Yu Ying wore a look of utter astonishment, which Yang Kai found highly puzzling. "What's strange about that?"
Yu Ying exclaimed excitedly, "I've heard that warriors with the Star Lord physique have enormous advantages in the Shattered Star Sea — their speed at refining the Source Power is far beyond what ordinary people can manage. I always thought it was just an exaggerated rumor, but now it seems it's actually true! You're refining even faster than the legends say!"
Yang Kai asked in surprise, "The Star Lord physique comes with benefits like that?"
"Senior Brother Feng, you didn't know?"
Yang Kai shook his head. "I've been alone ever since I entered. I've just been refining Star Source Power the whole time. I assumed everyone was doing the same thing."
"How could it possibly be the same?" Yu Ying cried. "If I were to refine this Source Power, it would take me at least two months!"
"Two months!" Yang Kai put on a thoroughly shocked expression.
Yu Ying gazed at him with burning eyes. "Now you know just how formidable you are, Senior Brother Feng? It seems Senior Brother Yin must be the same way."
Yang Kai nodded. "Senior Brother Yin is at least as strong as me, if not stronger, so of course he'd be even more impressive."
Though he said this, Yang Kai sneered inwardly. Yin Lesheng might also possess the Star Lord physique and perhaps enjoyed that special advantage, but without the Star Refinement Art, he couldn't possibly refine this quickly. At most, he'd be only marginally faster than ordinary people.
The Star Refinement Art was the greatest convenience the Shattered Star Sea had to offer.
"Senior Brother Feng truly has limitless potential." Yu Ying's gaze toward Yang Kai was practically fervent. She had already known that he and Yin Lesheng both came from the Great Wilderness Star Field, so his aptitude was certainly not lacking — he would achieve great things someday. But now, upon learning that he was a Star Lord, she immediately understood that this "Feng De" was the second Yin Lesheng.
If someone like this could be recruited into the Yellow Spring Sect, her own standing would rise with his. She would certainly earn the great favor of the sect's upper echelon. And when this Senior Brother Feng eventually reached the peak of his power, who would dare provoke her?
In an instant, Yu Ying had made her decision. She resolved to find an opportunity to win over this Senior Brother Feng's heart and body, so that he could serve her purposes.
"You flatter me, Junior Sister Yu. Since the Source Power here is gone, let's move on." Yang Kai had Yin Lesheng on his mind and had no patience for idle chatter with her.
Yu Ying nodded. "All right." As she spoke, she suddenly tossed something forward. A small flying shuttle Artifact appeared before them — exquisitely crafted, radiating a considerable energy fluctuation. It was actually a Dao Source-grade high-tier flying Artifact, on par with the wooden boat Yang Kai had.
He was secretly taken aback. As expected of a prodigy from a major sect — for Yu Ying, a Dao Source Realm second-layer cultivator, to produce something of this quality so casually proved it was no ordinary possession.
"Would Senior Brother Feng like to ride with me?" Yu Ying shot him a flirtatious glance and adopted a coy expression, her voice dropping to a whisper. "The star road is long and lonely. It won't be so dull if we travel together."
Yang Kai's scalp tingled and a chill ran through his body. He had absolutely no desire to share an enclosed space with this woman, but refusing at this point would seem far too awkward. After a brief hesitation, he steeled himself and said, "That would be best."
Yu Ying smiled. "Please come aboard, Senior Brother Feng."
With that, she opened a door on the shuttle.
The two entered one after the other.
Once inside, Yang Kai discovered that the interior of the flying shuttle Artifact was not particularly spacious. Apart from the control area, there was only a single bedroom. However, Yu Ying had decorated it lavishly. The moment he stepped through, a cloying, opulent fragrance filled his nostrils.
He had no idea how many people this woman had invited into this shuttle before, but he found the environment thoroughly unpleasant.
Yu Ying stood with a bashful air, a spring-like warmth in the corners of her eyes, as if anticipating something delightful.
Before she could make any advances, Yang Kai spoke up. "Junior Sister Yu, I've been in several intense battles recently and expended a great deal of energy. I need to borrow your private room for a time to recuperate. I'll come out and relieve you in a few days!"
With that, he strode directly into the only bedroom, shut the door, and sat cross-legged on the floor.
Yu Ying stood rooted to the place, clearly at a loss for what to think. It took a long while before she let out a disgruntled huff and turned to take control of the Artifact.
In the days that followed, Yang Kai lived in a state of constant vigilance and considerable hardship.
Yu Ying was forever finding ways to tease him and pester him, and he found it unbearable. If he weren't relying on her to help him track down Yin Lesheng, he would have slapped this shameless woman dead long ago.
Judging from their interactions before and after, Yu Ying was no good person either.
Yang Kai spent the vast majority of his time meditating in the bedroom, only emerging when he needed to swap places with Yu Ying to pilot the shuttle. This arrangement denied her the opportunity to do anything truly excessive.