Time flew by in a blink, and two years had passed.
During those two years, Yang Kai had been traveling ceaselessly, setting up grand Space Arrays across the eighteen stars belonging to the Heng Luo Commercial Association.
The stars owned by the association were spread far and wide from one another, so the journeying consumed a tremendous amount of Yang Kai's time. Otherwise, with his abilities, simply deploying the Space Arrays would have taken no more than two or three months to complete.
The vast majority of his time was wasted aboard warships in transit.
After two years, the eighteen stars of the Heng Luo Commercial Association were finally linked together. With the array inside Water Sky City serving as the hub, teleportation between them could now be performed with ease.
Over those two years, Xue Yue had remained by Yang Kai's side the entire time.
With a beautiful companion, the journey was naturally far less dull and tedious.
On this day, the group finally returned to Water Moon Star.
Ni Guang gave Yang Kai a grand reception and, on behalf of the association, expressed repeated gratitude for his efforts over the past two years. With those grand Space Arrays in place, the Heng Luo Commercial Association would save an enormous amount of time and resources on transport going forward.
Ao had not made an appearance. After Xue Yue made some inquiries, she learned that Ao had already departed for a star he had long scouted—a Star of Cultivation—to refine its Star Source.
This matter was of grave importance, and within the entire Heng Luo Commercial Association, only Long Tianshang and Ni Guang knew the truth. Everyone else simply assumed Ao was in seclusion.
Xue Yue's expression clouded with worry upon hearing this.
Refining a Star Source was far too dangerous. Under normal circumstances, only a cultivator at the third level of the Void King Realm could successfully refine one. Those at the second level of the Void King Realm would essentially never succeed.
The former Star Lord of Emerald Star, Luo Hai, had truly been an exception.
Ao currently possessed only the cultivation of the second level of the Void King Realm. As his daughter, how could Xue Yue not be worried?
Yang Kai offered words of reassurance, explaining the formidable power of the Star Refining Art, which put Xue Yue's mind at considerably more ease.
"Yang Kai, someone would like to meet you." Ni Guang suddenly sidled up to Yang Kai in a mysterious manner and said in a low voice.
"Who?" Yang Kai looked at him with surprise.
Ni Guang smiled. "Come with me and you'll find out."
Yang Kai didn't press further and followed Ni Guang into a secluded chamber.
Inside the chamber were only three people—one man and two women. The man appeared young, with sharp brows and luminous eyes, carrying himself with an imposing air. The two women were each striking in their own way, like twin flowers of spring and autumn, standing attendance at his sides.
Upon seeing Yang Kai arrive, the man at the center laughed heartily and cupped his fists. "Brother Yang, we meet again!"
Yang Kai was taken aback. "Brother Gu? What are you doing here?"
He had never expected that on Water Moon Star, the person wanting to see him was none other Gu Jianxin, the Young Alliance Master of the Sword Alliance.
He and Gu Jianxin had crossed paths before and spent some time together. While they couldn't exactly be called close friends, they had gotten along well enough. After several years apart, Gu Jianxin's cultivation appeared to have grown even more profound, hovering just on the verge of the Void King Realm. Given the right opportunity and a bit more time to consolidate, he could very well attempt a breakthrough.
The two women flanking Gu Jianxin were naturally his twin Sword Attendants—Ling Yue and An Xing.
These two had grown up alongside Gu Jianxin since childhood. The three of them practiced a secret art passed down only within their circle, fighting in perfect unison with extraordinary power. The bonds between the three were also remarkably deep. Gu Jianxin had never once treated his two Sword Attendants as subordinates. Back when they had faced the assault of the Void King Realm powerhouse Li Minghai, Gu Jianxin had even risked his own life to shield Ling Yue and An Xing.
It was precisely this sort of conduct that had earned Yang Kai's favorable impression of him.
Only someone who valued loyalty and righteousness so deeply was truly worth befriending.
"Greetings, Young Master Yang!" Ling Yue and An Xing were no strangers either. Upon seeing Yang Kai, they promptly offered a bow and called out in crisp, bright voices.
"Ladies, you're too kind." Yang Kai returned the courtesy with a smile.
"Is Brother Yang surprised that Gu has been waiting here for you?" Gu Jianxin asked, looking at Yang Kai with a grin.
Yang Kai pondered for a moment, a flurry of thoughts flashing through his mind before understanding dawned. "Somewhat surprised, but… I suppose it was to be expected."
"It seems Brother Yang has already guessed the reason behind Gu's visit."
"I have my suspicions. Brother Gu, please speak plainly." Yang Kai's expression turned serious.
Gu Jianxin nodded. "How refreshing it is to speak with Brother Yang. Very well—then I'll get straight to the point."
As he spoke, he retrieved an object from his space ring and held it out to Yang Kai. "Brother Yang, take a look at this."
"The Emperor Star Command!" Yang Kai's eyes lit up as he quickly took the item from Gu Jianxin's hands.
It was unmistakably the final Emperor Star Command, identical in every way to the ones he had already collected. With this piece, he had gathered all nine Emperor Star Commands that the Great Emperor had crafted in ages past!
Gu Jianxin smiled faintly. "My father asked me to deliver this to you. I'm told you were in great need of it."
"Alliance Master Gu?" Yang Kai was momentarily stunned, then carefully stowed away the last Emperor Star Command and spoke. "Might I ask what conditions Alliance Master Gu has attached to this?"
He had never had any particularly close ties to the Sword Alliance—only a personal acquaintance with Gu Jianxin. Yang Kai hardly believed that the Sword Alliance's Alliance Master, Gu Cangyun, would hand over an Emperor Star Command out of mere goodwill. There were obviously other conditions attached.