A pair of eyes were fixed intently on Yang Kai's prone form, the silent gaze belonging to a man roughly the same age as the young warrior. Long Hui—Long Zai Tian's grandson—had been observing every detail of the earlier confrontation. His eyes burned cold with discontent as he murmured, almost to himself, "Grandpa, why didn't you kill him back then?"
Long Zai Tian's response was laced with icy amusement. "With Mei Er's protection, how do you expect me to kill him?" he replied coolly, dismissing the thought as if it were nothing more than idle chatter.
Long Hui's voice trembled with both anger and jealousy as he continued, "All the more reason to kill him. I have never seen little sister Hu Mei Er devote so much effort for any man, and that youngster's relationship with her isn't shallow. To let him live will only bring trouble."
The elder's eyes narrowed for a moment as he acknowledged Long Hui's concerns. "We have not seen Mei Er defend someone so fiercely before. And for him to dare stand up to me—it is indeed unusual." His tone conveyed both admiration for her resolve and exasperation at Yang Kai's insolence.
Long Hui's jealousy festered openly now. "Now that Mei Er has entered the mine, why don't you attack again, Grandpa? Let's finish this matter once and for all."
A bitter laugh escaped Long Zai Tian as he regarded his grandson with a mix of disdain and paternal caution. "There is no problem with me striking him again—killing him would be no great feat. But if his death incites Mei Er to bear a deep-seated resentment towards you, would that truly be worth the price?"
Long Hui's expression fell momentarily into silence before he shook his head. "It might not be worth it, but are we really going to let him continue his reckless relationship with Hu Mei Er? I cannot stand it," he seethed, every word dripping with venom.
"Learn from your older brother," Long Zai Tian chided sharply, "and see how he handles matters of the heart. If you desire Mei Er, you must use more than brute force. I can help you eliminate a foe, but I cannot win a woman's heart for you. Remember, Hu Man has no sons—only Jiao Er and Mei Er. Should you and your older brother secure both, our Long family would one day stand as the undisputed masters of the Blood Group. We have toiled for decades to elevate our standing, and we deserve the authority of the sect head."
The elder's words struck a chord in Long Hui. His eyes gleamed with fervor as he nodded, "It is time for our Long family to ascend. Relax, Grandpa—Mei Er will not escape, and on big brother's side, Hu Jiao Er will be won over soon enough."
"Seeing such resolve is heartening," Long Zai Tian replied, a rare smile curving his lips.
But Long Hui's thoughts were far from settled. His gaze remained fixed on the distant figure of Yang Kai. "Grandpa, that person…" he began, his voice low with malice.
Long Zai Tian cut him off brusquely, "You go find the opportunity yourself. His strength isn't high, so you should be able to handle him."
"Yes!" Long Hui laughed in a sinister tone, his mind already racing with plans. Though he knew nothing could be done immediately—but Yang Kai, as a High Heaven disciple, could not stray far—his resolve to act simmered beneath the surface.
Within the labyrinthine corridors of the Blood Group's mining site, plots were being woven in whispers. Long Hui's jealous ambition and the elder's calculated scheming set the stage for a future confrontation that would test loyalties and unleash long-held grudges.
Meanwhile, as the echo of Long Zai Tian's departing footsteps faded into the distance, the air grew thick with tension. Yang Kai, still reeling from the earlier assault yet clinging to life through his unique boon, lay unaware of the deadly intrigue forming around him.
.....................................................
Next to Coiling Dragon Stream, Yang Kai concentrated on his training.
Ever since the day he had left the Blood Group mine, Yang Kai had been cultivating non-stop day and night at the Coiling Dragon Stream; even forgetting to eat. Long Zai Tian's capricious attacks had motivated him to become stronger. With regards to that event he wanted to extract revenge with his own two hands.
After ten days of training, he had reached the peak of the tempered body ninth stage and was on the brink of breaking through
He knew that a realm breakthrough required an opportunity, and wasn't easy like breaking through the various sub-stages. Even if he has enough World Qi, he must have a chance encounter and understand what needs to be understood.
Another night came, under the starry sky, next to Coiling Dragon Stream, Yang Kai sank into an anxious type of mood. All of his World Qi seemed to become chaotic and on his face, an extremely painful expression appeared.
Not too far away, Xia Ning Chang who was watching Yang Kai couldn't help but cry out. Though they were quite a distance apart, she could still sense the unusual World Qi fluctuations; within those World Qi fluctuations, there was a cold and evil Qi.
How could it be like this? This was a clear sign of walking into the dark practises. He was only breaking into the initial element stage from the tempered body ninth stage, so how could there be a chance of accidentally walking into the dark practises?
Saying it badly, a martial practitioner like Yang Kai with such a low level of cultivation didn't even have the qualifications for dark practises. Only when he was at a higher stage, would he have a chance to start to cultivate in that direction.
But this situation was actually occurring to Kai Yang.
Xia Ning Chang's pretty eyebrows furrowed together in confusion.
The reason why she was there was because she had searched for Yang Kai . She had watched over Yang Kai for more than two years, so it had become a habit. These recent few days, with the sudden disappearance of Yang Kai , had left her a bit lonely and everything she did, wasn't interesting. Searching for him, she had found him next to Coiling Dragon Stream and the big stone in her heart had been lifted.
After arriving, Xia Ning Chang knew that Yang Kai was about to breakthrough. After waiting for a day, Yang Kai had unexpectedly not, and now this strange thing had arisen, so how could she not be in doubt.
Just as Xia Ning Chang was feeling anxious inside, a pure and blistering hot energy burst from within Yang Kai . With that blistering hot energy's appearance, the demonic traces of energy were gradually being burnt away and Yang Kai 's World Qi fluctuations immediately became steady.
"True Yang Energy!" Xia Ning Chang's small mouth gaped open and her charming face displayed her amazement. Nearly crying out, "How could it be so pure!"
That pure and blistering hot energy, was clearly Yang type energy. Many High heaven disciples cultivate fire or Yang type martial skills and possessed this type of fiery World Qi. But no matter which disciples World Qi was compared with Yang Kai 's, it wouldn't be as pure as his.
This blistering hot energy wasn't very dense, because Yang Kai's strength wasn't very high. But it was abnormally clean, without the tiniest bit of impurity; like a water source that hadn't been contaminated by the outside world.
Before she could recover herself, Xia Ning Chang saw that the demonic energy which was being suppressed by that blistering energy was also being replaced by it while it scattered inside Yang Kai .
After a short while, another burst true Yang qi came out from Yang Kai and suppressed the remaining dark energy, restoring Yang Kai .
This repeated a few times, leaving Xia Ning Chang dumbstruck! She had never seen or heard of such a bizarre occurrence when a martial practitioner broke through into the initial element stage.
In other words, although breaking through to the initial element stage one would suffer some restrictions, because the stage was still fairly low so were the restrictions. As long as one used some effort they could break through, but this was not the case for Yang Kai. She could clearly see that the restrictions he suffered were far greater than anyone else's, and were in fact comparable to those she suffered when she was breaking into the higher stages.
Yang Kai was currently suffering bitterly, but just then he had pried into the next stage a little bit. He already had a foot into the initial element stage, but at that moment from within his bones came out a evil energy causing him to lose his concentration. Fortunately his Yang World Qi allowed him to clear his mind.
Currently inside his body, the two energies were fighting a ferocious battle with one being the Yang energy that he cultivated and other one being the evil energy that came from his bones. Each side struggled endlessly, treating his body like their battlefield. The evil energy occupied the upper part of his body, making his mind a bit muddled and elicited bloodthirsty emotions from within his mind. He wanted to go find a person to kill.
This was similar to when he was injured by others during a battle, while also being different. Although when he was injured he felt bloodthirsty during battle, his mind was still clear.
While his Yang World Qi occupied the lower part of his body, leaving his body extremely clear and free.
Circling around without end, leaving one unable to determine a clear winner and loser.
Yang Kai felt most uncomfortable.
Xia Ning Chang dashed around High heaven wearing her tight, black clothes displaying her wonderful figure. A slender waist, with long slim legs that made people lose themselves in their fantasies. With an uneasy feeling and a black veil covering her face, she rushed over to Yang Kai .
She had watched from her position for quite a long time, and felt really concerned for Yang Kai. Thinking it over numerous times, she still decided to go over and help him. Usually, when someone was breaking through, they could not be disturbed, but Xia Ning Chang could clearly feel the chaotic battle occurring inside Kai Yang! It was like a bloodthirst for battle type of baptism.
Only a battle could help relieve him, only that could help him escape from that endless cycle.
That's why Xia Ning Chang returned to her residence to change her clothes before going to him, otherwise he might be able to recognise her. Afterall, they had met face to face before.
Returning back hurriedly, Yang Kai was still suffering and his movements seemed to be bigger than before.
Without the slightest bit of hesitation, Xia Ning Chang directly pounced onto Yang Kai. Murderous intent shone in her charming eyes, her hand attacked.