Boundary master, it would still take a massive amount of effort to accomplish this. Not to mention that if he had screwed up even slightly, then he could have badly injured their Souls, which would have left them essentially brain dead.
It certainly was easy to say, but in what world was his casually given answer simple?
Unfortunately, when they thought back on what had just happened to the two of them, the whole series of events could really be described as “simple”.
In Leng Shan’s case, she had sent out her Ghost King Seal and then received it back. The entire exchange took only a few breaths of time, but in that brief exchange, the right to decide if she lived or died had instantly changed hands.
Similarly, Zi Mo had simply retrieved a thread of her Divine Sense, which had been attached to her Soul Controlling Insect, and thereafter suffered the same fate.
On that point, this boy in front of them had killed Jin Hao, but had decided not to leave, so he had obviously been plotting all this from the start, just waiting for Zi Mo to follow the script he had laid out.
Ridiculously, Zi Mo had actually ran over, fallen completely for his act, and behaved exactly how he wanted, which reduced her to being his slave! Remembering how all of this happened, Zi Mo felt her heart sink as it filled with endless regret.
Even his threat to burn her Soul Controlling Insects was certainly a ploy to force her to recover that thread of Divine Sense.
Obviously, he had branded that thread of Divine Sense in advance!
Staring at Yang Kai, Zi Mo let out a deep sigh, “Are you really only at the Separation and Reunion Boundary Seventh Stage?”
To her question, Yang Kai shook his head slowly.
(Silvan: Fucking troll!)
Zi Mo patted her proud chest after hearing his answer and let out a flirtatious laugh, “Good, how could a mere Separation and Reunion Seventh Stage cultivator accomplish all this? What realm have you really reached?”
Yang Kai chuckled as his aura trembled, and an invisible pressure began to spread out from him. The Yuan Qi in his body swelled up greatly, but soon regained its tranquility.
“Breakthrough…” Zi Mo and Leng Shan both stared at Yang Kai with a surprised look on their faces. The scene just now was clearly a breakthrough of a Small Realm.
However… the aura fluctuations he had emitted weren’t very strong. They didn’t even reach the extent of a True Element Boundary cultivator.
“Now I’m Separation and Reunion Boundary Eighth Stage!” Yang Kai grinned stupidly at the two women.
Seeing this, both Zi Mo and Leng Shan’s expressions went stiff as they cursed inside, [So he really is just a Separation and Reunion cultivator! What he said before was actually true!]
Facing this harsh reality, Zi Mo and Leng Shan blushed bright red with embarrassment.
Between the two of them, one was a True Element Fourth Stage while the other had reached True Element Sixth Stage, and both of them were favoured daughters of Heaven in their respective Sects. However, when facing Yang Kai, both of them had instantly been defeated and reduced to mere servants; a fact that they felt ashamed about.
A wry smile emerged on both of their faces, but the two women simply couldn’t find any words to say.
“Both of you can act freely, although I control whether you live or die, as long as you obediently followed my orders and don’t try to scheme against me, I will not embarrass you too much. So from now on, if you want to kill someone or a Monstrous Beast, feel free to. If I have need of you, I will summon you.” Finished speaking, Yang Kai closed his eyes again.
Leng Shan and Zi Mo slowly walked back and finally stopped when they were a few dozen meters away. Neither of them wanted to stick too close to Yang Kai lest he misunderstand their intentions.
“This boy is really unusual.” Zi Mo mumbled as she observed the distant Yang Kai.
“Hmph” Leng Shan pouted and remembered how she had just humbled herself before him. She couldn’t help feeling disgraced, and her smouldering hatred flared up again, “Sooner or later, I’ll make him pay for this!”
Zi Mo glanced at her and giggled, “Only if you have the ability to escape his control first.”
“You as well!” Leng Shan’s pair of beautiful eyes filled with murderous intent as she glared at Zi Mo, “Don’t think I’ve forgotten about all the humiliation you put me through!”
Zi Mo smiled playfully, “Why are you so upset? It’s not like I hurt you in any way, and besides, didn’t you enjoy it too? I know the way you responded to me was definitely real!”
“You bitch!” Leng Shan screamed in rage, and her face turned a bright shade of red, “If you dare mention that again I’ll kill you!”
Zi Mo sneered at her dismissively, “Whether we live or die is no longer up to us, so you’d be better off putting aside your hatred for me. The most important thing we should be worrying about is how to survive. You’ve seen his attitude towards us. He doesn’t show the slightest mercy, so if we really make him unhappy, then he’ll definitely kill us.”
“Ha!” Leng Shan smiled viciously as she taunted Zi Mo, “Now you know how it feels! How do you like the taste of being another slave?”
“Haa… the two of us are both women caught in this situation, why do you insist on being so bitter? We should be helping each other from now on!” Zi Mo frowned.
Leng Shan paused and took a deep breath. Although she still held a lot of resentment, she had to admit that what Zi Mo had said was true, so hesitating for a while she finally asked, “What do you want to do?”
“Seduce him!” Zi Mo’s face flashed with excitement, “He looks like a sixteen or seventeen-year-old, just a few years younger than us. No matter how ruthless he acts, in the end he’s still just a young man who thinks with his dick right? You and I are both world class beauties, so how hard could it be for us to wrap this little brat around our finger tips?
“I think you just want to jump into bed with him!” Leng Shan mercilessly quipped.
“What are you talking about?” Zi Mo couldn’t help rolling her eyes before suddenly laughing flirtatiously, “What I said to him before was true though, we Tian Lang Dynasty woman all worship strength. Although his current strength isn’t high, but he still managed to completely dominate me. That is something not even my Senior Brother could accomplish.”
“Do it yourself, I won’t humiliate myself any further!” Leng Shan scoffed at her before walking away and sitting down to meditate. After falling into a coma twice while being tortured by Yang Kai, she desperately needed to restore herself.
Zi Mo simply sneered at her and thought to herself, [Just wait till I’ve conquered him, then you’ll know who was right.]
This world has always been so. Men conquer the world, and women conquer men. This was a truth passed down since the dawn of time!
Yang Kai sat cross-legged and focused his attention on dealing with his own harvests and experiences, but he still quietly maintained some surveillance of Zi Mo and Leng Shan’s actions via the brand he left on their Souls.
Although he could not hear what they were walking about, through this strange feedback he could still clearly tell what their intentions were.
For now, both of them were being well behaved, or at least neither of them held any thoughts of killing him right now.
Being able to gain control of them was quite a surprise even to Yang Kai, mainly because all of the credit really belonged to Old Demon.
Yang Kai’s original plan was only to incinerate the two Soul Controlling Insects to severely injure Zi Mo, and then wait for an opportunity to deliver a fatal blow.
But Old Demon offered a better option.
He showed Yang Kai a special method to brand Zi Mo’s thread of Divine Sense, so that once she recovered it, it would be equivalent to implanting a mark on her Soul and allow him to enslave her.
When he put this plan into action, it had worked even better than he had hoped.
Having succeeded once already, Yang Kai immediately came up with the idea to rope Leng Shan in too. After all, the Ghost King Seal was a Ghost King Valley disciple’s symbiotic martial skill, so it would certainly have a connection to its owners Soul. In this regard, Old Demon certainly lived up to his expectations, and instantly succeeded in manipulating the Divine Sense thread attached to her Ghost King Seal.
On top of that, the methods used by Old Demon to accomplish all this were very high-end, so there was no fear of his control being removed. The Soul was a very fragile thing, and now that Zi Mo and Leng Shan’s Souls had been branded with Yang Kai’s mark, even if one of their Sect’s experts wanted to help them remove it, they would still have to worry about whether doing so would damage their consciousness.
“It’s unfortunate, that soul remnant could have helped restore my injuries!” Old Demon suddenly complained.
“It’s even worse for me!” Yang Kai said even more sullenly, “If I knew that I could do things this way, why would I have killed Jin Hao? I would have instead enslaved another Ghost King Valley disciple…” Yang Kai complained bitterly.
Old Demon simply grinned.
“You knew beforehand but didn’t say anything right?” Yang Kai questioned angrily.
Old Demon replied dismissively, “Such a weak enemy would have made an even more useless slave. If Young Master hadn’t asked if manipulating that Ghost King Seal was possible, Old Servant really would not have thought of it.”
“Forget it, having a man as a slave is a bit hard to accept anyways,” Yang Kai said offhandedly.
After secretly observing Zi Mo and Leng Shan for a moment, Yang Kai quickly immersed himself in his own affairs.
Taking a deep breath, Yang Kai focused his thoughts and summoned over the Malevolent Golden Shadow Leopard he had previously subjugated. Placing his hand on its forehead, Yang Kai recalled the Beast Slave Seal he had planted in its Soul.
When this fifth-order Monster Beast regained its freedom, it immediately escaped into the jungle.
Yang Kai did not consider killing it or even chasing it. Instead, he ordered Zi Mo to get her Monster Beasts to capture it and then replant her Soul Controlling Insect inside it.
Finished issuing his orders, Yang Kai no longer paid any attention to her. He summoned the White Tiger Seal in his left hand and the Divine Ox Seal in his right and brought his palms together before pushing them forward.
A ferocious beast roar rang out as the Heaven Shaking White Tiger and Earth Splitting Divine Ox appeared.
Attracted by this noise, Zi Mo and Leng Shan quickly turned to see what had happened and then unconsciously dropped their jaws as they saw the two lifelike beast phantoms.
Neither of them had ever witnessed such a profound martial skill! It could actually take one’s own Yuan Qi and forge two blood red ethereal Monstrous Beasts.
However, the Yuan Qi fluctuations these beasts gave off were incredibly rich and pure. How did he do this? Wasn’t he only at the Separation and Reunion Boundary?
While they were observing this scene with fascinated eyes, Yang Kai only let out a sigh, then he reached out and snapped his fingers, which immediately dismissed the two beast phantoms.
After using it numerous times, Yang Kai had found a weakness of this Beast Soul Skill, which was that no matter how he tried, he could only summon one White Tiger phantom and one Divine Ox phantom at a time.
The Beast Soul Skill summons both the beast phantoms; the Divine Ox and the White Tiger. Even if Yang Kai were to combine the two together, he could not conjure up another beast phantom. It was only when he crushed the Beast Slave Seal that he would be able to summon the pair again.
This may be related to the thing that both the powerful Monstrous Beasts had left inside his body.
If he wanted to enhance the Beast Slave Seal’s usefulness, he would have to fully subdue the two beast souls within him.
And so, Yang Kai continuously activated the White Tiger Seal and Divine Ox Seal, then merged them together, as he carefully explored this skill’s hidden mysteries.
As Zi Mo and Leng Shan watched, they saw Yang Kai summon the two red Monster Beasts, only to see him dismiss them and then summon them again, sometimes only summoning a softly glowing light. Both of them were unsure of what he was trying to accomplish.
However, the two of them were still considered elites in their respective Sects, so from their experiences, they naturally understood that Yang Kai was practicing some aspect of this mysterious martial skill.
The only thing was, with such indiscriminate practice, just how much Yuan Qi was he consuming?
“How many times do you think he can display that martial skill with his current amount of Yuan Qi?” Zi Mo could not help but ask Leng Shan softly.
“After the fifth time, his Yuan Qi will be exhausted!” Leng Shan exclaimed.
Zi Mo did not refute her and nodded slightly, apparently agreeing with Leng Shan’s estimate.
Judging the Yuan Qi fluctuations, the two could estimate how great the consumption was to Yang Kai, so they were certain that this martial skill’s rank was not low. Although the power it could display was great, activating such a high grade martial skill would consume a massive amount of Yuan Qi. Even if it were one of them using it, they could at most use it ten times.
Yang Kai’s realm was not high, so naturally he could not support such consumption for very long.
“Why do you ask? What are you scheming?” Leng Shan turned and looked at Zi Mo meaningfully.
Zi Mo jumped in fright and quickly patted her chest before saying, “You better watch what you say. Even if he really runs out of Yuan Qi, he would still only need a single thought to send us to our deaths. We’d better be honest for now. The brands on our Souls are no joking matter. Look, it’s his fifth time.”
During their conversation, Yang Kai again activated his Beast Soul Skill, but this time he did not fuse them, and instead the White Tiger Seal and Divine Ox Seal appeared with a roar.
Yang Kai was not anxious and quickly dismissing them before carefully contemplating the various profundities of this martial skill, going over the memories and insights he gained from his successful integrations.
Zi Mo smile lightly and quickly took out a bottle.
“What are you doing?” Leng Shan looked at her curiously.
“Pleasing him.” Zi Mo shook the bottle, “This is one of my Tian Lang Dynasty’s Yuan Qi restoring pills. You should also have something similar on you, right? Right now he needs to replenish himself so, it’s a perfect opportunity to gain some favor.”
“You shameless slut! You really must be desperate to win him over!” Leng Shan cursed.
“Hehe, don’t say that.” Zi Mo winked at her with a big grin on her face, “This is just a small gesture. The next time he needs to restore himself, I’ll let you give him something. That way, we each can take a turn.”
*Hmmph!* Leng Shan snorted and calmed her hostility a lot. Letting her go seduce Yang Kai was impossible, but giving him some pills when he needed them to improve his impression of her was relatively simple.
Now that he was in control of her life, naturally she had to humble herself somewhat in order to protect her life, or if this cheap whore Zi Mo managed to take the initiative, her future would only become bleaker.
“Well… I’m off…” Zi Mo said as she stood up, but before she could take her first step, she suddenly heard the roars of two beasts.
[He managed to activate it again?] Zi Mo and Leng Shan both looked over in shock.
[He should be exhausted now, right?] Zi Mo thought to herself, a charming smile soon surfacing on her face as she took a step forward.
However, in that moment, Yang Kai dismissed the two beast phantoms and once again activated his Beast Soul Skill.
[Success!]
The White Tiger Seal and Divine Ox Seal perfectly fused, transforming into a softly glowing light that shot out in front of him. If there was a Monster Beast in front of him, it would definitely be hit by the Beast Slave Seal and subsequently become enslaved.
Striking while the iron was hot, Yang Kai kept waving his hands to display his Beast Soul Skill.
After a few breaths of time he had activated his skill four times, failing twice. From his two successes, Yang Kai vaguely began to understand the method to activate the Beast Slave Seal. Unfortunately, he was still not very proficient.
Watching this scene, Zi Mo quietly walked back and sat down together with Leng Shan. The two of them were slightly slack jawed as they continued to watch Yang Kai practice.
His perseverance was completely beyond their expectations and imagination.
After a full day had passed, Yang Kai was still practicing his Beast Soul Skill.
At this point, Zi Mo and Leng Shan had become numb to the situation and complained to themselves internally.
[How much Yuan Qi does he have stored inside him? How can he support such ridiculous consumption?]
[Could it be that this martial skill uses very little Yuan Qi?]
While these two were busy being stunned and confused, Yang Kai had also managed to shock himself.
The Yang Liquid stored in his dantian had actually been reduced by more than twenty drops! Since he didn’t have any more Yang attribute pills, he couldn’t replenish his supply of Yang Liquid, so he had to preserve what he had left in his dantian! Else, he would have no way to restrain the evil energy in the Golden Skeleton.
But in order to activate his Beast Soul Skill, he needed to consume a lot of Yuan Qi.
Not only the Beast Soul Skill, his Burning Sun’s Three Layer Blast, Flaming Yang Wings, Star Mark, and all his other means required a large amount of Yuan Qi to activate. It was basically impossible for any other Separation and Reunion Boundary Eighth Stage cultivator to use these high rank martial skills as freely as he could.
However, now, he was unable to use his Yang Liquid to practice the Beast Soul Skill.
Frowning for a long time, Yang Kai’s eyes suddenly lit up.
Inside his body there were three energy stores. His Star Chart Space was dedicated to his Star Mark martial skill, and his dantian’s Yang Liquid could no longer be squandered, but the energy stored in his Golden Skeleton could be used.
The vast amount of Yuan Qi stored in his Golden Skeleton was almost immeasurable, and usually he could only use it when he activated Unyielding Will, but shouldn’t it be possible use that stored Yuan Qi to display a martial skill?
If so, his combat capabilities would definitely increase at least a grade because he wouldn’t need to worry about how much Yang Liquid he had stored.
Yang Kai suddenly became excited. Once he successfully accomplished this, he wouldn’t be restricted to using only Yang Yuan Qi, and instead he would be able to use any kind of Yuan Qi.
Taking a deep breath, Yang Kai quickly withdrew the remaining True Yang Yuan Qi in his meridians into his dantian, completely emptying them.
Next he sunk his consciousness into the Golden Skeleton and tried to communicate with it in order to extract the Yuan Qi stored within.
Gradually, the Golden Skeleton began to respond as some of the stored Yuan Qi began to pour into his meridians.
As this happened, a faint violent and bloodthirsty feeling began to well up in his heart.
This was a characteristic of the Yuan Qi stored inside the Proud Golden Skeleton. It was a kind of potent evil energy! It was literally the exact opposite of his True Yang Yuan Qi which he normally used.
With the Yuan Qi from the Golden Skeleton flooding his meridians, Yang Kai was gradually wrapped in a black gas as a malevolent, cruel, and violent aura began to emerge.
In the distance, when Zi Mo and Leng Shan saw this scene, they couldn’t help jumping to their feet.
“Demonic Path!” Zi Mo shouted under her breath.
“It really is a Demonic Path!” Leng Shan also started towards Yang Kai in shock.
The two women suddenly glanced at each other, and each one saw the obvious joy and excitement in the other’s eyes.
Both of them thought that because Yang Kai had practiced this strange and wondrous martial skill too much, the Yuan Qi in his body had began to riot and became disordered, leading to a situation where he could no longer control it.
Whether Yang Kai lived or died was irrelevant to them, but now that he was in this predicament, it gave them hope for a way out.
Once one entered Demonic Path, their cultivation would be destroyed, reducing them to a waste. If it was very serious they could be killed on the spot while their Soul withered.
No matter what result Yang Kai ended up with, Zi Mo and Leng Shan would both be extremely pleased.
[Hopefully he dies!] The two women secretly prayed with a joyous expression plastered on their faces.
If Yang Kai really died because of this Demonic Path, then the brands on their Souls would instantly break, and they would regain their freedom.
The two women stared at Yang Kai nervously, and their breaths gradually quickening. As the black gas surrounding him gradually became richer, the violent and bloodthirsty aura also became more and more obvious.
“Once one enters a Demonic Path state, they become crazed and deranged as their consciousness fades right? If he accidentally detonates them in our Souls what would happen?” Leng Shan suddenly brought up a serious problem.
By now Yang Kai was certainly delirious and incapable of coherent actions, so she felt the possibility was very low, but it was still a scenario they had to be wary of.
On the remote chance he did so, they would both die too.
Hearing this, Zi Mo’s expression went stiff as the blood drained from her face. She licked her parched lips and looked at Leng Shan seriously, “What do you suggest we do?”
“Fan the flames!” Leng Shan bit her lips as she trembled lightly.
Zi Mo wrinkled her brow and quickly considered the risks and rewards as well as their chances for success. It was only a long time later that she finally nodded, “Good, but let’s wait for a while longer, we don’t know if he’s still sane, if the situation becomes more serious… we’ll act.”
Her final words were resolute and carried her full will and conviction.
Leng Shan nodded slightly and grit her teeth as she stared in Yang Kai’s direction.
She had more things to consider than Zi Mo. After all, even if Yang Kai died and lifted the mark on her Soul, she still had to worry about Zi Mo using her Monster Beasts to enslave her again. She was all alone out here, and naturally she had to consider how to preserve her own life.
As the two of them watched, Yang Kai’s “Demonic Path” signs grew more and more serious. He was now completely engulfed in black gas, almost to the point where they couldn’t see his shadow, with only able his rough outline visible, and even across several tens of meters away, the two women could still clearly feel the evil aura brushing past them.
After waiting for a whole stick of incense worth of time, Zi Mo finally said, “It seems that he has been completely fallen to the Devil’s path, completely unable to extract himself.”
“Do we go now?” Leng Shan glanced towards Zi Mo.
Zi Mo bit her lip and nodded slightly.
The two of them each took a deep breath and slowly made their way towards Yang Kai. They secretly gathering their True Qi and constantly watched for any sudden changes in his behaviour.
Five hundred meters, four hundred, three hundred…
As they moved closer, both of their hearts started beating violently. This matter concerned their life, death and freedom, so how could they remain indifferent?
Two hundred, one hundred…
As long as they approached to within fifteen meters, the two women were certain that if they both attacked, they could instantly take Yang Kai’s life, and once he died, the brands on their Souls would break.
As if they could see their freedom beckoning them closer, whether it was Zi Mo or Leng Shan, a look of nervousness and expectation blossomed on their flushed faces.
Fifteen meters…
Just as the two women prepared to unleash a desperate and ruthless attack, a pair of scarlet eyes suddenly opened from within the fog.
These eyes felt like they were filled with a mysterious power, able to see through the hearts of Zi Mo and Leng Shan in a glance.
Both of them involuntarily stepped back, and their bodies trembled in fear.
They could see all kinds of malice and blood lust within them, but even so this pair of eyes still retained a deathly calm and seemed to ridicule their naivety.
In the next moment, Yang Kai, while wrapped in the black gas, grinned at them, and the sound of his laughter come from within his Demonic Qi. The image of his white fangs against the black background was extremely hideous and terrifying.
Seeing his demonic eyes and evil smile, Zi Mo and Leng Shan both froze in fear and quickly calmed their True Qi, not daring to reveal the slightest hostility.
“You…” Zi Mo frowned, unable to understand how Yang Kai had managed to pull himself out of the Demonic Path.
“It seems I need to give you some punishment!” Yang Kai coldly glared and pushed out both his palms. His White Tiger Seal and Divine Ox Seal appeared with a ferocious roar.
Unlike when he used his True Yang Yuan Qi to form these beast phantoms, this time they were both pitch black, and similar to Yang Kai himself, full of Demonic Qi and malevolence.
Roaring, the two beast phantoms dashed out, directly pinning both women to the ground.
“We were wrong. We thought you had fallen into Demonic Path!” Zi Mo screamed in horror. Although her strength was much higher than this beast phantom, she did not dare to resist because she knew that if she did she would have to face that terrifying Soul torture.
“So seeing me fall into Demonic Path, you wanted to take advantage of the situation?” Yang Kai sneered. If he wasn’t already aware of their thoughts, Yang Kai would not have still been holding back against them.
He knew that their actions just now were really just out of self-protection.
Dismissing his Beast Soul Skill, the two beast phantoms quickly vanished, and the two women quickly stood up, although they still shook with fear.
Glancing at them both, Yang Kai grinned, “I’ll spare your lives this time, but you cannot escape your crimes. Tell me, what do you think your punishment should be?”
Zi Mo trembled slightly and bit her lip, “As long as you do not torment my Soul, I am willing to suffer anything else!”
“Are you serious?” Yang Kai raised his brow.
“En.” Zi Mo nodded firmly. Having her Soul tormented felt worse than dying, it was simply the world’s most vicious torture.
“And you?” Yang Kai shifted his gaze to Leng Shan.
“I… I am also the same…” Leng Shan agreed hesitantly.
Yang Kai glanced back and forth at the two of them before he suddenly laughed maliciously, “Alright, then… strip off your clothes.”
Hearing this, the two women both went stiff.
Zi Mo quickly recovered and immediately flashed a flirtatious smile as she untied her top. While slowly stripping, her wet eyes emitted an infinite charm.
On the other hand, Leng Shan remained stiff and totally overwhelmed!
“If you don’t want to strip, you can suffer three rounds of Soul torture until you faint each time. You choose.” Yang Kai said ruthlessly.
As she remembered that pain again, Leng Shan burst into a cold sweat as she remained frozen in place. Her eyes closed after a long time, and her tears slowly fell, as she viciously cursed, “If one day, I can restore my freedom, I swear I will rip your corpse into ten thousand pieces!”
Yang Kai simply laughed, “I’ll be waiting!”
Piece by piece, their clothes were removed. The graceful figures of both women soon appeared before Yang Kai’s eyes. Whether it was Zi Mo or Leng Shan, both were natural beauties with elegant faces, full voluptuous chests, slim tenders waists, rounded shapely hips, and long slender legs.
Yang Kai unscrupulously swept his eyes over the pair and secretly compared and contrasted their features. A raging heat burst from his eyes and rose from his belly.
A moment later, the two of them only had a single layer left on top. One adorned her chest with a glamorous red fabric, while the other wrapped herself in a chic lavender cloth, but neither of these thin pieces could hide their mountains and valleys, and at their peaks, delicate and enchanting red cherries could clearly be seen.
As for their lower halves, the scenery was even more gorgeous. Their forbidden gardens were hazily obscured by their thin silk underwear, and they gave off a hazy air of mystery because the blocked view aroused a different kind of reverie.
Now, except for the most critical parts, two somewhat naked beautiful women stood mere steps away from Yang Kai.
“Shall I show you the rest?” Zi Mo seductively licked her lips and softly whispering with a slightly flushed face.
Yang Kai had just wanted to teach them a lesson and hadn’t really thought to push them all the way.
He had seen before that this woman Zi Mo had no reservations and was instead quite bold. However, Leng Shan was significantly more conservative, and if he kept forcing them, she would definitely be unable to bear it.
Feasting his eyes upon them for a while longer, Yang Kai eventually just waved, “Go away!”
Zi Mo was stunned. Leng Shan also widened her eyes. Both of them stared at Yang Kai in surprise. The two of them had thought that this time they were doomed to suffer, but they had never dreamed that this young man covered in Demonic Qi would just look at them before shooing them away.
Thinking for a moment, Zi Mo suddenly opened her mouth and glanced towards Yang Kai’s pants. Her eyes quickly examined his reaction before her face broke out into a meaningful smile.
Facing two half naked beauties right as his fingertips, there was only one type of man who could remain indifferent other than an ideal perfect gentleman.
[He must be… Ha… hahaha…]
In that moment, Zi Mo’s heart burst with happiness, and she was actually almost unable to contain her laughter. As her shoulders trembled violently, she finally managed to hold back by tightly biting her lip as she desperately continued to resist.
“Why are you still standing around? I’ll count to three, if you do not go, then I’ll make you stay here forever!” Yang Kai had not perceived Zi Mo’s strange look and instead wrinkled his brow as he threatened the pair.
Leng Shan suddenly felt like she had received a dream like amnesty and quickly bent over.
“Your clothes stay, only you can leave!” Yang Kai said lightly.
Leng Shan glared with hatred and anger towards Yang Kai as she tried to cover herself the best she could, and she quickly flew away like she was fleeing some hideous monster.
On the other hand, Zi Mo did not panic or rush, and instead she lazily stretched her waist, completely showing off her gracefully body, and threw a flirtatious smile towards Yang Kai before turning around while gently swaying her hips as she casually walked away, as her perfectly rounded bottom swung back and forth like a pendulum.
As he watched the two women disappear behind a big tree, Yang Kai quickly closed his eyes and desperately suppressed his raging desires!
He actually did not mind Zi Mo’s obvious advances. In any case, this woman seemed quite uninhibited, so if he really had his way with her, she probably would not be too concerned about it.
But in the end, she was still his enemy, and once he pushed her too far, she may push back regardless of whether she lived or died.
Thus, similar to when he was trapped on Hidden Island, he wanted to use this situation to improve his mental fortitude, so he purposely stimulated himself and then forcibly suppressed his impulses.
Between improving his strength and having a woman, Yang Kai was more interested in the former.
While Yang Kai was concentrating, trying to enhance his willpower, Leng Shan and Zi Mo both sat behind the big tree as they tried to cover themselves, while staring at each other, still speechless.
This time not only had their sneak attack failed, they had even let that little brat take advantage of them. It really was a great loss!
Leng Shan was flustered, and her eyes were filled with humiliation. She placed her clenched fists on the ground and viciously cursed, “Bastard, beast, bullying us weak women, how dare he! Today’s shame, sooner or later, I swear I’ll return to him ten times over!”
Zi Mo remained quiet and only floated an evil grin after a long silence, “In front of him, we can’t really call ourselves weak women. His realm is actually still lower than ours. Also, we were the ones plotting against him first this time, yet all he did was take a look at our bodies. I don’t see why you’re so upset.”
Leng Shan glared at Zi Mo and angrily shouted, “How can you not care at all?”
“Pft.. hahaha…” Zi Mo suddenly laughed and her eyes narrowed, “If it was some other man, I really would be upset, but as for him… well… it really doesn’t matter if he sees me or not.”
“Good, it looks like you’ve already given up on yourself.” Leng Shan looked at her with disdain.
Zi Mo didn’t seem to care and instead lowered her voice, “I’ll tell you a secret, and once you know I guarantee you won’t really care about this either.”
“What secret?” Leng Shan asked suspiciously.
Zi Mo moved closer, whispering a few words into her ear.
After Leng Shan finished listening her face went from red to green, and her eyes actually showed a contemptuous and derisive look.
“What you mean is… he’s unable to…?” Leng Shan asked softly, and a grin emerged on her face.
“Shh! Do you know what you’re doing? Keep your voice down.” Zi Mo stretched out her finger to Leng Shan’s mouth.
“But how do you know?” Leng Shan asked curiously. For the first time Leng Shan felt Zi Mo was somewhat kind, or at least she could rely on her right now.
“The two of us were almost stripped naked in front of him, but he wasn’t moved at all. In addition to ‘that,’ is there another explanation?” Zi M covered her mouth and tried to stifle her laugh, “For any normal man, I am afraid they would never be able to withstand such temptation, therefore, he must ‘problems’!”
Leng Shan listened and could not help but nod with a look of approval on her face.
“Such a problem is a taboo for any man!” Zi Mo seemed to understand a lot about such matters, so Leng Shan only kept nodding her head while listening carefully, “We absolutely cannot mention this in front of him; otherwise it would definitely lead to a life and death crisis.”
“Good, I promise not to mention it.” Leng Shan nodded her head vigorously before asking, “But if he really has such ‘problems’, what you said before about seducing him, can you still do it?”
Zi Mo suddenly smiled impishly, “Because of his problems, we have to work even harder at seducing him! Now that we know he can’t have his way with us, while we seduce him, we can watch him writhe in frustration, which will let us vent our anger. Isn’t it a great way to get some revenge?”
Leng Shan expression lit up as she suddenly understood all this. Her face now showed a look of respect and admiration towards Zi Mo, “You really are experienced in such matters.”
Zi Mo glanced at her angrily, “Little hussy, we Tian Lang Dynasty women are not as conservative as you Great Han Dynasty types.”
“So that means you already… with men …” Leng Shan asked, her face flushing bright red.
Zi Mo unexpectedly blushed as well, “No! I haven’t met any man who can conquer me.”
Leng Shan nearly fell over, “I don’t believe you!”
[…]
After two consecutive days of cultivation, Yang Kai finally managed to stamp down the turmoil and desires in his heart, thus enhancing his mental state while he continued to practice his Beast Slave Seal. Although he still couldn’t successfully fuse his White Tiger Seal and Divine Ox Seal one hundred percent of the time, he had at least found the appropriate path to take, so his ability steadily improved.
These two days, Yang Kai had consumed a lot of Yuan Qi, but the Golden Skeleton’s stored energy was nearly infinite, so this consumption was actually not a burden.
Meanwhile, Zi Mo and Leng Shan were sitting in the middle of a group of Monster Beasts and were still wearing nothing but their undergarments.
Yang Kai’s punishment for them had apparently not ended.
In any case, their cultivations were not low, so naturally they wouldn’t fear the cold, but that didn’t mean they weren’t embarrassed. Zi Mo made her Monster Beasts form a three layered ring around her and Leng Shan to block their figures from view.
Over the past two days, these two women spent most of their time discussing how they were going to retaliate against Yang Kai. They plotted ways to make him miserable, and by chattering away, they actually resolved a lot of their previous resentments and even bonded a bit over their common circumstances.
Finally hearing Yang Kai’s voice again, Zi Mo was surprised for a moment before she whispered, “Seems he still has a little bit of conscience.”
While she spoke, she quickly ordered two Monster Beasts to run out and retrieve her and Leng Shan’s clothes.
When the two of them finished dressing themselves, they walked over to Yang Kai and saw him casually open his eyes.
Both of them were secretly shocked. Over the past few days, this youth in front of them had consumed an unimaginable amount of Yuan Qi and had even fallen into a state similar to Demonic Path, but now he had restored his original appearance and didn’t seem the least bit tired.
[He really is mysterious], the two women thought.
“I have something to ask you.” Yang Kai said as he looked towards Zi Mo.
“Please do,” Zi Mo replied, while throwing out a flirtatious smile as she walked up to him slowly, her fragrant aroma floating around her. She sat down next to him like she had not the slightest grievance towards Yang Kai for punishing her before.
However, what surprised Yang Kai was that Leng Shan actually came over as well and sat down on his other side, but her performance was not as natural as Zi Mo’s as she seemed somewhat stiff.
When he looked towards her, she somehow managed to squeeze out a smile, though it looked like it pained her greatly to do so.
But since he did not notice any hostility from the two of them, he did not give their behaviour a second thought and only guessed that they had come to recognize their situation, thus not daring to act presumptuously any more.
“Well then, what does Master want to ask?” Zi Mo asked as she reached out, clung lightly to Yang Kai’s arm, and deliberately pushed her breasts onto him while gently breathing onto his face.
“Keh keh… what did you call me?” Yang Kai choked a bit in confusion.
“Master …” Zi Mo repeated in a sweet, waxy voice, as she further pressed her proud chest onto his arm, which gave rise to an amazingly elastic sensation.
Her actions and words did not just startle Yang Kai, even Leng Shan, who was sitting opposite to her, involuntarily shuddered as well, a tingling sensation running up her spine. In her heart she couldn’t help feeling some sincere admiration for how shameless Zi Mo could be!
[I’m simply not on her level,] Leng Shan thought to herself.
Zi Mo’s smile only grew bigger, “I do not know your name, and my life is now completely in your hands, so what difference is there now between me and some great family’s slave? If you tell me to go East, I dare not go West. If you order me to lie down, I dare not stand…” She suddenly put on a shy expression as she stared into Yang Kai’s eyes, and her voice became ever smaller, “If you want me to strip, I would willingly undress… what else can I call you but Master?”
“Stop trying to mess with me!” Yang Kai frowned, “I know you are not willing to call me master, and listening to you do so is also uncomfortable. I said before. Controlling you both is only for my own protection. As long as you don’t try to act against me I won’t embarrass you too much.”
Zi Mo was surprised for a moment and then sweetly said, “It was just a small joke. So how should I address you?”
“Yang Kai, and you two?”
The two women both quickly reported their names.
Yang Kai knew about Leng Shan’s Sect, so there was nothing he urgently wanted to ask her, but Zi Mo’s origins were a mystery.
“Tell me about your Sect and don’t bother trying to lie, when you do the fluctuations in your Soul are different so I can tell.” Yang Kai ordered.
“I dare not.” Zi Mo replied firmly to Yang Kai and pondered for a moment before continuing, “I am from the Tian Lang Dynasty’s Sen Luo Temple (Myriad Demon Temple). I do not know if you have heard of it.”
Yang Kai shook his head slightly. The information he knew was basically limited to within the boundaries of the Great Han Dynasty, and as for things about the outside world, he was basically ignorant. Leng Shan, on the other hand, could not help revealing a surprised expression.
“It looks like Sister Leng has heard of it.” Zi Mo giggled.
Leng Shan nodded, “Tian Lang Dynasty’s ruling Sect. Of course I would have heard of it.”
“Ruling Sect? As in an existence similar to our Eight Great Families?” Yang Kai was stunned. He never imagined Zi Mo’s background would be so renowned.
“Pretty much.” Zi Mo giggled again, her hand gently tracing a circle on Yang Kai’s arm, “In fact, I’m actually a princess of Tian Lang Dynasty, so you’d better not let me die. If you can take me back, maybe you could become a prince consort, enjoying infinite wealth and glory, never having to worry about worldly troubles again, hahaha…”
Yang Kai glared at her, obviously not believing the nonsense she was spouting. This woman was cunning, deceitful, and in general difficult to handle. He much preferred dealing with Leng Shan, who’s every thought and emotion were clearly displayed on her face. Compared to her, Zi Mo gave him too much mental pressure.
“Although my fellow disciples and I came from the Sen Luo Temple, we don’t actually represent our entire Sect, and if you thought so, then you definitely look down too much on our Tian Lang Dynasty’s superpower,” Zi Mo continued, “The few of us can only be regarded as disciples of a branch of the main Sect. Our focus is the cultivation of rare and unusual insects, which the two of you have already experienced.”
“You mean those Soul Controlling Insects?” Yang Kai smiled dismissively.
Hearing Yang Kai’s disdain, Zi Mo retorted, “My cultivation is simply too low, so the insects I can raise naturally aren’t your opponent. If I had top grade Soul Controlling Insects, then they wouldn’t be afraid of a little heat!”
“So your insects are afraid of heat!” Yang Kai quickly capitalized on her slip.
Zi Mo also realized that she had just said too much, but now that the jar was broken, there was no point in trying to cover things up, “Yes, their nemesis is heat, so anyone who cultivates Yang or Fire attribute secret arts are unable to be controlled by them.”
This also explained why a few days ago, when Leng Shan told Zi Mo that Yang Kai cultivated a True Yang Secret Art, Zi Mo immediately tried to kill him.
“Nevertheless, these insects are still worthy of praise, at the very least they’ve allowed you Tian Lang cultivators to run rampant in this place.” Yang Kai said. Thinking back to Wu Cheng Yi’s group of thirty plus people being pursued without a door to the Heavens, nor a path upon the Earth, his heart was still a bit distressed.
He himself had been lucky enough to discover the weakness of these Soul Controlling Insects. If he had been forced to fight Zi Mo while still ignorant of this, by virtue of those few Monster Beasts, he would have had no hope to resist.
“Naturally, these insects have many benefits, and by using them to control even a few Monstrous Beasts, we can then create a snowball effect, easily capturing more Monstrous Beasts, and if we meet any of your Great Han Dynasty cultivators, we don’t even need to lift a finger in order to take their lives. However, the risks are also great. An example would be encountering someone like you who can destroy our insects and cause a backlash that could damage our Souls.” Zi Mo looked at Yang Kai as a hint of melancholy spread across her face.
“So anyone who cultivates a Yang or Flame attribute Secret Art is a priority target for you to eliminate!” Yang Kai comprehended.
“Of course! Without these two kinds of people, our Soul Controlling Insect can have the greatest effect!” Zi Mo said proudly, “But in fact we don’t have to worry about such a situation occurring too much. Our Soul Controlling Insects are very small so, in general, even if you Great Han cultivators kill one of our controlled Monster Beasts, it’s unlikely you would discover its existence, so we only need to find an opportunity to recover it once the situation is over. I really don’t understand how you discovered so many of our secrets.” Zi Mo looked at Yang Kai curiously.
Yang Kai grinned, “You’re free to guess.”
Zi Mo bitterly stuck out her tongue, but didn’t push her luck any further.
In this isolated world, apart from the few Tian Lang Dynasty cultivators, it was unlikely that anyone else other than Yang Kai could figure out the mysteries behind the Soul Controlling Insect’s existence. Anyone else who encountered them would likely conclude that the Tian Lang cultivators had some method to enslave Monster Beasts, and would never learn that the Soul Controlling Insects were being used as an intermediary to accomplish this.
“Hmm… that’s right. When I saw you at the lake that day, there were four of you. How come you’re alone now?” Yang Kai directed a puzzled look towards Zi Mo.
However, as soon as he had asked this question, Zi Mo’s eyes flashed a trace of anger and humiliation, while on the other side Leng Shan started laughing quietly.
“You can’t say?” Yang Kai’s tone dropped and his expression became cold.
“No, I just don’t want to reveal it.” Zi Mo sighed deeply, “Sister Leng knows what happened, if you must know then ask her to explain.”
Yang Kai was startled for a moment before he looked towards Leng Shan curiously.
“It’s true, I can explain.” Leng Shan nodded.
“Then tell me.”
Leng Shan pondered for a moment and seemed to collect her thoughts before beginning, “Over this past half a year, Zi Mo and her fellow Tian Lang disciples had been extremely aggressive and presumptuous, which caused me and my Senior br… me and Jin Hao a great deal of grief. We spent most of our time hiding, but those damn Monster Beasts’ senses of smell were too keen, and they always quickly discovered us, so we would alternate between fleeing and hiding until about a month ago.”
“At that time, we met a large group of disciples, the remaining Great Han Dynasty cultivators. They had about thirty people in total.”
Yang Kai’s expression suddenly changed. Naturally he knew who of this group of cultivators.
“Although our Ghost King Valley’s reputation is not good, seeing as we are considered an Evil Sect, in the end we are still people of the Great Han Dynasty. So, Jin Hao and I also successfully joined that team. We finally thought that we had people to rely on… but…” Leng Shan couldn’t help but smile wryly, “But how could we know that only two days later, we would be completely surrounded by an ocean of Monster Beasts…”
Now that she reflected upon it, if she and Jin Hao hadn’t joined that group, they likely wouldn’t have fallen into the hands of the enemy so quickly. A gathering of around thirty people seemed more powerful on the surface, but its size made it an easier target and also prevented them from taking swift action like they could if she and Jin Hao were alone.
“And then?” Asked Yang Kai.
“After a hard fight and several deaths, the majority of us were captured.”
“Captured?” Yang Kai was stunned, “How could so many of you be caught? Weren’t you all True Element cultivators? Even if you lost the battle how come you didn’t escape?”
“We couldn’t escape.” Leng Shan sighed helplessly.
“It’s not like they were incompetent!” Zi Mo quickly interjected.
“Oh, then what’s the reason?”
“It’s simply because my Senior Brother Chi Xue is too strong!” Zi Mo said as she looked towards Yang Kai.
“How high is his cultivation?”
“True Element Boundary Seventh Stage, but that’s not the strength I’m referring to.” Zi Mo shook her head.
“So it’s about his Monster Beasts, then how many has he enslaved?” Yang Kai wrinkled his brow.
Zi Mo gently raised a single finger.
“A hundred?”
Zi Mo shook her head.
“It can’t be… a thousand, right?” Yang Kai asked as his face went pale.
Zi Mo sneered, “You’re misunderstanding. He only has one Monster Beast! But that Monster Beast cannot be compared to anything we have. It is a Sixth-Order Monster Beast!”
Yang Kai’s eyes flashed a trace of shock.
“That’s right, a Sixth-Order Monster Beast; although it’s not a very strong Sixth-Order Monster Beast, but against any True Element cultivator it’s more than enough. Any Great Han Dynasty cultivator that tried to escape died under the attacks of my Senior Brother Chi Xue and his Monster Beast.”
“There are Sixth-Order Monster Beasts in here?” Yang Kai’s thoughts spun. For the whole time he had been in this isolated space, the most powerful Monstrous Beasts he had encountered were only Fifth-Order, but if Zi Mo’s Senior Brother Chi Xue had taken control of a Sixth-Order beast with his Soul Controlling Insects, then he could likely do the same with his Beast Slave Seal. If he could gain control of a Sixth-Order Monster Beast, then he could also run wild in here.
“I’m afraid there’s only one!” Zi Mo eyes flashed a glimmer of envy, “And in order to rein it in, my Senior Brother had to sacrifice a lot. He gave up all his other Monster Beasts and removed their Soul Controlling Insects, then he let them consume one another to improve their strength. Doing this was very risky. If he had been even a little careless, all his Soul Controlling Insect would have died, but Senior Brother’s luck was good, and after nearly a hundred Soul Controlling Insects had devoured each other, the last remaining one evolved by a single-order, which allowed him to control a Sixth-Order Monster Beast.”
Although Zi Mo had explained it rather simply, Yang Kai could clearly hear from her tone how much Zi Mo admired this Senior Brother Chi Xue of hers.
Taking on a huge risk in order to force his Soul Controlling Insects to evolve, it was obvious that this person’s personality was vicious and decisive. He was definitely not someone simple!
“And then?” Yang Kai looked towards Leng Shan, putting aside the idea of reining in a Sixth-Order Monster Beast for now.
Nodding once, Leng Shan continued. “Of the thirty of us, nearly ten were killed, and with the exception one particularly strong cultivator who escaped, the rest of us were all implanted with a Soul Controlling Insect, turning us all into their servants.”
[So he got away,] Yang Kai didn’t even need to ask, in addition to Wu Cheng Yi, no one else could have pulled that off.
“But then, why didn’t they just kill you all?” Yang Kai curiously asked, the Blood Bead condensed from killing a cultivator was much higher in quality than one from a Monster Beast; especially one from a True Element Boundary cultivator.
“They want to extract our Sects’ secrets, so they haven’t been ruthless with us yet!” Leng Shan smiled wryly, “All of us were elite disciples from our respective Sects, so the Martial Skills and Secret Arts we practice are naturally our forces core heritage, so the Tian Lang Dynasty group were anxious to acquire them.”
Yang Kai turned and glared at Zi Mo, but she simply shrugged, “Don’t look at me that way; I have no way of releasing those people. Furthermore, the only ones I received control of were Leng Shan and Jin Hao; I haven’t even had to ask them about their Martial Skills or Secret Arts so in the end I really haven’t gained anything.”
Leng Shan nodded, “After their victory, Zi Mo’s Senior Brother Chi Xue left with his Sixth-Order Monster Beast to pursue Wu Cheng Yi, then for some unknown reason the three Tian Lang cultivators that remained got into a quarrel and Jin Hao and I were assigned to Zi Mo, shortly after which we left the group with her.”
When Leng Shan spoke about these things, Zi Mo, who was sitting to the side, fiercely grit her teeth as her expression turned bitter.
Yang Kai turned towards her and sneered, “It looks like you and your fellow disciples don’t get along all that well.”
“Then, are there no conflicts within your own Sect?” Zi Mo retorted back at Yang Kai, “We came to this life experience zone with a total of three objectives in mind. The first was to get Blood Beads in order to enhance our own strength, the second was to extract the cultivation methods of your Great Han Dynasty’s Martial Skills and Secret Arts while the third was to look for the legendary Brilliant Flame Liquid and Soul Cleansing Dew. Each of these tasks is related to our own futures and completing any one of them will strengthen our Sect. In doing so, it will naturally bring us greater benefits.”
“In other words, your two fellow disciples tried to exclude you on purpose so you don’t receive any benefit, right?” Yang Kai instantly understood.
Capturing so many people but only giving Zi Mo control of two, even if Zi Mo managed to extract every last bit of heritage from Leng Shan and Jin Hao, it was still only the Martial Skills and Secret Arts of Ghost King Valley. Compared with the other two, the amount of information Zi Mo could obtain, and thus how much reward she could ultimately receive, was obviously less.
This was a competition that happened between fellow disciples, something that always existed in any Sect.
“The two of them come from the same family so naturally they want to exclude me!” Zi Mo bit her lip, an expression of hatred emerging on her face.
Yang Kai stared into her eyes, slowly asking, “Do you want me to help you get justice?”
He felt that he could use the enmity between the three Tian Lang Dynasty Sen Luo Temple disciples as a bargaining chip.
Everyone was currently stuck in this isolate world, so sooner or later they would encounter each other. Yang Kai knew that if he wanted to reap the most benefits, his only option was to be ruthless and kill those two Sen Luo Temple cultivators. Of course, he would also need to deal with Chi Xue, who controlled a Sixth-Order Monstrous Beast, and Wu Cheng Yi; both of whom were very strong enemies, so his best option was to cut down any unstable elements before confronting them.
A light flashed through Zi Mo’s eyes as she looked towards Yang Kai, frowning, “Although you may be in control of my life, I am still a Tian Lang Dynasty Sen Luo Temple cultivator! I refuse to do anything that would bring harm to my Sect, so even if you kill me, you should never expect me to help you against them!”
Yang Kai couldn’t help but look at her with some surprise. He had never thought that this woman held such strong convictions.
Not wanting to force her, Yang Kai simply smiled, “I was just asking, if you don’t want to then that’s fine too.”
Zi Mo was stunned. By her own experience, she had expected that once she refused Yang Kai’s offer, he would naturally punish her for disobedience. However, he seemed perfectly fine with whatever she decided.
“Are you really such a forgiving man?” Zi Mo didn’t know what Yang Kai was up to, so naturally she was somewhat suspicious.
“What do you think?” Yang Kai chuckled.
Zi Mo batted her eyes a few times before she laughed and said, “If you really are a good man then you should undo the ban on my Soul.”
“In your dreams!”
For the next few days, Yang Kai, Leng Shan and Zi Mo traveled together inside this isolated world.
However, there was basically no chance of running into enemies anymore, with the exception of a few Monster Beast encounters every now and then.
If it was a Fourth-Order beast, it was swiftly killed and converted into a Blood Bead. If it was a Fifth-Order beast, Zi Mo would enslave it by implanting one of her Soul Controlling Insects, the only problem was that over the past few days they had only met a single Fifth-Order Monster Beast.
Yang Kai no longer cared about collecting Blood Beads, so all of them went to Zi Mo and Leng Shan. What he wanted now was not the energy contained within these Blood Beads, but instead things which could quench the Yuan Qi in his meridians and dantian so he could prepare himself to break through to the True Element Boundary.
Therefore, his primary objective inside this experience field was to find some of the legendary Soul Cleansing Dew, the same objective Zi Mo’s Senior Brother Chi Xue currently had.
Neither Zi Mo nor Leng Shan knew much about the Soul Cleansing Dew, so naturally they didn’t know where to start looking for it.
However, there was one thing which Yang Kai felt confused about. Zi Mo, whether through her actions or her words was constantly teasing him and stimulating his desires, much more seriously than when they had first encountered each other, even Leng Shan, this cold and aloof woman, would also “unintentionally” show off her beauty and try to arose amorous feelings within him.
Occasionally, Yang Kai would also find them watching him with a somewhat mocking and pitying gaze.
[What the hell?] Yang Kai was truly lost.
One day, after walking for many hours, the trio found a spot to sit down and rest. While half of the dozens of Monster Beasts stood watch, the remaining half had been sent scout out the local area.
Yang Kai had only just sat down and closed his eyes, preparing to restore his strength, when he was suddenly hit by two burst of fragrant wind, immediately feeling Zi Mo and Leng Shan sit down beside him.
Both of them snuggling up close, as if they were trying to warm themselves from the cold.
Yang Kai opened his eyes and frowned at them.
Suddenly being stared at, Leng Shan hid her face in embarrassment as her cheeks flushed, while Zi Mo laughed flirtatiously, “Is something wrong?”
“These days, you two have been acting strange. Are you plotting something?” Yang Kai bluntly asked.
Zi Mo quickly put on a wronged expression, “How could we, the two of us have always been by your side, even if we wanted to come up with some kind of plot, we wouldn’t have had a chance to discuss it.”
Thinking about it, the two of them really didn’t have any occasion to plot against him, but Yang Kai still felt that they were up to something.
“Why do you think we are acting strangely?” Zi Mo flashed an innocent smile, leaning herself onto Yang Kai, pressing more than half her exquisite soft body onto him and tightly wrapping his arm in her bountiful chest, which completely changed their shape.
Feeling their amazing elasticity, Yang Kai looked down only to be greeted by Zi Mo deep white valley.
Zi Mo giggled to herself while keeping her expression calm, leaning her body forward slightly, slowly increasing her exposure.
“Just a feeling…” Yang Kai stared at her, licking his lips, a lecherous expression spreading across his face.
“Hehe… your gut feelings aren’t accurate.” Zi Mo smiled seductively, gently squeezing her arms again, causing her chest to roll back and forth lightly.
With his throat dried of words, Leng Shan actually chose this time to push herself onto him as well. In an instant, Yang Kai felt a burning flame erupt in his loins.
The two wondrous sensations which came from his left and right caused his soul to flutter.
No longer enduring, Yang Kai suddenly pressed Zi Mo to the ground as he quickly mounted himself on her.
“Ah…” Zi Mo cried out, but she still didn’t show the slightest fear, her beautiful eyes as calm as a spring lake, a light smile adoring her face, gazing up at Yang Kai.
[Smelly brat, you’re only half a man, but now you want to scare me? Humph!]
On the other hand, Leng Shan, who was beside them, was stunned stiff.
“You asked for this, I’ve seen it these past few days, you’ve carried some kind of malicious intent towards me, right?” Yang Kai said ferociously, reaching out both his hands and squeezing Zi Mo full chest, vigorously kneading it.
“No… I… enn… when did I have ahh… any bad intentions towards you?” Zi Mo bit her lips, her brow wrinkling as she felt a slight pain, but the heart couldn’t help giving birth a strange pleasure as she was ravaged, unexpectedly hoping that Yang Kai’s big hands would grope her even harder.
This desire surfacing in her thoughts suddenly made her face blush bright red.
“Do you really think I’m blind?” Yang Kai sneered, brutally tearing apart her clothes, completely exposing her enchanting upper body before grabbing hold of her and tightly squeezing without the slightest tenderness or pity.
Zi Mo’s mind went blank for a moment and she was unable to stop herself from letting out a sensual and arousing moan, while close by, Leng Shan’s ears filled with her enchanting voice as she watched this erotic scene play out before her, an unknown sensation spreading throughout her body.
With the constant stimulation, Zi Mo actually began moving her body in cooperation, her voice leaking out even more now, causing Leng Shan to go limp on the ground with her legs involuntarily clamping up.
Although she was unexpectedly aroused, Zi Mo had by no means lost her wits, she and Leng Shan been constantly teasing Yang Kai these past few days as they were simply treating him as a joke.
But now that this big wolf had gotten excited, the situation was really starting to exceed Zi Mo’s tolerance.
[He couldn’t be… but then why does he seem so interested?] Zi Mo gasped, quietly lifting her knee towards Yang Kai’s nether region.
It was at that moment that Zi Mo felt a stiff iron rod, scorching hot like it was on fire.
Shocked, Zi Mo shrieked out loudly, her whole body going stiff, her nonchalant face immediately changing colour.
“Heh heh!” Yang Kai looked at Zi Mo and grinned wickedly, reaching down with his hand and slipping it under her skirt.
“No… don’t!” Zi Mo panicked, quickly grabbing Yang Kai’s arm.
“Why are you saying no now?” Yang Kai sneered, not slowing down at all.
Pushing his hand into her secret garden, he was greeted by a soft, moist sensation, warm and fascinating to the touch.
Suddenly, Zi Mo’s struggling stopped, like she had instantly lost any strength to resist, just softly lying there.
Leng Shan also lost her ability to think, not knowing why Zi Mo was putting on such a realistic act, even if she wanted to see him suffer, there was no reason for her to make such a big sacrifice. It… it was… it was simply beyond what a normal person could accept!
Leng Shan’s skin went red as her heartbeat raced and her blood boiled up, it felt like someone had lit a fire in her belly and the heat was flowing to every corner of her body, shame, embarrassment, excitement, all kinds of emotions swirled and crashed into one another inside her, like waves on a rough stormy sea.
Just when Zi Mo felt her plan to steal a chicken ended up with her losing her rice, her eyes burst open as she somehow summoned some unknown strength, shoving Yang Kai off of her, her complexion violently changing, “Wait! Some of my Monster Beasts just died, there may be enemies nearby!”
Hearing what she said, Yang Kai’s excitement died down significantly as he frowned. “How many?”
“Six! All of them died instantly, one Fifth-Order and five Fourth-Order!” Zi Mo’s expression was somewhat ugly, her brow thoroughly furrowed, scrambling away from Yang Kai as she tidied up her clothes, quickly covering her bare upper body.
Thinking back on what had just happened, her spring-like eyes secretly glanced towards Yang Kai’s lower half before rapidly turning away, her face a bright shade of crimson, glowing with an alluring luster.
“Do you know who attacked them, and how many of them there are?” Yang Kai continued.
Zi Mo controlled Monster Beasts through her Soul Controlling Insects, allowing her to sense if they were dead or alive within a certain range, but any other information was harder to grasp, after all, she was not seeing through their eyes.
“I’m not sure.” Zi Mo shook her head.
“Then we’ll have to go take a look!” Yang Kai said decisively.
“There may be danger.” Zi Mo hesitated, “If it was that master who escaped before…”
She naturally suspected the culprit was Wu Cheng Yi. In this isolated world, anyone who could instantly kill six Monster Beasts would certainly be very strong.
“It’s best if it is him.” Yang Kai couldn’t help looking forward to it, Wu Cheng Yi had previously sent his Junior Brother to kill him, something Yang Kai had not forgotten about, sooner or later he had to settle this grudge, not to mention, Wu Cheng Yi likely had more Brilliant Flame Liquid on him.
Whether it was killing for revenge, or robbing treasures, Yang Kai had many reasons to confront him.
Seeing Yang Kai so determined, Zi Mo knew not to dampen his mood, not to mention, even if it really was Wu Cheng Yi, with her Monster Beast army in tow, by himself he wouldn’t be their opponent.
Soon after, Zi Mo led the rest of her Monster Beasts to the scene. With Leng Shan hurrying to keep pace with her, the two of them deliberately put some distance between them and Yang Kai.
Yang Kai didn’t mind, taking up the rear while maintaining vigilance around them for any sudden movement.
“What happened?” Leng Shan whispered, unable to hold back any longer, keenly aware of the changes in Zi Mo’s mood.
“What?” Zi Mo, who seemed to be lost in thought, didn’t quite hear what she had asked.
“You’re acting strangely.” Leng Shan said as she looked at her curiously, “Weren’t you trying to seduce him, in order to embarrass him? Why did you…”
Leng Shan thought for a long time before she found the words to express her thoughts, “Why did you seem so into it?”
Zi Mo could not wait to find a hole to burrow into, blushing a deep red from her neck to her ears as she whispered under her breath, “Don’t mention that again, and later don’t try to seduce him, or else… playing with his fire might get you burnt…”
“Ah…” Leng Shan stumbled.
[#$%@#$!!]
Believing that Yang Kai wasn’t really a man, Zi Mo didn’t have any reservations towards him. [So what if you kiss me? Since you’re disabled down there, even if you wanted to, what more could you do? Even if I were to strip off all my clothes and lie in front of you, at most you’d be able to molest me a bit.]
However, she never dreamed that Yang Kai’s situation was not what she had thought.
The sensation she had the moment she made contact with “that” was still lingering in her mind, causing her intense shame any time she recalled it. While she seemed bold and unrestrained on the surface, at heart, Zi Mo was still quite shy.
[But… if he has always been a real man, why was he so indifferent all those days ago when Leng Shan and I stripped half naked in front of him? How could he refuse such incredible temptation delivered straight to his fingertips? Was he really just being a gentleman back then?]
Cranky and confused, Zi Mo soon arrived at the place where her six Monster Beasts had died.
There was still some blood on the ground, but the Monster Beast’s bodies had long since ceased to exist. Obviously they had been condensed into Blood Beads and were taken away, leaving behind only a pile of dust.
Scanning the surroundings, Yang Kai couldn’t help but frown.
While he did so, Zi Mo walked over, squatted down next to a pile of dust, and began sifting through it, her expression growing dark soon after.
“What’s wrong?” Asked Leng Shan.
“My Soul Controlling Insect… it’s gone.” Zi Mo’s face was now pale, quickly moving to the next pile of dust, but after thoroughly searching all six piles, she did not find a single Soul Controlling Insect.
“You won’t find anything; the one who killed you Monster Beasts was not that elite disciple from the Nine Star Sword School!” Yang Kai directed a knowing look towards Zi Mo, “There are no traces of Sword Qi around here.”
“What are you trying to say?” Zi Mo looked at him uneasily, already having guessed what happened, but not daring to, or rather, not wanting to confirm her suspicions.
“In your heart you already know, what else do I need to say?” Yang Kai sneered.
“No, that’s not possible…” Zi Mo shook her head, her voice quivering and her blood turning cold.
Suddenly, Zi Mo looked up again in a new direction, “More of my Monster Beasts have been killed!”
Yang Kai sneered again, now almost certain of his guess. Tilting his head slightly, he grinned at Zi Mo, “Do you want to go take a look?”
Zi Mo struggled and hesitated for a long time before finally nodding weakly.
However, this time she no longer dared to disperse her Monster Beasts to scout the periphery, instead recalling all of them before hurrying to the second place.
Half an hour later, Zi Mo once again stood up, disappointed. The four piles of dust here should have had four Soul Controlling Insects buried within them, but after a thorough search, she had failed to find them.
“Was it your two fellow disciples?” Leng Shan also finally understood, looking towards Zi Mo in surprise.
The Soul Controlling Insects were a unique method of the Tian Lang cultivators, so if her Monster Beasts were killed by Wu Cheng Yi, her insects would still be here.
On top of that, being able to kill two groups of Zi Mo’s Monster Beasts in such a short period of time, the culprit either had to be very strong or have a lot of help.
Combined with the disappearance of her Soul Controlling Insects, the identity of the other party was obvious!
If it were her fellow disciples from the Sen Luo Temple, Zi Mo could understand how they had found and taken away her Soul Controlling Insect as well as how they had instantly killed so many Monster Beasts.
After all, in addition to their own Monster Beasts, they also had control of a lot of Great Han Dynasty cultivators.
It was just, Zi Mo couldn’t believe it, did not want to believe it! They were from the same branch of the same Sect, so how could they have such murderous intent towards her?
Taking a deep breath and closing her eyes, Zi Mo spread out her perception, trying to find her lost Soul Controlling Insect’s whereabouts. However, no matter how she tried, it was futile.
A while later, when she finally opened her eyes again, all that could be seen in them was anguish and rage as they coldly glanced around the surroundings, a deep sneer appearing on her face.
“We should leave here!” Yang Kai said with a frown, and without any explanation pulled Zi Mo’s arm and dragged her away.
Two hours later, the trio had moved a hundred kilometers away. With ten of her Monster Beasts being killed, two of which were Fifth-Order, Zi Mo’s combat strength had been greatly reduced.
Stopping to rest, Zi Mo sat alone, her expression constantly changing, sometimes cold, sometimes confused, sometimes pained, while at other times, enraged. Leng Shan and Yang Kai glanced at each other but remained silent, knowing that her heart was currently engaged in a difficult struggle.
When Yang Kai gave Leng Shan a wink, silently telling her to say a few comforting words, Leng Shan simply turned a blind eye, ignoring him outright.
Yang Kai was speechless, only able to sigh and wait.
After a long silence, Zi Mo cried out bitterly, her breathing now ragged as she gazed towards Yang Kai with a pitiful look on her face, “Why are they doing this?”
“You’ll have to ask them,” said Yang Kai calmly.
“We all come from the same Sect! Although we all compete amongst one another, they don’t need to go this far, right?” Zi Mo said, unable to understand why things were happening this way.
“So what if you’re from the same Sect?” Yang Kai disagreed, “The harshest competition occurs within one’s own Sect!”
“So disciples in your Sects are willing to kill each other?”
Yang Kai and Leng Shan simply nodded.
Zi Mo was stunned silent, wrinkling her brow for a long time before sighing, “Maybe because we come from a small branch of the Sen Luo Temple, we don’t have many fellow disciples, so in the Tian Lang Dynasty we all took care of each other. Even if there was competition, nobody would do things to such extremes.”
“We’re not in the Tian Lang Dynasty, nor are we in your Sen Luo Temple.” Yang Kai said coldly.
“All the more reason we have to support each other.” Zi Mo argued back, still unable to accept the truth in front of her.
“Hah, I thought you were a ruthless and cruel woman, but it turns out you’re just a naive little girl!” Yang Kai sneered. Zi Mo probably only showed a strong, ruthless appearance in front of the Great Han Dynasty cultivators, but when it was the disciples from her Sect, she would still act kindly and relax her guard.
Zi Mo smiled wryly and tried to say something when suddenly she screamed out in pain, immediately dropping to the ground as she clutched her head, writhing in agony.
Both Yang Kai and Leng Shan’s expressions also changed, hurrying to her side.
Zi Mo seemed to be enduring some kind of nightmarish torture, both her hands gripping her head as she struggled back and forth, sweating profusely.
Her situation was exactly the same as when Yang Kai had punished her before.
Her Soul was clearly being attacked!
Yang Kai and Leng Shan glanced towards at each other, a shocked and aghast expression adorning both their faces.
The pain Zi Mo’s felt lasted for a long time before gradually subsiding, her clothes now dripping wet, and her body clearly exhausted, but her eyes had instead become cold and piercing.
“It’s them! They’re sending me a warning, telling me to come to them!” Zi Mo grit her teeth so hard that a grinding sound could be heard, her face filling with thick murderous intent, she grabbed Yang Kai’s clothes and solemnly gazed into his eyes, “Help me kill them!”
Yang Kai grinned, “I would have done so even without you asking.”
A few days ago, when Yang Kai had brought up this topic, Zi Mo had steadfastly refused, but now, the situation had changed. Zi Mo had her own principles and didn’t want to hurt her companions, but clearly her two fellow disciples did not feel the same way about her.
“Where are they?” Yang Kai asked.
“That way!” Zi Mo pointed, “Probably about an hour’s journey!”
“An hour… good, let’s go then.” Yang Kai frowned for a moment before lifting Zi Mo onto his back, carrying her as they rushed into the jungle.
Lying against Yang Kai’s back, Zi Mo was overcome with a strange feeling. The two of them were clearly enemies, but now they had to help each other in order to deal with her companions, who were enemies and who were friends was as impermanent as the clouds.
Along the way, Zi Mo explained briefly about her fellow disciples again.
The two of them were cousins from the same martial family and both had cultivations at the True Element Boundary Fourth Stage.
One was called Yao He, while the other was called Yao Xi, each of them controlled about fifty or so Monster Beasts, a hundred in total; this amount of Monster Beasts alone was double what Zi Mo originally had. Not to mention, she currently had only about thirty or forty remaining.
If they attacked head on, there was almost no chance of success, but as long as they could kill one of them, that person’s Monster Beasts would regain their freedom creating a chaotic situation, and if there was chaos they had a hope of victory.
In her anger, Zi Mo no longer held back any information about two fellow disciples, so Yang Kai quietly listened, silently remembering everything he could while constantly searching for the best possible strategy to achieve their objective.
Listening to her speak, Yang Kai had some concerns, “Your Senior Brother Chi Xue isn’t with them right? If he is, then we will have a big problem.”
Chi Xue was a master at the True Element Boundary seventh stage and had enslaved a Sixth-Order Monster Beast, both of them would be difficult to deal with.
Zi Mo sighed, “I hope that’s the case.”
After an hour, the trio finally arrived near their destination and Zi Mo slipped down from Yang Kai’s back, gratefully nodding at him as she fixed her clothes and messy hair, steeling her determination before walking forward.
A short distance away, Yang Kai saw a lot of Monster Beasts, and more than a dozen people gathered together.
Two of them were dressed similar to Zi Mo and stood close together, obviously Sen Luo Temple’s Yao He and Yao Xi. This young man and woman were happily staring back at them with faces that did not show the slightest sense of guilt. Silently, they ordered their hundred Monster Beasts to spread out and encircle Zi Mo’s enslaved beasts.
“Senior Sister finally decided to meet with us.” Yao He quipped frivolously, clearly not putting Zi Mo in his eyes, chuckling as he greeted her while Yao Xi also let out a giggle, sneering as she looked towards Zi Mo dismissively.
“Did you give me any choice?” Zi Mo glared at them coldly, standing about ten meters apart.
As these three Sen Luo Temple’s disciples confronted each other, the air was slowly filled with an unstable atmosphere.
Yang Kai, who stood behind Zi Mo, quickly swept his eyes over the other people present, spotting a lot of old acquaintances.
A few tens of meters away, the Ten Thousand Flower Palace’s four teenage girls were sitting on the ground along with Asura Sect’s Ye Qing Si and Zhou Ba and Reflecting Moon Sect’s Chen Xue Shu and Su Xiao Yu. In addition to these familiar faces, he also spotted many disciples from various other forces, such as Gemini Island, Water Moon Hall, Pure Heart Palace, Soaring Feather Pavilion, and so on.
After seeing Yang Kai, Chen Xue Shu and Su Xiao Yu both smiled wryly towards him, a kind of desolate feeling of comradery appearing on their faces.
Yang Kai nodded towards them slightly, noticing that the group now only had sixteen or seventeen people left; the number should have been higher than that so obviously these past few days a lot of deaths had occurred.
“You two, roll to the side!” Yao He casually ordered Yang Kai and Leng Shan then no longer spared them a glance.
Zi Mo quickly signaled them to comply.
Receiving these instructions, Yang Kai and Leng Shan both walked over to Chen Xue Shu and the others.
As soon as the two sides converged, one of the young girls from the Ten Thousand Flower Palace looked towards Yang Kai, sighed and said, “Seems like you’ve had bad luck too.”
Yang Kai smiled back at her leisurely, “Seems like, may I ask young lady’s name?”
During their last encounter, when Wu Cheng Yi had embarrassed him and it was this girl from the Ten Thousand Flower Palace had spoken a few words in his defence. After such an act, Yang Kai had a relatively good impression of her. These four sisters each had outstanding looks, each one exuding a different kind of attraction. Them all sitting together created a truly beautiful picture.
Laughing warmly, the girl replied, “Han Xiao Qi!”
Another of the palace girls with gave off a sassy air suddenly pursed her lips, “Hey you, we’ve all been reduced to prisoners, yet you’re still trying to casually ask a girl for her name? Seems like you’re quite a scheming person.”
Yang Kai grinned as he looked towards his accuser, “Has this young lady never heard of a man’s instincts before? I also haven’t heard your name yet have I?”
Pouting at his glib attitude, the girl still responded, “Ye Han!”
Seeing this, Ye Qing Si laughed lightly, “Since we share the same surname, if we make it out of this alive, little sister Han and I should become sworn sisters.”
Han Xiao Qi quickly introduced her other two Junior Sisters, a timid quiet girl called Hua Ruo Yin, and the other a flirtatious girl named Liu Qing Ru.
Even having fallen into such a dire situation, everyone still gave Yang Kai some face and introduced themselves.
Water Moon Hall’s Feng Qian Hen, Pure Heart Palace’s Zuo Fang and Li Xin Yuan, Soaring Feather Pavilion’s Chu Jing Shan…
The elite disciples of these various factions gathered together to enjoy a moment of levity. The many days of pent up anxiety and worry being swept away for the time being.
“Hmph, facing imminent death, you’re still in the mood to exchange greetings, it’s not like it’d be too late to do that after they decide if they want to keep us alive as slaves.” A mocking voice abruptly interrupted the crowd’s spirited atmosphere.
Turning his head, Yang Kai saw a young man snickering at him contemptuously.
After staring at this person for a moment, Yang Kai no longer paid him any mind.
On the other hand, Ye Qing Si retorted, “Bi Xiu Ming, since the day we were captured, you’ve constantly been spewing the same negative crap. What exactly are you trying to say now?”
Bi Xiu Ming sneered back, “Nothing much, just wondering why you’re all so happy about this waste joining us. You don’t actually expect him to save us do you?”
Chen Xue Shu frowned and shot back, “If you feel like there’s no hope of keeping your life, why not just end it? Why linger around just to pick on others? Don’t go slandering brother Yang just because his realm is a bit lower than your own.”
Before Bi Xiu Ming could respond, the person next to him laughed disdainfully and said, “His cultivation is weak, therefore he’s a waste! Hah, I really can’t understand how such trash managed to survive till now; he should have died a long time ago.”
This guy was probably from the same Sect as Bi Xiu Ming and clearly had a good relationship with him; naturally he would take the same side.
Han Xiao Qi said coldly, “You’ve said too much.”
Ye Han, Hua Ruo Yin, and Liu Qing Ru all stared angrily at the pair as well.
Although Bi Xiu Ming and his brother disciple thoroughly looked down on Yang Kai, they also didn’t want to completely fall out with the group, so instead of continuing to argue they just coldly snorted, turned around, closed their eyes and kept quiet.
With these two throwing cold water on everyone, the originally happy atmosphere was suddenly destroyed, leaving everyone’s hearts feeling a little heavy.
Ye Han quickly patted her cheeks before saying a few words of comfort, “Yang Kai was it? Don’t worry about those two, they’ve have been nothing but pessimistic ever since that day, they just don’t want others to feel any better than them.”
Yang Kai smiled and shook his head, “It doesn’t bother me when a dog barks in the background.”
Hearing what he said, Han Xiao Qi was surprised for a moment before she quickly tried to stifle her laughter.
“What did you say?” Bi Xiu Ming and his fellow disciple turned around and opened their eyes at the same time, glaring towards Yang Kai,
“You’re not deaf are you? You should’ve heard clearly, right?” Yang Kai stared back at them calmly.
“You court death!” Bi Xiu Ming roared furiously, jumping to his feet.
“Do you want to die?” Standing a short distance away, Yao He grunted angrily. “If you’re tired of living I can put you out of your misery now!”
Bi Xiu Ming glanced towards Yao He nervously, quivering slightly before looking away; however, unwilling to simply sit down after having lost face, he angrily grimaced towards Yang Kai, “Just you wait, sooner or later I’ll make you pay!”
“Good, I’ll be waiting!” Yang Kai replied offhandedly.
While the Great Han Dynasty’s side had a strained atmosphere, the three disciples from the Tian Lang Dynasty were also in the midst of a delicate situation.
Since Zi Mo had arrived, Yao He and Yao Xi both continued staring at her and smiling, not saying a word.
After a long silence, Zi Mo finally let out a deep sigh and coldly asked, “Why are you doing this?”
Yao He chuckled, “Why? Senior Sister Zi doesn’t already understand?”
“Is it because in the Sect, Master valued me more?” Zi Mo smiled back contemptuously.
Yao He and Yao Xi’s faces suddenly went stiff, their expressions quickly becoming cold.
However, Zi Mo ignored this change and continued, “The two of you both entered the Sect earlier than me, but your cultivation’s are both still lower than mine, so even though you’re unwilling to, you have no choice but to call me Senior Sister. Is that what you’d like to say?”
“You really think your talent is better than ours?” Yao Xi laughed dismissively, “If our master hadn’t given you more resources, how could you have surpassed us so easily? In terms of aptitude, just where are we not comparable to you?”
“Nothing about you is comparable to me!” Zi Mo didn’t hold back, ruthlessly insulting the two of them
Yao He face twitched before putting on a look of disdain, “Is that so? Then I’d like to ask our dear Senior Sister, did you ever imagine you’d fall into a situation like this before?”
“It’s true I didn’t think you two would be so vicious and underhanded, plotting against me like this!” Zi Mo face suddenly filled with hatred.
Yao He sneered, “Well let’s just forget about all that, there’s no need to get so worked up about it, after all, you’re our Senior Sister, right? The reason we invited you here was quite simple, since we’re stuck in this damned place for the time being, and we essentially have no other enemies left, you shouldn’t have any use for those Monster Beasts of yours, correct?”
Zi Mo expression quickly turned ice cold, “You want my Monster Beasts?”
“Yes!” Yao He nodded, “Xi’er and I are about to break through to the Fifth Stage, but we’re both somewhat reluctant to slaughter our own Monster Beasts so we were hoping Senior Sister would be generous enough to help us a little bit.”
Hearing all this, Zi Mo couldn’t help feeling sorrowful, “For such a petty reason, you even decided to crush my thread of Divine Sense?”
Yao Xi grinned haughtily, “Isn’t it Senior Sister’s fault for going around hiding? If you hadn’t been avoiding us, we wouldn’t have done so, if you had stayed with us, we could have just challenged Senior Sister and your Monster Beasts to a hunting contest, but it seems the Heavens had a different plan in mind, this is simply the result of you forcing us.”
“Good!” Zi Mo said painfully, her eyes showing a touch of sadness, “If you want my Monster Beasts, then I’ll give them all to you!”
Yao He laughed happily, “I knew Senior Sister wouldn’t disappoint us, please ordered them not to resist, if they struggle, I’m afraid things might end badly!”
Zi Mo closed her eyes, and tried to calm her ragged breath.
Although before she came here, she had already taken back her Divine Sense threads from her Soul Controlling Insects they had captured, so she didn’t have to worry about Yao He or Yao Xi destroying them, the other side still had an overwhelming advantage, even if she didn’t count the vast difference in the number of Monster Beasts they respectively controlled, just the dozen or so Great Han Dynasty cultivators were a very powerful combat force.
If she really fought with them directly, Zi Mo had basically no chance of winning; even escaping would be near impossible, so although she was extremely unwilling, she had no choice but to temporarily compromise.
Staring at Zi Mo’s rising and falling chest, Yao He’s eyes flashed a hidden trace of wicked desire, involuntarily licking his lips.
“It’s done!” Zi Mo opened her eyes and said unemotionally.
Yao He and Yao Xi glanced at each other before silently issuing an order.
Suddenly, the sound of countless howls rang out, blood splattered, and Zi Mo’s Monster Beasts, who truly offered no resistance, were thrown to the ground and had their necks bitten and snapped, slaughtered like cattle.
Seeing this scene, the Great Han group looked aghast, instinctively clenching their fists.
After a mere ten breaths of time, thirty to forty Monster Beasts were killed.
“Ha ha ha ha!” Yao He burst into laughter.
With these thirty to forty Blood Beads, he and Yao Xi could successfully break through their current realm and promote themselves to the True Element Boundary Fifth Stage.
After that, as long as they extracted the inheritances of these Great Han Dynasty cultivators, they could then slaughter them too, once again obtaining a big batch of Blood Beads.
In particular, Yao He was focused on the numerous beauties amongst the Great Han Dynasty cultivators. Each one held a different appeal, some graceful and elegant, others sensuous and enchanting, these days he had constantly thought of having his way with them, but since Yao Xi was keeping a close eye on him, he was unable to make a move.
Although the two of them were cousins, their relationship couldn’t be described so simply…
[I have to find a way to occupy Xi’er’s attention, and then do whatever I want with these women.] Yao He thought as he swept his eyes over Han Xiao Qi and the others.
[En, I’ll let her use these Blood Beads first; refining and absorbing them, as well as breaking through to the True Element Fifth Stage should take her quite some time, more than enough for me to have some fun.]
The more Yao He thought about it the more excited he became, wanting nothing more than to immediately grab those Great Han beauties and viciously ravage them, tasting all the sweet flavours they had to offer.
Putting his thoughts into action, Yao He lightly said to Yao Xi, “Xi’er, you use these Blood Beads first.”
Yao Xi face suddenly showed a touch of tenderness, nodding slightly before glancing over towards the group of Great Han cultivators, quickly issuing orders, “Collect the Blood Bead’s for me!”
Seventeen or eighteen people looked at each other, but no one was willing to get up.
Over the past month or so they had received a lot of humiliation as Yao He and Yao Xi’s captives, so how could any of them willingly humble themselves?
However, the since a command had been given, dragging things out wouldn’t solve anything, and if they angered these two, all they would get in return for their stubbornness was torture.
Eventually, Ten Thousand Flower Palace’s Ye Han angrily stood up, grit her teeth and muttered, “I’ll go!”
However, Yang Kai quickly called out and stopped her, “No, I’ll go, you just relax.”
When the meditating Bi Xiu Ming heard this he suddenly opened his eyes and said disdainfully, “What’s this? So eager to show your loyalty that you’re rushing to do this menial labour are you?”
“Of course, people under the tree have to bow!” Yang Kai said with a foolish smiled as he stood up.
Bi Xiu Ming and his Junior Brother sneered, their faces filled with contempt, causing many of the others to be unhappy.
Walking around the place where the Monster Beasts were killed, Yang Kai collected the thirty or forty Blood Beads then quickly walked over to the three Sen Luo Temple disciples.
Yao Xi watched Yang Kai coldly with a hint of vigilance.
After all, this person was brought here by Zi Mo, Yao Xi had to take some precautions.
“Throw the Blood Beads over!” When Yang Kai was about ten meters away, Yao Xi ordered loudly, not allowing him to get any closer.
Yang Kai nodded and then carefully tossed the thirty plus Blood Beads one after another over to her side.
Zi Mo looked on indifferently, waiting for Yao Xi to finish collecting these Blood Beads before speaking again, “You’ve gotten what you want, if there’s nothing else, I’ll be leaving now.”
Yao He and Yao Xi glanced at each other, chuckling under their breath, “Where does Senior Sister want to go?”
Zi Mo expression dimmed, retorting coldly, “Where I go is none of your concern!”
Yao Xi smiled sweetly, “Senior Sister’s temper is still so violent, we are only worried about Senior Sister’s well-being. In this terrible isolated world, without your Monster Beasts to protect you, if you ran around haphazardly and injured yourself, how could we explain ourselves to Master?”
Zi Mo glared at them with extreme hatred, “You even want to control me?”
Yao He chimed in, “Senior Sister is too suspicious, we’re all family here so we should take care of each other.”
Yao Xi nodded, “That’s right, Junior Sister is just thinking of what’s best for Senior Sister’s safety.”
A sneer flashed across Zi Mo’s face, along with a look of grief. On the way here, Yang Kai had told her that Yao He and Yao Xi would most likely go in for a penny, in for a pound and act ruthlessly.
[If they dared to move against your Monster Beast, they also won’t hesitate to move against you!] Yang Kai had told her so.
Even after everything that had happened, Zi Mo was still holding onto a little hope, but now, it seems what Yang Kai had said was right.
If they killed her in this damned place, as long as they dealt with the aftermath well, there wouldn’t be any clues; as for the Great Han Dynasty cultivators, they would all be killed sooner or later, so what was there for Yao He and Yao Xi to fear?
First, deprive her of her Monster Beasts, then restrain her freedom, everything had happened exactly like Yang Kai had guessed. Zi Mo didn’t know whether this was a result of some incredible foresight or that he was simply too used to treachery and intrigue.
Remaining silent, Zi Mo eyes were growing colder by the second.
Yao Xi suddenly frowned and turned towards Yang Kai, bluntly reprimanded him, “What are you still doing here, quickly roll back!”
Finished scolding him, she contemptuously looked back at Zi Mo, “Senior Sister, how are you disciplining your servants? He’s obviously not well trained.”
Before Zi Mo could retort, Yang Kai carefully cupped his fists to Yao Xi and grinned embarrassedly before glancing towards Zi Mo, his face filling with hatred, quickly speaking, “Two Young Lords, would it be possible for you to remove this slut’s insect from my body? If you can, I am willing to pledge my allegiance to you.”
Hearing this, Zi Mo turned her face towards Yang Kai in shock, gritting her teeth and asking coldly, “What did you just call me?”
“Slut! You have a problem with that?” Acting like he had just found a patron, Yang Kai shot back at her, tit for tat.
“Hahaha…” Zi Mo let out a laugh, but her eyes were filled with rage, “You dare talk that way to me? It looks like you still don’t understand who your master is!”
These words were exactly what Yang Kai had said to her back then, now that she had a chance to return them Zi Mo didn’t hesitate.
“It seems the lesson from before wasn’t enough for you!” Zi Mo cursed loudly as her murderous intent flared up, quickly causing Yang Kai to collapse to the ground, his hands clutching his dantian as he “writhed in pain”, quickly begging to Yao He and Yao Xi, “Two Young Lords, I really wish to pledge loyalty to you, I swear upon my mortal life, with unwavering devotion!”
This dramatic turn of events naturally drew the attention of the Great Han Dynasty cultivators.
Hearing the words of Yang Kai, even those who had some friendship with him could not help but show a look of sadness, especially the four young girls from the Ten Thousand Flower Palace; however, Han Xiao Qi frowned, from what she knew she didn’t think Yang Kai was someone so spineless.
On the other hand Bi Xiu Ming and his Junior Brother, after freezing up for a moment, burst into laughter, “What did he just say? He wants to swear allegiance to those two? Ha ha ha… it really makes one laugh, I told you all his rushing to take that job was to show his loyalty, and sure enough, I was right!”
Though they were laughing, the two of them also fiercely spat on the ground, their eyes filled with contempt.
[Shameful, extremely shameful!] Although these Great Han cultivators had also been enslaved, none of them had ever behaved so disgracefully and begged for mercy.
Over there, Yang Kai was still pleading as he squirmed around, as if he didn’t know the meaning of the word “shame”, “Two Young Lords, my heart is truly loyal to you, please save me!”
Yao He and Yao Xi apparently had not expected to see such a good show.
They had brought Zi Mo here to deal with her, and Yang Kai was a servant Zi Mo had brought, but now he actually wanted to betray her and join them.
Wonderful, simply wonderful!
They didn’t care about Yang Kai’s life, they only wanted to deal a blow to Zi Mo’s pride. Truthfully Yao He and Yao Xi also looked down upon this spineless Great Han cultivator. However, if they didn’t step in now, he would definitely become a waste, and stealing him from Zi Mo would then become pointless.
“Senior Sister, stop it.” Yao Xi’s tried to wear a proud and noble expression as she fought back her urge to snicker.
Zi Mo glanced towards her with cold eyes, “What now? I’m simply disciplining this disrespectful slave, what business is it of yours?”
Yao He shook his head, “If it was someone else, naturally we wouldn’t interfere, but Senior Sister heard him as well, he would like to swear allegiance to the two of us, so now he is one of our people. Senior Sister won’t be unreasonable, right?”
As the three people stared at each, Zi Mo bit her lip so hard it bled, angrily shouting, “Good, if Junior Brother and Junior Sister want to shelter him, naturally Senior Sister will give you some face!”
A look a victory and pride appeared on Yao He’s face as he cracked a big grin.
Yang Kai, who was crying out as he rolled around on the ground, slowly stopped screaming and struggling, all his clothes now covered in sweat, he slowly staggered to his feat and said, “Thank you Young Lords, these days, this servant has experienced a lot of hardship at this slut’s hands.”
Yao He looked at him with great meaning, nodded and said, “En, Senior Sister’s temper has never been gentle. Your choice to pledge allegiance to us was definitely correct. Since you’re now one of our people, we won’t let you suffer!”
“Thank you two Young Lords, no, thank you two Young Masters!” Yang Kai immediately flattered them.
On the Great Han Dynasty side, Bi Xiu Ming sneered even harder, “This little waste, doesn’t he know that whoever’s hands he lands in, his end will still be death?”
Yang Kai straightened up his back and glared towards Zi Mo, viciously cursing “Damn slut, get your insect out of my body, unless you want to suffer!”
[A fox playing tiger!]
Using a tiger’s skin to act mighty, this act was exactly what it meant.
Yao He and Yao Xi couldn’t have been happier.
Now they didn’t have to lift a finger in order to embarrass Zi Mo, Yang Kai’s betrayal was more than enough to make her lose all face.
“Good, good!” Zi Mo despairingly shouted with her face filled with a mix of hatred, shame, and rage. “Since you want to serve them, then I’ll grant your wish! You think falling into their hands will give you any benefit? Sooner or later you’ll only be able to write the word “death”, I hope you won’t regret it!”
Yang Kai only grunted, arrogantly dismissing her words, “Slut, it’s none of your concern, I’m just happy to be rid of you, so good bye!”
Yao He and Yao Xi both glanced at each other, only able to see this Great Han Dynasty brat as a total idiot, since, if he wasn’t, he wouldn’t be stupid enough to confront Zi Mo.
The Yao family cousins were both extremely happy right now, feeling that they had once more trampled all over the Great Han Dynasty cultivators’ pride; although their group’s friendship with Yang Kai was not too deep, at this moment, they would still feel like they had no face. [We’re all cultivators of the Great Han Dynasty, but now, showing such a farce to these Tian Lang people, it’s beyond disgraceful!]
However, neither of the two parties had any idea what was really happening.
Only Leng Shan, who knew everything, inadvertently coughed and covered her mouth, a hint of laughter flashing across her eyes as she was unable to stop herself from grinning slightly.
Watching Zi Mo and Yang Kai act out this drama, she only felt deep admiration.
But even more so, she admired how everything was going exactly according to the script Yang Kai had laid out before they arrived here. Basically nothing had deviated from his expectations.
Leng Shan understood that, as long as they passed one last hurdle, the main event would be at hand, so she quietly came up to Han Xiao Qi side and whispered the plan to her.
Listening to her explanation, Han Xiao Qi’s eyes lit up as she directed a surprised look towards Leng Shan, who only responded with a serious nod.
“I understand.” Han Xiao Qi took a deep breath, her mouth flashing a light smile, quickly conveying the words she just heard to her three Junior Sisters.
“Hurry up; what are you wasting time for?” Yang Kai urged, as if he was desperate to serve Yao He and Yao Xi even one breath sooner.
Zi Mo looked at him meaningfully before walking up to him, stretching out her hand and pressing it onto his abdomen.
Yang Kai suddenly flinched and shouted towards Yao He, “Young Master, she won’t take this opportunity to kill me, right?”
Yao He snickered, “How could Senior Sister be such a dishonest person?”
“If you say so then everything is alright.” Yang Kai involuntarily breathed a sigh of relief, a moment later his face changing colour as he vomited out an insect.
Not waiting for Zi Mo to retrieve back her property, Yang Kai rushed up and stomped on it, cursing wildly as he repeatedly tried to crush this insect, yelling out all kinds of vulgarities as his spit flew about.
Listening to his incoherent ranting, Yao He and Yao Xi couldn’t help wrinkling their brows, while Zi Mo’s face went livid, her tender body trembling as she stared daggers at Yang Kai.
“Enough!” Yao He finally couldn’t stand watching Yang Kai ‘s retarded performance, hurriedly shouting, “Our Soul Controlling Insect’s physique is special, it’s impossible for you to trample it to death.”
“Oh… I’m ashamed for my naivety…”
Everyone who heard him speak these words suddenly felt dizzy, this… was this is a sense of self-awareness or something?
Yao He lightly coughed, looked at Yang Kai and said, “Since you are willing to swear loyalty to us, presumably you know what you must do?”
Yang Kai nodded, “I know, I have to accept your insect, right?”
Yao He smiled, “Yes, although your performance so far is quite good, in the end, we don’t know anything about you, so planting our Soul Controlling Insect in you is just a precaution. In the future, if you perform well, you will ultimately benefit from your decision today.”
“Many thanks, elder brother.” Yang Kai flattered shamelessly.
“Good, then stretch out your hand.” Yao He glanced victoriously towards Zi Mo before quickly ordering Yang Kai.
Yang Kai complied obediently, sticking out one of his hands.
Seeing this, Yao He took out one of his Soul Controlling Insects and was about to place it into Yang Kai’s hand, when suddenly Yao Xi shouted, “Wait!”
“What’s wrong?” Yao He looked towards her curiously.
Yao Xi stared vigilantly at Yang Kai, then at Zi Mo, suddenly sneering.
Yao He’s complexion changed slightly, quickly understanding the hidden meaning in his cousin’s eyes, a light sweat instantly appearing on his brow. He had only been thinking of how best to humiliate Zi Mo, using this little brat’s betrayal to the fullest to publicly shame her, but he never stopped to consider this all might be some kind of elaborate trap!
If all of this was really just an act, and he had implanted his insect into this kid, then…
Fortunately, his cousin was quite cautious. Thinking till here, Yao He hurriedly took back his Soul Controlling Insect and glared at Yang Kai, slowly ordering him, “Circulate your cultivation technique, let me see what property your Yuan Qi is!”
The Soul Controlling Insect’s nemesis was heat, anyone who cultivated Yang or Flame attribute Secret Arts could not be controlled, because once the insect was burned, his Soul would also take damage!
Because of this, when they captured these Great Han cultivators, the disciples from the Raging Fire Temple were all sentenced to death, no one was spared.
As soon as Yao He’s voice faded, Zi Mo suddenly laughed dismissively.
The cultivators from the Great Han Dynasty also involuntarily tensed up, especially Chen Xue Shu and Su Xiao Yu, the two of them had witnessed Yang Kai fighting before, so they naturally knew what Yang Kai’s Yuan Qi attribute was. When this whole fiasco had started, they had not thought about this point, but when Leng Shan had quietly reminded them, the couple suddenly realized what was happening. Unfortunately, their enemy was now going to check Yang Kai Yuan Qi attribute, so they couldn’t help being anxious, afraid that all of Yang Kai’s carefully laid out scheme would be exposed.
Han Xiao Qi and Ye Han glanced at one another, quietly winking towards Hua Ruo Yin and Liu Qing Ru, the four girls of them silently circulating their True Qi, ready to act at a moment’s notice.
Ye Qing Si and Zhou Ba also did the same.
…
Yao Xi stared straight at Yang Kai, impatiently saying, “I just ordered you to activate your Secret Art, did you not hear me?”
The hundreds of surrounding Monster Beasts also let out a low growl.
Seeing this, Yang Kai nodded his head furiously, silently extracting some Yuan Qi from inside his Unyielding Golden Body.
Very quickly a black gas appeared and wrapped up Yang Kai’s body. This black gas was mixed with a violent and bloodthirsty aura, causing him to suddenly look a bit evil.
Feeling this Yuan Qi’s nature, Yao He and Yao Xi gradually relaxed their vigilance.
As long as it was not a heat attribute Yuan Qi, their Soul Controlling Insects were invincible!
“You practice a Demonic Cultivation Technique?” Yao He looked curiously at Yang Kai.
”En.”
“You’re cultivation is quite low, not even reaching the True Element Boundary, so how did you survive until now?” Yao He asked, truly unable to understand.
Yang Kai suddenly showed an embarrassed expression, “Half a year ago I accidentally fell into a deep gorge and it took a great deal of strength to climb my way out. Unfortunately, when I finally escaped, that slut surnamed Zi captured me.”
Yao He laughed mockingly, “Seems like you have seriously bad luck.”
But if this was true, it certainly would explain why he was still alive now. If a Separation and Reunion Boundary fell into a deep gorge, he really would have no other choice but to slowly climb back up.
“Stretch out your hand.” Yao He was now much more relaxed and Yao Xi seemed to also no longer care about Yang Kai.
A weak little brat who cultivated a Demonic Secret Art; what kind of trouble could he hope to cause?
Yao He threw a Soul Controlling Insect directly into Yang Kai’s hands and watched as it burrowed into his body, traveling along the meridians as it moved towards his dantian.
“Good, now get the hell away from me! If I need you, I’ll summon you. Now, I need to discuss something with my dear Senior Sister.” Yao He signaled Yang Kai to scram, dismissing him offhandedly.
However, Yang Kai just stood there grinning at him.
Seeing his expression suddenly set off a warning in Yao He’s heart, but before he could react, Zi Mo had swiftly activated her movement skill and charged towards him.
“Cheap slu…AHH!” Just as Yao He was about to spit a few curses, he suddenly issued a tragic howl, his legs instantly buckling as he collapsed to the ground, clutching his head as his face twisted in agony, like he was experiencing most vicious torture under the Heavens.
His Soul was being burned; it was a pain no one could afford to bear!
Zi Mo rapidly rushed past Yao He, completely ignoring what was happening to him, and instead shot towards Yao Xi.
Everything had happened too fast, so before Yao Xi could even react, Zi Mo had already scored a direct hit on her chest, crushing several of her ribs and sending her flying, vomiting a big mouthful of blood mid-air.
At the same moment, Yao Xi saw that arrogant sniveling waste from the Great Han Dynasty that had repeatedly been kowtowing to them a moment ago suddenly launch a knife hand towards Yao He’s neck.
Accompanied by crisp cracking sound, Yao He screams came to an end, as his head separated from his body.
“NO!” Yao Xi cried out in despair, instantly issuing a mental order to the numerous Monster Beasts she controlled to come to her aid as quickly as possible.
Seeing this, Yang Kai put on a serious face, activating his movement skill immediately after he delivered the coup-de-grace to Yao He, he dashed behind Yao Xi, clenched his fist and punched forward.
Yao Xi, who had yet to regain her footing, was suddenly struck by Yang Kai’s Burning Sun’s Three Layer Blast!
*Thunk* The True Yang Yuan Qi poured into her body, greatly aggravating her already heavy injuries and sending her reeling back towards Zi Mo.
Not giving her any chance to recover, Zi Mo launched a palm strike, pushing her True Qi to its limit, ruthlessly striking Yao Xi three more times, the ice cold expression on her face not showing the slightest pity or remorse.
It wasn’t until now that Yao Xi had an opportunity to counterattack, desperately blocking Zi Mo’s fatal attack she staggered back several steps, gasping for breath through the blood clogging her throat, screaming out, “Quickly kill them!”
Who she was calling were obviously the Great Han Dynasty cultivators who were implanted with her Soul Controlling Insects.
Of these seventeen or eighteen people, she and Yao He each controlled half, which meant she was still held nine cultivator’s lives in her hand.
But of the Great Han Dynasty cultivators she enslaved, no one stepped forward to obey her!
“What the hell are you just standing around for!?” Yao Xi’s complexion paled as she glared towards Yang Kai and Zi Mo, glancing to the side as she screamed viciously.
The instant she spoke, amongst the Great Han Dynasty disciples, two suddenly fell to the ground, clutching their abdomens, writhing in pain!
Exchanging a quick glance, Yang Kai and Zi Mo hastened the pace of their assault.
Yao Xi was a True Element Boundary Fourth Stage cultivator; with this level of strength, even if he was alone, Yang Kai could easily kill her, not to mention she was now seriously injured and also needed to fight with Zi Mo, a True Element Sixth Stage opponent.
After exchanging only a few more blows, Zi Mo crushed one of Yao Xi’s arms, allowing Yang Kai to transform a drop of Yang Liquid into a sword slice through her neck.
When she died, Yao Xi’s eyes continued to stare blankly, unwilling to accept her fate!
From the moment Yang Kai had launched his attack on Yao He till the moment he cut off Yao Xi’s head, only seven or eight breathes of time had passed; saying this battle was over in the blink of an eye was not an exaggeration.
Seeing two disciples from her Sect lying dead at her feet, Zi Mo still remained expressionless.
The next moment, Yang Kai roared loudly, “The Monster Beasts are going to riot. Everyone prepare your defences, don’t try to kill them, just protect your lives!”
More than a hundred Monster Beasts were being controlled by Yao He and Yao Xi, but now that both of them had died, these beasts suddenly regained their freedom. According to what Zi Mo had told Yang Kai before, once these Monster Beasts got free, the first thing they’d do would be to lash out violently, their pent up primal instincts unleashed all at once, but as long as they felt seriously threatened, they would still choose to retreat!
Facing so many Monster Beasts, the Great Han Dynasty cultivators simply wouldn’t be able to cope if they recklessly fought to kill, even if the two who had fallen to the ground didn’t need to be guarded and instead could fight alongside them, they would still not stand a chance.
As soon Yang Kai’s voice faded, the more than fifty Monster Beasts who were enslaved by Yao He rushed towards the Great Han Dynasty group.
In the end though, this group of cultivators were their respective Sects’ elite disciples, and with the forewarning from Leng Shan, their response was extremely swift; quickly forming a defensive circle around the two who had been disabled by the Soul Controlling Insect’s torture, they coordinated with one another and fought to repulse the horde of Monster Beasts.
The four girls from the Ten Thousand Flower Palace rapidly arranged a small spirit formation, each one pushing their True Qi to the point it became visible before weaving them together mid-air.
Han Xiao Qi lightly shouted, “Four Crest, Binding Seal!”
Their fused True Qi instantly transformed into a cage, falling from the sky, it trapped three or four Monster Beasts within it. Next, the four female disciples changed their hand gestures, causing numerous flower petals to appear inside the cage. Each one acted like a sharp sword, fluttering lightly in the wind but concealing a fierce lethality. The trapped Monster Beasts desperately tried to escape, but were unable to break the cage, and after a few breaths of effort, they had been sliced to pieces by the countless floating petals, falling dead on the ground.
Asura Sect’s Ye Qing Si and Zhou Ba were both covered with a crimson aura filled with murderous intent. Ye Qing Si softly threw about a variety of blood-like martial skills, as if she were performing an exotic dance, giving off a strange, enrapturing feeling.
On the other hand, Zhou Ba gave off the feeling of an imposing tower, directly grabbing a Fourth-Order Monster Beast and letting out a brutal roar as he tore it in half with his bare hands, blood spraying out like a fountain, organs splattering everywhere, drenching him like he was some kind of God of death, grim and ferocious.
Zhou Ba grinned, revealing a mouthful of fangs, brining the Monster Beast’s corpse to his mouth, tearing off a piece with his teeth and chewing it like a ravenous demon, a bloody and terrifying image.
Chen Xue Shu and Su Xiao Yu fought side by side against the tide, once again displaying their Reflecting Moon Sect’s Supreme Martial Skill, Soaring Full Moon, causing moonlight to burst forth, penetrating numerous Monstrous Beasts’ bodies. This technique was a wide range attack so once it was cast it greatly reduced the pressure the group was facing.
Gemini Island, Soaring Feather Pavilion, Pure Heart Palace, all of these great Sect’s disciples were desperately pushing their True Qi, activating their most potent martial skills as the roar of beast constantly erupted around them. Amid the thunderous explosions and colourful flashes of light, the situation actually formed a delicate stalemate. Although they weren’t able to resolve their crisis entirely, within a short period time it was also impossible for the Monster Beasts to break through their defence.
“The two of us are in serious danger here!” Yang Kai and Zi Mo stood back to back, their expressions both grim.
Earlier, Yao Xi had issued an order to her fifty Monster Beasts to kill the two of them, but even though they had swiftly dispatched her, the pair had already been surrounded and so their situation was growing more and more desperate.
“We have to converge with them!” Zi Mo shouted, turned around and hugged Yang Kai’s waist, kicking off the ground and flying up.
“What are you…” Yang Kai sucked in a deep breath, feeling extremely embarrassed.
“I’m saving your life!” Zi Mo grunted.
“Then, we’ll call it even!” Yang Kai laughed slyly, then shouted towards the Great Han cultivators, “Open up some space!”
Looking up and seeing the pair flying over, Leng Shan quickly flashed to the side.
Zi Mo and Yang Kai quickly inserted themselves into this vacant position, joining together with the rest of the group.
The sounds of battle shook the Heavens. The seventeen people were now completely encircled, each of them guarding the backs of the others, and in that moment all of these various sects’ elite disciples were united as one.
Every now and then a Monster Beast would be killed, but these disciples’ True Qi consumption only became more intense.
With the spreading smell of blood, the remaining Monster Beasts became even fiercer, as if they had been driven mad with bloodlust and didn’t care about their own lives as they attacked. Having to deal with more than fifty Monster Beasts was more than enough, but when Yang Kai and Zi Mo joined them, bringing another fifty beasts with them, the pressure everyone felt was more than just double.
With a piercing cry, one of the disciples’ chests was struck by a Fifth-Order Monster Beast leaving a deep bloody gash. Though they weren’t dead, taking on such a strike meant that they instantly lost their ability to fight.
Understanding his situation, he quickly flew backwards into the centre of the crowd as he signaled for another to fill the gap that he had left.
“Can you control these Monster Beasts?” Yang Kai shouted towards Zi Mo while he fought back against a tiger shaped beast.
“I’m trying my best, but it’s not going well!” Zi Mo gritted her teeth as she ferociously struck out towards the surrounding beasts while simultaneously trying to plant her own Soul Controlling Insects, but all of the Monster Beasts around them were rioting about violently, which made it extremely difficult for her to succeed.
After a little more than a stick of incense, Zi Mo had only managed to control less than five Monster Beasts, and these five were all quickly turned into corpses by the never ending sea of rampaging beasts around them.
As more time passed and the group’s consumption of True Qi and injuries increased, the situation became increasingly perilous.
“What now?” Zi Mo said while dripping in sweat. After fighting for so long, they had only managed to kill about thirty Monster Beasts. Most of them were only Fourth-Order while the remaining Fifth-Order Monster Beasts were all existences that were life threatening to the group.
Yang Kai continued to hold his ground as his thoughts spun rapidly, but he was not worried about his side being broken through. At his full strength none of the surrounding Monster Beasts could pose a serious threat to him.
Assessing their situation for a short moment, he quickly shouted, “Everyone should retain a bit of their True Qi, if we’re really unable to hold, we can still fly away! But remember, we have to leave all at once, no one can abandon their position ahead of time!”
Han Xiao Qi loudly replied, “Good, you call the timing! We’ll follow your orders!”
Ye Han said somewhat worried, asked, “But what about you? You’re only a Separation and Reunion Boundary…”
Even if everyone else could fly, he couldn’t. Once that time came, he would surely be shredded by these Monstrous Beasts.
“I’ll take him!” Zi Mo said bluntly.
Many people quickly glanced towards her, surprised she would go to that extent.
However, this plan was not without its risks. A True Element Cultivator could fly, but their speed was by no means fast, and doing so would also consume True Qi. If the Monster Beasts doggedly pursued them, they would only fall into greater danger.
As the battle continued to rage, the number of those who received injuries and had to retreat into the circle grew, which caused the line of defence to tighten and the pressure to increase. On the other hand, the number of Monster Beasts which had fallen also steadily rose.
All of a sudden, just like a rising tide, the Monster Beast’s attacks strengthened significantly. This unexpected rush nearly overwhelmed the group, which was already exhausted.
In all this chaos, Yang Kai still remained calm, as he quietly observed the situation and weighed their options to try to determine the most appropriate time to sound a retreat.
But as he was thinking, a large group of Monster Beasts simultaneously attacked Zi Mo and Leng Shan who were standing nearby, which caused the two of them to fall into a dangerous situation as they desperately fought back. Unexpectedly, two Fifth-Order Monster Beasts leapt over their fellow beasts and flashed their fangs and claws mid-air as they aimed at the pair. A vicious light emitted from their eyes.
The two women’s expressions both changed rapidly and instantly became pale.
Right now they were struggling to push back against a concentrated rush, so how could they have any spare energy to deal with two more Fifth-Order Monster Beasts?
Expect help from the others? Impossible, everyone was busy dealing with the enemies in front of them, even Yang Kai! Once these two Fifth-Order Monster Beasts reached them, even if they didn’t die they would at least be seriously injured.
In that moment of despair, Yang Kai shifted his attention from the Monstrous Beasts he was fighting, which allowed one of them to pounce and bite down, causing him a burst of sharp pain. He grimaced and resisted the urge to scream, while he quickly shot out both his palms and ferociously pushed his Yuan Qi.
With The White Tiger Seal in his left and the Divine Ox Seal in his right, the two seals instantly fused together!
A faint glowing light rushed out.
[Beast Slave Seal!] Drilled directly into one of the Fifth-Order Monster Beast’s body.
Immediately, that Fifth-Order Monster Beast bared its fangs towards its former companion. With the two Monster Beasts now engaged into battle, Zi Mo and Leng Shan’s crisis was abruptly resolved.
With a look of lingering fear, the pair glanced towards Yang Kai, and both of their eyes flashing a trace of gratitude.
Previously, the two of them had each separately tried to enslave and kill Yang Kai, only to instead fall for his machinations and wind up being controlled by him.
Although these past days together, both Zi Mo and Leng Shan displayed a well behaved appearance on the surface, in their hearts they had never stopped wishing for Yang Kai to die so they could regain their freedom.
These thoughts had never weakened even for a moment.
But just now, it was undeniable that Yang Kai had disregarded his own safety in order to save their lives, which faintly touched Zi Mo and Leng Shan’s hearts. Compared to their former companions from their respective Sects, this youth who controlled them, tortured them, and even sexually harassed them, seemed to be more reliable.
“Gahh!” Yang Kai cursed, in just that brief moment the Monster Beast which had bitten into him had managed to tear off a chunk of his flesh. Although for him the injury wasn’t too serious, it still caused his blood to rush as he let out a savage roar, violently pushed his Yuan Qi, and released a deadly strike which instantly killed the offending party.
This situation seemed to affect the entire flow of the battle. After the sneak attack by the two Fifth-Order Monster Beasts failed, the remaining beasts seemed to lose their momentum, and after a brief moment some of them began to flee.
A half cup of tea later, all the remaining Monster Beasts had escaped. The only ones left were now corpses.
The disciples, who were still standing till now, suddenly collapsed panting for breath. All of them were bloodied and exhausted, as they looked around at the Monster Beast’s bodies and thought about how they had somehow survived.
No one knew who was the first to burst into laughter, but it was as if a big stone had been thrown into a calm lake as ripples of excitement and joy rapidly spread around.
The laughter continued on and on, and even the female disciples let out bright smiles and laughed heartily.
[We’re alive! We survived!] Although it was a desperate situation which could have very likely ended with their complete destruction, through their concerted efforts, everyone had managed to survive somehow! An hour or so ago, they had been enslaved by Yao He and Yao Xi, awaiting death, but right now no one was dead, and they were all free!
Their opportunity to live another day way all thanks to Yang Kai!
If he had not killed Yao He and, together with Zi Mo, dealt with Yao Xi, then everyone there would have inevitably been slaughtered by them.
“I owe you my life!” Zuo Fang of the Pure Heart Palace turned towards Yang Kai and sincerely thanked him.
Yang Kai simply nodded and smiled.
“We all owe you our lives!” Han Xiao Qi smiled sweetly.
Following this battle, everyone present needed to rest and recover. During the fight nearly eighty percent of them had sustained injuries, which left only a handful of them unscathed.
Fortunately, none of these injuries were fatal, and as long as they were treated properly, within half a month they would be completely restored.
In this situation, Yang Kai was not stingy and took out a bottle of healing pills from his Universe Bag and freely handed them out to the wounded, which garnered even more gratitude and respect from everyone present.
After the joy of surviving eventually began to settle, a certain gloom enshrouded the group.
The source of this being the two cultivators who had fallen before the desperate fight even began.
Before she had died, Yao Xi had ordered all of these disciples to kill Yang Kai and Zi Mo, but none of them had come to her aid, so in her anger she had imposed a harsh punishment in an attempt to force the others into action.
This punishment had landed on the heads of these unlucky two.
One of them was Li Xin Yuan of the Pure Heart Palace, the Senior Brother of Zuo Fang, while the other was the Junior Brother of Bi Xiu Ming, the one who had previously been insulting Yang Kai.
Everyone wore a frown as they gathered around them.
“How are they?” Yang Kai asked on behalf of the others.
Zuo Fang’s face filled with sadness and despair, “Senior Brother’s dantian was damaged by the insect.”
Yang Kai’s expression sank, and he hesitated before asking, “Then his cultivation…”
Zuo Fang slowly shook his head.
His dantian was broken, and his True Qi dispersed. Although there was no danger to his life, from now on he would be reduced to an ordinary person, unable cultivate, unless he could find a peerless medicine capable of repairing his dantian.
Unfortunately, such a pill only existed in legend. Where would one even begin to look for it?
Li Xin Yuan was an elite of the Pure Heart Palace, and just by the fact that he had come to this isolate world, his aptitude and strength were naturally quite good, but now because of a small insect, he had to face a fate worse than death.
Right now Li Xin Yuan’s face was hollow and stiff, like he had lost his soul. This kind of blow was not something anyone could easily endure.
Compared with his silence, the other victim’s reaction was more violent.
Bi Xiu Ming’s Junior Brother, along with Bi Xiu Ming, had twice before disparaged Yang Kai, and by some stroke of Heavenly karma, when Yao Xi randomly chose individuals to make an example of he ended up being one of them.
Clutching Bi Xiu Ming tightly with tears streaming down his face, he weakly murmured, “Senior Brother… I can still cultivate, can’t I? The damage to my dantian isn’t so serious right, right?”
Bi Xiu Ming’s face was grim, and his lips opened and closed a few times, but he simply couldn’t figure out how to console his Junior Brother.
The group around them remained silent with all showing a somber expression. Although none of them were particularly close to him, or even liked him given his previous attitude towards them and especially towards Yang Kai, but in the end he was still a fellow Great Han Dynasty cultivator.
“Senior Brother, tell me honestly, am I a waste now?” The youth finally couldn’t take it and cried out agitatedly.
Bi Xiu Ming stared at him for a moment before he gritted his teeth and nodded heavily.
“Impossible!” The youth’s face suddenly went grim, “It’s impossible! It’s just a trivial little bug. How could it have destroyed my dantian? I’m a rising star! I cultivated so hard, and in just ten years I reached the True Element Boundary Third Stage! I will definitely become an Immortal Ascension Boundary master, I will become one of the powerhouses of this realm, I …”
Roaring in despair, he suddenly seemed to think of something and stiffly turned his face towards Zi Mo, “That’s right. She’s one of those Tian Lang Dynasty cultivators! She must know the way to save me!”
Hearing these words the group’s faces suddenly brightened. Even the previously unresponsive Li Xin Yuan couldn’t help but look towards Zi Mo. Everyone’s eyes were filled with both hope and anxiety.
However, Zi Mo’s expression remained dull, and she slowly shook her head, “There’s nothing I can do!”
The light in Li Xin Yuan’s eyes instantly faded again while Bi Xiu Ming’s Junior Brother howled angrily, “Damn slut! You’re one of those Tian Lang people aren’t you!? You use those insects too, so how could you not be able to do anything!? You must know but simply don’t want to!”
Hearing him rant and rave at her, Zi Mo’s face gradually became cold, and she began to emit a murderous aura.
Simultaneously, Yang Kai also began to emit a ruthless air.
Aware that the situation was becoming delicate, Chen Xue Shu quickly interjected, “Wait a moment, don’t just accuse others randomly. Although she indeed carries the same insects with her, she wasn’t the one who attacked you, not to mention, your dantian is already broken, do you really believe there’s anything anyone could do about that now?”
Hearing this argument, the youth only sneered, “What did you say? She was one of the ones who attacked us and put us in this position in the first place but now you’re trying to defend her? Open your dog eyes! She’s nothing but a cheap Tian Lang Dynasty slut while I’m a glorious Great Han Dynasty man!”
It was obvious that because of his new found circumstances, this youth was getting carried away and spouting out whatever he wanted, which caused everyone listening around him to frown slightly.
“What the hell are you trying to say!?” Su Xiao Yu angrily shouted as she stepped forward. Originally she had also been quite sympathetic to this youth’s situation, but seeing him lash out so indiscriminately and even cursing her own Senior Brother made any trace of sympathy she had felt instantly vanish.
Chen Xue Shu quickly reached out, held her arm, and slowly shook his head.
Chen Xue Shu’s temperament was quite steady. He understood that this person had simply suffered too great a blow, so he did not take anything he said to heart.
Completely oblivious to the not so subtle changes in the group’s attitude towards him, he only continued to glare and curse at Zi Mo, “Damn slut, if you can’t come up with a way to repair my dantian, then you should just die instead!”
Zi Mo had never been a forgiving woman. Not to mention that these past days she had been deprived of her freedom, and whether she lived or died was no longer her decision to make, so with Yang Kai she had to act subservient even if her heart remained unwilling. In addition, her own comrades had plotted against and wanted to kill her, which further added to her pent up anger and rage, and now listening to this waste of a man curse and threaten her, she finally could no longer hold back, so sneering as she shot back, “A little shit like you wants me to die? I already said I don’t have a way to save you, but even if I could, I would never help you!”
However, after spitting out these hate filled words instead of becoming further enraged the youth suddenly looked ecstatic and grabbed hold of Bi Xiu Ming’s arm, “Senior Brother, you heard her, right? She really does have a way! Quickly make her save me! I can’t remain a waste!”
Bi Xiu Ming’s face cramped up for a moment before he slowly nodded to appease his Junior Brother, “Good, if she refuses to save you, I will waste her cultivation and let her be your maidservant, serving you for the rest of her life!”
Finished speaking, he slowly got up and turned and stared gloomily at Zi Mo.
A ruthless look also flashed across Zi Mo’s pretty face as she looked back at him indifferently.
“Wait a moment!” Chen Xue Shu jumped out between them and shouted, “Bi Xiu Ming, you know that what she just said was only out of anger, and on top of that, it could be said that all of us owe her our lives. If she and Brother Yang hadn’t put on that act and attacked those two, all of us would still be under Yao He and Yao Xi’s control. Even if you don’t want to show her any gratitude, isn’t it too much for you to deliberately move against her?”
“Owe her our lives?” Bi Xiu Ming sneered, “If before all of this, she and her damn Tian Lang bastards hadn’t attacked us, how could we have been reduced to someone else’s slaves? She saved us? No! Everything she did was only to protect her own interests! The only one she wanted to save was herself! Chen Xue Shu, I know your temperament, but I suggest you not interfere in this matter!”
Chen Xue Shu frowned. Although he didn’t like Bi Xiu Ming, he still had to admit what he had just said was undeniably true!
Zi Mo had previously led her Monster Beasts to attack all of them, so even though Yao He and Yao Xi were the ones controlling them, Zi Mo was also greatly responsible. Just now when she and Yang Kai had beheaded Yao He and Yao Xi, Zi Mo really was only acting in her own self interest, and saving them had merely been a side effect.
It was because he knew Bi Xiu Ming was telling the truth that Chen Xue Shu felt it difficult to act any further. On the one hand, he hated Zi Mo, but on the other he knew that Zi Mo and Yang Kai were together, and the relationship between the two was certainly not so simple.
After Chen Xue Shu’s objections were shot down, no one else stepped forward. Whether it was the Ten Thousand Flower Palace’s four girls or the Ye Qing Si Zhou Ba Senior Sister Junior brother pair, all of them remained silent and chose to remain neutral while they waited to see how the situation would develop.
The main reason they were hesitating was because they weren’t clear on the relationship between Yang Kai and Zi Mo.
Seeing the countless pairs of eyes looking towards him, Yang Kai sneered before turning his gaze towards Bi Xiu Ming, “You want to waste her cultivation and give her as a maidservant to your Junior Brother?”
If someone here wanted to act against Zi Mo, then he naturally couldn’t just stand by and watch. Regardless of how it came to pass, Zi Mo was now one of his men.
“If she can’t help restore my Junior Brother, then that will be her fate!” Bi Xiu Ming’s expression darkened.
“I’m afraid your Junior Brother will never have that privilege!” Yang Kai laughed heartily, “After all, she’s already my maidservant!”
Zi Mo’s breath suddenly became ragged as she glared at him, but in the end she couldn’t really retort. Yang Kai calling her his maidservant was already elevating her position. In reality, she had been reduced to his slave, so what objection could she make?
As she gnashed her teeth in rage, Zi Mo felt that this brat was the most hateful person she had ever met, but with her fate in his hands she had no choice but to remain silent.
While Zi Mo was struggling with herself, everyone else who heard Yang Kai speak was stunned, because they could all see that Zi Mo couldn’t refute him. One by one all looked back and forth between the pair, as their eyes held clear disbelief and amazement.
All of them had been reduced to servants by Yao He and Yao Xi, which caused them endless humiliation and anguish, but the relationship between Yang Kai and Zi Mo had been reversed. [What the hell happened? How did he do it!?]
Unnoticed by the others, Leng Shan’s face also flashed an awkward expression. Strictly speaking, her and Zi Mo’s status was the same.
“For my maidservant, only I get to decide whether she lives and who she serves. You’re not qualified.” Yang Kai had long been unhappy with Bi Xiu Ming’s attitude towards him, so at this moment he no longer remained polite.
“Heh heh…” Bi Xiu Ming laughed as she stared dismissively at Yang Kai, “It looks like you’ve been completely tamed by this Tian Lang Dynasty woman, and I don’t know if I should laugh or spit. You speaking up for her like that, makes it seem as though you had already become a servant for her skirt? Although this woman certainly does give off the aura of a slut, letting a man become her plaything after servicing him a bit shouldn’t have been too difficult for her.”
Listening to him speak, all the women in their group couldn’t help but wrinkle their brows. Bi Xiu Ming’s words were far too obscene and ugly, and all of them had a hard time holding down their anger.
Zi Mo’s beautiful face also twisted in rage, and her tender body trembled. Although she looked and acted like an experienced and worldly woman, but only she and those close to her knew that in the end it was all just a facade.
“Don’t try to stop me. I want to kill him!” Zi Mo clenched her teeth and glared at Bi Xiu Ming in hatred. Her expression was ice cold.
Being humiliated to this point meant there was no longer room for compromise.
“You can’t fight him!” Yang Kai stared at her coldly. She was, after all, a Tian Lang Dynasty person. Even though she was stronger than Bi Xiu Ming and could easily beat him, once she had killed him, the rest of the Great Han Dynasty people wouldn’t remain idle, and things would only become more difficult.
“I don’t care! I want him to die!” Zi Mo couldn’t control herself anymore, and her True Qi violently erupting from her body.
“Roll back!” Yang Kai thundered.
Zi Mo stared at him for a moment before she managed to force down her anger. She was quite clever and naturally understood what Yang Kai was saying. Leng Shan also quickly ran up and pulled Zi Mo away. Both of them had experienced his Soul torture before and were clear about Yang Kai’s temper. If she kept pushing her luck and truly enraged him, all she would get for her trouble would be another round of that nightmarish torment.
Bi Xiu Ming stared calmly at Zi Mo with an arrogant look of victory plastered on his face.
“Senior Brother, you can’t let her off!” Bi Xiu Ming’s Junior Brother also began clamoring again.
A ruthless light flashed across Bi Xiu Ming’s eyes, and he nodded slightly as he prepared to rush towards Zi Mo, but suddenly Yang Kai stood in front of him.
“I’ll accompany you instead!” Yang Kai looked at him indifferently.
Bi Xiu Ming frowned, and his look quickly became ugly, “For this Tian Lang Dynasty slut, you really want to get in my way?”
“I already said that she is my maidservant, and only I get to decide her fate.”
“You’re not my opponent, so get out of my way. I don’t want to kill you.” Bi Xiu Ming said impatiently.
“If we don’t fight, how would you know?” Yang Kai remained motionless like a rock.
Bi Xiu Ming stared deeply into Yang Kai’s eyes before nodding seriously. “Good, since you court death, don’t blame me for being ruthless. I’ll kill you first and then waste that Tian Lang bitch!”
Done talking, Bi Xiu Ming ferociously struck towards Yang Kai, while pushing his True Qi to the max. his palm strike whistled through the air.
Screams suddenly sounded. No one thought that Bi Xiu Ming would actually attack so savagely! He was a cultivator at the True Element Boundary Fourth Stage while Yang Kai was only Separation and Reunion Boundary Eighth Stage. With such a massive gap in cultivation how could Yang Kai hope to survive?
Didn’t he have any hesitation given that Yang Kai just saved his life? This man seemed to act only as he pleased without the slightest morality whatsoever.
“Wait!” Han Xiao Qi screamed.
Ye Qing Si also began emitting a crimson aura as she dashed over.
Zi Mo and Leng Shan both couldn’t hide their shock, and their mouths both opened in surprise.
In that instant, Yang Kai fixed his gaze upon Bi Xiu Ming and punched out.
True Qi and Yuan Qi collided, and flashes of energy spread out wantonly.
*Deng deng deng deng…* Bi Xiu Ming staggered backwards more than a dozen steps before he managed to regain his footing, while Yang Kai stood still like a mountain. The eight winds were unable to sway him in the slightest.
Ye Qing Si stumbled as she came to a halt. The bloody aura surrounding her body slowly dissipated as she stood there stunned.
Zi Mo and Leng Shan’s eyes also flashed a trace of surprise. The look on their faces were now extremely complex.
The towering Zhou Ba’s eyes also squinted as his face twitched a few times.
Chen Xue Shu and Su Xiao Yu’s jaws had slacked so much an egg could easily fit into their mouths. The Senior Brother and Junior Sister couple both felt like they were caught in some fantastical dream.
…..
Everyone present had a different reaction, but all of them were equally shocked that Yang Kai was able to effortlessly beat back Bi Xiu Ming.
Separation and Reunion Boundary Eighth Stage, True Element Boundary Fourth Stage …
Not to mention the difference of five Minor Realms, one had to remember there was a huge watershed like gap which divided these two Great Realms!
Before a cultivator reached the True Element Boundary, their body would utilise Yuan Qi, while after reaching True Element Boundary, their Yuan Qi would be refined into True Qi!
The difference between the two was not just a single grade. It was common sense that a Separation and Reunion cultivator could not repel a True Element Boundary master with the possible exception of those world famous super geniuses.
But now, this unbelievable scene had actually happened right before their very eyes.
Bi Xiu Ming also stared towards Yang Kai in shock. His left hand clutched his right, and he desperately circulated his True Qi to resolve the True Yang Yuan Qi which had invaded his body. His right hand glowed red, like it was on fire, but despite his best efforts this red glow was spreading up his arm at a speed the naked eye could see.
“Your Yuan Qi …” Bi Xiu Ming grimaced, “Why is it so pure?”
Yang Kai only sneered while activating his movement skill. He disappeared in a blur and instantly reappeared in front of Bi Xiu Ming and launched a vicious palm strike towards him.
Bi Xiu Ming roared and hurriedly raised his own palm to counter.
Shaking Cloud Palm! A single strike which could shake the clouds. A low Earth Grade Low Martial Skill with extraordinary power!
Yang Kai met this attack head on. A loud *bang* erupted between them as Bi Xiu Ming’s posture collapsed. Yang Kai was also forced back this time, but he quickly stabilized himself and punched out again.
Bi Xiu Ming was now overwhelmed and unable to defend himself from these ferocious attacks, so this punch landed directly on his chest.
Burning Sun’s Three Layer Blast!
More than a month ago, when Yang Kai and Qi Jian Xing fought, the Burning Sun’s Three Layer Blast had been easily resolved by Qi Jian Xing’s True Element Boundary Third Stage strength and was unable to inflict a trace of damage, but now, Bi Xiu Ming at the True Element Boundary Fourth Stage could not repeat this performance.
First, Yang Kai’s Yuan Qi was much purer now thanks to his refinement of a drop of the Brilliant Flame Liquid.
Second, Qi Jian Xing was a disciple of the Nine Star Sword School, a first-class Sect, while Bi Xiu Ming only came from a second-class Sect. Their heritage and foundation couldn’t be compared.
Suffering a direct hit, the Burning Sun’s Three Layer Blast surged into Bi Xiu Ming body and burst open. Bi Xiu Ming cried out in pain as his face went white, and he involuntarily coughed out a mouthful of blood.