Yang Kai smacked his lips internally. According to Xin Peng, there were roughly two hundred Open Heaven Realm mining slaves throughout the entire Black Prison. That was no small number—most ordinary forces didn't have that many Open Heaven cultivators.
But they were merely mining slaves under Luan Baifeng's command, so there was no need to take them too seriously. If anyone truly got into a conflict with Luan Baifeng, they certainly wouldn't lift a finger to help her. Those whom Luan Baifeng genuinely trusted—the ones who could move freely within the Black Prison—probably numbered only around thirty.
"How many are Sixth-Order? How many Fifth-Order?" Yang Kai asked.
Xin Peng replied, "As my lord sees fit, within the Black Prison there is only one Sixth-Order Open Heaven—the Warden herself. As for Fifth-Order, there are seven or eight. The rest are all below Fifth-Order."
Yang Kai blinked. "Only Luan Baifeng is Sixth-Order?"
He had assumed the Black Prison would have at least several Sixth-Order cultivators. The answer was somewhat surprising, but in a way, that made things more convenient for him.
Xin Peng gave a bitter smile. "The Warden is deeply suspicious. She has monopolized power in the Black Prison for so many years that she never permits any subordinate to advance to Sixth-Order. Anyone who shows even the potential or signs of promotion gets thrown into the depths of the Black Prison to mine."
Yang Kai snorted coldly. "Ruthless, alright."
After a moment's thought, he asked, "What were you ordered to procure this time?"
Xin Peng answered honestly.
Yang Kai nodded. "Go ahead to the Star Market in this Great Domain and make your purchases. I'll wait here for you."
Xin Peng didn't know what Yang Kai was planning, but he didn't dare ask further. "Yes, my lord. Please wait here a few days. I'll return as quickly as possible."
Moments later, Xin Peng departed.
Yang Kai stood alone in the void, stroking his chin in thought. What could be confirmed now was that Luan Baifeng was inside the Black Prison. The next step was to lure her out—and to ensure she would emerge through the very Domain Gate before his eyes.
He examined the Universe Chart carefully and felt somewhat reassured. Although the Black Prison had five Domain Gates connecting to five different Great Domains, if Luan Baifeng truly intended to leave and assist Zuo Quan Hui to make things difficult for Void Land, there was a high probability she would come out through the gate in front of him. After all, this route was the closest. Any other path would require a detour of at least two additional Great Domains, which would waste considerably more time.
Now the most critical task was to draw Luan Baifeng out! On that front, Yang Kai had some confidence, though he couldn't be entirely certain.
Six days later, Xin Peng returned from the Star Market in this Great Domain. Yang Kai, hidden in the shadows, immediately revealed himself and gave careful instructions. Xin Peng nodded repeatedly, committing everything Yang Kai said to memory, and then dove headlong into the Domain Gate.
One day later, inside a grand palace, Xin Peng stood with lowered eyes and a submissive posture. Before him, on a reclining lounge chair, Luan Baifeng lay lazily sideways, holding an incense burner in her hands. Faint purple smoke drifted from the burner. Luan Baifeng's eyes were half-closed, her slender nostrils gently twitching as she inhaled and exhaled the purple wisps through her nose and mouth, looking thoroughly at ease.
"Got everything?" Luan Baifeng asked casually.
"I have, Warden!" Xin Peng answered respectfully, producing a spatial ring and presenting it with both hands.
A maidservant dressed in attendant's garb stepped forward from beside Luan Baifeng, took the spatial ring, and retreated.
"Good work," Luan Baifeng said flatly, her narrow phoenix eyes still half-lidded.
"It is my honor to serve the Warden!" Xin Peng flattered with an ingratiating smile, but he didn't withdraw immediately, because he knew that every time he returned from the Star Market, Luan Baifeng would ask about other matters as well.
"Mm." Luan Baifeng responded lazily, then asked, "Has anything interesting happened outside recently?"
Xin Peng lowered his gaze to the tips of his own feet and nodded. "There have indeed been a few things."
"Tell me!" Luan Baifeng's slender jade fingers played with the purple smoke before her, her eyes distant and dreamy.
"The first is that the Dao Discussion Conference at Yin-Yang Heaven has reached its conclusion. The one who claimed the champion's seat is the master of Void Land—Yang Kai!"
"Oh?" Luan Baifeng's half-closed eyes cracked open a sliver, a sharp, cold gleam flashing within. "That Yang Kai actually won the championship? He's only a Fifth-Order—what qualifications does he have to achieve something like that? Are the disciples of all the Heavenly Paradises and Blessed Lands idiots?"
When Yang Kai had advanced to the Open Heaven Realm, she hadn't been present, but since Void Land had already become her enemy, she had naturally gathered quite a bit of intelligence on the matter. It was no surprise to her that Yang Kai was a Fifth-Order Open Heaven.
Xin Peng said, "Warden, I've heard that Yang Kai is not a Fifth-Order at all, but rather a Sixth-Order."
"Sixth-Order?" Luan Baifeng's eyes widened considerably, then she sneered. "Where did you hear that nonsense? He's only Fifth-Order—that's been confirmed beyond any doubt. Several Heavenly Paradise and Blessed Land elders of high order witnessed it with their own eyes. How could it be false?"
"I don't know where the discrepancy lies, but this person is undoubtedly Sixth-Order. Moreover, at Yin-Yang Heaven's Dao Discussion Conference, he killed a man named Zhao Xing."