Upon learning that the small Emperor before them was actually the chief steward of the entire Void Land — the one who managed all affairs both great and minor — Mao Zhe and the others were mildly surprised. This was not something you would see in other factions. Generally speaking, only the stronger one was, the greater the responsibilities one could shoulder. An Emperor might still be considered a ruler in those World-cradles, but in the Thirty Thousand Worlds, it was nothing special.
Out here in the void, only those whose cultivation had reached the Open Heaven Realm had a place to stand. And even then, it depended on what rank of Open Heaven they had achieved.
But since this Second Steward clearly enjoyed Yang Kai's trust and esteem, none of them dared to be careless.
After instructing Bian Yuqing to make proper arrangements for everyone who had emerged from the Shadowless Hollow Heaven, Yang Kai prepared to retire and rest.
His trip to the Shadowless Hollow Heaven had been fraught with peril, yet ultimately free of serious harm. The various ordeals he had faced had yielded considerable gains, but he had not previously had much time to contemplate and absorb them. Now that he had returned to Void Land, it was only right that he enter secluded cultivation for a while to consolidate what he had obtained.
Bian Yuqing, however, said, "There is one matter that requires the Sect Master's decision."
Yang Kai looked at her. "What is it?"
He rarely involved himself in the affairs of Void Land, leaving everything entirely to Bian Yuqing's discretion. Only matters she found difficult to resolve were brought to his attention.
Bian Yuqing replied, "Numerous factions have sent representatives who are currently staying in the Star City, awaiting an audience with the Sect Master."
"What factions?" Yang Kai frowned.
Bian Yuqing rattled off a long list of names — no fewer than thirty or forty factions.
Yang Kai was bewildered. "Do we have any cooperation with these factions? Why would they want to see me?"
Bian Yuqing smiled faintly. "The Sect Master may not be aware, but all of these factions once fought alongside the Heavenly Sword Alliance in their siege against our Void Land."
Yang Kai froze for a moment, then caught on and let out a cold laugh. "Their eyes and ears are quite sharp!"
All of these factions had once followed Kong Feng and served as vanguard for the Heavenly Sword Alliance. They had all taken part in that battle against the Hundred-Faction Alliance, and could be considered part of it.
Whether they had joined willingly or under duress, they had all earned the enmity of Void Land.
That battle had inflicted devastating losses on the Hundred-Faction Alliance. Void Land's two Divine Spirits had appeared one after another, shaking the very heavens, and after that fight, those who had survived and escaped could be counted on one hand. The Hundred-Faction Alliance had been virtually annihilated within Void Land.
Having witnessed the terrifying strength and depth of Void Land, the surviving factions had been horrified. However, since even the Heavenly Sword Alliance had suffered grievously in that battle, none of them harbored any thoughts of revenge.
After all, they had been the ones to provoke the conflict in the first place, and Void Land had only fought back when cornered.
If that had been the extent of it, the worst that could happen was simply never setting foot in Void Land's territory again. The Thirty Thousand Worlds were vast — there were plenty of other places to go.
But Yang Kai had broken free from the Shadowless Hollow Heaven, brought back a cadre of elite fighters, destroyed the Senluo Altar first — forcing thousands of its disciples to abandon their homes and wander as refugees — and then proceeded to annihilate Golden Rainbow Province, all but wiping it from existence.
Now, Golden Rainbow Province no longer existed in the Thirty Thousand Worlds.
When news of this spread, every faction lived in fear.
Both Golden Rainbow Province and the Senluo Altar had been factions that once participated in the siege against Void Land, and both had now suffered Void Land's wrath. It was clear that Void Land was settling old scores — when they did not strike, they were quiet, but once they moved, the impact shook the heavens!
Looking across the entire Hundred-Faction Alliance, neither the Senluo Altar nor Golden Rainbow Province could be considered weak. Very few factions could claim to be on par with either, and even those slightly stronger were so by only a narrow margin.
If even Golden Rainbow Province and the Senluo Altar could not withstand Void Land's retribution, how could the rest stand a chance? If they did not act soon, what had befallen Golden Rainbow Province and the Senluo Altar would become their own tomorrow.
And so, half a year ago, after news of Golden Rainbow Province's destruction spread, numerous factions had made pilgrimages to Void Land almost in unison, bearing lavish gifts and sincere apologies, hoping to turn hostility into friendship.
It was precisely because of their visits that Void Land had learned Yang Kai had returned from the Shadowless Hollow Heaven — and that he had immediately caused a stir upon emerging.
Those factions did not know that Yang Kai had targeted the Senluo Altar and Golden Rainbow Province because of the Proprietress's heart-demon oath. They assumed it was all retaliation for the Hundred-Faction Alliance's original siege of Void Land, and their terror naturally deepened.
These past months of waiting in the Star City had been agonizing. Nearly every two or three days, another delegation would pay a visit to the Governor's Manor, driving Mo Mei to the brink of exasperation.
"So will the Sect Master see them or not?" Bian Yuqing asked cautiously.
"Not seeing them!" Yang Kai waved his hand dismissively. He had only just returned from outside — he was in no mood to deal with the likes of these people. "Let them stew for a while first."