Everyone was greedy, especially when it came to the martial path — once you gained one thing, you immediately coveted the next. Yang Kai refused to squander his high starting point, so even knowing full well that pressing forward would be fraught with thorns and hardship, he had no intention of turning back.
Yang Kai was like this, and Fang Yue was no different.
If the Void Land hadn't risen so abruptly, if Yang Kai hadn't used the Tianyuan Zhengyin Pill to draw crowds to the Star City, spreading its name across the Three Thousand Worlds, Fang Yue probably would have resigned himself to his fate. Perhaps one day he would attempt to achieve a Third-Order Open Heaven, or perhaps he would perish in the process of pushing toward the Sixth Order, everything coming to naught.
But once he heard that the Void Land possessed the Tianyuan Zhengyin Pill, it was as though a sliver of light had appeared in the darkness. Fang Yue caught a glimpse of hope.
That was why he had mustered the courage to pay this visit.
Yet the Void Land today was bristling with talent and strength. What advantage did he, a mere half-step Open Heaven, possess that could make Yang Kai take him seriously? The only thing he could rely on was that small bond they had once shared inside the Taixu Realm. He could only hope Yang Kai would honor their old acquaintance.
And now it seemed this trip had not been in vain. Thinking about it, it made sense — back in the Taixu Realm, Yang Kai had set aside old grudges and carried every single Bearer out without hesitation. He clearly wasn't the narrow-minded sort. Fang Yue realized he had been measuring a gentleman's heart with his own petty ruler, and a flush of shame crept over him.
The moment that thought crossed his mind, Fang Yue couldn't help but feel a bit embarrassed.
"Brother Fang wishes to join the Void Land, and I am naturally most welcoming. But does Brother Fang know the current situation of our Void Land?"
Fang Yue's expression turned serious. "I've heard a fair amount. Senior Brother aims to achieve a High-Order Open Heaven, which seems to have touched a nerve among certain parties, drawing their suppression and opposition."
Yang Kai looked at him with a smile. "Exactly so. The Hundred Clans Alliance came bearing down on us together for precisely that reason. With things as they are, does Brother Fang still wish to join? At any moment, the Void Land could find itself facing catastrophe."
Fang Yue replied, "If I may be admitted to the Void Land, I will stand with it through life and death. To live a life of vigor and passion is far better than skulking through the days in sorrow!"
"Good!" Yang Kai laughed heartily. "Since Brother Fang has such resolve, how could I refuse? From this day forward, you are a member of the Void Land."
Fang Yue was overjoyed. He hurried to his feet and bowed formally. "Disciple Fang Yue greets the Sect Master!"
Yang Kai stepped forward and helped him up. "There's no need for such formality. From now on, we address each other as fellow disciples!" Fang Yue had condensed a Sixth-Order power, and sooner or later he would advance to Sixth-Order Open Heaven, becoming a pillar of the Void Land. Yang Kai had no intention of putting on airs.
Fang Yue said gratefully, "Thank you, Senior Brother!"
Yang Kai smiled. "Now that you've joined the Void Land, cultivate diligently. The day you advance to Open Heaven, come and tell me — I'll lend you a hand."
Fang Yue confessed, "To be honest, Senior Brother, I'm only one step away from advancing to Open Heaven now. I just need to condense one final type of power. However, I'd like to continue cultivating for a while longer to solidify my foundation and reserves. That way, my chances of success when I make the leap will be higher."
"That's for the best." Yang Kai nodded.
Back in the Taixu Realm, Fang Yue had already become a half-step Open Heaven with the assistance of the Thick Earth Dark Turtle. It had been some years since they left the Taixu Realm, so it was hardly surprising that he was now only a single step away from advancement.
"I'll have someone arrange quarters for you. Settle in and cultivate at your ease within the sect."
Fang Yue thanked him, then hesitated before speaking again. "Senior Brother, do you still remember Xiang Ying and the others?"
Yang Kai turned to look at him, a hint of curiosity in his gaze. "What do you mean?"
Fang Yue said, "There were many Bearers inside the Taixu Realm. I believe there are quite a few who face the same predicament I did. People like Xiang Ying and Ding Yi — they're likely in the same situation. If Senior Brother were to recruit them using the Tianyuan Zhengyin Pill, I don't think they'd refuse. Like me, they were chosen as Bearers by the Holy Spirits inside the Taixu Realm and received substantial cultivation support. The grade of power they condensed is no lower than mine. If they can achieve Open Heaven in the future, they'll surely become a tremendous asset for Senior Brother!"
Yang Kai nodded thoughtfully. "That may be so, but the Three Thousand Worlds are vast. After parting ways in the Taixu Realm, no one knows where they went. Unless… Junior Brother Fang, do you have contact with them?"
Fang Yue chuckled. "I don't have contact with them, of course. But Senior Brother needn't worry. You may not know where they are, but they certainly know where you are. I believe that sooner or later, they will come seeking you out just as I have, and all Senior Brother needs to do is wait to welcome them."
Yang Kai gave a slight nod. "Well said!"
Inside the Taixu Realm, the Holy Spirits had selected quite a number of Bearers — well over a hundred. Among them, those without sect affiliations might not constitute the majority, but even if it was only thirty percent, that still meant thirty or forty people. At minimum, they had each condensed a Fifth-Order power, and with the aid of the Tianyuan Zhengyin Pill, they would have an excellent chance of advancing to Fifth-Order Open Heaven. People like Fang Yue and Ding Yi had condensed Sixth-Order powers.
First came the life-saving grace of helping them escape the Taixu Realm. If the Void Land then followed that with the timely gift of a Tianyuan Zhengyin Pill, recruiting these people should be well within reach.
When that happened, the Void Land would suddenly gain thirty or forty Fifth- and Sixth-Order Open Heaven cultivators in a short span of time. What a terrifying force that would be!