Only after Shan Qingluo's explanation did Yang Kai understand why the powerful figures from other territories had rushed to Scarlet Moon's palace — they wanted to borrow that super teleportation formation.
"Oh, by the way, Qingluo — this Blood Prison trial probably won't be easy. Take this. There's not much time, but refine it as much as you can. Maybe it'll give you some help!" Yang Kai suddenly remembered something and produced it from his spatial ring, handing it over to Shan Qingluo.
"What is this...?" Shan Qingluo eyed the item in Yang Kai's hand with suspicion, but her beautiful eyes lit up in an instant, and she cried out, "A Void King Realm Artifact?"
She had immediately sensed the intense yet restrained energy fluctuations radiating from the object. That particular kind of energy signature belonged exclusively to Void King Realm Artifacts!
"Mm." Yang Kai smiled faintly. "It's called the Thunder Fire Seven Fowl Whip. I think it should suit you perfectly."
Shan Qingluo's eyes crinkled with amusement. She made no move to politely decline, instead taking the Thunder Fire Seven Fowl Whip with a bold, graceful sweep of her hand. She channeled a sliver of her Saint Yuan into it, and the long whip immediately emitted a low hum, as if resonating faintly with her energy.
"This really does seem like a perfect fit..." A contemplative look crossed Shan Qingluo's face. "Its previous owner was human, wasn't it? The residual life imprint inside clashes with the artifact itself... Mm, it seems like it can only be wielded to its full potential when powered by demon energy."
"Oh?" Yang Kai looked surprised.
He truly hadn't known any of that.
The Thunder Fire Seven Fowl Whip had originally been the supreme treasure of the Thunder Platform Sect. After Yang Kai killed Fang Peng inside the Profound Realm Bead, this Void King Realm Artifact had become his spoils of war. He'd never bothered to study it in depth — he'd simply had a vague feeling that this whip-type artifact matched Shan Qingluo's queenly bearing perfectly, which was why he'd decided to gift it.
Come to think of it, Shan Qingluo — all curves and captivating allure — cracking that long whip, her hair billowing behind her as her robes fluttered in the wind... the image was enough to set anyone's blood racing, stirring up an almost primal desire to conquer.
"So it's called the Thunder Fire Seven Fowl Whip?" Shan Qingluo played with the whip with undisguised delight, clearly loath to let it go.
"That's right."
"Then that settles it. This was probably an Artifact belonging to one of our demon race's powerhouses that eventually fell into human hands. I can still sense its original owner's aura!"
"Now that you mention it, it really does seem that way." Yang Kai furrowed his brow slightly. "When I fought this Artifact's previous owner, I always felt like the weapon wasn't all that powerful. If what you're saying is true, then its true potential was never fully unleashed. But now that it's in your hands, it should never be disgraced again."
"I'll make sure I do it justice. Thank you, Yang Kai!" Shan Qingluo gazed at Yang Kai with softened eyes, a faint blush rising to her cheeks.
A Void King Realm Artifact. She had never owned one before.
The only beings who possessed Artifacts of that caliber were Territory Lords among the demon race!
She understood the value of such an item better than anyone.
Yet here was Yang Kai, handing over an Artifact of essentially incalculable worth without so much as blinking.
She could clearly feel how much she meant to him...
Her heart soared. In that moment, she felt that all the years of waiting and watching had been distilled into a single stream of sweet nectar, nourishing her heart and filling it with an almost overwhelming warmth.
"Um... should I maybe step out for a bit?" Xia Ningshang ventured timidly from the side.
Shan Qingluo blinked in surprise, then burst into a soft, melodic laugh. She rose with fluid grace, glided over to Xia Ningshang, and lifted the girl's chin with a slender, delicate finger, tilting her head upward. Then she leaned down and pressed her red lips against Xia Ningshang's.
"Sister Qingluo, what are you— mmph..."
Before Xia Ningshang could finish her sentence, Shan Qingluo sealed her lips with her own. Separated only by the thin veil, their mouths collided, and Xia Ningshang could even feel something probing softly into her mouth.
Her eyes went wide in an instant, her mind completely blank.
Yang Kai stood frozen like a statue.
After what felt like an eternity, Shan Qingluo finally straightened up. She extended the tip of her scarlet tongue to moisten her lips, cast one bewitching glance at Yang Kai, and departed amid the tinkling of silver bells, radiating an air of imperious triumph.
She left Yang Kai and Xia Ningshang both breathing heavily.
"Did Qingluo... give that thank-you gift to the wrong person?" Yang Kai asked, staring blankly through the doorway, swallowing hard, his voice rough. That parting look from Shan Qingluo had nearly snatched his soul right out of his body.
"Mm..." Xia Ningshang hung her head, looking as though she never wanted to be seen again. The tips of her delicate ears were blazing crimson.
Yang Kai looked at her, and his thoughts immediately began to wander. Granted, Shan Qingluo's little "thank-you" had definitely been directed at the wrong person, and it had even been through a veil — but for some reason, that only set his blood boiling hotter, as if it had stirred the deepest, most primal desires buried in his heart.
He rose to his feet and walked over to Xia Ningshang, scooping her up in his arms.
He could feel her entire body burning hot against him.
...
Back on Emperor Star, six young demon prodigies had originally been selected to travel to the Emerald Mist Star for the Blood Prison trial.
Scarlet Moon's territory claimed two of those spots — Shan Qingluo and Yu Xiong, naturally.
Besides them, there were also Mitian and Xuelian from the Thousand Eye Territory and the Blood Dragon Territory, along with two more demon powerhouses — every single one of them at the third-stage Return to Void realm!