Artifact Research

Sometime later, in the High Heaven Sect, Kate strolled toward the Sect's courtyard, deep in thought.

"I don't think Yang Kai has the Starship right now it's probably still under repair or something," Kate mused as she approached.

As she walked, hushed voices from the disciples reached her ears.

"Who's that?" one whispered.

"She's the Sect Master's woman," another replied.

"The Sect Master has a wife?" someone exclaimed in surprise.

Before Kate could pay them any mind, someone approached her with a friendly demeanor.

"It's good to see that Madam is alright," the woman said warmly.

"Hmm? Oh, thank you," Kate replied, her eyes scanning the familiar face. "If I'm not mistaken, your name is Wu Yi, right? You're the one who gave Yang Kai the Dragon Cave Mountain."

Wu Yi smiled awkwardly. "Madam doesn't need to thank me for that."

"But I heard you took care of Yang Kai when he was new here. It's only proper to acknowledge that," Kate said with a gentle tone.

"If Madam says so," Wu Yi replied, her awkwardness easing slightly. "Is there somewhere you wanted to go?"

"Yes, actually. I'd like to see the Starship Miss Yang Yan built," Kate said.

"Oh, it's stored at the furthest back of the Sect. Shall we head there?" Wu Yi offered.

"Then I'll follow you," Kate said as Wu Yi took to the sky, with Kate following closely behind.

After some time, the two arrived at their destination.

"Madam, here we are. This is the Origin King Grade Starship of the High Heaven Sect," Wu Yi announced proudly, gesturing toward the magnificent artifact.

"Hmm," Kate muttered, her gaze fixed on the Starship with a contemplative expression.

Wu Yi hesitated, noticing Kate's reaction. "Is there a problem, Madam?" she asked cautiously.

"No," Kate replied simply, her tone unreadable.

Before Wu Yi could press further, a figure suddenly appeared before them. Startled, Wu Yi instinctively stepped in front of Kate, her posture protective.

"WHO ARE YOU, AND HOW DID YOU GET HERE?!" Wu Yi demanded sharply.

Kate, however, seemed unfazed, a faint smirk tugging at her lips. "Heh, Yang Kai is truly a good judge of character," she thought to herself.

"Don't worry, Miss Wu Yi," Kate said calmly, placing a reassuring hand on Wu Yi's shoulder. "She's a subordinate of mine."

"I-I see," Wu Yi stammered, her face flushing with embarrassment as she relaxed her stance.

Dr. Mei appeared suddenly, kneeling before Kate and Wu Yi. "Milady," she greeted with reverence.

"This is an Origin King Starship. Study it thoroughly; it's an artifact crafted by an Emperor Master," Kate instructed.

"Yes, Milady," Dr. Mei responded obediently.

Wu Yi couldn't hide her astonishment as she stared at Dr. Mei. How did she manage to follow us and remain undetected inside the High Heaven Sect? she thought, her curiosity evident in her expression.

"Is there a problem, Miss Wu?" Dr. Mei asked, noticing Wu Yi's lingering gaze.

"Ah! No, I'm just amazed at your abilities," Wu Yi explained quickly, looking a bit flustered.

"I see. Then, Milady, Miss Wu, I shall begin my study now," Dr. Mei said, bowing slightly before turning toward the Starship.

"Go on," Kate replied casually. Then, turning to Wu Yi, she added, "Let's go."

"Where are we going, Madam?" Wu Yi asked, following after Kate. "And... should I call you Milady too?" she added hesitantly.

Kate paused, looking over her shoulder. "Can you please inform others to call me Milady? I'm not Yang Kai's wife," she said calmly, surprising Wu Yi with the unexpected clarification.

"Huh? What?" Wu Yi blurted out in surprise. "But Sect Master said—" she started to explain but was interrupted by Kate.

"Yang Kai and I are not in a relationship," Kate clarified firmly. "Since he can't even defeat me, we're on a bet once he defeats me, I'll be his. Besides, I'm not the First Lady of this house; there are already four astonishing women beside him."

"I see... If that's what Milady wants," Wu Yi said, nodding respectfully despite her lingering surprise.

"Let's go back; I want to stay at my house," Kate said.

"Then I'll follow you, Milady," Wu Yi replied respectfully.

On Serene Soul Peak.

"Several months have passed, but there's still no news about Yang Kai," Kate murmured to herself. "He's probably refining the Small Sealed World," she thought, gazing out of the window.

"I named this place Serene Soul Peak, just like the one I stayed at with Great Elder Ye," Kate mused, a hint of nostalgia crossing her mind.

"I should've gone with him when he eradicated those sects," Kate thought to herself, frustration flickering in her expression. "Now I'm bored," she added with a sigh.

Suddenly, a screen popped up before her.

"Hmm, still no open universes I can travel to," Kate noted, her tone tinged with impatience. "And there's the issue with my Qi. I can't even exert my full strength because I'm struggling to control my Saint Qi after the changes."

Assuming her cultivation position, Kate closed her eyes to center herself. "For now, let's focus on stabilizing my current prowess and purifying my blood," she resolved, her voice calm but determined.

After four years, Kate opened her eyes, only to see Yang Kai's face mere inches from hers.

"What are you doing?" Kate asked, her tone sharp with suspicion.

"I'm examining the changes in your body," Yang Kai replied confidently, his eyes twinkling with curiosity. "Look, you have a horn," he added, reaching out to touch it.

The moment his fingers brushed the horn, Kate jolted instinctively.

"Eh?" Yang Kai said, retracting his hand quickly. A mischievous grin spread across his face. "What was that?"

Before Kate could answer, the horn and the other changes on her body dissolved into violet dust and disappeared.

"It's nothing," Kate said flatly as she stood up, brushing herself off.

"Are you sure?" Yang Kai teased, clearly enjoying himself. "That jolt of yours says otherwise."

"YOU!" Kate shouted, aiming a sharp palm strike at him.

Yang Kai easily blocked her attack, a smirk still plastered on his face. "So, it's true. You really haven't cultivated these past few years," he said smugly.

Kate glared at him as he continued, "Your strength hasn't improved, but your transformation… That's something else entirely. I take it that's what you've been working on instead?"

"Tch, you bastard," Kate muttered, clutching her hand. "Fighting you is such a hassle. Your Qi is way too hot."

"Shouldn't it be the same for you?" Yang Kai asked with a smirk.

"Of course not," Kate shot back. "I've stopped cultivating elements."

"I see," Yang Kai said thoughtfully. "But how do you plan to improve your realm without it?"

"Just pure luck," Kate replied nonchalantly, fixing her hair with an air of indifference.

"Well, you might not need to do much," Yang Kai remarked. "As a Divine Spirit, you'll naturally grow stronger the older you get. But even so, you should be careful. High cultivation won't mean much if you can't handle opponents in the same realm."

"You're wrong," Kate retorted, narrowing her eyes. "I'm stronger than my current realm. It's just that my transformation changed my Qi, and I can't fully control it yet. But if I wanted to, I could still take care of you without much trouble."

"I know," Yang Kai replied with a knowing grin. "You only used a Qi-infused palm strike just now. You didn't even use your signature move those golden circles."

Kate's expression stiffened slightly as Yang Kai added, "Those golden circles are a real headache. If I want to claim you as mine, I'll have to figure out a way to counter them."

"Huh? What do you mean by that?" Kate asked, her tone laced with suspicion.

"Wu Yi told me about the bet you made," Yang Kai said with a grin. "You didn't even bother to tell me yourself. But since that's what you want, I'll beat you first and claim my prize."

"You think you can win this prize so easily?" Kate retorted, a challenging glint in her eyes. "Fine, let's play this stupid game and make it official."

"Stupid? And what do you mean by official?" Yang Kai asked, his grin fading into confusion.

"First of all," Kate began, folding her arms, "I only said that because it was convenient. Don't forget, we were supposed to be enemies."

"Yeah, and?" Yang Kai prompted, leaning forward slightly.

"And once I'm defeated," Kate said coldly, her tone resolute, "I'll be yours for as long as you want. My feelings won't matter. If you beat me, I'm yours completely."

"Don't say such absurd things," Yang Kai shot back. "Every feeling matters."

"Can you shut up and let me finish?" Kate snapped, glaring at him. "Like I said, if I lose, I'll be yours. But if there's ever a chance to oppose you, I'll take it. Even if the entire 3000 Worlds are in danger, I won't care. As long as I can be your enemy, I'll make it happen."

Yang Kai stared at her, stunned, while Kate's unwavering determination lingered in the air.

"Even if the 3000 Worlds are in danger, she won't bat an eye just to be my enemy?" Yang Kai thought to himself, his expression turning serious.

"Okay then, but what if I defeat you?" Yang Kai asked, his gaze locking onto hers.

"Then I'll be yours and stop hindering you," Kate said with a confident smirk.

"That's good, then. Once you fall for me, I'll make sure to defeat you," Yang Kai replied, his tone teasing but firm.

"You don't have to worry about that I'll know if you fall for me first," Kate shot back, her voice laced with challenge.

"We'll see who breaks first," Yang Kai said, his grin widening.

"I'll make you bleed gold," Kate retorted, a sinister smile creeping across her face.

"But I'm already bleeding gold," Yang Kai quipped, his tone deliberately smug.

"You know what I mean!" Kate shouted, her frustration bubbling to the surface.

"I know what she means," Yang Kai mused internally, "but what is she really trying to do?"

"Looks like I have no choice but to feed a fox in my backyard," Yang Kai thought to himself, his lips curling into a knowing smile.

After some time, at High Heaven Sect's departure point, Yang Kai and Kate arrived.

"Sect Master Yang!" Elder Qian Tong greeted warmly. He then turned to Kate and added, "And High Heaven Sect's First Madam!"

"Elder Qian, please stop," Kate said firmly, her tone polite but resolute. "This Kate is not the First Madam. Please remember that I don't like taking someone else's position."

"Oh!? I'm sorry for my ignorance," Elder Qian said, bowing apologetically.

"Then please take care of my husband," Kate added with a sly smile before disappearing into thin air.

"Huh? What kind of Divine Concealment technique is that?" Elder Qian asked, astonished.

"It's not a technique," Yang Kai explained casually. "She's just... elsewhere right now."

"Then shall we set off?" Yang Kai said, shifting the focus.

Everyone responded energetically, their excitement evident as preparations began.

Inside Yang Kai's Small World, Kate sat in deep cultivation. "After all these years, I'm going to meet them again. I'm kind of excited," she thought to herself, a small smile playing on her lips.

After a week.

"Right now, my blood purity is at about 3%. I just need more time," Kate mused as she steadied her breath and resumed her cultivation, her focus unwavering.

"Liu Yan?" Kate called out as an Artifact Spirit gracefully flew over to her. "Can you tell Yang Kai not to disturb me until we're about to arrive at Tong Xuan Realm?" she said calmly. The Artifact Spirit circled around her briefly in acknowledgment. "Thanks," Kate added, her gaze softening before she returned to her cultivation.

Her thoughts wandered as she focused on her progress. "Right now, on the Skill Panel, there's an Element Tab. I currently have nine elements: Transformation, Creation, Destruction, Light, Fire, Water, Ice, Demonic, and Void. All of them display percentages except for Transformation," Kate analyzed. "The others are below 5%, with the Demonic Element being the highest at 5%," she mused, her determination unwavering as she immersed herself further into her practice.

"I've already said this, but labeling them as 'Elements' I don't really get it," Kate thought to herself, her brow furrowed slightly. "For now, what I know for certain is that these Elements cannot be cultivated, so they don't align with the Martial Peak power system. They can't be studied, either. They seem to represent abilities I've personally used, and their percentages increase the more I use them."

She paused, a sudden realization dawning on her. "Wait... I think I gave Dr. Mei the Manipulation one. That explains the complicated use of it. I guess that clears up at least some of the mystery," Kate mused as she nodded to herself, her mind settling briefly before diving deeper into her thoughts.

After a long time, Yang Kai entered the Small Sealed World. "Huh? Where's Kate?" he asked aloud, noticing Liu Yan, the Artifact Spirit, and Xiao Xiao, the Stone Puppet, approaching to greet him.

"Milady cultivated here for two months, but after that, she flew off in that direction," Liu Yan said, pointing. "She specifically instructed us not to disturb her unless we've reached the Tong Xuan Realm."

"I see," Yang Kai replied, nodding. "Then I'll go check on her." Without wasting time, he flew toward the direction Liu Yan had indicated.

On the tallest peak of the Small Sealed World, Kate sat resting amidst a frozen expanse, the mountain entirely coated in thick layers of ice. Above her, shimmering frost particles danced in the sunlight. Yang Kai landed beside her, taking in the spectacle.

"What are you doing?" he asked, glancing at the frozen peak.

"Practicing," Kate replied, her breath visible in the icy air.

"What kind of technique did you use to freeze an entire mountain and still drain your seemingly endless Saint Qi reserves?" Yang Kai asked, genuinely curious.

"First of all, my Qi isn't infinite. I just have about four times more than you do," Kate explained calmly. "And it wasn't a single technique I just spammed every Ice technique I know."

Yang Kai raised a brow at her explanation but said nothing, watching as Kate glanced at her hand thoughtfully.

"But even doing all that only gave me a 1.3% increase," she muttered, almost to herself. "It pushed my Ice Element from 0.5% to 1.8%. Looks like I'll need to focus on cultivating a single technique moving forward."

Yang Kai chuckled at her frustration. "We've arrived at the Tong Xuan Realm," he said, bringing her out of her musings.

"Have we?" Kate said as she stood up, brushing off the frost from her shoulders. "Then let's go."

After some time, Yang Kai and Kate arrived at Nine Heavens Holy Land.

"BOLD! WHO DARES TO INTRUDE IN MY NINE HEAVENS HOLY LAND?" Elder Shi Kun bellowed angrily, his voice echoing across the sect grounds.

Yang Kai smiled faintly, stepping forward. "It's been many years since we last met, but it seems Elder Shi's temper has grown even shorter."

"H-HOLY MASTER?!" Elder Shi stammered, his expression shifting to one of astonishment.

The commotion drew the attention of the other elders and disciples, who quickly gathered upon recognizing Yang Kai. Murmurs spread like wildfire before they all hurriedly bowed, their voices uniting in welcome.

"Holy Master!"

Yang Kai nodded at them, his calm demeanor underscoring his authority. The once-tense atmosphere softened as excitement and reverence replaced the initial hostility.

After some time, more people arrived.

"Little brat, you've come back! Seems you've been living well for yourself," Treasurer Meng said with a hearty laugh.

Yang Kai smiled warmly. "Treasurer Meng, I trust you've been well since we last met."

"Of course! This old master has been doing quite well. Seeing you here again, I can finally feel relieved," Treasurer Meng replied cheerfully.

He continued, "Ning Chang is currently at a critical moment in her retreat, so it's not convenient for her to see you right now. But I'm sure she will once she exits."

"As for your Grandmaster, he doesn't live here in Nine Heavens Holy Land anymore. He's over at the former grounds of War Spirit Temple, together with the Yang Family and the others from that side."

"En, I'll visit them later," Yang Kai said with a nod, his expression softening at the mention of familiar faces.

Treasurer Meng's gaze shifted to Kate. "Hmm, looks like you've picked a rare flower for yourself!" he teased with a chuckle.

"You mean her? Don't misunderstand—she's Kate," Yang Kai clarified, his tone calm but firm.

Treasurer Meng's eyes widened in surprise. "That Kate?"

"Yes," Yang Kai confirmed.

"Is there a problem?" he added, noticing the shift in Treasurer Meng's expression.

"N-No, not at all," Treasurer Meng stammered, then laughed nervously. "I'm just surprised at her transformation."

"It's good to see you again, Treasurer Meng," Kate interjected with a slight nod.

"Yeah, you too. But this appearance of yours… looks like you're still working hard," Treasurer Meng observed.

"Of course. I haven't forgotten my purpose here," Kate replied coolly.

Treasurer Meng narrowed his eyes slightly, thinking to himself, Her cultivation is definitely higher than Ning Chang's, and with this appearance... it looks like she's pushing herself too far.

Kate turned to Yang Kai. "You go ahead. I'll stay here."

"You're not coming with me to greet our parents?" Yang Kai asked teasingly, but Kate's sharp dagger-like stare silenced him.

"Alright, alright," he relented, backing off quickly and flew away.

"That brat," Treasurer Meng muttered under his breath, shaking his head.

Turning back to Kate, he asked, "So, what are you planning now? Why are you here?"

"I'm here to take back something I entrusted to Sister Xia," Kate replied with determination.