"The ones involved are from the Blood War Gang and the Wind and Rain Tower," Yang Kai said solemnly, giving a rough account of the events that transpired that night. Of course, he downplayed the part where he single-handedly took down nine opponents, as it seemed too unbelievable. Old Man Meng might not have believed him if he mentioned it, so it was better left unsaid.
Meng Wuya's face darkened as he listened, anger boiling within.
It took Yang Kai quite some time to finish his story.
Meng Wuya nodded slightly and said, "So, you're the one to blame, but the mastermind is that Long Hui, correct?"
"Yes. This time, I've implicated Senior Sister," Yang Kai admitted.
"Although you're the cause, it's not entirely your fault. Ning Chang wasn't hurt, so don't worry too much," Meng Wuya reassured him, before coldly chuckling, "Blood War Gang, Long Zaitian... I'll remember this!"
Seeing the dangerous glint in Meng Wuya's eyes, Yang Kai knew that Long Zaitian was in serious trouble.
Yang Kai couldn't understand Meng Wuya's background or strength, but he had always felt that this man was extraordinary. If Meng Wuya really sought trouble with Long Zaitian, it would be a situation that Yang Kai would be happy to see. However, it didn't quite feel satisfying.
Yang Kai had always believed that revenge must be taken personally to feel fulfilling. If Long Zaitian died by Meng Wuya's hand, he wouldn't be able to avenge the grudge from that day himself.
But he wouldn't try to stop Meng Wuya. The old man seemed genuinely infuriated this time, and it wouldn't sit right if he didn't vent his anger.
Two days passed at the inn before Xia Ning Chang finally emerged from her retreat. As expected, she had advanced to the True Element Boundary. After some indirect probing, Yang Kai learned that Nine Yin Congealing Dew didn't need to be fully refined to take effect.
In theory, a single drop of Nine Yin Congealing Dew could be used by three or four people, as it was merely a catalyst, transforming a martial artist's energy into True Element.
However, the dew was a unique substance. If not refined within an hour of being collected, it would dissipate, so typically, whoever obtained it would use it alone.
Realizing this, Yang Kai felt relieved. It seemed that his inadvertent absorption of half the dew hadn't affected Xia Ning Chang.
Moreover, the half-drop of the heavenly treasure still remained stored in his Golden Body, showing no signs of disappearing as Xia Ning Chang had warned.
With his injuries healed and Xia Ning Chang having ascended, the three of them decided it was time to head back to the High Heaven Pavilion.
Yang Kai was carried back by Manager Meng, buffeted by the wind until he was dizzy and lightheaded.
Upon returning to the High Heaven Pavilion, Yang Kai bid farewell to Meng and his disciple, returning to his small wooden house.
He hadn't been home for nearly twenty days, but the house was still as clean as ever. It seemed that during his absence, Li Yuntian and his friends had been helping him take care of it.
In the days that followed, Yang Kai returned to his usual calm routine of training and stabilizing his current cultivation level.
However, in his spare moments, the image of his petite, sweet-natured Senior Sister would occasionally flash before his eyes. After all, she was the first woman he had ever kissed, and the memory of that soft and sweet sensation still lingered fondly in his mind.
But since their return, Xia Ning Chang had not shown up once.
It seemed as though she had forgotten the agreement they made.
That night in the mountain crevice, Yang Kai had told her before they parted that if he survived, she would have to grant him a request.
At the time, it was merely something to hold onto, with no real depth to it.
Though he felt a bit downhearted, Yang Kai didn't dwell on it.
That kiss had merely been a necessity to tame the Nine Yin Congealing Dew. While they had both been swept up in the moment, it didn't necessarily mean anything. They were young, and emotions could easily flare under such circumstances.
Yang Kai wasn't the type to feel inferior because of their difference in strength. Power was something that could be achieved through diligent cultivation, and he believed that one day, he would surpass this Senior Sister, surpass any peer.
Because with the Golden Body, he possessed infinite potential.
Romance wasn't something Yang Kai needed to consider at this stage. If something belonged to him, it would be his in due time. If not, no amount of effort could change that. He would let things take their natural course.
If Xia Ning Chang truly had feelings for him, then his current level of strength wouldn't matter. If she distanced herself because of it, Yang Kai wouldn't mind. After all, if someone didn't think highly of him, how could he fault them for having higher standards?
Yet, with her innocent and sincere nature, Yang Kai didn't think Xia Ning Chang was that shallow.
And in this, he was right. After returning to the High Heaven Pavilion, Xia Ning Chang felt too embarrassed to face him. Reflecting on that night's passion, she couldn't help but feel ashamed. Even though she wore a veil, she didn't have the face to see Yang Kai again.
Moreover, as soon as they returned, Meng Wuya had her enter closed-door cultivation again, ostensibly to consolidate her newly advanced realm, though in truth, it was to keep her away from Yang Kai.
Otherwise, given her personality, she would have at least checked on Yang Kai's recovery.
After two days of training, Yang Kai wasn't quite satisfied with his progress.
Absorbing Yang energy by the Coiling Dragon Stream was too slow for forming Yang Liquid. It couldn't compare to directly consuming spirit fruits or absorbing Yang Flame Stones.
With the amount of Yang Liquid in his dantian running low, Yang Kai knew he had to replenish it quickly. If he encountered another battle like that night, he feared he'd find himself in an awkward position, unable to unleash his full strength.
After some thought, Yang Kai decided to head to Black Wind Trade Market again, partly to buy materials to condense Yang Liquid and partly to acquire the Three-Leaf Residual Soul Flower and Withered Wood Grass that he needed. The incense burner had gone unused for too long.
As for silver, Yang Kai wasn't lacking anymore. He was no longer the pauper he used to be.
All the silver came from looting the Blood War Gang members. It had been too dark to count at the time, but after returning and taking stock, he realized they had been quite wealthy.
From just a few men, he had collected nearly twenty thousand taels of silver.
That much silver could buy forty Yang Flame Stones, more than enough to make up for the losses from that night, with a surplus.
A few hours after Yang Kai set off for the Black Wind Trade Market, Meng Wuya also departed, brimming with killing intent.
His target: the Blood War Gang!
Though the Blood War Gang was one of the three major powers in the region, Meng Wuya had no reason to fear them. His disciple had almost been killed, her purity nearly sullied. Such a debt could not go unaccounted for.
The death of Long Hui was insignificant! Didn't he still have a grandfather? The apple doesn't fall far from the tree. If the elders didn't protect him, how could someone like Long Hui be so arrogant and overbearing?
To Meng Wuya, Long Zaitian was far more detestable than Long Hui. He deserved to die even more!
The High Heaven Pavilion wasn't far from the Blood War Gang, and with Meng Wuya's speed, it took only moments for him to reach their headquarters.
At that moment, the leaders of the Blood War Gang were gathered, discussing important matters.
In the council hall, the gang leader, Hu Man, sat at the head. He was a massive man with a bear-like frame and a face full of fierce, brutish features—not someone to be trifled with.
Seated below him were the Blood War Gang's hall masters and branch leaders, all of them wearing solemn expressions as they reported on the gang's affairs, including their income and expenditures over the past month.
Hu Man waved them off impatiently, saying, "Enough of these trivial matters. How goes the progress on breaking the restriction in the mine area?"
A young man in his late twenties stood up and respectfully answered, "Gang leader, my grandfather has made some headway. However, the gang's experts are too few. Although the restriction is ancient, it's not something that can be easily undone. My grandfather has asked me to pass on a message to Long Jun, assuring him that he's doing his best to break the restriction as quickly as possible."
This young man was Long Zaitian's eldest grandson, Long Jun, and he had already reached the second level of the True Element Boundary. Though his talent couldn't compare to the true prodigies, he wasn't lacking either.
Due to the Dragon family's high status within the Blood War Gang, even though Long Jun was only at the second level of the True Element Boundary, he still held a prominent position as a hall master.
Hu Man nodded slightly. "Good. Long Jun, if you have time, please visit the mine area and pass on my regards to your grandfather. Tell him to keep up the good work!"
"Yes, gang leader."
"I wonder what secrets lie hidden beneath that restriction, buried dozens of feet underground," one of the hall masters mused.
"We owe it all to Miss Mei'er's keen insight. If it weren't for her, we wouldn't have known about the mysterie...