Yang Yinghao actually suspected that Yang Kai had succeeded, but he couldn't comprehend what exactly had transpired over the past two days.
"Mm." Yang Kai nodded slightly, confirming it.
Yang Yinghao's expression was hesitant. After a long moment of deliberation, he asked, "How many did you absorb?"
"All of them."
"All of them?" Yang Yinghao's eyes nearly bulged out of his head, his face a mask of disbelief as he stared at Yang Kai.
"How did you endure it?" Yang Yinghao was stunned.
He had entered that space himself before. He knew what kind of opportunities it held and what dangers one could face. Back then, with his cultivation at the seventh level of the Shenyou Realm, he had fought tooth and nail to absorb the spiritual spirits of just two Yang family ancestors.
Even that endeavor had taken him a full two or three years to completely purge the thoughts and consciousness of those two ancestors.
After all, alongside gaining their comprehension of the Heavenly Dao and martial arts, one also inherits the endless torment they endured over the ages, experiencing it as if it were one's own. The pain was unbearable, and this kind of thing had to be purged; otherwise, it would affect one's peace of mind for life.
If there had been even one more ancestor, Yang Yinghao estimated he wouldn't have been able to withstand it. At that point, he wouldn't have died, but he would have become a cripple.
Yet Yang Kai now told him he had absorbed the spiritual spirits of all Yang family ancestors.
Yang Yinghao didn't want to believe it, but he had no choice.
Because the statues of the Four Sacred Beasts had already split open with countless cracks, and the consciousness-converging space no longer existed. Such a situation meant the place where the ancestors' spirits gathered had vanished, and it also meant those spirits had been absorbed by someone.
From this day forward, the Divine Root Hall would likely never function as it had before, unless those statues could be repaired, and another powerful Yang family expert, before death, could ensnare their spiritual spirit within.
Yang Yinghao's expression was complex. As he looked at Yang Kai, a respectful tone involuntarily crept into his gaze.
This was not the expression an elder should show a junior, yet Yang Yinghao couldn't help but reveal it.
He knew that perhaps, at this very moment, his own standing was a fraction higher than Yang Kai's, but as time passed, Yang Kai would inevitably ascend to heights he could never hope to reach. When that day came, he would stand above the clouds, looking down upon all living beings.
"I'm sorry for destroying this foundation of the Yang family. I will compensate in the future," Yang Kai frowned, having also noticed the destruction of the Four Sacred Beasts statues.
"No need. This place was always prepared for the head of the Yang family." Yang Yinghao shook his head, his tone respectful. "Family Head, the succession ceremony for the seven great families is ready. It will be held at our Yang family's Altar of Heaven Worship. We only await your arrival to begin."
"Oh?" Yang Kai raised an eyebrow, secretly thinking that his current status and identity must indeed look different in those people's eyes. Such a momentous event had actually been waiting for him. He grinned. "In that case, let's head over quickly. We can't keep them waiting too long."
Yang Yinghao nodded slightly and took the lead.
When they arrived outside the Divine Root Hall, the elders who had been gathered outside, as well as Fourth Master Yang and his wife, were no longer there. Only the Earth Demon remained, standing guard and waiting.
Seeing Yang Kai walk out safely, the Earth Demon chuckled.
The Yang family's Altar of Heaven Worship.
Nearly two years ago, the Yang family's battle for succession had begun here. Eight brothers of the Yang family had gathered together, listening to Family Head Yang Yinghao's impassioned speech before riding their Cloud-Treading Chargers to the War City, high in spirits.
Nearly two years later, the succession ceremony for the seven great families was also being held here.
When Yang Kai arrived, all preparations were already complete. With the loud cry of "The Yang family head arrives!", everyone rose in unison, greeting him with respect.
Yang Kai's expression was calm. He strode quickly to the Altar of Heaven Worship, surveyed his surroundings, and announced in a clear voice, "I am young and, while temporarily acting as head of the Yang family, I am unfamiliar with the etiquette and procedures of this succession ceremony. For today's event, I must ask my uncle to preside."
Expecting him to host the succession ceremony was out of the question. Although he wouldn't necessarily make a fool of himself, this was a major event for the seven great families. If he made a procedural error, it would seem far too careless.
Yang Yinghao nodded slightly, and his figure blurred as he ascended the Altar of Heaven Worship.
Taking advantage of the moment Yang Yinghao began speaking, Yang Kai quietly slipped away, making his way to where Qiu Yimeng and the others stood.
"How does it feel?" Yang Kai looked at the seven young people, a smile on his face.
"Absolutely terrible." Huo Xingchen pouted. "Just thinking that this young master is about to become the head of the Huo family makes me want to die."
"You really aren't suited for it," Yang Kai laughed heartily.
"Yang Kai, thank you," Qiu Yimeng suddenly said.
"Thank me for what?" Yang Kai tilted his head to look at her.
"Don't play dumb. We both know that when you so generously accepted all those forces coming to join you, it was to put pressure on the eight great families and force them to step down." A wise smile bloomed on Qiu Yimeng's face. "Everyone else thought you were just gathering power for yourself, but I know your goal was exactly this situation."
Yang Kai looked surprised but didn't deny it. He nodded. "That was part of the reason, yes."
"I have always wanted to inherit the Qiu family. Now that my wish is fulfilled, I naturally have to thank you." A trace of emotion surfaced on Qiu Yimeng's face. "So, tell me. What would you like as a thank-you gift? You could even have me, if you want."
Huo Xingchen and the others jerked, their expressions turning strange as they looked at Qiu Yimeng.
Meng Shanyi coughed violently. After a long while, he finally caught his breath, his face pale and gasping. "Qiu Yimeng, you are now the head of the Qiu family. Saying such things in public isn't very appropriate, is it? It could affect the Qiu family's reputation."