A moment later, two streaks of light flashed and landed not far in front of Yang Kai, revealing two figures.
The one on the left wore robes as white as snow, with starlit eyes and sword-like brows. His bearing was extraordinary, and a sharp aura radiated from every inch of his body, like an unsheathed blade.
This person actually possessed a cultivation at the third level of the Dao Source Realm, which drew a few extra glances from Yang Kai.
The aura emanating from him exerted a faint pressure on Yang Kai, as if that keen edge could cut through his skin from a distance, which sent a slight jolt of surprise through him.
He thought to himself that this was worthy of being an elite Disciple of a major Sect. Just this casually released aura was something an ordinary third-level Dao Source Realm cultivator could not hope to produce.
The one on the right had a broad mouth and a flared nose, with a hulking frame. He wore only a short tunic and shorts, and his sturdy calves were covered in thick black hair, as were his arms.
At first glance, the man looked like a giant gorilla standing upright — quite the visual impact!
This person had a cultivation at the second level of the Dao Source Realm.
Once both of them had landed, they simultaneously turned their gazes toward Yang Kai.
"Yang Kai of Maple Forest City greets you both!" Yang Kai cupped his fists. "May I ask how to address you?"
The white-robed man's expression was cold, his face utterly indifferent, as though he had not even heard Yang Kai speak. Instead, it was the gorilla-like hulking man who suddenly bellowed: "Hey — so you're Yang Kai?"
Yang Kai was taken aback but still nodded with a straight face. "If there's no one else in your temple by that name, then that's me."
"Good!" The hulking man grinned, revealing a savage smile. He swept his gaze over Yang Kai in a manner akin to appraising prey, and his booming voice rumbled: "So it was you, kid, who snatched away my spot to enter the Secret Realm. It seems to me you're tired of living!"
Hearing this, Yang Kai immediately realized that these two were not companions sent to welcome him to the Secret Realm — they had most likely come looking for trouble.
He furrowed his brow. "There must be a misunderstanding, friend. It would be rather complicated to explain from my side alone. Why don't you go ask Elder Gao about this? I'm sure she'll give you a satisfactory answer."
"Hmph, there's no need to ask anyone." The hulking man snorted coldly. "Elder Gao already told me. She said my spot was to be revoked and transferred to you. I'm not accepting that! This spot of mine was earned through our Sect's martial tournament, won through blood and battle. What gives you the right to waltz in and steal it?"
"Sect martial tournament?" Yang Kai frowned.
At that moment, the white-robed man, who had not spoken a word until now, suddenly spoke: "Three months ago, our Divine Temple held an internal competition among its Disciples. Only those who placed in the top twenty earned the right to enter the Four Seasons Land. Xue Yi here… placed fifteenth!"
"So it's Brother Xue!" Yang Kai finally learned the hulking man's name. He then turned to the white-robed man with curiosity. "And how should I address you?"
"This is Senior Brother Xiao Baiyi!" Xue Yi snorted.
"I'm curious — what was Senior Brother Xiao's ranking in that martial tournament?" Yang Kai asked tentatively.
"Senior Brother Xiao placed second!" Xue Yi said proudly. He paused for a beat, then suddenly shouted: "You bastard, don't think you can change the subject! I brought Senior Brother Xiao here today to tell you that if you want to snatch this spot from me, you'll have to ask whether I agree first! Don't think that just because Elder Gao has your back you can do whatever you want — or I'll crush your skull!"
As he spoke, he spread open his massive, fan-like hand and clenched it into a fist, making a vicious threatening gesture toward Yang Kai.
Yang Kai smiled. "Then what would it take for Brother Xue to agree to give up the spot?"
"Simple!" Xiao Baiyi said flatly. "Our spots were all obtained through the Sect's martial tournament. In other words, the strongest take all. If you can kill Junior Brother Xue, then your spot will be well-deserved. I don't think anyone would have objections."
"That's right!" Xue Yi nodded vigorously from the side. "Kill me, or… get killed by me. The one who's still breathing gets the spot!"
"That doesn't seem like a good idea," Yang Kai said, looking hesitant.
The way these two were talking was so gory it gave him the creeps. If he got killed by Xue Yi, that would probably be fine, but if he killed Xue Yi, he'd likely stir up a massive crisis.
"There's nothing wrong with it," Xiao Baiyi said, his expression still cold. "Or perhaps… you're afraid?"
"Why would Senior Brother Xiao try to provoke me?" Yang Kai chuckled wryly.
"Heh heh, if you really are scared, it's not too late to leave the Qingyang Mountain Range now. With your measly first-level Dao Source Realm cultivation, I'm genuinely worried I might accidentally kill you!" Xue Yi laughed arrogantly.
Yang Kai sighed. "Alright. I understand what you two are here for."
He had never imagined that simply trying to secure a spot to enter the Four Seasons Land would drag him into this kind of trouble. If it were possible, he naturally had no desire to fight with cultivators of the Qingyang Divine Temple.
But seeing how aggressive Xue Yi was being, even retreating wouldn't resolve the matter.
He had, after all, promised Qin Chaoyang, and he had even used the token that expert had left behind. The Four Seasons Land was somewhere he had to go.
"Since both of you are so insistent… then it would be rude of me to refuse. Senior Brother Xiao, I'll have to trouble you to serve as a witness for this matter and its outcome!"
"Don't worry." Xiao Baiyi seemed somewhat surprised that Yang Kai had actually agreed. He had expected that he and Xue Yi coming in person, throwing around threats and intimidation, would have the other party scared witless, fleeing in terror. But that was clearly not how things had turned out…
He said evenly: "I came here at Junior Brother Xue's request specifically to serve as a witness. Regardless of the outcome between you two, or if either of you ends up in mortal danger, I will not interfere."
"Senior Brother Xiao seems like a trustworthy person," Yang Kai grinned. "Then I'll trouble you."
"You'd better worry about yourself. Try not to die too easily — otherwise, if word gets out, it won't look good for our temple's reputation," Xiao Baiyi said, his eyelids narrowing slightly.