Still, if someone was willing to exchange martial techniques with him, he could have let go of the Blazing Sun Burst. However, the sect strictly forbade disciples from exchanging techniques privately, which was quite a pity.
Just as he was about to set off, a cold, sharp voice called out from not far away: "Yang Kai!"
Turning his head toward the voice, Yang Kai's brows furrowed slightly.
The person calling him was a young man in his mid-twenties. Yang Kai recognized him—Cao Zhengwen from the Law Enforcement Hall. Several months ago, it was he who had ordered Yang Kai and Li Yuntian to be thrown into the Forest Prison.
Cao Zhengwen walked toward Yang Kai with his hands clasped behind his back, his expression indifferent, his gaze cold.
"Senior Brother, is there something you need?"
Cao Zhengwen gave a cold snort but didn't speak. Instead, he flicked an object straight toward Yang Kai.
Yang Kai extended two fingers and caught it effortlessly. His nonchalant demeanor made Cao Zhengwen's face twitch. He clearly hadn't expected the hidden force within the object to be neutralized so easily.
"What is this?" Yang Kai glanced at the item in his hand—a letter—but didn't open it immediately.
"A Promotion Decree!" Cao Zhengwen explained with a stern face. "By order of the Elder Council, Trial Disciple Yang Kai has broken through to the Kaiyuan Realm and is therefore eligible for promotion to a regular disciple."
Yang Kai raised an eyebrow. "Promotion?"
"That's right!" Cao Zhengwen nodded. "You've been in the sect for three years and remained at the Body Tempering Realm, which is why you were demoted to Trial Disciple. However, recognizing your diligent cultivation and your eventual breakthrough to the Kaiyuan Realm, the Elder Council has deliberated and decided to offer you this opportunity for promotion!"
"Opportunity?" Yang Kai caught the deeper meaning in his words.
Cao Zhengwen said meaningfully, "As long as you complete the task assigned by the Elder Council, you can be promoted from Trial Disciple to regular disciple! Throughout Lingxiao Pavilion's history, no Trial Disciple has ever received such an honor. This is a rare chance, Junior Brother Yang. You must grasp it well. Whether you can turn your fate around depends entirely on this."
"Not interested!" Yang Kai waved his hand and tossed the Promotion Decree back.
Cao Zhengwen's expression shifted as he caught it. He barked sternly, "Yang Kai, this is an order from the Elder Council! Do you dare refuse?"
"So what if it's the Elder Council?" Yang Kai replied impatiently. "I don't steal, I don't rob. I live honestly as a Trial Disciple of Lingxiao Pavilion—must they force me to accept a promotion?"
Although Yang Kai didn't know what task was in the letter, he was certain it wouldn't be something easy. In fact, it might even be very dangerous.
"So you're just someone content to be mediocre," Cao Zhengwen sneered mockingly.
To be honest, this Promotion Decree should have been given to Yang Kai back when he was rescued from the Forest Prison by Su Yan. But after that, Yang Kai had gone with Xia Ningshang to the Nine Yin Valley, and shortly after returning, the Inheritance Grotto-heaven had appeared. It had been delayed until now.
"Whether I'm mediocre or not isn't your call to make." Yang Kai shrugged and walked past Cao Zhengwen.
"Yang Kai!" Cao Zhengwen shouted angrily, drawing the attention of many Lingxiao Pavilion disciples. "Don't think you can act arrogantly just because you gained some fortune in the Inheritance Grotto-heaven! You're not the only one who encountered opportunities there! Daring to ignore the Elder Council's order—do you even understand the consequences?"
"Get lost!" Yang Kai turned around and roared lowly at Cao Zhengwen, his face twisted with killing intent. The latter was momentarily stunned, and by the time he recovered, Yang Kai had already vanished.
In front of the Martial Technique Pavilion, silence fell. Many Lingxiao Pavilion disciples had witnessed the scene, and their hearts raced with shock.
Yang Kai had actually ignored the Elder Council's order! This... was simply inconceivable. For them, the Elder Council's decree was absolute law. Once an order was given, they had to brave mountains of blades and seas of fire to fulfill it. When had anyone ever dared to refuse? But just now, right before their eyes, a Trial Disciple had refused an order from the Elder Council!
Wasn't this heresy? Did he have no respect for his elders? While some admired him secretly, others cursed him inwardly, thinking Yang Kai was just someone content with mediocrity, which was why he refused the promotion.
Cao Zhengwen stood with a livid face, the Promotion Decree crumpled in his hand. He was furious and at a loss.
The Grand Elder had personally told him that no matter what, Yang Kai had to accept this Promotion Decree and complete the task within.
He had secretly glimpsed the task himself.
To venture alone into the Cangyun Evil Lands and slay an evil practitioner not weaker than himself!
This task could be considered simple or difficult. The Cangyun Evil Lands were a gathering place for countless evil martial artists. If he encountered a lone practitioner, it might be easy to complete. But if he was unlucky and met someone powerful, even the elders might not escape unscathed.
Cao Zhengwen had assumed Yang Kai would accept the task no matter what, but he never expected him to be so bold as to refuse openly in front of everyone.
How... how was he supposed to report this? After standing there thinking for a long while, Cao Zhengwen gritted his teeth in resentment and turned to leave.
Having his mood ruined by Cao Zhengwen early in the morning, Yang Kai's expression turned gloomy.
If it weren't for that person three years ago insisting he come to Lingxiao Pavilion, he wouldn't have traveled so far to get here. But why had that person wanted him to come? What connection did this place have with him?
After over three years in the sect, having tasted the fickleness of the world and the warmth and coldness of human nature, Yang Kai felt no sense of belonging toward Lingxiao Pavilion at all.