But if every Open Heaven cultivator in Void Land were to mobilize at once, what about the headquarters? Enormous resources had been invested in constructing the Nine Heavens Grand Formation here—could they simply abandon it? Not to mention that Void Land still had several hundred thousand Disciples, most of whom Yang Kai had brought over from the Star Boundary. Under no circumstances could he abandon them.
In short, with Void Land's current strength, they could only protect one—the headquarters or the Star City—and not both. This was plain for anyone with eyes to see, so when Yang Kai spoke, everyone grew somewhat worried.
Yang Kai smiled faintly. "I have my own plans for this matter. Everyone, rest easy."
Before, Yang Kai might not have entertained this idea. Void Land was his foundation, his foothold in the Three Thousand Worlds. Hundreds of thousands of Disciples lived here, and he could never bring himself to abandon it. In the worst case, he would have had to let the Star City slowly wither away—and perhaps in a few years, or a decade, the Void Star City would exist in name only.
But after learning Bixi's true background, a rather bold idea had surged into Yang Kai's mind!
Of course, for this idea to become reality, the old Bixi would have to cooperate. Yang Kai guessed he probably wouldn't refuse.
Expanding the Star City, growing its scale, and restoring its bustling population were things Void Land had to do now—things Yang Kai had to do.
First, without the steady income the Star City provided, cultivation resources for Void Land would eventually become a problem. Second, the high-grade Gold Element that Yang Kai himself needed would have to come through the Star City as well.
The Hundred Families Alliance's invasion of Void Land had made Yang Kai realize that certain Cave Heavens and Blessed Lands were already itching to make their move against him—to snuff out this future potential threat while he was still in the cradle.
Under these circumstances, he could not venture out to search for the cultivation resources he needed. To do so would be to hand his enemies an opportunity to kill him!
The Proprietress had told him before that she would find a way to obtain a high-grade Gold Element for him, but even as a Sixth-Order Open Heaven cultivator, she would need the right fortune to get her hands on one.
Yang Kai didn't distrust the Proprietress. It was just that the current situation gave him an inexplicable sense of urgency. He desperately needed to strengthen his own power, and if he could obtain it himself, he wouldn't have to trouble her.
What he didn't yet know was that the Proprietress had already charged into a forbidden zone with three attendants from the First Inn, searching for Gold Element resources on his behalf—and there was a very good chance she would succeed.
It was precisely because he had gotten wind of this that Kong Feng had rushed to order the Hundred Families to strike. If he waited until the Proprietress returned and Yang Kai refined the high-grade Gold Element, it would be too late.
Given the current situation, Yang Kai couldn't go out to hunt for resources himself, so he could only wait for others to bring what he needed to his door. But if he had no bargaining chips, how could he attract anyone to come trade?
The Void Star City's reputation had to be made known, and the only card he could play right now was the Heavenly Origin True Seal Pill.
He was well aware of the various risks that came with revealing the Heavenly Origin True Seal Pill, but he had no other choice. Compared to those risks, the potential gains were what truly mattered to him.
High-grade resources were hard to come by, but Yang Kai was certain that every Cave Heaven and Blessed Land had at least some in stock! So to obtain a high-grade Gold Element, he would have to go through those very same Cave Heavens and Blessed Lands!
The Thirty-Six Cave Heavens and Seventy-Two Blessed Lands—some saw him as an eyesore and wanted to cut him down before his wings could fully grow, some watched coldly from the sidelines without lifting a finger, and some wanted to recruit him. Their attitudes varied. But not a single Cave Heaven or Blessed Land wanted to see him directly achieve High-Grade Open Heaven. Even the Yin-Yang Cave Heaven, willing as they were to bring Qu Huashang's husband into the family, still insisted on the condition that he could only advance to Sixth-Order.
By all accounts, the Yin-Yang Cave Heaven had the best attitude toward him. But could Yang Kai accept it? His foundation was so thoroughly solid—failing to achieve High-Grade Open Heaven would be a regret that haunted him for the rest of his life. So even though he and Qu Huashang were on excellent personal terms, Yang Kai had refused the Yin-Yang Cave Heaven's recruitment without a moment's hesitation.
He knew that joining the Yin-Yang Cave Heaven would make all his troubles vanish. But trading away his own future for momentary peace—even if that peace lasted—would inevitably breed heart demons down the road, obstructing his path to the Great Dao.
No Cave Heaven or Blessed Land wanted to see him advance to Seventh-Order. But that was only on the premise that Yang Kai had no standing to negotiate or trade with them. Now, with the Heavenly Origin True Seal Pill in his hand as a door opener, he didn't believe they could resist the temptation.
As long as they were tempted, there was room for exchange!
Setting the Cave Heavens and Blessed Lands aside, the Three Thousand Worlds were vast beyond measure. Other cultivators might very well possess high-grade Gold Elements. It was just that such items were far too precious—even if ordinary people got their hands on one, they might not have the guts to bring it out. Perhaps they were hoarding it secretly. And such people wouldn't be particularly strong in cultivation, but they would certainly have descendants and heirs who needed to advance to the Open Heaven Realm.
So no matter what, the high-grade Gold Element Yang Kai needed had to come through the Star City—through the Heavenly Origin True Seal Pill!
With all of this in mind, the expansion and growth of the Star City had become inevitable.
Yang Kai had the final say on Void Land's affairs. Once he declared he had his own plans, the others, despite whatever misgivings they harbored, didn't dare say another word.
Immediately after, Yang Kai issued another order: dispatch several Open Heaven cultivators to visit Void Land's subordinate sects and command each to contribute some territory for the expansion of the Star City!
Within the Void Domain, Void Land was not the only power. There were also seven third-tier forces such as Golden Light Dock and the Flying Crane Gate. The strongest among these third-tier organizations were only Third-Order Open Heaven cultivators. They had previously survived at the whims of the Seven Artifices, and after the Seven Artifices were replaced by Void Land, they naturally took their orders from Void Land as well.
In the Three Thousand Worlds, this was the structure of power—the relationship between superior sects and subordinate sects.
Each of these third-tier forces controlled several worlds of their own. For Yang Kai to request territory to expand the Star City, they merely had to carve out some spirit lands and spirit peaks from any of their worlds. It was no great matter, and naturally none dared refuse.
With the deliberations concluded, everyone dispersed. Yang Kai then made another trip to Dragon Son Peak.