Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, Yang Kai walked slowly toward them from several thousand zhang away.
A group of people stood there slack-jawed, staring blankly at him. It took a long while before Xu Zhen managed a bitter laugh: "I concede!"
Any lingering thoughts of scheming against him had been thoroughly extinguished. Yang Kai had already demonstrated extraordinary combat prowess, and now he'd voluntarily revealed his spatial ability. He was essentially untouchable.
If he wanted to fight, he could fight. If he wanted to leave, nobody could stop him. The only way would be to seal off the surrounding space in advance, preventing him from using that spatial ability. But even then, the moment a real fight broke out, the sealed space would inevitably be torn apart once more…
For a moment, the expressions of many turned dark and uncertain, their faces heavy with gravity.
By now, Yang Kai had unquestionably become the greatest beneficiary of the Spirit Seizing Battle. Every other Bearer was nothing but a supporting act. How could they not feel depressed?
"I wonder what Brother Yang wishes to offer us?" Ning Daoran asked with a frown.
Yang Kai had already claimed the Innate Spirit Fruit, yet he still hadn't left. He clearly had something in mind, but none of them knew what he was playing at.
"I wouldn't dare presume to offer guidance!" Yang Kai glanced at him. "I simply wish to point out a path to survival for everyone here!"
"Yang Kai, if you've got something to say, just say it!" Lin Feng's face was twisted with displeasure. He was an elite Disciple of the True Wu Cave Heaven, yet here he was, unable to measure up to some nameless nobody. His mood was naturally foul.
Yang Kai spoke: "There is only one Innate Spirit Fruit, and it's now in my possession. If any of you wish to seize it, the only way is to kill me — but I suspect that would be rather difficult. If you can't reclaim the Innate Spirit Fruit, I'm afraid you'll have no way to answer to the Sacred Spirits."
The moment these words left his lips, everyone's expression grew a shade grimmer. This was precisely what they all feared. The Sacred Spirits were not the sort one could reason with. They had invested enormous resources to cultivate these Bearers and elevate their strength — many Sacred Spirits had even gone so far as to expend the power of their own inner cores, all for the purpose of leaving the Grand Ancient Ruins Realm.
Now that their Bearers had failed, the first thing they'd face upon exiting was the censure and pursuit of those Sacred Spirits!
"And what brilliant suggestion do you have? Could it be you can calm the fury of the Sacred Spirits?" someone called out. If that were truly possible, then their safety would at least be somewhat assured.
Yang Kai smiled faintly. "Who could calm the wrath of the Sacred Spirits? I certainly lack that ability. However… what if I could help you all evade the Sacred Spirits' search? If they can't find you, naturally they can't touch you."
Ning Daoran's interest was piqued. "Do tell!"
Each Bearer certainly bore some manner of secret seal left by their respective Sacred Spirit. Once they left the Land of No Old, no matter how well they hid or how far they fled, they would never escape the Sacred Spirits' tracking.
Yang Kai didn't know whether he bore such a mark himself, but he suspected he probably did.
Yang Kai rubbed his fingers together, and a round bead materialized at his fingertips. He held it high and declared in a clear voice: "This is called the Mysterious Boundary Bead. It contains a self-contained world within, capable of holding any living being below the Open Heaven Realm. If you trust me, you may enter the world inside the bead to seek refuge, and thereby evade the Sacred Spirits' detection!"
"The Mysterious Boundary Bead!"
"A self-contained world?"
"Isn't that just a Small Universe?"
Many cried out in astonishment, gazing at the Mysterious Boundary Bead with wonder.
Artifacts capable of holding living beings were exceedingly rare, but the Small Universe within an Open Heaven cultivator's body could indeed house living creatures, for it was essentially a miniature world. It could be said that an Open Heaven Realm cultivator's strength was directly correlated with the Small Universe within them.
Yang Kai's presentation of the Mysterious Boundary Bead brightened many an eye. Their intent to fight and their hostility toward him diminished considerably. If this object could truly help them escape the Sacred Spirits' tracking, it might well be a viable solution.
But these were all cautious people. Yang Kai's proposal sounded promising enough, but hearts are hidden behind bellies — who truly knew what he was thinking?
After a lengthy silence, someone finally asked: "What's in it for you? What do you want out of this?"
Just as Yang Kai had said earlier, if he wanted to leave, not a single person here could stop him. Yet instead of leaving, he was making this proposal. It was only natural to be suspicious.
Yang Kai let out a chuckle. "I don't particularly want anything. If there's any benefit to me… it would be bringing the Spirit Seizing Battle to an end. Besides, once you're all inside the Mysterious Boundary Bead, none of you will go spreading the word that I obtained the Innate Spirit Fruit. After I leave the Land of No Old, that should buy me some time to flee!"
Yang Kai was left with little choice. He wasn't without selfish motivations. If he didn't do this, then regardless of whether these people could actually stop him, they would certainly pursue him relentlessly — and that was a hassle he could do without. Moreover, the moment he stepped outside the Land of No Old, the Sacred Spirits would learn of the situation here in an instant. At that point, he wouldn't merely be dealing with a handful of Bearers chasing him — he'd be facing the wrath of the Sacred Spirits themselves!
Rather than let that happen, he might as well bring them all along. First, he'd earn their goodwill. These people would certainly go on to achieve great things in the future. Having received his saving grace today, there was no telling what returns he might reap down the line. Second, as he'd said, it would buy him precious time to escape.
The Spirit Seizing Battle was not truly over simply because one had secured the Innate Spirit Fruit. It only ended when one safely departed the Grand Ancient Ruins Realm.
Had it not been for this consideration, Yang Kai would have bolted the instant he'd obtained the Innate Spirit Fruit. Why else would he have lingered?
Yang Kai's words were delivered with such sincerity that they won over a fair number of hearts.