Still, from their perspective, such concerns were only natural. Yang Kai had no reason to blame anyone for it, though he couldn't help feeling a touch of irritation.
A head poked out from the doorway, and Yang Kai's eyes met its owner's.
Yang Kai offered a mild smile. "Miss Lan."
Lan He shuffled out awkwardly, her face flushed with embarrassment. "Brother Yang."
Yang Kai asked curiously, "What's wrong, Miss Lan? Are you feeling unwell somewhere?"
Lan He lowered her gaze to her own toes. "Brother Yang, I'm sorry." She knew whether or not the Heavenly Wolf Valley possessed the Spirit Beast Island token — unlike him, she was well aware that the story hadn't been fabricated. It was simply that her Master and Mistress feared that associating with Yang Kai would bring trouble upon the Heavenly Wolf Valley, and so they had offered that excuse.
If she were the one in charge, she wouldn't hesitate for a second to grant him this small favor. But despite being an Elder of the Heavenly Wolf Valley, she couldn't make any promises at a time like this, much less do anything that might betray her sect. On one side was her benefactor; on the other, her Master and sect. Lan He's heart was in turmoil. The more she thought about it, the guiltier she felt when facing Yang Kai, to the point where she could barely meet his gaze.
Yang Kai walked up to her and smiled gently. "You're being too hard on yourself, Miss Lan. Just the fact that you warned me about the Underworld Sect and Brahma Heaven Holy Land is more than enough. As for the Spirit Beast Island token — if it was fabricated, then there's no need to worry about it."
Lan He was silent for a moment, then suddenly raised her head, her expression resolute. "Brother Yang, please wait a few more days. I'll think of something."
Reading her expression, Yang Kai guessed she intended to plead with Tang Sheng on his behalf, to obtain the Spirit Beast Island token. But doing so might well create a rift between master and disciple. He gave a slight smile. "There's no need. It's not as though I absolutely must go to Spirit Beast Island. For me, going would be nice, but not going changes nothing. I'm the one who should apologize for putting you in such a difficult position."
Lan He's heart ached at his words. The Heavenly Wolf Valley was clearly in the wrong here — it was her Master who had reservations. At first, upon hearing that Yang Kai had arrived, he had been quite pleased and even said he would personally accompany him to search for Spirit Beast Island. But the moment he learned that two of the great powers were after Yang Kai, his attitude had flipped entirely. And yet now, it was she who was receiving comfort from the very person she had let down.
"Where is Senior Sister Ling? Could you take me to see her?" Yang Kai changed the subject.
"Of course. Follow me, Brother Yang." Lan He seized on the distraction readily enough.
Lan He led the way deeper into the Heavenly Wolf Valley, though she remained silent for most of the journey, only offering a few words when Yang Kai asked a question. Her usual cheerfulness had completely vanished — the guilt was clearly weighing heavily on her.
…
In another grand hall, Tang Sheng and Qian Xiuying hurried inside. Two people were already waiting within — one was a gaunt, half-aged man exuding an aura of deathly chill, as though he had just walked out of the gates of the underworld itself. The other was a middle-aged man of imposing bearing, dressed in a simple dark robe, standing with his hands clasped behind his back like a sharp sword pinning down the entire hall, making the atmosphere within unbearably oppressive.
The moment Tang Sheng and Qian Xiuying saw these two, they stiffened in alarm. Stepping forward, they cupped their fists. " Sect Master Fu, Holy Lord Xu — we are honored by your presence. Tang has been remiss in not greeting you sooner. Please forgive us." Their thoughts raced: these two had arrived frighteningly fast. Yang Kai had barely set foot in the Heavenly Wolf Valley before they had followed on his heels. Tang Sheng silently thanked himself for his foresight — had he rashly agreed to Yang Kai's request, the Heavenly Wolf Valley would truly have been unable to stay out of it this time.
These were the helmsmen of the Eastern Domain's two greatest powers, both possessing the mighty cultivation of the third layer of the Emperor Realm. The fact that they had come together spoke volumes about the stance of the Underworld Sect and Brahma Heaven Holy Land — it was quite possible that both powers had mobilized their full strength.
He sighed inwardly. Yang Kai was likely in grave danger this time. What good was his Space Ability against so many powerhouses? Once they disrupted the void, even spatial techniques would be of little use in making an escape. He could only hope that little He wouldn't blame him in the future.
The deathly chill of ghostly energy radiated from Fu Bo. With his eyelids drooping, he sat motionless like a monk in meditation. Even here in the Heavenly Wolf Valley, even as a mere guest, he saw no need to give Tang Sheng the slightest courtesy.
Xu Changfeng, on the other hand, let out a soft "Mm" at Tang Sheng's words, though he kept his back turned to the couple. "Tang Sheng," he said flatly, "how many years has your Heavenly Wolf Valley been established?"
The question came out of nowhere, but Tang Sheng caught the undercurrent in it. A chill ran down his spine. He hesitated for a moment before answering, "Approximately twenty to thirty thousand years."
Xu Changfeng gave a slight nod and turned around, his tone still indifferent. "Twenty to thirty thousand years — a respectable lineage. The Heavenly Wolf Valley has had its share of glory, once standing among the Eastern Domain's greatest powers. It has also known decline, and even came close to annihilation. But to have endured for twenty to thirty thousand years, you must have your own particular strengths."
Tang Sheng forced a thin smile. "Beasts have an instinct for seeking fortune and avoiding calamity. The Heavenly Wolf Valley has always walked alongside the war wolves, so naturally we possess something of that instinct as well."
Xu Changfeng studied him with a meaningful gaze for a long moment before finally nodding. "Good. I trust you understand the purpose of Sect Master Fu's visit and mine."
Tang Sheng's forehead beaded with cold sweat. "Holy Lord Xu, rest assured — the Heavenly Wolf Valley would never court its own destruction. My disciple was simply young and foolish, and inadvertently brought him here without thinking. We have no intention of sheltering him. He will be leaving shortly."
"Hmph!" Fu Bo let out a cold snort. "By all means, try sheltering him and see what happens."