The crowd of Emperor Realm cultivators from the Mitian Sect who lay sprawled on the ground were stunned, their eyes blank with disbelief. Their own Sect Master had failed to withstand even a single move from the opponent?
The group from the Li Dragon Palace was equally dumbfounded, feeling an overwhelming sense of absurdity deep in their hearts. That Mi Qi was a Third-Order Emperor Realm cultivator — how could he be so utterly outmatched?
The three Great Demon Kings exchanged glances, equally shaken, all recognizing that Yang Kai's strength seemed far greater than before.
Even Tao Lao swallowed hard, snatching up his wine gourd and gulping desperately. A stiff drink was the only way to steady his nerves.
Mi Qi, who had been smashed down and flattened an entire hilltop, reeled with dizziness as his blood and qi churned violently within him. After struggling to suppress it, he steadied his gaze — only to see Yang Kai drift down lightly from the sky, landing before him and looking down with contempt. Yang Kai spun the long spear in his hand, gave it a flick, conjured a blossoming spear tip, and thrust it forward.
"Mercy!" Mi Qi screamed. "Palace Master Yang, show mercy!"
Survival came first now. Dignity be damned — if he lost his life, what good was a pretty face?
The spear tip grazed his cheek and severed a few strands of black hair. Mi Qi's eyes bulged nearly out of their sockets; he very nearly wet himself.
"Pfft…" Yang Kai curled his lip, drove the long spear into the ground at his feet, and turned around. "Any others who disagree?"
As if anyone could disagree. The Emperor Realm leaders of the Mitian Sect had already been dealt with by Ying Fei and Xie Wuwei moments ago. They all lay on the ground wailing without end. The Emperor Realm cultivators who had fought Ying Fei were covered head to toe in claw marks, blood streaming freely. Unfortunately, their cultivation had been sealed by Ying Fei, leaving them unable to even perform healing techniques. Those who had clashed with Xie Wuwei glowed with an eerie greenish light, large blisters rising across their exposed skin, their complexions shifting between green and blue — clearly poisoned badly.
It was fair to say the entire Emperor Realm leadership of the Mitian Sect had been wiped out.
From start to finish, the entire battle had lasted no more than the time it took to drink a cup of tea.
"Palace Master Yang, show mercy!" The Dao Source Realm and below-rank disciples fell to their knees en masse, each one looking as though they had lost a parent.
Mi Qi's eyes dimmed as he stared at the figure standing with its back to him. His gaze flicked to the long spear Artifact planted in the ground before him, but he couldn't even muster the courage for a sneak attack. Yang Kai had bared his back to him with brazen abandon — seemingly riddled with openings — and yet that only deepened Mi Qi's dread. How dare he make any rash move?
Yang Kai swept a cold gaze across his surroundings and gave a light huff. "Whether you live or die depends on what choice your Sect Master makes."
Mi Qi staggered to his feet, clutching his chest. He turned to look — and saw a sea of familiar faces staring back at him, every pair of eyes burning with the desperate will to survive. At this point, what was there left to say? His fist wasn't bigger than the other guy's. Time to submit.
This time had been embarrassing, true, but thankfully no one had died. It was clear that Yang Kai's people had exercised a certain measure of restraint.
With a deep, resigned sigh in his heart, he cupped his fists and bowed his head. "The Mitian Sect is willing to follow Palace Master Yang's lead from this day forward. I humbly ask Palace Master Yang to be magnanimous and grant us a way to live."
Yang Kai turned his head and regarded him sidelong, his expression blank. "This is a weighty matter. Shouldn't Sect Master Mi think it over carefully before giving his answer? I'm in no rush — I can give you some days. If your submission is sincere, then so be it. But if your heart isn't willing, there's no need to force yourself. I wouldn't want word to spread that I used my position to bully others."
*My life is literally in your hands — what the hell is there to think about?* Mi Qi cursed inwardly. At a time like this, how could his resolve waver? If he showed even a hint of treachery now, he'd surely meet a terrible end. Besides, several of his Elders had been poisoned — it was obvious they couldn't hold on much longer. If the antidote wasn't administered soon, their lives would be in genuine danger.
*And now this bastard wants me to look grateful about it too?*
He seethed inwardly, but not a trace of resentment showed on his face. In a grave voice he said, "Palace Master Yang's divine might is unparalleled. The Mitian Sect was blind and foolish to have offended you. Please forgive us. From this day forward, the entire Mitian Sect submits wholeheartedly, with no second thoughts."
The corner of Yang Kai's mouth lifted slightly. "Sect Master Mi is the master of an entire Sect. Your word carries the weight of a nine-ounce cauldron — naturally, I believe you. Since Sect Master Mi is so earnest and sincere, I humbly accept this generous offer."
Mi Qi's mouth twitched violently. He was truly coming to terms with the shamelessness of the man before him. Bringing this many powerful fighters here — wasn't it all to subdue the Mitian Sect? Li Jiao had even been sent ahead as an envoy. They had beaten the living daylights out of them just moments ago, and now this man had the audacity to word it as though Mi Qi had volunteered to surrender and Yang Kai had reluctantly accepted? The sheer brazenness was mind-boggling.
He just couldn't figure it out. The Mitian Sect was decent enough, but why was Yang Kai so fixated on claiming it? He already owed the man a massive debt and had never missed a single year's payment. Why bother subjugating the whole Sect? Was it just to flaunt the depth of Lingxiao Palace's power?
Forcing a strained smile, he spoke. "Thank you, Palace Master Yang."
What a joke. His entire roster of Emperor Realm cultivators had been pummeled senseless, all dignity stripped away, even the Grand Protective Formation shattered. They had been forced to surrender — and he still had to thank the other party. Mi Qi's heart brimmed with bitter fury. If only his strength were greater, he'd make Yang Kai pay.
Yang Kai said, "Words alone are no proof. I'll need Sect Master Mi to show some genuine sincerity."
Mi Qi froze, then asked cautiously, "What kind of sincerity does Palace Master Yang have in mind?" He had already humbled himself this far, and the other party still wanted to press harder? Mi Qi secretly steeled himself — if the demand proved truly excessive, he would… weigh his options carefully.
Yang Kai said gravely, "I would ask Sect Master Mi to issue an official decree, informing every major city, family clan, and subsidiary Sect under the Mitian Sect's jurisdiction that from this day forward, the Mitian Sect is a subsidiary Sect of my Lingxiao Palace."
"What!" Mi Qi jerked his head up, his face cycling between green and red.