Some days ago, while passing through a dangerous area, Yang Kai had sensed Yang-attributed treasures in the vicinity. But that location had been specifically marked on the map, so he hadn't dared to go.
Now it seemed he had no choice. All the Yang-attributed materials on Hidden Island had already been collected. If he wanted to gather the four hundred drops of Yang Liquid he needed, there was nowhere else to turn.
The only question was what kind of demon beast might be guarding the place.
He had to proceed with extreme caution. If he ran into those two giant eagles he'd seen before, even with his Wings of Yang Flame he wouldn't be able to escape their pursuit.
It took an entire day to reach the outer perimeter of that dangerous region.
Yang Kai deliberated for a long while before ordering the peculiar insects to set up defensive measures. He carefully considered every possible scenario that could unfold and the corresponding countermeasures, and only after settling on a plan did he set forward.
The Yang Source Seal on his chest burned hot once more—several hundred zhang ahead, something Yang-attributed definitely existed, and at a fairly high grade. If it contained enough energy, it would be sufficient to refine four hundred drops of Yang Liquid.
Success or failure hinged on this single gamble. By now, Yang Kai harbored no fear. He advanced step by step in the direction the Yang Source Seal indicated.
A faint, fishy stench hung in the air. Traces of demon beasts could be seen all around—everything pointed to grave danger ahead.
Another hundred zhang forward, and the stench grew stronger. Yang Kai could just make out, not far ahead, a massive dark-red boulder standing in the distance.
The Yang Qi detected by the Yang Source Seal was emanating from precisely this stone.
Yang Kai's heart leaped with joy. Perhaps he could finally go home! A Yang-attributed spirit stone of this size—if he absorbed all its Yang Qi, four hundred drops of Yang Liquid would come easily. The stone appeared similar to the Yangyan Stones mined by the Blood Battle Gang, but of far superior quality.
He continued his cautious approach. Below the boulder, Yang Kai spotted a shallow cave opening. Inside lurked a magnificent demon beast, its purple eyes narrowed as it stared straight at him.
Yang Kai's heart lurched. He never expected his presence to be discovered so quickly.
Yet the demon beast showed no intention of charging out after him. It simply lay in the cave, sizing him up with ill intent.
This was its lair—the source of its power and survival. Short of absolute desperation, it would not abandon it.
Yang Kai stepped forward another thirty zhang. A menacing growl rumbled from the beast's throat, and a cruel light flickered in its purple eyes.
It rose slowly to its feet and walked out of the cave, one step at a time.
Only now did Yang Kai see its true form. It resembled a wolf, though its entire coat was dark red. Standing roughly two zhang tall, its fangs curved at the corners of its mouth like blades, bared at Yang Kai in a savage snarl.
An invisible pressure bore down on him. Yang Kai could barely breathe.
A sixth-rank demon beast! Absolutely a sixth-rank beast—no less formidable than those giant eagles he'd encountered before. Against such a creature, Yang Kai couldn't hope to kill it even if he fought with everything he had.
He slowly bent down, keeping his guard up against the beast's movements while picking up a stone from the ground beside his foot.
Then, with all his strength, he hurled the stone straight at the demon beast.
This brazen provocation utterly enraged the dark-red wolf demon. Yang Kai saw only a flash of crimson before the beast appeared thirty zhang away in the blink of an eye.
Terrifying speed! Yang Kai's expression darkened. Without a moment's hesitation, he spun around and unleashed his movement technique, retreating at full speed.
A whistling rush of wind came from behind—the beast was closing in rapidly. Every hair on Yang Kai's body stood on end, a cold chill racing down his spine. He pushed his speed to its absolute limit, flickering and shifting relentlessly.
"Young Master, this is bad—it's almost on you!" Earth Demon cried out in panic.
"Help!" Yang Kai couldn't afford a single distraction and kept sprinting. Earth Demon responded instantly, wrapping around the Soul-Breaking Spike and transforming into a streak of black smoke that lunged at the wolf demon.
The beast reacted with startling agility. Even in mid-charge it opened its massive jaws and clamped down on the Soul-Breaking Spike.
Earth Demon shrieked in terror, but the wolf failed to bite through the spike. Finding it too hard to chew, the beast spat it out.
Earth Demon's heart was still racing.
But that brief delay had bought Yang Kai some distance.
He charged forward roughly another hundred zhang and finally reached the spot he'd prepared earlier. Yang Kai stopped running and turned to face the demon beast just as it lunged toward him like a shadow, its fangs glinting with a sinister sheen as it soared through the air.
Yang Kai shifted his feet and sidestepped a dozen zhang away.
Before he could steady himself, the wolf demon pounced again. Its speed was hardly slower than the Devouring Insects from before. Yang Kai felt the pressure drop sharply as he deployed his movement technique once more, circling and weaving around the beast.
Earth Demon finally arrived as well, coordinating with Yang Kai to distract the wolf demon, slightly easing his dire situation.
One man, one demon, and the wolf beast raced through an area spanning dozens of zhang. Several times Yang Kai narrowly avoided being pinned down, pulling through at the most critical moments each time. Even so, he was drenched in sweat.
Facing a sixth-rank demon beast with only the strength of the ninth layer of Qi Movement was truly overreaching. Without his self-created movement technique, he would have been killed in a single exchange.
But to leave Hidden Island, Yang Kai had no choice but to take the risk.
After a full incense stick's worth of maneuvering, Yang Kai cast his gaze around the area and allowed himself a faint smile. The Wings of Yang Flame spread open behind him with a whoosh, and he soared into the sky.