Cups were raised and exchanged, wine vessels clinking together.
Even Shan Qingluo and Biluo partook of some wine. After the alluring queen drank a few cups, she became even more radiant, her rich charm so overwhelming that no one dared look her directly in the eyes.
After three rounds of drinks, the people from the overseas sects finally arrived.
Ye Fang of Shura Gate, Hua Duanhun of the Falling Flower Sect, Xu Qianhao of the Scarlet Chain Sect, Cloud Dragon Island, Twin Island…
Wave after wave of people marched onto Ancient Cloud Island. Every major overseas sect had dispatched their finest, and nearly all of those who had traveled to the Central Capital last time were present.
Gu Feng watched their expressions and was shocked to discover that all these renowned overseas figures displayed an extremely respectful attitude toward Yang Kai.
He felt a mixture of relief and lingering fear, and the last trace of resentment and defiance in his heart dissipated entirely.
These people held status no lower than Gu Feng's in the overseas realm—some were even more powerful than him. If even they behaved so submissively before Young Master Yang, what right did Gu Feng have to put on airs?
Only after some conversation did Gu Feng learn that Ancient Cloud Island's success in finding the Transmutation Moon-Breaking Art last time had actually been thanks to Yang Kai. Now Gu Feng had nothing more to say.
The sect-protecting secret manual lost for three hundred years had been found by him—effectively, Yang Kai had bestowed upon Ancient Cloud Island an enormous favor.
The Taiyi Seal of Taiyi Gate, the Thousand-Petal Blood Begonia of the Falling Flower Sect, the Shura Sword of Shura Gate, the Sect Leader's Jade Pendant of the Scarlet Chain Sect, the Cloud Dragon Archives of Cloud Dragon Island, the Revival Map of Twin Island—Yang Kai produced these items one by one.
Everyone's breathing immediately grew heated as they stared at these sect-protecting treasures with burning gazes, their expressions agitated with excitement.
Yang Kai wasted no words, simply returning these items that rightfully belonged to the overseas sects one by one.
"I've refined the Shura Sword and the Thousand-Petal Blood Begonia, but I haven't used any of the other items. If any of you have concerns, feel free to inspect them," Yang Kai said with a smile, looking at the assembled crowd.
"No need, no need! How could we possibly distrust Young Master Yang?" Li Yuanchun laughed heartily. These items were decent enough, but their grade wasn't particularly high—likely not even worth Yang Kai's attention. Li Yuanchun knew this perfectly well.
The others all echoed that inspection was unnecessary, expressing absolute trust in Yang Kai.
After receiving back these sect-protecting treasures lost for over three hundred years, everyone was deeply grateful and expressed their thanks endlessly.
"Young Master Yang, the overseas sects owe you an enormous favor this time. If you ever have need of anything in the future, simply send word to the overseas regions. I won't promise anything grand, but every sect represented here will answer your call without hesitation," Li Yuanchun said earnestly. He was grateful not only that Yang Kai had returned the treasures the overseas sects had lost for so many years, but he placed even greater value on Yang Kai's potential.
Though the overseas regions had little connection with the inland, forging a good relationship with Yang Kai could only prove beneficial down the road.
"If the time comes, I won't stand on ceremony," Yang Kai replied with a chuckle.
"That would be best."
"With matters here concluded, I should take my leave." Yang Kai rose to his feet, preparing to depart.
Li Yuanchun was startled. "Young Master Yang is leaving already? I was hoping to invite you to stay at Taiyi Gate for a while."
"I appreciate the kind invitation, Senior, but since that battle, I haven't returned to the Central Capital. I'd like to go back and see how things are."
"I see…" A look of regret crossed Li Yuanchun's face. "Then I won't keep you. I'll see you out. If you ever have the chance to visit the overseas regions again, you must come to Taiyi Gate as my guest."
"Absolutely," Yang Kai replied with polite pleasantries.
A large crowd followed Yang Kai out of the Spirit Nourishing Hall. The disciples of Ancient Cloud Island turned to stare, whispering among themselves, wondering what major event could have drawn so many important figures all at once.
When they caught sight of Yang Kai surrounded in the center like a star encircled by the moon, many of the Ancient Cloud Island disciples wore peculiar expressions.
Quite a few of them had seen Yang Kai before and knew he had been helping Elder Han Zhao raise peacocks, but they couldn't understand how this utterly ordinary provisional disciple had transformed overnight into an honored guest of the overseas sects' most powerful figures. Moreover, judging by the way those powerful figures treated Yang Kai with such deference, each and every one of them wearing cordial smiles—
Nearby, a young woman with faint freckles across her face was wandering around in a daze, searching for something. Sensing the commotion, she hurried over to see what was happening. One glance, and she froze.
The junior brother she had been living alongside for half a year was now standing with an entirely composed expression, chatting and laughing with all those great figures from the overseas sects. Not only was there no trace of nervousness about him, he was completely at ease—and those great figures were laughing and conversing with him in turn as they walked out together.
The young woman blinked her large eyes, her mind struggling to keep up.
As the group approached her, something compelled her to push through the crowd of her own accord, stepping in front of everyone and staring blankly at Yang Kai.
Li Yuanchun frowned slightly, uncertain what this young female disciple of Ancient Cloud Island was doing rushing out like this, and couldn't help glancing at Gu Feng.