Mo Yu, having some reservations, quickly added after he spoke: "Of course, Yang Kai, if you find it difficult, just pretend I never said anything."
"There's nothing difficult about it." Yang Kai slowly shook his head, looking unconcerned. "Since Senior Mo is the master of Miss Shen and Miss Lü Ying, this junior naturally wouldn't refuse. Not to mention just departing from here into the Imperial Garden — if Senior Mo wishes, he's welcome to stay at Lingxiao Sect a while longer."
At these words, Shen Shitao and Lü Ying, who had been standing behind Mo Yu all along, both brightened, their beautiful eyes flashing with a distinct gleam as they gazed at Yang Kai with gratitude.
Mo Yu's face was also lit with joy. He hadn't expected Yang Kai to agree so readily. He'd actually been considering whether, if Yang Kai refused, he should have Shen Shitao and Lü Ying come forward to plead on his behalf. He hadn't thought it would be so effortless.
He'd experienced Yang Kai's generosity firsthand — this wasn't the kind of decision one could make lightly. The fact that Yang Kai had agreed on the spot was, nine times out of ten, on account of Shen Shitao and Lü Ying.
His two disciples might not have the most exceptional aptitude, but they had good fortune — they'd made a fine friend. Mo Yu's heart was greatly warmed, and his thanks were profuse. As for Yang Kai's offer to let him stay at Lingxiao Sect a while longer, he certainly wouldn't take that seriously. It was just courtesy, and he was old and shrewd enough to know that.
Lingxiao Sect had only just been established; internal affairs were surely hectic. Having gotten Yang Kai's promise was already a tremendous boon. He wouldn't shamelessly impose further.
"Mm, Elder Qian, the people from Shadow Moon Palace can also enter the Imperial Garden through Lingxiao Sect when the time comes!" Yang Kai turned his head to look at Qian Tong.
"In that case, this old man thanks you first." Qian Tong chuckled, not bothering to stand on ceremony. If Yang Kai was willing to let the Qiantian Sect enter from here, he naturally wouldn't leave out Shadow Moon Palace. On this point, Qian Tong was well aware.
"Miss Dai Yuan, if you're interested, you can count yourself in too." Yang Kai raised his eyes to look at Dai Yuan at the back. "But the rest of the Glazed Glass Gate — forget it."
Though Yang Kai treated friends well, he wasn't a pushover. Allowing these people to enter the Imperial Garden through Lingxiao Sect was based on personal relationships — it didn't mean he'd allow the Glazed Glass Gate to do the same. He had no relationship whatsoever with the others from the Glazed Glass Gate, and he even had considerable grievances with that Yin Sudie.
Dai Yuan's expression dimmed, and she smiled bitterly: "Dai Yuan first thanks Junior Brother Yang for his kindness. However... I probably won't have the chance to enter the Imperial Garden."
Yang Kai frowned slightly, but quickly understood why she'd say that. Within the Glazed Glass Gate, Dai Yuan wasn't particularly favored. If any young-generation disciple had the qualifications to enter the Imperial Garden, it would be Yin Sudie, not Dai Yuan. After all, the slots for entry were far too precious.
Qian Tong chuckled meaningfully: "Dai Yuan, don't sell yourself short. If this were before, I suppose you really wouldn't have had much of a chance. But now... heh, I can't guarantee more, but a seventy percent chance is there, as long as that old fogey Gong Xinghe hasn't lost his mind."
Dai Yuan's eyes lit up, and she looked at Qian Tong with surprise, not quite understanding why he'd say that.
But she wasn't a beautiful fool — she was quite clever. A flash of insight struck her mind, and everything fell into place!
Indeed, before, she'd had no chance to enter the Imperial Garden nine times out of ten. But now, within the entire Glazed Glass Gate, she was the only one with a good relationship with Yang Kai — one could even say an excellent one. If the Glazed Glass Gate truly intended to leverage Yang Kai, they certainly wouldn't treat Dai Yuan poorly.
Would the Glazed Glass Gate have reason to leverage Yang Kai? The answer was obviously yes.
Never mind the departure point for the Imperial Garden — Lingxiao Sect was the ideal launch site. There was also that Void King grade warship. Glazed Glass Gate's Sect Master, Gong Xinghe, couldn't ignore that either. He was a peak Return to Void Stage Three expert who also wished to break through to the Void King Realm.
And to break through to the Void King Realm, one had to leave Dark Star and break free from the constraints of its Heavenly Laws.
Riding a Void King grade warship was the only option.
With that in mind, Gong Xinghe would certainly want to be on good terms with Yang Kai and Lingxiao Sect. This meant Dai Yuan had a chance of being allocated an Imperial Jade, thereby securing an entry slot.
At this thought, Dai Yuan's heart couldn't help but race with excitement. She gazed at Yang Kai with shimmering eyes full of gratitude.
Although nothing was yet confirmed, the possibility of her entering the Imperial Garden existed entirely because of Yang Kai.
When a person's ability and resources reached a certain level, they could influence the fates of others both in visible and invisible ways, subtly and imperceptibly! Dai Yuan had never thought much of this before, but experiencing it firsthand today, she realized just how extraordinary it was.
Dai Yuan had grasped the crux of the matter in an instant, and how could Yang Kai not have figured it out just as quickly? He grinned: "Miss Dai Yuan, when you go back, you might mention to Senior Gong — if the Glazed Glass Gate is led by you, this Sect Master could very well allow the rest of the Glazed Glass Gate to depart from our Sect en route to the Imperial Garden!"
At these words, Dai Yuan's slender body trembled slightly. She bit her thin lip, seemingly at a loss for words, but the gratitude overflowing from her eyes was clear for anyone to see.
Yang Kai's statement was essentially seizing a slot for her by force from the Glazed Glass Gate!
The condition might sound somewhat domineering, but the Glazed Glass Gate would presumably make a wise choice. After all, Dai Yuan was still a member of the Glazed Glass Gate. If she gained something within the Imperial Garden, it would also add strength to the Glazed Glass Gate.
Taking a deep breath, Dai Yuan rose gracefully and bowed to Yang Kai with a graceful curtsy. Though she said nothing, it was more than enough.
Qian Tong and the others watched with knowing smiles, their expressions full of intrigue.