Yang Kai looked up and discovered that the defensive presence here seemed far stricter than the grand hall housing the Space Array in Heavenly Fate City. Seven or eight disciples of the Demonic Blood Sect clad in azure treasure armor stood outside the hall like spears planted in the ground, each one at the Sacred King Realm, second or third stage. Inside, he could also sense several auras belonging to Void Return Realm powerhouses.
"Brother Yang, please wait here for a moment. I'll go in and let them know. Once everything is settled, I'll come bring you in," Deng Ning said politely.
Yang Kai nodded. Only then did he stride directly into the hall under the watchful gazes of those Demonic Blood Sect disciples.
Those seven or eight guards seemed rather curious about the relationship between Deng Ning and Yang Kai. After Deng Ning walked inside, they kept glancing at Yang Kai, scrutinizing him and speculating about his identity.
But that was all they did — none of them moved forward to interrogate him.
Roughly half an hour passed before Deng Ning's figure finally re-emerged from the hall. By now, his face wore an expression of extreme heartache and barely concealed displeasure.
Seeing this, Yang Kai immediately knew his earlier speculation had been correct — guaranteeing someone's use of a sect's Space Array was absolutely not a simple matter, and Deng Ning had clearly paid a steep price.
The other party's earnest efforts on his behalf actually made Yang Kai feel somewhat embarrassed. After all, only half a day ago he had been debating whether to kill the man and silence him. Yet now the fellow had gone to such lengths just so Yang Kai could use the Space Array. It seemed this person from the Demonic Blood Sect might actually be worth befriending.
Yang Kai quietly reflected on this.
Having stepped out of the hall, Deng Ning's expression had already returned to normal. He grinned at Yang Kai and said, "Sorry to keep you waiting, Brother Yang. Please follow me — everything has been arranged."
"Good!" Yang Kai nodded warmly. This time his attitude was genuinely much improved. The other party had thrown him a peach, so naturally he would return the gesture with a plum. He silently resolved that if he ever encountered Deng Ning again, he would lend a hand whenever he could.
Led by Deng Ning, the two made their way unimpeded into the inner hall. Inside stood an array essentially identical to the Space Array in Heavenly Fate City, standing silently. Several recesses in its base were all inlaid with superior-grade Sacred Crystals — it only needed someone to activate it, and it would be ready to go. Everything had indeed been prepared.
Within the hall, three Void Return Realm experts were stationed as sentries, with over a dozen more Sacred King Realm cultivators standing in two lines on either side. Of the three Void Return Realm experts, each one appeared formidable. Two of them sat with closed eyes at opposite sides of the hall, deep in meditation and cultivation, paying no attention whatsoever to Yang Kai and Deng Ning's arrival.
The third was a silver-haired elder with a flushed complexion, standing beside the array. His hawk-like eyes swept over Yang Kai once before he turned to Deng Ning and said, "Martial Nephew Deng — this is the person you're vouching for?"
"Yes, Martial Uncle Liu. He is an old friend I made some time ago," Deng Ning hastily replied with respect.
"Old friend... heh!" The elder surnamed Liu wore a smile that didn't reach his eyes, as if the words "old friend" had struck a nerve. "From the Shadow Moon Sect?"
Yang Kai kept a neutral expression. He figured this Liu elder had probably already extracted some information from Deng Ning about him. He didn't bother denying anything and cupped his fists in greeting: "Greetings, Senior Liu."
Seeing that Yang Kai at least knew proper etiquette, the Liu elder gave a slight nod and said, "Although our Demonic Blood Sect has no particular dealings with the Shadow Moon Sect, since Martial Nephew Deng is vouching for you, using our sect's Space Array shouldn't be a problem. However, Martial Nephew — you spent thirty Contribution Points of our sect just to guarantee this person's passage to Bluestone City. Was it really worth it? Do you realize those thirty points might take you several life-or-death missions to earn back?"
Deng Ning's face shifted slightly. He glanced at Yang Kai, saw no reaction from him, and quickly forced a smile: "Martial Uncle Liu is very wise. However, Brother Yang once saved my life, so thirty points of contribution is really nothing."
"Saved your life." A sharp gleam flashed in the Liu elder's eyes, and his tone suddenly turned cold. "A Sacred King, second stage, saved your life? Is your Sacred King third-stage cultivation fake?"
Deng Ning's face went pale, beads of sweat forming on his forehead. He stammered, not daring to speak up.
"Moreover, as far as I know, you never had any opportunity to befriend disciples of the Shadow Moon Sect — except for that trip to Heavenly Fate City for the auction. Heh heh, could it be related to that incident?" The Liu elder seemed deeply suspicious, firing off several questions in rapid succession.
Deng Ning was momentarily at a loss for how to respond.
Seeing him being put on the spot like this by his own sect's martial uncle, Yang Kai felt he had no choice but to step in and explain. He spoke up: "Senior, please allow me to clarify. Brother Deng and I did not meet in Heavenly Fate City — we met inside the Scorching Sand Expanse. It was simply a twist of fate that I was able to help him once. It had nothing to do with strength. I truly admire Brother Deng's cultivation."
"The Scorching Sand Expanse! You entered the Scorching Sand Expanse as well? Why didn't you return with Qian Tong and the others? Why have you lingered here until now?" The Liu elder was visibly startled by this.
"I had my reasons for not being able to return with Elder Qian and the others," Yang Kai answered calmly.
"Oh?" The Liu elder smiled meaningfully. "In that case, I'd say your harvest in the Scorching Sand Expanse must have been rather substantial."
Yang Kai's expression flickered slightly. Though he grew wary internally, he didn't let it show on his face. After a moment's thought, he said, "I did obtain a few things, but I doubt they would be worthy of your attention, Senior."
As he spoke, he turned his palm over, and five fire crystal stones the size of pigeon eggs appeared in his hand. Without any overt gesture, he offered them toward the Liu elder: "This is my first time meeting Senior, and I came unprepared. These few trifles are nothing — I hope Senior will deign to accept them."