Yang Kai's expression turned knowing. The Sixth-Order Open Heaven cultivators participating in this Dao Discussion Assembly were all newly promoted within the past century. Ning Daoran had only broken through a few years ago—how could he possibly be a match for those veteran Sixth-Order cultivators from the Sin League? An encounter was almost certain to result in injury.
"The Sin League has grown formidable now," Ning Daoran said, shaking his head with a sigh. "Under the leadership of the Sin League Master, Huangquan Tianjun, seven Sixth-Order cultivators and hundreds of sinners move as one. Wherever they go, we participants have nowhere to stand." Before the Dao Discussion Assembly, no one had anticipated such a dramatic shift on the Sin Star.
Eight Sixth-Order Open Heaven cultivators and hundreds of sinners acting in concert left participants with no chance whatsoever. Any encounter meant death and the scattering of one's Dao.
"The Sin League is actually doing this?" Yang Kai was stunned, secretly shocked by Huangquan Tianjun's boldness.
When the Sin League was first established, they had merely holed up in the Huangquan Cavern for mutual warmth. Yet now they had charged out. How could the participating cultivators possibly resist? It would not be long before every last one of them was slaughtered clean.
Ning Daoran had been chased down by several Sixth-Order cultivators of the Sin League this time because he had inadvertently revealed his whereabouts. Fortunately, he was a Core Disciple of the Carefree Bliss and carried numerous Artifacts for survival and escape—otherwise, he might never have lived to see Yang Kai.
"The sinners on the Sin Star have banded together. We participants must do the same, or we won't last the remaining three-plus months of the Dao Discussion Assembly," Ning Daoran said with a bitter smile. He continued, "I've received word that Brother Lin Feng and several other fellow disciples have gathered together to prepare a response against the Sin League. Junior Brother Yang, why not come with me? There's strength in numbers."
Yang Kai's brow furrowed slightly. After a moment's thought, he slowly shook his head. "I don't think so. I—"
Before he could finish, a violent force suddenly bore down from above. A thunderous rumble shook the earth as the ground cracked open and the spot where everyone was hiding collapsed inward.
A cold laugh rang out: "Let's see how long you can hide!"
Whoosh whoosh whoosh…
Amid the flying earth and debris, several figures shot into the sky. Yang Kai gripped Lu Jing in one hand, with Grey Bone and Ning Daoran flanking him. He swept his gaze around, and his expression shifted.
At some point, they had been completely surrounded by the Sin League. Eight figures stood before, behind, and to either side, sealing every possible avenue of escape.
Yang Kai's face darkened. He realized now that Ning Daoran's movements had long since been detected. The Sin League's earlier departure through the void had been nothing more than a delaying tactic—a way to lull Ning Daoran into complacency.
Looking at the current situation, it was exactly as Ning Daoran had described: the Sin League moved as a unified force. Otherwise, it would have been impossible for all eight of the Sin League's Sixth-Order cultivators to appear here at once.
"It's you!" King Kong Tianjun's eyes went wide.
But Cang Yan barked, "No good—form the Heaven-Sealing Earth-Lock Formation, quickly!"
They hadn't expected Yang Kai to appear here either, having assumed it was only Ning Daoran. By the time they sensed his presence, it was already too late to set up the formation.
Before they could complete it, Yang Kai activated his Space Laws, wrapping Ning Daoran, Grey Bone, and Lu Jing within his grasp, and vanished on the spot.
Huangquan Tianjun thrust out a hand to seize them, but grasped only empty air. He gritted his teeth in fury: "Damned brat!"
If not for Yang Kai's interference, Ning Daoran would never have escaped this time.
Huangquan Tianjun formed a hand seal, turned his head toward a direction, and commanded: "After them!"
His figure flickered as he shot off in that pursuit, the seven other Sixth-Order cultivators following close behind.
Several hundred li away, four figures tumbled out of the void. Yang Kai looked Ning Daoran up and down, scrutinizing him in a way that left the man thoroughly confused.
"Brother Ning, check your body carefully—see if there's anything unusual!" Yang Kai urged. He was certain his concealment had been flawless; there was no way they could have been detected so easily.
Ning Daoran's expression changed as he caught Yang Kai's meaning. He immediately circulated his spiritual sense, meticulously inspecting every inch of his flesh.
A moment later, his face paled. "There's a strange mark on me. When did it—"
If Yang Kai hadn't warned him, he would never have examined himself so closely, and this mark would have gone undiscovered.
"Can you remove it?" Yang Kai asked.
"I'll try!" Ning Daoran nodded gravely, channeling his power into the effort to dispel the mark.
Yang Kai continued channeling his strength, carrying the other three as they fled into the distance.
The eight Sixth-Order cultivators of the Sin League had been chasing in a particular direction when their leader, Huangquan Tianjun, suddenly halted, his face ashen.
The seven behind him looked toward him.
Huangquan said, "The Soul-Tracking Seal has dissipated. They must have found it."
"A pity—so close, yet so far!" King Kong Tianjun sighed, once again thinking of that brat who wielded the Space Laws. He had already spoiled the Sin League's plans twice now.
"No matter. If it didn't work this time, there will be another chance," Huangquan Tianjun said, taking it in stride. He brushed his sleeve lightly and turned to retreat.
Ten thousand li away, Yang Kai, Ning Daoran, and the others raced through the air like the wind.
Ning Daoran said, "It's best that you've come around, Junior Brother. The situation on the Sin Star is shifting dramatically now—even the elders may not have anticipated these changes in the Dao Discussion Assembly. What we must do is watch out for one another, hold on until the Assembly concludes, and then we can withdraw safely."