Qian Tong and the others had experienced the arrogance and methods of this woman surnamed Ye in their younger days. As a former Sect Master of Star Emperor Mountain, she was already one of the peak experts. Having not appeared for over a century, her cultivation was now likely at a level of returning to simplicity and truth. It could be said that on the Dark Star, there were absolutely only a handful of people capable of fighting her one-on-one.
She barked orders at them, yet treated Yang Kai, this junior, with a gentle expression... Was something wrong here?
Qian Tong and the others momentarily felt a sense of unreality.
Seeming to have noticed Yang Kai's wariness, the Ye-surnamed woman didn't press him. After a brief moment of thought, she spoke, "How about this? This Empress won't force you to open the great formation. Could you perhaps let me speak a few words with the young lady named Yang Yan? I bear no ill will towards you all. I came here only to confirm one thing."
So she *was* looking for Yang Yan! Yang Kai looked up at her and gave a slight nod. "If it's just a few words, then there shouldn't be a problem. Senior, please catch."
As he spoke, he brushed his hand over his space ring, took out a communication compass, and tossed it towards her. The Ye-surnamed woman made no apparent movement, yet the compass flew straight to her hand, where she caught it gently.
Then, before everyone's eyes, the beautiful woman closed her eyes and poured her divine sense into the communication compass, beginning to communicate with Yang Yan inside the mountain's hollow.
Time flowed slowly. Everyone present, regardless of cultivation level or status, held their breath, as if afraid of disturbing her.
As time passed, the woman's slender body began to tremble slightly, the expression on her face shifting ceaselessly. First came alarm, fear, and uncertainty, then surprise and excitement. A powerful aura, vast as a tsunami, spread uncontrollably from her figure in all directions.
All Sacred King realm cultivators shivered. Under the influence of this aura, they even had the illusion of teetering on the brink of death, as if the Ye-surnamed woman merely had to think it, and they would perish in the next instant.
Even Void Return realm cultivators at the first or second stage had to circulate their energy to resist. Only those at the third stage were unaffected, but even they were secretly startled.
They too were at the third stage of the Void Return realm, at the same level as the woman, but none of them could achieve what she was doing.
This was clearly a sign that her 'Momentum' was perfected! In other words, if not for the suppression of the Dark Star's heavenly laws, this woman would likely already be a Void King realm powerhouse.
For a Void Return realm cultivator to advance to the Void King realm, their own 'Momentum' must reach perfection. None of those present met this condition.
Sensing the gap between themselves and the woman, everyone felt a twinge of anxiety. Jin Shi and the Wind Granny exchanged a glance, feeling even more grateful that they had held back their anger earlier and avoided a conflict with her. Otherwise, even if they teamed up against her, whether they could escape unscathed was uncertain.
After a good while, the terrifying aura abruptly receded. The woman opened her eyes, her gaze bright and lively, her fair face slightly flushed, radiating a dazzling light, as if she had encountered some tremendous joy.
Yang Kai distinctly noticed that her breathing had quickened slightly, and from within her body came the sound of a rapid heartbeat.
What exactly had she discussed with Yang Yan? Yang Kai was filled with doubt.
The others were also extremely curious, wondering who in Dragon Cave Mountain could cause such a powerful expert's state of mind to fluctuate so wildly.
For a powerhouse of her caliber, unless something truly significant had occurred, such intense emotional changes were impossible.
The Ye-surnamed woman took several deep breaths to calm her excitement, then looked at Yang Kai and asked softly, "Young brother, could you give me this communication compass? I can exchange something for it."
Yang Kai smiled lightly. "No need for an exchange. It's just a simple communication compass. If Senior wants it, you may keep it."
At this moment, he had already confirmed that she bore no ill will towards Dragon Cave Mountain. Moreover, it was highly probable she had some connection with Yang Yan, meaning she was a friend, not a foe.
Having such a powerful ally arrive was cause for celebration, not something to haggle over. What was the value of a mere communication compass? It was trivial, used only for transmitting messages. If he wanted one, Yang Yan could craft countless of them with a wave of her hand.
"In that case, this concubine thanks you." The Ye-surnamed woman was not one for dilly-dallying. Hearing this, her face lit up with delight, and she happily stowed the compass in her own space ring.
By now, it was obvious to everyone that this woman had some relationship with someone inside Dragon Cave Mountain. Jin Shi, the Wind Granny, and the others wore expressions as if they had swallowed a dead fly.
They had been pressuring Yang Kai and Dragon Cave Mountain moments ago, but if the Ye-surnamed woman truly allied herself with Dragon Cave Mountain, they would have to retreat. Making enemies with such a powerhouse over the sake of their dead disciples was extremely unwise—unless their brains had rusted shut.
At the thought, both Jin Shi and the Wind Granny lost their will to fight.
After all, revenge could wait. It was better to first investigate the exact relationship between this woman and Dragon Cave Mountain.
"He actually turned danger into safety?" Over on the Qiantian Sect side, Grand Elder Mo Yu's eyes flashed with surprise, unable to believe the scene he had just witnessed. Moments ago, he had been lecturing Shen Shitao, saying that the theory of destiny and luck was vague and unreliable. Yet in the blink of an eye, this seemingly inescapable predicament had taken a turn for the better.
This kid's luck... wasn't it a bit too heaven-defying?