Though Zi Yu wanted to explain everything to Zhangsun Ying, she knew this was no time for lengthy talk. She would just have to find an opportunity later. Gratefully, she said, "Thank you, Seventh Martial Aunt."
The moment the words left her mouth, she darted to Yang Kai's side and seized his hand. "We need to leave. Now."
"We can't leave!" Yang Kai suddenly let out a bitter laugh, gazing at Zhangsun Ying with a helpless expression.
Zhangsun Ying had clearly noticed something as well. Her elegant brows furrowed slightly, and her lovely face darkened.
Her earlier interception of Yang Kai and Zi Yu had been nothing more than instinct. After all, she was an Elder of Ice Heart Valley. When she sensed someone skulking around inside the valley, she couldn't just pretend she hadn't noticed.
But that interception and the brief exchange of blows had evidently alarmed quite a few people, robbing Yang Kai and Zi Yu of their best chance to escape.
A twinge of guilt stirred within her. If she had known this would happen, she never would have shown herself to block them.
Swish, swish, swish, swish...
A flurry of soft sounds rang out, and then a large group of Emperor Realm powerhouses suddenly materialized all around Yang Kai and the others. A rough count put the number at seven or eight at minimum, with more Emperor Realm cultivators still heading their way—they would arrive in just a few breaths.
Among these Emperor Realm experts, none had reached the Third Layer. Only two were at the Second Layer, while the rest were all First Layer.
In an instant, Yang Kai found himself surrounded by a dazzling array of beautiful women of every description. The sheer variety was dizzying.
It was truly a gathering where beauties were as numerous as clouds—three thousand lovely faces, each distinct. Faint, varied fragrances drifted in from every direction, giving one the irresistible sensation of having stumbled into a paradise of tenderness.
Yet Yang Kai felt not the slightest delight. His expression was grim.
Being surrounded by this many Emperor Realm cultivators was a first for him. Even with his mastery of Spatial Power, he had no confidence he could escape from here unscathed.
"Zi Yu, how dare you conspire with a man to flee the Forbidden Grounds and steal a treasure from within!" Just as Yang Kai's mind raced, searching for some way out, one of the Second Layer Emperor Realm women suddenly erupted with a furious shout.
She was dressed as a refined noblewoman, wearing a pale blue gown, but her expression was frigidly cold. A faint air of violence clung to her, making anyone nearby deeply uncomfortable. And it was unclear what secret art she had cultivated, but standing there, her sword intent pierced the heavens. She was like an unsheathed blade—keen, glaring, radiating an extremely dangerous aura.
Zi Yu panicked and quickly waved her hands at the woman. "No, Grand Elder, you've misunderstood!"
"Misunderstood?" The woman let out a cold snort. "Am I blind? You were the only one inside the Forbidden Grounds, and now the treasure is gone. Don't tell me you didn't take it!"
Zi Yu glanced at Yang Kai. She couldn't very well say that Yang Kai had taken the treasure, so she could only remain silent.
"Very well. So you admit it?" The woman sneered, then turned to the other Second Layer Emperor Realm woman. "Zi Yu violated the sect rules, showed no remorse during her confinement, and stole a treasure from the Forbidden Grounds. I ask Senior Sister to pass judgment!"
The Second Layer Emperor Realm woman listened and let out a soft sigh. Her gaze toward Zi Yu was complicated—her beautiful eyes were filled with guilt and self-reproach, along with a deep, aching tenderness. After a long moment she finally spoke: "Yu'er, that ice pearl was something left behind by your founding ancestor. Why did you take it?"
She too had apparently concluded that the ice pearl had been stolen by Zi Yu. It had still been inside the Forbidden Grounds before, and now it was gone.
Zi Yu opened her mouth and said, "Master, I didn't take it."
She denied stealing the treasure but made no move to implicate Yang Kai, clearly unwilling to drag him into trouble.
"Then how did it disappear?" Zi Yu's master asked gently. Compared to the oppressive, forceful bearing of the Grand Elder, she was far more tender and considerate, her voice soft and mild.
Yang Kai suddenly whispered, "Junior Sister Yu, how should I address these two?"
Zi Yu replied on instinct, "One is my master, An Ruoyun. The other is Ice Heart Valley's Grand Elder, Sun Yunxiu—who is also my Second Martial Aunt. My master ranks first among all the Martial Sisters."
Yang Kai understood immediately. The woman whose bearing was gentle as water was An Ruoyun—Zi Yu's master and the acting Valley Master of Ice Heart Valley. The other, whose sword intent pierced the sky and whose presence was so overwhelming, was Sun Yunxiu. Both of them, like Zhangsun Ying whom Yang Kai had encountered earlier, were martial sisters.
Bing Yun had truly taken on a fine batch of disciples. Every one of them had grown to the Emperor Realm. It was hard to say whether it was the local spiritual energy that nurtured such talent or Bing Yun's exceptional guidance.
But now was hardly the time for such musings. Yang Kai cupped his fists. "This junior is Yang Kai. Greetings, Senior Masters."