Using the spatial formation outside the Flowing Flame Sand Ground, Yang Kai easily arrived at the Lingxiao Sect's main headquarters.
When he materialized inside the palace on the other side, several disciples on guard duty instantly readied their defenses. But upon seeing that it was Yang Kai who had returned, they broke into relieved smiles and hastily bowed in greeting.
"Has Yang Yan and Elder Ye returned yet?" Yang Kai asked urgently.
"Reporting to the Sect Master — Vice Sect Master Yang and Grand Elder Ye returned five days ago," a sharp-looking disciple quickly answered.
Yang Kai couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Although he had felt that Yang Yan and Ye Xiyun shouldn't have run into any trouble, he had still been on edge without concrete news. Now that he knew they had returned safely, he naturally set that worry aside.
"However, when they returned, Vice Sect Master Yang appeared to be unconscious. She was carried back by the Grand Elder," the disciple carefully added.
"What?" Yang Kai was alarmed. He pressed for more details, but the disciple knew nothing beyond what he had already said — he had no idea what kind of injury Yang Yan had sustained to fall into a coma, nor whether it was serious.
"That's all. Get back to your posts," Yang Kai said helplessly. He could only leave the area quickly and head straight for the Hundred Flowers Residence where Yang Yan had been staying.
Halfway there, Wu Yi and Qian Yue came rushing toward him, clearly having already received word of his return.
The anxiety on both women's faces was unmistakable, and they called out to him the moment they saw him.
"I've heard a little about the situation. Do you know how Yang Yan was injured? Is it serious?" Yang Kai asked as he reached them.
Both women shook their heads repeatedly. Qian Yue said, "Since their return, the Grand Elder hasn't shown herself in public at all. We haven't been able to find out anything."
"Try not to worry. I'll go see for myself." Yang Kai frowned slightly.
"They're not in the Hundred Flowers Residence right now." Wu Yi hurriedly grabbed Yang Kai's sleeve.
"Then where are they?" Yang Kai looked taken aback.
"On the sixth level..."
"The sixth level!" Yang Kai's frown deepened. He knew exactly what the sixth level referred to — the innermost core of the Flowing Flame Sand Ground, where the small bamboo cottage stood. That place had originally been a Great Emperor's secluded retreat. But what were they doing there now? Could the Great Emperor have truly awakened?
A sudden wave of unease welled up in Yang Kai's heart.
Standing in place and mulling things over for a moment, Yang Kai took a deep breath. "I'll go take a look. Oh, and Wu Yi — you should be quite familiar with Protector Huang. I happened to run into her on my way back and invited her to join the Lingxiao Sect. She's one of us now. See to the arrangements."
"Yes!" Wu Yi hastily nodded. She had noticed Huang Juan earlier, but her thoughts had been consumed with Yang Yan's safety and she hadn't had time to greet her. Now, upon receiving Yang Kai's instructions, she accepted without hesitation.
By then, Yang Kai had already flickered and vanished from the spot, heading straight for the sixth level.
The Lingxiao Sect was situated on the fourth level of the Flowing Flame Sand Ground. Between it and the sixth level lay another layer — the Heat Flame Zone — and it was the most dangerous of them all. However, with the Star Emperor Token's protection, Yang Kai had nothing to worry about.
It took only half a day before he arrived in front of the bamboo cottage on the sixth level.
It seemed she had known Yang Kai would come. Ye Xiyun was already waiting before the cottage. When she saw him, a complicated look flickered through her beautiful eyes, and she dipped into a graceful bow. "Your subordinate greets the Sect Master."
"Yang Yan is inside, isn't she?" Yang Kai asked as he moved toward the entrance.
But to his surprise, Ye Xiyun shifted forward and planted herself directly in his path, clearly blocking him from getting any closer.
"What do you mean by this?" Yang Kai narrowed his eyes, fixing Ye Xiyun with a deep, cold stare.
"Please forgive me, Sect Master. Her Ladyship has given orders — she is not to see anyone right now." Ye Xiyun's expression remained as calm as still water, her tone neither servile nor presumptuous.
"Not even me?" Yang Kai raised an eyebrow.
"Correct." Ye Xiyun dipped her head slightly. "Your subordinate is merely carrying out Her Ladyship's orders. Please don't make things difficult for me, Sect Master."
"Make things difficult for you?" Yang Kai let out a laugh of disbelief. "How interesting... What about me seeing her could possibly put you in a difficult position? It's not like we haven't met before."
"I must ask for the Sect Master's understanding!" Ye Xiyun stood firm, refusing to budge.
Yang Kai frowned and regarded her coldly. After a moment, he spoke in a low voice, "If Yang Yan can give you orders, does that mean she's not seriously injured? But the disciples below said she was unconscious when she returned — that you carried her back."
"That's correct. Her Ladyship was indeed unconscious, but she is not in any serious danger. It's only..."
"Only what?"
Ye Xiyun fell silent, her face filled with conflict.
Watching her expression carefully, Yang Kai's thoughts stirred. He narrowed his eyes and said, "I'll ask just one thing. Grand Elder, please speak plainly — don't hide anything from me."
"Please ask, Sect Master." Ye Xiyun looked up and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.
"The person inside that cottage — is she the Yang Yan I know, or... your master?"