Two days later, in the pavilion,
Before the pavilion, a group of warriors dressed in white gazed at them with deep reverence, their expressions stiff with restraint. Though they formed the backbone of the White Robe Sect and included several Void King realm cultivators, facing these heaven-sent warriors left them with no confidence whatsoever. The gap in their cultivation was simply too vast — they didn't even have the nerve for a few pleasantries.
Their vision blurred, and a young man's figure appeared before them.
The White Robe Sect members perked up immediately. The one at the front hastily cupped his fists. "Sir, may I ask about the Sect Master—"
"What?"
"Refining the Star Source of Cuiwei Star?"
Everyone was stunned with disbelief, but Yang Kai spoke with such certainty that they didn't dare disbelieve him.
Refining the Star Source of Cuiwei — what an earth-shattering matter. It wasn't as though the Star Domain lacked Star Lords, but historically, Star Lords had invariably possessed cultivation at the third level of the Void King realm. Only with such cultivation was there a chance of succeeding; otherwise, one would simply be consumed by the Source's backlash and die on the spot. This had happened countless times throughout the ages.
Years ago,
But Yang Kai was, after all, a singular exception. And now, Xu Binbai intended to refine a Star Source with only second-level Void King cultivation. The White Robe Sect's first reaction wasn't delight — it was terror.
After the battle at Yanghe City, the Yellow Springs Sect's hold on Cuiwei Star had been gravely weakened. This was precisely the time when the White Robe Sect needed to step up and take control. Yet at this critical juncture, their Sect Master had cast aside all concern for life and death to attempt refining the Star Source — it was nothing short of reckless folly.
If he somehow succeeded, well and good. But if he failed and perished, then all their previous efforts would likely go to waste. Not only would Cuiwei Star plunge back into chaos, it could even spark infighting within the White Robe Sect.
Yang Kai observed everyone's expressions but didn't bother offering further explanations. Time would naturally reveal all. He called to Li Jiao and the others. "Let's go!"
With a flash of light, the group shot off into the distance.
Half a day later, before the Blood Prison.
A blood-red barrier blanketed the area, turning a vast stretch of land into a forbidden zone that blocked anyone's prying gaze. Only when the designated time arrived would this blood-red barrier open, allowing warriors below the Void King realm to enter.
This barrier had been established by Cuiwei Star's previous Star Lord using the Star Source. Even Luo Hai had been unable to alter or replace it at will, able only to maintain the Blood Prison trial tradition. Though the Yellow Springs Sect's cultivators had ravaged all of Cuiwei Star, they had been utterly powerless against this Blood Prison barrier.
When Yang Kai arrived, the place looked exactly as it had years ago.
He placed his hand against the blood-red barrier. The barrier's surface immediately rippled with a crimson glow that seemed to carry an intensely corrosive property, producing a hissing sound against Yang Kai's palm.
Yang Kai paid it no mind. If he truly were only a third-level Void King cultivator, the barrier would indeed have been beyond his reach. But his true cultivation had already reached the Emperor Realm, and his body was half-dragon. What could a mere Blood Prison barrier do to him?
A series of subtle vibrations emanated outward as Yang Kai's hand slowly pushed through the blood-red barrier. Then his entire arm followed, and after that, half his body.
With a slight step forward, he entered the Blood Prison.
The entire world was bathed in crimson, the clouds above seemingly stained with blood. An ordinary person would have been frightened out of their wits, but Yang Kai felt a deep sense of familiarity. After all, this was the place where he had once trained, bearing the marks of his growth.
Liu Yan followed him in, standing prettily at his side. Her form-fitting dress traced the delicate contours of her petite frame, and her long hair reached her waist — she looked adorable and fresh.
This time, she absolutely refused to enter the Miniature Mysterious Realm again, insisting on staying by Yang Kai's side. Left with no choice, Yang Kai could only let her have her way. Li Jiao and the rest, however, were sent into the Mysterious World Bead.
"Wait for me a moment." Yang Kai ruffled her hair.
Liu Yan brushed his hand away in annoyance, still sulking over how long he had kept her cooped up.
Yang Kai smiled faintly, spread his arms, closed his eyes, and began silently extending his senses.
His Divine Sense surged, but he didn't dare release too much of it. This wasn't the Dark Star — if he displayed too great a power here, he would face rejection from heaven and earth.
Tendrils of Divine Sense, like schools of swimming fish, imbued with the power of space, darted and leaped through the void. A magnificent panoramic scene was immediately relayed back to Yang Kai's mind through these dancing threads of sense, allowing him to survey the Blood Prison's interior as though seeing it with his own eyes.