"Mm, that's good then." After learning about Shen Shitao's recent situation, Yang Kai set his mind at ease.
"Why would Sect Leader Yang appear in a place like this?" Mo Yu stared at Yang Kai with a look of suspicion.
"Bad luck, that's all!" Yang Kai gave a bitter laugh and briefly recounted what had happened after he'd left. Gu Zhen and Mo Yu listened and couldn't help but sigh with emotion.
As it happened, Mo Yu, Gu Zhen, and the others had been quite fortunate when they exited the Imperial Domain — they'd materialized right near the Qiantian Sect, so it hadn't taken much effort to return to their sect.
"This trip to the Imperial Domain was truly beyond anyone's expectations. Who would have thought that this forbidden zone would be open to the entire Star Domain, and that our Dark Star would suffer such heavy losses." Gu Zhen let out a deep sigh.
"Oh? Which forces suffered losses, exactly?" Yang Kai's interest was immediately piqued.
"We can't be entirely certain yet, but ever since I returned, I've been gathering intelligence. It's said that both the Grand Elder and the Sect Master of the Demonic Blood Cult perished within the Imperial Domain."
Yang Kai nodded slightly, his expression calm.
Those two from the Demonic Blood Cult were exactly the ones he had killed. He naturally knew the specifics better than anyone.
Gu Zhen and the others noticed nothing amiss, assuming that the two powerhouses from the Demonic Blood Cult had simply encountered experts from other cultivation stars within the Imperial Domain. Gu Zhen continued, "Besides them, the Grand Elder of the Lei Tai Sect, Cheng Pengxuan, also perished. Mo Xiaosheng of the Battle Heaven Alliance was gravely wounded but managed to escape with his life. Gong Xinghe of the Glazed Gate didn't make it back either. Other forces also suffered losses to varying degrees. That our Qiantian Sect came through unscathed was nothing short of pure luck."
"Even Cheng Pengxuan and Gong Xinghe are dead?" Yang Kai was genuinely shocked.
"That's right. The news hasn't spread widely yet, but it's confirmed." Gu Zhen nodded gravely. Yang Kai had no reason to doubt this — among the great powers, it was common practice to plant informants in each other's camps, so gathering such intelligence was well within their capabilities.
"What about the Shadow Moon Hall? Qian Tong, Fei Zhitu, Wei Guchang — how are they?" Yang Kai asked with some anxiety.
"There's no need to worry, Sect Leader Yang. They're all fine." Mo Yu smiled faintly. "Old Ghost Qian is simply far too shrewd. They never ventured deep into the interior of the Imperial Domain — they only explored the outer reaches."
"So that's how it was." Yang Kai couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, and he felt a measure of admiration for Qian Tong's prudence. It wasn't that Qian Tong was a coward — if Wei Guchang hadn't been with them, Qian Tong and Fei Zhitu would surely have seized the chance to delve deep into the Imperial Domain. But with Wei Guchang in tow, they couldn't take that risk. The fact that they hadn't gone inside was undoubtedly for Wei Guchang's sake.
It was precisely this caution that saved Qian Tong and his group from suffering any losses. Even powerhouses as formidable as Cheng Pengxuan and Gong Xinghe had perished within. No matter how strong Qian Tong and Fei Zhitu were, they could have met the same fate.
Though this opening of the Imperial Domain had yielded enormous gains for many, it had also brought devastating losses to numerous sects. Before entering, no one had imagined that this trip would prove so perilous.
Had they known in advance, perhaps so many wouldn't have flocked to it so eagerly.
"When compared to other cultivation stars, our Dark Star still lags considerably behind. Although the Laws of Heaven and Earth suppress us, preventing us from glimpsing the mysteries of the Void King Realm, they allow us to explore the Return to Void Realm to its absolute limits. But ultimately, without the guidance of Void King Realm powerhouses, our artifacts and spirit pills fall a step behind those of outsiders. Fighting against them always leaves us feeling somewhat constrained." Gu Zhen sighed wistfully.
"Indeed. If our Dark Star could produce a Void King Realm expert, this situation would probably cease to be an issue." Mo Yu nodded in agreement from the side.
"That may be so, but breaking through to the Void King Realm is easier said than done." Lu Xuan's expression darkened as he slowly shook his head. "For tens of thousands of years, our Dark Star hasn't produced a single Void King Realm expert. Last time, a Red Candle Fruit appeared in the Flowing Flame Sandy Lands. As I understand it, old scoundrel Tang from the Ethereal Hall managed to obtain a petal of the Red Candle Fruit flesh and consumed it, refining it completely — yet it produced absolutely nothing. A truly precious spirit fruit, utterly wasted."
"It wasn't just old scoundrel Tang. The Glazed Gate also obtained a petal at the time, and Gong Xinghe consumed and refined it — with the same result, no effect whatsoever. Otherwise, he wouldn't have perished this time around."
"Actually, there is a way to break through to the Void King Realm." Mo Yu seemed lost in thought. "Dark Star has the suppression of the Laws of Heaven and Earth, but as long as we can leave Dark Star and travel to another cultivation star that meets the conditions, we would naturally have the opportunity to break through to the Void King Realm."
Hearing this, both Gu Zhen and Lu Xuan started.
Yang Kai glanced at the three of them and suddenly let out a laugh. "Seniors, if you have something to say, just say it directly. There's no need to beat around the bush."
Yang Kai's bluntness left Mo Yu and the others looking rather embarrassed. After a long pause, Mo Yu gave a light cough. "The thing is, Yang Kai, we were actually wondering whether you might have any plans to use your sect's Void King-class warship for a long-distance voyage."
Just as he expected!
Yang Kai smiled knowingly. The moment the three of them had started discussing the Void King Realm, he'd already had his suspicions. Now, with a little probing, he immediately saw through their intentions.
They clearly wanted to catch a ride — to leave Dark Star and travel to another cultivation star where they could attempt to comprehend the mysteries of the Void King Realm.
It was, after all, only human nature.
"And what if I said... that I do have such thoughts?" Yang Kai replied with a faint smile.
Gu Zhen and the other two all perked up, their eyes filled with anticipation.