A table had been set up beneath the roots of the World Tree, and Yang Kai sat across from Xu Linggong, the two of them sharing drinks and idle conversation as they waited.
Regardless of which High-grade Open Heaven cultivator arrived, the first thing they would see upon entering the Star Boundary was that towering giant tree — thousands of zhang tall, approaching ten thousand. Following its trail downward, they would naturally find Yang Kai and Xu Linggong.
Those who came were all close friends whom Xu Linggong had personally notified, so there was no sense of stranger between them. One by one, they were introduced to Yang Kai, which allowed him to familiarize himself among this gathering of High-grade Open Heaven cultivators from various Cave Heavens and Blessed Lands.
No matter who arrived, after inquiring with Xu Linggong about the situation in this world, few lingered — they immediately ventured deeper into the Star Boundary to investigate. Before long, within the modest Star Boundary, High-grade Open Heaven cultivators could be found everywhere, an unprecedented spectacle.
In less than a month, Yang Kai had met with over thirty people in total.
Meanwhile, an enormous promotional campaign was underway across the entire Star Boundary. Led by Lingxiao Palace and with every sect and force cooperating, information about the universe beyond — the Three Thousand Worlds and even the one hundred and eight peak powers — had been inscribed in a small pamphlet and distributed throughout the land, leaving not a single gathering place overlooked.
The Star Boundary was destined to become a cradle for Open Heaven cultivators. Eventually, all the great Cave Heavens and Blessed Lands would be recruiting disciples here. Since they were going along with the grand trend, they first had to let the people of the Star Boundary understand the information from the outside world, so that they could have more choices.
One could imagine what kind of shock the billions of living beings in the Star Boundary experienced under this torrential storm of publicity.
After all, before this, most of them had been frogs at the bottom of a well. Now, there was at least a fleeting, ethereal chance to leap out of the well and see how vast heaven and earth truly were.
Within a month, essentially all living beings in the Star Boundary knew that beyond the universe, the one hundred and eight most prestigious forces would be coming to accept disciples. If one had the fortune, a single moment could transform everything — a carp leaping over the dragon gate, soaring straight into the sky.
Countless wandering cultivators rolled up their sleeves in excitement, fully expecting to catch the eye of those lofty heaven-dwellers who moved above the clouds. Unfortunately, their expectations were destined to come to nothing. While the current generation of the Star Boundary had indeed seen some improvement in their aptitude and spiritual roots thanks to the nourishment of the World Tree's growth, the greatest changes were seen in infants who had just been born or were yet to be born. The next generation would show even more dramatic results.
After one month, the last person arrived. Xu Linggong drained his tea, stood up, and slapped the dust off his backside. "Everyone's here. Time to discuss the arrangements."
Yang Kai quickly sent a message to Hua Qingsi, telling her to make preparations.
Xu Linggong faced north, his lips moving faintly without a single sound escaping, then gestured to Yang Kai. "Let's go."
Yang Kai focused his mind, and the two of them materialized outside Lingxiao Palace in an instant.
Standing in place for a brief moment, streaks of light came shooting in from every direction, landing one by one before the two of them.
Xu Linggong stood with his hands clasped behind his back beside Yang Kai, occasionally exchanging a few jokes with the arrivals or offering a slight nod in greeting. Yang Kai, meanwhile, was the one busy offering formal greetings nonstop.
There was no helping it — every single one of these Seventh Order cultivators was a senior and an old friend of Xu Linggong. As the son-in-law of Yin Yang Heaven and the Great Emperor of the Star Boundary, Yang Kai naturally couldn't afford to be lacking in etiquette.
Pre-assigned female disciples of Lingxiao Palace stepped forward to lead the way, ushering each High-grade Open Heaven cultivator into the great hall.
The group was highly efficient. A mere half-hour after Xu Linggong had sent out his messages, everyone had rushed back from every corner of the Star Boundary. When Yang Kai followed Xu Linggong into the great hall, he found a massive round table dominating the interior.
Over thirty people — more than thirty High-grade Open Heaven cultivators — sat around the round table in complete silence. Only their divine senses darted back and forth in quiet exchange. The female disciples standing at the edges, ready to serve, felt an inexplicable wave of panic washing over them and broke into a light sheen of perspiration.
The round table had been custom-made — Yang Kai had consulted with Xu Linggong before having Lingxiao Palace's craftsmen rush to build it. There was no avoiding it: every guest was a High-grade Open Heaven cultivator of extraordinary background, and determining who outranked whom was not something Yang Kai could decide. Any conventional seating arrangement would inevitably imply hierarchy, but a round table eliminated that concern entirely — everyone was treated equally, with no distinctions of rank.
Xu Linggong strode into the hall with a tiger's gait. The ceaselessly weaving divine senses fell silent in an instant, and pairs of eyes turned to focus — though many were more interested in scrutinizing Yang Kai, who followed behind.
Yang Kai felt the pressure bear down like a mountain. Even though none of these High-grade Open Heaven cultivators deliberately projected any imposing aura at him, his figure still faltered for the briefest of moments before he composed himself completely.
Several High-grade Open Heaven cultivators raised their eyebrows, a hint of surprise crossing their faces.
The round table was enormous, and the thirty-odd people didn't fill it. Xu Linggong found a slightly more spacious spot and sat down with Yang Kai at his side.
No one found fault with a Sixth Order cultivator taking a seat at the table. After all, this was the Star Boundary, and he was its Great Emperor. Moreover, everyone had come at Xu Linggong's invitation and shared a good relationship with him — no one would slight Yang Kai over such a minor matter.
"Thank you all, old friends, for making the long journey," Xu Linggong began in a measured voice. "It's rare for us all to gather like this under normal circumstances. Having this opportunity today is truly fortunate. I trust you've already investigated the situation here and gained some understanding of this place. I've called you all together today because I'd like everyone to have a thorough discussion and arrive at an arrangement that satisfies us all."
When he finished, an old man with one missing arm spoke up. "Xu the Savage, no need to rush the discussion just yet. There's something I want to ask this young fellow beside you — and I want a clear answer."
Yang Kai looked toward the speaker and recognized him — Xun Ping, an Inner Sect Elder of Ziqiong Blessed Land. A powerful High-grade Open Heaven cultivator who rarely met his match in battle. Yang Kai couldn't fathom why Xun Ping was missing an arm, but even with only one, it hardly diminished his formidable cultivation and deep reserves.
Yang Kai cupped his fists with a smile. "Please ask away, Senior Xun."