The various powers on the Dark Star had a love-hate relationship with old Yan Pei's grim face. They loved it because whenever he presided over an auction, the items were guaranteed to be top-notch. They hated it because the old man's asking prices were absurdly high — even the major powers couldn't withstand his fleecing.
Two Return to Void Stage Three experts standing here spoke volumes about how seriously the Treasure Gathering Tower valued this auction.
Upon seeing Yang Kai arrive, both Fei Zhitu and Yan Pei broke into beaming smiles. The young woman Qing'er, who had been leading the way, couldn't help but look stunned. She hadn't expected that the young man she was escorting was apparently someone of unusual status — even the Grand Elder rarely showed such warmth. Her heart immediately swelled with delight.
For her, the more prestigious Yang Kai's status, the greater the reward she stood to receive. If she was lucky enough to catch his eye, she wouldn't have to worry about cultivation resources ever again. After all, someone who arrived bearing a gold-embossed invitation certainly wouldn't be lacking in Sacred Crystals.
"Greetings, Seniors!" Yang Kai's mouth twitched slightly, but he had no choice but to step forward and bow.
That was the downside of being low in seniority — wherever you went, you were a step below everyone else.
"Heh heh, no need for such formality." Fei Zhitu smiled gently and swept his hand forward. An invisible force lifted Yang Kai to his feet, his manner warm and amiable. Ever since witnessing the Ice Phoenix remnant soul manifest within the Imperial Garden, Fei Zhitu had not dared to underestimate Yang Kai in the slightest.
Even if it was merely a wisp of a remnant soul, it belonged to a legendary ancient Sacred Spirit long thought extinct. As long as Yang Kai didn't die, the power he could draw from that remnant soul would only grow alongside his own strength. Constrained by the laws of the Dark Star, Yang Kai might never ascend to the Void King Realm, but at the Return to Void level, with the Ice Phoenix remnant soul at his side, he was absolutely invincible.
If Fei Zhitu didn't curry favor now while Yang Kai was still weak, it would be far harder to build a relationship once he grew powerful.
"I hear you've been stirring up trouble again lately, kid?" Fei Zhitu chuckled, his meaning clear.
"I'm not sure what you mean, Senior?" Yang Kai asked with a puzzled look.
"Stop playing dumb. You killed the people from the Heart of Sea Sect, didn't you?" Fei Zhitu shot him a glare.
"Ah, the Heart of Sea Sect. That's right, I killed them. What about it? Has the Senior heard something?" Yang Kai raised an eyebrow.
"Not exactly." Fei Zhitu slowly shook his head. "It's just that while the Heart of Sea Sect is far away in the Wuyou Sea, it's still a second-rate sect. Their strength shouldn't be underestimated. Did you even consider the consequences before acting so recklessly?"
Yang Kai chuckled. "If someone pushes you around right to your face, would you have me just swallow it, Senior?"
Seeing his sharp, defiant demeanor, Fei Zhitu laughed despite himself. "If you could swallow your pride, then you wouldn't be you."
Last time, Yang Kai had caused a massive scene in Tianyun City — tangling with seven or eight Return to Void experts and even slaying a powerhouse of the Xie family. Fei Zhitu had long known that Yang Kai was not one to sit still. He merely offered a mild reminder. "But I hear the Heart of Sea Sect people have been staying at the Xie family estate. The two sides seem to be on rather good terms."
Yang Kai narrowed his eyes and clasped his fists. "Thank you for the warning, Senior."
"Mm. Besides them, I hear another force called Flowing Cloud Valley has also taken up residence at the Xie family. Just be careful."
"Flowing Cloud Valley?" Yang Kai's brow furrowed slightly, and his expression shifted.
"What? Don't tell me you've got a grudge against them too?" Fei Zhitu was utterly stunned.
Yang Kai gave a knowing laugh.
Seeing his tacit admission, Fei Zhitu looked exasperated and waved his hand. "Fine, fine. Youth is full of energy — go ahead and cause all the trouble you want. Just don't do it in my Tianyun City. Besides, Flowing Cloud Valley isn't anything to worry about."
"I'll keep that in mind." Yang Kai nodded lightly.
Fei Zhitu considered Flowing Cloud Valley an insignificant little outfit, but Yang Kai harbored a vague wariness toward it. The reason was simple — there was a Lu Ye in Flowing Cloud Valley! Yang Kai had no idea how he had managed to offend the man. In the Flowing Flame Sand Region, Lu Ye had tried to kill him, and although Yang Kai had managed to sever one of his arms during their exchange, Lu Ye had still slipped away.
At the time, Yang Kai had sensed that Lu Ye was no ordinary individual — even someone of Wei Guchang's caliber likely wouldn't have been his match.
Facing Lu Ye gave Yang Kai the same ominous feeling he got from that cold young man named Leng Qing of Star Emperor Mountain. Both radiated an overwhelming sense of threat — a quality that neither Qu Changfeng nor Fang Tianzhong possessed.
For a mere Flowing Cloud Valley to produce such a disciple — even if the sect itself was insignificant, Yang Kai dared not dismiss it. He had specifically gathered intelligence on Flowing Cloud Valley, and hearing Fei Zhitu mention it, the image of Lu Ye immediately came to mind.
Several years had passed since then, and who knew how far Lu Ye's cultivation had progressed. If they crossed paths again, it was anyone's guess who would come out on top. But Yang Kai wasn't afraid of him — his own strength had improved enormously compared to a few years ago, and he now possessed countless more techniques to draw upon in battle.
While Yang Kai's conversation with Fei Zhitu drew to a close, Yan Pei interjected as though he could barely contain himself. "Young Friend Yang gracing our humble auction with his presence truly brings honor to our establishment."
"Heh heh, you're too kind, Senior. Being able to attend this auction is my privilege." Yang Kai wore a humble smile.