As Nie Yong followed Yang Kai down the treacherous path, his mind raced with confusion and suspicion. The deeper they descended, the more the oppressive atmosphere seemed to weigh down. How the hell is Yang Kai able to endure such pressure? Wasn't he just at the Third Tempered Body Stage?
Nie Yong couldn't help but feel a surge of disbelief. This guy…
Did he perhaps find another opportunity? Some hidden treasure or secret technique? This guy's luck really is out of this world!
Half an hour of relentless descending passed, and finally, they reached the bottom. The chasm around them had become darker, the air thick with the scent of ancient earth and the lingering traces of Yang Qi. Nie Yong stayed a bit higher, ensuring he wouldn't be sensed by Yang Kai, but his eyes were locked on him.
Yang Kai, unaware of his presence, stopped in the center of an old stone platform, his figure casting a long shadow in the dim light. With a calmness that seemed out of place for someone his age, Yang Kai clasped his hands together in front of him and bowed low, his voice reverberating in the silence.
"Master Bai, the disciple Yang Kai has come to receive your teaching once more."
Nie Yong's eyes widened at the sound of the name. Master Bai? The words echoed in his mind like a distant warning bell.
Does he mean Yang Bai? Nie Yong's heart skipped a beat. But... how? How did Yang Kai get involved with him this early?
His mind raced as he tried to piece everything together. And... disciple? Has he really become Yang Bai's disciple? A chill ran down his spine. If Yang Kai was really his disciple, that meant one thing—he had fallen into the Demonic Path.
Nie Yong's grip tightened around the rocks beneath him. No way. This can't be happening. Yang Kai becoming a villain? That sure is a problem!
As Nie Yong stayed hidden above, trying to make sense of the bizarre situation unfolding before him, something unexpected happened. A sudden pulse of Yin Qi appeared out of nowhere, coalescing in front of Yang Kai. It formed into a thick, swirling mass of dark energy that vibrated with an eerie power. The swirling Qi seemed to distort the very air around it, as though reality itself was being warped by its presence.
A voice, heavy with distortion and an unnatural echo, resonated from the agglomerate of Yin Qi. It sounded both ancient and unearthly, like something not entirely human.
"My disciple, how is the mastership of the technique I gave you going?" the voice asked.
Yang Kai, not even flinching, bowed his head once more, his posture showing complete reverence. "Master, it's going well. I've almost mastered it completely!"
The distorted voice let out a sound that was half disbelief, half amusement. "You've almost mastered the Yin Blade completely?!" It said, the voice growing incredulous. The Yin Blade is a complicated technique. It requires one to understand the very essence of Qi Form and Yin Qi Transformation. It took me an entire year to develop this technique, and yet… this kid has almost mastered it in a couple of days?
"Well, yeah, I mean..." The voice softened slightly, not obviously wanting to praise Yang Kai too much. "It's alright. When I was your age, I created that technique in a single week. So, naturally, it's simple to learn. Cough...Cough..."
Yang Kai grinned, clearly enjoying the banter. "Thanks, master!"
From his hidden position, Nie Yong's brow furrowed in confusion and disbelief. So Yang Kai really is Yang Bai's disciple, huh? He thought, still trying to process the situation.
But before he could digest the full scope of what was happening, a shiver ran down his spine. He suddenly felt a surge of Yin Qi closing in on him, thick and suffocating. His heart pounded in his chest, his instincts screaming. Had he been found?
"Why don't you show me what you have got in a real fight, my disciple?" The distorted voice asked suddenly, its tone shifting into something far more serious.
Yang Kai hesitated for a moment, his brow furrowing. "Yeah, master, but... who should I fight? In your conditions, you can't even leave that seal for now, so…"
"Don't worry," the voice interrupted, a sinister chuckle reverberating through the air. "I think the one watching us would be more than enough for a spar. His cultivation isn't higher than yours."
Nie Yong stiffened. No, wait. Maybe he's bluffing? He can't have actually— More Yin Qi surged toward him, cold and undeniable. Fuck. I've been found!
How did he sense me?! He thought in panic, barely able to contain his shock and fear. His body was frozen in place, unable to move. Fuck! Am I stupid? He's a fucking Trascendent Stage cultivator, of course he sensed me!
"You!" The distorted voice turned toward Nie Yong. "Come out. Use your puny life to make my disciple play a little."
Nie Yong's heart raced. He had no choice but to face what was coming.
"Huh? Someone else is here?" Yang Kai was startled. Had someone really come down here?
"Yeah, it's me! Remember me, Yang Kai?" Nie Yong called out, his voice carrying a cocky tone as, unable to hide any longer, he leapt from his concealed position, landing in front of Yang Kai.
Yang Kai's brow furrowed in confusion as he looked at the newcomer. He squinted his eyes, trying to place the face, but the more he thought about it, the more unclear it became.
"You?" Yang Kai said, clearly not recognizing him. He took a cautious step forward, his gaze scrutinizing Nie Yong. "Who are you?"
The shock hit Nie Yong like a punch to the gut. What? He doesn't recognize me?
Is Yang Kai being serious? I've literally attacked him in his own house!
To be continued...
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Liked this chapter? I hope so.
Also, I didn't remember working out being so easy at the start. Is it maybe my muscle memory from when I used to work out once waking up?
Also, would you still like to have Kushina Uzumaki as He Yue's master? If yes, I'll keep her appearance but I'll change her name into something that's more like this world's setting, if not, I'll just change He Yue's master appearance.
Hope y'all a happy day!