If Yang Yan weren't his direct superior, he never would have gotten away with this. If it were ever discovered in the future, he'd definitely face severe punishment—maybe even have his status as Star Domain Master stripped away entirely.
But with Yang Yan shielding him from above, what was a little sneaking of people here and there?
"What about everyone else?" Bing Yun suddenly realized a problem. Just the Ice Heart Valley on Chilan Star alone had brought several thousand people over. The others would surely have more—after all, Yang Kai himself had originated from the Star Domain, so there was no way he wouldn't look after his friends and family there.
"About a hundred thousand or so…" Yang Kai scratched his cheek.
Bing Yun froze. Ji Yao stared at him, equally blank-faced.
What did a hundred thousand even mean? The entire Ice Heart Valley currently had only a few thousand disciples—fewer than ten thousand total—and that was the result of years of continuous recruitment. A hundred thousand people was equivalent to more than a dozen Ice Heart Valleys.
"What are you going to do with that many people?" Bing Yun didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Can you even support them?"
A hundred thousand people—the cultivation resources needed for each individual alone would be a staggering number. Lingxiao Palace had only been established for a short while; how could it possibly have the deep reserves to support such extravagance? She couldn't help but feel a measure of worry for Yang Kai's future.
Yang Kai grinned sheepishly. "It shouldn't be a problem for now."
Bing Yun blinked in surprise. "It seems I've underestimated you. Since you have enough hands on your side, then send the Chilan Star Ice Heart Valley people over sooner rather than later—that way I can lighten your burden a bit." The others were one thing, but the Ice Heart Valley on Chilan Star was also a sect that Bing Yun herself had founded all those years ago. She naturally couldn't disregard those few thousand disciples of hers. Having them join the Ice Heart Valley here would also make their future cultivation far more convenient.
"Thank you, Senior."
Bing Yun smiled. "You're the one I should be thanking. But you're a wealthy young man, and my Ice Heart Valley doesn't have much in the way of gifts. In the future, I'll repay this favor by instructing Su Yan with the utmost care."
This was clearly meant to put Yang Kai at ease—Su Yan would not be shortchanged under her watch in the slightest.
Yang Kai seized the opportunity without hesitation, smiling broadly. "Senior, this junior actually has one more request."
Bing Yun said, "What is it? As long as it's not too outrageous, let's hear it."
Yang Kai put on a miserable face. "Senior, Lingxiao Palace was only established a short time ago. We don't have the reserves of the other sects in the Star Boundary. Cultivation resources are one thing—we can scrape by if we tighten our belts. But the disciples can't rely solely on Source Crystals for their cultivation. They also need proper Cultivation techniques and secret arts. Otherwise, even if they improve their cultivation through solitary practice, they won't be able to hold their own when they go out to fight. If someone manages to kill them across a whole major realm, how humiliating would that be…"
Bing Yun shot him a look of exasperation. "If you have something to say, say it directly. Why beat around the bush?"
Yang Kai chuckled. "This junior was thinking—could we perhaps borrow some Cultivation techniques and secret arts from the Ice Heart Valley? You know, of those hundred thousand people, there are all sorts, and quite a few of them cultivate ice-type techniques. They're sorely lacking in that area right now."
Bing Yun laughed. "You were the one who destroyed the Wenqing Sect. Its possessions were all claimed by you. The accumulated heritage of an entire sect spanning tens of thousands of years—surely that's enough for you?" Come to think of it, the Wenqing Sect's heritage had been even more impressive than the Ice Heart Valley's. After all, it was a sect founded by a Great Emperor. In his day, Emperor Wenqing had been a figure of tremendous renown. But as the generations passed, each was lesser than the last, the name gradually faded, and ultimately the sect was annihilated at Yang Kai's hands.
Although Bing Yun didn't know exactly how many benefits Yang Kai had reaped from the Wenqing Sect's destruction, she could gauge the general scale from the fact that he was able to sustain a hundred thousand people. Setting aside cultivation resources, the Cultivation techniques and secret arts alone had to be staggering in number. She remembered that the Wenqing Sect's Scripture Library had been even larger than the Ice Heart Valley's.
Yang Kai rubbed his hands together. "The more techniques and arts, the better, of course—the disciples will have more options that way. Naturally, if Senior is willing, we could arrange an exchange. Lingxiao Palace now has a Scripture Library of our own, and Senior is welcome to take whatever techniques catch her eye."
Bing Yun said, "The disciples of my Ice Heart Valley all cultivate ice-type techniques and arts. What would we want with other people's?"
"Then what Senior means is…"
"If I were to refuse, wouldn't that make me seem terribly stingy?"
"Thank you, Senior!" Yang Kai's face broke into a wide grin.
Bing Yun waved her hand. "Yao'er, take him to the Scripture Pavilion and let him have a look. Everything except the top floor's restricted techniques is his for the taking." Giving these instructions right in front of Yang Kai was a clear sign she didn't regard him as an outsider. As for those restricted techniques—they were the very foundation of the Ice Heart Valley. Even its own disciples couldn't practice them casually. Only those destined to become pillars of the sect had the right to study them, so naturally Yang Kai couldn't take those.
"Uh… this junior can manage on his own. No need to trouble Junior Sister Yao."
Ji Yao smiled. "Since Master has given her orders, that's not really up to you, Senior Brother Yang. Follow me." She pressed her lips together in a smile, stepped down from her seat, and walked past him toward the exit, a faint, ethereal fragrance sweeping by like something almost tangible.
"Go on. I'll have a chat with Su Yan." Bing Yun waved her hand, dismissing him.
Yang Kai had no choice but to take his leave. Before departing, he sent a quiet voice transmission to Su Yan: "Cultivate hard. I'll come see you often."
Su Yan gave a gentle nod.
Behind him, the doors to the great hall closed. Yang Kai followed Ji Yao toward the Scripture Pavilion. Along the way, they passed through a flurry of activity—countless Ice Heart Valley disciples parted to either side of the path from a distance, bowing respectfully.
But the glances they stole at Yang Kai were filled with undisguised wonder and curiosity.
The mingled scents of all manner of delicate fragrances intertwined in the air, giving one the sensation of having stumbled into a kingdom of women.
Throughout the walk, neither spoke a word. Ji Yao simply led the way without any apparent intention of making conversation.