The Xuandan Sect was as bustling and noisy as ever. The area around the Questioning Pill Pavilion and the Allegiance Platform in particular was a perennial gathering place, where martial artists seeking pills and those wishing to attach themselves to pill masters came in an endless stream.
A figure descended from the sky, landing directly in front of the Questioning Pill Pavilion. The aura of a Spirit-grade cultivator was on full display, startling everyone who happened to be passing by. They all looked toward the newcomer with bewildered expressions, silently marveling at who would dare be so brazen as to act this way in front of the Xuandan Sect. After all, this was the home of one of the Ten Great Sects of the Divine Weapon World — no matter who arrived, they had to ascend the mountain on foot once they reached the base. Anything less was considered a grave disrespect.
Several guards stationed at the Questioning Pill Pavilion immediately darkened in expression and moved forward to intercept, but upon clearly seeing the newcomer's face, their demeanor shifted to one of reverence. They cupped their fists at once. "Pill Master Yang!"
Yang Kai gave a slight nod, paying them no attention. He glanced up at the Guest Reception Hall on the mountain above and began walking toward it.
A chorus of gasps erupted behind him.
Over the past few years, Yang Kai's reputation at the Questioning Pill Pavilion had reached its zenith. The Ten-Turn Heartless Pills he had refined were beyond counting, and the lowest grade among them was middle-grade. Many martial artists had broken through to the Heaven Grade thanks to his pills. Of the ten people who now came to the Questioning Pill Pavilion seeking Ten-Turn Heartless Pills, eight out of ten sought out Yang Kai, leaving the other Heavenly Pill Masters who also refined the Ten-Turn Heartless Pill with barely any business.
However, even though he refined pills on Lockmoon Peak, he rarely appeared at the Questioning Pill Pavilion itself. Aside from those within the Xuandan Sect, outsiders didn't recognize him. Now, upon learning that this person who looked far too young was the illustrious Pill Master Yang, they all felt the truth had far surpassed the reputation.
As he passed the Allegiance Platform, a resonant bell suddenly rang out from within the Xuandan Sect — nine peals in succession.
Everyone who heard it felt their expressions change dramatically as they turned to stare at the main hall of the Xuandan Sect. Nine bell tolls signified that something of extreme gravity had occurred. In the history of the Xuandan Sect, nine bell tolls could be counted on one's fingers — and every single one had nearly meant the sect's annihilation.
The guards at the Questioning Pill Pavilion immediately began dispersing those who had come seeking pills and sealing off the path up the mountain. In just a short moment, all outsiders had been ushered off the mountain.
Though the vast majority of people within the Xuandan Sect still didn't know what had happened, the entire sect was filled with an atmosphere of dread, as though a strong wind had risen and cranes cried in alarm.
Before the Guest Reception Hall, a man stood there with a bitter smile, watching Yang Kai walk up from the foot of the mountain step by step. His expression was somewhat dazed — he could never have imagined that Yang Kai, who had been merely an Earth Pill Master just a few years ago, could cause such an upheaval today.
And Yang Kai had been brought into the Xuandan Sect by him.
Because of his close personal relationship with Yang Kai, he had been assigned to wait here.
A cool breeze blew as Yang Kai raised his eyes to look at the young man blocking his path and cupped his fists. "Senior Brother Gao!"
Gao Xinpeng looked at him with complicated eyes and returned the gesture. "Junior Brother Yang!"
The two guards behind him had their hands on their swords, their expressions grave, poised like hunting leopards ready to spring at any moment.
"Senior Brother Gao is here — does the Sect Master have some instruction?" Yang Kai asked.
Gao Xinpeng smiled bitterly. "Junior Brother, the situation you've stirred up is rather large. The higher-ups wish to have a thorough talk with you."
Yang Kai nodded. "That's exactly what I intended as well. Otherwise, I wouldn't have come back here."
Gao Xinpeng let out a sigh of relief. "It's best that Junior Brother feels the same way. Since you do, please first surrender your sword and seal your own cultivation, then come with me to meet the Sect Master and the Elders!"
"Is this the Sect Master's idea?" Yang Kai raised an eyebrow.
Gao Xinpeng gave a slight nod.
Yang Kai sighed. "I have never harbored ill will toward the Sect. While I did keep certain things concealed, I merely went along with the situation as it unfolded."
Gao Xinpeng said, "I believe what you say, Junior Brother. However, given the circumstances, you need to demonstrate your sincerity."
Yang Kai spoke slowly. "My coming back here is the greatest sincerity there is. If the Sect insists on doing this, then I will have no choice but to carve my way out with a blade. To be honest, I have no desire to do so — but if it becomes necessary, I won't have another choice."
Gao Xinpeng's expression changed. "Junior Brother, don't be rash! You're only one person!"
Yang Kai smiled faintly. "One person — and that one person can stand against a thousand armies and ten thousand soldiers."
"Junior Brother!"
Yang Kai raised a hand to cut him off. "Senior Brother Gao need say no more. Just inform the Sect Master and the Elders — I only have the time it takes for one incense stick to burn!"
Gao Xinpeng looked at him deeply, then let out a heavy sigh. "I'll pass along the message. Take care of yourself, Junior Brother."
With that, he led his two guards and turned toward a spirit peak in the distance, vanishing from sight in an instant.
The very moment Gao Xinpeng departed, seven or eight figures flickered out from hidden positions and closed in, surrounding Yang Kai so tightly that not even a drop of water could pass through. Each wielded a different spirit weapon, their gazes locked onto Yang Kai like predators eyeing their prey.
Yang Kai turned his head to look around, giving a slight nod. "The Blood Guard Camp's Heaven Division… a fine group of men, every last one of them."
The moment that last word fell, his figure suddenly blurred in an uncanny, ghostly fashion.