Steward Zhou's face fell as he said, "Sect Master Yang, might you consider a different condition?"
Yang Kai shook his head slowly. "This is the only matter I have to raise. There is nothing else I seek."
Steward Zhou let out a bitter laugh and deliberated for a long while before speaking. "This matter is of great significance. This old servant cannot make the decision on my own — I'll need to report to my superiors. However, Sect Master Yang, I must say that there's a very high chance they won't agree."
Yang Kai said, "Steward Zhou, just make the report. Whether they agree or not is their business."
"Then... very well." At this point, there was no need to continue negotiating. Both sides had laid out their demands and conditions, and what remained was to see whether they could reach an agreement on certain issues. That was not something Steward Zhou could decide. He rose to his feet. "Time is of the essence. I shall attend to this matter at once. I'll take my leave."
Yang Kai personally saw him out of the Void Land before turning back.
Qu Huashang swept toward him in a cloud of fragrance, unhesitatingly reaching out to hook her arm through his. Her full, ample chest pressed against his elbow as she said in a sweet, coquettish voice, "Junior Brother..."
Yang Kai glanced sidelong at her, his head already beginning to ache. "Senior Sister, just say what you want to say. If I can agree, I won't refuse!"
Qu Huashang let out a charming laugh and whispered in his ear, her breath warm and sweet as orchids. "I knew Junior Brother was the best. That Tianyuan Zhengyin Pill..."
Yang Kai withdrew his arm from her embrace and turned to face her with a smile. "Before Senior Sister makes her request, I'd like her to clarify something first — this trip to the Void Land, are you here for yourself, or are you here for Yin Yang Cave Heaven?"
Qu Huashang's long lashes fluttered. "Does it make a difference?"
Yang Kai smiled faintly. "Why ask what you already know?"
"Junior Brother, you really are heartless." Qu Huashang put on a look of grievance, like some fragile woman cast aside by a faithless lover — truly pitiable to behold. "Why ask such a cruel question? Have you forgotten how we huddled together for warmth in Blood Demon Cave Heaven?"
Yang Kai straightened his expression. "Precisely because I remember, that's exactly why I need to ask."
Qu Huashang shot him a look brimming with feminine charm. The woman had always been like a enchantress, and after breaking through to the Open Heaven realm, she had become even more bewitching — her gaze could ensnare one's very soul...
Yang Kai sat down, sipped his tea, and pointedly looked away from her.
Qu Huashang, unable to stomach the slight, flounced over and sat down beside him in a huff. Puffing out her cheeks, she said, "If Junior Brother wants to draw a line between public and private matters, then let's discuss business first!"
Yang Kai gestured for her to proceed.
Qu Huashang declared, "My Yin Yang Cave Heaven would like to purchase some Tianyuan Zhengyin Pills from you, Junior Brother!"
"No," Yang Kai replied flatly.
Qu Huashang glared at him viciously and slapped the table. "You just told Steward Zhou that you could sell three to Asura Sky!"
Yang Kai said in a measured, unhurried tone, "Those were the last of our reserves."
Qu Huashang's chest rose and fell with agitation. Gritting her teeth, she said, "I can assure you that the price will be more than fair to you, Junior Brother. On that point, I have the authority to make the call."
Yang Kai considered for a moment, then smiled. "If Yin Yang Cave Heaven could sell me a premium-grade Yin-type resource..."
"Junior Brother, you might as well give up on that idea. Those old fogeys would never agree to such a condition," Qu Huashang said, exasperated. "No matter how much you're willing to pay, it won't happen!"
Yang Kai raised an eyebrow. "Is Senior Sister that certain?"
Qu Huashang nodded gently. "I can't speak for everything else, but on this matter, Steward Zhou was right. All the Cave Heavens and Blessed Lands maintain the same stance — not a single one will sell premium Yin-type resources to you."
Yang Kai frowned deeply.
Seeing his mood deflate, Qu Huashang felt a twinge of regret for having spoken too bluntly. She changed the subject. "Junior Brother, what if it were me asking for the Tianyuan Zhengyin Pills?"
Yang Kai replied casually, "How many does Senior Sister need?"
Qu Huashang stared at him, uncertain. "Do you have a lot of these things?"
Yang Kai smiled. "Not a great many, but it should be enough to meet Senior Sister's needs."
Qu Huashang fidgeted. "Five... no, three would be enough."
The moment she finished speaking, Yang Kai placed a jade vial before her. Qu Huashang picked it up and opened it, and her eyes widened — inside were clearly five spirit pills. Though she had never seen this particular type before, she could be absolutely certain that these were Tianyuan Zhengyin Pills.
She stared blankly at Yang Kai. "Junior Brother, you..." She was already an Open Heaven cultivator herself and naturally had no further use for such pills. Her request had clearly been made on behalf of Yin Yang Cave Heaven — there was no way Yang Kai didn't know that — yet he had still produced five pills without hesitation.
Yang Kai said, "Back in Blood Demon Cave Heaven, if Senior Sister hadn't shielded me with all your strength and helped me escape Yin Xinzhao's pursuit, I likely would have met a terrible end. The debt of a life saved can never truly be repaid — a handful of pills are nothing. Since Senior Sister has asked, how could I, as your Junior Brother, refuse?"
Qu Huashang's expression softened with genuine emotion. She clutched the jade vial tightly and said solemnly, "Junior Brother, thank you!"