In the great hall, Yang Kai had rushed over upon receiving the news, accompanied by Mo Xiaoqi. Before he even entered, he spotted two Emperor Realm cultivators standing guard on either side of the entrance, their bodies emanating an aura that was peculiar in nature—somewhat eerie and cold, carrying a familiar tinge that stirred a sense of déjà vu in Yang Kai.
After a moment's thought, he realized the aura bore a resemblance to that of Yellow Springs Sect's cultivators. He immediately understood that these two Emperor Realm experts were likely from the Netherworld Palace. But if even Emperor Realm cultivators were serving as mere gatekeepers, the status of whoever had come must be no small matter within the Netherworld Palace.
Could it be that the Netherworld Great Emperor himself had come? Yang Kai's heart lurched, and he quickened his pace considerably.
Truthfully, if it really was the Netherworld Great Emperor, he wasn't quite sure how to face the man. After all, he had nearly killed Yao Lin in the past, provoking Yao Jun to descend as a soul projection beside one of Yao Lin's guards to force him to stop. That counted as having offended this Great Emperor.
But upon reflection, although he had harbored killing intent back then, he had never actually followed through. Moreover, the whole affair had ultimately been Yao Lin's fault. As long as the Netherworld Great Emperor had even a shred of reasonableness, he had no grounds to blame Yang Kai—otherwise, he wouldn't have let him leave back then.
With his resolve settled, Yang Kai strode into the hall under the watchful gaze of those two Emperor Realm cultivators.
Inside the great hall, Li Wuyi was chatting with a woman dressed in an elegant palace gown. The woman had a cold, pristine beauty about her, her hair swept up in graceful cloud-like buns. A pale green gown accentuated her figure in the most alluring way—full breasts, slender waist cinched tight by a silk sash that made it look as though it could be spanned by a single hand. She appeared to be around thirty, exuding an inexhaustible charm that could set any mind wandering.
Behind the woman stood an elderly crone, her hair white as snow, her eyes clouded and murky, looking every bit as though she might keel over at any moment.
Yet both the woman and the crone were Emperor Realm cultivators. The cold-faced woman in particular had a cultivation that reached the third level of the Emperor Realm. The crone, while not at the third level, was still at the second.
When Yang Kai arrived, the woman's cold features flickered with impatience and irritation—clearly she had grown tired of waiting. Her conversation with Li Wuyi consisted of nothing more than perfunctory half-answers, her mind obviously elsewhere.
The moment Yang Kai walked in, both the woman and the crone turned their gazes upon him simultaneously. Yang Kai felt as though two sharp swords had been leveled at him.
He furrowed his brow, utterly bewildered. He didn't recognize this woman or the crone, yet he could distinctly sense clear hostility radiating from both of them—and that hostility was directed squarely at him.
What's going on? I've never had any grudge against either of you, Yang Kai thought to himself.
"Yang Kai is here," Li Wuyi said, rising to his feet.
Yang Kai clasped his fists in greeting. "Senior."
Li Wuyi nodded, his expression solemn. "This is Madam Rong of the Netherworld Palace. Madam Rong wishes to ask you about what you witnessed that day. You must answer truthfully. Madam Rong is Yao Lin's birth mother."
Yang Kai looked at Madam Rong with surprise, studying her more carefully. He thought to himself that no wonder he had sensed a resemblance between this woman and Yao Lin—it turned out they were mother and daughter. But if she was Yao Lin's mother, didn't that make her the Netherworld Great Emperor's wife or concubine?
No wonder Li Wuyi had personally come to keep her company. With the Netherworld Great Emperor's backing, Spirit Beast Island clearly couldn't afford to be careless.
With that thought in mind, Yang Kai clasped his fists once more. "Greetings, Madam Rong."
Li Wuyi pointed toward Yang Kai. "Madam Rong, this is the Yang Kai I told you about. When your daughter was taken, he happened to be nearby and counts as an eyewitness. If you have any questions, feel free to ask him."
Madam Rong fixed her beautiful eyes on Yang Kai, her expression dark and cold. It was unclear whether she had even heard Li Wuyi's words as she said flatly, "You are that Yang Kai?"
What do you mean, "that Yang Kai"? Yang Kai's brow twitched. Are there so many Yang Kais in this world? He nodded. "That's right. I am Yang Kai."
Madam Rong pressed on. "You saw with your own eyes that Lin'er was captured? Are you certain you weren't mistaken?" The question itself was reasonable enough, but her tone carried an unmistakable edge of interrogation.
Li Wuyi clearly picked up on it as well. He couldn't help but frown, regarding Madam Rong with a hint of suspicion. He sensed in some nebulous way that she harbored some hostility toward Yang Kai. But as far as he knew, this Madam Rong had spent her years sequestered within the Netherworld Palace—what conflict could she possibly have with Yang Kai?
Since the other party had shown no courtesy, Yang Kai saw no reason to be overly warm either. He replied in an indifferent tone, "What I saw that day, I've already reported in full to Lord Beast Martial. I'm certain Lord Beast Martial has transmitted the information to Lord Netherworld as well. If Madam doesn't believe me, you're welcome to ask Xiaoqi—she was also present at the time."
Mo Xiaoqi, standing at the side, nodded. "That's right. It was definitely Sister Yao Lin. She was taken away by an old man in black robes."
With Mo Xiaoqi's confirmation, the last sliver of hope that had lingered in Madam Rong's heart vanished in an instant. She might have allowed herself a measure of doubt regarding Yang Kai's account, but there was no room to question Mo Xiaoqi's words.
Mo Xiaoqi and Yao Lin knew each other—she couldn't possibly have been mistaken. Coupled with all the circumstances pointing in the same direction, everything confirmed that Yao Lin had indeed been captured.
After a moment of silence, Madam Rong fixed her gaze on Yang Kai and spat through gritted teeth, "Why didn't you save her?"