At Yang Kai's words, Yin Sudie let out a soft laugh and parted her crimson lips. "No need to rush off, Young Man. I came here today specifically to invite you to spend some time at Wanren Peak. The truth is, I'm rather curious about your relationship with Senior Sister Dai Yuan. If you wouldn't mind, I'd appreciate it if you'd do me the honor of coming along. You know how it is — Senior Sister Dai Yuan doesn't talk to anyone in the sect. Even I, as her junior sister, can barely get a word out of her. And you're the first guest she's invited back in over twenty years. Not only am I curious about this, but even our Master has asked about it. I'm actually here on Master's orders."
"Your Master?" Yang Kai regarded Yin Sudie with a smile. He thought for a moment, then said, "I appreciate Senior Gong's high regard, but I'm afraid I have pressing matters to attend to and truly can't spare the time. How about this — when I get the chance to visit the Liuli Sect again, I'll pay my respects then?"
"Later?" Yin Sudie giggled. "Who knows when that'll be. Better to strike while the iron's hot — let's say today." She pressed on without relent, making the decision for Yang Kai as though it weren't open to debate.
Yang Kai narrowed his eyes. Her persistence naturally put him in a foul mood. It seemed this matter wouldn't be settled peacefully today. Thinking it over, he realized he'd been somewhat naive — if she'd chased him all the way here, she clearly had no intention of leaving empty-handed.
He drew a soft breath and said in a low voice, "What if I absolutely refuse?"
"Refuse?" Yin Sudie giggled, studying Yang Kai with interest. Her breath carried a sweet, floral fragrance. "I'm afraid that's not really up to you, Young Man."
Her words had barely faded when Yang Yan, over a hundred zhang away, suddenly cried out in alarm — as though she'd been ambushed.
Yang Kai's face went cold and he whipped his head around.
A male warrior had materialized from thin air beside Yang Yan, his body enveloped in a pale, luminous glow. He had apparently tried to capture her, but for some reason the attempt had failed — instead, one of her protective artifacts had forced him into the open. He stood there now with furrowed brows, one hand extended in a grasping gesture, locked in a standoff with a layer of crimson light that flowed around Yang Yan.
Yang Kai's eyes contracted. He instantly recognized the warrior as the one who'd accompanied Yin Sudie here.
He quickly turned to look behind Yin Sudie, but the man was gone. Only a faint phosphorescent glow lingered in the air, gradually fading to nothing.
Yang Kai's face turned iron-grey in an instant.
He hadn't even noticed when the man had slipped away from Yin Sudie's side to ambush Yang Yan. The secret technique this warrior cultivated was clearly extraordinary — it had even deceived him.
He could well imagine what would have happened if Yang Yan hadn't been wearing the hodgepodge of artifacts she'd forged herself. The moment she was captured, he'd be forced to play by their rules. Even unwilling, he'd have no choice but to follow Yin Sudie to Wanren Peak.
Realizing he'd fallen into their trap, Yang Kai was furious. Rather than checking on Yang Yan, he fixed Yin Sudie with a gaze sharp as a blade, staring at her with frigid hostility.
Yang Yan was decked out in all manner of artifacts. Though Yang Kai didn't know exactly how many she carried, he knew a Saint King Stage Three warrior couldn't capture her that easily. Even a typical Void Returning Realm cultivator would struggle. He had absolute faith in Yang Yan's ability to protect herself.
The instant the Luo-surnamed warrior made his move on Yang Yan, Yin Sudie struck at Yang Kai. Accompanied by her melodic, bell-like laughter, the pink mist from before materialized once again, expanding into a vast rosy fog that enveloped Yang Kai completely.
The next moment, Yin Sudie parted her lips and breathed a fragrant exhalation into the mist. The pink fog immediately began to churn and writhe as though alive. From within the roiling clouds drifted waves of seductive, soul-tugging laughter intertwined with sultry whispers.
These sounds had barely reached the air when the Hou-surnamed warrior — already wounded and standing awkwardly behind Yin Sudie — flushed crimson. His blood surged, his eyes filling with feverish light as he stared at the bewitching Yin Sudie, his gaze brimming with possessive desire.
Sensing his burning stare, Yin Sudie frowned, turned, and slapped the crown of his head. The Hou-surnamed warrior flinched, and much of the desire-clouded haze in his eyes cleared.
"Watch yourself — don't make such a fool of yourself!" Yin Sudie snapped, her expression displeased. The Hou-surnamed warrior's face reddened even further, nearly to the point of drawing blood.
He had lost face three times in a single day. He feared he'd never be able to hold his head up around Yin Sudie again. The bewitching technique hadn't even been directed at him — with his strength and cultivation, resisting it should have been easy. But he'd been wounded by Yang Kai, his Saint Yuan unstable, his emotions in turmoil, and in that moment of weakness he'd made a fool of himself.
Hearing Yin Sudie's rebuke, he felt as though a thousand needles were pressing into his spine. He longed to return to the Liuli Sect immediately and seal himself in seclusion.
"I'll need your help later, Senior Brother Hou. Take a moment to sit and recover!" Seeing his wretched expression, Yin Sudie quickly added.