"However, because of the Star Seal's appearance, the Four Seasons Land will be far more dangerous this time than in previous years. So besides searching for the Star Seal, the most important thing you must remember is to ensure your own safety! You are all the future of the sect — losing even one of you is a loss for the entire sect. Therefore, I want all of you to make every effort to return in one piece!"
"Yes! Thank you for your concern, Elder Gao!" the disciples answered in unison.
"Elder Gao, what exactly does the Star Seal look like?" Xiao Baiyi asked.
"A Star Seal… its shape and pattern aren't fixed. But if you obtain one, it will imprint itself onto a certain part of your body, transforming into a mark. If you truly have the fortune to receive one, you'll naturally know."
"Understood!" Xiao Baiyi nodded.
"Additionally, the Star Seal can be transferred. Once you bring one out, you may hand it over to the sect! Of course, as compensation, anyone among you who obtains a Star Seal will earn the right to enter the Shattered Star Sea in the future!"
At these words, everyone's breathing hitched, their excitement barely contained.
"Then… if a disciple is fortunate enough to obtain two or more?" Xiao Baiyi asked again.
Gao Xueting replied, "Keep one for yourself, and hand the rest over to the sect. The sect will reward you accordingly!"
As she spoke, she suddenly turned her gaze toward Yang Kai and said, "That applies to you too!"
"Me?" Yang Kai looked surprised.
"Indeed." Gao Xueting gave a slight nod. "Though you are not a disciple of my Azure Sun Divine Temple, since you've taken one of our sect's spots, you naturally must follow the same rules."
"Fine." Yang Kai nodded helplessly. He was in no position to argue, and he suspected that when he emerged from the Four Seasons Land, the Azure Sun Divine Temple would thoroughly search his body for any Star Seals.
"That's all I had to say. As for the rest… there's nothing else worth mentioning. You're all dismissed." With that, Gao Xueting turned and walked back to the bow of the ship, standing there in silence. She was as still as a statue, not moving a muscle.
Outside the tower ship, Xia Sheng maintained the same pace alongside the vessel, wearing a pitiful expression. His mouth moved as he shouted — it looked as though he was begging for mercy.
But Gao Xueting didn't so much as glance at him.
Desperate, Xia Sheng shifted his gaze toward Xiao Baiyi, seemingly hoping the other would put in a good word for him.
Xiao Baiyi decisively turned his head in the opposite direction…
On the ship, Yang Kai furrowed his brow slightly, lost in thought.
He was considering whether he should ask Gao Xueting for a set of materials about the Four Seasons Land.
But the woman seemed rather moody, and given their earlier encounter, Yang Kai didn't particularly want to interact with her, lest she notice something off about him.
Just as he was hesitating, he suddenly felt someone giving him a discreet nudge.
He turned to find a young woman sitting not far from him, her red lips pressed together as she gazed at him.
She looked to be around twenty, though her true age was certainly greater than that. She was tall and slender, with fair skin and a delicate, pretty face. Her long hair flowed gracefully.
"Is there something I can help you with, miss?" Yang Kai asked curiously.
"You don't have one of these, do you? Here — take this!" As she spoke, the young woman handed Yang Kai a jade slip.
Yang Kai raised an eyebrow and reached out to accept it. He sent a thread of divine sense sweeping through the jade slip, and upon reading its contents, his face lit up with delight. "This is…"
Recorded inside the jade slip was none other than detailed information about the Four Seasons Land.
Each time the Four Seasons Land opened, the Azure Sun Divine Temple sent disciples inside, so they were quite familiar with the conditions within. The data in this jade slip not only included the locations of dangerous restrictions in the Four Seasons Land, but also listed the various types of demon beasts, their classifications, and approximate strength levels — there was even an outline map.
He had just been debating whether to ask Gao Xueting for exactly this kind of material, yet hadn't had the nerve. He never expected someone would simply hand it to him.
Flowers added to brocade could never compare to charcoal delivered in a snowstorm, and Yang Kai's goodwill toward this young woman surged.
She had probably guessed that he didn't have anything like this, so she quietly gave him a copy.
From this alone, it was easy to tell — this young woman had a kind heart.
"Thank you, miss. May I ask your name?" Yang Kai expressed his gratitude sincerely. She had done him a favor, and he ought to at least know her name.
"Murong Xiaoxiao!"
Yang Kai nodded and was about to say something more when Xiao Baiyi suddenly cut in: "Xiaoxiao, why are you chattering with an outsider?"
Hearing this, Murong Xiaoxiao stuck her tongue out at Yang Kai. Not wanting to go against Xiao Baiyi's wishes, she fell silent.
Yang Kai said, "Miss, I will remember your kindness."
"It's nothing!" Murong Xiaoxiao smiled lightly, not making a fuss of it.
"Brother Xiao!" Yang Kai turned his head toward Xiao Baiyi.
"Who are you calling that!" Xiao Baiyi's face instantly went cold.