At the time, Yang Kai hadn't quite understood why. But now, seeing Shen Shitao and Lu Ying standing by his side, the realization dawned on him immediately.
It must have been because Shen Shitao and Lu Ying had spoken up on his behalf.
Both women were truly grateful people, and that middle-aged man from the Qiantian Sect was no less admirable. Otherwise, back at Dragon Nest Mountain, he wouldn't have secretly helped Yang Kai. Though it had only happened once, Yang Kai had kept it in mind.
After all, at the time, no one had believed in Dragon Nest Mountain's chances. For the man to step forward and lend a hand — that spoke of someone who clearly distinguished between grudges and favors.
"Young Miss Shen and Young Miss Lu, you should come along too!" Yang Kai called out toward them.
Shen Shitao and Lu Ying's lovely faces lit up with joy, and they nodded eagerly, following close behind Mo Yu as they flew over toward him.
The hatch of the Flying Shark War Shuttle hadn't been closed. Moments later, Dai Yuan and all three Qiantian Sect members had stepped inside. Once Mo Yu took in the situation within, his expression grew solemn. He immediately bowed to Ye Xiyun, and following the example of Qian Tong and Fei Zhitu, sat up straight with proper composure.
From outside the war shuttle came Yang Kai's final ultimatum. Shortly after, Yang Kai himself flashed into the Flying Shark War Shuttle. Once he was inside, the strange flying artifact gave a slight shudder and slipped into the flame barrier, vanishing from sight.
Outside the Flowing Flame Sand Ground, countless powerful cultivators wore iron-blue expressions, glaring at the Flowing Flame Sand Ground with helpless fury.
Moments ago, seeing Yang Kai's arrogant demeanor, many had been sorely tempted to strike at him. But when even figures like Mo Xiaosheng and Cheng Pengxuan hadn't made a move, they had no choice but to hold back. Now the opportunity had slipped away — the target had fled into the Flowing Flame Sand Ground, and pursuit was impossible.
"Elder Mo, that brat was far too insolent. Are we really going to let today's matter slide?" A burly, powerfully built man stepped forward, his face full of unwillingness as he looked at Mo Xiaosheng.
The man was no nobody. His cultivation was considerable — he had recently advanced to the Return to Void Stage Three, and he was the Sect Master of a second-tier sect.
Though he held the title of Sect Master, standing before the Grand Elder of the Zhantian Alliance, his status was still a step lower. The Zhantian Alliance was simply not comparable to his sect.
"What would Sect Master Lan like to do?" Mo Xiaosheng glanced at him indifferently, his expression devoid of joy or anger.
"Sect Master Lan cannot swallow this anger!" the man said through gritted teeth.
"If Sect Master Lan truly cannot stomach it, then by all means, try attacking this Flowing Flame Sand Ground. Perhaps you'll manage to break through the flame barrier. If that happens, this old man will certainly rally the full might of the Zhantian Alliance to help Sect Master Lan claim that brat's head!"
Hearing these words, Sect Master Lan's face didn't brighten — instead, it drained of color. He quickly waved his hands. "Elder Mo jests. The Flowing Flame Sand Ground has been a forbidden zone of our Dark Star since ancient times. No one can enter outside of its designated opening period. How could I possibly break through the flame barrier?"
"If that's the case, then spare us the pointless talk!" Mo Xiaosheng snorted coldly.
Sect Master Lan had been given a sharp rebuff, and his expression turned deeply awkward. He could only retreat to the side, his mood thoroughly gloomy.
"Brother Mo, it seems we have no choice but to play along for now," Cheng Pengxuan said, his brow furrowed as he let out a sigh.
"Indeed. That's my thinking as well. The priority now is to find a way into the Flowing Flame Sand Ground. Otherwise, once the Imperial Garden opens, we'll have missed our chance. As for that so-called Lingxiao Sect — hmph, there will be plenty of time ahead. Letting him have his way today is no great matter. We can collect double later."
"Brother Mo speaks wisely. In that case, let's not linger here and earn his resentment. If that brat really does bring out that Void King Level battleship and heads for my Leitai Sect..." Cheng Pengxuan couldn't help but shudder at the thought, and he hurriedly called out to his own disciples before being the first to withdraw.
Mo Xiaosheng made the same move.
Seeing the two great powers retreat without a fight, how could the other forces dare to stay? They all hurriedly called to their companions and disciples, withdrawing in a great mass until they had moved back a hundred li, only then coming to a stop.
Meanwhile, inside the Flying Shark War Shuttle. Yang Yan stared at a luminous disc before her, a faint smile on her lips. "Just as expected. They've all retreated — they're already more than a hundred li away."
"A wise choice," Yang Kai said with a cold laugh, as if he had long anticipated this outcome.
It wasn't that Yang Kai could predict the future. It was simply that what the Lingxiao Sect had revealed was enough to force them into exactly this decision.
Setting aside the fact that the Lingxiao Sect was situated inside the Flowing Flame Sand Ground — perfectly safe and beyond the reach of any assault — the Lingxiao Sect itself could also leverage the Void King Level battleship as a deterrent.
That alone was enough to make anyone think twice.
After all, once you provoked them, not only would you be unable to attack their headquarters, but you would also have to live in constant fear of being harassed by the Void King Level battleship. Who would take such a losing bargain? Able only to take blows without retaliating — that was the very definition of a losing game.
And then there was the Void King Level battleship itself — an existence capable of long-distance voyages.
With it, the Dark Star could completely restore its connection to the outside world. A peak Return to Void Stage Three cultivator who boarded it to leave the Dark Star — escaping the suppression of this world's natural laws and heading for another star — would have the opportunity to break through to the Void King Realm.
Mo Xiaosheng. Cheng Pengxuan. Feng Pozi. Which of them didn't harbor such thoughts? Which of them didn't dream of becoming a passenger aboard that Void King Level battleship?