What filled Duan Hai with the most dread was that he himself had been the one to bring Yang Kai back to Lei Guang from Du Wan's hands.
Just moments ago Xu Qi had assured him that someone of Old Du's stature was unlikely to come to Lei Guang demanding a person's return, yet here Du Wan stood before him.
Duan Hai's heart churned with unease, but he fought to keep his composure, striding forward with a hearty laugh to pay his respects. "Greetings, Old Du."
He cupped his fists toward Cang Yan as well and exchanged pleasantries. "Brother Cang Yan."
Du Wan gave a slight nod.
Xia Chengyin spoke up. "Elder Duan, you've worked hard. Please, sit."
Duan Hai took his seat, his expression somewhat stiff, because Cang Yan of the Tianxiao Sect — a man with the sharp eyes of a hawk — had been fixed on him the entire time, his gaze pressing and oppressive, inexplicably stirring a thread of unease in Duan Hai's chest.
As if he had noticed this, Cang Yan's stare grew even more piercing.
Duan Hai cleared his throat lightly and asked in a low voice, "I wonder what matter has prompted the Sect Leader to summon this subordinate?"
"Nothing of great importance," Xia Chengyin replied with a smile. "Old Du and Brother Cang Yan have come to Lei Guang to find someone."
"Find someone?" The unease in Duan Hai's heart intensified. His face twitched slightly, and he forced a laugh. "Who are they looking for?"
A vague premonition of something terrible had already taken root in his mind.
"That young man you took away from the Alchemist Association two months ago," Du Wan picked up the thread, his manner warm and approachable.
Duan Hai wanted to weep but had no tears. Inwardly he cursed Xu Qi as a jinxed crow's mouth — the man had said it and it had come true. Old Du, a figure of that caliber, had actually come to Lei Guang to reclaim someone. For a moment he was at a loss.
Panic swarmed inside him, but not a trace of it showed on his face. His mind raced, searching for a way out of this predicament.
"Elder Duan?" Old Du noticed that Duan Hai seemed to have drifted off and furrowed his brow.
"Ah, yes, I'm here..." Duan Hai hastily rearranged his expression.
"Has our young friend been well during his stay at Lei Guang?" Du Wan inquired with concern.
"Very well. I assigned one of our sect's most talented female disciples — outstanding in both appearance and bearing — to attend to him. Over these two months, Guest Elder Yang has also refined quite a number of spirit pills for our divine sect, of remarkably high quality."
"That is only to be expected," Du Wan said. "Young Friend Yang's understanding of alchemy in certain areas is beyond what even I can match."
The moment these words left his mouth, both Xia Chengyin and Cang Yan stared at Du Wan in astonishment, their eyes gleaming with shock.
"I am not exaggerating — this is simply the truth. I believe that Young Friend Yang must have received guidance from some exceptional master in the art of alchemy."
Duan Hai's expression changed drastically. From Du Wan's words he realized something he had overlooked — could it be that the boy truly had a formidable backer? Or perhaps he was the disciple of some top-tier alchemist? Otherwise, how could Old Du heap such praise upon him?
In that instant, his limbs went cold and a sheen of sweat broke out across his body.
"This guest elder is that impressive?" Xia Chengyin's interest was visibly piqued, his expression eager. "To have recruited such a person is a blessing for our divine sect! Duan Hai, you must under no circumstances treat him with negligence. You are to provide him with the finest conditions from now on — otherwise, Brother Cang Yan will try to poach him from us."
The corner of Duan Hai's mouth twitched, and he let out a dry chuckle. "This subordinate will see to it."
"Then where is he now? Old Du and Brother Cang Yan wish to meet him. Duan Hai, go and invite him over." A note of anticipation shone in Xia Chengyin's eyes; he too wanted to see Yang Kai and find out what kind of person could earn such praise from Old Du.
A bead of sweat surfaced on Duan Hai's forehead. He remained rooted in his seat.
"Well? What are you waiting for?" Xia Chengyin grew displeased and issued a soft rebuke.
"Sect Leader..." Duan Hai's expression was strained, his words halting. "Right now... it may be somewhat inconvenient."
"Inconvenient how?" Cang Yan, who had not spoken until now, suddenly cut in with a cold voice, his demeanor anything but friendly.
Duan Hai's evasiveness, combined with his earlier unnatural tone and manner, made Cang Yan quickly sense that something was amiss. He narrowed his eyes, a sharp glint passing through them, and said icily, "Don't tell me something has happened to him?"
"No, no, no. Nothing has happened to him." Duan Hai waved his hands frantically. "It's just that right now it truly is inconvenient."
"Duan Hai!" Xia Chengyin's expression darkened. "What is the meaning of this? Old Du and Brother Cang Yan have come here in person to meet that guest elder, and you keep stonewalling. This is not how our divine sect receives its guests."
"Sect Leader..."
"Where exactly is he right now?" Xia Chengyin asked impatiently.
Knowing that any further evasion would only make matters worse, Duan Hai gritted his teeth. "He's at the Wind Eye."
"How could he be at the Wind Eye?" Du Wan's expression shifted.
The Wind Eye and Thunder Eye of the Lei Guang Divine Sect were places Du Wan had certainly heard of — they were the ideal cultivation sanctuaries for martial artists who practiced wind- and thunder-attribute techniques. But Yang Kai was an alchemist. What business did he have at the Wind Eye?
"Previously he said that to refine a certain spirit pill, he needed to harness the power of the Wind Eye, and he had me take him there." A flash of inspiration struck Duan Hai, and he seized upon a ready excuse.
Cang Yan turned his gaze to Du Wan, his face clearly asking for confirmation.