In other words, this so-called status of Sixth Manager of Crimson Star was nothing more than Yang Kai puffing up his own reputation—he had never actually been acknowledged by Crimson Star at all.
This rumor had initially spread only among a small number of people, but it quickly became common knowledge throughout the entire Star Market, all within the span of half a shichen. It was impossible that no one had been fanning the flames behind the scenes.
In an instant, many people cast gazes of pity toward Yang Kai's residence, knowing in their hearts that this Sixth Manager had likely been abandoned by Crimson Star.
Not many believed the rumor, but if it were truly the case, why hadn't Crimson Star denied it before? The fact that they chose to release this information now, precisely when the Sword Pavilion and Lightning Radiance armies were bearing down, made it obvious they didn't want to be dragged down by Yang Kai.
It was understandable, really. Cutting off a limb to save the body was a wise move. And what was more, how many days had Yang Kai even held the title of Sixth Manager? He had absolutely no foundation within Crimson Star. Who would bother defending his interests and safety at a time like this?
Though they understood the logic, no one at this critical juncture would speak up for the sake of an outsider. Instead, they harbored growing resentment toward Yang Kai himself. If he hadn't gone out and stirred up trouble, would the Sword Pavilion and Lightning Radiance have mobilized on such a massive scale? Their involvement dragged innocent bystanders into the chaos, leaving everyone in the Star Market on edge, unsure whether the Sword Pavilion and Lightning Radiance would storm the gates—and what would become of them if that happened.
Resentment in their hearts was the norm. Some had already gathered in front of Yang Kai's residence, shouting for Yang Kai to get out of the Star Market, that the Crimson Star Market didn't welcome him, and so on.
At first there were only a handful of people, but as time passed, more and more congregated before the residence. In less time than it took an incense stick to burn, several hundred—perhaps a thousand—people had assembled at the site, and even more continued to arrive.
Every one of them glowered with fury and spat venomous words, all saying much the same thing: Yang Kai should leave immediately and settle whatever grudge he had with the Sword Pavilion and Lightning Radiance out there on his own, without dragging innocent bystanders into his mess.
The clamor surged like a tide, each wave louder than the last!
Inside the residence, the two Disciples from Great Moon Province and Chen Yue had all gone pale, their bodies trembling. In this kind of situation, hiding inside these walls offered a slim chance of survival. Step outside, and there was no hope at all.
Yue He's slender frame shook as well—from sheer rage. She hadn't expected Crimson Star to sink so low, resorting to such underhanded tactics just to force Yang Kai out of the Star Market.
Her divine sense swept out and she naturally detected that among the crowd, a number of Crimson Star Disciples were fanning the flames. These people had certainly received orders from Chen Tianfei and the others; otherwise they wouldn't dare act this way.
Outside the Star Market, Zhong Fan and the other four Open Heaven realm cultivators had their gazes fixed on the scene before Yang Kai's residence.
Long Tai sneered, "So this is Crimson Star's plan? Using the mob down there to drive that Yang fellow out? Chen Tianfei and the rest are going downhill."
Zhu Li pondered for a moment. "It might not be without effect. After all, public anger is not something to trifle with."
Luo Qingyun gritted his teeth. "When has that bastard ever cared about public anger?"
He recalled what Yang Kai had done back on the Yuan Magnetic Mountain and still found it inconceivable. Even as one of the leaders of the Sword Pavilion, he wouldn't dare defy the will of everyone under heaven and trample upon all their interests—but Yang Kai had done exactly that! And not only had he done it, he'd survived afterward in perfectly good shape.
So he didn't think this kind of tactic would have any effect. He had seen firsthand just how crazy that guy could be.
"Let's wait and see. Chen Tianfei has already given me his assurance, so let's observe what methods he has. If it truly doesn't work, we can step in then. Either way, he's stuck in there and can't run." Zhong Fan said lightly.
Luo Qingyun's eyes flickered, and he let out a low, sinister laugh. "Fine by me. Watching his despair slowly unfold will be entertaining enough."
Somewhere in the Star Market, Chen Tianfei and the others were concealed in the void, also monitoring the situation around Yang Kai. Order after order was silently dispatched, and the emotions of the crowd gathered before Yang Kai's residence grew increasingly agitated.
"Yang Kai, get out of the Star Market! You're not welcome here!"
"Yang Kai, are you dead or something? Go settle the mess you made yourself—hiding in there, what kind of man does that make you?"
"Exactly, exactly! If you're so powerful, why be afraid of the Sword Pavilion and Lightning Radiance? Go out there and fight them to the death!"
"Don't drag us innocent, pitiful people into this!"
……
The voices surged like a tide, shouting without end. Inside the residence, Yue He's expression was uglier than it had ever been. She knew that many of those shouting had been manipulated by Crimson Star, but the fickleness of human nature was plain to see, and it was infuriating.
"Yang Kai, you yellow-bellied coward! You've got the guts to stir up trouble but not the guts to take responsibility?"
"What if he won't come out? Look at how the Sword Pavilion and Lightning Radiance are posturing—they won't wait much longer. If we really push them to anger, they'll storm the Star Market right away. When the city gates catch fire, the fish in the moat will suffer, and we'll be the ones paying the price!"
"If he won't come out, we'll break in and drag him out ourselves!"
"Well said—everyone, let's move together!"
The words had barely left someone's mouth when a streak of sword light slammed down upon Yang Kai's residence, and in its wake, countless attacks rained down like a deluge.
The residence was protected by a grand formation, but it was never a particularly sophisticated one—how could it withstand such a concentrated onslaught from so many people? In merely three breaths, the formation shattered apart.