Two Great Moon State Disciples slowly shook their heads, their faces etched with worry.
It was impossible not to worry. This time, Meng Hong was attempting to condense a Fifth-Order Solar True Fire—a single misstep would mean eternal damnation. In their hearts, their hatred for Chen Yue only deepened. If not for that woman, how could their Senior Brother have been so shaken, and how could he have resorted to such a dangerous gamble?
"It won't be that fast," Yue He said from beside them. "It's only been a few days—how could there possibly be results already? The speed at which one condenses the power of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements has a great deal to do with one's aptitude. It can take as little as ten days to a fortnight, or as long as a year or more. You've condensed it yourself before, so you should have... some experience!"
At that thought, Yue He's beautiful eyes suddenly narrowed, as if something had just occurred to her. She stared at Yang Kai with a look of astonishment.
Back in Sleeping Dragon Mountain, Yang Kai had spent roughly twenty days in total to condense Seventh-Order Earth Element power. That speed was simply terrifying. Back when she herself had condensed Fifth-Order power, not once had it taken less than half a month—the longest attempt had consumed a full three months.
Twenty days for Seventh-Order power—just how terrifying were this fellow's aptitude and foundations?
Yang Kai, however, was oblivious to her thoughts. Reflecting on his own experience condensing the Five Elements power, it did indeed seem to be the case.
He instructed the two Great Moon State Disciples, "Keep watch at all times. If anything seems off, report to me immediately."
"Yes, Senior Brother Yang!" The two Great Moon State Disciples cupped their fists in reply.
When he returned to his own quarters, Yue He followed step for step, shadowing his every move.
Yang Kai had long grown accustomed to it and harbored no particular reservations about her. He went straight to tallying the spoils from this trip to Protonic Mountain.
Beneath Protonic Mountain, his own haul had already been considerable. He hadn't bothered collecting any Third-Order Divine Stones or below, focusing only on those above Third-Order. Among them were well over a hundred Fourth-Order Divine Stones, more than thirty Fifth-Order ones, and a full four Sixth-Order ones. That alone was worth over a hundred million Open Heaven Pills.
Yue He, Guo Ziyan, and the others had gathered even more, since they had greater numbers—their combined take exceeded Yang Kai's by roughly thirty percent.
Then, after robbing people at the passage entrance, they had collectively plundered another seventeen or eighteen Sixth-Order Protonic Divine Stones. That was a staggeringly terrifying number—one that would drive any of the Cave Heavens and Blessed Lands into a frenzy!
Such a harvest could only be found here within the Great Ruins Boundary. Looking across the outside world, the Three Thousand Worlds would never offer such an opportunity.
All told, excluding the Third-Order and below Protonic Divine Stones, he had two hundred and forty-five Fourth-Order ones, seventy-three Fifth-Order ones, and a full twenty-six Sixth-Order ones!
Even calculating at current market prices, the Protonic Divine Stones laid out before Yang Kai were worth nearly six hundred million Open Heaven Pills!
But if they were truly put up for sale, the price would surely exceed even that.
Overnight riches—there was no other way to describe it!
Moreover, this kind of rare treasure was hard currency. No matter where it ended up, it would never go unwanted. It was the sort of thing that sparked a bidding war.
"Young Master, you've struck it rich!" Yue He's eyes curved into crescent moons as she smiled. Yang Kai's gain seemed to make her even happier than her own.
Yang Kai was in excellent spirits as well, the frustration of failing to find a Seventh-Order Divine Stone swept clean away. He laughed heartily. "Not bad, not bad."
Yue He covered her mouth and giggled charmingly. "If the Young Master prospers in the future, don't forget all the loyal service I've rendered."
Yang Kai waved his hand magnanimously. "Don't worry. So long as I have food on my plate, you'll never go hungry."
Yue He's beautiful eyes shimmered with delight. "Then I thank the Young Master in advance."
Yang Kai stored away all the Protonic Divine Stones for the time being, then took out the Wish Bag. The Protonic Divine Stones were income that could be appraised at a set price, but this bagful of Protonic Divine Light was utterly beyond valuation.
This stuff was immensely powerful and utterly unfathomable. When unleashed at full force, precious few people in this world could withstand it—at the very least, no one within the Great Ruins Boundary could!
Though he had collected a considerable amount of Protonic Divine Light with the Six Harmonies Wish Bag, Yang Kai was at a loss as to how to actually use it.
In theory, a martial artist could indeed use this Protonic Divine Light to refine Metal Element power, and if successful, the rank would absolutely be Sixth-Order. But in all likelihood, no martial artist in this world had the ability to channel such dense Protonic Divine Light into their Dao Seal and come out unscathed. If one actually tried it, the Dao Seal would probably be scoured to pieces by the Protonic Divine Light in short order, resulting in certain death.
"Any good suggestions?" Yang Kai turned to look at Yue He. Despite her eccentricities, she was still a Fifth-Order Open Heaven cultivator. When it came to knowledge and experience, he couldn't hold a candle to her.
Yue He frowned in contemplation, and after a long while slowly shook her head. "I can't think of anything."
Although she had previously suggested that Yang Kai simply collect the Protonic Divine Light first and figure out a use for it later, now that the moment had arrived, she had no viable ideas. She was half-inclined to suggest that Yang Kai absorb the Protonic Divine Light directly—given how freely he had moved through it before, he might actually pull it off.
But voicing that thought would only invite ridicule, so she kept it to herself.
Yang Kai himself was equally stumped. Obtaining something wonderful but being unable to use it was thoroughly frustrating. Besides, if the Protonic Divine Light in the Wish Bag wasn't transferred out soon, the Six Harmonies Wish Bag couldn't be repurposed for anything else.
It wasn't as if he could just open the Wish Bag and unleash the Protonic Divine Light every time he faced an enemy, was it?