"We could have opened this entrance without you, though we would have needed to wait for a few more people," Ni Guang said evenly. "But since you're here, there's no need to wait."
"Then let's get started," Zi Long chuckled.
Hearing their exchange, Yang Kai immediately recognized the newcomers.
The one with purple hair and a Second-Order Void King Realm cultivation was none other than the master of Purple Star — Zi Long!
Once that fact clicked into place, the other person's identity became equally obvious — Zi Donglai, the Young Master of Purple Star.
Yang Kai had only heard of Zi Donglai because Gu Jianxin had mentioned him in passing. The fact that Gu Jianxin had placed Zi Donglai and Xue Yue side by side was itself an acknowledgment of Zi Donglai's formidable strength.
These three young prodigies were the most renowned in the entire Star Domain! Each of them represented a different great power, and all three were the designated successors of their respective forces.
Below them, there were still many other exceptional young cultivators who had earned widespread reputations.
Like Xu Binbai, the disciple of the Lord Wudao, or Shan Qingluo and the offspring of several Monster Clan lords on Emperor Star. Their names simply weren't as resounding as those three.
But there was no denying that the future of the Star Domain would be shaped by these people.
Yang Kai didn't know what grudge lay between Zi Donglai and Xue Yue, or whether it was simply the rivalry of youth. Either way, the moment the two laid eyes on each other, both wore expressions of barely contained excitement, as though they wished nothing more than to settle things right here and now.
But now was clearly not the time.
Zi Long's arrival meant the entrance could finally be opened. Without ceremony, Ni Guang and Zi Long took charge, summoning all the Void King Realm cultivators to lend their strength.
After a brief discussion, the Void King Realm cultivators present dispersed, each selecting a position close to the entrance and focusing their attention in silent readiness.
"Shall we… begin?" Zi Long turned his gaze toward Ni Guang and asked.
Ni Guang gave a slight nod. The next moment, a torrent of Holy Energy erupted from within him. His hands formed a complex series of seals, and then he thrust a single finger forward.
A visible pillar of energy shot from his hand and surged into the pristine, circular entrance.
Zi Long bellowed with laughter and channeled his own Holy Energy, pouring it into the entrance as well.
The other Void King Realm cultivators followed suit, including that mysterious figure who had remained shrouded in black mist the entire time, his true appearance hidden. Even he did not slacken, joining the effort in concert with the rest.
The brilliantly lit entrance suddenly emitted a low hum. The spatial rifts that had been drifting erratically at its threshold seemed to be bound by an invisible force, freezing in place.
And the entrance itself appeared to transform into a bottomless maw, ravenously and wildly devouring the Holy Energy of all the Void King Realm cultivators.
Of everyone present, only Yang Kai, Xue Yue, and Zi Donglai — the three Return Void Stage cultivators — stood apart, watching from the sidelines.
No matter how outstanding their talent or how deep their foundations, there was still an inherent gap between them and the Void King Realm. For a feat like forcibly opening the entrance to the Lost Land, their contributions would amount to a drop in the bucket. Rather than waste their strength, it was better to conserve it for whatever dangers awaited inside.
Time passed slowly.
Every Void King Realm cultivator wore a strained expression. The continuous channeling of Holy Energy into the entrance was taking a tremendous toll.
Fortunately, they had all prepared ample spirit pills for recovering Holy Energy, and they made liberal use of them now.
The disparity in cultivation was laid bare for all to see.
Void King First-Order cultivators like Luo Lan and Cui Hong had beads of sweat forming on their foreheads and temples, their bodies trembling involuntarily. Only the Second-Order powerhouses like Ni Guang and Zi Long could maintain their composure.
More and more spatial rifts were being stabilized at the entrance, and as the influx of Holy Energy continued, the fluctuations within those rifts gradually subsided, showing signs of settling into stability.
Watching this, Yang Kai roughly understood how everyone planned to enter the Lost Land.
And indeed, when a sufficient number of spatial rifts at the radiant circular entrance had been stabilized, Ni Guang suddenly bellowed: "Now!"
The moment his voice fell, every Void King Realm cultivator withdrew their energy. Each chose a different spatial rift and transformed into streaks of light, racing one another as they plunged into the entrance.
Once they had passed through, the stabilized spatial rifts abruptly grew volatile again, beginning to shift and weave erratically.
Ni Guang stood alongside Luo Lan and waved Yang Kai and Xue Yue over. Once the two flew close, each of them channeled their Holy Energy, wrapping up one person apiece before rocketing toward the largest spatial rift.
From the side, a flash of purple light appeared, accompanied by Zi Long's laughter: "Brother Ni, I'll be heading in first! Do try not to die in there!"
With those words, Zi Long carried Zi Donglai into the entrance and vanished.
Ni Guang snorted coldly, then charged in after them.