Master-Aunt Feiyu was the same as ever — running her mouth without a filter, saying whatever came to mind, her teasing making Yang Kai's face flush red and his blood boil. She doubled over laughing beside him, flowers swaying on the branch.
Cang Yan and the others quickly arrived as well. They met with Yang Kai, asked about the situation with his group of demon folk, and urged him to be extremely careful, not to be deceived by them, and so on.
Feeling the concern of his senior masters, Yang Kai's heart warmed, and he agreed readily.
From Cang Yan and the others, Yang Kai also learned that a number of powerful experts had come to the Heavenly Crest Sect some time ago, asking about Chu Lingxiao's group of demon folk. Some of the more indignant ones had even requested that Chu Lingxiao personally kill Yang Kai for colluding with the demon folk — to cleanse the sect of its shame.
Chu Lingxiao couldn't be bothered with any of them. He had simply se himself in seclusion inside his private chamber, refusing to see anyone.
Those people had no choice. After lingering at the Heavenly Crest Sect for a while, they all left in frustration.
However, as word of the Nine Heavens Holy Land spread, no one had come to the Heavenly Crest Sect lately. They didn't want to offend the Nine Heavens Holy Land either — otherwise they might lose the chance to have that great master refine pills for them.
After that, Yang Kai paid another visit to his ancestor Chu Lingxiao and chatted with him for a while.
Upon learning that Li Rong and the others were now behaving themselves and staying peacefully among the Nine Peaks, Chu Lingxiao was more than satisfied. Still, he had quite a few words of caution for Yang Kai, much the same as what the senior masters had told him.
Yang Kai stayed at the Heavenly Crest Sect for three days, relieving the fatigue that had accumulated over so long a period of pill refining and cultivation. Then, body and mind refreshed, he set off on the journey back.
For close to a year, Yang Kai had been honing his alchemy without pause — constantly refining pills for others, gaining insights from the process, and using those insights to supplement his own cultivation. There hadn't been a single day of rest.
After this chance to rest for a few days, Yang Kai suddenly felt that his cultivation had jumped forward another notch.
He understood immediately that this was the result of proper relaxation after sustained effort. The accumulation and settling over the past year had, in these few days, transformed into visible results — becoming nourishment for his growth.
Less than a day later, Yang Kai returned to the Nine Heavens Holy Land.
He had barely entered the Nine Peaks when Li Rong's divine sense reached him: "Master, that demon race woman is requesting an audience!"
"Demon race woman?" Yang Kai halted in midair, frowning as he thought for a moment. He sent a reply: "Caidie?"
"Yes, that's her!"
"What's she here for?" Yang Kai couldn't quite figure it out.
"She didn't say. Master, if you don't wish to see her, I'll send her away right now," Li Rong replied promptly.
"No need. I'll be there shortly."
Moments later, Yang Kai appeared on the peak where the Ancient Demon Clan resided.
Strolling into the largest palace, Yang Kai's gaze immediately fell upon Caidie, seated calmly with her seven-colored butterfly wings folded behind her. Her expression was cold and still, unmoving like a statue, wearing a look that suggested someone owed her money.
Commanders Yin Ya and Xue Ji glanced at her from time to time, each feeling an immense pressure radiating from her.
This icy, mountain-like demon race powerhouse might have been stunningly beautiful, and those seven-colored wings on her back added a breathtaking allure, but Yin Ya and Xue Ji both knew that with their abilities, they had no way of conquering this iceberg.
Getting close to her would only freeze one's body and soul.
Upon Yang Kai's arrival, Caidie's beautiful eyes finally moved, fixing upon him.
Li Rong hurried over to Yang Kai and said with a bitter smile in a low voice: "She's been here for three days. She just sits there, not moving at all. We try to greet her but she ignores us — she only says she's waiting for you to return."
"Mm." Yang Kai nodded helplessly. "Sorry for the trouble."
Saying this, he walked forward with a smile and cupped his fists: "Miss Caidie."
Caidie gave a slight nod in acknowledgment, the coldness on her face undiminished. She said flatly: "I've been waiting for a long time."
Yang Kai chuckled awkwardly, thinking to himself that he hadn't been the one to make her wait. Composing his expression, he asked: "Is it the Great Sovereign who needs something from me?"
Caidie replied: "Yes. The Great Sovereign invites you to visit the Thunderwood Manor."
"Is your Transformation Pool giving you trouble again?" Yang Kai frowned. If the Great Sovereign was looking for him, that was the only reason he could think of.
"It's not the Transformation Pool… Don't ask so many questions. When we get to the Thunderwood Manor, the Great Sovereign will explain the situation to you."
Yang Kai was rendered speechless. The commanders nearby all rolled their eyes.
Caidie showed absolutely none of the courtesy one would expect of someone making a request. Her words came out as commands, delivered with an air of authority that made people deeply uncomfortable.
Han Fei's expression turned dark instantly.
Both were cold-tempered beauties, both powerhouses at the second level of the Sacred Realm, and there was an instinctive friction between them. Han Fei had long found this woman unpleasant and was practically itching for a fight — to teach this little minx a lesson and show her what proper respect toward the Master looked like.
Sensing the tension in the air, Yang Kai quickly said: "Since the Great Sovereign wants to see me, then I'll go. There must be something important. Miss Caidie, please wait a bit longer — I've just gotten back and have some matters to arrange."
Caidie gave a faint nod, saying nothing more.
"Master, I'll accompany you," Li Rong said immediately.
Yang Kai looked at her. Though he didn't believe the Great Sovereign would mean him harm, he still nodded: "Mm. Prepare yourself as well."