Today, two updates.
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"Back so soon? It's been less than three years." Cai Die frowned. "The spiritual energy here is far richer than in the Beast Sea Dense Forest. We've had spirit pills, crystal stones — we've grown enormously these past few years. Great Sovereign, I don't want to give this place up."
The Great Sovereign glanced at her with a smile. "Then what would you have me do? I made an agreement with him before — we were only watching over the Nine Heavens Sacred Ground in his stead, not occupying it. Now that he's returned, everything should naturally go back to its rightful owner. Besides, he did a great service for our demon race. Without him, the problem with the Pool of Transformation would never have been resolved."
"Isn't there any other way?"
"We could play rogue!" The Great Sovereign chuckled, seemingly joking, and waved his hand. "Go greet him."
Cai Die bowed her head in acknowledgment, then vanished with a flash.
On the outskirts of one of the Nine Peaks, Yang Kai had just arrived with Li Rong when a burly figure plummeted from the sky, slamming into the ground hard enough to make it shudder. Before anyone could get a word in, the figure bellowed, "Who dares set foot on demon race territory? If you know what's good for you, scram — or don't blame Grandpa for getting rough!"
As he spoke, he swaggered and postured with impressive ferocity, tiger eyes bulging as he glared down at Yang Kai and Li Rong. But the very next instant, this demon race powerhouse's expression shifted from shock to delight.
"Demon race territory?" Yang Kai smiled too. "Brother Kuang, that's not quite right, is it? This is my Nine Heavens Sacred Ground — when did it become your demon race's territory?"
"Yang Kai?" Kuang Shi came charging forward in a flurry even as he blustered. Li Rong tensed, but seeing that Yang Kai gave no signal, she simply watched the wild, maned figure warily without making a move.
Rushing close, Kuang Shi laughed heartily. "Ha ha, I was wondering who had the nerve to show up — turns out it's you! Why didn't you send word ahead?"
"I'm sending it now, aren't I? It's been years. Brother Kuang seems to have grown quite a bit."
"Thanks, thanks!" Kuang Shi looked thoroughly delighted. "All thanks to the crystal stones mined from your place, and the pills those alchemists refined — otherwise I wouldn't have made such progress... But compared to you, it doesn't seem like much. How are you already at the same level as me?"
The last time he'd seen Yang Kai, the latter had still been a step behind. Now they were both at the Transcendent Stage, Third Layer.
Kuang Shi had considered his own progress fast enough, but comparing himself to Yang Kai, he couldn't help feeling a twinge of envy.
"Tell me, brother — you're back so soon. Don't tell me you want this place back?" Kuang Shi asked with a pained expression.
"That's right. You've had it for two or three years — that's long enough. And you've mined quite a few crystal stones by now."
"It's only been two or three years..." Kuang Shi looked deeply unsatisfied. "Well, whatever — it's not my call anyway. You're going to see the Great Sovereign, right? He should be in the palace on the central peak. I won't keep you — Lady Cai Die posted me here to watch the gate. Heh."
"Don't bother keeping me. Someone's already come to meet me." Yang Kai chuckled, looking toward the seven-colored radiance rapidly approaching from the distance.
Moments later, Cai Die appeared before Yang Kai, wings shimmering.
She gave Yang Kai only a brief glance before turning her gaze to Li Rong.
Both at the Entering Saint Stage, Second Layer, Cai Die sensed pressure radiating from Li Rong. The feeling was utterly inexplicable, stirring an instinctive urge to measure herself against the other woman.
"Miss Cai Die!" Yang Kai cupped his fists with a smile.
Only then did Cai Die withdraw her gaze. She looked at Yang Kai. "What are you doing here?"
Yang Kai blinked in surprise, then answered with a light smile. "Naturally, I'm here to see the Great Sovereign and have him fulfill his earlier promise."
Cai Die's delicate brows drew together. She spoke in a measured voice, "If this is about the Nine Peaks... how about letting our clan use them for a few more years?"
"That won't do." Yang Kai shook his head helplessly. "My people are waiting to move in."
"Just a few years... In a few more years, we'll definitely leave!"
Yang Kai's expression darkened. "Is this the Great Sovereign's decision or yours?"
"The Great Sovereign is not a man who breaks his word. This is my idea! If you agree, I can offer you some benefits."
"And if I don't agree?"
"Then I'll make you agree!" Cai Die stared at Yang Kai with a stubborn look.
Yang Kai sighed, his patience wearing thin. "I don't have time for this! Li Rong, stop her!"
"Understood!" Li Rong answered crisply. Her slender figure blurred, and she materialized directly in front of Cai Die.
But Cai Die ignored her entirely. Her delicate hand swept forward, and seven-colored light surged toward Yang Kai. The radiance contained waves of incomprehensible power, instantly enveloping and wrapping around him, seemingly intent on binding him in place.
But the very next instant, Cai Die's beautiful eyes widened in astonishment — in that split second, she had completely lost track of Yang Kai. From within the seven-colored light came a strange fluctuation of energy, and Yang Kai had vanished like a phantom. By the time she sensed him again, his aura had already appeared on a peak more than ten li away.
Cai Die stood dazed. Before she could even begin to consider what means Yang Kai had used to escape the restraint of a fellow Entering Saint Stage, Second Layer cultivator, Li Rong's attack had already arrived. She had no choice but to steady herself and meet it head-on.
Before the great hall, Yang Kai materialized at his leisure and walked straight ahead.
Stepping inside, he found the Great Sovereign of the demon race watching him with a smile.
"Great Sovereign, it's been a while." Yang Kai greeted him as he walked forward.