The grand formation opened, and figures descended one after another into the Qiaoqiao Grounds. Quite a crowd had gathered—several hundred in total, from all manner of factions.
Yet upon careful observation, Yang Kai realized that though the numbers were large, the forces they represented numbered only twenty or thirty at most. After all, each faction had certainly sent more than one representative.
Some factions were led by Open Heaven Realm cultivators, though all of them were Lower-Order Open Heaven—mostly Third-Order, with a handful of Second-Order. A few were even led by Emperor Realm cultivators, which left Yang Kai rather baffled. He couldn't imagine which faction could be so destitute. Did they really not have a single Open Heaven cultivator among them?
At the forefront stood a half-aged elder with crane-white hair and a youthful face, his eyes bright and vigorous. The moment he landed, he cupped his fists and bowed: "Hong Ji of Golden Light Dock pays respects to the Madam!"
Yang Kai, an Emperor Realm cultivator, was naturally beneath his notice. The greeting was directed at Yue He.
The representatives of the various factions behind him all stepped forward in unison, calling out together: "We pay respects to the Madam!"
Yue He hastily waved her hands, her voice crisp and clear: "No, no! You've got it wrong!"
Hong Ji looked puzzled. "Where have we erred? Please correct us, Madam." Internally, he had relaxed considerably. Before coming, everyone had wondered what sort of temper the new master of the Qiaoqiao Grounds might have. If she proved agreeable, all would be well; if not, this visit could end badly, and they might be forced to part with a great deal of wealth.
Now, seeing Yue He's demeanor and hearing her tone, he understood at once—though this woman's cultivation was remarkable, she didn't seem to be a difficult person. This trip shouldn't bring too much trouble.
Yue He pressed her lips together and smiled. "I'm no Madam at all. I'm merely a maidservant. The one in charge here is my young master." As she spoke, she gestured toward Yang Kai.
Everyone was stunned. Most of them couldn't gauge the depth of Yue He's cultivation, but those few who were Third-Order Open Heaven could tell—this woman's power was unfathomable, undoubtedly a Mid-Order Open Heaven cultivator at the very least.
Yet now this Mid-Order Open Heaven was calling herself a maidservant, and the Emperor Realm youth beside her was the true master?
What was this young man's background?
Regardless of his origins, no one dared show the slightest disrespect. Their expressions turned solemn, and they bowed once more: "We greet the Lord!"
Hong Ji even lowered his head nearly to his knees, his voice trembling with earnest fear: "This old fool was blind and foolish—please forgive my offense, Lord!"
Yang Kai chuckled lightly and waved a hand. "No offense taken for those who don't know. Rise, all of you."
"Thank you, Lord!" The crowd stood and looked at Yang Kai again, their expressions quite different from before. Earlier, they had noticed him, but none had given him a second thought, assuming he was merely a servant at Yue He's side. Now it was clear that Yue He, a Fifth-Order Open Heaven, was the one playing a supporting role!
Hong Ji secretly wiped a palmful of sweat, forced an apologetic smile, and addressed Yang Kai: "The Lord possesses the bearing of a dragon and tiger, an extraordinary presence—no wonder you've claimed the Qiaoqiao Grounds. Now that this place has changed hands, it is truly a blessing for the Qiaoqiao Domain, and a blessing for all of us as well!"
The old flatterer's shameless fawning drew quiet contempt from many, yet they all nodded in agreement. There was nothing else to be done—they had lived at the whim of the Qiaoqiao Celestial Lord before, and now they had to read Yang Kai's face.
Such was the tragedy of minor factions. Unless they uprooted entirely and fled the Qiaoqiao Domain.
But even if they left, where would they go? The world was vast, but every spirit continent with any worth had long since been claimed. Trespassing into another's territory would only invite conflict.
Yang Kai offered a reserved smile, appearing unfathomably profound.
Hong Ji ventured further: "Forgive this old man's presumption—might I ask the Lord's name?"
Yang Kai paused inwardly. He truly hadn't thought that far ahead. But after a moment, he smiled and said: "You may call me Void Lord."
His title in the Star Boundary had been the Void Great Emperor, which suited this occasion nicely.
Moreover, the title of True Lord was generally only befitting the leaders of lower-order factions. For example, the leader of the Great Moon Province was the Great Moon True Lord, while mid-order factions bore the title of Celestial Lord—such as the Qiaoqiao Celestial Lord.
As an Emperor Realm cultivator, Yang Kai nominally had no right to use such a title. Yet none present felt it was at all inappropriate.
He had a Mid-Order Open Heaven as his maidservant—his background was clearly extraordinary. What was wrong with using the title of True Lord?
The crowd bowed in unison once more, crying out their greetings to the True Lord.
Yang Kai smiled. "You've all traveled a long way—please, come inside and rest."
Hong Ji bowed. "Then we shall impose upon the True Lord."
Several hundred people followed Yang Kai and Yue He in a grand procession into the main hall. The hall was spacious, with plenty of seating. Guests and host took their places in two rows along the left and right, and Hong Ji, not one to stand on ceremony, seated himself in the first seat to Yang Kai's left.
No one served tea or anything of the sort—the Qiaoqiao Grounds simply didn't have enough hands for that.
Yet Hong Ji and the others dared not harbor the slightest complaint. Every one of them sat up straight, their faces solemn and attentive.
Hong Ji rose to his feet and declared in a loud voice: "To congratulate the True Lord on his ascension to the Qiaoqiao Grounds, Golden Light Dock presents twenty thousand Open Heaven Pills, ten drops of Vajra Rain Dew, and a stalk of Thousand-Year Blood Coral, in celebration of the True Lord's joy!"