Xia Ningshang's Decision

Beside the Kunlong Valley, Yang Kai was immersed in cultivation.

Nearby, several Three Suns Fruit trees grew robustly. The largest tree had already borne three fruits, which seemed on the brink of ripening, while the smallest was merely a newly sprouted sapling.

Since returning from the Blood Battle Gang's mining area that day, Yang Kai had been cultivating here, day and night, tirelessly and without rest. The unreasonable assault from Long Zaitian had filled him with a burning desire—to become stronger. He vowed to reclaim his dignity, relying solely on his own strength.

After nearly ten days of intense training, he had pushed the Body Tempering Stage to its peak. A breakthrough seemed imminent, yet he found himself unable to grasp the crucial insight needed to advance, leaving him with a sense of frustration.

He knew that breaking through to a major realm required a stroke of fortune, unlike the simpler breakthroughs within minor stages. Even with sufficient internal energy, one must seize the moment and comprehend what needs to be understood.

These past days of cultivation had been quite successful. No longer needing to sweep the grounds each day, he gained extra time for training. The Three-Leaf Remnant Soul Flower and the Desolate Deadwood Grass had long been used up, and without their aromatic suppression, the True Yang Secret Art operated noticeably faster, making it easier for Yang Kai to absorb the Yang energy from the world.

However, all the Yang Liquid he refined over these days was used to catalyze the Three Suns Fruit seeds, leaving not a single drop stored in his Dantian.

The energies of heaven and earth gathered around him, awaiting the moment Yang Kai could unravel the mysteries of the Open Yuan Stage, at which point they would pour into him, cleansing his meridians and nourishing his body. But despite his efforts, he had yet to succeed.

After a day and a night, Yang Kai remained stagnant. Although his mindset was calm, the inability to break through the shackles binding him was exceedingly peculiar.

As the night deepened and dew formed, beneath the vast starry sky by the Kunlong Valley, Yang Kai suddenly found himself ensnared in a realm of confusion, his inner energy in slight disarray, with a pained expression etched on his brow.

From a distance, Xia Ningchang, who was quietly watching Yang Kai, couldn't help but exclaim softly. Despite the distance between them, she could clearly perceive the unusual fluctuations of his energy—a sinister, chilling aura intermingled with it.

How could this be? This was clearly a sign of Qi Deviation. He was merely breaking through from the ninth level of the Body Tempering Stage to the Open Yuan Stage; how could there be a possibility of Qi Deviation?

Frankly speaking, a martial artist of Yang Kai's modest strength wouldn't typically have the qualifications to experience Qi Deviation. It was a phenomenon that only occurred during more profound cultivation.

Yet now, such an event was on the verge of happening to Yang Kai.

Xia Ningchang frowned slightly, puzzled by this occurrence.

Her presence here was of her own accord. After silently observing Yang Kai for over two years, it had become a habit. His sudden disappearance over the past few days had left her feeling inexplicably empty, as if nothing else could pique her interest. After searching tirelessly, she finally found him near the Kunlong Valley, allowing a weight to lift from her heart.

After arriving, Xia Ningchang knew that Yang Kai was on the brink of a breakthrough. She had watched over him for a day, but he had yet to succeed. Now, witnessing such a strange situation unfold, she couldn't help but feel bewildered.

Just as Xia Ningchang was secretly anxious, a pure and intense heat surged from Yang Kai's body, instantly dispelling the traces of Qi Deviation from moments earlier, and restoring the balance of his energy flow.

"True Yang Force!" Xia Ningchang's delicate lips parted, her beautiful eyes wide with surprise, nearly exclaiming aloud. "How incredibly pure!"

The scorching aura was unmistakably Yang-attributed energy. Many disciples of the Lingxiao Pavilion practiced martial skills with fire or Yang attributes, possessing similar fiery energy within them. However, none could compare to Yang Kai in terms of purity.

Although the intensity of this heat wasn't overwhelming, due to Yang Kai's limited strength, it was extraordinarily pristine, free from any impurities, akin to untainted spring water.

Before she could gather her thoughts, Xia Ningchang saw Yang Kai slipping back into the prelude of Qi Deviation, with a wicked aura replacing the fiery energy within him.

After a moment, another surge of True Yang Force erupted, suppressing the sinister energy, allowing Yang Kai to regain clarity.

This cycle repeated several times, leaving Xia Ningchang utterly astounded! Never had she seen a martial artist encounter such bizarre circumstances while attempting to break through to the Open Yuan Stage.

Ordinarily, breaking through to the Open Yuan Stage presented some resistance from heaven and earth, but given the low level of this stage, it could typically be overcome with a bit of effort. Yet, Yang Kai's situation was markedly different. The resistance he faced was as formidable as the challenges encountered during major realm advancements.

Yang Kai was experiencing considerable distress. Moments ago, he had glimpsed a thread of profound insight, with one foot stepping into the threshold of the Open Yuan Stage. But at that critical moment, an ominous energy emerged from his bones, nearly overwhelming his consciousness. Thankfully, his True Yang energy burst forth, restoring his clarity.

Now, within his body, two opposing forces were locked in battle. One was the True Yang energy he had cultivated, and the other was the malevolent energy emanating from his bones. They clashed incessantly, using his body as their battleground. At times, the malevolent energy would gain the upper hand, causing his mind to grow hazy, with thoughts of bloodlust and violence bubbling up, inciting an urge to kill.

This sensation was akin to the exhilarating rush following an injury in battle, yet distinct in its own way. Even when injured, his mind remained lucid during combat.

Other times, the True Yang energy prevailed, bringing clarity and comfort to his senses.

The struggle continued relentlessly, with no resolution in sight.

Yang Kai was in considerable discomfort.

Xia Ningchang sprinted through the Lingxiao Pavilion, clad in a black form-fitting outfit that accentuated her graceful figure—her slender waist and long legs stirred the imagination. Her long hair was tied back, and her face was concealed by a black veil as she swiftly moved towards Yang Kai.

Having watched for quite some time, Xia Ningchang was genuinely worried for Yang Kai. After much deliberation, she decided to intervene. Typically, one shouldn't disturb another during a breakthrough, but Xia Ningchang could distinctly sense the fierce battle intent within Yang Kai's energy—an urge for a bloody clash.

Only through combat could he find release, breaking free from the endless cycle entrapping him.

Thus, Xia Ningchang returned to her quarters first to change her attire, lest Yang Kai recognize her. After all, they had previously crossed paths.

Moving swiftly, she returned to Kunlong Valley to find Yang Kai still ensnared in torment, his situation seemingly more intense than before.

Without a moment's hesitation, Xia Ningchang leaped towards Yang Kai, her eyes aflame with determination, and struck out with a palm filled with lethal intent.