"Your junior sister is right," Gong Aofu snorted. "For a young man to show off his edge too much is never a good thing. The tallest tree in the forest is the first to be broken by the wind. If his personality doesn't change, he will surely die young. As your master, I forbid you from having any further dealings with him, lest you bring trouble to our Glazed Gate as well."
"Master!" Dai Yuan was startled and was about to protest, but Gong Aofu gazed at her with an expression of authority. "What? You won't even listen to your master's words anymore?"
Dai Yuan bit her thin lips gently and after a long moment, replied, "Your disciple respectfully obeys Master's teaching."
Only then did Gong Aofu look away, satisfied.
On the other side, two young women stood together, their bright eyes fixed on Yang Kai. One had a slightly charming and alluring appearance, while the other looked pure and innocent. However, both had their delicate brows slightly furrowed at the moment, appearing somewhat worried.
Their cultivation wasn't high, both only at the Saint King Realm. Standing in the middle of a crowd, Yang Kai hadn't noticed them. If he had, he would certainly have recognized them as Shen Shitao and Lü Ying, junior and senior sisters from the Qiantian Sect.
Yang Kai had interacted with Shen Shitao several times. She had even repeatedly invited him to join the Qiantian Sect, wanting him to participate in the sect's trials, but he had politely declined each time.
It was also thanks to them that Yang Kai had encountered Qian Yue in Black Crow City, redeemed her, and brought her back to Dragon Cave Mountain.
As disciples of the Qiantian Sect, they had come with their master this time to attend the auction in Tianyun City. Originally, they had considered visiting Yang Kai at Dragon Cave Mountain, but they had been busy with various matters recently and hadn't found the opportunity until today, when they followed their master here to watch the excitement.
Seeing Dragon Cave Mountain in such a dire situation, Shen Shitao and Lü Ying were naturally anxious in their hearts.
Yang Kai had left a good impression on them, and had even saved their lives in the Valley of Fallen Heroes. The two girls were not ungrateful, but their strength was weak, and at a time like this, they had no voice or influence.
"Senior Sister, it seems he's in some real trouble this time," Lü Ying whispered.
"Mm." Shen Shitao nodded instinctively. Her insight was deeper than Lü Ying's. She knew that if things weren't handled well for Dragon Cave Mountain this time, the outcome would likely be utter destruction.
"Then do you think he can escape this calamity?" Lü Ying asked again.
"How would I know?" Shen Shitao gave a bitter smile. If she had enough strength, she wouldn't hesitate to help. But she was merely at the Saint King Realm and powerless in a situation like this. She gently bit her red lips, thoughtful. "It's just that his luck has always been quite good. I wonder if he'll have the favor of the Heavens this time."
Although they spoke softly, their words were heard clearly by a middle-aged man standing in front of them. This man's cultivation was formidable, a powerhouse of the Void Return Stage Three, on par with Qian Tong and Fei Zhitu. However, his long hair was even more black and beautiful than a woman's, reaching his waist. His physique was imposing, and he wore a scholar's robe, giving him a somewhat wild and unrestrained air.
He turned his head, a mild smile on his face, and waved at Shen Shitao and Lü Ying.
The two girls exchanged a glance and quickly stepped forward, bowing respectfully. "Master!"
This man was none other than Mo Yu, the Grand Elder of the Qiantian Sect, a renowned figure even on the Dark Star, on par with Qian Tong and Fei Zhitu. Originally, Shen Shitao and Lü Ying hadn't been qualified to become his direct disciples. However, during the event in the Scorching Sand Land, the two girls had rendered great merit, bringing back a large number of Saint Crystals for the sect. As a result, Mo Yu had made an exception and accepted them as his disciples, occasionally guiding their cultivation, which allowed the two girls to progress rapidly.
The defensive Artifact, the Nine Palace Heavenly Net Umbrella, that Shen Shitao had used in the Valley of Fallen Heroes was bestowed upon her by him.
"Do you know this young man?" Mo Yu asked amiably.
Shen Shitao and Lü Ying looked at each other. They wouldn't dare lie to their master. The former immediately answered, "Yes, Master. He is the friend with exceptionally good fortune I mentioned to you before."
"Oh? So he is the one you said possesses great destiny?" Mo Yu raised his eyebrows, showing interest.
"Yes, it's him!"
"Heh heh, that is somewhat interesting. The talk of destiny is but an ethereal concept. A person experiences both good and bad; continuous good fortune is impossible. The so-called 'after extreme misfortune comes good fortune' is precisely this principle." Mo Yu seemed to be talking to himself, yet also perhaps instructing Shen Shitao. The latter didn't dare interrupt and could only listen respectfully.
Mo Yu glanced at her lightly and chuckled. "Were you hoping your master might put in a good word for him?"
Shen Shitao's delicate body trembled. She hastily replied, "Your disciple wouldn't dare. Although your disciple is a woman, I understand the gravity of the situation and would never ask Master to wade into these troubled waters."
"Mm, you are sensible." Mo Yu nodded slightly. "The situation is still unclear. Naturally, I won't readily wade into these troubled waters."
He appeared only middle-aged, but in reality, he was quite advanced in years, so referring to himself as 'old man' was appropriate. Shifting the topic, Mo Yu said with a smile, "However, I am quite curious just how lucky he truly is to earn your high praise. If he can turn danger into safety this time as well, then I will believe he truly possesses great destiny. In the future, you may interact and associate with him more."
"Yes!" Shen Shitao's face lit up with joy, but the thought of the current grim situation soon brought a trace of worry back to her pretty face.
Regardless of anything else, Yang Kai had saved her life. Now, she could only watch helplessly without being able to lend a hand, which filled her with a degree of unease and guilt.