There was a chasm between the Dao Source Realm and the Emperor Realm.
If the Soul force of a Dao Source Realm warrior could be likened to a wooden stick, then that of an Emperor Realm warrior was an iron rod — in terms of sturdiness and resilience, the latter was naturally superior.
The differences between the first, second, and third levels of the Dao Source Realm merely determined the thickness and length of one's respective wooden stick.
To upgrade one's wooden stick into an iron rod, one had to cross that chasm.
Yang Kai was currently straddling the divide — he had not yet fully crossed over. However, because he had come into contact with Emperor Intent, his wooden stick had already been plated with a layer of iron. He possessed a fraction of the capital that only Emperor Realm cultivators were supposed to have, though it was still vastly different from a true Emperor Realm.
But it was enough.
Who else in this world, at the first level of the Dao Source Realm, had come into contact with Emperor Intent? Not even those Ten Great Emperors whose names resounded throughout the entire Star Boundary had been able to achieve this at Yang Kai's level.
Touching upon Emperor Intent ahead of schedule would naturally bring enormous benefits to his future growth.
Yang Kai continued to watch the battlefield with unwavering attention. The dual assault on vision and Soul that others found unbearable was to him nothing more than a gentle breeze brushing his face — nothing worth fussing over. The moment that impact reached his Soul Spirit, it was dissolved clean by the Seven-Colored Warm Spirit Lotus, posing no effect on him whatsoever.
Time trickled by.
Yang Kai's harvest grew ever greater, while within the battlefield, the battle between the two powerhouses had clearly entered a white-hot stage. Zhou Dian's furious roars erupted one after another, unable to contain his rage, while Yi Quan wore a solemn expression, no longer as relaxed as before. His long sword flickered as secret techniques surged forth in succession, locked in an endless entanglement with Zhou Dian.
With Yang Kai's cultivation and eye, he could not discern which of the two was stronger, or who held the upper hand. To his perception, they seemed to be fighting on perfectly even terms.
However… judging from the increasingly agitated edge in Zhou Dian's voice, it appeared he was slightly at a disadvantage.
This was not surprising. From the fragments of conversation he had overheard earlier, Yang Kai had pieced together that two thousand years ago, Zhou Dian and Yi Quan had fought a major battle. That clash had apparently ended with Zhou Dian wounded and Yi Quan victorious.
Now, two thousand years later, both had grown. But Yi Quan had obtained an Emperor-grade Soul Artifact. On top of his already formidable strength, that extra advantage made it only natural that he could suppress Zhou Dian.
But if one wanted to see a decisive victor… that would be difficult!
Yang Kai estimated that even if these two fought for ten days or half a month, the battle likely still would not conclude.
He was actually quite pleased to see this. After all, the longer it dragged on, the more time he had to continue observing and contemplating.
Just then, Yang Kai's brow furrowed as he keenly detected a faint fluctuation of abnormal power rippling through the surrounding space.
His expression darkened. He turned to look at Bai Lu and Yuan Fei, only to find that neither of them had reacted at all.
He immediately dismissed it as a figment of his imagination. But just as he was about to refocus on the battle, Yang Kai suddenly noticed something and his face drained of color. He roared toward the front: "Senior, watch out!"
Before the words had even fully left his mouth, a new figure materialized within the scorching battlefield.
The figure was tall and mysterious, its entire body shrouded in a black cloak that concealed its physique. A ghostly mask covered its face, giving it a truly horrifying appearance.
This person's arrival had been utterly without warning. Even powerhouses of Yi Quan and Zhou Dian's caliber had failed to detect any trace of the intrusion. Had Yang Kai not cultivated spatial power and been well-versed in spatial divine abilities, he too would have been oblivious.
Though the newcomer had acted in deep secrecy, the subtle spatial disturbance stirred by their descent had still been picked up by Yang Kai's sharp perception.
But his warning came too late.
The moment the ghostly-masked figure appeared, it was already at Yi Quan's side, slowly pushing out a palm strike aimed squarely at him.
Yi Quan's face changed drastically. He retracted his long sword and thrust it to the side, attempting to turn offense into defense.
This strike carried his full might.
Energy surged along the sword's edge like a tsunami, seemingly capable of devouring heaven and earth.
The ghostly figure's attack was barely blocked.
But Zhou Dian seized the opportunity to strike. His Sky-Splitting Halberd thrust and swept upward, piercing through Yi Quan's defensive perimeter and ripping a hole through his shoulder.
"Ugh…" Yi Quan grunted, his figure hurtling backward. Once he steadied himself, he slapped his own shoulder repeatedly, attempting to alleviate the injury.
But how could a full-force blow from Zhou Dian be so easily neutralized? The force that had hammered into Yi Quan's body had clearly dealt him a grievous wound. Pure Soul energy spilled from the gash, drifting and dispersing into the surrounding air.
"My Lord!" Bai Lu, Yuan Fei, and the other Monster Race powerhouses cried out in alarm, their faces stricken with shock. Their bodies swayed as they moved to rush to his aid.
Yi Quan raised a hand to halt them, his gaze growing heavy as he fixed it upon the ghostly-masked figure that had appeared without warning. His expression shifted between several emotions.
Zhou Dian, too, seemed surprised that this figure had shown up here — and that it had launched a sneak attack during his battle with Yi Quan. Had this person not interfered, he would never have been able to wound Yi Quan.
The newcomer's actions did not sit well with Zhou Dian, who felt they had sullied this sacred contest. Even so, he dared not show the slightest disrespect. Cupping his fists and bowing slightly, he said: "Your Majesty, what brings you here?"
"I've come to cover your retreat," the ghostly figure answered slowly, its voice hoarse and grating, like metal scraping against metal — deeply unpleasant to hear.