When he had been cultivating the Clone Art years ago, Yang Kai had known that by finding a suitable vessel and injecting his split consciousness into it, the split could work in tandem with the main body to become something akin to a Dharma Body — useful for going places the main body couldn't reach, or doing things the main body couldn't do.
Yang Yan, for instance, was the Great Emperor's Dharma Body.
The Great Demon God had only been at the Saint King realm, yet with his heaven-defying talent, he had comprehended the Clone Art and mastered a secret technique that only Great Emperors could wield. It was proof enough that his reputation as a legend was well earned.
The Goldstone Puppet had no spiritual intelligence, but its body was perfectly intact. Was this not the most suitable vessel of all?
Yang Kai stroked his chin and stared at the Goldstone Puppet in silence, lost in deep thought.
After a long while, he decided to give it a try. Whether it would succeed or not, he had no idea — but it was better than leaving the Goldstone Puppet in its current vegetable-like state.
He ordered Xiao Xiao to stand guard nearby, then sat cross-legged before the Goldstone Puppet. Channeling his vast, ocean-like Divine Sense, a hazy gray shadow suddenly shot forth from within his mind.
The shadow was ethereal and unstable, but upon closer inspection, one could see that its outline bore a passing resemblance to Yang Kai himself.
This was the split consciousness he had nurtured within his sea of consciousness for many years.
The split consciousness shot straight toward the Goldstone Puppet's mind and vanished in an instant.
...
Lingxiao Sect, the Council Hall. Every Return to Void realm cultivator in the Sect had gathered here. Grand Elder Ye Xiyun sat at the head, with Chang Qi, Hao An, Ge Qi, and Ning Xiangchen seated below. Wu Yi and Qian Yue, serving as the Sect's stewards, were also present.
Not only them — Qian Tong and Fei Zhi Tu were here as well.
The great hall was perfectly silent. A cup of tea sat before each person, and disciples continually came forward to replace the brews that had gone cold.
"Where has the Sect Master gone? It's been over a month and there's still no sign of him. I sent people to search before, and it seems he isn't at Tianyi Palace either." Chang Qi looked toward Ye Xiyun, worry plain on his face. "Grand Elder, do you know where the Sect Master is at present?"
"He's still within the Sect, but even I don't know what he's busy with. It appears he's cultivating some secret technique — something of great importance. I wouldn't dare peek into it casually. Let's wait a while longer." Ye Xiyun's tone was calm.
With her formidable cultivation, she had naturally detected the unusual disturbances emanating from that mountain peak some days ago, which was how she could confirm Yang Kai's location. But as she said, since Yang Kai was cultivating some secret technique, she had no intention of spying on him.
"The Sect Master will return. Before he left, he already laid out the plan for this operation. I reviewed it with him and found no issues. All of you will accompany him on this mission. The Sect will be left in the care of Stewards Wu Yi and Qian Yue."
"Yes," Wu Yi and Qian Yue responded in unison.
"Additionally, Elder Huang Juan is currently in seclusion attempting a breakthrough. You must watch over her carefully and not allow anyone to disturb her. And then there's Yun'er — that girl is far too lively and restless. Once I leave, she may not stay in line. The two of you need to keep an eye on her and ensure she cultivates properly."
"Rest assured, Grand Elder. Qian Yue and I will take care of everything in the Sect." Wu Yi's expression was grave. "As for all of you — you must return safely."
"Mm. With the warship the Sect Master refined beforehand, I imagine this operation shouldn't pose too great a difficulty. Oh — are the personnel and supplies aboard the warship all arranged?"
"Everything is in order."
"Good." Ye Xiyun nodded slightly, then turned to Qian Tong and Fei Zhi Tu. "I must thank the two of you for your efforts this time as well."
"Sister Ye is too kind." Qian Tong chuckled. "Old Fei and I were ambushed and captured last time. If Yang Kai hadn't turned the tide and rescued us, we'd have been silenced for good! This operation — we bear an unavoidable responsibility."
Fei Zhi Tu nodded in agreement from the side. That day, if not for Fang Peng and Qu Zheng's treachery, how could he have ended up in such a wretched state? Not only had his hair turned white, but his cultivation realm had dropped an entire level. Every time he thought of it, his hatred burned to the bone.
"Hm? The Sect Master has arrived." Ye Xiyun's expression suddenly shifted as she looked toward the entrance of the hall.
The others, hearing this, likewise perked up and turned their attention outward.
Sure enough, after a moment, a beam of rainbow light shot toward them from the distance. The radiance dissipated to reveal Yang Kai's figure — his demeanor slightly weary, yet his eyes were bright and spirited, gleaming with sharp light.
"The Sect Master seems to have encountered something good?" Ye Xiyun appeared to have noticed.
"Something like that." Yang Kai offered a light nod but didn't elaborate. His gaze swept across the hall, and he asked in a deep voice, "Is everything prepared?"
"Yes!"
"Then let's go!" Yang Kai smiled.
Everyone rose to their feet and filed outside.
On the plaza, the Void King-grade warship was already parked with its hatch wide open. The group boarded in single file, and after a moment, accompanied by a deep hum, the warship shot outward like thunder and lightning, vanishing from sight in the blink of an eye.
...