The more Yang Kai learned about the Star Boundary, the more he came to realize that this new world held a brilliant and magnificent future—and the more acutely he felt his own inadequacies.
He hungered for greater power.
The two were mid-conversation when Yang Kai's expression suddenly sharpened, his face turning grave.
"What's wrong?" Liu Xianyun looked at him in puzzlement, but the very next instant, she sensed it too. Her entire body stiffened, her fair face paling as she met Yang Kai's gaze.
Yang Kai raised a finger to his lips in a silent gesture.
But before Liu Xianyun could respond, a flash of light suddenly erupted at the cave's entrance, and a figure appeared before them with brazen nonchalance.
Almost on instinct, both of them circulated their Saint Yuan within their bodies, readying themselves to strike. They stood shoulder to shoulder, warily eyeing the newcomer.
The man had made no effort whatsoever to conceal his presence. He simply regarded Yang Kai and Liu Xianyun with cold indifference, then let out a derisive snort. "Two little mice with surprisingly sharp instincts."
In the dim light, Yang Kai made out the man's features.
He appeared to be around thirty, dressed in white robes that gave him a somewhat distinguished bearing. But what caught Yang Kai's attention was the man's aura—a feeling of unfathomable depth, far more oppressive than the pressure Yin Lesheng had exerted in the Starlight Corridor.
Dao Source Realm!
That thought flashed through Yang Kai's mind, and his expression grew even grimmer.
Both he and Liu Xianyun were outstanding cultivators of their respective Star Fields. Having concealed their auras while talking inside the cave, even an ordinary Void King Realm cultivator would have been unable to detect them.
But if this man was at the Dao Source Realm, it made perfect sense that he could sense their presence.
Yang Kai didn't know just how powerful the Dao Source Realm truly was, only that cultivators at that level were far beyond anything he could currently contend with.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—
A series of piercing sounds echoed from outside, and three more figures followed the white-robed man into the cave.
One of them asked, "Senior Brother Kou, did you find something?"
Another exclaimed in surprise, "Oh? There really are two people hiding in here. Senior Brother Kou is truly impressive—to have detected them!"
The last one laughed aloud. "Senior Brother Kou is a first-stage Dao Source Realm powerhouse. These two are barely at our level—how could they possibly pull off any tricks under Senior Brother Kou's nose?"
All of them were men. Once inside the cave, they sizing up Yang Kai and Liu Xianyun with mocking gazes. The one who had spoken first let his eyes linger meaningfully, glancing between Yang Kai and Liu Xianyun's attractive figure, letting out a low chuckle. It was obvious he assumed the two had been hiding in this small cave for some indecent purpose.
Though Liu Xianyun's expression was unsightly, she didn't dare erupt in anger.
Yang Kai remained silent as well.
Setting aside the fact that there were three Void King Realm Stage Three cultivators, the leading Dao Source Realm powerhouse alone was far beyond what either of them could handle. Yang Kai could only bide his time and wait for an opening. Fortunately, the other party hadn't attacked directly—otherwise, he and Liu Xianyun would likely be in dire straits.
The leading figure—this Senior Brother Kou—swept a cold glance over Yang Kai and Liu Xianyun, his gaze filled with even greater contempt. He gave a dismissive snort. "So little Source Energy in your bodies, yet you carry the cultivation of the Void King Realm. Where did you come from, and what are you plotting here in the territory of my Jade Feather Sect?"
"Jade Feather Sect?" Yang Kai and Liu Xianyun exchanged bewildered glances, surprise evident on their faces.
Still, they had their suspicions. This place was apparently the territory of a sect called Jade Feather Sect, and having stumbled into it by chance, they had been discovered by its disciples.
With that thought, Yang Kai felt slightly relieved. He cupped his fists and said, "Greetings, friends. We had no idea this was your sect's territory and entered by accident. If we have caused any offense, please forgive us. Rest assured—we shall leave at once!"
As he spoke, Yang Kai shot Liu Xianyun a meaningful glance.
Liu Xianyun caught on immediately and prepared to follow Yang Kai out of this trouble spot.
But Senior Brother Kou and his three companions stood blocking the cave's entrance, unmoving. They showed no intention of stepping aside.
The man surnamed Kou sneered, "Entered by accident? That excuse might fool children, but did you think it would fool me? Speak honestly—are you people from the Scorching Sun Pavilion!"
"Scorching Sun Pavilion?" Yang Kai frowned and shook his head. "Sorry, I've never heard of it."
"You're putting on quite the act," scoffed the man standing behind Kou. "Senior Brother Kou, stop wasting words with them. Take them back and give them a proper reception—I'm sure they'll talk then. How dare these Scorching Sun Pavilion people trespass on our Jade Feather Sect's territory? They clearly don't take us seriously at all."
Senior Brother Kou's face was equally frigid. "Better to kill by mistake than to let one slip away!"
With that, he formed a series of hand seals, murmured a low incantation, and pointed a finger at Yang Kai and Liu Xianyun from a distance.
Two beams of energy shot forth, striking squarely at the chests of the startled Yang Kai and Liu Xianyun before either could react.
Both of them were shocked and moved to resist, only to discover with horror that something resembling ropes had materialized on their skin. Dense, rice-grain-sized rune patterns covered the ropes, flickering ceaselessly as they completely sealed off the power within their bodies.
The more they struggled, the tighter these mystic restraints became.
Yang Kai and Liu Xianyun's faces changed drastically in an instant.