Highly recommending a new book: Ni Cangtian's "Spirit Domain" was released today, book number 2817301. Please give it lots of support and help it climb the rankings with votes during its launch period.
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Shui Ling held a noble status, so Liu Zhuo’s concerns were entirely reasonable. Yang Kai felt it wasn’t his place to comment; this was someone else’s turf, and speaking out of turn would only make him unwelcome.
Shui Ling stuck her tongue out at Yang Kai, then turned to Liu Zhuo and said, “Go on. Taking care of that guy sooner is better.”
“But Miss…” Liu Zhuo’s brows furrowed, clearly reluctant. His duty was to protect Shui Ling; everything else was secondary.
“Go when I tell you to. What’s with the fuss? I still need time to talk to this bastard.” Shui Ling glared at him, then added in a softer tone, “Don’t worry. I’ll stay far away over here. Besides, with this bastard here, even if that demon beast charges over, it probably can’t do much to me, right?”
The last question was directed at Yang Kai.
Yang Kai chuckled but gave no direct answer.
It was a seventh-rank demon beast. Though massive and powerful, he was confident he could slay it. But stealing someone else’s thunder was best avoided, and Yang Kai didn’t want to incur any grudges.
“Go! Why are you still standing there?” Seeing Liu Zhuo motionless, Shui Ling urged him.
Liu Zhuo shot a cold, dark look at Yang Kai and said through gritted teeth, “Kid, watch over the Miss carefully. Don’t let anything happen to her.”
“Relax.” Yang Kai nodded.
Only then did Liu Zhuo unleash his movement technique and streak toward the sea surface.
With his join in, the battle situation changed markedly. Two Transcendent-realm cultivators fighting together, supported by Shenyou-realm experts, quickly gained the upper hand. The sea beast let out mournful cries, its eight fleshy limbs all bearing injuries.
Yang Kai observed for a while from his spot, and only after confirming everything was fine over there did he smile faintly. “These people seem very loyal to you.”
“Of course they are loyal. They’re my people!” Shui Ling looked proud. “You think I’m still that isolated girl from Zhongdu? I’m warning you, if you dare bully me again, I’ll have them tear you into eight pieces.”
“I never bullied you, did I?” Yang Kai was taken aback.
“Bullied or not, you know in your heart! It’s been a few years, and it looks like you’ve grown quite a bit. What’s your cultivation level now?”
Yang Kai sniffed. “Why do you want to know that?”
It wasn’t that he wanted to hide it from Shui Ling, but he feared it might discourage her. When they first met, she had been an eighth-level Shenyou expert, while he was only at the peak of the Zhenyuan Realm. A few years had passed, and Yang Kai’s cultivation had completely surpassed hers. His progress was simply too fast.
Yang Kai didn’t answer, but Shui Ling seemed to sense it anyway and smiled. “You don’t have to tell me. I can guess. This kind of cultivation speed suits your style. It proves my judgment back then wasn’t off. No matter where you go, you always manage to thrive. It’s truly envy-inducing. I’m different—without the Water God Palace, I can’t achieve anything.”
“What does a girl like you need such high cultivation for?”
“Never mind that. So, after seeing the Water God Palace’s wealth, have you thought about joining us? My offer still stands. Join, and I’ll provide you with the best cultivation environment. Oh, and I have quite a few islands under my command. Pick any you like, and from now on, that island will be yours.”
Three years ago, Shui Ling had tried to recruit Yang Kai. Now that they met again, the thought still lingered.
Because no one had ever made Shui Ling’s eyes light up the way Yang Kai did. He might be a bit infuriating, but his abilities and potential were beyond question.
“Joining here would be my ruin,” Yang Kai smiled, politely declining Shui Ling’s kind offer. “With such dense aquatic energy here, how could I possibly cultivate?”
“The Water God Palace naturally has places suited for your cultivation. There are several volcanic islands over there with a scorching climate.”
“I’ll pass. I’ve already found a place to settle.”
“Where?” Shui Ling’s interest was instantly piqued. “Something good enough for you?”
Yang Kai briefly recounted his experiences at the Tianxiao Sect. Upon hearing that its founding ancestor was the same person who established the Lingxiao Pavilion, Shui Ling felt much more at ease.
The Lingxiao Pavilion was Yang Kai’s sect, so his choice of the Tianxiao Sect was understandable. Moreover, the Tianxiao Sect was a significant power even on the Xuanwu Continent; even Shui Ling had heard of it from time to time.
As they talked, the battle in the distance had ended.
After Liu Zhuo joined, the sea beast was overwhelmed, suffering heavy injuries before fleeing. Though failing to kill it was a pity, suffering no losses on their side was also good news.
Shui Ling gave some instructions for them to handle the aftermath, then led Yang Kai and flew off in a direction.