Chapter 96-The Backlash Of The Yin-Yang Joyous Unification Art

Yang Kai sat cross-legged in his secluded chamber, the silence so complete that even the wind dared not disturb it. The faint flicker of candlelight danced against the walls, casting long shadows that curled like silent spirits around him. His breathing was slow and measured—yet within him, a storm surged.

He closed his eyes, his thoughts sinking into the familiar depths of meditation. The True Yang Secret Art began to revolve slowly, like an ancient wheel turning deep within his consciousness. It had been days since his return from the Inheritance Cave Realm, but his body still resonated with the mysterious energies he had absorbed there. Now, he cultivated in silence.

Without any warning, Yang Kai's Yuan Qi suddenly began to rebel. A surge of pressure rippled through him, and in response, his clothes and hair stirred violently, whipped by an invisible force. His face turned pale as a ghost.

With the rebellion of Yuan Qi, his heart too was overtaken by a wild energy—an urge that screamed for release. It wasn't calm or controlled. It was fiery, unrestrained. He wanted to move, to fight, to draw blood or spill his own. Anything to expend the madness roiling within.

Still seated, Yang Kai calmly adjusted his breathing. He didn't panic or attempt to suppress it. Instead, he let the rebellious Qi flow a little, just enough to observe and understand it. Nearby, the incense burner's flame flickered gently, releasing a steady stream of exotic fragrance that filled the room.

He resumed his posture, unmoved, sweat now beading along his brow despite the stillness. The True Yang Secret Art continued its revolution within him—like a furnace burning hotter under pressure.

Fourth Stage of Qi Transformation.

That was his current realm.

The name might sound unremarkable compared to the grand titles others pursued, but Yang Kai knew better. The Qi Transformation Stage marked a crucial wall in every martial artist's journey. 

Yang Kai remained in meditation for two days, unmoving—save for the occasional moment when he would quietly refill the incense burner with the required herbs.

As the True Yang Secret Art continued to revolve within him, Yang Kai found his thoughts drifting—uninvited and unbidden. He hadn't meant to think of her, yet Su Yan surfaced in his mind, as vivid as if she stood before him.

The memory played out with startling clarity—the moment they had shared within the main hall of the palace deep inside the Heaven's Cave Inheritance. He could almost feel her again… her soft, silky skin pressing against his, their bodies entwined, sliding across each other in that surreal and intimate exchange of warmth and Qi.

He inhaled sharply, his cultivation faltering for a heartbeat.

Why do I keep recalling those moments?Why can't I stop these memories from resurfacing?

Yang Kai furrowed his brow, frustration quietly creeping in.

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After two days and nights of silent cultivation, Yang Kai, still seated in meditation, suddenly opened his eyes. His senses sharpened as he listened carefully to his surroundings. A strange light flickered in his gaze.

Somewhere nearby, he heard the distinct sounds of a skirmish—sharp movements followed by a startled scream. The voice felt familiar, but not clear enough for him to immediately recognize. So, he remained still, unsure.

But the sounds grew closer, and that initial alertness in Yang Kai's eyes gradually softened. A hint of joy began to bloom on his face.

There was no need for words. Even without seeing her, Yang Kai could now tell who it was—Su Yan.

As she approached, his Yuan Qi and blood stirred restlessly, beginning to revolve with unexpected vigor. His body reacted on its own, a deep resonance forming within him.

It must be the effect of the Yin-Yang Joyous Unification Art, he thought. Ever since their Yuan Qi had merged, they could faintly sense one another whenever they were near.

Didn't she say we'd only meet three times a month?It's only been four days... and she's already come looking for me.

Yang Kai couldn't help the grin that tugged at the corners of his lips. The cold, disciplined air of meditation melted away in an instant, replaced by a quiet, unmistakable happiness.

He gazed at the entrance of the cave with growing anticipation.

Moments later, a graceful figure dressed in pure white drifted in like a falling snowflake. Before she could even land, Yang Kai moved in a blur and pulled her into a tight embrace.

Su Yan's body was warm and soft, pressing firmly against him. Her chest molded to his, her heart racing so fiercely it seemed to echo into his own. Under the dim moonlight, her blushing cheeks glowed. With her hair tied in a bun, she looked more mature than ever, and Yang Kai's eyes rippled with deep affection as he took in her full beauty.

Yang Kai leaned down, lips inches from hers, clearly aiming for a kiss—only to be stopped by a gentle push to the chest.

"Wait," Su Yan whispered, her voice soft but firm. She resisted the pull in her heart, suppressing her own longing with difficulty.

"Why?" Yang Kai asked, not annoyed, just curious.

"I'm not the only one here…" Su Yan looked away awkwardly.

Only then did Yang Kai follow her gaze down to her arm—and realized she was carrying someone. He blinked, surprised. In all his excitement, he hadn't noticed the limp figure nestled against her. The person wasn't moving. From the way Su Yan supported her, it was clear she was unconscious.

"What happened?" Yang Kai asked, his mind momentarily blank from shock. Why would she bring someone here? 

"Do you know her?" Su Yan bit her lower lip. Her expression was complicated—guilt mixed with hesitation.

"Let me take a look." Yang Kai reached forward and gently lifted the girl into his arms.

He recognized her instantly. He had known the moment he laid hands on her—but even so, his hands didn't exactly behave with saintly restraint. His arm slipped a little too comfortably around her back, and her soft curves pressed against him without resistance. His fingers paused for half a breath longer than necessary.

"Be careful, that person is a girl!" Su Yan exclaimed, half amused, half exasperated, unsure whether to scold him or laugh. She knew that glint in his eye all too well.

Yang Kai, utterly unbothered, simply raised a brow. "I noticed," he replied smoothly, the corner of his mouth curling ever so slightly.

As Yang Kai pulled the unconscious girl into his arms, his hand just so happened to graze across her chest. He froze for a half-second, the touch brief—but definitely noticeable.

"Don't touch places you shouldn't!" Su Yan snapped, her eyes narrowing sharply with a mix of anger and… something else.

(Jealousy, huh? That's a promising sign…) Yang Kai mused silently, though he had the good sense not to say it aloud.

The one Su Yan took down was Xia Ning Chang.

At this moment, Xia Ning Chang's eyes were shut. With her face still covered in a thin veil layer, she gently respired. Watching her relaxed expression, Yang Kai knew that she was not injured; simply knocked out.

Yang Kai couldn't piece anything together; the whole thing was a mess. He could accept that Su Yan came over to look for him, but never would he have thought that she'd arrive carrying an unconscious Xia Ning Chang. "Did you knock her out?"

Su Yan glanced away, clearly feeling a little awkward. She lowered her head slightly and nodded. "I didn't injure her. She's been hanging around here for the past few days, waiting. I planned to come talk to you, and when I saw her… well, I had to knock her out first."

Yang Kai blinked at her, utterly dumbfounded. "So, you saw a girl hanging around your front door, knocked her out, and brought her here?" He couldn't help the dry laugh that escaped his throat. "If you were a guy, that would sound a lot worse…"

Su Yan didn't respond but shot him a sideways glance, which only made Yang Kai's grin widen. He slapped his forehead with an exasperated sigh.

Su Yan glanced at Yang Kai with a soft, serious look. "She seems to care a lot about you. Did you know?"

Yang Kai didn't try to deny it, a knowing smile tugging at his lips. "Mhm." Holding Xia Ning Chang carefully, he walked deeper into the hut and placed her gently on the stone bed. Watching her sleep so soundly was a surprisingly peaceful sight. It was clear she wasn't in any real danger.

Su Yan remained silent, her gaze calm yet filled with a depth of emotion. She looked at Yang Kai, the weight of her feelings unspoken but undeniably present.

"It's already quite late. Do you have any matters that need my attention?" Yang Kai asked softly, pulling her gently into his arms. He settled at the side of the stone bed, his fingers brushing lightly across her arm, a subtle but telling contact.

Su Yan shifted, her body slightly turning towards him, and her lips pressed together in thought. After a brief pause, she answered, her voice low, "Yes."

Yang Kai couldn't resist teasing her. "Were you thinking of me?" he asked with a playful grin.

Su Yan gave a soft, almost imperceptible nod. The moment her gaze met his, Yang Kai moved in closer, his lips inches from hers. But before he could close the distance, she raised a hand to block him, her voice firm yet filled with some hidden conflict.

"Wait," she said, holding him back. "It's strange. Normally, when I cultivate the Ice Heart Secret Art, my heart becomes cold, detached. Nothing should be able to touch me. But now… whenever I cultivate, I can't stop thinking about you. If I try to suppress it, it only makes it worse."

Yang Kai's grin deepened, knowing exactly what her weakness was. He shifted closer, his lips brushing the side of her face as he spoke softly. "I can't help thinking about you too."

His hand reached up slowly, fingertips tracing a path toward her neck, his touch light and teasing as he lowered his mouth to the delicate spot just behind her ear.

Su Yan's body tensed instinctively as his lips brushed against that spot, her breath hitching in her throat.

She gasped softly, her whole body shivering as the softest of moans escaped her lips.

"Let's discuss this later…" Yang Kai murmured, then couldn't resist any longer. He gently eased Su Yan back onto the stone bed, their bodies pressing together as the air between them thickened. His hands began to roam over her form, tentative at first, then more assured, tracing the curves hidden beneath silk and linen. Their soft breaths grew deeper, more urgent.

Fingers worked at buttons and ties, garments whispering as they slipped away. Moonlight spilled across her skin, illuminating its flawless silkiness. Two perfect peaks rose beneath the pale glow, each curve beckoning his gaze and stealing his breath. The faint scent of her warmth drifted into his nostrils, mingling with the tang of anticipation that thrummed in his veins.

Su Yan's eyes fluttered open and closed, lashes brushing her cheeks, a gentle flush warming her features. Even as a sheen of nerves trembled across her, there was an undeniable eagerness in her gaze—this was the goddess all the sects whispered about, now lying beneath him, utterly vulnerable. Her soft gasps and the swell of her chest against his palms drew Yang Kai into a moment so perfect he feared waking from the dream.