"Rest assured, I'll look after your subordinates properly. Don't have any lingering worries in the Land of No Old — just serve me well." Zhu Jiuyin said with effort.
Yang Kai agreed verbally, his expression grim.
Open Heaven Realm cultivators could not set foot in the Land of No Old. Yue He, Lu Xue, and Guo Ziyan would have to remain outside. That meant their combat strength would drop significantly, but that was the lesser concern. The greater issue was that Yue He and the others were under Zhu Jiuyin's control — even if Yang Kai harbored rebellious thoughts, he wouldn't dare act on them.
Guo Ziyan looked at the warriors who had followed him to join Yang Kai years ago and growled, "You lot are to accompany the Master ahead. You must protect his life at all costs. Understood?"
The group shouted in unison, "Understood!"
Yang Kai glanced at them and shook his head with a bitter smile. Over the years they had all trained diligently and their strength had grown considerably, but if they truly encountered a danger that even he himself couldn't resolve, they probably wouldn't be much help.
"Let's go." Yang Kai called out, and several dozen people followed close behind him as they stepped toward the gateway.
In just that brief span, at least tens of thousands had already charged into the Land of No Old. By the time Yang Kai led his group into the seven-colored passage, more than half of the two-hundred-odd thousand had already vanished inside.
The seven-colored passage was like the gaping maw of some invisible beast, ceaselessly swallowing the cultivators gathered there.
The passage was crowded and chaotic. Yang Kai's people formed a protective circle around him and pressed forward together.
They hadn't gone far before an angry roar rang out from ahead: "You death-seeking fools, daring to provoke my Di Tian! Brothers, hack them to death!"
The next moment, violent energy fluctuations erupted at the passage ahead as countless people clashed. The might of secret techniques and Artifacts filled the air, transforming the passage into a bloody battlefield of flesh and steel.
Screams pierced the air as corpse after corpse toppled to the ground, blood flowing like rivers.
Yang Kai's expression turned peculiar. He looked toward the source of the voice and spotted a familiar figure.
That voice just now had rung a bell — it belonged to Ding Yi, the leader of Di Tian. They had parted ways back at the Yuan Magnetic Mountain, and he hadn't seen the man since. Over recent years he'd occasionally heard news of Di Tian, learning that this fellow had founded the organization and was thriving within the Taixu Realm, reaping no small amount of rewards.
Right now, high in the sky of the passage ahead, Ding Yi shouldered a massive ghost-headed cleaver and wore a crimson cloak, looking every bit like a divine warrior descended to the mortal realm. For reasons unknown, he had picked a fight with someone and was now battling it out inside this seven-colored passage.
Di Tian's rabble was numerous if nothing else, and the group they were fighting — barely a thousand strong — had been surrounded completely, unable to break free.
But in the chaos of battle, both sides inflicted plenty of collateral damage, drawing ever more people into the fray. The situation had spiraled into total disorder.
Yet Ding Yi was laughing heartily, seemingly delighted by the mayhem. His great cleaver carved through the air, sending arcs of blade light sweeping down like rainbows.
Suddenly, Ding Yi stopped and looked toward Yang Kai's group. Once he made out Yang Kai's face, he called out joyfully, "So it's Brother Yang! Brother Yang, how have you been these years?"
Yang Kai chuckled. "Can't complain. Brother Ding, you seem to be doing well yourself."
Ding Yi scratched his head and grinned. "So-so, so-so."
Yang Kai said earnestly, "Brother Ding, I need to press ahead. I'd appreciate it if you could clear the way."
"Say no more!" Ding Yi waved his hand magnanimously and bellowed, "Brothers, make way! Let Brother Yang pass!"
At his command, the Di Tian members parted to open a corridor. Yang Kai nodded his thanks to Ding Yi and led Meng Hong and his several dozen subordinates through the battlefield.
Behind them the sounds of fighting and killing still rang out — the turmoil wouldn't be settling down anytime soon.
Within the group, Scarface wore a look of admiration. "The Master really carries weight. I heard that Ding Yi is notoriously arrogant — he doesn't give face to anyone. Over the years, no fewer than ten Open Heaven Realm cultivators have died at Di Tian's hands, yet he was positively civil to the Master."
Lang Qingshan said flatly, "The Master's strength is unmatched. How would Ding Yi dare block his path?"
Scarface said in surprise, "Even you know how to kiss up?"
Lang Qingshan's cheeks reddened slightly. He said irritably, "I'm simply stating the truth. How is that flattery?"
The two bickered back and forth, at least keeping the road ahead from feeling too lonely.
With Ding Yi and Di Tian holding the rear, the passage ahead was considerably emptier. The seven-colored corridor seemed to stretch on endlessly — even with his keen sight, Yang Kai couldn't spot its end.
The group raced forward. Suddenly, an enormous net descended from above, sealing off the passage ahead. At the same time, a sinister laugh echoed through the corridor: "This road I built, these trees I planted. If you wish to pass, leave your lives and your treasures!"
The net shrouded the entire passage, locking down sky and earth. There was an overwhelming sense that evasion was utterly impossible, and everyone's expressions shifted dramatically.
Lang Qingshan roared, "Master, be careful!"
He surged to the front and threw a devastating punch forward. A brilliant radiance erupted from his fist like a blazing sun, its searing power rolling outward.
Among those who had pledged themselves to Yang Kai, Lang Qingshan was one of the most talented. Back when rewards were distributed by merit, he had requested Fifth-Grade materials from Yang Kai. Over the years he had refined several Fifth-Grade powers, and his strength was now incomparable to what it had once been.