Xia Ningshang had not entered the Myriad Worlds Bead. She had now reached the first level of the Void Return Realm and would not hold Yang Kai back. Moreover, having just broken through, there were many things she needed to learn, so Yang Kai had let her stay by his side. It would be convenient to teach her as they went.
Besides, traveling with a beautiful companion was always a pleasure.
When Yang Kai said as much, she immediately asked, "Who are we looking for?"
"Elder Li!" Yang Kai looked at her.
Xia Ningshang caught on at once and gave a gentle nod. She closed her lovely eyes and began searching with her spiritual sense.
She was now the Star Lord of the Tongxuan Continent, having refined the Star Origin. In the space of a single thought, she could shuttle between any point on the continent. Here, she was the absolute sovereign!
Finding a person was easy enough for her.
She reached out through her spiritual consciousness to commune with the Tongxuan Continent's Star Origin, sensing the information relayed by every blade of grass and every tree across the land. From that vast web of signals, she discerned the trail of the person she sought. In less than half a day, her lovely eyes snapped open and she called out, "Found him!"
Yang Kai's spirits lifted. He stepped forward and took Xia Ningshang's small hand. "Take me to pay him a visit."
Xia Ningshang nodded gently, extended her jade-like hand, and pointed forward. A pitch-black vortex immediately tore open in the void, as though it might devour everything. The two of them stepped inside and vanished in an instant.
On an unnamed, desolate mountain — barren and bleak — a few thatched huts stood at the summit.
No one would have guessed that this was the hidden retreat of Li Rui, the legendary Elder Heavenly Treasures, whose name was known across the entire continent.
Yang Kai held Elder Li in great respect. Not only was he the wisest and longest-lived sage on the whole continent — a man who had survived for over a thousand years at the Saint Realm — but also because of the generous guidance he had once bestowed upon Yang Kai.
Back when the Bone Race had risen, Elder Li had come to the Nine Heavens Holy Land, using his immense prestige to rally the entire human race in unity. He had been of tremendous help to Yang Kai.
When Yang Kai had returned to the Nine Heavens Holy Land this time, he had found no trace of Elder Li or his disciple, Zhai Yao.
Given Elder Li's carefree, drifting nature, he likely couldn't stay in one place for long, and so he had left the Nine Heavens Holy Land.
Now Yang Kai was about to set out for the Star Field once more. Naturally, he wanted Elder Li to come along.
"Is this the place?" Xia Ningshang brought Yang Kai to the top of the desolate mountain, which didn't even rise a thousand zhang. Yang Kai couldn't help but furrow his brow.
"Mm." Xia Ningshang gave a soft nod. "But I don't sense Elder Li's aura — only Senior Brother Zhai's…"
At her words, a faint sense of unease stirred in Yang Kai's heart. He raised his head and looked ahead. The few crude thatched huts came into view, and in front of them lay several plots of medicinal gardens. However, these were no spiritual herbs used for Cultivation — they were ordinary medicinal plants.
Those herbs were quite effective for treating illnesses among ordinary folk, but they were of absolutely no use for Cultivation whatsoever.
A single person was tending the medicinal garden, watering and fertilizing the herbs, repeating the same monotonous motions with meticulous care.
Yang Kai walked toward him.
"Need a consultation?" The man watering the herbs heard the footsteps but didn't lift his head, asking offhandedly.
"Brother Zhai, it's been a while!" Yang Kai greeted him with a smile.
Zhai Yao's hands stilled, as though he too had realized something. Slowly he straightened up and raised his head to look at Yang Kai. When he made out Yang Kai's face, he broke into a wide grin.
A set of bright white teeth, paired with a face so beautiful it could make women jealous, all bathed in the lingering glow of the setting sun behind him — golden light spilling across his frame.
This kid was still devastatingly handsome…
Zhai Yao stepped forward and pulled Yang Kai into a fierce embrace.
"Brother Yang, when did you get back?" He seemed not the least bit surprised, as though he had long known Yang Kai would return safely.
"Almost two months ago."
Zhai Yao nodded and shook the dirt from his hands. With warm enthusiasm he called out, "Come, let's drink and catch up today!"
"Gladly!" Yang Kai answered without hesitation.
In front of the thatched huts, the two of them sat down on the ground. There was no fine feast — the stars twinkling overhead and the breeze brushing their faces served as their accompaniment to wine. Xia Ningshang sat off to one side, holding a wine jug and pouring for Yang Kai and Zhai Yao.
The sky full of stars, the thatched hut before them, an old friend arriving from afar — the joy was boundless.
"Master passed away over twenty years ago," Zhai Yao said suddenly, out of nowhere.
Although Yang Kai had long harbored a guess, the moment he heard the news confirmed, the large hand holding his wine cup trembled ever so slightly.
Zhai Yao grinned. "He went very peacefully. Master had already reached the age for it long ago."
To have survived for over a thousand years at the Saint Realm was something no ordinary person could achieve. Elder Li had been a master of pharmacology, using spirit pills and divine medicines to maintain his body — only then could he have enjoyed such longevity.
"Brother Zhai, my condolences," Yang Kai said after a long pause, not knowing what else to offer.
Zhai Yao smiled. "Master's legacy lives on. Master lives on in my heart!"
Yang Kai looked at him and smiled in return, a weight lifting from his chest.
"Brother Yang, what brings you here this time? Were you looking for Master for something?" Zhai Yao asked.
"Nothing in particular. I'm about to leave again, and I was hoping Elder Li and Brother Zhai might come with me."
"To the Star Field?" Zhai Yao's eyes narrowed.