On the vast, barren plain, seven or eight Void King Realm cultivators all turned their gaze toward Yang Kai, quietly awaiting his answer.
Over a thousand warriors had their eyes fixed on Yang Kai as well. In that moment, even the spectacle of Qian Tong's breakthrough to the Void King Realm was overshadowed.
Xu Binbai stood off to the side with a faint smile, showing not the slightest hint of surprise, as though in his eyes it was perfectly natural for Yang Kai to be courted by so many.
"I understand what you all mean, seniors." Yang Kai nodded calmly. "But please forgive my boldness — I'm afraid I cannot accept your generous offers. Thank you all for your regard."
"Oh..." Elder Jiu looked stunned, never expecting that Yang Kai would actually refuse the sincere invitations and solicitations of so many Void King Realm powerhouses.
"You won't reconsider?" Li Wanning was also quite surprised. Before coming here, they had already speculated that Yang Kai would be unable to refuse such an invitation — at the very least, he would join one faction.
But he had refused everyone. It was truly beyond expectation.
The onlooking warriors erupted in a clamor!
"Is this kid stupid? Such a golden opportunity right in front of him, and he just lets it slip away?"
"Something's definitely wrong with his head. What do we cultivate for, if not for exactly these kinds of opportunities and resources? They're all laid out before him, and he doesn't want them? Why couldn't that good fortune have fallen on me? It's infuriating!"
"Elder Jiu, I'm willing to join the Heng Luo Commerce Association! Take me with you!"
"Grandmother Lei, I've long admired the Sword Alliance — please, you must accept me!"
"Senior Li..."
The scene descended into chaos. The invitations of seven or eight Void King Realm powerhouses had been refused by Yang Kai, and apart from their astonishment, they felt somewhat displeased. When they saw others jumping in to clamor for the spots, their expressions darkened, and each of them released a trace of their power.
Who could withstand the fury of Void King Realm cultivators? Sensing that these powerhouses were in a foul mood, the raucous noise came to an abrupt halt, and no one dared act out of line again.
"Young brother, have you made up your mind?" Li Wanning gazed at Yang Kai with a look of disbelief. She truly could not understand why he remained so unmoved. The terms she had offered were hardly poor — one could say they were among the most generous. Moreover, she had said she could personally guide his cultivation.
Personal instruction from a Void King Realm powerhouse. That was something any Return Void Realm cultivator could only dream of.
And he wasn't tempted?
"That's right — why don't you think it over one more time?" Elder Jiu stared at Yang Kai, unwilling to give up.
Yang Kai slowly shook his head and smiled. "I appreciate all of your kindness, seniors, but I truly have no intention of joining any faction."
Hearing this, everyone showed expressions of regret. After all, missing out on such a promising talent — who knew when they might encounter someone like this again?
"Well, well, since this young brother isn't willing, there's no need to force him. Aren't there plenty of other excellent candidates here? Don't any of you have other thoughts?" Luo Hai said with a gentle smile.
"Ah, you can't force sweetness from a plucked melon. I won't insist, then. Young brother, the day you wish to join my Heng Luo Commerce Association, you're welcome to seek me out at our home star, Water Moon Star. The doors of the association will always be open to you, and the terms I previously offered will remain unchanged." Elder Jiu gave Yang Kai a slight nod.
"The same goes for our Sword Alliance," the elderly woman surnamed Lei added immediately.
The others also chimed in one after another, saying that if Yang Kai ever wanted to join them, he could seek them out.
...
The Void King Realm cultivators who had been gathered around Yang Kai dispersed and began searching for other outstanding candidates.
They had come to Emerald Mist Star this time for two reasons: first, to lead their respective factions' disciples into the Blood Prison trial, and second, to recruit fresh blood once the trial concluded.
But Yang Kai's performance had been too outstanding. They had all made him their top priority, and now that he had refused them, they naturally couldn't afford to miss other candidates.
In moments, crowds of people had gathered around each of the Void King Realm powerhouses, volunteering eagerly to join them.
Luo Hai remained stationary.
Yang Kai looked at him, considered for a moment, then clasped his fists and bowed. "Thank you for stepping in, senior. I'll remember your kindness."
Luo Hai glanced at him and chuckled. "No need for thanks. As the Star Lord of Emerald Mist Star, this is simply my duty. Hmm — you seem worried. Does this friend who is currently breaking through to the Void King Realm have some connection to you?"
Yang Kai didn't deny it. Before a powerhouse of this caliber, denial was utterly pointless. He nodded. "Yes. He's an elder of mine."
"No wonder you weren't interested in their recruitment. So it turns out your own elder is about to break through to the Void King Realm!" Luo Hai seemed to understand now, and chuckled again. "I'm actually quite curious — where are you all from? How is every single one of you so exceptional?"
As he spoke, he looked once more at Yang Xiuzhu and Chu Hanyi, who had been standing by Yang Kai's side the whole time. With his keen eyesight, he could naturally tell that these people had already cultivated the Return Void Realm to its absolute peak. All they needed was a deeper understanding and comprehension of their own imposing aura, and they would qualify to advance to the Void King Realm.
In other words, these individuals were absolute elites among Return Void Stage Three cultivators.
Yang Kai furrowed his brow slightly. Though he was somewhat reluctant, he still answered: "We come from the Dark Star."
"The Dark Star..." Luo Hai frowned. Despite his vast knowledge, the name Dark Star was quite unfamiliar to him. He gave Yang Kai a meaningful look and chuckled. "That must be a remarkable place!"
He assumed Yang Kai had simply fabricated the name of a cultivation star to brush him off.