Deep within the star domain traversed by the pitch-black Void King-class warship, no one needed to steer. The vessel surged forward on its own toward a predetermined destination.
Only a handful of martial artists aboard the ship kept watch over the surroundings.
Yang Kai was not among them. He had entered the Mystic World Bead.
This was a journey home.
Dark Star would be the new home for the people of Tongxuan Continent.
It had been a year since they departed from Chilan Star. Throughout that entire year, the warship had followed the star chart course Yang Kai had inscribed, sailing safely and steadily.
Occasionally they ran into minor troubles, but a synchronized volley from the crystal cannons cleared the path ahead without fail.
The overwhelming might of a Void King-class warship was not something many could afford to provoke.
Inside the Mystic World Bead, Yang Kai and Xia Ningshang continuously refined spirit pills, expending vast amounts of wealth and resources to elevate the cultivation realms of the people from Tongxuan Continent.
The Human, Monster, and Demon races had all seen a dramatic surge in their overall strength. Saints were now a common sight, and the former peak experts of all three races had already reached the second or third tier of the Saint King realm — an improvement beyond measure.
This was the fruit of long accumulation finally bursting forth. The situation on Tongxuan Continent differed fundamentally from Dark Star. On the former, the scarcity of spiritual energy had capped the martial artists' advancement, while on the latter, it was the suppression of natural laws that held them back.
Now, within this small world, spiritual energy was dense and abundant, and cultivation resources were supplied in generous measure. Martial artists from Tongxuan Continent naturally enjoyed excellent conditions for growth and advancement.
On top of that, Yang Xiuzhu and the others regularly lectured them on the mysteries of Cultivation. It would have been strange if they had not progressed rapidly.
Every single day within the Mystic World Bead was filled with festivity. Every day, someone broke through their own shackles and ascended to the next level.
For his closest kin, Yang Kai had granted special treatment.
Everyone had their selfish side, and Yang Kai was no exception.
His parents, his grandmaster, the founding ancestor, and those few martial uncles — Earth Demon and the rest — all received Yang Kai's personal attention. He refined all manner of heaven-defying spirit pills for them, reshaping their constitutions, clearing their meridians, and thoroughly enhancing their potential and aptitude.
Inside a palace, at a second-floor window, a graceful silhouette stood gazing out. A gentle breeze drifted in, stirring her dark hair. She stared fixedly toward the distant plaza, her gaze settling on a tall, imposing young man. Her eyes were soft, with a trace of wistful nostalgia deep within.
"Sister Qiu." A voice called out from behind. Qiu Yimeng withdrew her gaze and turned to see a pair of twin sisters approaching side by side — Hu Jiao'er and Hu Meier.
"You're here?" Qiu Yimeng offered a faint smile, gathering her thoughts. "Sit down."
Hu Jiao'er regarded her with a pensive look, then glanced out the window. When she spotted the figure still working tirelessly on the plaza, she let out a soft sigh. "It seems the gap just keeps growing. I don't know if there's any chance in this lifetime of keeping up with him."
"Exactly. The more we cultivate, the more it feels like he's pulling further and further away," Hu Meier said, her expression turning somber as well.
Qiu Yimeng pressed her lips together and smiled. "Why must you two be so disheartened? The peerless techniques you cultivate are at least far superior to mine. You've both already reached the second tier of the Saint King realm, while I've only just entered the Saint King realm."
"Be that as it may, I hear he's already reached the third tier of the Void Return realm," Hu Meier said with visible worry. "The only ones who can stay by his side now are Su Yan and Xia Ningshang. I don't know how they cultivate, but they've both reached the Void Return realm. Just a few days ago, Xia Ningshang even broke through to the second tier of the Void Return realm. When I think about it, it's enough to make one furious."
"They have their own opportunities. All we need to do is work hard on our own. I don't aim to match his pace — only to avoid falling too far behind," Qiu Yimeng said gently, trying to console them.
"Sister Qiu's resolve truly is remarkable." Hu Jiao'er looked moved, regarding Qiu Yimeng with genuine admiration.
Qiu Yimeng smiled and said, "Since we chose to leave Tongxuan Continent with him, we should have this kind of resolve. If we despair now, we might as well have stayed behind and ruled as overlords of a single land. Don't you think, sisters?"
Hu Jiao'er and Hu Meier exchanged a glance and both nodded seriously.
"Enough idle talk. Come with me — I've also invited other outstanding young talents from the Monster and Demon races. This time, the younger generation of all three races will have a proper competition. Only through rivalry can one truly grow." Qiu Yimeng rose to her feet and beckoned to the two women.
Hu Jiao'er and Hu Meier quickly followed.
...
Days inside the Mystic World Bead passed in tranquil rhythm, and in the blink of an eye, another year slipped by.
One day, while Yang Kai was engaging in dual cultivation with Su Yan — their palms pressed together, holy yuan flowing ceaselessly between their bodies — he suddenly opened his eyes as if sensing something.
"What is it?" Su Yan opened her eyes as well, asking with puzzlement.
"I think we've arrived," Yang Kai said with a broad grin.
"We're finally here?" Su Yan's face lit up with delight as well. "What a long journey."
"Mm. Dark Star is in a very remote location. Without the Void King-class warship, there's no way we could have made it out here. Come, let's go have a look."
"Alright. Let's bring Ningshang along too."
After informing Xia Ningshang, the three of them flickered and reappeared aboard the warship.
Immediately, a disciple of the Lingxiao Sect stepped forward and reported, "Sect Master, Dark Star is right ahead. We're finally home."