A single sweep of his sword sent overwhelming sword light erupting in all directions, shattering rocks and sending debris flying. Several figures emerged from their hiding spots, dropping swiftly to positions on every side, forming an encirclement around Yang Kai and his companions.
With a thunderous thud, Li Zhengqing collapsed straight to the ground, dust billowing around him, all signs of life extinguished. Yang Kai's single strike had not only cleaved through his flesh—the razor-sharp sword qi had torn apart every last trace of his vitality.
One of the figures who had revealed himself turned to glance at Li Zhengqing's corpse, his brow furrowing ever so slightly, as if he hadn't expected Yang Kai to be so ruthlessly decisive.
This was completely different from the Yang Kai he knew. Within the Xuantan Gate, Yang Kai had always carried himself with gentle courtesy. Apart from an early clash with a Heavenly Pill Master named Wei Cheng, he had never so much as raised his voice at anyone in recent years. Despite his extraordinary talent and the high regard in which many Elders held him, he never once displayed an air of superiority. He could drink and laugh with fellow Heavenly Pill Masters, and many of his peers had received his guidance.
Among the ranks of the Xuantan Gate below the Spirit Pill Master level, Yang Kai enjoyed immense popularity.
Their eyes met. Yang Kai lowered his gaze, his voice cool and detached: "Vice Hall Master Wu!"
Three people had been concealed in the surroundings. Among them was none other than Wu Zhengqi, the Vice Hall Master of the Sacred Fire Hall! Years ago, when Yang Kai had dueled with Wei Cheng, Wu Zhengqi had served as a witness. Thanks to that connection, the two had interacted several times over the years—especially after Yang Kai had demonstrated his exceptional talent in the Dao of Pills, when Wu Zhengqi had actively sought to befriend him. As a result, their relationship had been fairly cordial.
He never expected to run into him here of all places.
Wu Zhengqi's expression was also somewhat conflicted, but he had anticipated this scenario when he received his orders, so he said nothing further.
Yang Kai turned his gaze to another figure, his eyes narrowing slightly: "Old Man Qi!"
Wu Zhengqi was at the fifth level of the Spirit Stage—not weak by any measure, but Yang Kai wasn't overly concerned about him. Even if they fought, Wu Zhengqi might not be able to do much.
But Old Man Qi was a different story. The old man was the personal blood guard of Baili Yunsang, the Sect Master of the Xuantan Gate. Over the past few years, Yang Kai had crossed paths with him several times—the Elder's token he carried had been personally handed to him by this very man.
The old fellow's cultivation had reached the ninth level of the Spirit Stage, placing him at virtually the absolute peak of power in this Divine Weapon World. Yang Kai understood his terror all too well.
Yang Kai didn't recognize the third person, but their presence here meant they were undoubtedly of the Spirit Stage as well.
"So that's how it is—the sect has been orchestrating all of this?" Yang Kai asked, looking at Old Man Qi. He didn't actually know the old man's full name, only that his surname was Qi.
But upon seeing these three figures, something suddenly clicked in Yang Kai's mind.
He had been wondering earlier how he had been able to leave the Xuantan Gate so easily. By all rights, bearing the burden of comprehending the secrets of the Medicine King Cauldron, he was an extraordinarily important figure within the sect. Even if there had been some pressing reason for him to leave temporarily, the Xuantan Gate would never have agreed so readily. And even if they had, they would certainly have dispatched numerous powerful guards to protect him from any harm.
Yet Yu Boyang had simply let him go without a fuss.
Now it made sense—this had all been planned by the Xuantan Gate from the start. That was why he had encountered no resistance upon his departure.
Thoughts flickered through his mind like lightning. Over his years at the Xuantan Gate, he had made enormous contributions—submitting numerous pill formulas and alchemical insights gained from studying the Medicine King Cauldron, and demonstrating extraordinary talent in the Dao of Pills. By all logic, the sect should have valued him immensely. So why had they suddenly lured him here to the Xuling Sword Sect and set an ambush?
After turning it over in his mind, only one possibility remained—the story he had fabricated had been exposed. The Xuantan Gate must have realized he had no actual connection to that invented master of his.
If that was the case, had that fictional master actually returned to the Xuantan Gate? Or had he somehow made contact with them?
Beside him, Hua Rong, Yang Huai, and Wan Yingying were all stunned, completely unable to comprehend what was happening before them. Moreover, after Old Man Qi and the others had revealed themselves, they hadn't immediately attacked, leaving Hua Rong and the others in a state of bewildered uncertainty about what to do.
Old Man Qi regarded Yang Kai coolly and spoke: "Young Yang, just surrender quietly. When I make my move, I don't hold back, and you pill masters are all soft and fragile. It would be a shame if you got hurt."
Wu Zhengqi added from the side: "Master Yang, it would be best not to resist. Our orders are to bring you back to the sect, and the Sect Master specifically instructed that your life must not be harmed!"
Yang Kai turned to glance at the stone stele carved with the four large characters "Xuling Sword Sect" and asked: "Where are the people of my Xuling Sword Sect?"
Wu Zhengqi replied: "Rest assured, the people of the Xuling Sword Sect were unharmed. Half a month ago, they were all sent to Xuantan City. As we speak, they should have already been settled there."
Upon hearing this, Yang Kai let out a breath of relief: "That's good."
Now that he thought about it, Su Changfa's sudden incapacitation must also have been a fabrication by Li Zhengqing—an excuse to lure him back to the Xuling Sword Sect. With that in mind, Yang Kai furrowed his brow again: "If the Sect Master wanted to capture me, why lure me here? He could have simply made his move while I was still in the sect!"
Wu Zhengqi shook his head: "We don't know the specifics. We're merely carrying out orders..." He let out a bitter laugh. "Honestly, before coming here, I didn't even know the person we were to capture was you, Master Yang." He glanced at Old Man Qi: "Perhaps Old Man Qi knows something."
Old Man Qi shook his head: "I don't know either. The Sect Master gave his orders, and I follow them!" He cast a glance at the Qingxu Sword in Yang Kai's hand. "Young Yang, I know that Qingxu Sword of yours still has two strands of sword qi sealed within it. But those two strands shouldn't be much use against me. If you don't believe me, you're welcome to try."
Yang Kai nodded: "Your strength is formidable, Old Man Qi. These mere two strands of sword qi naturally can't do anything to you."