Yang Kai's shameless self-promotion made her so furious she nearly laughed, but she had to admit — this vessel truly was exceptional. She knew all too well how powerful Dalang was, and across the entire Taixu Realm, only a handful of people could have killed him.
Moreover, just as Yang Kai had pointed out, time was running short. She neither had the time nor the energy to cultivate another vessel.
The reason she had once slaughtered tens of thousands in the Sword Pavilion Star Market was to find a suitable vessel among them. Unfortunately, not a single one of those tens of thousands met her requirements. In her rage, the star market had run red with blood, and tens of thousands had perished within.
Yang Kai's oath, sworn with his own Dao Seal, left her with no room to maneuver. Such an oath was bound to one's Dao Heart — once sworn, there was no way to break it. If she forcibly condensed a Sixth-Grade Metal Element for him, Yang Kai might not die, but his Dao Heart and Dao Seal would certainly be damaged, rendering him useless.
But being cornered like this by a junior — how could Zhu Jiuyin not be furious?
Just then, a sharp cry rang out. Yue He struck from behind, the power of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements surging from her slender palms like a cycle of reincarnation, slamming down toward Zhu Jiuyin.
Without even turning her head, Zhu Jiuyin simply flicked her hair. The long locks surged in length instantaneously and lashed across Yue He's body.
Yue He coughed up blood and went flying, crashing into the wall before slowly sliding down. Lu Xue cried out in alarm and hurried forward to support her.
Yang Kai turned to look, his gaze dark.
He hadn't understood why Yue He would aid such evil, but after learning of Zhu Jiuyin's intentions, he realized — Yue He had never wanted him to achieve a High-Grade Open Heaven. She had been urging him all along to refine a Sixth-Grade Metal Element, though Yang Kai had never listened.
Zhu Jiuyin had a way to force Yang Kai to condense a Sixth-Grade, which suited Yue He perfectly. Besides, she couldn't resist Zhu Jiuyin's will anyway, so she had no choice but to comply.
But now, with Yang Kai's life at stake, she could no longer sit still. Even knowing she was no match for Zhu Jiuyin, she was resolved to fight to the death.
"You dare defy this Queen?" Zhu Jiuyin was already seething with rage from Yang Kai's provocations, and Yue He's ambush had walked straight into the line of fire.
Her hair lashed out again, each strand of dark hair transforming into a razor-sharp blade, thrusting toward Yue He.
"Kill her and I'll die right in front of you — I swear it on my Dao Seal!" Yang Kai called out urgently.
The surging hair went from explosive motion to absolute stillness, freezing right in front of Yue He. The strands had already pierced into Yue He's body. Her eyes were wide with terror — she felt countless wounds pierced all over her flesh, and even her very soul seemed on the verge of being stabbed through.
Zhu Jiuyin turned her gaze toward Yang Kai, her bewitching face alight with towering fury: "Is that the only trick you know?"
Yang Kai grinned: "A trick doesn't need to be new — it just needs to work. Go ahead and try, Senior. See if I have the guts to die right in front of you."
Zhu Jiuyin's silver teeth were nearly ground to dust. She wanted nothing more than to slap Yang Kai dead with a single palm.
Yang Kai said in an unhurried tone: "Senior should know what I'm capable of. So what if I don't condense the Metal Element? Who in this Taixu Realm is my match?" He wore an expression of pure arrogance. "Just wait for good news during the Battle of Soul Seizure — I will absolutely seize that opportunity on your behalf."
Zhu Jiuyin said coldly: "And if you fail?"
"Then I'll submit to whatever Senior decides!" Yang Kai thrust his chest out. "I know Senior's abilities as well. If you truly wanted me dead, I wouldn't be able to resist."
"You at least know your place!" Zhu Jiuyin's grim expression eased slightly. She retracted her hair, and Yue He let out a muffled groan as blood sprayed from wounds all over her body, drenching her into a crimson mess in an instant.
Lu Xue rushed over to help stanch the bleeding.
Zhu Jiuyin rose to her feet, flicked her sleeve, and strode outward. Her voice drifted back: "Remember what you said today. If you fail later, it won't be as simple as death."
Watching her departing figure, Yang Kai couldn't help but let out a quiet sigh of relief, knowing today's crisis had passed. He felt a slight twinge of regret — he had been in regular contact with Xu Zhen and had been planning to leverage this situation to ask for more benefits for himself, but after today's events, that was off the table. Pushing his luck would only enrage Zhu Jiuyin again.
The restriction within his body suddenly dissolved. A web of spiritual threads scattered as Zhu Jiuyin departed, and his power began to circulate once more.
Yang Kai stood and walked over to Yue He.
Yue He's injuries weren't severe — though she looked wretched, they were only superficial wounds. With her Fifth-Grade Open Heaven foundation, two or three days of rest would be enough to recover.
Sensing Yang Kai approaching, she didn't dare raise her head, too ashamed to face him. She struggled to climb to her knees before him, eyes downcast, looking like a wronged young wife. In a soft voice she said: "Please punish me, Young Master!"
As she spoke, tears fell pitter-patter. She was consumed with regret for having cooperated with Zhu Jiuyin. Even though Yang Kai couldn't have resisted without her compliance either, she still felt as though she had betrayed him, and the guilt was overwhelming.
Yang Kai raised his hand and placed it on her head, letting out a sigh: "Don't let it happen again."
He gave Lu Xue a meaningful look, instructing her to take good care of Yue He, then vanished in a flash.
Only after Yang Kai had gone did Yue He collapse to the ground. Looking at Lu Xue, she murmured: "Was I wrong?"
Lu Xue asked: "Did you explain to the Master the consequences of achieving Seventh-Grade?"