Thanks to all my readers for the birthday wishes, I nearly forgot about it myself.
Anyway, two chapters today.
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Before the ruins, Xu Hui stared blankly at Yang Kai, unable to believe his own eyes.
Shi Kun, Cheng Yuetong, and the others standing beside him wore expressions of similar shock.
"There's no need to be so surprised. Did you all think I'd died in there?" Yang Kai chuckled.
Xu Hui finally came to his senses, his face a picture of tear-streaked joy. His body trembling, he cupped his fists in salute. "Welcome back, Holy Master!"
"Welcome back, Holy Master!" Shi Kun and Cheng Yuetong hastily echoed, their demeanor respectful.
It seemed that the sight of Yang Kai's appearance was synonymous with the return of hope, sweeping away the gloom from their faces.
The disciples of the Holy Land nearby, hearing the commotion, also gathered around, looking at Yang Kai as if he were a savior.
Yang Kai frowned slightly and raised a hand. "Hold off on those titles for now. I've already heard the general situation from Elder Yu Ying and An Ling'er. Is there anything here I can help with? If so, just tell me. If it's within my power, I'll do my best to handle it."
Xu Hui's expression turned serious. He immediately understood Yang Kai's meaning and refrained from being overly effusive, speaking somewhat formally. "We wouldn't dare. The matters here are minor—calming the disciples, treating the wounded—there's no need for you to be involved."
As he spoke, his gaze shifted to Yang Kai's hand. After a long moment, a flicker of disappointment appeared on his face.
"Are you looking for this?" Yang Kai's palm turned over, revealing the Holy Master's Spirit Ring.
Everyone's eyes widened, their gazes fixed intently on the ancient ring. Xu Hui nodded repeatedly, his eyes bright with excitement. "Little Brother, you really did bring the Holy Master's Spirit Ring out!"
Yang Kai gave a slight nod and, in front of everyone, slipped the ring onto his finger. He said leisurely, "I originally intended to return this ring to you when I came out. But... there's been a slight change of plans. Before I reach the Holy Emperor Realm, I'll keep the ring on me for now. I'll naturally return it when the time comes."
Yang Kai figured that once he reached the Holy Emperor Realm, he should be able to sever the connection with this ring and erase his own soul imprint from it.
"No problem, no problem! This Spirit Ring belongs to you anyway. Wear it for as long as you like," Xu Hui beamed. The other elders and protectors also nodded, voicing their agreement.
"However... with the Holy Master's Spirit Ring back, things will be much easier." Xu Hui seemed to let out a sigh of relief. "Little Brother, I really do have to ask for your help with a few things."
"Please, Grand Elder, just say it," Yang Kai said with a serious expression.
"Many disciples have sustained injuries. We're currently short on medicinal pills and herbs for treatment. Would Little Brother please accompany me to the vault? We can retrieve some supplies from there."
"Lead the way."
Xu Hui quickly agreed, gave some brief instructions to the other protectors and elders, and then led Yang Kai off in a certain direction.
Only after they had departed did the protectors and elders reveal expressions of utter astonishment.
"He really did come out of the Holy Mausoleum! That was nine months! How did he manage it?" Shi Kun kept shaking his head, completely unable to comprehend it.
"Doesn't this break the record in the annals? I remember the Holy Master who took the longest only needed two months."
"It took him so long to pass the trial... Is this Holy Master not that impressive after all? Did we overestimate him?"
"What does it matter now? The most critical thing is that the Holy Master's Spirit Ring has been retrieved. This way, the formations and barriers of the Nine Peaks can be reactivated, and we can stop 'their' invasion."
Everyone chattered at once. Only Yu Ying stood apart, a complex emotion flickering in her beautiful eyes.
She still couldn't figure out how Yang Kai had just now deceived her senses and appeared beside her without a sound. Even with the help of the Nine Heavens Divine Art, without sufficient strength in one's Divine Sense, such a feat was impossible.
Had she underestimated him, or overestimated him?
"Yu Ying, what's wrong?" Cheng Yuetong, noticing her distraction, came over to ask.
"It's nothing. I just feel that this future Holy Master is quite different from everyone else."
"How so?" Cheng Yuetong's interest was piqued.
"I can't explain it." Yu Ying shook her head slowly. Suddenly, she turned to the side and called out sharply, "What are you all staring at? Don't you have work to do?"
The disciples gathered nearby snapped out of their daze and quickly scattered, resuming their tasks.
However, the news of the new Holy Master emerging from seclusion and successfully passing the Holy Mausoleum's trial spread like wildfire. Every disciple of the Holy Land who learned of it was exhilarated, feeling that hope had returned to their home.
Before the underground vault, Yang Kai and Xu Hui came to a stop.
With his Divine Sense, Yang Kai sensed that the vault was constructed from some unknown material. Even his formidable perception couldn't penetrate it in the slightest; he couldn't discern the situation inside at all. Moreover, judging by the texture of the surrounding material, it was incredibly hard and solid as gold and rock.
On the way over, Xu Hui had briefly explained the situation.
Any surplus resources gathered by the Holy Land were usually sent to this vault for storage. Over the long years, the contents of the vault had become countless.