Two hundred million high-grade source crystals—such an enormous sum was not something just anyone could possess. It was equivalent to several years of the Azure Sun Divine Temple's total income.
Even Xiao Yuyang and Xue Zhengmao felt their hearts race upon hearing it.
Yang Kai, on the other hand, remained expressionless, as if what he'd heard wasn't two hundred million, but twenty million, or even two million…
This left everyone present marveling in secret. After all, Yang Kai was merely an Emperor Sovereign who had recently broken through. Even if he had some savings, he couldn't possibly be that wealthy—so why could he remain so unmoved before such an astronomical sum?
Little did they know just how vast Yang Kai's fortune had become. Two hundred million high-grade source crystals truly meant nothing to him.
"And the second condition?" Yang Kai asked calmly.
The strange light in Lan Xun's eyes faded, and she said softly, "The second condition… is that you may ask my father three questions. Any questions whatsoever."
At those words, Xue Zhengmao and Xiao Yuyang's breathing grew ragged, their faces alight with fervor.
Though they were Elders of the Star God Palace, holding lofty positions—second only to the Palace Master and above ten thousand others—securing an audience with the Great Emperor was no easy feat. The Great Emperor spent most of his time in seclusion, elusive as a divine dragon, and one might go years or even decades without seeing him, let alone asking him questions.
If they could obtain such an opportunity as Yang Kai had been given, both would be overjoyed. Regardless of their cultivation level, any martial artist would have countless unanswered questions on the path of martial arts. At their level of power, only a Great Emperor could provide answers. A single casual pointer from a Great Emperor might send their strength soaring.
It could be said that while this second condition wasn't as tangible as two hundred million high-grade source crystals, its value far exceeded the first. Source crystals could be earned again, but the chance to ask a Great Emperor three questions was not something that came around easily.
Even Wen Zishan looked visibly tempted, turning to glance at Yang Kai with clear hope that he would agree immediately.
Yet Yang Kai's expression remained placid. After a moment's thought, he asked, "And the third condition?"
Lan Xun replied, "The third condition is that you may enter our Star God Palace's Five-Colored Treasure Tower and cultivate there for one month."
Yang Kai nodded. All three conditions had been laid out. Honestly, the Star God Palace's proposal showed genuine sincerity—any one of these conditions would have been sufficient for Yang Kai to return the Emperor Treasure.
"This Emperor Treasure must be returned?" Yang Kai held up the Golden Armored Heaven Scripture, lifting his gaze to Lan Xun.
Lan Xun's face filled with regret. "Senior Brother Yang. Please consider our Star God Palace's dozens of disciples still trapped within the secret realm."
Without the Golden Armored Heaven Scripture, the Grand Void Illusion Realm could not be opened, and the dozens of disciples trapped inside would never escape.
Yang Kai let out a sigh. "Then I'll choose the third condition."
Lan Xun was first delighted, then stunned. "You don't want to reconsider?"
Wen Zishan also urged, "Indeed, Yang Kai. You should think this through carefully. Since the Great Emperor has granted you these three conditions, she certainly won't force you to decide immediately. There's no rush—make your choice after you've thought it over."
Yang Kai shook his head. "No need. I'll take the third."
Wen Zishan opened his mouth but ultimately said nothing more.
Putting himself in Yang Kai's shoes, if he were the one choosing, he would have picked the second without hesitation. The Five-Colored Treasure Tower was impressive, but cultivating within it depended on fortune. Without it, one might gain nothing in a month—or even a year or a decade. That paled in comparison to asking the Great Emperor three questions face to face. He didn't know what reasoning Yang Kai had, but in the end, this was Yang Kai's own decision, and having made his choice, there was little more Wen Zishan could say.
Lan Xun was clearly surprised as well, since in her estimation, the odds of Yang Kai choosing the second condition were as high as ninety percent. Yet the outcome hadn't matched her prediction. In the end, she simply nodded. "The Star God Palace will welcome Senior Brother Yang's visit at any time."
Yang Kai nodded. With a thought, he erased the soul imprint on the Golden Armored Heaven Scripture in his hand and returned the Emperor Treasure to Lan Xun, who stored it in her spatial ring.
With this matter settled, Wen Zishan warmly invited Lan Xun and the others to stay at the Azure Sun Divine Temple for a few more days. But Xiao Yuyang and Xue Zhengmao had no mind for such pleasantries and immediately took their leave.
Lan Xun's task was complete, so she too prepared to depart.
Just before leaving, Yang Kai suddenly spoke. "Junior Sister Lan, please wait. I have a personal matter I'd like to ask you about."
Lan Xun turned back and asked Xiao Yuyang and Xue Zhengmao to step outside and wait. The two had no objections. However, Xiao Chen shamelessly remained, looking deeply unwilling to leave Yang Kai and Lan Xun alone together, his hostility palpable.
"Senior Brother Xiao, you should step outside too." Lan Xun glanced at Xiao Chen.
Xiao Chen opened his mouth to protest, but meeting Lan Xun's beautiful gaze, his resolve faltered, and every word he'd been about to say died in his throat. He shot Yang Kai a resentful glare and turned to leave.
After a short while, only Yang Kai and Lan Xun remained in the great hall.
Lan Xun smiled faintly. "There's no one else here now. What would you like to ask, Senior Brother Yang?"
Yang Kai said, "Junior Sister Lan mentioned you recently visited Spirit Beast Island?"
Lan Xun nodded. "That's right. About three months ago, Father was invited by Senior Beast Martial and took me along to the Eastern Domain."