In the forest, Ruan Xinyu fumed indignantly as she retraced her steps. "You fool! Since you saw him again, why did you leave on your own?"
"As long as he's safe, that's all that matters. What more could I want?" Yun Xuan smiled softly.
"Is that really okay?" Ruan Xinyu felt a sour taste in her heart.
"It's perfectly fine." Yun Xuan's expression was relaxed and serene. "He's beyond my reach now. Even if I forced myself to stay by his side, what good would it do? I'd only hold him back. It's better to leave now, so we can both hold on to a beautiful memory of each other. That's more than enough."
"Won't you regret it later?" Ruan Xinyu pressed relentlessly.
"There's nothing to regret."
"Forget it, it's your business anyway. Just don't come crying to me later, saying you missed your chance today."
"I won't!" Yun Xuan's expression turned wistful as she glanced back. A misty shimmer welled up in her beautiful eyes. In her heart, she knew better than anyone that in that man's mind, she was probably nothing more than a passing traveler. If that weren't the case, he would have chased after her.
……
After Yang Kai returned to the Nine Heavens Holy Land, he immediately summoned Xu Hui and the others. Upon hearing the call, the various Elders and Guardians came hurrying over.
"Holy Master, as per your instructions, all the Disciples are prepared and ready to depart at any moment!" Xu Hui clasped his fists and reported.
Yang Kai nodded. "Follow me!"
No one knew what he intended to do, but they didn't ask, simply following behind Yang Kai.
Weaving through the Nine Peaks, it wasn't long before they arrived before an enormous slab of blue-green stone, upon whose surface two characters were carved in bold, sweeping strokes — "Sacred Mausoleum."
The Sacred Mausoleum was the final resting place of every Holy Master of the Nine Heavens Holy Land throughout the ages, where the remains of countless revered predecessors lay entombed. Upon arriving here, the expressions of the Guardian Elders turned solemn.
"You've all been wondering where the place to shelter several thousand Disciples is — why aren't you asking anymore?" Yang Kai stood before the great stone, chuckling as he looked at the group.
Their expressions sharpened. They understood immediately.
Xu Hui was stunned. "Holy Master, the place you're talking about — it can't possibly be..."
"Where else do you think I could put you?" Yang Kai gave a slight nod. "The Sacred Mausoleum is the best place there is."
"Absolutely not!" Xu Hui's face turned pale. "This is the resting place of every Holy Master throughout the ages! How can we enter and disturb their slumber?"
"When a person dies, their light goes out — there's nothing off-limits about it." Yang Kai shook his head.
"The Holy Land has its rules! Apart from the Holy Master and the Holy Maiden, no one else is permitted to enter the Sacred Mausoleum!"
"Rules are rigid, but people are adaptable, Grand Elder." Yang Kai urged patiently.
"That may be so, but... no, absolutely not. If we were to enter the Sacred Mausoleum, wouldn't we be trampling the rules set by our ancestors? How could we ever command the respect of the Disciples again?"
"You stubborn old fool..." Yang Kai laughed in exasperation, then turned his gaze to the other Elders and Protectors. "What do you all think?"
Shi Kun wore a pained expression and quickly looked away.
Meng Tianfei and Luo Sheng showed no intention of voicing their opinions either.
Cheng Yuetong parted her thin lips as if to say something, but nothing came out.
"A bunch of useless people!" Yu Ying snorted coldly, then spoke solemnly. "Sacred Master, although the Grand Elder is admittedly rather rigid and stubborn, on this matter I believe the Grand Elder is right."
"You think so too?" Yang Kai stared at the beautiful woman in astonishment.
Yu Ying nodded with a serious expression.
Yang Kai rubbed his forehead and turned his gaze to the last person. "An Ling'er..."
"Don't ask me — I'm just a little girl who doesn't understand anything." An Ling'er hurriedly distanced herself.
Yang Kai gritted his teeth as he stared at her. He had been counting on her to take his side, but he never expected that at the critical moment, this girl would ignore him too.
"It's truly out of the question?" Yang Kai turned to Xu Hui again, his voice low.
"Anything else can be discussed. If the Sacred Master gives the order, even if it costs this old man his life, he would hand it over without hesitation. But this matter..." Xu Hui spoke with a resounding voice, his face bearing the expression of a loyal subject risking death to offer earnest counsel, as though Yang Kai were some incompetent and depraved ruler.
"Fine!" Before he could finish, Yang Kai cut him off. "Then may the heavens have mercy on you. In no more than two or three days, Zhang Ao and his people will break through. The Great Sovereign of the Monster Race will also charge in with the Monster Race's powerhouses. When that time comes, we'll see how any of you manage to survive. Farewell."
With that, he turned to leave.
Xu Hui moved with startling speed, grabbing hold of Yang Kai's robes and clutching them with an iron grip, refusing to let go. He asked in alarm, "Sacred Master, where are you going?"
"While you lot sit here waiting for death, I still have a bright future ahead of me, so I won't be keeping you company. Naturally, I'm leaving." Yang Kai spoke as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"But if you leave, what will become of the Sacred Land?" Xu Hui suddenly grew flustered.