His own father was the master of Purple Star, one of the most powerful figures in the entire Star Field — someone whose every footstep could make the whole Star Field tremble three times over. And he was actually yielding to a young man who had previously provoked and humiliated him? Zi Donglai could hardly believe his ears, secretly thinking this world had gone completely mad.
"Shut your mouth first!" Zi Long glanced at him faintly, his authority overwhelming. The moment their eyes met, Zi Donglai immediately fell silent.
"So this counts as an apology?" Yang Kai grinned.
Zi Long frowned slightly and said flatly, "If you say so, then so be it."
"Hmm… since it's an apology, I suppose I'll reluctantly accept."
Reluctantly…
Zi Donglai was so furious he nearly vomited blood!
Having the master of Purple Star apologize first — and this brat not only failed to show any gratitude, but actually said he would "reluctantly" accept? Did he have any idea what an extraordinary honor this was? This bastard… was absolutely unforgivable!
"But… what exactly are you planning to do?" Yang Kai ignored the burning glare from Zi Donglai and instead looked at Zi Long with a meaningful smile, his tone carrying hidden depths.
An apology was nothing more than lips flapping up and down — it cost nothing at all, so Yang Kai hadn't taken Zi Long's words to heart in the slightest. It was the man's attitude that put him on his guard.
He didn't believe Zi Long hadn't noticed the seed of inner demons he had planted in Zi Donglai moments ago. He didn't believe Zi Long was truly magnanimous enough to brush aside all the provocation and insults he had hurled.
This master of Purple Star was terrifyingly deep!
"This King has no intention of doing anything to you. However… this King would like to ask — would you be interested in joining our Purple Star?" Zi Long regarded Yang Kai with a solemn expression as he extended his invitation.
"Join Purple Star?" Yang Kai chuckled.
"That's right. Although your cultivation hasn't reached the Void King realm, based on your performance just now, this King can grant you the position of Guest Elder!"
"Guest Elder!" Zi Donglai could no longer contain himself and let out a low exclamation.
A Guest Elder of Purple Star was not like the Guest Elder of some ordinary sect or clan — this represented a level of strength. It was a mark of true status!
Currently, Purple Star had only seven Guest Elders, every single one a Void King realm powerhouse. Throughout history, Purple Star's Guest Elders had always been Void King realm experts; there had never been a precedent of someone below that realm being granted the title.
Yet now, the master of Purple Star was personally inviting and recruiting a Return Void Third Stage martial artist to join Purple Star, offering him such a position.
If word of this got out, the entire Star Field would be shaken to its core.
"Guest Elder, huh…" Yang Kai chuckled lightly, showing not the slightest hint of interest. He shook his head. "No need. I've always been a free spirit and don't like being bound by rules, so I'll pass on this Guest Elder business."
Was this man an idiot? Zi Donglai stared at Yang Kai as though looking at a moron. Did he have no idea how much weight the title of Guest Elder carried? He had dismissed it so casually without even a moment's consideration?
Deep inside, Zi Donglai was groaning endlessly.
"A Guest Elder is not bound by any obligations to Purple Star — you would have complete freedom. Young friend, it seems you've somewhat misunderstood my proposal…" Zi Long patiently explained.
Before he could finish, Yang Kai cut him off: "No need to explain. I know exactly what a Guest Elder entails. It's just that… I don't want to join any faction."
Zi Long narrowed his eyes, a faint smile hanging on his face. "Young friend, won't you reconsider more carefully?"
"You're quite the nag." Yang Kai looked at him with undisguised contempt, showing him not the slightest respect.
Zi Long's expression darkened immediately.
"Haha, kid, you were right to refuse!" Xu Wei gloated from the side. "Whatever you do, don't trust his sweet talk. If you actually agreed to join him, you'd be in real trouble down the road. But I must say, your temperament really suits my fancy — how about considering joining the Nest of Abandonment? You've offended this fellow, so it'll be tough for you in the Star Field from now on. But our Nest of Abandonment isn't afraid of Purple Star. With my guarantee, joining us wouldn't be a problem at all. With your abilities and your personality, you'd surely carve out a name for yourself in no time!"
"You're quite the nag too!" Yang Kai turned to look at Xu Wei and let out a cold laugh. "You two old foxes — you think I don't know what schemes you're hatching? Trying to stall for time, aren't you?"
The moment these words left his mouth, both Xu Wei and Zi Long's expressions shifted — Yang Kai had hit the nail on the head.
Though Xu Wei and Zi Long were bitter enemies who couldn't stand each other, seeing Yang Kai positioned so close to the prize naturally filled both with a sense of crisis. They were both deeply scheming individuals and needed no discussion to know what to do — stall for time and wait for the Seven Luminaries' precious light to fade.
Having his thoughts laid bare, Zi Long's face turned ugly. He said coldly, "Kid, being too clever isn't necessarily a good thing. Don't think that because you have some mastery over spatial energy you can escape from this King's grasp. You're merely at the Return Void realm — you have no understanding of how terrifying the Void King realm truly is. And this King, even among Void King realm experts, is an exceptionally powerful existence. If you're planning to rely on your spatial powers, you are sorely mistaken. This King will give you one chance — pluck the Dao Enlightenment Flower and hand it over, and this King will spare your life!"
He had completely torn off the pretense with Yang Kai.
"Hahahaha!" Yang Kai burst into laughter. "What's so amazing about the Void King realm? I've killed more than one Void King realm expert!"
"Arrogant!" Zi Donglai spat from the side.