In the scorching flame zone of the first layer of the Flowing Flame Sand Ground, Yang Kai strode outward with long, powerful steps. At his chest, a faint blue light bloomed, and that pale glow dispelled every threat in his surroundings—even the searing heat waves and fire venom of the flame zone could not penetrate it in the slightest. Yang Kai didn't even need to invoke his Sacred Yuan to protect his body; he remained perfectly unharmed.
More than half a year had already passed since the Flowing Flame Sand Ground had closed, and throughout that entire period, Yang Kai had remained on the sixth layer.
It wasn't that he had been searching for some treasure. Everything of value in the pavilion had already been taken by him—there was nothing left to find.
The reason he had stayed was simply to chop down a few stalks of jade bamboo.
His original plan had been to cut a few and leave, but the toughness of those jade bamboo stalks far exceeded his expectations. Using the Space Blade, it had taken him a full twenty days of continuous cutting to fell a single bamboo no thicker than a thumb.
And during those twenty days, because of the unceasing use of the Space Blade, Yang Kai had been startled to discover that his understanding of the technique had improved considerably. The power of the Space Blades he released had increased as well.
Overjoyed at this, he no longer minded the time he was spending.
For the next half year, Yang Kai had remained in that bamboo grove, pitting himself against stalk after stalk of jade bamboo. Even with so much time invested, he had managed to cut down only twenty stalks. If not for the fact that he was worried Yang Yan, Wu Yi, and the others would grow anxious over his prolonged absence, he wouldn't have prepared to leave so soon.
A month ago, he had departed in haste, and it had taken him an entire month to finally reach the first layer of the Flowing Flame Sand Ground.
Throughout this period, he had kept the two Star Emperor Tokens tucked against his body at all times, never letting them out of his possession for even a moment. After the Flowing Flame Sand Ground had fully closed, the dangers lurking within had indeed grown ferocious by countless times. The second and fourth layers—the heavenly treasure zones—were still somewhat manageable, but the scorching flame zones of the third and fifth layers had seen their power increase tenfold or more.
Yang Kai suspected that even his own Cold Flame wouldn't be able to withstand that searing heat. Fortunately, the Star Emperor Tokens had shielded him, sparing him from any worry. He had traveled the entire way unimpeded.
He didn't know why the Star Emperor Tokens could counteract the environment of the scorching flame zones, but he vaguely sensed that this Flowing Flame Sand Ground must have some connection to the legendary Starry Sky Great Emperor. Otherwise, a second used Star Emperor Token would never have appeared on the sixth floor of that pavilion.
At a time like this, anyone else who entered would surely meet their doom. No wonder the cultivators of the Dark Star had to choose a period when the Flowing Flame Sand Ground's power weakened before venturing inside—only then was it relatively safe.
Now, just ahead of him, there appeared to be a thin, membrane-like barrier of dark red energy blocking his path. Within that dark red barrier lurked a terrifying scorching power—anyone who drew near would be melted into a pool of blood in an instant.
But when Yang Kai saw this membrane-like barrier, instead of showing any fear, his expression turned to one of delight. He walked straight toward it as though he were courting death.
Yet the moment his body made contact with the dark red energy barrier, the barrier seemed to sense something. It split open of its own accord, forming a narrow gap that allowed Yang Kai to pass through unhurried.
After he crossed through, the barrier sealed itself shut once more, restoring its original form.
Beyond the dark red barrier, the scenery before his eyes shifted entirely. Though the air was still thick with scorching heat and the ground beneath his feet remained dry and cracked, far in the distance lay a landscape utterly different from that of the flame zone.
Finally out. This Flowing Flame Sand Ground really was enormous. Yang Kai had been using his Wind and Thunder Wings without pause the entire way, yet it had still taken him a full month of flying to get from the innermost layer all the way out.
He estimated that the Flowing Flame Sand Ground covered an area of at least several hundred thousand li in every direction. No one had known this before because no one had ever been able to reach the third layer or deeper, making it impossible to guess the true scale.
The moment he stepped out, Yang Kai immediately placed the two Star Emperor Tokens he had been secretly keeping in his robe into the space of his Black Book for safekeeping.
But the next instant, he found himself in a bit of a bind. He had no idea where he currently was. When he had first emerged from inside, the geomagnetic needle had helped him determine direction—but the needle only pointed toward the center of the Flowing Flame Sand Ground. By simply walking in the opposite direction, he could leave.
Now, however, he couldn't determine his position at all.
At least he was still somewhere on the Dark Star. Yang Kai felt slightly reassured and was just about to release his Divine Sense to probe the surroundings when he suddenly furrowed his brow and looked to the side.
Not far away, a figure was flying rapidly toward him. Their eyes met, and the figure's face registered an expression of utter shock.
More than half a year had passed since the Flowing Flame Sand Ground had closed, and every sect—large and small—had withdrawn long ago. The person hadn't expected to encounter a living soul here.
But after taking a closer look, the figure let out a soft cry of surprise, seemingly recognizing Yang Kai.