One had to admit, the Human Face had overestimated itself.
The reason Yang Kai's Yuan Qi seemed inexhaustible was the result of consistent accumulation over time.
The True Yang Technique and this unnamed martial art actually shared a similarity — both involved a process of accumulation. The difference was that the True Yang Technique's accumulation converted one's entire Yuan Qi into Yang Liquid, storing it within the dantian. This martial art's accumulation, on the other hand, channeled Yuan Qi into the space beneath the star map on his hand, where it could be released in a burst when needed.
There were differences, too. The Yang Liquid stored in the dantian had no limit — as long as conditions were right, Yang Kai could store as much as he pleased.
The space beneath the star map on the back of his hand, however, was different. It had a ceiling.
After spending nearly two days converting the energy from ten drops of Yang Liquid into Yuan Qi and channeling it into that space, he could feel that it had reached saturation.
Over those two days, Yang Kai had simply been circulating the True Yang Technique while tending to his injuries. He hadn't deliberately focused on the energy within the star map, yet the Yuan Qi in his body had naturally seeped into that space on its own.
That was actually a good thing. During his normal cultivation, this martial art was already accumulating — no need to set aside special time to work on it.
Two days later, Yang Kai opened his eyes and looked down at the back of his hand. The star map there looked far more real than when it had first appeared. Through the pattern, one could even make out a three-dimensional image, as though a vast expanse of stars had truly been sealed into his skin.
With a thought, the pattern on his hand vanished, retreating beneath the flesh.
Yang Kai let out a breath. That pattern was far too dazzling. If it stayed visible on his skin and someone spotted it, it would definitely raise suspicion.
After spacing out for a moment, Yang Kai suddenly asked, "What's the name of the similar martial art from your memories?"
"Young Hero, I… I don't remember." The voice was less frantic than two days ago, but carried a new note of submission.
Yang Kai's eyes flickered. He naturally had no idea how much of an impression he'd made on the Human Face over the past two days. It was precisely that shock that made the Human Face no longer dare to underestimate him.
"I'll give you a chance — name it for me." Last time Yang Kai had racked his brain coming up with a name for Blazing Sun Burst. Now he had someone to use. Naturally he tossed the question to the Human Face. This old demon had to be ancient, with vast experience — coming up with a fitting name should be effortless.
"Yes!" The voice fell silent for a moment. Then it said, "Since there is a star map, and upon activation countless stars shine forth — how about 'Star Trace'?"
"Star Trace… the trace of stars…" Yang Kai murmured a few times, then nodded. "Not bad. It shall be called Star Trace!"
The Human Face quickly offered, with reverence, "Congratulations to the Young Hero on mastering the martial art Star Trace! From this day forward may your literary and martial virtues be complete, your grace extend to all living beings, may you be invincible in every battle, and unparalleled under heaven!"
"Hmph!" Yang Kai was unmoved.
The Human Face immediately fell silent, realizing it had just flattered its way into a pitfall.
"Have you decided how you want to live?" Yang Kai asked suddenly.
The Human Face began to tremble. "If the Young Hero spares my life, I am willing to offer him an Artifact!"
Yang Kai surveyed the surroundings and said flatly, "If you had an Artifact, it would certainly be left here. Even if I killed you, I could search for it myself. Why should I keep you? To be honest, I have no interest in keeping someone like you alive, nor would I dare. Refining you is the best option."
The Human Face hurriedly said, "Young Hero, spare my life! If you are uneasy, I can acknowledge you as my master. As long as you leave a wisp of your soul's imprint upon me, my life and death will rest on a single thought of yours. I beg the Young Hero's great mercy — please do not refine me."
"Oh?" Yang Kai seemed somewhat interested. "How can I know whether what you say is true or false?"
The Human Face replied bitterly, "Although I don't know what strange thing resides within your body, it is remarkably effective against me. Why would I dare deceive you?"
Yang Kai said nothing. He had little desire to keep such a demon alive. But this entity certainly knew things about this place — killing it would be a waste.
At least until he'd obtained the information he wanted, Yang Kai wasn't inclined to kill it.
Yang Kai's silence made the Human Face increasingly uneasy. It kept babbling, "If the Young Hero keeps me alive, I can also activate my Artifact's true power! What you may not know is that my Artifact truly is left right here. But without me, even if you obtained it, Young Hero, you would have no way to use it."
"Why is that?" Yang Kai asked.
"Because that Artifact is an inherently evil object! Without my soul serving as a bridge, given the nature of the Yuan Qi in your body, there is simply no way to drive it independently."
Yang Kai let out a long breath and fell silent again, frowning as he considered.
The Human Face knew its life hung in the balance and didn't dare speak further for fear of annoying him, though its apprehension was impossible to hide.
After a long, long time, Yang Kai finally spoke. "If I let you acknowledge me as master — how is it done?"
The Human Face's heart instantly dropped back into place. Its voice trembled as it said, "Please, Young Master, relax. This old servant will enter your mind, draw out a wisp of your Divine Sense, and brand it upon my body!"
A cold smile appeared at the corner of Yang Kai's lips.
The Human Face quickly explained, "Young Master, your strength has not yet reached the Shenyou Realm, so you are unable to wield your own Divine Sense. Please trust in this old servant's sincerity."
"Go ahead," Yang Kai said, then relaxed his mind.
The Human Face secretly marveled, both startled and impressed by Yang Kai's decisiveness. Its regard for him grew even higher. In anyone else's place, the person would have been wavering between hope and fear — how could anyone but Yang Kai make such a clean decision on the spot?