Qian Yue had been able to become an elder of the Ice Sect and cultivate to the Second Level of the Saint Realm on the Tongxuan Continent — she was clearly no fool. After hearing all of this, how could she fail to see through the tangled web of schemes?
After a moment's thought, she said, "So it seems you really do have a reason for coming here. But that Wang Yuhan is quite the schemer — every link in his plan connects seamlessly, watertight. He's not to be underestimated."
Yang Kai smiled faintly and said slowly, "If all he wanted was to tarnish my reputation and make Shen Shitao look down on me, fine. But if he harbors darker intentions... heh heh."
Though he had guessed at some of Wang Yuhan's intentions, Yang Kai had no intention of leaving. He'd originally stayed behind with the idea of stirring up trouble to force Wang Yuhan's true purpose into the open, but he hadn't expected to encounter Qian Yue here. So he'd simply gone with the flow and ended up in this Ice and Snow Pavilion.
"You really are as lawless as ever." Qian Yue stared at him, momentarily dazed. The scene before her was so reminiscent of that time he'd single-handedly stormed the Ice Sect and caused a huge ruckus. Whether then or now, Yang Kai's strength was never at the very top, yet he dared do things that ordinary people wouldn't even dream of. After a while, she said, "But since you dare act this way, you must have your reasons. I won't try to dissuade you, but you have to be careful. I'd really rather not run into an old acquaintance here, only to have to collect his corpse."
"Don't worry — if I can't win, I'll run." Yang Kai grinned. "But first, tell me — what's the background of this Hehuan Tower?"
"Background?" Qian Yue's delicate brows furrowed. "I don't know the specifics. Since I came here, I've barely had any contact with outsiders. But from overhearing the maids talk, I know that three Void Returning Stage cultivators are stationed here at all times. And apparently, Hehuan Tower is a hidden venture of some sect called the Quehe Sect, backed by the city lord as well."
"The Quehe Sect?" Yang Kai paused, feeling as though he had some vague recollection of having crossed paths with their disciples at some point. But when he tried to pin it down, nothing came.
Since he couldn't remember, it probably wasn't important. Yang Kai let it go, rubbing his chin thoughtfully. "Three Void Returning Stage cultivators on guard — that's some pretty tight security."
Noticing the strange gleam in his eyes, Qian Yue's expression shifted. "What are you thinking?"
Yang Kai waved his hand, smiling. "Not what you're thinking. I have no grudge against this place, so naturally I won't do anything rash here. I just want to take you with me."
"Take me with you?" A flash of joy crossed Qian Yue's face, but it quickly faded into a bitter smile. "Taking me out of here — if only it were that easy."
"What's the difficulty?" Yang Kai asked, surprised.
"Oh, there's difficulty, all right. Not insurmountable, but not trivial either. You managed to come to the Ice and Snow Pavilion, so you must have spent quite a few Sacred Crystals. I don't know where you got them, but just one night here costs a staggering amount. Getting me out would cost at least ten times that. Do you have that many Sacred Crystals?" Clearly, in her view, Yang Kai couldn't possibly pay that kind of price — the cost of just one night was already an astronomical figure in her mind.
But Yang Kai laughed happily, brimming with confidence. "Don't worry about that. A few Sacred Crystals are no problem."
"A few..." Qian Yue clapped a hand over her lips in shock, staring at Yang Kai as though seeing him for the first time. She could never have imagined how deep his pockets were.
"The real question is whether Hehuan Tower will let you go. In principle, after a woman like you has received a distinguished guest and lost her Yin Essence, there shouldn't be much reason for them to keep you." Yang Kai paused, then looked somewhat awkward. "Forgive me for speaking so bluntly, Elder Qian Yue."
A blush crept across Qian Yue's lovely face, lending her an alluring charm. But she quickly recovered. "It's fine — what you said is true. But do you think those people at Hehuan Tower wouldn't be able to tell whether I've lost my Yin Essence or not? As long as I'm still untouched, trying to buy my freedom won't be easy."
Yang Kai frowned. "That's a fair point. The worry is that Hehuan Tower will jack up the price. But no matter — there's no deal that can't be struck; it all comes down to whether you can meet their terms. We're both from the Tongxuan Continent, and running into each other here must be fate. No matter what, I won't let you stay here."
A look of gratitude appeared on Qian Yue's face. She said nothing more, but secretly felt a spark of hope kindling within her. If she could have left, she wouldn't have stayed here all this time. Yang Kai's arrival today had finally given her a ray of hope. If she missed this chance, she might waste her entire life here, reduced to nothing more than a courtesan.
Yang Kai then asked for more details about the Hehuan Tower, and Qian Yue answered everything she could without holding back. But there was much she simply didn't know, and she couldn't provide him with much useful information.
An hour later, Qian Yue summoned a maidservant from the Hehuan Tower. After giving her instructions, the maid glanced at Yang Kai with some surprise, her expression conflicted, and departed.
After a wait of roughly the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, the same young woman who had dealt with Yang Kai earlier appeared in the pavilion. She regarded him with a smile, her beautiful eyes flickering with an unusual light — she had clearly already heard something from the maidservant.