After recognizing the gap between himself and Yang Kai, Chu Fei had already lost his earlier arrogance. However, under the watchful eyes of so many, he couldn't bring himself to lose face. Otherwise, how could he ever hold his head up in the Azure Feather Sect again?
So even though fear churned in his heart, he had no choice but to put on a tough front and throw the question back at Yang Kai.
"Simple enough." Yang Kai eyed Chu Fei with a smile and held up a single finger. "Senior Brother's little stunt here means I probably won't be able to refine pills in this market anymore. Shouldn't you compensate me for the losses?"
"Compensate you?!" Chu Fei's eyes nearly popped out of his head. He never imagined Yang Kai could be so mercenary.
Yang Kai chuckled. "I'm not asking for much. Just a few hundred thousand Source Crystals will do."
"A few hundred thousand— you're dreaming!" Chu Fei sprang to his feet, his face twisting with outrage. "You've really got some nerve, asking for that much!"
A few hundred thousand Source Crystals was a sum Chu Fei wouldn't dare dream of. In his entire cultivation career, accounting for both what he'd spent and what he currently possessed, he had only around one or two hundred thousand. And Yang Kai wanted several times that? Might as well ask for his life!
Yang Kai's expression turned cold in an instant, and he snarled, "Senior Brother shows no sincerity at all. It seems we can't continue this conversation. In that case…"
Before Yang Kai could finish, he suddenly tilted his head as if sensing something, listening intently.
At the sight of this, Chu Fei's face brightened with delight, and he laughed aloud. "Junior Brother, let's end today's matter here. I'll remember you. We'll meet again someday."
Seeing Yang Kai's reaction, how could he not realize that an expert was transmitting a message to him? As long as a sect powerhouse had stepped in, he was safe.
With that, he waved his hand and barked at the other two, "Let's go!"
Those two didn't dare dawdle. They hurriedly lifted Junior Brother Jiang, who was still struggling, and prepared to leave the scene swiftly.
"You think you can just walk away after slandering my reputation? There's no such cheap deal in this world!" Yang Kai's cold snort rang out. Chu Fei's heart lurched, and when he turned his head, he saw Yang Kai rushing toward him, that fist wreathed in five-colored radiance swelling before his eyes once more.
The weight of a dense Domain pressed down around Chu Fei, crushing his aura entirely. He had time for only a single cry of alarm before Yang Kai slammed him to the ground and proceeded to pummel him without mercy.
A Third-Order Void King Realm cultivator was no weakling, even if not all the power within his body had been converted to Source Force. Had Chu Fei fought back with everything he had, he could have put up a real struggle.
But after his earlier exchange with Yang Kai, Chu Fei knew full well he was no match for this junior brother. So this time, he didn't even entertain the thought of resistance. Instead, he simply channeled his defensive energy to protect his vital areas, letting Yang Kai's fists rain down on him like a storm.
The surrounding martial artists were completely dumbfounded.
Dull thuds echoed through the air, punctuated by Chu Fei's miserable wails.
By the time Yang Kai rose to his feet, Chu Fei was covered in blood, lying on the ground moaning weakly, clearly quite badly hurt.
Yang Kai turned his head and glanced in a certain direction, cursed under his breath, then called out to Liu Xianyun, "Pack it up!"
Liu Xianyun was stunned for a moment before snapping back to reality. She hurriedly followed Yang Kai as they headed back toward their quarters.
Wherever they passed, Azure Feather Sect disciples gave way of their own accord, their gazes filled with fear as they watched Yang Kai.
…
Liu Xianyun trailed behind Yang Kai, her eyes fixed on that broad back, her thoughts drifting.
She hadn't expected that Yang Kai, who usually seemed so mild-mannered, could become so savage when provoked. Back in that market, if not for his consideration toward fellow sect members, Chu Fei would probably have been beaten to death by Yang Kai.
But with things having gone this far, they really wouldn't be able to return to the market to refine pills anymore. That was somewhat of a pity for Liu Xianyun. After all, the income from their pill refining over the past month had been quite good, earning them a decent amount of Source Crystals.
As they walked, Yang Kai ahead of her suddenly came to a halt. Liu Xianyun wasn't paying attention and nearly crashed into his back before catching herself just in time. "What is it, Brother Yang?"
"You go on ahead. I need to make a trip to the mountain peak." Yang Kai turned and said.
"The peak?" Liu Xianyun's delicate brows furrowed before realization dawned. "Protector Bian wants to see you? Then the person who just sent you a transmission…"
"Mm." Yang Kai nodded. "It's a small matter. Don't worry."
"Do you want me to go with you?" Liu Xianyun asked.
"Protector Bian didn't summon you, so you probably won't be able to go up. Go on back first." With that, Yang Kai turned and walked straight toward the peak.
Liu Xianyun called after him, "Be careful."
Yang Kai didn't answer, merely waving a hand over his shoulder.