The crowd around them paled at the sight, and more than a few quietly shuffled backward, putting as much distance between themselves and the Earth Dragon as possible. Within the Void Expanse, Open Heaven Realm cultivators could not exert their full strength, making native beasts like this exceptionally dangerous. No one wanted to draw its attention.
An elderly man with a weathered face squinted at Yang Kai, frowning slightly. "The man merely spoke a single word, and young friend, you cut him down without mercy. Isn't that a bit excessive?"
His aura was deep and condensed, his expression stern and commanding—clearly an Open Heaven Realm cultivator. More than thirty people trailed behind him.
Someone recognized the old man and whispered, "That's Hu Yi, the head of the Orchid Society."
Tens of thousands of people had been swallowed by the Void Expanse's mists and deposited inside. Beyond the three major factions—Thunderlight, Red Star, and Sword Pavilion—that had originally been present in the Star Market, the scattered cultivators understood the wisdom of banding together for warmth. Countless organizations, large and small, had sprung up as a result. Ding Yi had raised his banner at the right moment to establish the Imperial Sky, and the Orchid Society was likewise born within the Void Expanse. Factions like these were as numerous as fish crossing a river—impossible to count.
Most such organizations had no Open Heaven Realm cultivator to anchor them. After all, Open Heaven Realm experts were not cabbages that grew on every roadside. Only a small number of factions boasted one.
Though the Orchid Society's membership was modest, Hu Yi himself was a Third-Order Open Heaven cultivator of considerable strength, and his authority was undisputed.
"Elder Hu speaks the truth," said another man with the appearance of a youth, his gaze hostile as it settled on Yang Kai. "This brat treats human life like grass and weeds. He doesn't look like any sort of good person."
"Liao Yibai, leader of the Xuanyun Society!" someone identified.
Liao Yibai held his chin high, a look of arrogance plastered across his face.
"Young man, I advise you to remove that bag. Otherwise, when you've earned everyone's wrath, things will be difficult to contain." Yet another faction leader spoke up.
With the three of them voicing their displeasure, the rest of the crowd immediately bristled with indignation. They had all come running when they spotted the Primordial Magnetic Divine Light, only to find nothing of the sort at the scene. Their confusion had been mounting, but the bald man's dying cry had served as a wake-up call.
None of them knew what was special about the bag, but it was the most suspicious object on this entire hillside. It had to be the thing concealing the Primordial Magnetic Divine Light—and how could they accept that? In moments, the crowd seethed with fury. Even the lingering terror of the Earth Dragon slaughtering the bald man and his dozen-plus companions couldn't stop them from directing their hostility toward Yang Kai.
Liao Yibai's eyes burned with greed as he stared at the Six Harmonies Wishful Bag. A bag that could conceal the Primordial Magnetic Divine Light had to be extraordinary. What's more, the situation suggested the bag could actually absorb the light. If he could seize it, this trip to Primordial Magnetic Mountain would not have been in vain.
The moment the thought struck, Liao Yibai bellowed, "Boy, are you going to remove the bag or not?"
A cacophony of clamoring voices filled the air, but Yang Kai remained as calm and composed as ever. Each threat washed over him like a passing breeze. He turned his head and glanced at Liao Yibai. "What if I do? What if I don't?"
Liao Yibai snorted coldly. "Remove it, and everything can be discussed peacefully. Refuse, and you'll bear the consequences yourself."
Yang Kai flashed him a grin, showing a row of bright white teeth. "I look forward to it."
Liao Yibai scowled and turned to Hu Yi. "Elder Hu, what do you say?"
Hu Yi spoke in a deep voice. "Since this youth is so obstinate, let him learn what the wrath of the crowd feels like."
Liao Yibai threw his head back and laughed. "Exactly my thinking. A mere Emperor Realm ant dares run his mouth here—he truly has no concept of how vast the heavens are or how deep the earth goes. Does he really think one beast is enough to let him do as he pleases? Why don't we join forces, take down this creature first, and then teach him a proper lesson about how to behave?"
"So be it," Hu Yi nodded.
Liao Yibai flourished a long spear, leveling it at the Earth Dragon as he roared, "Kill!"
With that, he was the first to launch himself forward, thrusting the spear at the Earth Dragon. While the strike lacked the awe-inspiring might Yang Kai commanded with the Azure Dragon Spear, it was by no means ordinary. Right on his heels, the members of the Xuanyun Society surged into the fray as well.
His attack immediately drew the attention of the hundred-plus cultivators on the scene, who unleashed a thunderous barrage against the Earth Dragon. The Open Heaven Realm experts, in particular, struck with fearsome ferocity.
Not everyone participated, however. The majority of the cultivators present maintained a watchful distance. After all, they had no prior enmity with Yang Kai, and none of them wished to make enemies so easily.
The Earth Dragon had already been grievously wounded by the Primordial Magnetic Divine Light, its appearance wretched. Now, struck by this torrent of attacks, blood sprayed in every direction. Maddened by pain, it ground its mandibles and spewed viscous fluid in all directions.
Several cultivators, caught off guard, were splashed by the corrosive substance. Screams erupted immediately as they scrambled to retreat, but it was already too late. The fluid possessed terrifying corrosive properties, dissolving flesh in moments and leaving behind stark white bone.
In the blink of an eye, more than a dozen lay dead or wounded.
Hu Yi, Liao Yibai, and the other Open Heaven Realm cultivators were startled. They had taken the Earth Dragon's battered appearance as a sign that it would be easy prey—only to discover it was anything but. Many of their attacks struck its body without causing the slightest pain, yet their own side had suffered significant casualties in a single exchange.
They truly had no idea what could have inflicted such devastating injuries upon it.
But now that they had engaged, there was no possibility of a peaceful resolution. The deaths of those dozen-plus people did not cause the attackers to retreat. Instead, they only drew more blows.
Yue He, unable to watch any longer, was about to step in. Guo Ziyan and the others seethed with indignation, their powers quietly surging as they waited for Yang Kai's command to charge forward.