Hearing the Ghost Ancestor's words, Ye Xiyun gave a gentle nod. "Compared to a few decades ago, the Dark Star really has changed somewhat. It's just that the transformation has been so subtle and gradual that almost no one can tell. This time, though, it's quite obvious."
"That just means the kid has made tremendous progress this time around. He might have even broken through to the third level of the Void King Realm," the Ghost Ancestor said with a grin. Wrapped in swirling black qi, he cut a rather sinister figure.
The faster the Star Lord grew in power, the greater the benefits the corresponding star would receive—the two shared a bond of honor and ruin.
"The third level of the Void King Realm…" Ye Xiyun murmured to herself, wondering when she would ever reach that level herself.
Of all people, she was the most eager to travel to the Star Realm, for within that realm dwelled the Great Emperor of Stars—Yang Yan!
The last time the Great Emperor had departed, she had been unable to follow, and it remained a source of deep regret.
The disturbance in the distant void had not gone unnoticed by only Ye Xiyun and the Ghost Ancestor. Countless people across the entire Dark Star had sensed it as well.
Su Yan, Xia Ningshang, and Qian Tong—the three Void King Realm cultivators—needless to say, their perception was far keener than that of any ordinary warrior. Beyond them, numerous Return Void Realm cultivators had likewise turned their gazes skyward.
Yet they could not discern much. All they saw were streaks of radiant energy piercing through from the depths of the star field, descending into various regions of the Dark Star and enriching its spiritual energy between heaven and earth.
In the distant Dead Zone, Yang Kai stood naked in the void, his expression oddly perplexed. He stood in place, frowning repeatedly.
He himself was rather unclear about his current situation.
For the past several years, he had been cultivating within the Dead Zone, comprehending Emperor Might and the laws of the world. He had even made use of that Void Thought Crystal.
He had believed he would be able to break through to the third level of the Void King Realm!
Yet for some reason, he always fell just short of the mark, leaving his cultivation stuck at the very peak of the second level of the Void King Realm.
The most obvious indicator was that he had not condensed a Void Thought Crystal of his own.
The Void Thought Crystal was the crystallization of a Void King Realm warrior's lifelong cultivation and comprehension. Without one, one could not be called a third-level Void King Realm powerhouse.
Though his cultivation had failed to make the breakthrough, under the immense pressure of the Dead Zone, his Indestructible Five Elements Sword had advanced instead. Among the Five Elements supreme treasures, apart from the Solar True Essence, all of the other materials had been fully consumed—absorbed entirely by him.
Beyond that, his Domain had also progressed to the threshold of perfection!
So even without the breakthrough, Yang Kai felt himself to be vastly stronger than before his seclusion.
"Was the opportunity not yet upon me? Or was I still missing something?" He couldn't figure it out.
The path of the warrior was destined to be fraught with all manner of tribulation. Nothing could be forced. And so, though this attempt at advancement had failed, he had not lost heart. He was confident he was no worse than anyone else. If others could ascend to the third level of the Void King Realm, so could he—he simply needed a bit more time.
"Never mind. I'll leave it be for now. With my current strength, I'm not far behind those people anyway. More than enough to carve open a path to the Star Realm." Yang Kai quickly relaxed his mood, retrieved a set of fresh clothing from his space ring, and dressed himself. With a flicker of his form, he traversed tens of thousands of kilometers in an instant, returning to the Dark Star.
As the Star Lord, such a thing was trivially easy for him.
Upon returning to the Sect, Yang Kai did not disturb too many people, meeting only with his close family.
Several days later, he departed the Dark Star through the Super Space Array, accompanied by Su Yan and Xia Ningshang.
For the entire year that followed, no one knew his whereabouts.
A year—neither long nor short.
On a certain day one year later, the Super Space Array of the Lingxiao Sect suddenly blazed with a hazy white radiance, and from within that light, two figures materialized.
Ye Xiyun and the Ghost Ancestor had long been waiting. Upon seeing the arrivals, Ye Xiyun stepped forward with a bow and regarded the burly man among them. "Might you be Ai'Ou, President of the Heng Luo Commerce Association?"
The man gave a slight nod and smiled. "This humble one is indeed Ai'Ou."
"Ye Xiyun of the Lingxiao Sect—greetings to President Ai'Ou!"
"So it's Elder Ye! I've long heard of your great name," Ai'Ou promptly returned the cupped-fist salute. He had learned of the Lingxiao Sect's circumstances from Yang Kai himself.
Ye Xiyun then turned to the other figure and smiled. "Then this must be Senior Long Tianshang."
"I wouldn't presume to such a title," Long Tianshang replied warmly, returning the courtesy in kind.
"You two arrived a touch early," the Ghost Ancestor chuckled from the side.
Ai'Ou and Long Tianshang's eyes sharpened as they both fixed their gazes on the Ghost Ancestor. Though his aura was somewhat unsettling, both men knew he was a powerhouse of equal standing—a third-level Void King Realm cultivator, just as they were.
Neither dared show discourtesy, and they exchanged pleasantries accordingly.
"Where is that brat Yang Kai? Why isn't he here to welcome us?" Ai'Ou sounded rather displeased. After all, he was still Yang Kai's father-in-law in name—since when did a father-in-law arrive without the son-in-law coming out to greet him?
"The Sect Master has not yet returned, and I don't know where he's gone. But the Sect Master will certainly not miss the appointed time," Ye Xiyun explained.
"That little rascal!" Ai'Ou curled his lip. "He's probably off enjoying himself somewhere and forgot what day it was."