Water Moon Star. Before the Shentu Mansion, there was a vast plaza. An upper-grade Void-tier warship descended slowly and landed safely.
Many martial artists who had already received the news were waiting below to welcome them.
Once the hatch opened and Shentu appeared, the crowd shouted in unison: "Welcome back, Young Master! You've had a long journey!"
Shentu wore a faint smile and offered a slight nod in response.
The martial artists below who had come to greet him were all his trusted subordinates, so there was no need for formalities. Among them were quite a few Return Void Realm cultivators, but not a single one had reached the Void King Realm.
When they saw Li Nuo and Aunt Chun, their faces lit up with delight—they had clearly known each other for a long time. But upon seeing Yang Kai, they grew somewhat uneasy and uncertain, unable to figure out his background. How had he ended up sharing a warship with Shentu?
A few of them vaguely felt that Yang Kai looked familiar, as if he resembled someone they had seen decades ago. But after sensing his formidable cultivation, they didn't dare believe it and exchanged suspicious glances in silence.
Shentu didn't bother explaining anything to them. He simply issued orders to arrange accommodations for Li Nuo, Aunt Chun, and the Five Directions Trading Company personnel, while he personally escorted Yang Kai to the very same guest chamber where Yang Kai had stayed decades ago.
"Brother Yang, please rest here for a few days. Allow me to first report to my father about everything that happened during this trip. We can discuss other matters afterward."
"Go ahead—don't worry about me." Yang Kai smiled faintly.
Shentu nodded and stepped out.
Over the next several days, Yang Kai remained inside Shentu's mansion, waiting for news.
He had come to the Heng Luo Trading Company for two purposes. First, to obtain the Star Emperor Token that belonged to the company, completing the set of eight. Second, he wanted to bring President Ai'Ou into his party.
President Ai'Ou had long since advanced to the Void King Second Stage. Even among cultivators at that level, he stood at the very pinnacle, and the gap to the Void King Third Stage couldn't be far at all!
Yang Kai believed he should be able to make the breakthrough within ten years.
If President Ai'Ou agreed to join him in opening the passage to the Star Realm, then the number of people he needed would decrease by one more.
As for the matters Shentu was going to report, Yang Kai was confident they would pique President Ai'Ou's interest in him.
After all, he had caused a massive commotion at Purple Star. Ai'Ou had no reason not to be pleased—the Heng Luo Trading Company and the Purple Star Sword Alliance were both among the three greatest powers in the Star Domain. While they cooperated to some extent, friction between them was inevitable. If Ai'Ou could see Purple Star take a beating, he certainly wouldn't pass up the opportunity.
So Yang Kai was certain that Ai'Ou would summon him. If the man valued the matter enough, he might even come in person.
When that time came, Yang Kai could have a proper conversation with Ai'Ou.
He possessed the Star Refining Art and had a close relationship with both Xueyue and Shentu—he believed exchanging a single Star Emperor Token should not be too difficult. As for whether Ai'Ou would agree to help him open the path to the Star Realm, Yang Kai couldn't say for sure. But fortune favored the bold; it was worth a try.
If this matter succeeded, then his plan for ten years from now would have a great chance of coming to fruition.
Yang Kai had expected things to progress quickly.
Yet after seven or eight days in Shentu's mansion, there had been no word at all.
This left him somewhat stunned. Had something gone wrong? And during those seven or eight days, even Shentu had vanished without a trace. When Yang Kai asked the mansion's guards, they said he had gone to Water Sky City and hadn't returned.
Water Sky City was the largest city on Water Moon Star. Its status and function were comparable to Purple Star City's role in Purple Star.
It was where all the Heng Luo Trading Company's senior leaders and powerhouse gathered—the very heart and essence of the entire company.
Rumors held that Water Sky City was the place with the densest spiritual energy in the entire Star Domain. Cultivating there was faster than doing so in the sacred mountains and blessed lands claimed by the great sects and major powers.
It wasn't until seven or eight days later that Shentu finally appeared at Yang Kai's room, his face haggard.
Seeing his dejected expression, Yang Kai's heart lurched. He asked in alarm: "Brother Shentu, what happened? How did you end up looking so worn out?"
"Ah... it's a long story." Shentu sat down at the table, poured himself a cup of water, and drained it in one gulp. Only after finishing did he look at Yang Kai with a guilt-ridden expression. "Brother Yang, I know you came to Water Moon Star to discuss important matters with my father. But... now may not be the right time."
After all, back on Imperial Star, Yang Kai had already mentioned wanting to exchange something with President Ai'Ou. Shentu hadn't pressed for details, but he had guessed that Yang Kai's decision to follow him all the way to Water Moon Star must involve something significant.
Otherwise, why would a Void King Second Stage cultivator travel all this distance? It certainly wasn't just to catch up with an old friend.
"Oh?" Yang Kai raised an eyebrow. "President Ai'Ou is... occupied with something?"
"Yes." Shentu nodded gravely. "Something has indeed come up on my father's end. When I went to report this time, I didn't even get a chance to bring up the original matters. If you're not in a rush, I'd ask you to wait a bit longer. Once this whole disturbance settles down, I'll arrange an introduction for you."
Yang Kai nodded slightly and said with resignation: "If that's the case, then there's nothing to be done about it. It's not urgent anyway—I'll just wait for a while."
Shentu broke into a grin: "I knew Brother Yang wouldn't put me in a difficult spot... Brother Yang..."