After leaving the shattered spirit province and flying a great distance, Yang Kai's complexion finally softened. He let out a quiet breath.
Zhu Jiuyin spoke from beside him: "You wanted to seek cooperation, but they had no interest whatsoever. What do you plan to do next? Just walk straight into the trap like a fool?"
Yang Kai smiled faintly. "No interest? Not necessarily!"
Zhu Jiuyin frowned. "Black Crow Divine Lord's attitude was plain as day. Are you blind or something?"
Yang Kai said, "That's exactly why I'm certain he has ideas of his own—because his attitude was too obvious. Whether we can actually lure him to act depends on whether our side can hold its own against the opposition over there. If I'm not mistaken, Black Crow will quietly tail us from behind to observe the situation. If there's an opening, I'm sure he'd be happy to stick a hand into these murky waters. But if our strength is overwhelmingly outmatched, Black Crow will naturally protect himself. He's no benevolent soul. After taking such a massive insult, how could he not be plotting revenge? The key is whether we can create an opportunity for him to strike."
Zhu Jiuyin said, "That's just your guess."
Yang Kai nodded. "That's right—just a guess. It's entirely possible Black Crow won't act at all…"
Without Black Crow's force, they would have to face the Shadowless Great Domain's arrangements on their own. Then again, running into Black Crow in Broken Sky had been a complete surprise. Yang Kai had never expected Black Crow to be hiding there, let alone commanding so many mid-grade Open Heaven cultivators.
He hadn't even imagined Black Crow had survived his escape from the Blood Demon Domain. He'd assumed the man must have perished there, since all the realm gates entering and leaving had been controlled by the Grotto-heavens and Blessed Lands, and every passing cultivator was subjected to strict scrutiny. Yet somehow Black Crow had not only slipped out himself, but brought his entire entourage with him.
One truly couldn't underestimate these ancient monsters who had lived for countless ages.
After a moment's thought, Yang Kai turned to look at Qu Huashang and asked, "Senior Sister Qu, you're a disciple of Yin Yang Heaven. In your estimation, what kind of arrangements might Myriad Demon Heaven have made at the Shadowless Great Domain?"
Qu Huashang considered for a moment. "I don't know much about the higher-ups' intelligence. I've made inquiries over the past few years, but Yin Yang Heaven isn't involved in this matter, so there's only so much I could find out. However, high-grade Open Heaven cultivators are all immensely powerful and hold extraordinary status—they won't mobilize lightly. Junior Brother, your side has already revealed Elder Zhu's existence. If Myriad Demon Heaven has prepared something over there, they'll definitely account for Elder Zhu. And a few years ago, during the great battle at Void Earth, Elder Zhu's strength was put on display. So right now, outside the Shadowless Great Domain, there will be at least three high-grade Open Heaven cultivators!"
Yang Kai nodded slightly. Qu Huashang's assessment matched his own. If they wanted to target Zhu Jiuyin, they needed a minimum of three high-grade Open Heaven cultivators—last time, two of them working together hadn't managed to do anything to her.
Moreover, as far as this matter went, only Myriad Demon Heaven had shown its face. Whatever other Grotto-heavens and Blessed Lands might be involved hadn't revealed themselves, and Yang Kai had no idea who else besides Myriad Demon Heaven was orchestrating this.
But Qu Huashang was right—high-grade Open Heaven cultivators possessed formidable strength and extraordinary status, and they wouldn't deploy lightly. Even if they did, the numbers would be small. They had their reputations to maintain.
The ship sailed onward. Yang Kai stood on the deck, gazing out at the endless void, contemplating his path ahead.
Before entering this Three Thousand World, he'd never imagined that someone at the mere Emperor Venerable Realm could stir up such storms. Yet now, facing the difficulties and obstacles before him, his strength was simply too low.
When the Hundred Families Alliance had invaded Void Earth, he'd at least been able to play some part. Void Earth possessed the Nine-Layered Heaven Grand Formation, and by controlling its jade token, he could harness the formation's power.
But once he left Void Earth, what could he do?
He'd originally planned to develop the Star Market gradually, biding his time until he found a suitable high-grade Yin-type source and achieved high-grade Open Heaven in one decisive breakthrough—making a name that would echo through the ages. But those who secretly watched him, those who felt he was challenging the established order of the Three Thousand World, were never going to give him the chance. They had done everything possible to lure him out.
Facing the coordinated ambush of Shen Liang, Jiang Yunshan, and Luan Baifeng, the only thing he could do was stay buried within layers of protection, watching Old Bai and Yue He fight powerful enemies while searching for a chance to flee.
That ambush had only been an appetizer—a vanguard battle to test his true strength. The Shadowless Great Domain was where the real show would be! With his current level of cultivation, even if he reached the Shadowless Great Domain, what could he do? Rely on Zhu Jiuyin's protection to rescue the Madam, then retreat back to Void Earth?
Now that Zhu Jiuyin's existence had been exposed, she would definitely be targeted. Whether she could even protect him would be questionable, let alone rescue the Madam.
Where should the road ahead lead? Though Yang Kai had always been resolute, long since determined to press forward even through a field of thorns, even if it meant smashing his head against the wall—he now felt a rare stirring of doubt.
The ship sailed on. Yue He and Old Bai stood in silence, seemingly sensing the dip in Yang Kai's spirits. They exchanged worried glances from time to time.
Broken Sky was truly perilous. Along the way, unknown dangers blocked their path again and again. From within those seemingly unremarkable shattered spirit provinces, bursts of powerful energy erupted from time to time—many of them unmistakably at the high-grade Open Heaven level.
If one flew past carelessly, one could easily be reduced to powder.