As he stepped forward, a graceful figure suddenly blocked his path.
Yang Kai looked up, and a cold, stunningly beautiful face came into view. Her figure was slender and elegant, her white robes drifting like a celestial maiden descending to the mortal world. With her appearance came a refreshing fragrance that washed over him—entirely natural, clearly a woman's body scent, soothing to the senses as it filled his nostrils.
"Junior Sister Yao, it's been a while. I hope you've been well!" Yang Kai offered her a faint smile.
Ji Yao gave a slight nod and looked him up and down before her red lips parted to deliver words that nearly made Yang Kai cough up blood: "Senior Brother is still alive, I see."
"Ha ha…" The corners of Yang Kai's mouth twitched. "Thanks for your concern, Junior Sister. Everything's fine."
"Where have you been all this time?" Ji Yao asked.
"Here and there," Yang Kai answered casually, feeling a twinge of guilt without quite knowing why.
Truth be told, ever since he had wiped out the Qingzong Sect last time, he and Ji Yao had barely seen each other. He had been constantly running about, and on the rare occasions he returned to Lingxiao Pavilion, he would hear from Hua Qingsi that Ji Yao had come looking for him. She had stayed at the pavilion for a while, but unfortunately he never showed up, and she eventually left.
Even this time, Hua Qingsi had mentioned it.
There were many misunderstandings between him and Ji Yao.
Back when she had been stranded in the barbarian wastelands of the Eastern Domain, her mind had been in disarray, and for some reason she had mistaken him for Bing Yun, which had led to some rather awkward situations. Yang Kai still remembered that breathtaking sight he had glimpsed in the Phoenix's bedchamber.
Now, seeing Ji Yao again, his mind involuntarily conjured that blood-pumping image.
Fortunately, Ji Yao had eventually met the real Bing Yun and, shaken to her core, had finally regained her senses.
But regardless of all that, Yang Kai felt somewhat guilty around her. He was certain Ji Yao remembered those events, but since she had never brought them up, he certainly wasn't foolish enough to do so himself.
Ji Yao gazed at him coolly, the corner of her lips curving ever so slightly: "How many flowers have you plucked this time? How many patches of grass have you entangled?" As she spoke, she actually leaned in and took a light sniff, then nodded. "Mm, very fragrant indeed."
Yang Kai felt even more guilty. He wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and laughed sheepishly: "Junior Sister, that's quite the thing to say…"
While pretending to smile, he surreptitiously took a sniff of himself, thinking it had been so long—there was no way there was still any scent of Zhu Qing on him.
"Yang Kai is here? If you're here, come inside. What are you doing standing out there?" Bing Yun's voice suddenly drifted from within the room.
Hearing this, Yang Kai felt as though he'd been granted a pardon. He called out in response while hurriedly heading inside.
Ji Yao shot him a venomous glare, her eyes sharp as blades that pierced into his flesh, making his spine tingle.
Entering the room, Yang Kai immediately bowed when he saw Bing Yun.
Bing Yun watched him with a warm smile, then glanced at Ji Yao who had followed in behind him, and said softly: "We're not strangers here. Sit down."
Yang Kai thanked her and sat down across from Bing Yun without ceremony.
Ji Yao knelt down to the side, her expression indifferent. She took out a tea set and began preparing tea without a word, her movements through each step fluid and practiced—clearly a connoisseur of the art.
"When did you get back?" Bing Yun asked him warmly.
"Two months ago," Yang Kai replied.
Ji Yao's hand paused almost imperceptibly. She raised her head to glance at Yang Kai, who happened to be looking at her at the same time. Their eyes met, and Yang Kai could clearly see a hint of reproach in Ji Yao's gaze.
She had thought he had only just returned recently—who knew he had already been back for two months.
And she had received not a shred of information about it.
Yang Kai quickly averted his eyes and straightened up in his seat.
"Senior, have you been well lately?" Yang Kai asked, groping for conversation.
Bing Yun smiled gently: "Thanks to you, everything has been fine."
This was no mere courtesy—it was the plain truth. Ever since Yang Kai had helped Bingxin Valley resolve its crisis, the valley's development had been advancing by leaps and bounds. Now closely allied with Lingxiao Pavilion, who in the entire Northern Domain would dare show them any disrespect? In the past, Bingxin Valley had been considered one of the Northern Domain's top sects, but with Bing Yun having been missing for many years and only a group of female disciples managing affairs, they had always been looked down upon, making that title of "top sect" somewhat unearned.
Otherwise, the Qingzong Sect would never have dared to launch a full-scale invasion against them.
But things were different now. In the Northern Domain, aside from the Yaodan Valley, Lingxiao Pavilion's prestige blazed like the midday sun, and Bingxin Valley had benefited greatly from the association. No one dared provoke their disciples anymore when they ventured out.
Bing Yun said: "I heard that Emperor Miaodan invited you to visit Yaodan Valley. Did you go?"
Yang Kai shook his head: "Not yet. I've been caught up in trivial matters recently and haven't had the time."
Bing Yun said: "An invitation from an Emperor is not something to be taken lightly. When you do have time, you must make the visit. If you could receive even a bit of the Emperor's guidance, it would benefit you for a lifetime."
"Mm. Senior is right." Yang Kai nodded gently.
The two chatted for a while longer, and before long the tea was ready. Ji Yao poured a cup for each of them, then sat quietly in her spot.
Yang Kai took a sip and praised: "Excellent tea. Junior Sister's skill is impressive as well."
The flattery fell flat. Ji Yao showed no reaction whatsoever. Yang Kai coughed dryly and continued drinking his tea.
Bing Yun chuckled and said: "Have you run into some trouble?"
Yang Kai paused, then smiled bitterly: "Senior has sharp eyes."
Bing Yun smiled: "Your mind is elsewhere and you're weighed down with worry. If I couldn't even see that, I really would be blind."
Yang Kai nodded: "I have indeed encountered some problems."
Ji Yao raised her head to look at him, her gaze fixed on him without blinking. Bing Yun said: "If it's convenient, share it with us. I may not be able to help you, but I can at least listen."
Yang Kai said solemnly: "It seems my cultivation has hit a bottleneck."