Yang Kai wore a vicious expression—he was genuinely intent on carrying through, not merely talking big for the thrill of it.
"Despicable!" Lin'er's face had gone white with fury. This bastard really was trying to kill her—his intentions were utterly abominable. You'd better never fall into my hands, boy, or I'll make you regret it!
"If my lord doesn't believe me, you're welcome to test it!" Yang Kai flicked the Million Swords, striking a posture that suggested he was ready to perish alongside his enemy.
Elder Fu's expression remained placid as he said lightly, "Fought side by side with Emperor Hongchen, have you? That's quite the tall tale, boy. Aren't you afraid of being exposed?"
Yang Kai replied, "I'm simply stating facts and speaking reason. I never brag."
"Is that so..." Elder Fu smiled meaningfully, pausing briefly before saying, "You just wait!"
"Wait for what?" Yang Kai stared at him in surprise, brows furrowing slightly. He had no idea what this man was planning, but he knew full well that he was no match for him, so he didn't dare let his guard down for even a moment.
The man before him was not some Feng Xuan-type character. Even though he had only descended here as a soul projection, Yang Kai had little confidence in facing him head-on—but when it came to fleeing, he still possessed some measure of confidence. If not for that, how could he stand here with an unchanged expression, chatting away so casually?
Over on that side, Elder Fu's gaze darkened slightly as he stood perfectly still. Yang Kai's mind churned with suspicion and unease, but he didn't dare make any move, for fear of provoking the man's displeasure.
Towering mountains. Pristine white snow. Amid the snowy peaks, clusters of buildings stretched across the landscape in rolling waves. Martial artists occasionally streaked through the sky overhead, while below, figures moved to and fro among pavilions, towers, and halls—the place was bustling with activity.
Fellow disciples sparred with one another, beautiful women played chess in the pavilions, and maidservants passed through in solemn-faced groups, moving briskly on their way.
Countless plum blossoms bloomed, their delicate fragrance drifting in waves, while many tamed exotic beasts darted through the mountain forests, trailing streaks of radiant light behind them.
The entire scene was like a celestial paradise, the spiritual energy of heaven and earth thick beyond measure.
This was the domain of the Eastern Region's dominant sect—the Ghost Soul Palace.
No one who had never visited the Ghost Soul Palace could have imagined that such scenery lay within. The name alone conjured images of a dreary, ghost-infested place—the gap between expectation and reality was staggering.
Atop the highest peak, hidden beneath the snow, stood a palace. It sprawled across a vast area, yet inside it was cold and desolate, seemingly uninhabited for a long time.
Within a hundred li of this peak, not a single soul could be seen. Even the birds and beasts that roamed freely through the surrounding wilderness dared not come anywhere near.
This was none other than the forbidden ground of the Ghost Soul Palace—the place where the Ghost Soul Great Emperor secluded himself for Cultivation.
The Ghost Soul Great Emperor was one of the Ten Great Emperors, standing at the absolute pinnacle of the Star Boundary. It was perfectly ordinary for him to seclude himself for decades, even a century at a time. Without a summons, no one dared come here to disturb him—even his own children had to request permission before setting foot here.
Yet even Yao Si, the Young Palace Master of the Ghost Soul Palace, had not seen his father for a full three years. All he knew was that his father appeared to be comprehending some secret technique and could not be disturbed.
At this very moment, inside the palace, beneath the flickering lamplight, two figures sat cross-legged facing each other.
One was a man with black hair and no beard, clad in black robes. His expression was remote, yet he carried the innate authority of a ruler that commanded fear and respect from all who beheld him. He was none other than the Palace Master of the Ghost Soul Palace—one of the Ten Great Emperors, the Ghost Soul Great Emperor.
The one sitting across from him, however, was an older man who sat with no regard for proper posture whatsoever. He was slouched over with a thoroughly bored expression, his eyes darting this way and that, continuously scanning left and right as if searching for anything valuable in this forsaken place—planning to pocket it while the Ghost Soul Great Emperor wasn't looking.
His wretched appearance combined with his current behavior—how could the word "sneaky" even begin to describe it?
Had Yao Si witnessed this scene, he would have been utterly shocked.
This palace had always been accessible only to his father and a handful of his most trusted confidants. No outsider had ever set foot here, yet now an older man of unknown origin sat face-to-face with his father, and Father showed not the slightest trace of wariness...
Had Yang Kai seen this scene, he too would have been thoroughly shocked.
Because that older man was none other than Duan Hongchen—the very person he had parted ways with not long ago in the Ziyue Wasteland.
No one knew how Duan Hongchen had ended up here, or why he had come straight to the Ghost Soul Great Emperor.
In the silence, the only sound was the crackling of the lamp. Suddenly, the Ghost Soul Great Emperor slowly opened his eyes. Duan Hongchen perked up, straightened his back, and asked eagerly, "Is it done?"
"Not yet." The Ghost Soul Great Emperor shook his head slowly.
Duan Hongchen was taken aback. "If it's not done, why are you opening your eyes? Hurry up and finish it—I've got something I need your help with."
He spoke with striking familiarity, as if he and the Ghost Soul Great Emperor were old acquaintances.
The Ghost Soul Great Emperor smiled faintly. "There's no rush with your request. There's something I'd like to ask you first."
Duan Hongchen asked curiously, "Ask me? What could you possibly need to ask me about?"
The Ghost Soul Great Emperor chuckled. "Some reckless fool claims to have fought side by side with you. Is there any truth to that?"
Yang Kai had barely finished spinning his tall tale on one end, and here was the Great Emperor already confronting Duan Hongchen about it on the other—Yang Kai would surely be mortified if he knew.
Duan Hongchen let out a derisive snort. "Someone says it and you just believe it? What nonsense. When have I ever fought alongside anyone? They're obviously using my name to try and scare you. Just get rid of them quickly—my business is more important."