A stick of incense later, Beili Mo carried Yang Kai out of the Nethercold Ice Prison and dropped him unceremoniously onto the ground.
At the same time, the Imperial Yuan that had been suppressed within his body was finally released, surging freely through his meridians. Yang Kai shivered, silently circulated his mysterious technique to drive out the lingering cold, and gazed toward the distant light. It felt very much like seeing the sun after a long time underground.
Being locked up in the ice prison all these days had been suffocating.
"As for the Realm Gate, go to the Holy City and find Bo Ya yourself. He will cooperate with you!" After delivering that line, Beili Mo drifted away without so much as a glance at Yang Kai.
The Stone Demon who guarded the Nethercold Ice Prison walked over from the side, cupped his fists, and smiled: "Brother Yang, I was merely carrying out orders before. My sincerest apologies for any offense — please forgive me." In all his years guarding the ice prison, this was the first time he had seen anyone walk out alive, and it just so happened to be someone the Holy Sovereign had personally escorted out. Granted, that was partly because Yang Kai had been confined on the eighteenth floor, where no one besides the Holy Sovereign dared to set foot, but it was still an extraordinary thing.
If the Holy Sovereign didn't regard this human extremely highly, why would she have made the trip herself? In the Stone Demon's eyes, this human was well worth getting on good terms with.
Yang Kai gave him a sidelong glance, snorted coldly, flicked his sleeves, clasped his hands behind his back, and turned to leave, leaving the Stone Demon standing there with an awkward expression that quickly twisted into silent, teeth-grinding fury.
Just a mere human — what was there to be arrogant about!
Yang Kai didn't go straight to the Holy City on the Aoxue Continent. Instead, he first went to check on his subordinates. The ten thousand or more people who had been brought here had been stationed outside the Ice Palace ever since, and after Beili Mo had thrown him into the ice prison, he had no idea how they were faring. Everyone else could look after themselves, but he hoped nothing had happened to Li Shiqing.
When he arrived and looked around, Yang Kai couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.
The ten thousand or more people were all still exactly as before, seemingly unmoved throughout those days, and not a single person was missing.
Seeing Yang Kai appear, Demon Kings Tuqialuo, Yin, Baza, and the others hurried over to greet him, asking after him with concern.
When the Aoxue Ice Guards had mobilized a few days prior, it had truly terrified them. They had all assumed Yang Kai had angered Beili Mo inside the Ice Palace, dooming them all to die here as well. But unexpectedly, the Ice Guards had only surrounded them for a few days before suddenly withdrawing.
The Ice Guards had barely left when Yang Kai appeared.
After a brief exchange and a few questions, Yang Kai learned what they had been through. He didn't think much of it. He figured Beili Mo had deployed the Ice Guards specifically to prevent Yin and the others from sending word to Yu Rumeng. Though Yu Rumeng could project her soul into Little Wu's body during a crisis, no one knew what conditions would trigger that.
Li Shiqing also cast a look of concern from behind. Yang Kai glanced at her, gave a slight nod, then chose Boya and Yin to accompany him to the Holy City on the Aoxue Continent to find Bo Ya. The rest were to remain on standby.
Li Shiqing looked as though she was itching to follow along, but Little Wu tugged at her sleeve to keep her back.
The Holy City was only a hundred li away and easy to find. Boya had been here before, so getting lost was never a concern.
After entering the Holy City, they asked around for Bo Ya's residence. Moments later, the three of them arrived at Bo Ya's manor. The servants went inside to announce their arrival while Yang Kai sat in the receiving hall, awaiting the host.
Before long, Bo Ya hurried over and, upon seeing them, cupped his fists: "Sorry to keep you waiting, Brother Yang."
Yang Kai looked up at him with a somewhat disgusted expression: "You weren't very honorable, Brother Bo Ya."
He had only figured it out afterward. Back at Beili Mo's place, he had been affected by the drug, and luckily the Warm Divine Lotus had neutralized its effects, or he would have made a terrible fool of himself. Bo Ya had definitely been hit too, otherwise he wouldn't have fled in such a hurry.
Judging by his behavior, Yang Kai was certain Bo Ya had been fully aware of what was happening. If even a Half-Saint couldn't resist the drug's effects, it showed just how potent it was. Without the Warm Divine Lotus, Yang Kai would probably still be lying on some woman's belly today.
Bo Ya was stunned for a moment, then laughed helplessly: "Forgive me, Brother Yang. I was a victim that day too — there was simply nothing I could do." He then showed a concerned expression: "The Holy Sovereign didn't do anything to you, did she? I heard you managed to anger her again and got thrown into the Nethercold Ice Prison — on the eighteenth floor, no less!"
"You have quite the intelligence network for someone stationed in the Holy City," Yang Kai snorted.
Bo Ya's lips twitched: "Are you blaming me for not speaking up on your behalf? I hope you can understand, Brother Yang — the Holy Sovereign has her own reasons for what she does, and as her subordinate, I really can't say much!" He also found it somewhat amusing in his heart — he had no real relationship with Yang Kai, so why would he risk offending the Holy Sovereign for his sake?
"Never mind!" Yang Kai waved his hand. "I know you were in no position to help, and I'm not blaming you. Besides, it all turned out fine in the end."