Facts proved his guess correct. When he executed the first Fire Snake technique, he indeed resonated with the Sacred Tree, forming a subtle connection. Subsequent repetitions only strengthened that bond.
That was how he had gained the Sacred Tree's protection, enabling him to unleash the talisman arts and the so-called "Sacred Arts" that the goateed man had recognized.
The so-called Sacred Arts were nothing more than shamanic sorcery bolstered by an additional power.
Everyone in Human Emperor City believed that the Sacred Tree protected the Imperial Clan, and so the Imperial Clan was inviolable here, possessed numerous privileges, and could not be defied by anyone. In truth, however, it was likely that among all the inhabitants of Human Emperor City, only the Imperial Clan were shamans capable of resonating and forming connections with the Sacred Tree, and only they could mobilize its power.
Everyone other than the Imperial Clan was fundamentally unable to cultivate shamanic arts — or rather, had been prevented from doing so.
This had to be one of Human Emperor City's means of control.
The only thing Yang Kai could not figure out was what exactly the Sacred Tree was, and why it protected shamans and allowed itself to be used by them.
Various thoughts flickered through his mind, but Yang Kai had no answer for the time being. He would need to see the so-called Sacred Tree with his own eyes. But how could that be easy? Given how special and important the Sacred Tree was, it was certain to be under the most stringent protection by Human Emperor City. For an outsider like him to go see it — that would be harder than ascending to heaven.
He turned his attention to the skeletal man before him and smiled. "Let me guess. The First Prince and the Third Prince have both appeared. Could it be that you belong to the Second Prince? No, no — you shouldn't be one of the Second Prince's people, though I don't even know whether a Second Prince exists."
The skeletal man's expression remained impassive. "What makes you say that?"
His voice was as gaunt as his frame, sounding dry and raspy, as though he hadn't drunk a single drop of water in decades.
Yang Kai snorted. "There has never been affection among royals since ancient times. The princes are certain to be embroiled in fierce struggles. If you really served the Second Prince, you'd be itching for the First Prince to die an early death — why would you bother saving him so kindly? That spirit pill you just gave him was rather fine."
"Ah, I see. It seems you have some powers of observation." The skeletal man nodded slightly. "You're right. I am not the Second Prince's man."
"Then whose man are you?" Yang Kai narrowed his eyes.
The skeletal man replied, "I act under the Human Emperor's orders. You are both invited to the palace!"
"The Human Emperor!" Yang Kai raised an eyebrow and turned to Zhu Qing. "My dear, shall we go or not?"
Zhu Qing said, "Whatever you decide is fine."
Yang Kai nodded slightly and chuckled softly. "Let me ask first — I beat up the First Prince. The Human Emperor isn't going to do anything to me, is he?"
The skeletal man replied, "I do not presume to guess the Human Emperor's intentions as his subordinate. I merely carry out orders. Please, both of you!"
As he spoke, he stepped aside and assumed an inviting posture.
Yang Kai said to Zhu Qing, "Looks like we'll have to make the trip. I do have some questions I'd like to ask, as well."
"Then let's go." Zhu Qing nodded.
"Lead the way!" Yang Kai jerked his chin at the skeletal man.
The skeletal man said nothing. His figure flickered and shot off in a certain direction. Yang Kai strode forward to follow.
The little black dog came trotting out from somewhere, yapping a few times before leaping into Zhu Qing's arms.
When the fighting had been going on, the creature had vanished without a trace. Now that it was over, it showed up immediately.
Human Emperor City was enormous. The skeletal man was clearly a person of status, as Yang Kai had previously noticed a five-leaf insignia on his clothing.
A five-leaf insignia was far below what the First and Third Princes bore, but it was still a mark of nobility. According to what the goateed man had said before, one needed a six-leaf insignia to be qualified to mobilize the Sacred Tree's power and unleash the overwhelming Sacred Arts.
Five leaves and six leaves — a mere step apart.
Yang Kai estimated that in Human Emperor City, every true member of the Imperial family would have at least a six-leaf insignia. For someone like the skeletal man — deep in cultivation but without Imperial blood — five leaves was the ceiling, with no room for further advancement.
He was a Third-Order Emperor Realm cultivator. Out in the wider world, he would absolutely qualify to be the Sect Master of a top-tier Sect or a regional powerhouse. Yet here in Human Emperor City, he was merely a servant carrying out orders.
In this city, the distinction between commoners and the privileged was marked by whether one bore leaves, and the number of leaves separated true nobility from the elite subordinates beneath them. This was a means of control. Yang Kai did not endorse it, nor did he particularly wish to criticize it.
He merely felt that the Human Emperor's nepotism was rather petty, and his first impression of the man soured considerably.
The reason the Human Emperor had summoned him was almost certainly because of his ability to communicate with the Sacred Tree and draw upon its power. His appearance and his actions had shaken the very foundations of the Human Emperor's rule.
He was like a stone tossed into a still lake, sending ripples spreading across the surface and drawing the attention of the lake's ruler.
Yang Kai reckoned that if he refused the Human Emperor's summons, he would immediately face the entire city's rejection and pursuit. So no matter what, this summons was not something he could refuse. Since he couldn't refuse, he would have to go with the flow.
But this visit would certainly not be peaceful. He would need to be on his guard.
In Human Emperor City, only the privileged could fly through the air. Those without leaves, no matter how powerful their cultivation, had to walk on the ground like everyone else.
The skeletal man bore a five-leaf insignia and appeared to be a powerhouse serving at the Human Emperor's side, so he naturally had the right to fly. He soared ahead, and those who came head-on quickly scrambled out of the way.