"Senior, would you like me to keep causing trouble?" Suspended in midair, Yang Kai had been facing off against Kuang Shi Zong the entire time. He gazed at the latter with a smile, his expression thoroughly relaxed. "If this keeps up, Purple Star City really might end up destroyed… but I suppose it doesn't matter. Purple Star is massive, with cities beyond counting. Even if Purple Star City falls, there are plenty of others. I'll sweep through them one by one — I'm sure that should keep me entertained for a while."
These words sent a chill through everyone present.
Had Yang Kai said something like this before, most people would have dismissed it as empty bluster. But after witnessing the formidable combat power and destructive capability of those bizarre and mysterious things, no one dared doubt Yang Kai's abilities anymore.
As long as he had enough patience, with this army of strange artifacts at his command, he could absolutely obliterate all of Purple Star!
Every pair of eyes turned toward Kuang Shi Zong, and nearly all the faces wore expressions of desperate plea for peace.
They were truly afraid.
Yang Kai had caused enough of a ruckus, but so far he hadn't gone on a killing spree. If he were truly pushed to the brink and started fighting for real, very few people here would survive.
"Enough!" Kuang Shi Zong roared, fury burning in his chest though he had no choice but to call a halt.
Yang Kai smiled faintly. "Does that mean you're willing to talk with me?"
"You've won!" Kuang Shi Zong's face was dark as he stared at Yang Kai, deep-seated hatred burning in his eyes. "Take those people and get out of Purple Star immediately. If you ever dare set foot in Purple Star again, I swear I'll strike you dead with my own palm."
"Rest assured, Senior — I won't be coming back to Purple Star." Yang Kai grinned, completely unconcerned by Kuang Shi Zong's threatening words. Anyone with half a brain could tell those were just face-saving words.
Yang Kai was a master of the power of space and a two-level Void King Realm powerhouse. In this entire star domain, there truly might be no one capable of killing him — unless they could trap him in some confined place and wear him down through attrition or overwhelming numbers. Otherwise, there was simply no way.
"I won't let this matter drop," Kuang Shi Zong said coldly, enunciating each word. "Sooner or later, I will personally travel to Watery Moon Star and have a little chat with Io."
Even now, he still believed Yang Kai was affiliated with the Heng Luo Trade Association.
"Watery Moon Star welcomes you!" Yang Kai laughed, then turned to Shen Tu. "Brother Shen Tu, everything is ready. You should leave first."
"And what about you?" Shen Tu frowned as he looked at Yang Kai, a hint of worry on his face.
"I'll stay behind and keep an eye on them." Yang Kai gestured toward the forces below. "I'm worried that if I leave with you, they might target the warship. Don't worry — they can't stop me. I'll catch up with you shortly."
Shen Tu considered this for a moment, seeming to agree with the reasoning. He stopped trying to persuade Yang Kai and clasped his fists. "In that case, Brother Yang, do take care of yourself. I'll be waiting for you on the warship!"
Yang Kai nodded. "Safe travels."
Shen Tu departed without looking back. The other Heng Luo Trade Association warriors also nodded at Yang Kai in gratitude before following closely behind him.
Below, Xiao Xiao reverted to its small, harmless-looking form and hurried after Shen Tu and the others, carrying the Heaven-Shaking Pillar on its shoulder. It had received Yang Kai's orders to escort Shen Tu's group all the way.
The numerous Purple Star experts remained motionless — or rather, they didn't dare make any rash moves. All they could do was watch helplessly as several Return Void Realm cultivators swaggered away right under their noses.
Every face wore a look of shame, and the gazes directed at Yang Kai could have set the air ablaze.
"Young man, you're quite thorough in your planning," Kuang Shi Zong remarked suddenly.
"You flatter me, Senior. I'm simply cautious by nature," Yang Kai chuckled.
"That one who just left, and that thing down there — what exactly are they? I've never seen anything like them. Puppets? Or living beings?" Kuang Shi Zong narrowed his eyes as he asked.
"Living beings. A very rare race. You wouldn't be able to find them even if you looked."
To Kuang Shi Zong's surprise, Yang Kai made no effort to conceal the answer, providing it directly. "I obtained these two of mine entirely by chance."
Kuang Shi Zong gave a slight nod, then turned his gaze with great interest to the army of nearly twenty Blood Beasts. "And those? Don't tell me they're living beings too."
"These were formed through a secret technique. Would you like to learn it? I could teach you." Yang Kai's eyebrows bobbed, and his expression turned thoroughly cheeky.
"Save your breath!" Kuang Shi Zong snorted coldly. "I doubt I could afford the price!"
He knew full well that Yang Kai was just making conversation to kill time, so he was using the opportunity to fish for information. As for Yang Kai's offer to teach the secret technique — he would obviously demand outrageous terms. Kuang Shi Zong was far too shrewd to take that seriously.
"Suit yourself." Yang Kai didn't care one way or the other, carrying on in desultory conversation with Kuang Shi Zong.
Suddenly, Li Maoming stepped forward with a sullen expression and clasped his fists. "Brother Yang, could you perhaps return my Kunlan Ice Flame to me?"
"The Kunlan Ice Flame?" Yang Kai raised an eyebrow and glanced thoughtfully at the Fire Bird, immediately realizing that Li Maoming was referring to the blue flame it had swallowed.
"That's right. The Kunlan Ice Flame is extremely important to me. If I were to lose it…" Li Maoming looked thoroughly embarrassed.
"Heh, Brother Li, telling me that won't do you any good. You'll have to ask it." Yang Kai pointed at the Fire Bird.