"It really is Sect Master Yang." The elderly man smiled faintly and cupped his fists from a distance. "Forgive the discourtesy. This old man is Liang Yong, Third Elder of the Heavenly Battle Alliance!"
The Heavenly Battle Alliance? Yang Kai's brow furrowed slightly. While his impression of the organization was none too favorable — he had even had some friction with them in the past — he did not neglect proper courtesy and returned the cupped-fist salute. "Yang Kai greets Elder Liang."
"Well met, well met." The smile on Liang Yong's face grew even more amiable, though Yang Kai somehow found that smile peculiar without being able to articulate why. Before he could dwell on it, Liang Yong gestured to the man beside him and introduced him. "This is Situ Hong, Vice Sect Master of the Thunder Platform Sect. I'm sure Sect Master Yang has heard of him."
"His reputation precedes him." Yang Kai dipped his head slightly. He had indeed heard both Situ Hong and Liang Yong mentioned before — both were Return Void Realm Stage Three powerhouses on the Dark Star. This was simply the first time he had met them face to face.
The Heavenly Battle Alliance and the Thunder Platform Sect had clashed on numerous occasions. While their relationship couldn't exactly be described as fire and water, they were certainly not on such intimate terms as to be seen working together. Yet here they were, joined as one? Yang Kai's expression turned odd, but when his gaze swept toward the mountain protection formation in the distance, understanding dawned within him.
There are no permanent enemies — only permanent interests. The scene before him was the perfect illustration.
"Sect Master Yang, please forgive us. It was not our intention to bar your way, but as you can see, the current situation demands it. Dozens of sects and factions on our Dark Star have joined forces to break through this mountain protection formation and peer inside. As such, the security around the perimeter has been tightened considerably. No one may enter without authorization. I ask that Sect Master Yang pardon Brother Yu's earlier offense — he was merely carrying out orders." Liang Yong spoke on behalf of the man who had attacked Yang Kai moments ago.
Yang Kai smiled faintly and replied, "No matter. I wasn't harmed. Let us consider the matter settled."
Liang Yong laughed heartily. "Sect Master Yang is truly magnanimous. This Liang thanks you for your grace."
The old man surnamed Yu hurriedly offered his own apology from the side.
"Elder Liang, does this mean no one is permitted to enter at present?" Yang Kai asked with a trace of displeasure. After all, Emperor's Fall Mountain had always been unclaimed territory, and the ancient Sect ruins within should have been open to anyone. Yet these sects and factions had now carved it up as their own domain, declaring that unauthorized trespassers would be killed without mercy. The high-handedness of it all was rather grating.
Still, with dozens of factions standing united, Yang Kai knew better than to speak out of turn. He had no desire to incur the wrath of so many.
"That is correct. Half a month ago, the friends gathered here reached that agreement," Liang Yong confirmed with a gentle nod. "The seven of us serve as the enforcement officers for this area."
"I see." Yang Kai nodded to show his understanding.
Liang Yong then smiled faintly once more. "However, it is not that no one may enter at all. So long as one obtains permission from all seven of us, one may participate in this grand event."
"Oh? And what must one do to gain your permission?" Yang Kai raised an eyebrow.
"Hmm, that is somewhat difficult to say." Liang Yong adopted a look of consternation and began rubbing his temples. "In principle, this mountain protection formation is on the verge of collapse. Anyone who wishes to participate in this grand event must pay a price beforehand. Otherwise, wouldn't the friends over there who have been attacking the formation be doing all the work for someone else's benefit?"
There was a certain logic to that. Several hundred Return Void Realm cultivators had been bombarding the mountain protection formation for half a month, all of them eager to breach it and explore within. Now that success was imminent, none of them would be willing to let outsiders waltz in and reap the rewards for free. If that happened, their resentment would be understandable.
"What sort of price would be required?" Yang Kai pondered for a moment, then asked. "Perhaps Elder Liang could elaborate, and I'll see whether I can afford it."
Liang Yong chuckled. "Sect Master Yang, there's no need to be so formal. If it were anyone else, a price would certainly be required. But since Sect Master Yang is the Sect Master of the Ling Xiao Sect, then... let's dispense with it. The Ling Xiao Sect is now a well-known force on the Dark Star, and it certainly qualifies to participate in this grand event. Moreover, since Sect Master Yang has come alone, I shall do you a favor and allow you to pass."
Yang Kai looked genuinely surprised, tilting his head to study the man. "Won't that put Elder Liang in a difficult position?"
He was thoroughly baffled. He had no idea what the other party was after with this display of goodwill. He was certain he had no favorable ties with the Heavenly Battle Alliance — if anything, there was bad blood between them. There was no reason for them to be so accommodating.
Liang Yong laughed. "Of course, I alone certainly don't have the authority to make that decision. This is merely a suggestion. Whether Sect Master Yang is allowed to pass ultimately depends on what the others think."
As he spoke, Liang Yong turned his gaze toward the other six.
For a moment, those Return Void Realm cultivators exchanged glances. It was Situ Hong, the Vice Sect Master of the Thunder Platform Sect, who spoke first and most directly. Without a moment's hesitation, he nodded. "If it's only Sect Master Yang passing through alone, I have no objections."
With both the Heavenly Battle Alliance and the Thunder Platform Sect in agreement, what else could the others say? They had been following Liang Yong and Situ Hong's lead from the start. One by one, they nodded in assent without a word of protest.
"Then I thank you all," Yang Kai said, offering a slight cupped-fist salute. His figure transformed into a streak of light as he soared past the group and shot straight toward a particular section of the mountain protection formation.
"Sect Master Yang, now that you're here, why not lend us a hand? The sooner we break the formation, the sooner we can all see what treasures lie within!" Liang Yong called out from behind him, but Yang Kai was already several hundred zhang away, and it was unclear whether he had heard.
After his shout, Liang Yong turned his head and exchanged a knowing glance with Situ Hong. The two shared a subtle, satisfied smile.
Truly, they had searched far and wide in vain, only to find what they sought without the slightest effort.
The intelligence they had gathered earlier had led them to believe Yang Kai was headed to Heavenly Destiny City, but after tracking him, they discovered he had come to Emperor's Fall Mountain instead. When word spread of the anomaly at Emperor's Fall Mountain, the powerhouses of both major factions had also converged on the location.