After more than a decade apart, Yang Kai had actually reached the second-level Emperor Realm — the same as her!
Gao Xueting couldn't believe it, yet had no choice but to accept it. That second-level Emperor Realm aura was no fake. But this Cultivation speed was just absurdly fast, wasn't it? The first time she'd met him, it was because the Four Seasons Land was about to open, and Yang Kai had used a Red Dust Token to exchange for a slot to enter. Back then, he had only been at the first-level Dao Source Realm.
In a flash of years, he'd advanced to the Emperor Realm upon returning from the Shattered Star Sea.
And now, in such a short span of time, he'd broken through again.
Gao Xueting herself was a second-level Emperor Realm cultivator, so she naturally knew just how difficult it was to advance at this level. Qingyang Divine Temple didn't have a small number of Emperor Realm cultivators, but most were only at the first level. Those at the second level were limited to just three — besides herself, there was only Vice Temple Master Qiu Ran and Old Granny You, who guarded the Spirit Wandering Mirror.
Yet Yang Kai, a rising newcomer, had somehow caught up with their pace. At this rate, it was only a matter of time before he surpassed them all.
As for the disciples from Yang Kai's generation — Xia Sheng, Xiao Baiyi, and Murong Xiaoxiao — they had only just stabilized their first-level Emperor Realm cultivation. As for when they might advance to the second level, that was anyone's guess. Compared to Yang Kai, these so-called genius disciples were practically mediocrities.
A phrase surfaced unbidden in Gao Xueting's mind: Each generation produces new talents to replace the old! This grinning young man sitting before her was like a newly risen star — barring any unexpected disasters, sooner or later his blinding radiance would shine across the entire Star Boundary.
"Not bad," Gao Xueting offered a faint compliment, knowing full well that "not bad" was a ridiculous understatement. This was nothing short of a miracle. She had no idea how he cultivated, or what kind of technique he practiced.
"Sister Gao, how many Elder Contributions do you think these things are worth?" Yang Kai asked.
Gao Xueting accepted the ring and said coolly, "Emperor Pills are rare. Converting this many into Elder Contributions would certainly yield a substantial number, but I don't know the exact figure. Brother Qiu manages those affairs — if you want an accurate calculation, you'll have to ask him."
"Well then, what are we waiting for? Let's go find Brother Qiu right now." Yang Kai rose to his feet.
"You're in quite the hurry." Gao Xueting eyed him with suspicion.
Yang Kai replied, "Not really. It's just that this is my first time making a contribution to the Divine Temple, so naturally I want to know what it's worth. Having something to show for it gives you motivation, doesn't it?"
"Fine, I'll come with you to see Brother Qiu and have him calculate a number." Gao Xueting stood as well.
"After you, Sister!" Yang Kai gestured toward the door.
As they reached the entrance of the great hall, Gao Xueting suddenly stopped and turned to look at Yang Kai, her expression puzzled.
"Why are you looking at me like that? Is there something on my face?" Yang Kai asked, baffled.
"Something's not right." Gao Xueting shook her head slowly. "Tell me the truth — how did you come back?"
"What do you mean, how did I come back? I just... came back." Yang Kai's expression was calm as he lied with a perfectly straight face.
"If you returned, why didn't the disciples guarding the mountain send any report? If you'd come back from outside, you would have had to pass through Purple Bamboo Peak. How is it that I didn't sense a thing?"
Yang Kai said, "Junior Brother here is well-versed in the Laws of Space — whoosh, whoosh, and I was back in an instant. You probably just didn't notice, Sister."
"Is that so?" Gao Xueting regarded him noncommittally, but didn't press the matter further. She simply led the way and took to the air.
Yang Kai watched her retreating figure and rubbed his nose, wondering if he'd let something slip somewhere. Unable to figure it out, he had no choice but to fly after her.
To his surprise, before he could catch up, Gao Xueting suddenly veered off in a different direction.
"Sister Gao, are you going the wrong way?" Yang Kai called out from behind. He didn't spend much time at Qingyang Divine Temple, but even he knew that the Spirit Jade Peak where Qiu Ran lived wasn't in that direction. Yet Gao Xueting paid him no heed, heading straight that way before descending into a valley.
Yang Kai's heart clenched, and his speed surged.
In the valley, inside a certain cave, Gao Xueting stood before the spatial formation in silence.
Yang Kai walked in with his heart in his throat. He called out softly, but received no response. Steeling himself, he stepped closer and exclaimed, "Oh, what's this? Why is there a formation here?"
Gao Xueting turned to look at him. "Keep pretending!"
Yang Kai put on an innocent face. "What are you talking about, Sister Gao? What am I pretending about?"
Gao Xueting said with a cold smile, "This is the back mountain of your Spirit Sword Peak. You're telling me you don't know what's here?"
Yang Kai groaned, "I really don't know!" He looked at Gao Xueting and said, "Don't you believe me? I genuinely have no idea. You know I don't really live here — how would I know what's going on?"
"You really don't know?" Gao Xueting asked.
"I really don't know!" Yang Kai said with utmost seriousness.
Gao Xueting nodded, then turned her gaze forward. "It looks like some kind of spatial formation. And it hasn't been set up for many years. I don't know whose work it is, or where this formation connects to. Junior Brother, stand guard for me. I'm going to investigate."
"Uh..." Yang Kai had no idea how to dissuade her, so he could only nod. "All right. Be careful, Sister."
Gao Xueting immediately stepped onto the formation and took out some Source Crystals, placing them into the grooves around its perimeter. She channeled her Emperor Essence in an attempt to activate the formation, but it didn't respond in the slightest.
Yang Kai kept his eyes on his nose and his mind on his heart, thinking: I built this formation myself — without a specially made token, who could possibly activate it? So he wasn't particularly worried that Gao Xueting might suddenly be teleported to the Northern Territory.
Gao Xueting tried for a long while but couldn't activate the formation, so she finally stepped down.
Yang Kai said, "It looks like this formation has fallen into disrepair over the years and has probably lost its function. Since it's no longer working, there's no point in it. Let's just leave it alone."