Yang Kai observed their expressions, determining that the news he had dropped was sufficient. Any more, and these people might truly go mad on the spot. He stored the Star Emperor Token and slowly said, "Seniors, I believe I have proven myself. It is time for you to make a choice."
Yang Xiuzhu and the others exchanged glances, their eyes meeting for a moment as if reaching a consensus. They all cupped their fists together and said in unison, "Your subordinate greets the Sect Master!"
Yang Kai had indeed proven himself. Whether it was the Star Emperor Token that could seal a Great Emperor's divine ability, or the secrets of the Three Flame Fire Ring and the Flowing Flame Sand Field, these were things an ordinary person could not obtain or know. Especially the secrets—who other than the Great Emperor's own mouth could have revealed them?
That was knowledge even Ye Xiyun had been unaware of!
Moreover, Yang Xiuzhu and the others firmly believed in Ye Xiyun's character. She would not deceive them. When she vouched for Yang Kai, they had already been somewhat convinced, but given the gravity of the matter, they had to be cautious.
Now that they knew the Great Emperor was at the Lingxiao Sect, how could they refuse to join?
To be in the same sect as a Great Emperor, to live in the same world—was their great honor, something they could only dream of!
"Excellent!" Yang Kai laughed heartily and suddenly waved his hand, calling out with bold generosity, "Who brought fine wine? Bring out a few jars! This Sect Master wishes to drink freely with the three seniors!"
Yang Xiuzhu showed a strange expression and waved his hand slightly. "We appreciate the Sect Master's kind intentions, but we are not skilled at drinking. Please forgive us, Sect Master. Moreover, great matters are yet to be accomplished. If you truly wish to drink freely, perhaps we should wait until the day our great work is complete."
"Sect Master, the three of them are ascetic cultivators who truly are not skilled in this art," Ye Xiyun added from the side.
Yang Kai nodded in understanding and said lightly, "In that case, let it be. The three seniors are not only indifferent to fame and fortune, but they don't even crave the pleasures of the palate. I am full of admiration!"
"The Sect Master flatters us," Yang Xiuzhu said with a modest smile.
"However, there is one thing I do not understand, and I request the three of you to explain." Yang Kai's expression turned solemn.
"Please speak, Sect Master. We will hold nothing back and will explain everything we know," Yang Xiuzhu said, gesturing with his hand.
"I wish to know why Star Emperor Mountain suddenly moved against me. Was it because of my Sect's warship?" Yang Kai narrowed his eyes as he looked at them. "Since the three of you were at Star Emperor Mountain, you must have heard some rumors. If you could dispel my doubts, I would be endlessly grateful!"
If it was the Battle Sky Alliance and the Thunder Terrace Sect targeting him, Yang Kai could understand. After all, whether it was the earlier battle at Dragon Cave Mountain or the later opening of the Emperor's Garden, the Lingxiao Sect had unpleasant history with both those powers.
Furthermore, the rapid rise of the Lingxiao Sect had genuinely threatened their status.
If they truly wanted to strike, there were reasons. But what about Star Emperor Mountain? He had absolutely no dealings with them. Yang Kai racked his brains and could only think of the phrase: an innocent man is his own worst enemy when he possesses a treasure others covet.
"You are correct, Sect Master. It was indeed for the warship," Yang Xiuzhu confirmed. "This Void King-grade warship holds immense hope. No faction wouldn't want to claim it for themselves, and Star Emperor Mountain is no exception!" At this, Yang Xiuzhu glanced at Ye Xiyun before continuing, "If the previous Sect Master had still been in charge, this might not have happened, but that traitor is different. However..."
"However, what?" Yang Kai raised an eyebrow.
"The warship is only the first reason!"
"And the second?"
"According to news I occasionally overheard, the second reason involves the Great Emperor and the ancestral grounds," Yang Xiuzhu said, his expression grave.
"The Great Emperor and the ancestral grounds?" Yang Kai frowned.
"Correct. The site of the former Grand Azure Sect, which the Lingxiao Sect now occupies, is where the Great Emperor once resided. As the Sect Master said earlier, perhaps there are hidden secrets there! Naturally, the traitor currently in control wants to investigate, but he doesn't know how to enter the Flowing Flame Sand Field. Since the Lingxiao Sect can enter, you must have a way. That traitor covets that method!"
"So that's how it is!" Yang Kai said with a look of realization.
It seemed his offhand remark about hidden secrets, made earlier to win them over, had hit the mark. No wonder Yang Xiuzhu and the others had agreed so readily. It appeared not only did that person suspect hidden secrets in the ancestral grounds, but even Yang Xiuzhu and his companions thought so.
What a pity, though...
There were indeed secrets, but it was the place of the Great Emperor's slumber. Apart from Ye Xiyun and himself, no one could approach it.
Whether it was for the warship or the hypothetical secrets, the root cause was ultimately the Void King realm!
The suppression and constraints of the laws of heaven and earth fueled endless longing and reverie for the next higher realm. The warship and those supposed secrets offered hope, and naturally, Star Emperor Mountain coveted it.
"Now that my people are here to assist the Sect Master, I believe that traitor will be powerless to turn the tide. However, Sect Master, you must also be wary of the Nirvana Thunder Pearl. We of the conservative faction were not highly regarded within the sect and could not access the Nirvana Thunder Pearl. Otherwise, we would have retrieved it for the Sect Master, sparing you future worries." Yang Xiuzhu's face was filled with remorse.
"The seniors mean well. It is merely an Artifact. I have my own countermeasures," Yang Kai said with a bright smile.
"That is good then," Yang Xiuzhu said, nodding gently. Suddenly, as if remembering something, he spoke again, "Ah, there is one more matter the Sect Master should keep in mind."
"Please speak, Senior!"
"For the past few decades, the traitor has seemingly been cultivating some secret art. We subordinates are incompetent and do not yet know what exactly he is cultivating. However, spending so much time on it means that secret art must be extraordinary. If you encounter him, Sect Master, your priority must be to protect yourself." Yang Xiuzhu's tone was serious.
"I will remember this," Yang Kai said, his expression solemn.
"Good. In that case, the three of us shall take our leave. We will return first to make arrangements within the sect for the Sect Master. You may wait here for our news before making your move."
"I shall trouble you then!" Yang Kai said, cupping his fists respectfully.
After returning the courtesy, Yang Xiuzhu and the other two swiftly departed.