As they spoke, the group fell silent, a shock running through their hearts.
Before it was mentioned, none had realized, but now, thinking about it, they all found it incredible. With a cultivation at only the second layer of the Transcendent Realm, he had repeatedly cheated death. If this wasn't heaven-defying luck, then he must possess some astonishing means.
The others were more inclined to believe it was the latter possibility. This only made it more impossible for them to gauge Yang Kai's true depths.
Before the Saint of Nine Heavens Holy Land took the position, they could come from any background. Their cultivation varied, their natural talent ranged from good to bad.
Even if the current Holy Maiden had only found someone at the Shenyou Realm, they were confident they could cultivate him into a top expert. Never mind that Yang Kai's starting point, in both talent and strength, was a hundred times better than they had anticipated.
"Regardless, we must make him accept the position of Holy Lord! Without the Holy Lord's Jade Ring, many areas of our Holy Land cannot be opened. This matter cannot be delayed!" Xu Hui's expression suddenly turned resolute as he spoke in a deep voice.
"But what if he's unwilling?" Yu Ying furrowed her delicate brows, feeling troubled.
"Unwilling or not, he must be willing! With so many of us Enter Saints Realm experts, are we truly incapable of handling one person?" Shi Kun seemed particularly impatient.
"Do you intend to use force?" Yu Ying narrowed her phoenix eyes, staring coldly at Shi Kun.
"That is my meaning as well!" Xu Hui took a light breath. "His attitude is already resolute. Waiting any longer will accomplish nothing. Rather than that, we should take a gamble—send him into the Sacred Tomb!"
At these words, everyone's eyebrows twitched, as if the Sacred Tomb contained unimaginable dangers, making the Enter Saints Realm experts present extremely wary.
"If... he doesn't come out?" Cheng Yuetong voiced a faint worry. "The current Holy Maiden has only Lin'er left. Since she has already made her choice, she cannot go out to find another candidate for us. If he doesn't come out..."
"If he doesn't come out, then our Holy Land can only seal itself... and wait for the next generation of the Holy Maiden to grow up."
The next Holy Maiden had not yet been selected. To cultivate her would take at least twenty years. Twenty years might seem short, but if the Holy Land had no master and could not obtain the Holy Lord's Jade Ring that had entered the Sacred Tomb with the previous Holy Lord, many functions would cease to operate. Those twenty years could very well drag this massive power down.
They could not afford to wait. That was why they hadn't dared to make any rash moves these past two months. But Yang Kai's attitude was so firm, Xu Hui had to seriously consider their options.
"But he hasn't fully comprehended the Nine Heavens Divine Art yet. How can he enter? It's said the Sacred Tomb is the very place where the Nine Heavens Divine Art was born. To enter, one must have mastered them."
"He has already grasped three moves. That is sufficient. This is for the sake of our Holy Land. Even if he is the future Holy Lord, when sacrifice is needed, he must sacrifice!" Xu Hui said in a low shout. "If he manages to emerge safely, he will surely be grateful for the decision we have made today!"
"Indeed!" Shi Kun, Meng Tianfei, and the others nodded in agreement.
Never had a Holy Lord emerged from the Sacred Tomb without developing a strong sense of belonging to the Holy Land. The reason those Holy Ones, brought back by the Holy Maidens from the outside world, had devoted their lives to the Holy Land, working tirelessly and with all their heart, was inextricably linked to the secrets within the Sacred Tomb.
Though no one knew exactly what secrets the Sacred Tomb held, they were unwavering in this belief.
Yu Ying and Cheng Yuetong, two middle-aged beauties, exchanged a glance. Though they were faintly worried, they couldn't say anything more.
Once the discussion concluded, everyone sprang into action, preparing for Yang Kai's entry into the Sacred Tomb.
The next day, while meditating and cultivating in his palace, Yang Kai suddenly opened his eyes. In his perception, Xu Hui and the others seemed to have come again.
And this time was somewhat different from usual. The visitors weren't just the few he was accustomed to seeing; there were several faces he had never met before.
Although they concealed it well, their breathing and aura carried a hint of gravity. This put Yang Kai slightly on guard, wondering what scheme they were hatching.
A moment later, a knock came from outside the door. Yang Kai casually responded, and the door was pushed open. Xu Hui and all the elders and guardians were present.
Yang Kai raised his eyebrows, vaguely sensing that Xu Hui probably had something to tell him—surely related to the Holy Lord again. Otherwise, why would all the top experts of the Holy Land be gathered here?
After some pleasantries, Xu Hui introduced the people Yang Kai hadn't met before, one by one. Yang Kai nodded in greeting to them.
"Grand Elder, what brings you here today?" Yang Kai's eyes held a hidden glint as he asked directly.
"We would like to invite you to come with us to a place!" Xu Hui smiled faintly, his expression amiable.
"Between these nine peaks, I believe I've toured them all. Is there anywhere left to go?"
"There is. The Holy Land holds many secrets that you cannot see in your daily life. The place we are going to visit is one of them."
Yang Kai's eyelids narrowed slightly as he said calmly, "Since it's a secret, isn't it inappropriate to open it to an outsider?"
"You are not considered an outsider, and besides that place, no one else but you can enter!" Xu Hui said solemnly.