Nothing more to say, tears streaming down my face — the writing environment here is absolutely abysmal. Please spare a few monthly votes for comfort; it's nearly the end of the month…
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Yang Kai frowned, sensing the probing intent directed at him, but said nothing about it. He simply replied, "I don't know his background."
"You don't know?" Yang Liting's brows furrowed, and he grew displeased. Although he suspected Yang Kai was deliberately withholding information, a careful observation revealed no signs of lying.
Yang Kai truly didn't know the Earth Demon's origins. When he had subdued him inside the Inheritance Grotto-heaven, the Earth Demon had been nothing more than a spiritual entity — his memories chaotic and blurred, unable even to remember his own name. In the time they'd spent together since, Yang Kai had never bothered to ask about his past, so naturally he knew nothing of his background.
"Although I don't know his origins, I can assure you that he is not from the Evil Lands of Cangyun," Yang Kai said quickly, sensing what Yang Liting was worried about.
Yang Liting showed no particular reaction, only continuing to frown. After a long moment, he spoke: "The Battle of Succession, by all rights, is open to anyone under heaven. Any friends you young people have made may participate — after all, this is fundamentally a test of your connections and relationships. He is part of your network. If I were to order him expelled from the War City, or killed outright, you would likely be resentful, and that would amount to suppressing you indirectly — which runs counter to our purpose of overseeing the battlefield."
A chill ran through Yang Kai's heart, though his expression betrayed nothing.
"I didn't summon you here for anything else. Fine — he may participate in the Battle of Succession and remain in the War City, but that is the full extent of it. If I discover him doing anything beyond what is acceptable, I will not show mercy. Go back and make that clear to him." Yang Liting's tone was cold and indifferent as he issued his instructions. "Furthermore, once the Battle of Succession concludes, he must leave immediately. Otherwise, don't blame me for not giving you face."
"Understood," Yang Kai replied flatly.
Though he was still young, with a bright future ahead — perhaps one day he could dominate the heavens and split the sky with a single hand — right now he was still a minor figure. If he truly defied Yang Liting, he would have no one to blame but himself.
Yang Liting was the Yang Family's Supreme Elder. By title, Yang Kai was technically his grand-disciple. Yet this encounter felt no different from a meeting between strangers, and Yang Liting's warnings carried an unmistakable air of finality.
"Go." After speaking, Yang Liting waved his hand and soared back into the sky, resuming his battle against the seven others.
For no clear reason, Yang Kai felt a knot of frustration in his chest. He wanted to leave, but didn't know how.
He didn't even know how he'd gotten in.
He stood there dazed for a long while, unable to find the exit. Just as he was about to speak up and ask, a thunderous voice crashed into his ears: "Still here?"
The moment the voice reached him, an enormous force slammed into his body. Under that tremendous push, all resistance was futile. His figure hurtled backward, and the scenery around him blurred past in a dizzying rush.
His vision flickered, and he was back in the great hall. Before him stood the same circular platform, with eight beings of the Shenyou Realm seated above it. The massive glowing sphere still hovered in the center, and the eight were still continuously feeding streams of energy into it — sharing their comprehension of the martial path through that extraordinary method.
Stumble, stumble, stumble…
Yang Kai was forced involuntarily backward. Ying Jiu caught him in alarm, crying out as he steadied him.
Once he found his footing, the True Yuan inside him churned violently, and the Divine Sense in his mind was thrown into utter chaos, stabbing at him like needles.
He spat out a mouthful of fresh blood, and only then did he begin to feel somewhat better.
Ying Jiu's expression shifted, unable to understand what Yang Kai had experienced to have sustained a light injury.
Ever since arriving here, Yang Kai had stood in silence, and Ying Jiu hadn't dared to speak, only waiting patiently. This sudden turn of events left Ying Jiu thoroughly bewildered.
"Let's go!" Yang Kai wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, glanced up at the high platform, and led Ying Jiu away at a quick pace.
In that wondrous pocket world, the eight-way battle had suddenly halted. The other seven elders all shook their heads and looked at Yang Liting. The slightly plump elder who had spoken earlier said, "Brother Yang, isn't that a bit much, treating a junior like that?"
"Indeed. His gaze may have been domineering and sharp, but which young man isn't full of fire and spirit? Besides, he didn't throw any tantrums right in front of you."
"If you push him too hard, you might break him for good. That boy is quite promising — your Yang Family may come to rely on him in the future. If he's truly ruined, won't you regret it?"
The seven elders chattered away one after another, none of them understanding why Yang Liting had treated a junior family member that way.
Yang Liting snorted coldly. "If he's ruined, he's ruined. Does my Yang Family need to fear a lack of successors? When I spoke to him just now, it was clear he wasn't truly taking it to heart. That was merely a warning — I expect he'll pay much closer attention to my words now!"
"Still too much. You're not exactly young yourself — why quarrel with a child?"
"Brother Yang, you really went too far this time. The fact that he was able to break into the consciousness of all eight of us through his own ability — that kind of talent is one of a kind. Does your Yang Family have anyone else who could do it? I don't believe so. Forget your Yang Family — none of the young people from our seven families could manage it either." The speaker kept shaking his head.
"Enough. I know what I'm doing — I don't need you lot telling me how to handle things. Are we going to fight or not?" Yang Liting's expression darkened. Being ganged up on by seven others certainly didn't sit well with him.
"Fine! But when that boy really does fall apart someday, I'll be waiting to see the look on your face! Ha ha ha!"
"Hmm… something's not right!" The Qiu Family's Supreme Elder, Elder Qiu, suddenly exclaimed in surprise, his expression growing peculiar.
The other seven all showed looks of doubt and glanced at one another.
"It seems that boy has turned misfortune into fortune," the slightly plump elder laughed, casting an amused glance at Yang Liting.
"He really has turned misfortune into fortune."