When the elder returned, he was accompanied by a Wind and Rain Tower disciple who was covered in wounds. Under questioning from Xiao Ruohan and the Wind and Rain Tower experts, the disciple recounted what had just happened.
Before long, experts from the Blood Battle Gang and Lingxiao Pavilion also found scattered disciples from their respective sects nearby. When the three groups compared notes, they couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
They discovered that all the disciples who had entered had already emerged, only to be scattered across various corners of Black Wind Forest.
Though none of them knew why this had happened, everyone agreed it was likely a form of protection for those who had obtained the inheritance, provided by the master of the Inheritance Grotto-heaven!
That way, no one could know who had actually received the inheritance.
The experts from all three sects sprang into action, moving through Black Wind Forest in search of their respective disciples and settling them safely. The way these experts treated the disciples was utterly careful and courteous — incomparably more amiable than they had ever been before.
After all, who could say whether these disciples, who might only be at the Kaiyuan Realm right now, would one day rise to heights that commanded the admiration of the world?
Even Hu Man, the notoriously short-tempered leader of the Blood Battle Gang, was greeting every returning disciple with a warm smile, his arrogance completely replaced by deference. He praised them endlessly, telling them they'd done splendidly and that they would surely be the pillars of his gang.
The Blood Battle Gang disciples nearly had mental breakdowns, having no idea what had gotten into their leader. Still, quite a few of them were genuinely moved to tears, howling declarations of loyalty on the spot — swearing to follow their leader to the death, to dedicate their lives to the Blood Battle Gang, to lay down their very lives. Their hearts, they swore, could be witnessed by the sun and moon!
Hu Man laughed even more heartily.
For him, even if these disciples hadn't obtained the inheritance, they were still worth winning over! Because every single one of them had gained at least some benefit inside.
The Wind and Rain Tower and Lingxiao Pavilion experts understood this just as well. They scoffed at Hu Man's hypocrisy while simultaneously forcing themselves to adopt a warm demeanor and inquire after the returning disciples' well-being.
The task of gathering disciples took a full half day, and many had returned directly to their sects without being found by their elders. This only further improved Yang Kai and Su Yan's situation.
Of course, Su Yan was bound to come under suspicion — there was nothing anyone could do about that.
At this moment, Yang Kai and Su Yan were standing somewhere on Black Wind Mountain. The moment they had stepped through that gate of light, they had arrived here. Su Yan was unfamiliar with the area, but Yang Kai had been through Black Wind Mountain many times and knew it far better.
After searching for a good while, they finally found the right path.
"About fifty li in that direction, you'll be able to see Wumei Town." Standing atop a small hill, Yang Kai pointed in a direction and said to Su Yan.
"We need to go separately — we can't return together." Su Yan pondered for a moment. Since she was definitely going to be suspected, she couldn't expose Yang Kai too.
"Mm." Yang Kai nodded. "You go back first. Right now, plenty of people are looking for you. If you come back too late, it'll only confirm their suspicions. Remember — no matter who asks, don't admit you received the inheritance."
"I know. Be careful yourself, and come back soon." Su Yan gave one last reminder, turned to leave — but Yang Kai pulled her back.
"What—" The words had barely left her mouth before a wave of scorching heat washed over her as he pulled her into a tight embrace, his lips sealing hers.
Muffled sounds escaped through their pressed-together lips, and Su Yan's body went soft once more.
A long while later, Yang Kai finally released her with a grin.
"Remember what you said — come find me once a month!" he said.
Su Yan gave a gentle nod.
The two parted reluctantly. Even though they knew they were in the same sect, there was always a lingering reluctance to say goodbye.
After waiting a long time, Su Yan finally stamped her foot and said through gritted teeth, "I'm leaving."
The moment the words left her lips, she turned and swiftly departed, leaving behind only a pale, ice-pure silhouette.
Yang Kai watched her until she vanished from sight, then shook his head with a smile and leisurely set off toward Lingxiao Pavilion.
The Inheritance Grotto-heaven... Yang Kai felt that his greatest gain this time wasn't the inheritance itself, but Su Yan.
Several hours later, Yang Kai finally strolled back to Lingxiao Pavilion. By now, the disciples and experts within the pavilion had long since returned, though a few stragglers were still making their way back. Yang Kai attracted no one's attention.
He did, however, notice something peculiar. As he walked through the pavilion, those senior and junior brothers who didn't know him were all remarkably polite. They wouldn't come over to make small talk, but they would cup their fists from a distance and greet him with a friendly smile.
Among them, there was even a Lingxiao Pavilion steward.
After thinking it over for a moment, Yang Kai understood. Anyone who had survived the Inheritance Grotto-heaven might well have a bright future ahead of them. Why would they ignore him as they had before? A greeting now could lay the groundwork for a friendship later.
When he returned to his small wooden cabin, he hadn't even had time to sort through his thoughts before hurried footsteps sounded outside the door.
Just as he was wondering who it might be, Su Mu's face appeared in the doorway.
Upon seeing Yang Kai, Su Mu visibly relaxed. "Senior Brother Yang, you've returned safely as well."
A warm feeling spread through Yang Kai's chest. He stood up. "Junior Brother Su, come in and sit!"
"No need — I just came to see if you were alright." As he spoke, Su Mu broke into a mischievous grin. "I've still got to get back to my training. Hahaha!"