The place where Yang Kai landed seemed to be a field of jagged rocks, with stone pillars of varying thickness standing between heaven and earth all around. The pillars differed in height—some reaching dozens of zhang tall, others no taller than a man—and the ground was covered with gravel and sand.
He probed gently with his senses, and his expression brightened. He discovered that the spiritual energy of heaven and earth in this place was indeed extraordinarily dense, incomparable to anything in the outside world.
If he could meditate and cultivate here, his efficiency would be three or four times higher than out there, at least.
But this was, after all, an Inheritance Grotto-heaven. No one who entered would pass up the chance to seek unknown treasures in favor of simply cultivating.
Su Mu wasn't with him. There was no one else nearby. It seemed that everyone had been scattered the moment they entered.
While he was focusing his senses to probe the surroundings, a figure suddenly appeared a dozen zhang away. This person materialized in midair several zhang above the ground, just as Yang Kai had when he entered, then dropped down to the ground.
After finding her footing, she looked left and right, and her eyes immediately landed on Yang Kai not far away.
Their gazes met. Yang Kai was surprised. "It's you!"
"Oh, what a coincidence!" The person was also somewhat delighted and quickly walked toward Yang Kai.
She was a woman—none other than the senior sister who had sold seeds to Yang Kai at the Black Wind Market.
They were fellow disciples, and meeting here was a kind of fate.
"Just you alone?" the woman asked.
"Yeah, I just got in," Yang Kai nodded.
"So many people entered together, but who knows where everyone got scattered. Should we wait here a while and see if anyone else lands near here, then move out together?" she suggested.
"Sure!" Yang Kai had no objections. This place was full of unknown dangers, and the more people, the greater the combined strength. Though it meant sharing any spoils, in such a strange place, staying alive came first. Once they had a better understanding of the area, it wouldn't be too late to split up.
The two reached an agreement and stood in place to wait.
Before long, three more people dropped down nearby. Of these three, only one was a disciple of Lingxiao Pavilion. The other two were one from the Blood Battle Gang and one from the Wind and Rain Tower.
Five people gathered together. In this special place, there was no strong sense of sect rivalry, and they got along reasonably well.
They waited a while longer, but no one else appeared.
The woman spoke up: "Here's what we'll do. We'll explore while looking for anyone else who's been left on their own. What do you all think?"
Her tone and manner exuded a natural confidence that lent her beautiful features a touch of bold grandeur.
Everyone nodded.
She continued: "But before that, we should get to know each other first. At the very least, we need to know everyone's strength so we can coordinate properly when danger strikes. Let's introduce ourselves. I'll go first—I'm Lan Chudie, disciple of Lingxiao Pavilion. Seventh level of the Qi Movement Realm. What about you?"
She finished speaking and let her lovely eyes sweep across the four of them.
The Lingxiao Pavilion disciple quickly chimed in: "I've heard your great name, Senior Sister. Now that we've met, I see that you're even more beautiful than the stories suggest."
The flattery was painfully obvious. Yang Kai and the other two couldn't help but feel a twinge of disdain. The fellow was clearly smitten with Lan Chudie, which was why he'd cut in so eagerly.
Can't really blame him, though. Lan Chudie was gorgeous, with a voluptuous figure—especially the pair of jade-like peaks on her chest, which seemed to belong not to the mortal world. The sight of them was nothing short of stunning. Whoever won her heart, simply toying with those peaks alone would be enough for a lifetime of blissful nights.
Lan Chudie gave a faint smile, not particularly bothered. She looked at him and asked: "You are…?"
The man puffed out his chest and pulled in his belly, assuming a mature, dependable air. "Junior Brother Nie Yong, disciple under the Grand Elder! Fourth level of the Qi Movement Realm!"
He then added with a grin: "Don't worry, Senior Sister. If there's any danger along the way, your Junior Brother will wade through fire and water to clear every obstacle for you."
"That's very kind of you, Junior Brother." Lan Chudie continued to smile sweetly, her beauty striking to the soul.
She then turned her gaze to another person.
This one was built like an iron tower—a broad-waisted, thick-shouldered man who stood a full head taller than Yang Kai, with rough features that suggested an honest, straightforward nature.
Seeing Lan Chudie looking at him, he spoke: "I'm Zuo An. Blood Battle Gang. Fifth level of the Qi Movement Realm."
With that, he shut his mouth, clearly not the talkative type.
Lan Chudie gave a small nod and turned her gaze to the other woman.