These holes were all existences akin to spatial rifts that had always resided in this place—only no one had ever noticed them before. Only the Star Emperor Token could activate them.
And the shape of the holes was identical to the Star Emperor Token itself.
In the void, there were a total of nine holes, each linked to the others through some subtle and profound connection. These nine token-shaped rifts connected end to end, forming a formation that Yang Kai couldn't make heads or tails of!
Nine was the ultimate number, and Yang Yan had once told Yang Kai that during her prime she had crafted a total of nine Star Emperor Tokens. If all nine could be gathered, they would reveal a heaven-shaking secret.
What exactly that secret was, Yang Yan had never elaborated.
But it was clearly related to the scene before his eyes!
A thoughtful expression crossed Yang Kai's face as he gradually linked together the things he had seen and heard in the past, yet he still couldn't deduce Yang Yan's intentions.
Wraith Island was unquestionably connected to Yang Yan—of that there was no doubt. Otherwise, there wouldn't be nine token-shaped spatial rifts here, nor would the number of holes match the total count of Star Emperor Tokens.
While Yang Kai stood lost in thought, one Star Emperor Token had already flown into a hole, fitting it perfectly with not the slightest gap remaining—as if that spatial rift had been sealed shut by the token.
After pondering for a moment, Yang Kai flipped his wrist, and four more Star Emperor Tokens appeared in his palm.
These four Star Emperor Tokens were what Yang Kai had obtained through fortuitous encounters over the decades since entering the Star Territory.
One had been gifted by the Ghost Ancestor, and it was the only Star Emperor Token that had sealed a Great Emperor's divine ability. However, during the great battle with Luo Hai on Chilan Star, Yang Kai had broken the seal and used the Star Emperor Token's power to slay Luo Hai.
Though the seal was gone, the token itself had been preserved.
The second one Yang Kai had obtained during his first expedition to the Flowing Flame Sand Ground, at the pavilion on the sixth level.
The third had originally belonged to Ye Xiyun before eventually making its way into Yang Kai's hands.
The fourth was retrieved from the altar at Star Emperor Mountain.
Including the one obtained today, Yang Kai now possessed a total of five.
Among the remaining four, Yang Kai only knew that the Heng Luo Trade Association held one; the locations of the other three were unknown.
Once those four Star Emperor Tokens were produced, they too—as expected—attempted to break free from Yang Kai's control. He remained composed, letting them fly out unimpeded.
As anticipated, the four tokens similarly traced arcs through the air before embedding themselves into the void, filling those holes.
In the next moment, all five Star Emperor Tokens burst into radiant light at once. An inconceivably profound power surged forth from the tokens, enveloping Yang Kai entirely.
The long-dormant Sacred Yuan power, like a dam giving way, came thundering through Yang Kai's flesh and meridians, radiating a formidable might.
Feeling this long-lost power flow through him once more, Yang Kai took a deep breath, heart and spirit soaring with exhilaration.
By now, he had figured it out. It was precisely because he possessed a Star Emperor Token that Ming Yue had been able to do what others couldn't—wielding Sacred Yuan power to catch Sha Hu completely off guard.
Just like him right now.
The only question was whether Ming Yue had originally possessed a Star Emperor Token or had stumbled upon one here by chance.
Ming Yue was dead; there was no way to investigate further.
Yang Kai stood like a javelin planted in the earth, gazing out into the void with deep, penetrating eyes.
His consciousness pierced through the void, probing toward the most distant reaches.
He vaguely sensed that behind this expanse of emptiness lay a far more expansive world! That world's splendor far surpassed the Star Territory he currently inhabited—there were more powerful warriors there, and more terrifying laws.
Yang Kai's spirit wandered far beyond, unable to return for the longest time.
He wanted to see what that world truly looked like, but no matter how hard he tried, he could not see clearly. He could only faintly feel his soul consciousness advancing through a passage, pushing ever forward, as if without end.
Outside the mountain hollow, Sha Hu stood with his hands clasped behind his back, quietly surveying the path ahead.
He didn't know what Yang Kai had gone inside to do, but it had already been a month since the man entered. Wraith Island was now completely under his control—all the warriors who had opposed him in the past had been slain, and the rest had pledged their allegiance.
Sha Hu had once again become the Island Master of Wraith Island!
Pang Zhen, Qian Mo, and Shang Ao arrived together.
Shang Ao was not dead—Ming Yue had merely imprisoned him and subjected him to some torments. Without even consuming the Hun Tian Pill, Shang Ao had been able to display extraordinary combat strength. One could only imagine how powerful he might grow if he actually took the Hun Tian Pill.
Such a promising subordinate was naturally someone Ming Yue couldn't bear to kill. The original plan had been to imprison him for a time, temper his stubborn nature properly, and then find a way to bring him to heel—but that day never came.
After Ming Yue's death, Qian Mo had rescued Shang Ao from captivity.
As the three drew near, at the entrance to the mountain hollow, the stone puppet with the Heaven-Shaking Pillar resting on its shoulder and the artifact spirit Liu Yan—who had assumed a stunningly beautiful human form—turned to regard them warily.