The woman took the basket, then shot up into the sky and vanished from sight, off to do whatever it was she needed to do. Bao Zetong gestured with his hand. "Envoy Yang, please come inside for a chat!"
Yang Kai nodded. "I'll trouble you, then."
Following Bao Zetong into the great hall, they took their respective seats as host and guest. Immediately, maidservants arrived, serving fine fragrant tea and rare platters of fruit. The tea's aroma wafted through the air, and the fresh fruit gave off a sweet scent. Putting aside the tea, Yang Kai had never seen the fruits on the plates before—clearly, they were specialties unique to this world. He casually picked a few to sample. The taste was quite good, and for warriors with slightly lower cultivation, they would likely have an effect of boosting one's power. However, for people like him and Bao Zetong, they did nothing beyond offering a novel flavor.
While sipping tea and eating fruit, he made some casual conversation with Bao Zetong, and the atmosphere gradually warmed.
After a short while, Bao Zetong asked, "How has the Madam been lately?"
Yang Kai figured he was referring to the Proprietress, Madam Lan, so he nodded. "She's as spirited as ever." Spirited didn't even begin to cover it. Which Sixth-Order Open Heaven cultivator needed three meals a day served to them?
Bao Zetong chuckled. "That's good to hear." He let out a long sigh. "The Madam has had a hard life, you know."
Yang Kai looked up. "What do you mean?"
Though he'd interacted with the Proprietress quite a bit, strictly speaking, he knew almost nothing about her. He only knew she was a Sixth-Order Open Heaven cultivator with considerable backing. Hearing Bao Zetong call her hard-luck piqued his interest. He'd been tormented by the Proprietress these past few days and was still seething with pent-up frustration. He couldn't beat her, so he was practically eager to hear something unfortunate about her to balance his mood.
Bao Zetong waved his hand dismissively. "I misspoke, Envoy Yang. Please don't take it to heart."
Yang Kai's expression soured immediately, but since the man wouldn't elaborate, he couldn't press further. He could only change the subject. "Right, Sect Leader Bao. Though I've come here under orders, I'm not entirely clear on my specific task. Could you offer any guidance?"
Instead of answering, Bao Zetong countered, "How long has Envoy Yang been with the Madam?"
"Just a few days…" Yang Kai gave a sheepish laugh. Strictly speaking, he'd been forced into it. Otherwise, why would he be running around everywhere with that madwoman?
"Oh?" Bao Zetong nodded. "That explains it. It's not really anything urgent. Here at Tianshan, we have a type of spirit fruit called Snow Sky One Thread. Its taste is quite unique—it can't be found anywhere else. The Madam has a particular fondness for it, so whenever she passes through Jiuyou, she always has someone come pick some to take with her."
"Snow Sky One Thread?" Yang Kai raised an eyebrow. The name sounded somewhat poetic, but he had no idea what kind of spirit fruit it could be that even the Proprietress, a Sixth-Order Open Heaven cultivator, couldn't forget, needing to harvest it each time she passed through. He'd have to take a good look at it later.
That explained why Bai Qi had handed him a bamboo basket—it was for picking these spirit fruits.
"That Snow Sky One Thread…" Bao Zetong began, a look of reminiscence flickering in his eyes. Then he suddenly seemed to lose interest. "Never mind. Since Envoy Yang is with the Madam, you'll understand eventually."
This old man! Every time he spoke, he stopped halfway! Yang Kai wished he could just summon the Azure Dragon Spear and pry the man's mouth open.
Bao Zetong clearly realized this, so in the conversation that followed, he deliberately steered the topic toward matters of Cultivation. That suited Yang Kai just fine, and they talked quite happily.
When Yang Kai asked why, having achieved the realm of Great Emperor, Bao Zetong still hadn't broken free from the bonds of this universe to explore the vast expanse beyond, Bao Zetong simply smiled. "I am old and have lost the drive to push forward. What good would breaking free from these bonds do me?"
Yang Kai frowned. "Then Sect Leader Bao plans to stay here in Jiuyou forever?"
Bao Zetong spoke with open-minded acceptance. "Jiuyou bore me and raised me. I am content to spend the rest of my days protecting this world."
Yang Kai nodded, and couldn't help but think of the Star Boundary. If it hadn't been corrupted by Mo Sheng, would he have come out here beyond the universe? Would he have been content to grow old there for the rest of his life?
Even Yang Kai himself couldn't answer that question...
Half an hour later, the woman who had taken the basket earlier entered the hall. She respectfully placed the basket on the table beside Yang Kai and performed a slight curtsey. "Envoy, the Snow Sky One Thread has been picked."
"Thank you!" Yang Kai nodded, examining the spirit fruits in the basket. He saw that each Snow Sky One Thread was about the size of a baby's fist, their bodies a deep red-black color. They were all roughly the same size, clearly hand-selected. After all, these were for the Proprietress, and Tianshan wouldn't dare show the slightest bit of carelessness.
They gave off a faint, clean fragrance, though he had no idea how they would taste.
Yang Kai stood and clasped his fists. "Sect Leader Bao, my business here is concluded. I'll take my leave."
Bao Zetong said, "Please go carefully, Envoy Yang. When you see the Madam later, please offer my greetings on my behalf and thank her for her years of protection over Jiuyou."
"I will be sure to pass that along!" Yang Kai nodded, grabbed the basket, and headed out. Bao Zetong naturally saw him off with polite ceremony.
Leaving Jiuyou was much easier than arriving had been. He no longer needed to break through the world barrier. Presumably, Bao Zetong had communicated with the world force of Jiuyou, which had voluntarily opened the way.
Meanwhile, aboard the First Inn's ship, in a cabin on the top deck, Bai Qi stood before the Proprietress, head bowed solemnly, eyes downcast. The Proprietress, as always, reclined on her fragrant couch with her eyes closed, feigning sleep.
After a long while, the Proprietress finally spoke. "He's not back yet?"
Bai Qi shook his head. "No. I'm afraid he's probably run off."
The Proprietress made no comment.