"Of course, when you first enter a sect, your status and treatment won't be all that high. But with your level of cultivation, as long as you complete a few sect missions, becoming an Inner Disciple shouldn't be a problem. I wonder if young Brother Yang has any interest in participating in this trial? If so, I can get you a trial token." Having said that, Shen Shitao gazed at Yang Kai with eager anticipation, as though she truly hoped they could become fellow sect members.
After all, Yang Kai's strength was not insignificant. Once they became fellow disciples, she could legitimately invite him along whenever she ventured out to explore the world.
Under her gaze, Yang Kai deliberated, showing no immediate intention of refusing. This made Shen Shitao's expression brighten — it seemed there was hope. Just as she was about to press her advantage, Yang Kai spoke up: "Miss Shen's kind offer is much appreciated, but I have no plans to join any sect at the moment."
Shen Shitao's expression dimmed, somewhat surprised by his answer.
Yang Kai smiled and explained: "If I truly were alone, joining a sect wouldn't matter much. But as Miss Shen has no doubt noticed, I have companions."
"You mean that Miss Yang Yan?"
Yang Kai nodded. "Not just her — there are others as well. Several dozen, in fact."
"Several dozen…" Shen Shitao was taken aback.
"Yes. And their cultivation levels are quite varied — some are at the Void Returning Stage, some at the Saint King Realm, and a few have even entered the Shenyou Sacred Realm." Yang Kai smiled faintly.
"I see…" Shen Shitao murmured, then broke into a smile. "No wonder you turned down the offer. If young Brother Yang has those concerns, I won't press the matter."
Although failing to invite Yang Kai to join the trial left Shen Shitao somewhat disappointed, she naturally wouldn't force the issue given his reasons. She chatted with Yang Kai for a while longer before taking her leave, heading toward another small peak not far away.
Once she was gone, Yang Kai allowed himself a slight smile, his eyes flickering as though lost in thought. Then a sharp glint flashed through his gaze as he stared at a certain spot in the void and said flatly: "You've been watching for quite a while now — did you notice anything?"
His words fell, and from that spot in the void came a faint ripple of aura, there and gone in an instant, as though nothing had happened at all.
Yang Kai snorted coldly: "What's this? Now that Brother Wang has come all this way, does he need Yang to personally invite him before he'll show himself?"
At Yang Kai's direct address, the void suddenly rippled, and a figure materialized out of thin air, his face dark as he stared at Yang Kai in disbelief: "How did you detect me?"
As he spoke, he retracted a cloak-like artifact draped over his body and fixed Yang Kai with a hard stare, saying gravely: "This Breath-Concealing Rain Cloak is a Void Grade Upper Tier artifact. There's no way you could have seen through it."
"Void Grade Upper Tier artifact!" Yang Kai raised an eyebrow, regarding him with an almost amused expression. "Brother Wang has quite the impressive artifact. But while it's a fine piece, with your current strength you can't bring out its full power. As it happens, I'm quite sensitive to being spied on. Heh heh!"
"Not bad!" Wang Yuhan snorted coldly, showing not the slightest embarrassment at having been exposed.
"Brother Wang, shouldn't you be over there recuperating? What brings you here? If I hadn't recognized your aura, I might well have launched an attack just now." A faint smile played at the corner of Yang Kai's lips.
"Hmph. My injuries have already healed, and I harbor no ill intent in coming here. I was merely curious." Wang Yuhan replied, his tone neither warm nor cold.
"If it's just curiosity, then there's no problem. But if Brother Wang has any objections to me, feel free to speak openly. I'll correct what I can. As for the rest… Brother Wang will simply have to bear with it for a while."
"What objections could I possibly have?" Wang Yuhan's face darkened, then he smiled thinly. "Though I will say, turning down Miss Shen's proposal was a wise move. Your strength isn't bad, but it's still not quite enough for a major sect like Qiantian Sect. You might have failed to live up to Miss Shen's goodwill and ended up embarrassing everyone."
"That's my concern, not yours, Brother Wang. Now then, if you have no other business, I'd appreciate it if you left. I'm only here to use the spatial formation at Black Crow City with my companions, and we'll be on our way soon enough."
"Very well!" Wang Yuhan nodded expressionlessly, gave a brief cupped-fist salute, and turned to leave.
Yang Kai suddenly called out again: "Oh, one more thing — I don't particularly enjoy being secretly watched. I'll let this one slide. But if there's a next time…"
"What will you do?" Wang Yuhan spun around, fixing Yang Kai with a frigid stare.
Yang Kai smiled enigmatically, and the divine sense within his Sea of Consciousness suddenly surged, sweeping violently toward Wang Yuhan.