In comparison, Yue He was evidently more amiable to Lu Bai Yang, but that wasn’t because he was the strongest amongst these people. She was now a Sixth-Order Open Heaven Master, so Emperors and Great Emperors were no different to her, ants she could squash with a snort
The main reason was that Lu Bai Yang was truly concerned about his world and people, which was proven to be true in their conversation.
The Emperor Realm Masters of Primordial Sect only cared about whether they would be able to secure a place in the World’s Bottle.
On the other hand, Lu Bai Yang was concerned about how others could move forward once the limit in the World’s Bottle was reached. That was why Yue He regarded him highly.
Half a day later, all of them left the place with excitement.
Yue He’s narration seemed to have opened the door to a new world for them, allowing them to know that besides the Blue Clouds Continent, there were more Universe Worlds that they were not aware of out there. Outside of their own Great Territory that consisted of many Universe Worlds, there were even more Great Territories.
The Emperor Realm was followed by the Open Heaven Realm, which was divided into High-Rank, Mid-Rank, and Low-Rank.
They had never heard about such things before.
Ignoring the sentiment of those from Primordial Sect, Lu Bai Yang asked for Yue He’s opinion about sharing what they had learned with others. Upon receiving her permission, he gathered all the Emperor Realm Masters in the continent together two months later and told them everything he knew. He also explained to them what happened in the Blue Clouds Continent on that day.
Certainly, Lu Bai Yang wouldn’t lie to them, so upon hearing his words, all of them broke into a commotion.
Five days after the epic battle against Zuo Quan Hui, more than 1,000 Open Heaven Realm Masters from Void Land streamed into this new Great Territory. Groups of two were formed and each pair picked a direction and flew off to begin scouring this Great Territory.
Half a month later, many of the Sixth-Order Open Heaven Realm Masters, who had recovered, could no longer contain their urge to explore the new Great Territory.
The new Great Territory was full of mysteries. They naturally had to personally find out about the opportunities and risks in this place.
Only Yue He and Su Ying Xue were left in Primordial Sect to handle the more administrative affairs.
One month later, Yang Kai finally left the Restricted Area. He had managed to get rid of the impurities from Zuo Quan Hui’s Small Universe, but the loss of heritage he had suffered in that battle couldn’t be replenished in a short time. His decision to merge his own Small Universe with that of Zuo Quan Hui in a final attempt to kill him turned out to be harmful to him, which was inevitable.
Fortunately, he managed to kill Zuo Quan Hui in the end.
Seeing that Yang Kai had come out of the Restricted Area, Yue He hurriedly approached him and called out, “Young Master.”
Yang Kai nodded at both Yue He and Su Ying Xue, then asked, “How’s the situation in this Great Territory?”
An excited Yue He replied, “This Great Territory is very vast. It’s been a short time since the exploration started, so we haven’t found out where the boundaries are; however, we’ve discovered many Universe Worlds with ample resources, even though their Orders are fairly low.”
Yang Kai arched his brow, “That’s good news.”
There was a lack of resources in Void Land now. The issue could be alleviated if they could get some resources from this Great Territory.
“Have you discovered any Open Heaven Realm Masters?” Yang Kai asked.
Yue He shook her head, “No. Many of the Universe Worlds only have the most basic forms of life; there are not even living creatures with sentience. We’ve discovered two Universe Worlds where there are living beings, but the Martial Dao there is even lower than that of Blue Clouds Continent.”
Yang Kai nodded gently, “Now we can be certain that it’s a Newborn Great Territory.”
Only in a Newborn Great Territory would the Martial Dao be so low in so many places. There wasn’t even a single Open Heaven Realm Master to be found.
“There’s one interesting place, though. Do you want to have a look, Young Master?” Yue He asked.
Yang Kai shot her a glance and burst into laughter, “Since you’ve said so, it must be very interesting. Let’s go.”
Yue He pressed her lips together and smiled, “Please come with me, Young Master.”
Upon finishing her words, she leaped into the sky, followed by Yang Kai and Su Ying Xue.
Yue He then shot off in a certain direction.
Over 1,000 disciples from Void Land had scattered everywhere in this Great Territory. Once they discovered a place that was worth their attention, they would immediately head to the Blue Clouds Continent to report it to Yue He, who would then let Yang Kai make a decision after the latter exited his retreat.
Although one month had passed, they were still unable to have a clear picture of the entire Great Territory. With that said, they had made a lot of discoveries.
As they moved forward, Yang Kai suddenly recalled something and asked, “What Order do you think Lu Bai Yang can achieve?”
Yue He replied, “I’ve checked his Dao Seal and I believe he’ll definitely be able to reach the Fifth Order. It will be difficult for him to directly ascend to the Sixth Order.”
Yang Kai nodded his head, “He’s the first Great Emperor in that Universe World who has the blessing of the World’s Will. The Fifth Order will be pretty good for him.”
The cultivators who could directly ascend to the Sixth-Order Open Heaven Realm were Core Disciples of the Cave Heavens and Paradises. For every Sect, they would probably only get one such disciple every 1,000 years or so.
Having said that, with the transformation in the Star Boundary, turning it into an Open Heaven Realm Cradle, Yang Kai wasn’t able to foretell what would happen from now on. Perhaps directly ascending to the Sixth Order would be the norm in the future.
“Do you want to ask him to join Void Land, Young Master?” Yue He asked.
Yang Kai replied with a smile, “This Great Territory is like the back garden of Void Land now, so whether or not he joins Void Land makes no difference. Tell someone to send over a set of materials condensed from the Gourd Vine to help him ascend to the Open Heaven Realm. Given his temperament, I believe he won’t be ungrateful.”
Upon hearing that, Su Ying Xue rolled her eyes, “You’ve asked Senior Brother Qing to invite our Honoured Master to come over alongside his friends from the other Cave Heavens and Paradises, and now you also want to keep this entire Great Territory as Void Land’s back garden? I don’t think that’s feasible.” After all, Yang Kai himself had said that Void Land was unable to gobble up so many treasures on its own. This new Great Territory was also such a treasure.
A nonchalant Yang Kai replied, “Feasible or not, that will depend on how I’m going to make it happen.”
As he spoke, he suddenly turned to look in a particular direction as there was a World with a golden glow hovering in the void there. Even though it was far away, Yang Kai could still clearly feel a stunning aura coming right at him from over there.
He narrowed his eyes when he saw that.
Yue He fished out a jade slip and took a look before stating, “There are no living creatures in this Universe World, but it contains ample Metal Element materials. Two disciples looked into it and found out that the materials were only in the Second and Third Order. However, if we dig deeper into the ground, we might be able to get Metal Element materials of higher Orders.”
Yang Kai sighed, “I recall reading from an ancient book that all Newborn Great Territories are extremely rich in resources. I couldn’t imagine it in the past, but now it seems that it’s true.”
The currently known Great Territories in the 3,000 Worlds were all born at some point in time. During that period of time, they were also stuffed full of resources. However, as time passed, the resources gradually became depleted and disappeared from the people’s sight.
The Universe World before their eyes was a treasure vault that couldn’t be found anywhere else in the 3,000 Worlds.
If all the resources were extracted out of this treasure vault, that would translate into immense wealth.
Yue He said, “Besides this Universe World that contains Metal Element materials, we’ve also discovered similar Worlds that have Wood Element and Fire Element materials. There’s also a Sealing Yang Domain.”
A surprised Yang Kai asked, “A Sealing Yang Domain?”
Yue He smiled and nodded, “En.”
In the past, the place where Bai Qi ascended to the Open Heaven Realm was also a Sealing Yang Domain. It was originally a Restricted Zone belonging to Golden Rainbow Province. Those from Golden Rainbow Province discovered it a long time ago, but they used it as bait to lure the Proprietress and Bai Qi out. In the end, the Sealing Yang Domain was destroyed following an intense battle.
The Proprietress was thorough at that time as Bao Qi almost lost his life. So, those from Golden Rainbow Province had also suffered immense losses since the Sealing Yang Domain was now gone for good.
It was during that time when the Proprietress made a heart demon oath. Unless she could destroy Golden Rainbow Province and Boundless Altar, she would never ascend to the Seventh Order in her lifetime.
Yang Qi was abundant in a Sealing Yang Domain as it could infinitely produce Yang Element materials of different Orders.
Out of the Yin, Yang, and Five Elements, Yin and Yang Element materials were the rarest. A Sealing Yang Domain was definitely more valuable than the Metal Element Universe World.
Yang Kai repeatedly said ‘good’ in order to express his joy. It strengthened his notion of making this Great Territory the back garden of Void Land.
Even though this move would cause some disputes, he certainly wouldn’t allow anyone to harm his interests.
At that moment, Yang Kai supposed he should thank the old dog Zuo Quan Hui. If Zuo Quan Hui hadn’t made use of his power and opened up a Territory Gate, Yang Kai wouldn’t have discovered this new Great Territory that would bring tremendous benefits to Void Land.
However, this issue was also giving him a headache.
There were many places in this new Great Territory that needed exploration. The small number of Universe Worlds that contained a huge amount of resources already required a lot of manpower to mine. It had only been a hundred years since the Star Boundary last experienced its biggest war, and since the population had shrunk significantly, they were unable to bear such a burden.
Yang Kai believed that he could use the help of Void Territory. After all, Void Land now directly managed over ten Universe Worlds, so they could bring some people over to help out.
As they kept flying forward, they soon arrived at the Sealing Yang Domain.
It was a small Star that accompanied a Dead Star, but it contained an abundance of Yang Qi. The Yang Qi permeating the entire Star was in the Third-Order.
In other words, if any cultivators intended to ascend to the Third Order, they could just come here and refine the ambient Yang Qi. There wasn’t a need for them to look for Yang Element materials elsewhere.
It was true that world creation was absolutely abstruse.
Then, the trio kept flying forward for ten more days before they arrived at their destination.
As Yang Kai looked dazedly at the place where swirling clouds of dust and light were weltering. He could clearly feel a chaotic aura coming from it. Lightning would strike from time to time, as though it was ready to claw through the clouds and break free from the chaos.
The aura of a new world permeated a large area of the void.
“Chaos stirs and a world is born!” Yang Kai exclaimed while Su Ying Xue widened her eyes.
Although Yue He had already learned about it from the exploring disciples, she still fell into a dazed state when she actually saw it.
A while later, she nodded her head and continued, “This is our biggest discovery yet, Young Master. However, we’re not sure when the chaos will be broken. Only when that time comes will a new world really be born.”
Yang Kai carefully sensed it but still couldn’t figure anything out. He said helplessly, “I have no idea as well.”
Then, he suddenly said through clenched teeth, “If anyone dares to lay his paws on this Great Territory in the future, I’ll definitely cut off his hand!”
Seeing that he suddenly became so emotional, Yue He broke into a fit of giggles while Su Ying Xue just glowered at him.
The reason Void Land’s Star City could gain popularity and become a First Class Star City in a few years was because they had Heavenly Yuan Seal Stabilizing Pills.
The pill recipe of the Heavenly Yuan Seal Stabilizing Pills wasn’t really a secret; after all, it was bought by Yang Kai from the Red Clouds Auction House, so those from Red Clouds Paradise definitely still had a copy of it.
It wasn’t that the Alchemists of Red Clouds Paradise were not skillful enough. It was just that they lacked the main ingredient, which was World Source Liquid. That was the reason they were unable to refine such pills.
Yang Kai could do that because he had World Source Liquid with him.
World Source Liquid would only appear when a new world was born, so it had basically become extinct across the 3,000 Worlds. No world in the 3,000 Worlds was newly born, which was why they were unable to find more World Source Liquid.
However, in the depths of this Newborn Great Territory, there was a place where chaos stirred. It was the sign of a new world about to be born.
When the new world finally took shape, World Source Liquid would probably appear.
If someone else obtained it, the advantage of Void Star City would be gone for good. The Star City was a place that those from Void Land relied on to get their cultivation resources, so Yang Kai would never allow anyone to harm their interests.
He intended to make this new Great Territory the back garden of Void Land. Initially, he thought that he could share some of the profits with others if there was too much pressure; however, he had now thoroughly discarded that idea.
No one else could have a hand in this Newborn Great Territory other than Void Land. If they gave someone else a chance, it was akin to killing their own future.
Nevertheless, the Territory Gate was there. When the High-Rank Open Heaven Realm Masters from the Cave Heavens and Paradises arrived at the Star Boundary, they would also see the Territory Gate. The problem was how Yang Kai could bar them from entry. Should he try to persuade them to go away? No one would listen to him when there were benefits to be gained. It was also impossible to fight against them. Dealing with Zuo Quan Hui alone caused Void Land to suffer immense losses. If there were more High-Rank cultivators they had to deal with, it was impossible for those from Void Land to defeat them.
Therefore, Yang Kai reckoned that he had to come up with a different solution. As he looked at the place where chaos stirred, he fell into his thoughts.
A while later, he spoke up, “Yue He, look for Luan Bai Feng and tell her to meet me at the Territory Gate.”
Upon hearing that, Yue He replied, “Understood. But you might have to wait, Young Master. Everyone has scattered to explore this Great Territory. I don’t even know where she is right now.”
“It’s fine. I’m not in a rush.” Yang Kai waved his hand.
It was then Yue He left.
After looking around, Su Ying Xue reckoned that it was inappropriate for her to stay with Yang Kai alone, so she told him that she would also explore the new Great Territory, and then dashed off into the void.
When Luan Bai Feng received the news and rushed over to the Territory Gate one month later, she saw Yang Kai squatting on a random shattered Spirit Province with a frown. There was a stone in his hand as he drew something on the ground.
The Spirit Province was small as it was only a few square kilometres. It was obviously brought here by Yang Kai as it was only a hundred kilometres away from the Territory Gate.
“Sir!” Luan Bai Feng landed on the ground and stood in front of Yang Kai.
Yang Kai waved his hand to motion for her to wait as he continued drawing on the ground.
Luan Bai Feng had no idea what he was doing, and when she looked down, she saw many unrecognisable patterns and runes on the ground. She initially pressed her lips together in annoyance, but upon closer look, she arched her brow as her interest had been piqued.
When she realised that it was actually a Spirit Array, she broke into laughter. Given her mastery of the Dao of Spirit Arrays, she naturally could see that there were many illogical and impossible parts in this Spirit Array, though it wasn’t completely useless.
She had no idea why Yang Kai suddenly became interested in Spirit Arrays. She even thought that he had asked her to come over here to teach him the Dao of Spirit Arrays.
“What did you get?” Yang Kai asked without raising his head.
“Well…” Luan Bai Feng’s eyelashes fluttered, “Nothing much.”
Yang Kai stopped what he was doing and looked up at her with a meaningful smile.
Luan Bai Feng pressed her lips into a line, “Really nothing.”
Yang Kai extended his hand towards her.
Luan Bai Feng was initially enraged, then she said in a pitiful manner, “Why are you making things difficult for a small woman like me, Sir? It’s so hard for me to earn a few measly resources.”
Yang Kai took a glance at her chest, “Small?”
Luan Bai Feng pressed her chest forward, her plump bosom almost bursting out of her clothes. However, she took a few steps back. With a flushing face, she said bashfully, “Sir, I won’t sleep with you.”
Yang Kai burst into laughter and snapped, “Stop spouting nonsense. Give me your Space Ring!”
At that instant, Luan Bai Feng appeared aggrieved.
However, Yang Kai was unfazed.
A while later, the woman clenched her teeth and took off her ring before tossing it at Yang Kai. While sniffling, she said, “You’re a man, so how do you have the nerve to oppress a woman like me?”
Ignoring her, Yang Kai swept his Divine Sense across the Space Ring’s contents and arched his brow. He then fished out a wisp of Purple Qi from the ring.
The Purple Qi was like a snake that was somewhere between real and illusory. It was truly mysterious. What was more important was that the Purple Qi contained a pure but profound power.
“What’s this?” Yang Kai asked.
A furious Luan Bai Feng replied, “How would I know? I took it because I thought it was special. I haven’t figured out what it is.”
Yang Kai poked her, “Of the nine people on the Loyalty List, only you dare to speak to me like this.”
Luan Bai Feng kept a faint smile on her face as she saluted him in an elegant manner, “This Mistress would like to express her eternal gratitude for her loyalty to Sir.” As she spoke, she shot a charming glance at the man, her eyes flashing a truly alluring light.
Yang Kai examined the Purple Qi for a while but still couldn’t figure out what it was. He had a feeling that it was a kind of material, not a cultivation resource. That was because he had tried to refine it but it yielded no results.
He then asked her where she obtained the Purple Qi from, but that didn’t really help.
After that, he put the Purple Qi inside his Small Universe, causing Luan Bai Feng to become even more aggrieved.
He went through her ring one more time, and upon making sure that there was nothing else that was worth his attention, he tossed it back to her.
A vexed Luan Bai Feng took it with a discontented and aggrieved expression, like a maiden who had been thoughtlessly abandoned by a man after a night of passion.
“I asked you to come over because I want you to assist me in arranging a Space Array.” Yang Kai adjusted his clothes, “You’re an expert in the Dao of Spirit Arrays, so only you can help me.”
Luan Bai Feng frowned, “A Space Array?”
Yang Kai pointed at the Territory Gate that wasn’t far away, “For that.”
Luan Bai Feng looked up, and as she recalled what had happened some time ago, she finally understood Yang Kai’s intention. With a smile, she asked, “You want to hog everything for yourself, Sir? Aren’t you worried that it will invite trouble to you?”
Yang Kai replied dispassionately, “Regardless of the trouble, I just have to gobble up everything first. If I don’t even have the appetite for that, how am I supposed to achieve anything great? Zuo Quan Hui and I opened up the Territory Gate together, and although it’s still not stable, I suppose it will soon become so as more than 1,000 Open Heaven Realm Masters from Void Land have already passed through it safely. I need to arrange a Grand Array here and refine some Jade Tokens so that only those with the tokens can move past it freely. Anyone who does not carry the access token will be exiled to the Void. Can you do it?”
Luan Bai Feng fell into her thoughts with a frown. It wasn’t until a moment later that she replied, “I can do it as long as you’re willing to cooperate.”
Yang Kai let out a breath, “Good. We need to finish this quickly. Just tell me whatever materials you need.”
She looked up at him, “That Purple Qi…”
“It’s mine,” Yang Kai said solemnly.
“Robber! Thief! Bandit!” Luan Bai Feng said through clenched teeth as she stomped her foot.
She knew that since Yang Kai had snatched it from her, there was no way she could get it back. Even though she was unresigned, there was nothing she could do. She was practically his servant since her name was on the Loyalty List, so whatever Yang Kai wanted to take from her, she was unable to disobey him.
The man was probably the most thick-skinned person she had ever met. He had no qualms about snatching things from others, even a woman like her.
After venting out her anger though, she immediately started working on the Grand Array.
For the next two months, Yang Kai and Luan Bai Feng remained beside the Territory Gate, working while discussing the Grand Array from time to time.
Yang Kai was a Master of the Dao of Space while Luan Bai Feng was adept at the Dao of Spirit Arrays. They worked together to make up for the weaknesses they respectively had, allowing them to rapidly develop this new Grand Array.
The pair used up countless resources and in just two months, the Space Array outside the Territory Gate finally took shape.
A group of Sixth-Order Open Heaven Realm Masters stood in the void as they looked dazedly at the Territory Gate.
The Territory Gate, which was opened up by Yang Kai and Zuo Quan Hui, was initially warped and sent out a dangerous aura. However, at this moment, with the support of the Grand Array, it had become stabilised. They could also see that the Territory Gate was surrounded by an oval-shaped structure that looked like a kind of gateway.
In the middle of the structure was the Territory Gate that connected both Great Territories.
Luan Bai Feng was slightly pale. She had spent a lot of energy trying to arrange this Grand Array over the past two months. However, when she saw that her work had paid off, she still felt gratified.
Yang Kai turned his head and sent a signal to Yue He, who dashed into the Territory Gate with a Jade Token in her hand.
A moment later, she returned and nodded at Yang Kai.
“It works!” Yang Kai let out a long breath. Although he had repeatedly tested it himself and reckoned that there wouldn’t be a problem, he was a Master of the Dao of Space after all. If there was really a problem, he might not be able to detect it.
Since Yue He managed to shuttle back and forth safely though, it meant that his hard work over the past two months had paid off.
Yue He approached Yang Kai and said in a small voice, “Senior Brother Qing is waiting across from here, Young Master. He said that our guests have arrived.”
Yang Kai nodded, “En.”
It had been four months since Qing Kui left. Yang Kai calculated the time and realised that Qing Kui was indeed supposed to return around now.
It had been a long time since they started exploring the Newborn Great Territory, but they still hadn’t gotten a full picture of it. Yang Kai had summoned most of them back. It wasn’t that they would stop exploring, it was just that they still wouldn’t be able to explore everything even if they kept doing it for decades.
This Great Territory wasn’t really that expansive, but there were many hidden corners. If they didn’t investigate carefully, they would definitely miss some wonderful discoveries.
In the 3,000 Worlds, many amazing things would still surface in those known Great Territories from time to time. Even though some places were crammed with people, they might still find something new that they hadn’t paid attention to previously. It was the same case for this new Great Territory.
They still had many years ahead of them anyway, and no one else could come here besides those from Void Land. They could still excavate the resources while exploring the Great Territory in the future. Whatever treasures there were in this place, they now belonged to Void Land, and no one else could lay their hands on them.
After a long time of exploration, they still hadn’t found any Open Heaven Realm Masters in this Great Territory. The Martial Dao of the discovered Universe Worlds was also generally low, most of which were worse than that of the Blue Clouds Continent. A few of them were an equal match for the Blue Clouds Continent and only one had a higher Martial Dao where a few Great Emperors had appeared, but that was it.
This was a characteristic of a Newborn Great Territory as the Martial Dao was still in the development stage.
With such a Great Territory that was full of treasures and resources in its possession, Void Land would have a bright future. However, their heritage was insufficient presently to fully exploit it.
In the past, Yang Kai thought that 1,000 Open Heaven Realm Masters was a staggering figure. In the entire 3,000 Worlds, only a small number of Second Class great forces were a match for Void Land in this regard.
Nevertheless, these 1,000-plus Open Heaven Realm Masters had to protect Void Land, guard Void Star City, and explore this new Great Territory. Each place required a lot of manpower, especially the last one. In fact, they would probably need 10,000 Open Heaven Realm Masters to be stationed in this new Great Territory, so 1,000 suddenly seemed like a small number.
Yang Kai could only console himself that he had to take things slow. Void Land was still in its development stage, and they had already amassed a lot of Open Heaven Realm Masters in a short time. If he was too greedy for quick success, he might mess things up instead by rushing.
Since a Jade Token was required for anyone to move past the Territory Gate, they had to ask some people to stand guard on both sides of the gate. First of all, they could watch over the place so that no one would barge in. Secondly, they could open the doors for trustworthy visitors.
Yang Kai naturally wouldn’t have to deal with this as Yue He would make the arrangements.
After passing through the Territory Gate, he returned to the Great Territory where the Star Boundary was located.
A few months ago, he led many Sixth-Order Open Heaven Realm Masters to intercept those from Heavenly Sword Palace several million kilometres away from the Star Boundary. In the end, he borrowed the World Strength from the Star Boundary and temporarily ascended to the Seventh Order, which was how he managed to destroy the Heavenly Sword Palace and expose Heavenly Sword Union’s remaining forces.
The Territory Gate he had opened up was only a few million kilometres away from the Star Boundary itself; therefore, after he left the new Great Territory, he immediately saw the Star Boundary.
Upon seeing what was in front of him, Yang Kai became startled and muttered, “Why has it grown taller yet again?”
Compared to four months ago, the World Tree was now even taller. When he most recently returned to the Star Boundary from Void Land, the World Tree was only about 100,000 metres tall. After the great battle, many Open Heaven Realm Masters were killed, and the World Force which leaked out from their corpses were all absorbed by the World Tree. The nutrients allowed the tree to double in height to a 200,000 metres tall giant.
Even though Yang Kai was somewhere in the void that was several million kilometres away from the Star Boundary, he could still clearly see the magnificent and humongous World Tree now.
What was even more surprising was that the Star Boundary and Demon Realm, which were originally far apart from each other had basically merged together.
Presently, the Star Boundary was filled with greenery as an ample vitality permeated it while the Demon Realm was seen with weltering dark Demon Qi. Both places stood in stark contrast to one another as one was green while the other one was black.
The intertwined roots of the World Tree penetrated both worlds, which connected the Demon Realm and the Star Boundary.
Yang Kai had never expected such a thing to happen and at that instant, he wasn’t sure whether this was a good thing or not.
“Junior Brother Yang!” Qing Kui was waiting somewhere nearby, and upon seeing Yang Kai, he quickly flew over.
Yang Kai nodded and saluted him, “Many thanks for your efforts, Senior Brother Qing.”
Qing Kui replied with a smile, “It was just some travelling back and forth, nothing too strenuous.”
“Has Martial Uncle Xu arrived?” Yang Kai asked.
Qing Kui nodded his head and said in a small voice, “Honoured Master immediately came over after hearing about the situation in this place. Since he was in a rush, he could only invite a few friends of his who happened to be in Yin-Yang Cave Heaven at the time. More people will arrive later as Honoured Master dispatched messengers to some of the other Cave Heavens and Paradises.”
After a moment of hesitation, he went on to say, “Honoured Master has asked me to tell you something, Junior Brother Yang. In the next few years, the Star Boundary will be the centre of attention for the entire 3,000 Worlds. All 108 Cave Heavens and Paradises will have their eyes on this place. So, he hopes that you’ll be careful in everything you do.”
Yang Kai put on a smile, “I know.”
Then, he patted Qing Kui’s shoulder, “Let’s go. We shall meet Martial Uncle Xu and the other Seniors.”
Taking advantage of his status as a Great Emperor, he instantly moved across several million kilometres and returned to High Heaven Palace alongside Qing Kui, Su Ying Xue, and Yue He.
In the Grand Hall, Hua Qing Si was seated on a chair with nothing to do when something flashed across her eyes. Upon seeing Yang Kai and the others, she stood straight up and saluted, “Palace Master!”
Yang Kai nodded while Qing Kui looked around and asked in shock, “Where are my Honoured Master and the other Seniors?”
Hua Qing Si replied with a helpless smile, “They said they wanted to take a stroll. I couldn’t stop them.”
Yang Kai activated his Divine Sense and instantly found them, then he broke into laughter, “Let’s wait for them.”
With just a casual sweep, he had detected several powerful auras that were scattered across the Star Boundary.
All of them were powerful Seventh-Order Open Heaven Realm Masters, so they could certainly move around the Star Boundary as they pleased. Yang Kai was unable to stop them and did not have the intention to do so.
After they were seated, Hua Qing Si told someone to prepare tea. Yang Kai took the opportunity to ask about the transformation in the Star Boundary. When he returned to this place some time ago, he instantly clashed with those from Heavenly Sword Union at the Territory Gate, after which he was locked in battle all the way to the Star Boundary’s borders, then crashed into the Newborn Great Territory to pursue the enemy. Following that, he spent the next few months arranging the Grand Space Array at the Territory Gate.
It wasn’t until today that he returned to this place.
An excited Hua Qing Si replied, “The Star Boundary has gone through a tremendous transformation, Palace Master. Not long after you left previously, the World Tree started growing rapidly, and the World Energy became increasingly ample, which allowed all cultivators to comprehend the Heavenly Way and Martial Dao more easily. Over the past few months, we’ve recorded many people breaking through to the Emperor Realm. The ones who are already in the Emperor Realm have also shown great improvement in their cultivation. Furthermore, the overall strength of High Heaven Palace has increased by 30% compared to a few months ago.”
It was inconceivable that such a tremendous transformation had taken place in just a few months. This phenomenon could not be found in any other Universe World in the entire 3,000 Worlds, but it was happening right here in the Star Boundary.
The rapid development of the World Tree had greatly benefited the cultivators in the Star Boundary since they were living in this place. They could now easily achieve a breakthrough, and everyone had renewed hopes of achieving greater heights in their cultivation.
“What about the Demon Realm?” Yang Kai asked.
Hua Qing Si replied, “Sir Embodiment said that it’s the same case in Demon Realm. For some reason, the World Tree suddenly connected the Star Boundary and Demon Realm together some time ago. Now that the two worlds have merged, the transformation in Demon Realm is tremendous as well.”
Yang Kai nodded his head, “The limit of the World’s Bottle also seems to have expanded. In the future, there will be more Great Emperors and Demon Saints in the Star Boundary and the Demon Realm.”
Hua Qing Si was surprised as she hadn’t realised this; however, since Yang Kai was the Star Boundary’s Void Great Emperor, he naturally couldn’t be mistaken about such a thing. The World’s Bottle of the Star Boundary could only accommodate ten Great Emperors in the past, but since it had expanded, it would allow more to be born.
“Unfortunately, you’ve already condensed a Dao Seal; otherwise, you would have stood a chance to become a Great Emperor of the Star Boundary.” Yang Kai looked regretfully at her.
Hua Qing Si replied with a smile, “This Mistress is already satisfied with the achievements I’ve made so far. I wouldn’t dare to be greedy.”
“It’s great that you don’t mind,” Yang Kai put on a smile.
In fact, there was nothing special about becoming a Great Emperor; after all, every cultivator would eventually want to become an Open Heaven Realm Master. The value of being a Great Emperor was that one obtained the acknowledgement of the Universe World they were from. Therefore, despite being only an Emperor Realm cultivator, he or she could activate World Force and temporarily use the might of the Open Heaven Realm.
Nevertheless, the power one could use was only on par with the Low-Rank Open Heaven Realm, so it wasn’t that valuable.
But the Star Boundary was different as its heritage was incredibly rich now. If one could become a Great Emperor in the Star Boundary, they could make use of the might of the world and use strength on par with a Mid-Rank Open Heaven Realm Master despite only being in the Emperor Realm. In comparison, the Great Emperors of the Star Boundary and the Great Emperors of the other Universe Worlds were not even of the same calibre.
Furthermore, experiencing such great power in advance would help one’s future growth, just like how Yang Kai had experienced the Seventh-Order Open Heaven Realm power in advance.
That was the reason he felt sorry for Hua Qing Si.
However, since she had condensed her Dao Seal, she would have the potential to become a Fifth-Order Open Heaven Realm Master in the future. There was nothing worth regretting in reality.
Everyone had their own opportunities. Compared to the other Emperor Realm Masters, the ones from the Star Boundary were already at a significant advantage.
And this was just the current generation. The future generations would gain an even greater advantage, which was the reason Xu Ling Gong and the other Seventh-Order Open Heaven Realm Masters couldn’t contain the urge to explore the Star Boundary.
After talking to Hua Qing Si for a while longer, Yang Kai looked up as a figure flashed and appeared before his eyes. Xu Ling Gong’s brawny figure appeared in the Grand Hall.
“Honoured Master!” Qing Kui and Su Ying Xue rose from the chairs and saluted him.
“Martial Uncle Xu!” Yang Kai immediately stood up as well.
Xu Ling Gong seemed to be burdened with worries. He waved his hand and took a seat on a chair, after which Hua Qing Si set down a cup of tea on the table for him.
After giving it a thought with a frown, Xu Ling Gong picked up the cup and gulped the tea down. Then, he stared at Yang Kai and snapped, “Brat, you’ve put me in a tight spot!”
Yang Kai broke into laughter, “What do you mean, Martial Uncle Xu?”
Xu Ling Gong replied, “I saw many talented youths when I was out taking a stroll just now and wanted to take them all on as Disciples. What do you think I should do?”
Yang Kai’s expression darkened as the corners of his eyes twitched, “It seems that you’re here to rob me instead of complaining about anything, Martial Uncle Xu.”
Xu Ling Gong grinned, “I only thought about it, but didn’t make any moves. It’s someone else who has actually done so!” As he spoke, he pointed at the entrance of the hall.
Following that, another figure flashed as an old man clad in a simple grey robe appeared. What was surprising was that the old man was carrying a toddler that was barely a few months old in his arms. Beside him was a flustered woman whose eyes were drenched in tears.
The woman was wearing clothes made from simple linen, and although she was a bit chubby, it was obvious that she wasn’t from a wealthy family. She was as ordinary as could be.
No traces of cultivation could be found on this woman, and the dirt under her nails and in her hair made it apparent that she was from a family of mortal farmers. Her child was taken away by a seemingly powerful old man, and she was brought to this strange hall at the speed of lightning. At that moment, she was anxious and didn’t know what to do.
However, her worried gaze remained fixed on her child as he seemed to be the only thing on her mind.
The toddler in the arms of the old man clad in a grey robe was only a few months old. He was chubby and adorable. Everyone at the scene instantly took a liking to him.
At this moment, the toddler could barely contain his excitement as he looked up and pulled the old man’s low-hanging beard with his petite hands.
The old man didn’t mind it as he let the child do what it pleased.
Just then, a strand of beard was snapped. The child started giggling as though he found it interesting. He then exerted more force with his hands and pulled off more strands of the long beard.
Qing Kui and Su Ying Xue were drenched in cold sweat at the mere sight of this. Others might not know who this old man was, but they were fully aware of his identity. He was an Inner Elder of one of the 72 Paradises, a powerful Seventh-Order Open Heaven Realm Master.
The average person could hardly meet him, but here he was getting his beard plucked by a baby. If the disciples from his Paradise saw it, they would surely break into a commotion.
The two of them wouldn’t dare to be negligent as they saluted and called out, “Martial Uncle Yu.”
The old man surnamed Yu nodded, then turned to look at Yang Kai before speaking to the woman who was brought to this place by him, “Don’t fret. you’re now in High Heaven Palace, and the person in front of you is its Palace Master.”
He didn’t activate any kind of power, but his words were soothing enough to make the woman calm down instantly. She then turned to look at Yang Kai, and upon making sure that he looked exactly like the person in the picture that she had always paid respects to in her home, she instantly fell on her knees and lowered her head, “Greetings, Sir!”
The old man in grey robes frowned to the side, but he didn’t stop her.
Yang Kai raised his hand and lifted up the woman, then gazed at the old man in puzzlement, “Senior, she…”
He hadn’t even figured out which of the Cave Heavens or Paradises this old man came from or the reason the latter brought a child and a woman to this place.
The old man said frankly, “This Old Master must accept a Disciple.”
A surprised Yang Kai took a glance at the woman he was holding up, but he couldn’t find anything special about her, making him wonder why this Seventh-Order Open Heaven Realm Master had his eyes on her.
As though realising what was on Yang Kai’s mind, the old man patted the child in his arms and said, “I’m talking about this child.”
While he was speaking, one more strand of his beard was plucked. His white beard was initially well trimmed and organized, but it now looked dishevelled, which stripped him of his demeanour as a senior expert.
Yang Kai appeared even more surprised. If the old man wanted to take the woman on as a Disciple, he could accept it even though he didn’t understand it. The old man probably had a way to sense some peculiarity or unique characteristic in this woman; after all, a Seventh-Order Open Heaven Realm Master was powerful, so it was expected that he possessed abilities that Yang Kai didn’t. However, he couldn’t understand why the old man wanted to take a mere baby to be his Disciple.
The child was barely a few months old, so how was this old man able to see through his aptitude? Nevertheless, the old man carried the child like the latter was a treasure, and he didn’t even mind that his beard was being pulled.
Yang Kai then looked inquisitively at Xu Ling Gong.
Xu Ling Gong, however, was just watching the good show while chuckling. Upon noticing Yang Kai’s stare, he explained, “Kid, this is Yu Chang Dao from Free and Unfettered Paradise. You can call him Martial Uncle Yu.”
“So it is Martial Uncle Yu, forgive me for my lack of politeness,” Upon learning that the old man was from Free and Unfettered Paradise, Yang Kai instantly became friendlier.
Ning Dao Ran was from Free and Unfettered Paradise, and he was on close terms with Yang Kai; moreover, Yu Chang Dao came to this place alongside Xu Ling Gong, so it was obvious that he was a friend of the latter. Regardless, Yang Kai wouldn’t dare to be impolite to him.
“Martial Uncle Yu, may I know the nature of your relationship with Senior Brother Ning Dao Ran?” Yang Kai asked humbly.
Yu Chang Dao replied dispassionately, “He’s my Second Senior Brother’s Disciple.”
Upon hearing that, Yang Kai realised that Ning Dao Ran was Yu Chang Dao’s Martial Nephew.
Yang Kai then gazed at the woman and the child before asking, “And what is this situation about, Martial Uncle Yu?”
There was a helpless expression on Yu Chang Dao’s face as he replied, “The Innate Dao Body of this child matches my Grand Dao perfectly, so I’d like to take him on as a Closed Legacy Disciple.”
Upon hearing that, Xu Ling Gong was startled as he gazed at Yu Chang Dao in shock and asked, “Old Yu, are you serious?”
Accepting a Closed Legacy Disciple was no laughing matter. Once Yu Chang Dao did so, he would never take on another Disciple again, which meant that the child in his arms would be the last Disciple of his life.
Xia Ning Chang was born with the Sacred Spirit Medicine Body, so she had the right to become a Disciple of Wondrous Pill Great Emperor and learn the Alchemic Dao from him. However, Wondrous Pill Great Emperor had already accepted Ji Ying, who was the Fifth Disciple, to be his Closed Legacy Disciple. Therefore, regardless of how outstanding Xia Ning Chang’s aptitude was, she was unable to become a direct Disciple of Wondrous Pill Great Emperor.
With that said, Wondrous Pill Great Emperor had always been generous in teaching her the Alchemic Dao. Although there wasn’t a formal relationship between them, they were no different from Master and Disciple.
Yang Kai naturally knew what taking a Closed Legacy Disciple would mean. He couldn’t help but take another look at the child, but he still couldn’t figure out anything, let alone see through the child’s Innate Dao Body.
However, as a Seventh-Order Open Heaven Realm Master, Yu Chang Dao wouldn’t make a casual joke about such an important matter. The Innate Dao Body of this several-month-old child was undoubtedly real.
A determined Yu Chang Dao continued, “With such a Legacy Disciple, I’ll be able to die with no regret.”
Xu Ling Gong appeared solemn as he nodded, “Congratulations, then.” He turned to look at Yang Kai, “Old Yu would like to take on a Disciple from the Star Boundary. Are you fine with it?”
Yang Kai chuckled, “This child must be extremely lucky to gain the favour of Martial Uncle Yu. Naturally, there is no problem.”
Xu Ling Gong appeared gratified as he gave Yang Kai an approving look.
However, Yu Chang Dao sighed as he shot a helpless glance at the woman to his side, “Although this Old Master would like to take this child on as a Disciple, his Mother doesn’t agree to it. She said that when the child grows up, he has to enter High Heaven Palace to cultivate. Regardless of how I tried to persuade her, she refuses to listen to me. Why don’t you have a talk with her, Martial Nephew Yang?”
Yang Kai burst into laughter. It was then he realised the reason Yu Chang Dao brought the Mother and baby together to this place was to make him interfere in this matter.
He then turned to look at the woman. When he was speaking to Yu Chang Dao just now, he realised that the woman kept stealing glances at him, and then she would hang her head low with self-abasement. When she saw Yang Kai gazing at her now, she became flustered and was ready to fall on her knees again.
A helpless Yang Kai shot Hua Qing Si a glance to motion for her to talk to the woman.
It was easier for a woman to approach another woman after all.
Upon realising his intention, Hua Qing Si stepped forward and helped the woman up. As she hospitably took the woman’s rough hands, she invited her to have a seat. The woman was clearly anxious. She was just an ordinary farmer, so it was expected that she was flustered when she suddenly arrived at a magnificent palace. Moreover, the person she paid respects to every day and night without fail was now standing right before her eyes.
She initially wasn’t even able to speak clearly, so Hua Qing Si poured her a cup of tea and placated her before they could start communicating.
Yu Chang Dao was seated beside Xu Ling Gong with the child in his arms. Xu Ling Gong extended his head in an attempt to tease the child, but Yu Chang Dao moved his figure a little to block the child out of the other man’s sight.
Xu Ling Gong pressed his lips together, “How petty!”
He then stuck out his head and took a proper look before breaking into laughter, “So, he’s a boy. Don’t worry, Old Yu. I’ll look for a suitable partner for him from Yin-Yang Cave Heaven. When he grows up, he’ll marry into my Sect.”
Yu Chang Dao glared at him and snarled, “If you dare to do that, I’ll kill you!”
His loud voice must have scared the laughing child as he started crying. Following that, a stream of liquid perfectly landed on Xu Ling Gong’s face.
Seeing that, Yu Chang Dao started laughing as he patted the child in his arms, “My Good Disciple! You already know you should help vent out your Honoured Master’s anger. You’re indeed clever!”
While being patted, the child stopped crying and started chuckling.
Qing Kui and Su Ying Xue just stood behind their Honoured Master, looking up at the ceiling as if admiring the beautiful artwork.
Xu Ling Gong wiped his face and flung his hand, but he didn’t seem to be vexed at all. With a smile, he said, “It’s said that being sprinkled with a toddler’s water can bring good luck. It seems that good things will soon happen to me.”
He then casually dried his hand on Yu Chang Dao’s grey robe.
Yang Kai couldn’t bear to keep looking at these two, thinking that the demeanour of these High-Rank Open Heaven Realm Masters didn’t meet his expectations of how senior experts should behave.
On the other hand, Hua Qing Si was still having a chat with the woman, who would gaze at her child from time to time with concern. However, by now she had somewhat calmed down.
Despite the woman’s small voice, the powerful cultivators in the Grand Hall could clearly hear her.
The woman began telling her story, “My family’s elders said that the Star Boundary fell into great turmoil about 100 years ago, and the people were almost wiped out. In the end, it was Senior Void and his High Heaven Palace that defended the last piece of pure land. With the leadership of Senior Void and the other Great Seniors, they fought an intense battle and eventually drove back the enemies. That was how we all survived. After that, every family would worship the idols or pictures of Senior Void and the other Seniors. This simple woman has never been educated, nor did I have the aptitude to cultivate. Since I was married, I’ve been taking care of my Husband and child and doing some manual work to feed the family. Half a year ago, the child’s Father passed away. Before his death, he took my hand and stroked my belly. The child wasn’t born at that time, but he told me that when the child grew up, I should let him join High Heaven Palace. He didn’t expect the child to be as famous as Senior Void, he just hoped that should there be any calamity again, the child could assist Senior Void and the other Seniors.”
As she tucked her hair behind her ears, she took a look at the alluring Hua Qing Si, then bashfully hung her head low, “It’s been a few months since the child was born. I don’t even know if he can cultivate in the future or has the right to enter High Heaven Palace; however, this was his Father’s dying wish, and I wouldn’t dare to disregard it; otherwise, the child’s Father might not be able to rest in peace.”
Hua Qing Si was moved as she clenched the other woman’s hands, “Don’t worry. Since your child has gained the favour of that Senior, his aptitude must be extraordinary. He’ll certainly achieve great things in life.”
The woman’s eyes brightened when she heard that, “Are you telling me the truth?”
Hua Qing Si smiled and nodded, “I wouldn’t lie to you.”
The woman let out a breath, “If he can cultivate, he won’t be as useless as his parents. However, I wouldn’t dare to hope that he’ll be as great as Senior Void. This simple woman just prays that he will grow up to be healthy and happy.”
The wish of an ordinary person was always simple and guileless.
The woman stole one more glance at Yang Kai and asked in a hushed voice, “Is that really Senior Void?”
Hua Qing Si said with a smile, “Since you worship his picture at home, why would you not recognise him when you finally see him?”
The woman flushed, “I… I just can’t believe it.”
She had always been a lowly farmer, so she found it unbelievable when such an important person suddenly appeared before her eyes.
“Then, are you Head Manager Hua of High Heaven Palace?” The woman suddenly recalled something and gazed at Hua Qing Si in shock.
A curious Hua Qing Si asked, “You know me?”
“It really is you!” The surprised woman covered her mouth as admiration was written all over her face, then she explained, “It is said that Senior Void has a strong right hand in High Heaven Palace. Despite being a woman, she was able to help Senior Void manage all the affairs in this World. Even a simple woman like me has heard about Head Manager Hua. The fact that the Star Boundary has been safe over the years is largely thanks to Head Manager Hua.”
Hua Qing Si replied with a smile, “It seems that I’m pretty famous too.”
The woman smiled humbly, but she soon started squirming as though she was sitting on pins and needles. Not only had she met the famous Senior Void, but she had also come across Head Manager Hua. She felt like she was dreaming.
After a moment of hesitation with her lips pressed together, she asked in a small voice, “Can my son enter High Heaven Palace, Head Manager?”
Hua Qing Si straightened her face and patted the other woman’s hands, “Given the child’s aptitude, he is qualified to be the Disciple of anyone he wishes.”
Since the Seventh-Order Open Heaven Realm Master wanted to take the child on as a Closed Legacy Disciple, it proved that he had an exceptional aptitude, so no great force would turn him down, though Hua Qing Si was unable to see anything special about the child.
The woman gritted her teeth and rose from the chair. Facing Yang Kai, she fell on her knees and pressed her head against the ground as she said loudly, “Senior Void, please accept my child into High Heaven Palace so that the last wish of his Father can be fulfilled. I’m willing to offer a lifetime of service to repay your favour.”
Yu Chang Dao, who was playing with the child, immediately glowered at Yang Kai as his aura churned. It seemed that he would teach Yang Kai a lesson if the latter dared to agree to this request.
Pretending to not see this, Yang Kai sent a signal to Hua Qing Si while uttering, “Get up first.” He felt helpless at the woman’s tendency to keep kneeling.
Hua Qing Si helped the woman up and adjusted her clothes for her.
Before Yang Kai could speak, Yu Chang Dao suddenly said, “Martial Nephew Yang, allow me to have a word with her.”
Yang Kai naturally wouldn’t turn him down over such a trivial matter, so he extended his hand to motion for him to go ahead, after which he picked up a cup of tea and sipped it.
Yu Chang Dao walked up to the woman and explained to her things like Universe Worlds, the 3,000 Worlds, the 36 Cave Heavens and 72 Paradises in a small voice.
The woman was puzzled as she listened to him. She didn’t speak or ask any questions, almost like they were not speaking the same language.
For all her life, she had only stayed in a small place that was several dozen square kilometres. She had never even stepped outside of her farming village prior to today. Therefore, she was unable to understand the old man as he talked about the 3,000 Worlds, Cave Heavens, and Paradises.
She just thought that the things the old man with a grey beard said were abstruse and unfathomable.
From time to time, she would steal a glance at his beard. The originally neat and tidy beard had become dishevelled because of her child, so she was worried that the old man would be angered.
Certainly, Yu Chang Dao realised this as well. He was a Seventh-Order Open Heaven Realm Master who could easily destroy a Star or flip a Universe World when he was infuriated. However, he was completely powerless to deal with this ordinary woman. He felt frustration burning in his chest without any means to vent it out, which was why he was so vexed.
“Do you understand now?” As a cultivator of the Heavenly Way, Yu Chang Dao was truly patient though and asked the woman with a smile.
The woman shook her head and nodded, then shook her head again.
On the side, Xu Ling Gong was all but rolling on the floor with laughter.
Regardless of how patient Yu Chang Dao was, he was enraged by this stubborn woman. If it weren’t because she was the Mother of his future Closed Legacy Disciple, he would have given her a piece of his mind.
He then turned to look at Yang Kai. Suddenly thinking of something, he said, “How do you find High Heaven Palace?”
The woman replied without hesitation, “It’s definitely the best. That was what my Husband kept telling me before his death. In the past, he had tried to enter High Heaven Palace, but he was unable to make his dream come true. That was because his aptitude was not good enough, so he didn’t pass the various tests.”
Yu Chang Dao put on a smile and extended a finger, “High Heaven Palace might be the best in your eyes, but I can easily destroy it with one finger.”
The woman appeared horrified at those words. She looked at the old man as though he was the Demon Lord who caused calamity and upheaval in the Star Boundary 100 years ago.
Not knowing what was on her mind, Yu Chang Dao went on to ask, “How do you find him?” As he spoke, he pointed at Yang Kai.
Respect was written all over the woman’s face, “Without Senior Void and the other Senior who refused to yield in battle, the Star Boundary would’ve been destroyed, and all of us would’ve been killed.”
Yu Chang Dao stroked his fingers across his beard and put on a faint smile, “Perhaps, but he still must call me Martial Uncle, and even if there are ten of him, I can still easily defeat them.”
Yu Chang Dao knew that it was impossible to reason with this using the logic of the Martial Dao woman, so he decided to explain to her in a simple way by comparing High Heaven Palace and Yang Kai with himself so that the woman would realise that he and the force behind him, which was Free and Unfettered Paradise, were powerful.
This couldn’t be helped, as Yu Chang Dao had no other choice. If he could reason with her, he wouldn’t have bragged about his power in such a way. That wasn’t what a senior expert was supposed to do.
The woman appeared flustered as she snatched the child back from Yu Chang Dao and gazed at him with vigilance, “Are you trying to harm the Star Boundary and make things difficult for Senior Void and the other Seniors?”
She reckoned that he was a terrible person since he wanted to destroy High Heaven Palace and Yang Kai.
With the child gone, Yu Chang Dao was dumbfounded for a moment before he snapped, “Just what are you talking about!?” The Martial Dao he had cultivated for years almost fell apart because of a woman who could barely read.
He then turned to stare at Yang Kai and said, “Martial Nephew Yang, it’s not easy for this Old Master to come across a suitable Disciple. I was cultivating the other day when I suddenly had the urge to visit Yin-Yang Cave Heaven, then I was suddenly brought to your Star Boundary by old friend Xu. After that, I found this child here. This is surely fate! This child and I are destined to be Master and Disciple.”
He was being verbose because he wanted Yang Kai to help him out, and certainly Yang Kai was aware of this.
Yang Kai then nodded, “Don’t worry, Martial Uncle. I’ll sit down and have a chat with her.”
Yu Chang Dao looked at him with gratitude, “Many thanks, Martial Nephew. If I can take this child on as a Disciple, I will owe you a favour.”
Yang Kai’s eyes brightened as he guffawed, “Good.”
The favour of a Seventh-Order Open Heaven Realm Master was extraordinarily valuable. If he had such a favour in the past, those from Void Land wouldn’t have fallen into a difficult battle against Zuo Quan Hui. They would just have to invite Yu Chang Dao over to show his face, and everything would have been solved.
After Yu Chang Dao was seated, Xu Ling Gong kept grinning at him, which irritated him to no end. On the other side, Yang Kai walked up to the woman and told her to have a seat. After taking the child from her arms, he sat down on her right side.
Yang Kai had never carried a toddler before. As he looked at the child’s carefree smile, clear eyes, and petite hands, he couldn’t help but take a liking to him. At that moment, he suddenly had the urge to have a child of his own.
Even though the child was in his arms, Yang Kai was still unable to sense the Innate Dao Body he supposedly had. Perhaps even Xu Ling Gong couldn’t see that. Only someone like Yu Chang Dao could discover it.
Yang Kai then asked about the woman’s name and found that she was Liu Cai Xia. Such an ordinary name was typically used by farmers.
Then, he asked about the child’s name and found out that it was given to him by his Father before his death. The name was Shi Da Zhuang as the child got his Father’s surname.
Following that, he inquired about her family, what she did for a living, and whether she had enough money to get by.
Liu Cai Xia answered his questions honestly. Certainly, she wouldn’t dare to lie to Void Great Emperor. Moreover, her life as a farmer was simple, so there was nothing for her to hide.
After some small talk, she no longer appeared as flustered. She was also surprised to learn that such an important figure was so down-to-earth.
As Yu Chang Dao watched them, he let out a sigh. When faced with a Seventh-Order Open Heaven Realm Master like him, the woman wasn’t as respectful to him as she was to Yang Kai. He was unable to make the woman realise that he was the more powerful one.
“What my Martial Uncle Yu has said is not an exaggeration. The great force he belongs to is one of the best in existence, and he is truly powerful. Your child is fortunate to have gained his appreciation, and his future will be limitless if he cultivates under him,” Yang Kai played with the child while explaining to Liu Cai Xia.
Liu Cai Xia clenched the hem of her shirt and replied in a hushed voice, “I understand.”
Yang Kai flashed a smile at her, “Since you understand, why don’t you agree to it? It’s obvious that Martial Uncle Yu sincerely cares for your child and wants to take him as his Closed Legacy Disciple. Otherwise, given his power, he could have directly snatched the child, and there would have been nothing you or even I could do to stop him.”
Liu Cai Xia remained silent.
Yang Kai went on to say, “Your child definitely qualifies to enter High Heaven Palace, but his future will be much brighter by becoming Martial Uncle Yu’s Disciple.”
Across from them, Yu Chang Dao ran his fingers across his beard and nodded softly. With a gentle expression, he looked gratefully at Yang Kai, who obviously didn’t have any selfish motives. As the Void Great Emperor that this simple woman admired, his words were definitely more persuasive than an old man like him who came out of nowhere.
However, the next moment, a few strands of his beard snapped again, but it was his own doing.
A determined Liu Cai Xia looked up and said, “Senior Void, I still hope that you will allow this child to join High Heaven Palace.”
Yu Chang Dao was so exasperated that he stomped his foot on the floor. He almost wanted to reprimand the woman for being so obstinate.
Yang Kai placated him with his eyes, then asked the woman gently, “Is it because that is the last wish of the child’s Father?”
Liu Cai Xia nodded her head, “I know nothing about the outside world, and I have no idea who is stronger or weaker, but my late Husband was my world, and he only had one wish before his death. It would be fine if the child did not have the qualifications to cultivate as he could simply walk down his Father’s path and grow up safely. When he grew old enough, I would look for a Wife for him, and he would have children of his own. He would work hard every morning and come home in the evening. He would be able to live his life peacefully. However, since he can cultivate, he can only join High Heaven Palace; otherwise, his Father will never be able to rest in peace, and I won’t have the face to see him when I pass away one day.”
The woman was simple-minded and guileless, but she was obstinate.
The last wish of the child’s Father was of utmost importance to her in her heart, so she would never dare to disobey him; therefore, despite knowing that the old man was right, and that Senior Void sincerely wanted the child to have a bright future, the Liu Cai Xia still wouldn’t change her mind.
If the child’s Father was still alive, they could’ve reasoned with him; however, he was now dead, so it wasn’t like they could dig up his grave and ask him. Furthermore, the corpse wouldn’t respond to them even if they did.
There was a helpless smile on Yang Kai’s face as he gazed at Yu Chang Dao, “Martial Uncle, I don’t think it’s appropriate to force her to do something against her will. Why don’t you look for a different Disciple? Even though there are not a lot of people in the Star Boundary, there are definitely many talented youths. Perhaps you’ll find a more suitable candidate.”
Yu Chang Dao shook his head, “It’s extremely difficult to find anyone with the Innate Dao Body. This Old Master has travelled to countless Universe Worlds before, but never met another child like him. I don’t think I can find another in this lifetime.”
“What should we do, then?” Yang Kai appeared to be having a headache as he patted the child in his arms, “I can’t go against the will of the child’s Father. It’s his last wish after all.”
Yu Chang Dao pressed his lips together, then let out a long sigh. If he knew this would be the outcome, he would’ve directly brought the child back to Free and Unfettered Paradise, skipping over all this nonsense. He initially thought that by bringing them here and making Yang Kai negotiate, he could easily take on the child as a Disciple. It never crossed his mind that things would come to such a point. The impasse made him vexed.
Yang Kai suggested by saying, “Martial Uncle, why don’t you stay in the Star Boundary for a while longer and spend more time with the child? When the child grows up, you can ask him whether he’ll be interested in becoming your disciple.”
Yu Chang Dao’s eyes brightened.
Liu Cai Xia immediately objected in her small voice though, “When the child grows up, he’ll still have to join High Heaven Palace.”
“You!” Yu Chang Dao was so exasperated that he almost spat blood.
Liu Cai Xia hung her head low and clenched the hem of her shirt, “If he can’t join High Heaven Palace, he’ll not cultivate.” Then, she stood up and was clearly ready to take the child back from Yang Kai. It seemed that she was determined to return home.
Yang Kai hurriedly stopped her by saying, “Good, I’ll let him join High Heaven Palace right now. From now on, he’s a Disciple of High Heaven Palace.”
Liu Cai Xia’s hands froze in mid-air, then her eyes widened as she was in a dazed state before she became ecstatic. With her eyes reddening, she replied gratefully, “Many thanks, Senior Void. This child’s Father can finally rest in peace now.”
“Martial Nephew!” Yu Chang Dao stared angrily at Yang Kai, “H-How can you do such a thing?”
Yang Kai was basically stealing his Disciple from him, right in front of his face no less. He initially had a good impression of Yang Kai because of Xu Ling Gong, but he no longer felt that way. By snatching his Disciple from him, Yang Kai was practically breaking off his legacy. This was a feud that was second only to if someone killed his Father or snatched his Wife.
Yang Kai pretended to not hear him though as he said to Hua Qing Si, “Look for a quiet place in the palace and help them settle down.”
He then turned to look at Liu Cai Xia, “The child is still young, so you’ll still have to take care of him. You can stay here with peace of mind. Your child will start cultivating when he’s a little older.”
Liu Cai Xia was naturally grateful. She knew that she no longer had to live a life of poverty thanks to her child.
Yang Kai then asked her if there was anyone else in her family that had to be informed about this matter. Upon learning that her child was her only remaining family, he was relieved that there would be no further trouble.
After Hua Qing Si left the hall alongside Liu Cai Xia and her child, Yang Kai turned to look at Yu Chang Dao and bowed, “Martial Uncle Yu!”
Yu Chang Dao sported a long face as he rose from the chair and swung his sleeve, “Old friend Xu, this Old Master still has other matters to attend to, so I’ll take my leave now.”
He then prepared to depart. It took him a painfully long time before he found a suitable Disciple, only to have him snatched away by Yang Kai. That was why he was vexed. He decided that when Yang Kai wasn’t paying attention, he would abduct the woman and the child back to Free and Unfettered Paradise. He reckoned that Yang Kai wouldn’t dare to barge into his Sect and get them back.
He would never let go of this Disciple.
While Xu Ling Gong remained silent, Yang Kai stood in Yu Chang Dao path and put on a fawning smile, “Please forgive me, Martial Uncle. I had no choice but to do things this way.”
Yu Chang Dao glowered at him, “Just because you didn’t have a choice, it didn’t mean you could snatch my Disciple. Stand aside, or else don’t blame this Old Master for being impolite!”
A nonchalant Yang Kai replied with a smile, “Doesn’t Martial Uncle Yu understand that I was simply retreating in order to advance?”
Yu Chang Dao frowned and looked at him doubtfully.
Xu Ling Gong gently comforted from the side, “Although this brat acts recklessly sometimes, he isn’t a mannerless brute. He must have his own reason for doing what he did. Why don’t you have a seat and listen to his explanation? It’d be best if he could explain himself. If he can’t, you can beat him up to vent out your anger. He won’t dare to resist.”
Yu Chang Dao snorted, “He’s a son-in-law of Yin-Yang Cave Heaven, so I wouldn’t dare to teach him a lesson without your permission!” If he really made a move, Xu Ling Gong would certainly interfere.
Xu Ling Gong chuckled, “Then I’ll beat him up on your behalf. I’ve never been fond of him anyway.”
There was a bitter expression on Yang Kai’s face, “You wound me deeply, Martial Uncle Xu.”
In response, Xu Ling Gong just chuckled.
It was only after some more placating that Yu Chang Dao took a seat and examined Yang Kai.
After measuring his words, Yang Kai said, “As you are well aware, Martial Uncle, the child’s Mother is incredibly obstinate. The child’s Father left behind only one final wish before he passed away, so as long as she lives, she will not disregard it. Regardless of how great the outside world is, the child has to enter High Heaven Palace, unless you have a way to retrieve the soul of the child’s Father back from the Yellow Springs and get him to change his mind.”
With a dark expression, Yu Chang Dao fell silent.
Yang Kai chuckled, “En, even though the child has joined High Heaven Palace though, it doesn’t mean you can’t be his Master.”
Yu Chang Dao arched his brow, “What do you mean?”
Yang Kai deliberately swung his sleeves as though he had come up with a perfect solution, “I have a suggestion. If Martial Uncle Yu agrees to it, you can take the child on as a Disciple immediately. This way, the last wish of the child’s Father will be fulfilled, and Martial Uncle Yu will be able to accept your favoured Disciple. It’s the best of both worlds.”
“Oh?” Yu Chang Dao’s interest had been piqued as his expression turned milder, “And how would you suggest we go about implementing this best-of-both-worlds solution?”
Yang Kai swung his sleeves again and bent his back, “As Palace Master of High Heaven Palace, I would like to formally invite Martial Uncle Yu to serve as a Supreme High-Rank Guest Elder.”
Xu Ling Gong, who was fiddling with his teacup, immediately froze in place. He looked up at Yang Kai with an expression which suggested he already knew that the latter was up to no good.
Behind him, Qing Kui and Su Ying Xue widened their mouths and stared at Yang Kai in disbelief.
[H-How did he have the nerve to come up with such a suggestion?] A Seventh-Order Open Heaven Realm Master was extremely powerful, so how did a Sect of a Universe World have the right to invite him to be a Supreme High-Rank Guest Elder, which was just a useless title?
It had to be noted that people like Yu Chang Dao were mostly Inner Elders of the Cave Heavens and Paradises. They usually wouldn’t be interested in becoming the Supreme High-Rank Guest Elders of great forces like Void Land, much less a mere High Heaven Palace.
Yu Chang Dao was startled for a moment before he broke into laughter, as though he had just heard the funniest joke. Soon after though, he fell silent with a solemn expression. Then, he knocked on the table and nodded, “En, it’s actually a feasible solution.”
Qing Kui and Su Ying Xue turned to look at him in disbelief.
An elated Yang Kai asked, “So you agree to it, Martial Uncle?”
Yu Chang Dao didn’t immediately respond to him, and after a moment of silence, he replied, “I’ll have to think about it.”
Yang Kai smiled and nodded, “There’s no rush. You’ll have plenty of time to ponder it. Why don’t you stay in High Heaven Palace for a while to think about it?”
Yu Chang Dao nodded, “Good, I’ll take a look at the child now.”
“I’ll lead the way for you,” Yang Kai offered.
However, Yu Chang Dao waved his hand and said, “There’s no need. I can find my own way.”
The next moment, he disappeared from the spot. His anxiety showed that he truly cared about the child.
Yang Kai let out a breath of relief, but when he turned his head, he saw Xu Ling Gong smiling faintly at him.
“Please have some tea, Martial Uncle Xu,” Yang Kai said.
Xu Ling Gong chuckled, “You’ve dug a nice pit there, kid. Old Yu will be willing to jump right into it.”
An aggrieved Yang Kai said, “You’ve got me all wrong, Martial Uncle Xu. I just want to fulfil the last wish of the child’s Father.”
“Stop spouting nonsense!” Xu Ling Gong snorted, “Maybe you initially didn’t have such intentions, but would you dare to say you didn’t have an ulterior motive after seeing the attitudes of that woman and Old Yu?”
Yang Kai directly sat down on a chair beside him and tilted his figure before saying in a hushed voice, “Even though you’ve seen through me, it’d be terrible if you point it out. Don’t you agree, Martial Uncle Xu?”
Xu Ling Gong grinned in a devious manner.
Qing Kui and Su Ying Xue looked at them in a way as though they were two foxes, grinning slyly.
All of a sudden, Yang Kai appeared worried, “Do you think it will work?”
Xu Ling Gong stroked his chin and said, “You’ll most likely succeed. Old Yu has been looking for a suitable Legacy Disciple for many years, but to no avail. However, he’s found one here, so there’s no way he’ll let the child go. If he wants to take the child on as a Disciple, he’ll have to become a Supreme High-Rank Guest Elder of High Heaven Palace; otherwise, he won’t have the right to accept the child as his Disciple. You’re such a cunning brat. By using that baby, you’ve managed to bind a Seventh-Order Open Heaven Realm Master to your Sect. It’s such a steal. Moreover, when the child grows up, he’ll still be a Disciple of High Heaven Palace. Old Yu is practically going to train a disciple for you for free. It’s no wonder that even though it’s been a short time since you started cultivating, you’ve managed to build such an influential Sect. I suppose you’ve managed to deceive many people over the years.”
There was a solemn expression on Yang Kai’s face, “You’ve got me wrong, Martial Uncle Xu. I’ve managed to build such a Sect because of my natural charm and charisma, not because of anything else.”
Xu Ling Gong didn’t play along as he snorted, “However, Old Yu has lived for a long time, he may be temporarily fooled by you, but it doesn’t mean he will be blind to it forever. In fact, it’s quite likely he’s already seen through you, but he just didn’t bother to expose it.”
Yang Kai nodded repeatedly, “Senior experts like you two are undoubtedly insightful and intelligent; Juniors like me are no match for you. I’ve taken some slight advantage because I’m young and weak.”
“Stop your useless flattery!” Xu Ling Gong landed a slap on Yang Kai’s shoulder, which forced the latter to lower his figure slightly, “Old Yu has gotten some benefits, but what about me, boy? You’re a son-in-law of Yin-Yang Cave Heaven, so you can’t just give all the benefits to the outsiders. You have to be fair to us.”
Yang Kai hurriedly replied, “Of course. That’s the reason I asked Senior Brother Qing to invite you over.”
Xu Ling Gong put on a faint smile, “You’re indeed a promising young man.”
“Martial Uncle Yu wants to take that child on as a Legacy Disciple, so would you want to get a Disciple too, Martial Uncle Xu?” Yang Kai asked.
“Nonsense!” Xu Ling Gong snapped as he appeared somewhat determined, “I’ve had enough with only three Disciples. I’m basically their Father who raised them from diapers to today. I’ll never accept a Disciple again.”
Qing Kui and Su Ying Xue rolled their eyes, thinking that they were already teenagers when they joined the Sect. Xu Ling Gong was completely exaggerating. Qu Hua Shang was indeed a toddler when she was taken into the Sect, but it was Qing Kui and Su Ying Xue who raised her while Xu Ling Gong acted as an arm-flinging shopkeeper.
Despite their thoughts, they would never dare to say this out loud of course.
Xu Ling Gong said with a grin, “Even though I’m not taking on a Disciple, it doesn’t mean I can’t get some disciples for Yin-Yang Cave Heaven. Your Star Boundary is full of talented young people now, and the World Tree located here is truly abstruse as it has transformed this place greatly. Its aura is able to cleanse a person’s Soul and physique. Before a child is even born, they have already been cleansed thoroughly. You can’t find nearly as many talents in other Universe Worlds as in this place. In my eyes, the Star Boundary is paved with gold. Kid, since you want to share the benefits, are you ready to let others take the lion’s share?”
A nonchalant Yang Kai replied, “It’s said that one has to lose something in order to gain more. Keeping all the benefits to myself will only invite trouble.”
Xu Ling Gong gave him an approving look, “When Qing Boy came back to the Sect, he told me what you had said, and I commend you for that. The Star Boundary is like a treasure trove now. If you intend to hog everything for yourself, you’ll be destroyed one day. All the Cave Heavens and Paradises are very sensitive to events in the 3,000 Worlds. Once news about the Star Boundary spreads, they’ll all flock to this place. The fact that you’re able to see through this and open it up in advance in order to maintain the initiative is praiseworthy.”
There was a solemn expression on Yang Kai’s face, “Please advise me, Martial Uncle Xu.”
Xu Ling Gong waved his hand, “Just like what I’ve said, your place is filled with talents. Even though I’m not going to accept any Disciples, no Cave Heaven or Paradises would refuse more disciples with exceptional aptitudes. In all the Cave Heavens and Paradises, a Core Disciple that can directly ascend to the Sixth Order will only appear once every 1,000 years or so. Disciples like Qu’er cost each Cave Heaven and Paradise a lot of resources and time to nurture. Of course, there are also freaks like you. If those great forces hadn’t stopped you, you could’ve directly ascended to the Seventh Order.”
As he spoke, he gave Yang Kai a regretful look.
Yang Kai put on a nonchalant smile, “A tree that rises too far above the forest will be destroyed by the wind. I’m fine with the situation I’m in. At least I don’t have others breathing down my neck all the time and I can have some good rest at night.”
Xu Ling Gong turned to look at Qing Kui and Su Ying Xue as he pointed at Yang Kai, “Look at how sanguine your Junior Brother is. You should learn from him. It’s not easy for a young man to have such a temperament.”
Qing Kui and Su Ying Xue nodded at the same time, “You’re right, Honoured Master.”
Following a sigh, Xu Ling Gong said, “Don’t blame the Cave Heavens and Paradises for meddling in your business, kid. There are some reasons that cannot be exposed to outsiders which make them feel wary of anyone who attempts to directly ascend to the Seventh Order.”
With a frown, Yang Kai said, “I heard that someone directly ascended to the Seventh Order in the past and eventually made it to the Ninth Order. However, due to an accident, many people were slaughtered in the 3,000 Worlds.”
After measuring his words, Xu Ling Gong said, “Something like that, but I can’t tell you the details. You’ll have a clearer picture about it in the future.”
Yang Kai fell into his thoughts as he realised that there were other unknown reasons; however, since Xu Ling Gong wasn’t willing to go further, he couldn’t keep asking.
“Let’s get back to the main topic.” Xu Ling Gong waved his hand, “Let’s talk about the Star Boundary. Now that you’ve opened up this place, I’ve granted your request to bring some people over; however, they’re just the first batch, and more will come soon. Once word gets out, all 108 Cave Heavens and Paradises will send representatives to the Star Boundary, trying to get their hands on the benefits here. Since Yin-Yang Cave Heaven and your Sect are on close terms, I’ll not hesitate to state my demands first.”
“Please go ahead, Martial Uncle Xu,” Yang Kai sported a solemn expression.
Xu Ling Gong gently knocked on the table and enunciated, “Yin-Yang Cave Heaven will take ten disciples from the Star Boundary every 100 years. Will you agree to it?”
Since he had come up with his demand, it was no longer a chat between a Senior and a Junior, it was a negotiation between Yin-Yang Cave Heaven and Yang Kai, who represented Void Land and the Star Boundary.
“Ten people every 100 years!” Despite being ready for it, Yang Kai still gasped upon hearing that, then he put on a bitter smile, “Yin-Yang Cave Heaven alone will get ten people, so that means a total of 1,080 for all 108 forces with a 100-year cycle. It’s not like the Star Boundary can produce so many talented people. All of them will be snatched up by you and other great forces. How is Void Land going to get any benefits?”
Xu Ling Gong shot him a glance, “What’s wrong, kid? Are you going to give everyone a fair deal? Are you also their son-in-law?”
Yang Kai chuckled, “Of course not.”
Xu Ling Gong directly pointed the way for him, “They’ll be more than happy if you could respectively give them one person every 100 years. The Martial Dao is all about quality, not quantity. It’s the same case for disciples. What’s the point of getting so many disciples if all of them are weak? If they’re lucky enough to find one that can directly ascend to the Seventh Order, it’ll be more valuable than getting 100 weaker disciples.”
Yang Kai played along and said, “Since you’ve said so, Martial Uncle Xu, a disciple every 100 years is all Yin-Yang Cave Heaven will need. What’s the point of getting ten people?”
Xu Ling Gong stared at him without saying a word.
Yang Kai tried to haggle, “Three people.”
Hearing that, Xu Ling Gong rose from the chair and barked, “Qing Boy, Little Xue’er, let’s go home! It seems that this son-in-law doesn’t welcome us. I’m annoyed! Go back and tell Qu’er that there won’t be any wedding either. We’ll call it all off.”
“Ten people it is!” Yang Kai hurriedly pulled Xu Ling Gong back to his seat and placated him, “I was just pulling your leg, Martial Uncle Xu. Why take it so seriously?”
Xu Ling Gong picked up his cup and realised that there was no more tea in it. Seeing that, Yang Kai quickly filled it.
After taking a sip of the tea, Xu Ling Gong spoke in a heartfelt manner, “Do not think that you’re suffering a loss, kid. You have to know that the Star Boundary is on the rise, and this is just the first generation. Under the influence of the World Tree, more and more talented people will appear over the successive generations. Many people will most likely be able to directly ascend to the Fifth-Order and Sixth-Order. Heaven-defying talents who can directly make it to the Seventh Order might also appear.”
Yang Kai nodded, “I understand.”
“With so many people with outstanding aptitudes around, can Void Land alone provide for them?”
Yang Kai replied honestly, “Of course, we can’t.”
“In that case, I’d suggest you not waste their talents and send them to other great forces instead. What’s more, all of them will be born in the Star Boundary, so regardless of what Cave Heaven or Paradise they join in the future, their roots will remain here in the Star Boundary, so if the time ever comes, they will defend their ‘home’ no matter what. When they become powerful one day, they’ll not betray the Star Boundary. They’re like the World Tree you’ve planted; there’ll come a day when they’ll give back to this land.”
Yang Kai nodded, “That is the reason I’ve decided to open up this place. First of all, just like what you’ve said, I have no choice but to do so in order to avoid trouble. Secondly, I have to find some suitable paths for the future young talents of the Star Boundary.”
“The fact that you have this consideration is commendable,” Xu Ling Gong gave him an approving look.
Meanwhile, Qing Kui and Su Ying Xue gazed at Yang Kai in disbelief. When he previously told Qing Kui to go back to Yin-Yang Cave Heaven and inform Xu Ling Gong about it, they just thought that he wanted to use their Honoured Master to help fend off the approaching wolves. However, it never crossed their minds that he was so far-sighted.
In a poor family, the parents couldn’t afford to provide for their children if there were too many of them. Regardless of how reluctant they were, they had to give some children away. During times of war or famine, the people who sold their children were not necessarily after the money, many just wanted their children to have a better future. It was true that parents would always worry about their children.
“Since you’re so far-sighted, have you thought about what will happen when all these disciples, who will be scattered everywhere in the 3,000 Worlds, become powerful figures in the Cave Heavens and Paradises one day?”
Yang Kai was startled for a moment before his eyes lit up.
With a smile, Xu Ling Gong patted the other man’s shoulder, “Give it a thought. There will come a day when the Star Boundary becomes the centre of the 3,000 Worlds. All the Cave Heavens and Paradises will have some connections with the Star Boundary, so if the Star Boundary falls into trouble, they’ll not hesitate to help.”
After pondering on it for a moment, Yang Kai asked, “If it’s just like what you’ve said, should I proactively offer more benefits to them instead of haggling with them?”
Xu Ling Gong scoffed, “Don’t go overboard. Just like what you’ve said, if all the benefits are given out, what will be left for your Void Land? You have to be moderate in everything you do. It’s all good if you’re able to pull off this feat, but if you can’t, some people will suffer losses.”
Yang Kai nodded, “I understand. Many thanks for your advice, Martial Uncle Xu.”
After a pause, he chuckled, “I initially thought that Xuan Yuan Cave Heaven and Myriad Demons Heaven should never dream about getting any benefits from the Star Boundary. If they dared to come, I’d tell them to scram.”
“What about now?” Xu Ling Gong gazed at him.
With a smile, Yang Kai replied, “I’ll treat them politely. It’ll be all good if they behave themselves. If they don’t, I’ll have to ask you to lend me a hand.”
Xu Ling Gong grinned, “Since I’ve gotten so many benefits from you, I don’t mind giving you a hand. I even made some preparations before coming to this place.”
Yang Kai batted his eyes, “Should I also share more benefits with the others so that they’ll help out?”
“Of course you’ll have to do that, but there’s no rush. Let them walk around and see more of the Star Boundary. When they realise the importance of this place, it’ll be easier for you to haggle with them.”
“You’re such a cunning man, Martial Uncle Xu!” Yang Kai chuckled.
His laugh then abruptly stopped following a slap from Xu Ling Gong.
“The ten disciples every 100 years that I’ve mentioned is just one of the demands. There’s one more,” Xu Ling Gong patted his sleeves.
Yang Kai rubbed his head and said, “Please explain. I’m all ears.”
“Yin-Yang Cave Heaven will build a Dao Temple in the Star Boundary as a branch of the Master Sect. I’ll select the place myself. Don’t worry, we’ll not snatch your foundation or oppress you. As for the landmass… I’ll need 500,000 square kilometres. We’ll bear the cost of building the Dao Temple and maintaining it, so you’ll just have to agree to give the land to us.”
Xu Ling Gong represented Yin-Yang Cave Heaven to haggle with Yang Kai, but it wasn’t just a matter of one great force. He had practically laid down a foundation on which the other Cave Heavens and Paradises would base their own demands around when discussing cooperation with the Star Boundary.
Although Xu Ling Gong never pointed it out, Yang Kai knew that the other man was secretly giving him a hint.
Therefore, after Xu Ling Gong finished his words, Yang Kai immediately made some calculations. If one great force demanded 500,000 square kilometres, the total would be over 50 million square kilometres for all 108 great forces.
In other words, a landmass of over 50 million square kilometres would become branches of the Cave Heavens and Paradises in the Star Boundary. The landmass was neither big nor small, and there was certainly more than enough land in the Star Boundary for that, so Yang Kai was able to bear it.
Hence, he directly agreed to this condition, “Good. However, no one can choose any place within a 10 million kilometre radius around the World Tree.”
Xu Ling Gong replied with a smile, “Naturally. You’re worried about the World Tree, but others will be equally anxious as well. No one will have their eyes on the World Tree or its surrounding area.”
“Good.” Yang Kai nodded, then fell into his thoughts for a moment, “Are you going to bring some people over from Yin-Yang Cave Heaven to the Star Boundary to cultivate, Martial Uncle Xu?”
Xu Ling Gong cut to the chase and nodded, “That’s my plan. Getting disciples from the Star Boundary is one way to benefit, but they are natives of this place after all. Moreover, there aren’t many people in the Star Boundary to begin with. Since there’s such a chance, I’ll not waste it. After a Dao Temple is built, we can select some young disciples with exceptional aptitudes and send them to the Star Boundary to nurture. They will grow up to be just as fine as the locals.”
Yang Kai pondered and agreed. Since Xu Ling Gong had this plan, it must be the same case for other Cave Heavens and Paradises as well. Allowing those great forces to build Dao Temples here was inevitable.
“As long as you can fulfil these two demands, you’ll realise that those haughty guys from the Cave Heavens and Paradises are actually pretty reasonable.”
Yang Kai chuckled, “Well, they’ll be unreasonable if their demands are not met, right?”
Xu Ling Gong didn’t comment on that. After giving it a thought, he said, “There’s one thing that’s difficult to deal with, though.”
“What is it?” Yang Kai stared at him in puzzlement.
Xu Ling Gong turned to look at the World Tree with a worried expression, “If the World Tree starts bearing fruits one day, there will be chaos.”
World Fruits were Heaven-defying treasures that could allow an Open Heaven Realm Master to directly ascend to the next Order. Mid-Rank and Low-Rank World Fruits wouldn’t really matter too much, but if there were High-Rank World Fruits, those Seventh-Order and Eighth-Order Open Heaven Realm Masters would certainly drool over them. If an Eighth-Order Open Heaven Realm Master were to consume a High-Rank World Fruit, he could directly rise to the Ninth-Order.
Even though the Cave Heavens and Paradises were said to be united, they might not remain friendly with each other if such an opportunity appeared before them; after all, regardless of how many fruits the World Tree would bear, there wouldn’t be 108 High-Rank World Fruits for all of them.
If the World Tree really bore fruits but there were not enough High-Rank World Fruits for everyone, a conflict was bound to happen.
Yang Kai broke into laughter, “To be honest with you, Martial Uncle Xu, this World Tree isn’t the Mother Tree. The real one is still in the Grand Ancient Ruins Boundary. The World Tree in the Star Boundary was grown after I snatched a root from the Mother Tree in the past. It’s considered a subtree. Only the real World Tree can bear World Fruits that are Heaven-defying. As long as the Mother Tree does not die, the subtree will never bear fruits.”
It was then that Xu Ling Gong set his mind at ease, “That’s for the best.”
Despite his words, he found it to be a shame as well. However, compared to the conflict that might arise between the Cave Heavens and Paradises, this kind of regret was nothing.
“Do you have any other advice for me, Martial Uncle Xu?” Yang Kai asked humbly.
Xu Ling Gong shook his head, “No. Aside from getting disciples every 100 years and building Dao Temples here, everything else will be up to you to negotiate.”
Yang Kai straightened up and sported a solemn expression, “In that case, it’s my turn to come up with my demands.”
Xu Ling Gong gave him a look as he had a bad feeling. With vigilance, he asked, “What are you up to, brat?”
With a serious expression, Yang Kai replied, “You’ve got me wrong, Martial Uncle Xu. Since it’s a deal, both parties will have to put something on the table. It wouldn’t be fair if one party comes up with all sorts of demands while the other can only obey. Why do parents who sell their kids demand money in return? They could just give their children to wealthy people for free. The reason they ask for something in return is that they’re worried these wealthy people won’t treasure their children. Things that have to be paid for are more valuable than those that are free.”
“Pure sophistry!” Xu Ling Gong snorted, but after giving it a thought, he had to admit that Yang Kai was right, “Well, you do have a point. So, you, the Great Emperor of the Star Boundary, are selling your children. Is that what you mean?”
A ‘heartbroken’ Yang Kai replied, “If possible, I would never want to do such a thing; however, just like what you’ve said, the Star Boundary will have countless talented people in the future. Neither the Star Boundary and Void Land can’t afford to provide for all of them. It’s great that the Cave Heavens and Paradises are willing to share the burden, but they can’t get all the benefits for free.”
Xu Ling Gong shot him a dismissive look, “You can come up with your own demands, but it’s entirely up to me whether I’ll agree to them.”
There was a conflicted expression on Yang Kai’s face as he pondered on it for a moment, “For every disciple you take, you’ll have to pay one complete set of Sixth-Order Materials or something of the equivalent value. What do you think?”
Xu Ling Gong couldn’t help but see him in a different light, “Good, it seems that you really don’t have any selfish motives.”
A set of Sixth-Order material was worth around 100 to 120 million Open Heaven Pills, but that wasn’t a big deal for the Cave Heavens and Paradises. It would be a bargain to use such a small amount to obtain a disciple with a bright future. If the disciple could directly ascend to the Sixth Order, it would totally be worth it.
The Cave Heavens and Paradises didn’t have many Core Disciples like Lin Feng and Qu Hua Shang after all.
If they wanted to take on disciples from the Star Boundary, they would never have their eyes on the ordinary people. They would certainly go for those who could possibly break straight to the Sixth Order one day, so there was no way they would be taking a loss with such a deal. As for whether they would make a wrong judgement, that had nothing to do with Yang Kai.
And since they had to offer a set of Sixth-Order materials to obtain such a disciple, they would certainly nurture them with care.
Even if Yang Kai had tried to come up with an unreasonable demand, Xu Ling Gong wouldn’t have been surprised, so since he had put forth such a reasonable request, it showed that he was truly concerned about the cultivators born in the Star Boundary.
“Secondly, all the great forces cannot forcefully take the disciples they want in the Star Boundary. Everything must be agreed upon willingly. If two or more great forces have their eyes on the same disciple, the decision has to be made by the person themselves. Martial Uncle Xu, you’ll have to discuss the rules with the other Cave Heavens and Paradises regarding this. If anyone dares to break the rules, the others will have to step in to settle the matter.”
Xu Ling Gong shot him a glare, “Do you want to have more Supreme High-Rank Guest Elders in High Heaven Palace, you damned brat? Stop dreaming! It’s a rare coincidence that resulted from that woman’s obstinance and Yu Chang Dao’s difficulty in finding a Legacy Disciple that you even got one. If others come across such an incident, they’d rather give up on the Disciple than become a Supreme High-Rank Guest Elders. There are no benefits to being tied to High Heaven Palace after all.”
Yang Kai shook his head, “It’d be great if High Heaven Palace could have more Supreme High-Rank Guest Elders, but that’s not my priority. It’s just that things run smoothly when there are established rules.”
Xu Ling Gong agreed with him, “You have a point. Fine. When the others arrive, I’ll discuss this with them. I’ll have to spend some time persuading them, but I believe they’ll understand that it’s the only way to move forward.”
Yang Kai rose from the chair and bowed, “Many thanks, Martial Uncle Xu.”
Even though he was a Sixth-Order Open Heaven Realm Master who was the Lord of Void Land as well as a Great Emperor of the Star Boundary, Yang Kai would never have the right to discuss terms with a group of High-Rank Open Heaven Realm Masters as long as he wasn’t in the High-Rank himself. Xu Ling Gong would have to deal with it and persuade the others.
Xu Ling Gong then coughed and said, “I passed by a Territory Gate when I arrived at this place; however, since I was in a rush to come to the Star Boundary, I didn’t enter it. Qing Boy told me that it’s a Newborn Great Territory that had never been discovered.”
Yang Kai sported a long face, “Martial Uncle Xu, you can’t be too greedy. It’d be terrible if you want to get even more when you’ve already obtained so many benefits.”
Xu Ling Gong snapped, “I was just asking. Why are you so anxious?”
Yang Kai shook his head, “I’m willing to share the benefits of the Star Boundary with the Cave Heavens and Paradises because there’s no other choice; however, I’ll never share the Newborn Great Territory with anyone.”
Xu Ling Gong narrowed his eyes, “The Star Boundary is a treasure trove, and it’s the same case for the Newborn Great Territory. The Territory Gate is right there. How are they supposed to not be tempted?”
Yang Kai said, “I’ve worked together with Luan Bai Feng to build a Grand Array around the Territory Gate. Whoever dares to barge into it will be exiled to the Void. If someone wants to test their luck, they’re welcome to try.”
Xu Ling Gong pointed at him, “You! You! In that case, I’m worried there’ll be an argument over this.”
Yang Kai chuckled, “Don’t worry. We’ll deal with it accordingly. It’s all fine as long as they’re not going to have a hand in the Newborn Great Territory.”
In the next half a month, Yang Kai went on to wait for those from Xuan Yuan Cave Heaven and Myriad Demons Heaven to arrive.
There was no way Wu Kuang would let Pei Wen Xuan and Yin Xin Zhao survive after he took them away. Be it to absorb the heritages of their Small Universes or to hide the secrets of his Heaven Devouring Battle Law, he would no doubt kill them ruthlessly.
As soon as those two were dead, those from Myriad Demons Heaven and Xuan Yuan Cave Heaven would be made aware and would begin searching for them.
In the past, Yang Kai wouldn’t have any solution to such a problem. Even though he had a lot of strong cultivators with him, he didn’t think he could defeat two Cave Heavens.
All he could have done was make use of the World Force borrowed from the Star Boundary and temporarily become a Seventh-Order Open Heaven Realm Master to fight back.
However, since Yu Chang Dao had become the Supreme High-Rank Guest Elder of High Heaven Palace, and Xu Ling Gong and his friends were in the Star Boundary, they could help him settle this bit of trouble.
Nevertheless, those from Myriad Demons Heaven and Xuan Yuan Cave Heaven never arrived. Instead, the second batch of visitors had come knocking on the door.
When Qing Kui returned to Yin-Yang Cave Heaven previously, there happened to be some High-Rank Open Heaven Realm Masters visiting from other Sects. Upon realising the severity of the matter, Xu Ling Gong didn’t delay and headed straight to the Star Boundary alongside his friends. At the same time, he sent messages to the other Cave Heavens and Paradises he was on good terms with and briefly talked about what was going on. The route was also provided to allow them to send representatives over to hold a discussion.
The High-Rank Open Heaven Realm Masters who were informed naturally understood the gravity of this situation. Upon learning that there was a World Tree in the Star Boundary, they would not dare to underestimate the matter. Therefore, many High-Rank Open Heaven Realm Masters hurriedly set off on their journeys.
Those were the second batch of visitors, and there were more still to come. There was a Seventh-Order old man who visited the Star Boundary on this day, and the next day, three people arrived at this place together. Two days later, two people came here together. The Star Boundary was now bustling with activity.
There was a table at the bottom of the World Tree. Yang Kai and Xu Ling Gong were seated across from each other as they chatted over wine and waited patiently.
Regardless of who the High-Rank Open Heaven Realm Master was, he or she would immediately see the gigantic tree that was almost 300 kilometres in height now when they arrived at the Star Boundary. When they landed on the ground, they would then easily spot Yang Kai and Xu Ling Gong.
The visitors were all Xu Ling Gong’s close friends that had been informed of what was going on. Xu Ling Gong introduced Yang Kai to these High-Rank Open Heaven Realm Masters from the various Cave Heavens and Paradises in order to familiarise the young man with them.
Whoever the visitor was, they wouldn’t hesitate to leave upon inquiring Xu Ling Gong about the situation in this place. They were eager to look into what was going on in the Star Boundary. During this recent period of time, there were many High-Rank Open Heaven Realm Masters in the Star Boundary, which was quite unprecedented.
In just one month, Yang Kai got to know 30 such people.
At the same time, there was an extensive public campaign going on in the Star Boundary. With High Heaven Palace taking the lead, assisted by the other major Sects, all the information about the Outer Universe, the 3,000 Worlds, and the 108 top great forces was written into booklets and engraved into jades that were distributed to the general populace. Wherever there were people who gathered together, such information would be given to them.
The Star Boundary was bound to become the Open Heaven Realm Cradle of the 3,000 Worlds, and the Cave Heavens and Paradises would start accepting disciples from this place in the near future. Since they had to move with the times, they had to let everyone in the Star Boundary become familiar with the information about the outside world. Only by doing so would they be able to make informed choices.
It was imaginable that the hundreds of billions of lives in the Star Boundary would be shocked by the extensive campaign that was no different from a windstorm to them.
After all, prior to this, they were like the frogs in the well. But now, there was a chance for them to leap out of the well and have a peek at the wider sky.
In just one month, everyone in the Star Boundary knew that the top 108 great forces from the Outer Universe would come over to take on disciples. If they were lucky enough, their lives would drastically change.
Countless rogue cultivators became eager as they hoped that those powerful cultivators from the Outer Universe would have their eyes on them. However, it was destined to be a pipe dream for these people. Although the current generation in the Star Boundary had undergone some transformation following the growth of the World Tree, the people who would experience the greatest change were the newborns and those who were still unborn.
One month later, the last batch of people arrived, so Xu Ling Gong finished his tea and rose from the chair before speaking, “Since everyone’s here, it’s time to discuss the rules.”
Yang Kai hurriedly sent a message to Hua Qing Si and told her to get prepared.
Xu Ling Gong faced north as his lips squirmed, but he was not heard speaking. A moment later, he said to Yang Kai, “Let’s go.”
As a thought flashed through Yang Kai’s mind, the two of them appeared outside of High Heaven Palace in the next moment.
After they waited for a bit, they saw many rays of lights approaching from all directions and landing in front of them.
Xu Ling Gong stood beside Yang Kai with his hands behind his back. He would either tease the visitors or nod gently. On the other hand, Yang Kai was busy greeting them.
This couldn’t be helped, as these Seventh-Order Open Heaven Realm Masters were all his Seniors, and they were also Xu Ling Gong’s friends. As a son-in-law of Yin-Yang Cave Heaven as well as a Great Emperor of the Star Boundary, he had to show proper hospitality.
The female disciples of High Heaven Palace were already there to lead the High-Rank Open Heaven Realm Masters into the palace.
All of them were efficient, and barely an hour after Xu Ling Gong sent the messages, everyone had returned to this place from different parts of the Star Boundary. By the time Yang Kai and Xu Ling Gong entered the Grand Hall, they saw a huge round table in the centre filled with people.
The over 30 High-Rank Open Heaven Realm Masters were seated around the table in silence as they secretly communicated with one another using their Divine Senses. The female disciples behind them, who were ready to serve them at any moment, were anxious and dripping in sweat.
The round table was custom-made. After seeking some advice from Xu Ling Gong, Yang Kai quickly told some Artifact Refiners in High Heaven Palace to make it. This couldn’t be helped, as the visitors were all powerful High-Rank Open Heaven Realm Masters. Yang Kai wasn’t in any place to determine whether one was more noble than the other, so the usual arrangement of seats might give off a feeling that some people were less important. A round table solved that problem as all of them were equal.
As soon as Xu Ling Gong stepped into the hall, the Divine Senses abruptly stopped. Most of them turned their heads to examine Yang Kai, who was behind Xu Ling Gong.
At that moment, Yang Kai felt immensely pressured. Although these High-Rank Open Heaven Realm Masters hadn’t tried to oppress him, he still became sluggish for a moment. But soon, he managed to pull himself together.
Some of the High-Rank Open Heaven Realm Masters arched their brows with surprise when they saw this.
The round table was quite big as there were still vacant seats, even though there were already more than 30 people sitting around it. Xu Ling Gong found a slightly more spacious place and took a seat alongside Yang Kai.
No one found it off that Yang Kai, a Sixth-Order Open Heaven Realm Master, was seated at the table; after all, they were in the Star Boundary, and he was a Great Emperor of this place. Furthermore, these people were Xu Ling Gong’s close friends who rushed over to this place upon receiving his messages, so no one would look down on Yang Kai.
“Many thanks for coming, my friends. It’s hard for so many of us to come together usually, so we should appreciate this rare chance. I’m sure all of you have surveyed this place and realised what is going on. This Xu has asked all of you to come over because we need to have a discussion and set some rules about what will take place now so that everyone can be satisfied,” Xu Ling Gong gently said.
An old man, who had lost one arm, waited for him to finish his words before he said, “Old friend Xu, there’s no rush to have a discussion. This Old Master has a question for the young man beside you first.”
Yang Kai looked at the person and instantly recognised him. The man was an Inner Elder of Purple Jade Cave Heaven, Xun Ping. There was rarely anyone who was a match for a powerful High-Rank Open Heaven Realm Master, so it wasn’t certain why he had lost an arm. Despite that, he was still a formidable cultivator with an ample heritage.
Yang Kai cupped his fist with a smile, “Please ask, Senior Xun.”
The person beside Xun Ping seemed to know what the latter was going to ask, so he put on a gleeful expression as he was ready to watch a good show.
Just then, Xun Ping’s clear voice reverberated around the Grand Hall, “Is Zuo Quan Hui dead?”
Yang Kai frowned as he had no idea why this person suddenly mentioned such an issue. He turned to look at Xu Ling Gong, who nodded while still staring at the front.
It was then Yang Kai nodded, “He’s dead.”
“Who killed him? How did he die?” Xun Ping asked.
Yang Kai replied, “He manifested his Small Universe, then he was killed by me and some of my companions from Void Land.”
Xun Peng narrowed his eyes.
Other than Xu Ling Gong, who was already aware of the truth, the other High-Rank Open Heaven Realm Masters at the table were stunned.
Manifesting one’s Small Universe was the last resort for a High-Rank Open Heaven Realm Master to defeat their enemies. The people at the scene couldn’t figure out what kind of danger Zuo Quan Hui was in that forced him to make such a decision.
Despite that, he was still killed in the end.
All of them were Inner Elders of their respective Cave Heavens and Paradises, so even though they were not on close terms with Zuo Quan Hui, they did come into contact with him before. Now that Zuo Quan Hui was dead, they felt somewhat awkward.
“Zuo Quan Hui is dead, but what about Yin Xin Zhao and Pei Wen Xuan?” An elegant-looking woman asked. She was an Inner Elder of Luo Sheng Cave Heaven, Luo Xiu.
Yang Kai replied impassively, “They’re also dead.”
Most of them seemed to have expected it, so their expressions didn’t change; after all, it wasn’t a secret that Zuo Quan Hui previously led Heavenly Sword Union to attack Void Land, and he was assisted by Pei Wen Xuan and Yin Xin Zhao. Since Zuo Quan Hui was dead, there was no way Pei Wen Xuan and Yin Xin Zhao could have survived. However, they were still astounded by Yang Kai’s audacity while some of them fell into their thoughts.
Luo Xiu shot Yang Kai a glare, “You’re just as cunning as that Old Xu.”
While Yang Kai didn’t understand her, Xu Ling Gong started guffawing, “He’s the son-in-law of my Sect, so it’s expected that he resembles me. What’s wrong with that?”
Luo Xiu snorted, “It doesn’t matter that a traitor is dead. Those from Thousand Cranes Paradise wouldn’t make a fuss over it. The problem now is that Pei Wen Xuan and Yin Xin Zhao were killed. This Queen already knows what you two are up to.”
A curious Xu Ling Gong asked, “What could we be up to? I don’t get you, Junior Sister Luo. Why don’t we delve into this topic in my room tonight?”
“Sure.” A charming Luo Xiu kept a faint smile on her face, “We should do that sooner rather than later. I’ll look for you tonight.”
Xu Ling Gong nodded repeatedly, “Sure thing.”
A dumbfounded Yang Kai stared at him.
On the other hand, Xun Ping let out a sigh as he appeared dejected, “I can’t believe Zuo Quan Hui was killed just like that. His reputation was already destroyed; nevertheless, he still owed me something.”
Yang Kai had no idea what this person’s relationship with Zuo Quan Hui was; however, since Xu Ling Gong had invited him over, there shouldn’t be a problem.
“Let’s stop the small talk.” Xu Ling Gong knocked on the table, “There’s an important issue to discuss here.”
As expected, all of them fell silent and gazed at Xu Ling Gong.
Yang Kai had previously asked Xu Ling Gong to head this discussion since more than 30 people, who represented different Cave Heavens and Paradises, had been invited; they were supposed to be able to come up with an arrangement that everyone would be pleased with. However, would the other great forces who were not present acknowledge it? After all, they didn’t take part in it.
Xu Ling Gong replied with a smile that the Cave Heavens and Paradises had always been united since time immemorial; therefore, 30 or so was enough to represent everyone. None of them was a fool. These people not only represented their own great forces, but also all the Cave Heavens and Paradises. When discussing the matter, they would be taking all the Cave Heavens and Paradises into consideration instead of speaking up only for their own great force.
Those who didn’t join the discussion would acknowledge the result of the discussion. That was because if they wanted to be part of it, they had to first acknowledge the rules that had been set; otherwise, they wouldn’t have the right.
Yang Kai was initially doubtful, but when he saw that none of them objected to it, as though they would be able to come to a conclusion on this day, he set his mind at ease.
This was destined to be a discussion that would change the entire 3,000 Worlds, an event that would be greatly discussed in the history books.
However, such a discussion took place in an unknown Small Universe that was located at the edge of the 3,000 Worlds. Before Xu Ling Gong informed them about it, the people at the scene probably hadn’t even heard of the Star Boundary before.
All of them had surveyed the Star Boundary, so they understood what was going on.
Xu Ling Gong stated, “The World Tree has transformed the entire Star Boundary, and all the living beings here have greatly benefited from it. In the future, there will be a lot of talented youths who are born for cultivation. This treasure trove can’t be monopolised by Yang Boy’s Void Land and Yin-Yang Cave Heaven, nor could any one of you do so. Since we’ve gathered together, let’s not hide anything or pretend to be righteous. Show how greedy you are and divide everything up. It’ll be good for everyone.”
Across from him sat a grim-looking old man with a hooked nose who said with a grin, “Old Xu, since you’ve taken the initiative, you must have come up with some proposals. Why don’t you tell us about them? We’ll acknowledge it if it’s reasonable. If it’s not, we’ll discuss.”
All of them nodded as they knew that Xu Ling Gong and Yang Kai must have agreed on some secret deals, but they wouldn’t point it out.
Upon hearing that, Xu Ling Gong replied with a smile, “The Cave Heavens and Paradises are extraordinary, the most powerful great forces in the Outer Universe. The reason our inheritances could be passed on for generations is that there’s a continuation of our heritages. In order to carry our glories forward indefinitely, we need many talented people. In the past, the Cave Heavens and Paradises had to spend a lot of money and manpower to look for such talents, but the results left much to be desired. Every great force only has a small number of Core Disciples who can directly ascend to the Sixth-Order Open Heaven Realm. Take a look at all of us here. How many of us directly broke through to the Sixth-Order in the past? Almost all of us started at the Fifth-Order and rose to our current realms through long years of hard work. If you had directly ascended to the Sixth-Order, you would’ve become Eighth-Order Ancestors in your respective Sects instead of Inner Elders. There are indeed some advantages to having a higher starting point. The Star Boundary is now filled with talented people, and the World Tree is still in its growth stage, yet it has already showcased such incredible power. In three to five generations, this Xu wouldn’t dare to imagine how prosperous the Star Boundary would be. Three to five mortal generations is just about 100 years, barely the blink of an eye for us. When that time comes, the Star Boundary will be full of young people with extraordinary aptitudes!”
Someone cut him off by saying, “Old Xu, enough with the nonsense already. Of course we can also see the things you’re able to see. Stop trying to stir up our sentiments and cut to the chase.”
Xu Ling Gong replied with a grin, “I’ll stop, then. I know what you all want. Certainly, you want to get some talented disciples from the Star Boundary. To be honest with you, Yang Boy and I have come to an agreement. Yin-Yang Cave Heaven will be able to receive ten disciples from the Star Boundary every 100 years.”
“Ten people!” The one-armed Xun Ping arched his brow, “The figure is neither small nor big. It’s quite fair, actually. The prerequisite is that you’re speaking the truth.”
The feelings of Xu Ling Gong seemed to have been hurt as he said, “You wrong me, Brother Xun. If you don’t believe me, you can ask Yang Boy about it.”
Xun Ping snorted, “You and Yang Kai are basically one family. Of course he’ll agree to whatever you say.”
A solemn Yang Kai replied, “There’s a misunderstanding here, Senior Xun. Martial Uncle Xu didn’t lie to you. It is indeed ten people.”
Yang Kai initially wondered why Xu Ling Gong was so honest; however, after giving it a thought, he realised that this matter couldn’t be hidden from everyone when Yin-Yang Cave Heaven started accepting disciples in the Star Boundary, so it was a wise move to break it to them first.
Xun Ping nodded gently, “This Old Master doesn’t believe Old Xu, but I believe what you’ve said, kid.”
Yang Kai nodded, “Many thanks, Senior.”
Xun Ping added, “Since Yin-Yang Cave Heaven will take ten disciples every 100 years, Purple Jade Cave Heaven will also do the same, then.”
All of them agreed with him, “Good.”
Xu Ling Gong said with a sly smile, “Yang Boy is a son-in-law of Yin-Yang Cave Heaven, so naturally I can get more benefits. Let’s see if he’ll agree to it if you want the same.”
He easily shifted the responsibility to Yang Kai, who didn’t really mind it in this case.
As a Great Emperor of the Star Boundary, Yang Kai certainly had to take responsibility for these negotiations. In a dispassionate manner, he stated, “If each great force will get ten people, it’ll be 1,080 people for all 108 great forces. Even though a lot of talented people will be born in the Star Boundary, there won’t be so many of them every 100 years. If you take all the disciples away, no benefits will be left for Void Land.”
Xun Ping lowered his gaze, “Since you want to avoid a calamity, there’s a price to pay.”
Yang Kai shook his head, “I’ve shown enough sincerity by asking Martial Uncle Xu to invite all of you to come over. All of you are Seniors, so you can’t possibly oppress me by hogging all the benefits in the Star Boundary to yourselves.”
While Xun Ping remained silent, some people started haggling with Yang Kai. All of them were Seventh-Order Open Heaven Realm Masters, but they didn’t find it shameful to be so philistine; instead, they were high-spirited in their bargaining.
With that said, they wouldn’t really be as rowdy as in a downtown market. There was a sense of solemnity in the air, but instead of backing down, Yang Kai became increasingly bolder when dealing with these Seniors.
Xu Ling Gong was seated on the right side of Yang Kai while Hong Xiang Ling from Azure Void Cave Heaven was seated on his left. Hong Xiang Ling was a short, amiable-looking old man. Although he hadn’t said anything during the negotiations so far, his eyes kept darting around as he carefully observed the situation.
When Yang Kai finally took a rest, and the Grand Hall fell into silence, Hong Xiang Ling seized the chance and gently pulled Yang Kai’s sleeve.
Yang Kai turned to look at him and asked respectfully, “What’s wrong, Senior Hong?”
Hong Xiang Ling flashed a smile at him and flipped his hand. As he pushed his World Force, a true-to-life image appeared above his palm.
Yang Kai didn’t understand, but upon closer inspection, he realised that in the image there was a demure-looking woman standing on a mountain peak while gazing up at the clouds. Only her profile was shown, but it was apparent that her figure was slim and her skin was fair. There was no doubt that she was a stunning beauty. The clouds almost covered the peak, which made it look like she was hovering above them.
“How do you find her?” Hong Xiang Ling asked with his brow raised.
A puzzled Yang Kai didn’t know what the woman’s relationship with this old man was, so he just gave a frank remark, “She’s beautiful with an extraordinary demeanour, just like an Immortal Fairy from the Heavens.”
Hong Xiang Ling then boldly declared, “She’ll marry you!”
“Huh?” Yang Kai was dumbfounded.
To his side, Xu Ling Gong rolled his eyes.
Like a farmer that sold his vegetables in town, Hong Xiang Ling continued persuading Yang Kai by saying, “This is my Third Disciple. She directly advanced to the Fifth-Order Open Heaven Realm, and she’s now in the Sixth-Order. She will certainly ascend to the Seventh-Order one day. Her demure temperament will make her a great Wife. You won’t suffer any losses by marrying her, and we don’t need you to get married into our Sect like what Yin-Yang Cave Heaven has asked you to.”
Yang Kai’s jaw dropped in disbelief.
A moment later, he replied with a helpless smile, “Senior, don’t you think this is a rash decision? Of course men love beautiful women, but I’ve never met your Disciple before. It’s much, much too soon to talk about marriage. Moreover, this Senior Sister might not be willing to marry someone like me.”
“Why wouldn’t she be?” Hong Xiang Ling glared at him, “As her Master, I have to look for a decent Husband for her. She’ll be more than happy with this arrangement. How about it? Just nod if you agree and I’ll have her come here right now. She’ll be ready to marry in three months.”
Yang Kai found it increasingly difficult to deal with the eager old man.
He knew just how alluring the Star Boundary was now, so all the Cave Heavens and Paradises would like to get more benefits; however, he hadn’t expected it to be so enticing that Hong Xiang Ling was even willing to let his Third Disciple marry him in order to get a bigger share of the pie.
Then, Yang Kai looked around and realised that some of the other Masters here had fallen into their thoughts, as though they were pondering on the possibility of getting their single Sixth-Order female disciples married to Yang Kai as well.
This was giving Yang Kai a huge headache as he looked pleadingly at Xu Ling Gong, who stood up for him by saying, “Yang Boy is the son-in-law of Yin-Yang Cave Heaven, so you’d better not have your eyes on him, Old Hong.”
A displeased Hong Xiang Ling refuted, “It’s normal for a man to have three Wives and four Concubines. So what if he’s a son-in-law of Yin-Yang Cave Heaven? Why can’t he also be a son-in-law of Azure Void Cave Heaven as well?” He then winked at Yang Kai, “Don’t you agree?”
Xu Ling Gong scoffed, “I remember your Disciple, she’s quite stiff. Even if she’s married to Yang Boy, she won’t receive any favour.”
Hong Xiang Ling snorted, “Every person has their own preferences. Perhaps Yang Boy likes elegant women.”
Seeing that they were about to bicker, Yang Kai had no choice but to interject, “Many thanks for your kind offer, Senior Hong, but please don’t mention marriage again. I already have many Wives, so I’m not going to marry anyone else.”
Hong Xiang Ling parted his lips, but he eventually only let out a sigh, “What a shame!”
Yang Kai wasn’t willing to delve into this topic. After straightening his face, he knocked on the table, “The Star Boundary can’t possibly afford to let all of you, respectively, get ten disciples every 100 years. My suggestion is that apart from Yin-Yang Cave Heaven, every great force will be able to accept three disciples every 100 years.”
Luo Xiu rolled her eyes, “The difference is too stark, you smelly brat. Three people is significantly fewer than ten people.”
Yang Kai flashed a smile at her, “Please forgive me, Senior. I am a son-in-law of Yin-Yang Cave Heaven after all, so I must offer more benefits to them.”
Xu Ling Gong grinned from ear to ear at those words.
When Yang Kai previously won first place in the Dao Theory Assembly, Xu Ling Gong wasn’t displeased with the result, but he did think Yang Kai wasn’t worthy of his precious Disciple. That was the reason he paid a price to send Yang Kai into a Small Source World.
That was because he hoped that Yang Kai would grow to be strong enough to protect his woman in the future.
Now though, it seemed that it was Yin-Yang Cave Heaven that picked up a great bargain. No one could have expected that the Star Boundary, where Yang Kai came from, would become the centre of attention for the entire 3,000 Worlds.
He was also pleased with Yang Kai’s frank attitude.
Yang Kai was a son-in-law of Yin-Yang Cave Heaven, so he was supposed to help the Sect out, and no one could say anything about it.
They went on to fight a great battle of words, with Yang Kai determined to only allow them to take three disciples every 100 years. More than thirty High-Rank Open Heaven Realm Masters took turns to persuade the young man until they had the urge to teach this young man who didn’t know the immensity of Heaven and Earth a lesson. The auras of these powerful High-Rank Open Heaven Realm Masters permeated the Grand Hall and the maid servants had to leave; otherwise, they would’ve been killed since they hadn’t even reached the Emperor Realm.
Yang Kai remained unfazed as he appeared confident. So what if there were more than thirty High-Rank Open Heaven Realm Masters at the scene? This was his territory, and he had the right to dictate the terms of the discussion.