Before long, Yang Kai had gotten dressed.
"How long do you intend to hog my bed?" Gao Xueting watched him with cold eyes.
Only then did Yang Kai climb down from the bed with a dejected, helpless air, standing properly before Gao Xueting.
"I'm asking you — where did that Demonic Artifact Spirit go?" Gao Xueting suddenly spoke up. "Everyone says the Artifact Spirit chased after you, but today Lord Xiao and I investigated along the trail, and when we tracked it to Yuqing Mountain, the trail went cold. It vanished in an instant — even Lord Xiao couldn't discern any trace of it. Do you know where it went?"
Yang Kai hurriedly shook his head, indicating he didn't know.
"Then how did you escape unscathed?" Gao Xueting's brows furrowed tightly.
Yang Kai chuckled. "Elder Gao knows that this junior has cultivated Space Force — running away is what I do best. At the time, I fled to Yuqing Mountain and used a concealment technique to hide quietly in the void. The Artifact Spirit chased me there, searched around without finding anything, and left on its own. As for where it went after that, I don't know either."
Gao Xueting stared deeply at him, her beautiful eyes flickering with a sharp light, as if trying to peer into the depths of Yang Kai's heart. This made him feel a twinge of guilt, fearing she might spot some flaw in his story.
After a long moment, Gao Xueting finally nodded and said, "If I ever find out you've been hiding something from me, I won't let you off easily."
Yang Kai wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and protested his innocence. "How could I ever dare?"
"I don't think you'd have the nerve." As she spoke, Gao Xueting sat down on the edge of the bed and sighed softly. "But when it comes down to it, the fault lies with us for being careless. If we had investigated more thoroughly after the battle with that demonic cultivator, perhaps this whole mess could have been avoided."
She sighed again, her face full of self-reproach.
These words made Yang Kai feel even more guilty. If Gao Xueting knew that the demonic cultivator she had battled that day was standing right in front of her now, he couldn't imagine what would happen.
Yang Kai quickly changed the subject. "Everything happens as heaven wills — there's no need for you to dwell on it, Elder Gao."
Gao Xueting gave him a glance, let out a cold snort, then flicked her hand, sending a streak of light shooting toward Yang Kai.
Yang Kai was mildly startled but didn't dodge, because he could tell Gao Xueting's action carried no hostile intent. He reached out and snatched the streak of light from the air.
Opening his palm, he found it was a token-like object.
It was roughly the size of a palm, forged from some unknown material. On the back was engraved the silhouette of a martial artist seen from behind — tall and imposing, as if standing in midair, surveying the world below. Though it was merely a carved image, one could still feel an overwhelming, commanding presence radiating from it.
Yang Kai's mouth twitched as he stared at it, because he realized the silhouette bore a striking resemblance to Wen Zishan.
On the front, two large characters were inscribed.
Qingyang!
The entire token was a fiery gold in color, brilliantly radiant and dazzling to behold.
"This is..." Yang Kai's expression shifted slightly as he looked at Gao Xueting with suspicion.
"An identity token for a disciple of the Divine Temple," Gao Xueting replied calmly.
"Uh..." Yang Kai was surprised, then smiled bitterly. "But Elder Gao, I'm not a disciple of the Divine Temple. Wouldn't it be inappropriate for me to take this token?"
"Starting now, you are!"
Yang Kai was stunned for a moment, then nodded repeatedly. "Elder Gao, this is practically forced buying and selling... shouldn't you at least ask for my opinion?"
Gao Xueting shot him a sidelong glance. "Didn't I already ask you last time? Has it really taken you this long and you still haven't made up your mind?"
Yang Kai hastily said, "I still need more time to think about it. This matter is far too complex — this junior can't quite sort it all out just yet. Please grant me some more time, Elder Gao."
"How long?"
"Thirty or fifty years would be ideal..."
After saying this, Yang Kai saw frost descend upon Gao Xueting's face and quickly added, "Of course, ten years or so would be passable too..."
"Heh heh..."
Gao Xueting suddenly let out a cold laugh.
Yang Kai couldn't help but shudder, a chill running through his entire body. His feet nearly cramped from the cold.
Gao Xueting said leisurely, "It seems my good temper has given you the wrong impression. Do you think I'm easy to push around? Do you think I have no authority?"
"Absolutely not."
"Then you look down on me? Look down on the Divine Temple?"
"Of course not!"
Gao Xueting snorted coldly. "Today, I already told Lord Xiao and the others in front of everyone that you are a disciple of our Divine Temple, shutting down Lou Chi's attempt to recruit you. If you dare refuse me again, tomorrow I will tell them that I've expelled you from the Divine Temple. Do you have any idea what the consequences would be?"