Qu Huashang was a Core Disciple cultivated by Yin Yang Heaven, and in the future she was very likely to become one of the candidates for successor to the sect leader. Yin Yang Heaven had been pressured into convening this Dao Discussion Assembly, and selecting a husband for her already went against her own wishes — but if they couldn't even find a groom worthy of her, where would that leave Yin Yang Heaven's reputation?
Yet now over a dozen Cave Heavens and Blessed Lands had joined forces to blockade the Domain Gate leading to the Yin Yang Domain. Any ordinary Fifth-Order cultivator simply couldn't enter the Yin Yang Domain to attend the Dao Discussion Assembly. If things continued like this, when the assembly finally convened, it would be only Fifth-Order cultivators participating — which was exactly what those factions wanted.
Su Yingxue's teeth itched with frustration, but there was nothing she could do. Just as the Fourth-Order Open Heaven cultivator who had brought the news reported, those factions were operating with a certain level of propriety — they weren't forcibly expelling anyone, but rather sending people to engage in friendly sparring exchanges, letting others realize on their own that they were outmatched. How could Yin Yang Heaven interfere?
A burly man with small braids suddenly rolled his eyes, his gaze brightening as he looked in a certain direction. "Junior Sister, isn't there still one Sixth-Order around?"
Su Yingxue's expression shifted at his words. "Senior Brother, you mean..."
The burly man chuckled. "If he can enter our sect safely and attend that Dao Discussion Assembly, then all those factions' previous efforts will have been for nothing."
Su Yingxue's eyes lit up. "Senior Brother is right!"
If Yang Kai appeared at the Dao Discussion Assembly with Sixth-Order Open Heaven cultivation, it would completely upend the assembly's dynamic. In the plans of those factions working to sabotage things, this Dao Discussion Assembly was meant to feature only Fifth-Order Open Heaven cultivators, and in the end, all the competitors would be Fifth-Order.
As fellow Fifth-Order Open Heaven cultivators, those from the Cave Heavens and Blessed Lands naturally would have deeper foundations. Barring any surprises, the top position would inevitably be claimed by one of these factions, and in the end, that winner would unite with Qu Huashang in marriage. Regardless of which faction emerged victorious, the outcome had all been pre-arranged among them.
But if a Sixth-Order cultivator suddenly appeared, all their plans would be thrown into disarray.
Even a Fifth-Order cultivator from a Cave Heaven or Blessed Land would have no standing to face a Sixth-Order! When that time came — whether to preserve their sect's face or for other reasons — those Cave Heavens and Blessed Lands would have no choice but to adjust their participants. The original Fifth-Order cultivators simply wouldn't qualify; only Sixth-Order cultivators would stand a chance.
So the pressing priority was to ensure Yang Kai could enter the Yin Yang Domain and attend the Dao Discussion Assembly!
Su Yingxue's thoughts raced to this point, and her expression suddenly changed. "Oh no — that guy doesn't know any of this. If he reveals his cultivation level prematurely, he'll definitely be blocked. That would be disastrous."
The burly man with the braids also grasped the severity of the problem. He quickly looked toward the Domain Gate, then barked, "Let's move!"
The moment the words left his mouth, he transformed into a streak of light and raced toward the Domain Gate. Su Yingxue followed close behind.
Meanwhile, several hundred li outside the Domain Gate, on an abandoned Spirit Continent, Yang Kai stood with his figure upright, shading his eyes with one hand as he peered toward the gate. He couldn't help but click his tongue. "What's going on?"
He had originally intended to enter Yin Yang Heaven directly, find an opportunity to meet Qu Huashang, gauge her feelings, and then decide his next move. Who would have thought that before he'd even entered the Yin Yang Domain, he'd spot a Myriad Demon Heaven tower ship stationed at the Domain Gate? The ship was enormous and imposing, with no doubt a number of powerful experts on board.
Of the thirty-six Cave Heavens and seventy-two Blessed Lands, the one Yang Kai was most wary of was Myriad Demon Heaven. There was no other reason — his World Cleansing Demon Eye and Black Pupil Purgatory both came from Myriad Demon Heaven. As Ti Zheng had mentioned before, these were two of Myriad Demon Heaven's closely guarded secret arts, and only disciples with the greatest aptitude and comprehension were qualified to practice them.
Back in the Broken Sky Star City, Ti Zheng had probed him just once and detected the two eye techniques Yang Kai possessed. However, with Zhu Jiuyin present at the time, Ti Zheng hadn't dared to make a move. He had then lured Yang Kai into the Shadowless Cave Heaven, and the matter had been left unresolved.
Ti Zheng had probably assumed that once Yang Kai entered the Shadowless Cave Heaven, he would never be able to leave, so he hadn't pursued the matter further.
But now that Yang Kai had escaped unscathed, if he encountered Ti Zheng again, there was no telling whether the man would try to lay claim to his eyes. Ti Zheng was a Seventh-Order Open Heaven cultivator — Yang Kai knew he was no match for him yet.
The World Cleansing Demon Eye and Black Pupil Purgatory were, after all, closely guarded secret arts of Myriad Demon Heaven. If this fact were exposed, it would inevitably lead to an unrelenting, fight-to-the-death situation.
What's more, Myriad Demon Heaven had repeatedly targeted and oppressed him in the past.
So the moment he spotted the Myriad Demon Heaven tower ship, Yang Kai had halted. He didn't know who was stationed on that ship — if it turned out to be Ti Zheng, things would be dire.
He consulted his Universe Chart. If he took a detour through other Great Domains, it would take at least a month. That was already cutting it too close.
Yang Kai couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.
Just as he was wondering what to do, a glance from the corner of his eye caught two streaks of light hurtling toward him from the distance. Yang Kai focused his vision and, after a moment, called out with a wave of his hand, "Senior Sister Su!"
The two streaks of light paused briefly, then changed direction and descended straight toward the abandoned Spirit Continent. Moments later, two figures materialized before Yang Kai.
He wasn't sure if it was his imagination, but the moment he saw Su Yingxue, she seemed to visibly relax.
"Oh? It's you!" Yang Kai looked at the big man with the braids standing beside Su Yingxue and broke into a surprised expression.
"Oh? Little brother, it's you!" The big man grinned broadly, looking hearty and jovial. "What a small world — you run into people everywhere!"
"You two know each other?" Su Yingxue asked, feigning curiosity.
The big man said, "I had a bit of a misunderstanding with this little brother before. We fought, and that's how friendships are made. Junior Sister Su, do you know this little brother too?"