The entire hall fell silent, and the scorching air seemed to carry a killing intent.
The numerous guests exchanged glances, half-convinced their ears had played tricks on them. Surely they couldn't have heard such an absurd request.
"What did you say?" Chi Huo's expression darkened in an instant.
What an audacious brat! He actually dared to ask to borrow the Star Field Origin of the Fire Cloud Star? A Star Field Origin wasn't something you could simply borrow on a whim! The very reason he could sit so far above others — why even ordinary Void King Third Stage cultivators had to bow before him — was ultimately because he was a Star Lord.
If he lent out his Star Field Origin, what advantage would he have left? Besides, he had never even heard that a Star Field Origin could be borrowed in the first place.
Killing intent surged like a tide. If Yang Kai's earlier attitude and words had merely irritated him slightly, then this remark had truly touched a nerve. The Star Field Origin was practically his inverse scale — one must never be touched. He instantly concluded that this brat had come to cause trouble, and silently resolved that the youth would not leave here alive today.
"Brother Chi, please calm yourself!" Yang Kai raised a hand. "I've come here in good faith. Why not hear me out first?"
Chi Huo laughed out of sheer fury: "Very well, go on." He wanted to see just how silver-tongued this brat could be.
"If Brother Chi is willing to lend the Star Field Origin, it will ensure peace across this entire star domain — a truly meritorious act. Of course, I understand how important the Origin is to Brother Chi, and I would never ask for it without offering something in return. A suitable compensation will certainly be provided."
Chi Huo was momentarily stunned, then burst into hearty laughter: "Compensation!"
He already stood at the absolute pinnacle of the star domain. What in all the world could possibly catch his eye? This brat's boastful words were grating — could it be that some enemy had sent him here just to mock him?
"Compensation!" Yang Kai said gravely, and flipped his palm. A sphere of radiant, multicolored energy materialized in a leisurely swirl.
"This is..." Chi Huo's expression changed sharply. He shot to his feet, staring at the glowing orb in utter disbelief. The other guests were equally transfixed in that moment, their faces betraying shock and naked greed.
"This is also a Star Field Origin, but it has no corresponding Cultivation Star," Yang Kai explained. "However, with this as compensation, I believe it won't greatly affect Brother Chi's Cultivation. And once the matter of this star domain is settled, I will return the Fire Cloud Star's Origin to you as well. When you calculate it that way, Brother Chi would be gaining an entire Star Field Origin for free."
"Which star did this Origin come from?" Chi Huo murmured.
Yang Kai spread his hands. "As I said, this Origin has no corresponding Cultivation Star."
He still had quite a few such Origins on hand, all obtained from the Shattered Star Sea years ago. He had given some away, but still had more than a few to spare.
Chi Huo's expression shifted — not because Yang Kai's proposal had tempted him. Even if he really were given a new Origin, without a corresponding Cultivation Star, his title of Star Lord would be hollow. How could it compare to the carefree life he enjoyed as the Star Lord of Fire Cloud Star?
He was merely entertaining the thought of killing the brat and seizing the treasure.
But the moment that thought arose, a powerful sense of alarm surged through his heart, as though warning him that if he truly made a move against the young man before him, the outcome would most likely not end well.
The hot blood coursing through his veins cooled in an instant, and his mind cleared.
He settled back into his chair and shook his head firmly. "This Lord will not lend the Fire Cloud Star's Origin. You may leave."
He sneered inwardly. It seemed this brat didn't understand the wisdom of not flaunting one's wealth. He himself might restrain his greed and refrain from acting, but the moment the youth stepped out of this Flame Palace, someone would certainly make a move. At that point, he could observe the brat's true strength before deciding whether to strike himself.
The radiance faded as Yang Kai put away the Origin. He rubbed his forehead and said with a headache, "Sigh, trying to be reasonable really doesn't work, does it?"
He had intended to offer courtesy before resorting to force, but it seemed a big fight was unavoidable after all.
He spun around, seized the collar of Cui Mengyuan behind him, and demanded in a low voice: "Boy, what grievance do you have? Spit it out — I'll stand up for you today!"
"Huh?" Cui Mengyuan was startled. Ever since he had followed Yang Kai into this Flame Palace, his eyes had never left the bride — the only moment of distraction being when Yang Kai produced the Star Field Origin, though he had quickly refocused on her. Now, being suddenly shouted at like this, he was completely bewildered.
"What do you mean, 'huh'? I heard everything you said earlier. You know the bride, don't you?"
Yang Kai's spit was nearly spraying his face. Cui Mengyuan nodded dumbly — this was the very reason he had charged into the Flame Mountain without regard for his own life.
"And you and the bride are in love? You pledged yourselves to each other for life?"
Cui Mengyuan nodded again, his eyes filled with humiliation and unwillingness.
"And this old bastard used his power to bully the weak, disregarding your feelings and stealing your woman!"
"Yes!" Cui Mengyuan roared, his fists clenched so tight that his teeth nearly drew blood.
"Good!" Yang Kai bellowed, tossing him aside. He turned to face Chi Huo and said in an unhurried tone: "I've felt your resolve. Today, I will help you reclaim your bride!"
Cui Mengyuan was caught between shock and elation, never having imagined such a dramatic turn of events. He had stormed the Flame Palace today fully prepared to die, never expecting that someone would stand up for him.
But almost immediately, a look of despondency crossed his face. "My Lord, I appreciate your kindness, but..."
"Shut up!"
Cui Mengyuan immediately clamped his mouth shut, not daring to say another word.