Amid the billowing blood mist, Yang Kai's figure swayed as he landed back on the willow-leaf boat, grinning at Lin Feng. "Brother Lin, I wonder if that punch of mine was worthy of your discerning eye."
Lin Feng's eye twitched repeatedly. After a long moment, he let out a cold snort. "Nothing but brute force."
Flinging such a massive octopus out of the sea was indeed extraordinary strength — far beyond his own. And the fact that a single punch had reduced the creature to pulp spoke volumes about the sheer power behind it. But a warrior's caliber was not measured by brute strength alone. It encompassed the depth of one's cultivation, the techniques and secret arts one had mastered, the Artifacts one had refined — all of it factored together.
The trouble was, he had just finished boasting about how he'd fought this very octopus for the span of an incense stick on a previous occasion and failed to do anything to it, only to watch Yang Kai obliterate it with a single blow. The embarrassment was palpable.
"So I've earned the right?" Yang Kai asked, smiling at Lin Feng.
Lin Feng snorted again and said nothing more.
"My, Yang Kai, what tremendous strength!" Qu Huachang's eyes gleamed with delight. As she spoke, she sidled up and actually reached over to squeeze his arm, exclaiming, "These muscles are absolutely solid!"
"I've got even firmer muscles elsewhere, Sister Qu. Want to feel those too?" Yang Kai waggled his eyebrows at her.
Qu Huachang shot him a reproachful look and covered her mouth. "You scoundrel!"
Yang Kai burst into hearty laughter.
Lin Feng ground his teeth and spat, "Adulterous pair!"
The chubby Xu Zhen couldn't help but sigh, reaching up to press his fingers against his forehead.
The willow-leaf boat hurtled onward through the void. Yang Kai and Qu Huachang sat side by side along the gunwale, heads pressed together and whispering away about heaven knew what. They were getting along startlingly well — every so often Qu Huachang would deliver a playful punch to Yang Kai's arm and giggle merrily. The whole scene looked for all the world like a couple flirting shamelessly, and it was almost unbearable to watch.
The open sea was fraught with danger. Enormous sea monsters roamed its depths, and sensing the presence of living beings, they would periodically surge up to block their path.
But every person aboard the boat was a powerhouse of considerable depth. Though the sea monsters were fearsome, they were no match for this company. More often than not, they were cut down before they even got close, and wherever the willow-leaf boat passed, it left a trail of carnage and blood.
Yang Kai also had the chance to witness the abilities of several other disciples from the Cave Heavens and Blessed Lands. Every single one of them was remarkable. Their divine abilities and secret arts, refined through the power of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements, truly opened his eyes.
Traveling with this group, Yang Kai couldn't help but feel as though he'd burst out of some backwater hovel into the wider world — everything was utterly fascinating.
He had been thinking of finding an opportunity to chat with Gu Pan, get to know her a little, and perhaps use the connection to inquire about Zhang Ruoxi's situation. Unfortunately, that enchantress Qu Huachang clung to him relentlessly, eager to discuss the mysteries of Yin-Yang Dual Cultivation with him. Yang Kai had no choice but to abandon the idea.
That said, the Dual Cultivation techniques of the Yin-Yang Cave Heaven were genuinely impressive. After just one lengthy conversation with Qu Huachang, Yang Kai felt he had gained a great deal of insight. It was a pity Su Yan wasn't around — otherwise he would have absolutely tried it out. And Qu Huachang had clearly drawn some inspiration from Yang Kai as well. The two of them grew more engrossed in their discussion by the hour, as if they were kindred spirits who had met far too late.
Three days passed in the blink of an eye. Then the willow-leaf boat suddenly descended, touching down on a solitary reef.
Ning Daoran put away the boat, and everyone surveyed their surroundings.
Lin Feng pointed in a direction. "See that island over there? The water-element treasure is on that island. It's quite large — last time I came, I attempted to claim it multiple times but never succeeded. This time, with the six of us, we absolutely must secure that treasure."
They all looked in the direction he indicated. Sure enough, deep in the expanse of the sea, an island was visible.
From this vantage point it didn't look especially large, but one had to remember they were still a full thousand li away. It looked small now — up close, it would be enormous.
Xu Zhen turned to Yang Kai. "Here's the plan, Brother Yang. We discussed it beforehand. There are six of us total, so we split into three pairs. Each pair goes together and approaches the island from a different direction. After that, it's every man for himself — whoever claims the treasure, the others have no grounds for complaint."
Originally there had only been five of them. Splitting into three pairs left them one short, which was exactly why he had gone out of his way to recruit Yang Kai. He had witnessed Yang Kai's abilities and knew that bringing him along would significantly improve their odds of survival.
"Agreed," Yang Kai nodded.
"Then let's form the groups," Xu Zhen proposed, seeing that Yang Kai had no objections.
The moment the words left his mouth, Qu Huachang stepped forward and latched onto Yang Kai's arm with the air of someone staking a claim. "I'm pairing with Brother Yang!" She and Yang Kai had spent three delightful days in animated conversation aboard the boat — of course she wanted to move together with him.
"No!" Xu Zhen and Lin Feng cried out in unison.
"And why not?" Qu Huachang's face darkened.
Lin Feng snorted coldly. "You two have been canoodling on this boat the entire time. Put you in a pair together and who knows what scandalous nonsense you'll get up to. I couldn't care less what happens to you, but what if you drag the rest of us down with you?"
Qu Huachang bristled. "Who are you calling a scandalous pair? Say that again!"
"Say it and what?" Lin Feng shot back, unintimidated.
Seeing that the argument was going to spiral before they even finished grouping up, Xu Zhen pressed a hand to his aching head. "Enough, enough — let's all take it down a notch. Brother Lin's words may be harsh, but I happen to agree. Enchantress Qu, under no circumstances can you be paired with Brother Yang!"
Qu Huachang let out a cold laugh. "Fine — then who do you want me with?"
Xu Zhen glanced at the others and pointed. "Go with Brother Ning."
Qu Huachang immediately exploded. "You want me paired with that block of wood? Chubby, you're doing this on purpose, aren't you?"
Ning Daoran's Dao-heart was naturally serene, untouched by worldly attachments — his entire aura was fundamentally at odds with hers. She wanted absolutely nothing to do with it.