"We are willing to fight and die for the two Island Masters!" the crowd shouted in unison.
Under normal circumstances, Hua Yong would naturally be delighted to have these people join Twin Islands. The landscape of the Shadowless Cave Heaven had remained unchanged for countless years, and the cultivators of the three major factions had practically never switched allegiances. The only way to strengthen one's own forces was to recruit newcomers the moment they entered the Shadowless Cave Heaven.
For instance, when Yang Kai had first arrived, he had encountered Ma Tianyuan.
Although these seven or eight people were a mixed bag of Third, Fourth, and Fifth Grades with uneven cultivation, they were all Open Heaven cultivators after all, and could marginally bolster Twin Islands' strength.
However, new arrivals to the Shadowless Cave Heaven were exceedingly rare—typically not even one per decade or two. If that weren't the case, the cultivator population inside wouldn't be so sparse.
Zhang Shun and his group wanted to join Twin Islands, but Hua Yong couldn't muster an ounce of joy. His mind remained consumed by the shock of Xuan Yang Mountain's destruction, Yun Feibai's death, and Mao Zhe's injuries. If he had previously felt wariness toward Yang Kai and Lan Youruo's arrival, then what he felt now bordered on outright dread.
What if, given Yang Kai's enmity with Xuan Yang Mountain, his own side accepting people from Xuan Yang Mountain angered him?
With such concerns weighing on him, he found himself caught between indecision and anxiety.
"Master!" Shu Mudan called out gently, noticing his troubled expression. She knew exactly what he was thinking.
Hua Yong snapped back to awareness, glanced down at Zhang Shun and the others, and waved his hand. "Take them down to rest for now."
He said nothing about whether he actually agreed to let Zhang Shun and his group join Twin Islands.
The Fifth Grade Open Heaven subordinate acknowledged the order and led the bewildered Zhang Shun and his companions away.
Before Hua Yong's mind had settled, another person hurried in from outside, cupping his fists. "Island Master, that Madam Lan is here! She says she wishes to pay her respects to the two Island Masters and thank you for your hospitality!"
"What?" Hua Yong shot to his feet. "Madam Lan is here? Is she alone, or did she bring those subordinates of hers?"
The subordinate didn't understand why his Island Master looked as though he were facing a mortal enemy, but he answered honestly. "All three of Madam Lan's subordinates are with her."
Hua Yong's expression tightened. Yang Kai alone was terrifying enough. If Lan Youruo was added to the mix…
Shu Mudan said, "Why are you so flustered, Master? Even if that Yang Kai is formidable and peerless in his abilities, we've never given him any cause for offense—in fact, we've even done him a small kindness. Surely he won't do anything to us?"
Hua Yong smiled bitterly. "What you say is true enough, my dear, but you know the situation in this Shadowless Cave Heaven. One can enter but cannot leave. If Lan Youruo and Yang Kai settle here on Twin Islands, there may be no trouble at first. But if enough time passes, do you really think they'd be content to remain beneath us?"
Shu Mudan furrowed her brow. "Master, perhaps you're overthinking this?"
Hua Yong shook his head slowly. "One can never be too cautious!"
Shu Mudan, alarmed by his words, asked worriedly, "Then what should we do? Should we turn them away with some excuse?"
"They're already on Twin Islands. We might dodge them for a moment, but can we dodge them for a lifetime?" Hua Yong's brow knitted so tightly it seemed about to fuse together. After a long moment, he gritted his teeth. "For now, the only option is to take it one step at a time and probe their intentions. If they truly intend to… then you and I will simply have to step aside and yield."
He waved for someone to invite Madam Lan inside, then finally sat back down.
A short while later, the Landlady led Yang Kai and the others inside. Hua Yong and his wife rose to greet them. The two sides exchanged pleasantries and took their seats.
Hua Yong asked with concern, "Madam, your injuries were quite serious the other day, but you seem to be in good spirits now. You must be recovering well."
The Landlady smiled. "Thank you for your concern, Island Master. The injuries weren't serious—I just need a bit more time to recuperate in peace."
Hua Yong laughed. "My Twin Islands may not be large, but they're blessed with tranquility. Madam Lan is welcome to convalesce here for as long as she likes."
The Landlady replied with a gentle smile. "I wouldn't want to impose on the two of you."
Shu Mudan said, "Madam Lan, you're too polite. Twin Islands rarely receives guests. It's our honor to have you here."
Both were women and found common ground easily, so they chatted and laughed together pleasantly for a time.
Hua Yong kept stealing glances at Yang Kai from the corner of his eye. The young man stood quietly behind Lan Youruo the entire time, not interjecting a single word—he truly looked the part of a mere subordinate.
He felt a small jolt of shock. What manner of charisma did this Lan Youruo possess, that even a figure like Yang Kai was willing to take a lesser position? The two of them didn't seem to be romantic partners, either.
But this was actually a useful observation—it suggested these four took their orders from Lan Youruo. As long as he could keep her satisfied, everything would be much easier to manage.
After some more pleasantries, Hua Yong suddenly said, "I wonder what Madam Lan's plans are for the future?"
The Landlady's expression turned to one of honest melancholy. "To be frank with Island Master Hua, I've been in this Shadowless Cave Heaven for less than a year and don't know much about the place. For now, I'd simply like to focus on my recovery. As for what comes after—I haven't thought that far ahead."
Hua Yong probed carefully, "If Madam doesn't mind, perhaps you'd consider joining our Twin Islands? There are few safe havens in the Shadowless Cave Heaven, and Twin Islands is one of them. Staying here would also spare you from the torment of the Shadowless Gale."