Ji Yao ignored him, turning and giving Yang Kai the back of her head.
Yang Kai set down his teacup, not knowing what to say, inwardly exasperated. He glanced toward Bing Yun and changed the subject. "Senior, did you summon me for a reason?"
Bing Yun nodded. "Have you heard of the Mitian Sect and the Lilong Palace?"
"I think I've heard of them." Yang Kai furrowed his brow in thought, then clapped his hands. "Sects from the Northern Territory?"
He hadn't spent much time in the Northern Territory, nor had his activities there been extensive. Unlike the Southern Territory, where he knew things inside and out, he didn't have a particularly deep understanding of most affairs in the North. The factions he knew best were Ice Heart Valley and the Wenqing Sect.
The names Mitian Sect and Lilong Palace didn't immediately ring a bell, but upon reflection, he recalled that both sects possessed a heritage and strength not inferior to the Wenqing Sect at all — they were top-tier powers of the Northern Territory, each with a Third Stage Emperor Realm powerhouse in residence.
Yang Kai frowned. "Senior, you've suddenly brought up these two sects. Is there something I should watch out for?"
Now that he had established his own sect in the Northern Territory, and the Mitian Sect and Lilong Palace were both top-tier powers of the region, there would inevitably be dealings between them in the future — and quite possibly some competition and friction.
Unlike Ice Heart Valley, which shared an extremely deep bond with Yang Kai and with whom conflict was impossible.
Bing Yun said, "Across the entire Star Boundary, the Eastern Territory has the Youhun Palace under Emperor Youhun, the Southern Territory has the Star God Palace under Emperor Mingyue, and even the Western Territory has the Shadow Kill Hall under Emperor Night Shadow. All the great top-tier sects submit to these Great Emperor factions, obeying their commands and submitting to their jurisdiction. Only in our Northern Territory is there no Great Emperor faction."
"Why is that?" Yang Kai asked, intrigued. He had never really considered this before, but now that Bing Yun mentioned it, he realized it was indeed the case.
Bing Yun shook her head. "I don't know either. Perhaps much of the Northern Territory is too bitterly cold and lacks the abundant resources found elsewhere, making it unsuitable for establishing a Great Emperor faction." She paused, then continued, "However, although our Northern Territory has no Great Emperor faction, it does have a Great Emperor — that is the Mysterious Pill Great Emperor."
Yang Kai nodded slightly. He was aware of this matter.
The Mysterious Pill Great Emperor had lived for many years in the Medicine Pill Valley of the Northern Territory. Come to think of it, he had previously obtained the inheritance left behind by Gongsun Mu, the third disciple of the Mysterious Pill Great Emperor. Had it not been for that, Yang Kai wouldn't have such an extensive knowledge of the herbs of the Star Boundary. It was precisely because he had acquired the jade slips and various pill recipes left by Gongsun Mu that he could navigate the art of alchemy with such ease.
However, when he had obtained that inheritance, a restriction set by Gongsun Mu had been implanted in his body. To lift it, he would have to cultivate to the Third Stage Emperor Realm within a hundred years — or seek out the Mysterious Pill Great Emperor to remove it.
What Gongsun Mu had done was simply trying to get Yang Kai to deliver a message to the Mysterious Pill Great Emperor, informing him that he had recognized his mistakes and pleading for the Great Emperor to take him back as a disciple.
But since that restriction had never caused him any harm over the years, Yang Kai hadn't bothered with it. The hundred-year deadline was still far off, and he was confident he could reach the Third Stage Emperor Realm within that timeframe.
There was naturally no need to trouble the Mysterious Pill Great Emperor.
Bing Yun said, "For many years, the four great top-tier sects of the Northern Territory have maintained a balance. This palace was absent for many years, and while Ice Heart Valley suffered some oppression, it managed to hold on regardless. But now, that balance has been broken."
The broken balance was none other than the destruction of the Wenqing Sect.
Yang Kai raised an eyebrow. "And so?"
Bing Yun chuckled. "For our Ice Heart Valley, it's naturally no concern. The Wenqing Sect sought to destroy us and was destroyed in turn — they brought it upon themselves. But for the Mitian Sect and Lilong Palace, it presents a problem."
Yang Kai's expression turned cold. "Are they looking to cause trouble?"
Bing Yun said, "The fact that you were able to annihilate the Wenqing Sect means you could just as easily annihilate the Mitian Sect and Lilong Palace. Their concern is understandable."
"Do they intend to join forces against me?"
Bing Yun smiled. "When the lips are gone, the teeth grow cold — banding together for warmth is only natural. Recently, those two sects have been getting quite close. There may be some action forthcoming."
Yang Kai sneered repeatedly. "And they're truly not worried that I'll destroy them?"
Bing Yun said solemnly, "Men die in pursuit of wealth, birds perish in pursuit of food. You wiped out the Wenqing Sect and claimed its vast inheritance and tens of thousands of years' worth of accumulated stores — anyone would be envious. But it's not certain. Perhaps they merely want to unite as a show of force to keep you in check, so that your ambitions don't lead you to try to unify the Northern Territory."
"I have no such intention." Yang Kai shook his head. He had kept the Wenqing Sect's holdings only for the sake of his people from his homeland. The idea of unifying the Northern Territory had never crossed his mind — without the prestige of a Great Emperor, such a thing was simply impossible.
Bing Yun had only called Yang Kai over to give him a heads-up and had no other intentions. Seeing that he had his own plans, she naturally said nothing more.
Yang Kai suddenly seemed to recall something and asked, "Last time when the Wenqing Sect was making things difficult for Ice Heart Valley, did these two sects lend a hand?"
Bing Yun looked at him and countered, "What do you think?"
Yang Kai understood immediately. Even if the two sects hadn't been directly involved, they had most likely been secretly fanning the flames behind the scenes. Otherwise, how had the Wenqing Sect managed to recruit so many helpers so quickly? Some of those people were probably disciples of those two sects.
How despicable. If he had known, he wouldn't have let them off so easily — he should have thoroughly interrogated them.
The Mitian Sect and Lilong Palace were both top-tier powers of the Northern Territory and should possess considerable stores.
Open strife and veiled struggle between major sects was nothing unusual. They had aided the Wenqing Sect in its attempt to destroy Ice Heart Valley, clearly showing they cared nothing for any balance. Now that he had seized the Wenqing Sect's territory and demonstrated his dominance, they were suddenly getting worried.
Leave me alone and we'll have no problems. But if you cross me, you'll regret it, Yang Kai swore inwardly.
After lingering at Ice Heart Valley for a while longer, Yang Kai finally took his leave.
When he tried to bid farewell to Ji Yao, she actually didn't respond, leaving Yang Kai quite perplexed. He had no idea what he had done to offend her.