Back at the Sword Pavilion Star Market, Yang Kai had fought a fierce battle with the mantis-headed creature. The creature was killed, but Yang Kai didn't fare much better. Gravely wounded, he and Lu Xue had supported each other as they left, and she brought him to a hidden place to recover. Yang Kai's recovery ability was astonishing—in three to five days he was mostly fine, and before leaving, he didn't bother saying goodbye to her.
After all, in Yang Kai's view, they were enemies, not friends. The fact that Lu Xue hadn't seized the opportunity to ambush him was surprising enough; why would he greet her when leaving?
He had assumed it would be nearly impossible to run into her again in the Grand Void Realm, but today the Crimson Flood Dragon transmitted a message to him, informing him that she was right outside this star market.
Back at Yuanci Mountain, the Crimson Flood Dragon had been struck across the neck by Lu Xue's sword, nearly severing its head. It naturally hated her to the bone and remembered her aura, so it was hardly surprising that it had detected her presence.
Because of that grudge, the Crimson Flood Dragon had come here multiple times seeking Lu Xue out, wanting revenge.
Unfortunately, Lu Xue had always avoided meeting it. Whenever the Crimson Flood Dragon arrived, she would flee far away, only returning after it left. After several rounds of this, there was nothing the Crimson Flood Dragon could do about her.
This time, after seeing Yang Kai, it relayed this information to him—probably hoping he would stand up for it.
Otherwise, why would Yang Kai have come here specifically?
It had been over two months since their last parting. Lu Xue's injuries had improved considerably, but her aura was still somewhat unstable, and her complexion was slightly pale. She clearly hadn't fully recovered yet.
After all, the wounds had been inflicted by Golden Crow True Fire. Without a year or two of cultivation, a complete recovery was unlikely.
"Did you want something?" Yang Kai asked, looking at her. The woman held no killing intent, and the gaze she fixed on him showed no trace of resentment. She clearly hadn't come for revenge.
Lu Xue nodded gently.
"What is it? Say it."
Lu Xue opened her mouth, as if wanting to speak, but after holding it in for a long while she couldn't get the words out, her expression embarrassed.
Yang Kai grew somewhat impatient. He was eager to return to Wolong Mountain to cultivate and had no desire to waste time with this woman. With a sweep of his sleeve, he said, "Then talk to me when you've made up your mind."
He turned to leave.
Behind him came Lu Xue's urgent voice: "I wish to follow you, my lord!" She was afraid Yang Kai would really leave, so she called out rather loudly.
Yang Kai turned his head, looking at her in surprise. "What did you say?"
He wondered if he had misheard. How else could he explain such an absurd request?
Lu Xue gazed at him steadily, a slight blush coloring her face, and lowered her head. "I wish to follow you, my lord. Please grant me this!"
Now Yang Kai had heard clearly, but he still found it hard to believe. Logically speaking, Lu Xue's actions at the Sword Pavilion Star Market had already been difficult for him to understand, and now she was making an even more incomprehensible request.
She had been tormented by Golden Crow True Fire to the point where death would have been a mercy, nearly losing her life. How could she harbor no resentment toward Yang Kai? The Sword Pavilion had lost hundreds of people to him, and even leaders like Zhong Fan and Luo Qingyun had died at his hands. Anyone else would have sought revenge at the first opportunity.
Yet inside the Sword Pavilion Star Market, she had taken the gravely wounded Yang Kai to a remote place to recover.
Even if she were broad-minded enough to let go of those grudges, at most she would simply maintain a non-interference pact with Yang Kai. How could she propose following him?
Yang Kai couldn't help but wonder if she harbored some ulterior motive.
"I have no other intention. I simply want to follow you. The Grand Void Realm is dangerous, and I want to leave alive." Lu Xue looked up and explained softly.
If she hadn't witnessed the enormous upheaval at the Sword Pavilion Star Market with her own eyes, Lu Xue might never have entertained this thought. But even the Sixth-Order Open Heaven Sword Pavilion Master had been killed, and there were traces of Holy Spirits roaming the Grand Void Realm. Alone and without allies, she truly had no sense of security.
After much deliberation, she felt that following Yang Kai would be the safest option. At the very least, within the Grand Void Realm, he was the strongest of them all. If a true calamity arrived and anyone could leave safely, Yang Kai's chances were the greatest.
The reason she had been hiding here was also because of her identity. She was, after all, the leader of the Sword Pavilion. If she went to the Red Star Market, she would certainly be captured. She had been stationed here gazing toward the star market, wanting to see when Yang Kai would come out. She hadn't expected to encounter him—instead, the Crimson Flood Dragon had shown up several times.
Yang Kai looked straight into her eyes, his gaze deep, as if he could see into the depths of her heart, penetrating those hidden thoughts.
Lu Xue remained composed, showing not the slightest trace of guilt.
After a moment, Yang Kai broke into a grin. "You truly mean this?"
Lu Xue nodded solemnly. "There isn't a single word of falsehood."
"Won't you feel wronged?"
"Miss Yue He also follows you, my lord, and she's even stronger than I am. Does she feel wronged?" Without Yue He as a precedent, she truly wouldn't have dared make this request.
"Sharp-tongued, heh heh." Yang Kai clasped his hands behind his back and slowly shook his head.
Lu Xue's face flushed slightly. "Are you afraid, my lord? Afraid that once I've recovered, I'll strike when you're off guard?"
She had already felt somewhat mortified making this request, but Yang Kai kept pressing her with questions, which made it even harder to bear. She was beginning to feel angry from embarrassment.
"Afraid, my foot." Yang Kai snorted. A Fourth-Order Open Heaven cultivator posed little threat to him in the Grand Void Realm at this point. He said decisively, "Since you've come offering yourself, then I would be rude to refuse."