Day after day, waves of cultivators continued pouring into the Star City. Less than a month after the second auction concluded, the numbers compiled by the Governor's Office showed that the Star City's resident cultivator population had already reached a staggering two hundred thousand.
Such a figure far exceeded what the original Void Star City could have accommodated. Had Yang Kai not expanded the city's scale in advance, it would have been bursting at the seams by now.
More people meant more problems. Every day saw fresh incidents of troublemaking, and the Star City's law enforcement squads had to haul in a great many troublemakers before order was restored.
Those shopkeepers who had fled earlier also returned in droves, gathering in front of the Governor's Office to stage protests and demand the return of their shops. The Void Land paid them no heed whatsoever — after a single warning proved ineffective, every last one of them was seized and thrown into the dungeons.
Roughly a third of all shops in the Star City had already been leased out, and the rental income alone was a staggering sum.
Merchants had traveled from afar to rent shops and trade goods here, further boosting the Star City's bustle. The Void Star City was no longer a barren wasteland — one could now buy virtually any goods one desired and sell anything one wished to offload.
Everything was falling into place.
As long as this situation held for another year or so, the Star City would stabilize completely, entering a virtuous cycle that would require no further fussing over.
Everyone was eagerly awaiting the start of the third auction.
Inside Yang Kai's private quarters, Bian Yuqing came by once every half month to report on the Star City's progress, and today was no exception.
"Sect Master, according to our observations, it appears that forces from the Caves and Paradises have already entered the Star City. However, they seem to have concealed their identities, and we haven't been able to determine which Caves and Paradises exactly."
Yang Kai nodded slightly. "The Heaven Origin True Seal Pill is a matter of great importance — naturally they would send people to investigate."
"Then, Sect Master... should we make contact with them?"
Yang Kai shook his head. "Pretend we don't know. Since they've hidden their identities, it's clear they don't wish to reveal their presence. If they truly need something, they'll come to us on their own... Ah, I recall that at the first auction, it was a shopkeeper staying in the Star City who won the Heaven Origin True Seal Pill for a hundred and forty thousand?"
Bian Yuqing smiled. "That's correct, Sect Master. That Shopkeeper Jin had originally been running a small-time business — a bit of petty trade. Lacking connections and unwilling to abandon his shop, he stayed behind in the Star City and got a lucky break."
"Have someone protect him. If anyone approaches him trying to buy that Heaven Origin True Seal Pill from him, keep a close watch."
Bian Yuqing's expression shifted slightly. "Sect Master, you're thinking..."
Yang Kai smiled faintly. "Better safe than sorry."
Bian Yuqing understood at once. She bowed. "Rest assured, Sect Master. Elder Lu previously instructed those who had purchased the spirit pills that if they needed any help selling them, they could reach out to the Void Land, and we would not stand by idly. They have no backing or connections whatsoever — if they truly wish to sell the pills, as a precaution they'll almost certainly seek our assistance."
"Good. Additionally, quietly spread the word that I'm looking for Upper-Grade Yin-Attribute resources."
"Understood!" Bian Yuqing bowed once more. "If the Sect Master has no further instructions, I'll take my leave."
"Go ahead." Yang Kai waved his hand.
Bian Yuqing withdrew respectfully, but she had barely stepped out before turning back.
Yang Kai looked at her. "Something else?"
"Sect Master, I just received word that some of your friends have arrived at the Void Land and wish to pay you a visit."
"Friends?" Yang Kai raised an eyebrow. "Who?"
"They say they're from Great Moon Continent. I don't know the specifics of who exactly."
"Great Moon Continent!" Yang Kai's eyes lit up. He knew at once who had come. "Bring them in at once!"
"Yes!"
Moments later, outside his quarters, Yang Kai stood with a smile, watching as a group of several figures flew toward him. As they drew near, he stepped forward to meet them.
Led personally by Bian Yuqing, the group landed a short distance in front of Yang Kai. At their head was a burly, rough-featured man, and beside him stood a woman — both were Third-Order Open Heaven cultivators. They were none other than Wei Que and Tao Rongfang of Great Moon Continent, whom Yang Kai had met before. Behind them stood two men and two women — among them, a middle-aged elder and a young man.
All six who had come were familiar faces. Seeing them brought a flood of memories rushing back.
Yet they all appeared somewhat nervous. Great Moon Continent was merely a third-rate power, and its leader was nothing more than a Third-Order Open Heaven cultivator. The Void Land now possessed the kind of bearing that only the most elite second-rate forces could boast, with mid-Order Open Heaven cultivators appearing in abundance. Arriving here, they couldn't help but feel a certain weight pressing down on them.
They had all spotted Yang Kai coming out to greet them. The middle-aged elder and one of the women clearly brightened with joy, their steps quickening — though, seemingly remembering something, they pulled their pace back slightly.
"Great Moon Continent's Wei Que greets Sect Master Yang!" Wei Que stepped forward and cupped his fists in a loud salute.