For the next few days, Yang Kai immersed himself in experiencing the local customs and scenery of Haicheng. The seaside views were breathtaking, and the air was crisp and natural—a truly pleasant place to live.
In teahouses and taverns, Yang Kai heard many peculiar stories unique to coastal cities, and he even witnessed the marvel of a mirage firsthand.
Such beautiful scenery left him somewhat reluctant to leave.
There were also sects in this area, and quite a number of them at that.
If one were to classify the various powers, with the Eight Great Families of Zhongdu being the supreme forces, then Lingxiao Pavilion could only be considered a second-rate power at best. The sects here varied in tier—some were first-rate, while others were second or third-rate.
There were even forces that vaguely rivaled the supreme powers.
Unlike the forces of the inland, these sects were based on islands in the sea, occupying islands of varying sizes and enjoying exclusive access to the cultivation resources there. It was a land blessed with exceptional talent and stunning scenery, attracting many to come and study the martial arts.
However, within Haicheng, apart from some family clans, martial artists were rarely seen. The reason was probably that these forces were distributed across the islands. The world energy on the islands was slightly richer than inland, and cultivation speed was generally faster there. Under normal circumstances, the martial artists of these forces wouldn't venture inland unless absolutely necessary. Thus, martial artists in Haicheng were few in number and not particularly strong.
After appreciating Haicheng's prosperity, Yang Kai went for a walk by the sea, witnessing the tides rise and fall, the waves surge. As the waves crashed against the shore, a flash of inspiration struck Yang Kai's mind, and he vaguely grasped the common ground between his own insights and the martial arts traces of Elder Wu.
That commonality was nature itself—not forcing things, acting according to one's inclinations. Just like these waves crashing in, each higher than the last, shattering into spray upon encountering obstacles, then gathering back into a mighty current.
Before his eyes, it was as if a great door was slowly swinging open.
He didn't dare to be negligent; this sudden flash of inspiration was definitely a rare opportunity. Standing quietly in place, Yang Kai slowly began to merge his own insights with Elder Wu's martial arts.
He didn't know how long passed. Yang Kai stood motionless on the beach as if asleep, the only sounds being the sighing sea wind and the waves crashing against the shore. When Yang Kai finally opened his eyes, his aura had undergone a subtle change, and his spirit and mind experienced an indescribable sublimation and cleansing.
He activated the footwork he had created. Yang Kai's figure flickered, stepping onto the incoming waves as if walking on flat ground, darting from one crest to another without getting a drop of water on him.
Flash, another flash... His figure flickered fifteen times in succession before he finally exhausted a breath of Yuan Qi and landed in the sea with a splash, soaking himself completely.
But Yang Kai was smiling. Facing a massive wave crashing toward him, he slowly threw a punch.
Triple Blazing Sun Burst!
Three rapid booms echoed through the air as three streams of energy surged from his fist, punching a hole through the giant wave.
At this moment, the martial arts traces Yang Kai had gleaned from Elder Wu had fully merged within him, now additionally imbued with the variations of the ocean waves.
This variation was grasped by Yang Kai and incorporated into the Blazing Sun Burst. Now, when he executed the Blazing Sun Burst, it was no longer a single explosion. Instead, three waves of energy surged out, each stronger than the last. Like ocean waves crashing in, they left one utterly defenseless.
"What a genius!" the Earth Demon was rendered speechless. He had been shocked when Yang Kai had his insight days ago, but he never expected that in such a short time, the boy would achieve an even deeper level of understanding building upon that foundation.
Has the world changed while I've been away so long? The Earth Demon felt a pang of unease.
Climbing out of the sea, dripping wet, Yang Kai was surprised to find, not far from where he had stood, a little girl with wheat-colored skin and messy hair staring blankly at him.
The girl looked about seven or eight years old. Her large eyes were spirited. She wore a coarse cloth garment, patched in many places, and was barefoot. Her small mouth hung slightly open as the sea wind blew in, making her quickly shut it again.
People living by the sea, perhaps due to long exposure to the sea wind and sun, usually didn't have very fair skin. The color of this little girl's skin was perfectly normal, giving her a very healthy appearance.
Yang Kai put on a smile, adopting a gentle, harmless demeanor as he walked toward her step by step. At the same time, he silently blamed himself for not noticing someone nearby when he had come out of his insights earlier, likely startling her.
Seeing her expression, she seemed quite frightened. Not daring to circulate his Yuan Qi to dry his clothes, Yang Kai walked over as he was, still soaking wet.
He crouched down before her, wearing a kindly smile, and asked softly, "Little girl, what are you doing here?"
The little girl blinked her big eyes, still staring at him. Her gaze was pure and innocent, utterly free of any impurity. Even Yang Kai, who had done nothing wrong, felt somewhat overwhelmed under that look. If someone with a guilty conscience were in his place, they might be purified on the spot.
After a good while, she finally extended her hands, offering the object she was holding.
Yang Kai looked down and saw it was a grilled fish.
Fishermen living by the sea naturally made fish their staple food.
"For me?" Yang Kai felt a touch of warmth in his heart.
The little girl nodded gently, stuffed the grilled fish into Yang Kai's hands, and then ran off, leaving a trail of clear little footprints on the beach—a charming sight.
She hadn't run far when she suddenly stopped and looked back at Yang Kai.
Then, she actually returned, walking up to Yang Kai and tugging at his clothes, leading him in a certain direction.
Yang Kai didn't resist. He didn't know what this little girl wanted, but being so innocent and cute, she certainly meant no harm.
He followed her for a short distance until they reached a simple, crude house. The little girl pointed inside.