The conversation shifted as Wuliang Master said, "Now let me tell you about the final three layers of the formation. These three layers are offensive formations. The starlight absorbed by the first six layers will mostly be stored within them. Three formations, three transformations, each more powerful than the last. If someone falls into this formation, even a high-grade Open Heaven Realm master will be in for a world of hurt!"
"I've already placed suitable Artifacts as the formation cores for the first two offensive layers. The Executioner Sword that you previously gave me has been installed in the second-to-last layer. Driven by the formation's power, the Executioner Sword's might will be extraordinary—even an ordinary Open Heaven Realm cultivator would struggle to withstand a single strike!"
"As for the final layer... per your instructions, the formation core position has been left open. I don't know what arrangements you have in mind, but I must remind you: the final layer is human-centric. Do not activate it lightly until your strength is sufficient, or you risk a dangerous backlash."
Yang Kai nodded solemnly. "I've noted it. Thank you, Master."
Wuliang Master let out a long breath, lowering his gaze to the Void Land below. His eyes seemed to pierce through layer upon layer of arrangements, taking in the entire Nine Heavens Formation. Deep within those eyes lurked a look of profound satisfaction.
"Master, here is the previously agreed-upon compensation. Please accept it." Yang Kai produced a spatial ring and handed it over.
Hiring Wuliang Master to construct the formation naturally meant he couldn't be expected to work for free, and the remuneration had been settled beforehand. Now that the Nine Heavens Formation was complete, it was time to pay up.
Wuliang Master sighed, accepting it silently. A wistful expression crossed his face. "This formation is likely the pinnacle of my life's work. I'll never have the chance to surpass it, so I must ask you to treat it well."
For a formation grandmaster of his caliber, the Nine Heavens Formation—crafted after so many months of painstaking effort—was not merely the crystallization and culmination of a lifetime of study. It was more like a child he had nurtured, and naturally, it was hard to part with.
Yang Kai's heart stirred. He smiled and said, "If Master is reluctant to leave, you're welcome to stay in my Void Land. With you personally overseeing it, the formation will surely operate for a long time."
Wuliang Master shook his head. "Young Lord, don't try to recruit me. I'm accustomed to being a wandering free spirit—I can't handle being tied down. If I'd ever wanted to join some faction, I would have done so long ago, not waited until today."
Though he had known it was unlikely, Yang Kai still felt a pang of disappointment when Wuliang Master actually declined. Having a formation grandmaster of this caliber stay in Void Land would be a tremendous boon to its future development. But forced melons aren't sweet—if the man wasn't willing, Yang Kai couldn't compel him.
"However, rest assured, Young Lord. Since this Nine Heavens Formation has been constructed in Void Land, I will keep all its intricacies strictly to myself and never reveal them to outsiders. If a single word leaks, may my Dao Seal shatter, heaven and earth collapse, and I perish on the spot!"
He had, in fact, just sworn a Binding Oath upon his own Dao Seal.
Yang Kai said gravely, "Master, that's far too heavy an oath. Since the Madam invited you here to build the formation, I naturally trust you."
Wuliang Master smiled. "That subordinate of yours, Nanmen Dajun—his aptitude and comprehension in the Dao of Formations are exceptional. He's still a bit lacking now, but his potential is promising. If you entrust the Nine Heavens Formation to him in the future, I'll be at ease."
Having said this, Wuliang Master clasped his fists. "Young Lord, I'll take my leave now. If fate allows, we shall meet again!"
Yang Kai started. "Master, you're leaving already?"
Wuliang Master chuckled. "Thanks to you, Young Lord, I was able to display my skills in Void Land. These months of constructing the formation have given me much inspiration and many insights. A bottleneck that has plagued me for years has loosened. I suspect a breakthrough isn't far off, so I need to return and enter seclusion."
"Oh?" Yang Kai was surprised. He clasped his fists with a smile. "Then congratulations are in order, Master."
What grade of Open Heaven realm Wuliang Master had actually reached, Yang Kai still hadn't figured out—their interactions had been too few. But judging from his aura, he was at least a Fourth-Grade Open Heaven master, possibly Fifth-Grade.
For a formation grandmaster, such a level of cultivation was already formidable.
If the man wanted to return for seclusion and advancement, Yang Kai naturally wouldn't try to keep him. He politely saw Wuliang Master out of Void Land and watched until the master's Artifact vanished from sight before turning back.
Yue He approached from the front. After meeting up with Yang Kai, she glanced behind him with a puzzled look. "Wuliang Master has left?"
Yang Kai nodded. "He sensed an opportunity for advancement and is eager to return to seclusion."
Yue He understood, then adopted a somewhat troubled expression. "Young Master, our remaining resources are running low."
Yang Kai was taken aback. "Weren't there still some left before?"
Constructing the Nine Heavens Formation had been enormously expensive, and paying Wuliang Master a hefty sum at the end hadn't helped, but he remembered there should still have been some surplus.
Yue He explained, "All the Great Emperors have already entered seclusion for Cultivation. They all require Sixth-Grade resources. On top of that, other peak Emperor Realm cultivators have taken substantial amounts of Fifth-Grade resources. We can barely sustain things for a while longer, but once even more people condense their Dao Seals, the demand for resources will only grow."
Yue He managed all of Void Land's finances. Yang Kai had previously instructed her to provide unlimited resources for the warriors who came from the Star Boundary. Those below the Third-Stage Emperor Realm were relatively manageable—she didn't need to worry much about their Cultivation.
But the Great Emperors were all beings who had long since condensed their Dao Seals. They had immersed themselves in the Emperor Realm for tens of thousands of years, with foundations that were solid and profound. After familiarizing themselves with the environment and settling in, they had all promptly entered seclusion for Cultivation.