After a full day and night of work, everything had been arranged properly.
Several thousand disciples from the Holy Land poured into the Holy Tomb, filling that eerie, yin-soaked minor world with vibrant life.
Though the number of people was considerable, the Holy Tomb had more than enough room to accommodate them all.
Xu Hui and the others had also been proactive, stockpiling plenty of daily supplies well in advance — enough for the Holy Land disciples to live inside for a very long time.
Yang Kai had told them to put everything aside for now and devote themselves to cultivating in this place. When the time came, he would naturally release them again.
Xu Hui and the others agreed readily.
After leaving the Holy Tomb, Yang Kai sat alone atop one of the Nine Peaks, gazing down at the vast legacy that had endured for countless years. His heart was calm.
At this moment, the Nine Heavens Holy Land was utterly silent. Apart from him, not a single soul was in sight.
He settled his mind, silently circulated his cultivation technique, and waited.
He didn't know how much time had passed when Yang Kai's eyes suddenly snapped open. He fixed his gaze in a particular direction, a grin spreading across his face — silent and enigmatic.
Zhang Ao's people had come again. They were cursing and swearing before the barrier, bombarding it relentlessly. Deafening booms echoed between the nine peaks, ear-piercingly harsh.
Yang Kai's figure flickered, and when he reappeared, he was standing not far in front of Zhang Ao and his companions.
Zhang Ao's eyes narrowed as he barked, "Kid, you actually have the guts to come out? Today you will die without a doubt!"
Beside him, Cao Guan sneered repeatedly, "Open the barrier and come out to surrender. We might spare your life!"
Yang Kai ignored them completely. His gaze swept around, lingering for just an instant on the Pride Alliance's side before moving on. He said flatly, "Good. Since you are all determined to stand against the Holy Land, then you'd better pray for yourselves."
Quite a few people averted their gazes, their expressions wary. On the Pride Alliance's side, Yun Xuan's face was especially somber.
The night before last, she had talked with Yun Cheng at length and had relayed Yang Kai's suggestion to him. But now the Pride Alliance was past the point of no return, and Yun Cheng had no choice but to follow Zhang Ao and the others here.
Seeing this again, Yun Xuan felt a pang of guilt, as though she had let down Yang Kai's goodwill.
"Where's Xu Hui? Why is it only you, a greenhorn kid?" Zhang Ao keenly sensed something was off. The Nine Heavens Holy Land was far too quiet today — not only were there no signs of anyone moving about inside, but the only person who had come out to face them was this new Sect Leader. Xu Hui and the others hadn't shown themselves at all.
"Dealing with you lot doesn't require the Grand Elder to lift a finger!" Yang Kai scoffed.
"Arrogant! Once I capture you, let's see if you can still be so cocky." Zhang Ao was thoroughly provoked. He waved his hand and shouted, "Everyone, hold nothing back! I'll keep this kid busy — you all work together to break this damned barrier. Once we're in, the riches of the Nine Peaks will be ours to share!"
At his words, many warriors who had been wavering suddenly had greed blazing in their eyes.
The Nine Heavens Holy Land was enormously rich in resources. Who knew how many rare treasures, miraculous pills, and profound cultivation techniques were stored within? Even obtaining a tiny fraction would be an incredible boon.
Men die for wealth; birds die for food. With Zhang Ao dangled such a temptation, it naturally ignited the fighting spirit of many.
In an instant, under the lead of Cao Guan and Wu Jie, over a dozen Saint Realm powerhouses struck the barrier simultaneously with devastating force. Zhang Ao, true to his word, summoned his artifact and broke through the barrier's suppression, hurtling toward Yang Kai. He clearly intended to keep Yang Kai occupied.
Yang Kai chuckled. He had no intention of engaging Zhang Ao at all. His figure drifted backward elegantly, evading the attack. He merely watched with a cool, detached expression, not even bothering to stop them from hammering on the barrier.
A jolt of unease shot through Zhang Ao's heart. A bad premonition crept over him, and his eyes locked onto Yang Kai, desperate to figure out what the kid was plotting.
Sssswhoosh...
Sssswhoosh...
Piercing sounds of objects tearing through the air rang out one after another. Countless attacks rained down upon the barrier in a devastating barrage. To everyone's surprise, today the Nine Heavens Holy Land's barrier crumpled like paper, utterly unable to withstand the assault.
With so many powerhouses striking together, it took less than thirty breaths before the barrier enveloping the nine peaks shattered with a thunderous crash, leaving the path ahead wide open.
Everyone froze, as if they hadn't expected things to go so smoothly.
After a moment of stunned silence, Zhang Ao's face lit up with elation. He roared, "Kid, let's see where you run now!"
As he spoke, he and the dozen-plus Saint Realm powerhouses surged into the Nine Peaks and surrounded Yang Kai.
Right behind them, the various factions that had gathered here poured in as well, rushing in for fear that if they were too slow, the spoils would be snatched away by others.
Yun Cheng, the leader of the Pride Alliance, let his expression shift as he released his Divine Sense to carefully probe the interior of the Nine Peaks. A moment later, his expression stirred slightly, and he took a step forward.
Before he could get far, he felt someone tugging at his clothes. Glancing back, he found Yun Xuan gazing up at him with a look of pleading.