"The power of Space is obscure and esoteric — extremely difficult to cultivate. I may be no great talent, but I've gained some insights over the years. Still, no matter what I do, I can't replicate what Sect Master Yang accomplishes — condensing the power of Space into a blade, or even tearing Space apart with a bare hand! Sect Master Yang's extraordinary methods have truly humbled me. I would be grateful if Sect Master Yang would be so generous as to enlighten me and put an end to the many questions gnawing at my heart."
"You understand the power of Space as well?" Yang Kai frowned.
"I've scratched only the surface." Qi Tianche nodded modestly. "I spent decades in seclusion specifically to study the power of Space. I've made some progress, but..."
Yang Kai was taken abast.
He hadn't expected that this old fox had spent decades in seclusion for the sake of studying the power of Space.
Before this, Yang Xiuzhu had warned Ye Xiyun to be on her guard, saying that Qi Tianche had been in seclusion cultivating some secret art for decades and that it was likely no small matter. So it had been the power of Space all along.
But why would the old man go to such lengths?
Yang Kai's mind raced. Then, in a flash of inspiration, he regarded Qi Tianche with a half-smile and said flatly, "Senior, if I'm not mistaken, the reason you've been studying the power of Space is for the sake of this Small Mysterious Realm and that bead, isn't it?"
"Oh? What makes you say that?" Qi Tianche narrowed his eyes, a keen glint flashing through his pupils, as though his interest had been piqued.
"Heh." Yang Kai let out a short laugh. "When I first arrived, I didn't pass through any Void Corridor — I was simply transported here by you. Thinking about it, that bead must be the key to opening this Small Mysterious Realm. And to use that bead, one probably needs to understand the power of Space. That's why you had to cultivate it. Am I wrong?"
"You're correct!" Qi Tianche regarded Yang Kai with approval, nodding. "I wonder what else Sect Master Yang has discerned?"
"I've also noticed that this Small Mysterious Realm is incomplete — most likely because your comprehension of Space isn't deep enough. To make it whole, you'd need greater mastery of the power of Space..." As he spoke, Yang Kai's brow furrowed. He suddenly realized he was confused, uncertain how Qi Tianche's mastery of Space could have any concrete connection to this Small Mysterious Realm.
A Small Mysterious Realm was just that — a self-contained world. It shouldn't have had anything to do with anyone.
"Sect Master Yang has a truly sharp eye. This old man is impressed!" Qi Tianche gave a slight nod. "However, while Sect Master Yang has gotten most of it right, there is one thing you've gotten wrong."
"What thing?" Yang Kai regarded him with suspicion.
"That bead is not the key to opening the Small Mysterious Realm!" Qi Tianche smiled faintly. "That bead itself is the Small Mysterious Realm!"
"What do you mean?" Yang Kai furrowed his brows, looking at him.
"Let me put it this way — a Small Mysterious Realm is sealed inside that bead!" Qi Tianche added.
"What?" Yang Kai's expression shifted drastically, and Fang Peng, who had been listening from the side, was utterly stunned.
"A Small Mysterious Realm sealed inside that bead? Is that even possible?" Yang Kai shook his head repeatedly, his face full of disbelief. But before long, his expression grew grave. He stared darkly at Qi Tianche and said hesitantly, "Could it be that bead is... an Emperor Artifact?"
Qi Tianche burst into hearty laughter, lightly clapping his hands. "Sect Master Yang is truly as clever as they come — you've arrived at the crux of the matter so quickly. Indeed, that bead is an Emperor Artifact! An ordinary Artifact could never possess such a miraculous function, but an Emperor Artifact is different. The mysteries of Emperor Artifacts are beyond what we can fathom! That bead is one of the two Emperor Artifacts of our sect — the Mysterious Realm Bead!"
"The two Emperor Artifacts!" Yang Kai snorted coldly. "Then the other must be the Annihilation Thunder Bead?"
"Yes. These two treasures were passed down from the Great Emperor himself — they are the two most important treasures of our Star Emperor Mountain!" Qi Tianche confirmed with a nod, then suddenly added with a smile, "Sect Master Yang, don't blame Senior Sister Ye for not warning you. The truth is, even she didn't know that I was able to refine the Mysterious Realm Bead. This thing has been passed down through Star Emperor Mountain for tens of thousands of years, yet not a single Sect Master throughout all those generations has ever been able to refine it! Over time, people had even forgotten the bead's true function. It was only by a stroke of extraordinary fortune that I managed to refine it and peer into its secrets."
Yang Kai's face turned ashen, his expression darkening.
The Mysterious Realm Bead — had he not actually found himself inside this incomplete Small Mysterious Realm, he might never have believed that such an extraordinary Artifact existed. One that could seal an entire world within it.
Now that he was trapped inside, with even the Dragon Bone Sword far from his side, how could he possibly fight back? The old man possessed the Sun Moon Golden Wheel, a Void King-grade Artifact.
"And Sect Master Yang, I'd advise you not to bother trying to tear Space apart. This Small Mysterious Realm is a self-contained world with its own laws — tearing Space here won't do you any good." Qi Tianche offered what sounded like yet another piece of kindly advice.
"The only way to know if it works is to try. You don't mind, do you, Senior?" Yang Kai looked up at Qi Tianche.
"By all means, Sect Master Yang. I myself would very much like to observe firsthand the subtleties of how you employ the power of Space." Qi Tianche extended a hand in a welcoming gesture, showing not the slightest inclination to stop him.
Yang Kai didn't hesitate. He swept his hand forward, and a spatial rift instantly tore open before him.
But before he could step through it, Qi Tianche casually waved his hand — and the spatial rift vanished just like that.
Yang Kai cast a cold glare at him, his displeasure plain on his face.
Qi Tianche chuckled. "The laws of this Small Mysterious Realm are now under my control. I'm afraid you'll have to give up on that notion, Sect Master Yang."
"You old bastard!" Yang Kai scoffed.
"Young men are prone to rashness — I won't hold it against you too much. I've been perfectly forthright with you. Now it's Sect Master Yang's turn to make a choice. If you're willing to serve me, I will naturally treat you as a friend going forward. But if Sect Master Yang remains stubbornly obstinate... well, I won't hesitate to resort to other methods. I've already given you the opportunity. Whether you seize it is entirely up to you."
Yang Kai threw his head back and laughed. "You think trapping me in this place lets you do whatever you want? As for cooperating with you, Senior — don't flatter yourself. If you want to cultivate the power of Space, try your next life!"
At the same time, as though it had received some silent command, the Artifact Spirit Fire Bird that had been circling above Yang Kai's head let out a sharp, resonant cry. It transformed into a streak of blazing fire and hurtled straight toward Qi Tianche.