Weren't the two brothers just the same back in the day? After all, having to hand over the majority of their resources to someone else wasn't something anyone would be happy about.
But once anyone had suffered at the hands of the Shadowless Gale Wind even once, they didn't need anyone to recruit them — newcomers would naturally think to join one of the three major powers, because otherwise there was simply no way to gain a foothold in this Shadowless Grotto-Heaven.
Recalling the past, the Wei brothers both smiled bitterly again and again.
Composing himself, Wei Di said, "There were three of them — two men and one woman. All three were remarkably skilled. The woman was a Sixth-Grade Open Heaven cultivator, while the other two were both Fifth-Grade. When they arrived at this Shadowless Grotto-Heaven, they happened to land just outside Xuanyang Mountain. Naturally, the Mountain Masters all took notice of them and tried to recruit them. The Second Mountain Master even promised the woman that he would ensure she became the Fifth Mountain Master, but unfortunately, they turned him down."
"Becoming the Fifth Mountain Master is a fine thing — why would she refuse?" Yang Kai asked, puzzled.
"Well, our Second Mountain Master has one particular flaw — he's a hopeless lecher. That woman was quite beautiful, and her cultivation was on par with the Second Mountain Master's, so he imposed a condition on her: she had to become his companion before she could be made our Xuanyang Mountain's Fifth Mountain Master. No one knows where that woman came from, but she had a fierce temper. The moment things didn't go her way, she started fighting the Second Mountain Master."
"What happened next?" Yang Kai pressed.
"Though that woman was formidable, no pair of fists can defeat four hands. Our Xuanyang Mountain had four Sixth-Grade Open Heaven cultivators — how could she possibly be a match? The Mountain Masters joined forces, wounded her, and she managed to escape. The Second Mountain Master was furious and even led a group to hunt her down for a while, but in the end, it all came to nothing."
Hearing this, Yang Kai's blood ran hot, though his expression betrayed nothing.
Wei Xiong said, "This matter isn't truly over. That woman may be formidable, but if the Mountain Masters had really used their full strength, she wouldn't have gotten away. However, the situation inside this Shadowless Grotto-Heaven is different from the outside world — resources are scarce, so no one is willing to fight casually unless absolutely necessary, because the cost is too great. If the Mountain Masters had wanted to keep that woman there back then, they would have had to pay a tremendous price, which is why they let her go."
Wei Di nodded. "It's been so long now — the Second Mountain Master will probably make his move soon. Those three people found a place to rest outside, but they've been constantly battling the Shadowless Gale Wind this whole time. Their strength must have diminished considerably, no longer what it once was. If they face the Second Mountain Master again, they'll definitely be no match."
Yang Kai asked, "Do you two happen to know where the woman and her group are hiding?"
Wei Xiong glanced at him strangely. "Why do you ask, Brother Yang?"
Yang Kai smiled mildly. "Just curious."
Wei Xiong harbored no suspicions and simply shook his head. "My brother and I don't know where they're hiding, but the Second Mountain Master probably does."
As they spoke, Wei Xiong pointed ahead and said, "Xuanyang Mountain is just ahead. The Second Mountain Master has been on duty this past month. Brother Yang, I'll take you to see him first. Once we're inside Xuanyang Mountain, we can have a proper chat."
"I appreciate your trouble!" Yang Kai clasped his hands in greeting.
Xuanyang Mountain boasted over a dozen peaks. Looking around, one could see numerous palaces and pavilions nestled among the ranges, along with traces of many cultivators' activities. Everyone who could enter this Shadowless Grotto-Heaven was of the Open Heaven realm. Along the way, they occasionally ran into acquaintances who greeted the Wei brothers, and some even inquired about Yang Kai's background.
The Wei brothers made no effort to conceal anything, and those who heard the news all showed expressions of envy.
Because Yang Kai had been brought into Xuanyang Mountain by the Wei brothers, once they handed over eighty percent of his resources, they would receive a handsome reward in return. Such an easy windfall was naturally something others could only envy.
Before long, the three of them landed on a mountain peak. Atop it stood a massive great hall, from which the faint sounds of laughter and playful banter could be heard — the voices of women.
When they reached the entrance to the hall, the Wei brothers said, "Brother Yang, please wait here a moment. Allow me to report to the Second Mountain Master first."
Yang Kai nodded and waited.
Wei Xiong entered the great hall, and in no time at all, came back out. He beckoned to Yang Kai, "The Second Mountain Master will see you now. Please come in, Brother Yang."
Following the Wei brothers into the great hall, a wave of delicate fragrance greeted Yang Kai, laced with faint traces of a decadent, sensuous air.
A glance around revealed women's garments scattered across the floor — some of them intimate undergarments among them.
At the head of the great hall, upon an enormous chair, a man with rather effeminate features reclined lazily, surrounded by seven or eight scantily clad women.
The women came in all shapes and sizes, each beautiful in her own way. Some knelt before him, gently massaging his legs. Some let the effeminate man rest his head upon their ample thighs while tenderly rubbing his temples. One woman raised a wine cup, took a sip, then pressed her lips to the man's mouth to pass the wine along…
The scene was breathtakingly risqué — each woman wore robes that hung loosely off their shoulders, leaving vast expanses of pale, snow-white skin on full display.
When the Wei brothers and Yang Kai entered, several of the women glanced sideways at them, their flirtatious gazes so loaded they could practically drip water.
Whether it was Ma Tianyuan or the Wei brothers, everyone had said the Second Mountain Master of Xuanyang Mountain was a hopeless lecher, and now, seeing this for himself — it was indeed true!
The women gathered around him were all Open Heaven cultivators — some Third-Grade, some Fourth-Grade, and some Fifth-Grade.
The Wei brothers had kept their heads bowed, staring at their own toes, ever since entering the hall. Yang Kai, on the other hand, fixed his gaze directly on the effeminate man.
When their eyes met, the corners of the effeminate man's mouth curled upward, revealing a bewitching, predatory smile. He remained lounging in place, though one large hand roamed restlessly over one of the women, eliciting breathless, coquettish gasps from her.
"So you're the one who wants to join my Xuanyang Mountain?" the effeminate man asked in an indifferent tone.