At that time, even Lord Xu Ling had said as much, and Yang Kai had no choice but to settle for second best and change his terms.
But now the situation was different. Over the past few decades, the various Great Caves and Blessed Lands had witnessed firsthand the wonders of the Star Boundary's World Tree. The frantic growth of their Disciples was the best proof of that.
What followed naturally was a massive demand for high-grade resources. If they wanted their Disciples to successfully advance to the Sixth or Seventh-Order Open Heaven Realm, they would have to compromise.
Compared to the opportunity to train in their respective Small Source Worlds, the advancement of their Disciples was the top priority.
So Yang Kai was confident that this time, he should be able to reach some degree of consensus with the various Great Caves and Blessed Lands!
The journeys to the Star Boundary and Void Land diverged. Yang Kai, Honghu, and Yu Changdao's party traveled together for a month or two before parting ways.
Yu Changdao and his group headed straight for the Star Boundary, while Yang Kai brought Honghu toward Void Land.
Another two months later, the two of them finally arrived at the Void Domain, travel-worn and dusty.
Gazing through the void, the vast Void Land lay beside Star City like neighbors. Star City had once again regained its former prosperity — at the void ferry port, flying Artifacts of all sizes continuously came and went, making for a remarkably lively scene.
In truth, the moment she set foot in the Void Domain, Honghu had sensed the vitality of this great domain. Of all the domains they had passed through, none had been as bustling as the Void Domain, with flying Artifacts shuttling back and forth through the void from time to time.
Seeing Star City's prosperity now, she finally understood what drew so many cultivators here and there.
"So this is Void Land?" Honghu gazed around in wonder.
Yang Kai nodded. "That's right. This is Void Land."
Honghu stared at Void Land, shrouded in the Nine Heavens Grand Formation, and seemed to sense something. "There seems to be the aura of the Dragon Clan, but it's not quite pure. Still, it's very powerful!"
Yang Kai smiled. "I forgot to mention — Void Land sits on the back of Elder Bixi. The old gentleman has slumbered here for untold tens of thousands of years. Spirit continents grew upon his back, gradually evolving into what became Void Land."
"Bixi!" Honghu's dark eyebrows rose. As a member of the Phoenix Clan, she naturally knew of Bixi's existence — though knowing of him and actually seeing him were two different things. She sighed with admiration. "I've long heard that Bixi bears immense weight upon his back, that it can carry the heavens and earth. Seeing him today, the reputation is well deserved!"
When they drew close, Yang Kai took out his jade token, opened the Nine Heavens Grand Formation, and entered side by side with Honghu.
Atop Spirit Peak, on a broad platform, Bixi's clone sat cross-legged, his long eyebrows hanging down to his knees, reciting profound scriptures — every word a pearl of wisdom.
Before him, numerous Holy Spirits sat upright and attentive, listening with care. Among them were dragons from Dragon Island, Xiao Xiao who bore the origin of Tai Yue, Liu Yan who carried the Phoenix True Fire, the Luan Feng, the Fan Wu, and the Stone Puppet Clan from the eastern reaches of the Star Boundary, along with Qiong Qi, the mount of the Emperor of Time — a great variety of races.
Though the Holy Spirits of the Star Boundary carried the origins of different races and each had their own heritage, because they lacked proper cultivation methods, they could not refine and advance the power of their bloodlines, and naturally found it difficult to glimpse the depths of their own legacies.
Though Bixi was only of the Dragon lineage, his age was immense and his knowledge vast. Often, even a casual remark from him could give certain Holy Spirits a flash of insight.
Under his earnest guidance over the years, the Dragon Clan had made great progress. Among them, Zhu Qing had manifested her true form — a five-hundred-zhang dragon body. Though it was still far from the rank of a Great Dragon, it was already comparable to a Fifth-Order Open Heaven cultivator.
The other Holy Spirits had also grown, though none as dramatically as Zhu Qing.
It was precisely for this reason that the Holy Spirits of all races liked to gather around Bixi, listening to him teach and pass on his wisdom.
Suddenly, Bixi looked up toward the sky, surprise flickering across his eyes. He rose slowly and called out in a resonant voice, "A distinguished guest descends — forgive us for not greeting you sooner!"
When everyone looked up at his words, they saw two streaks of light descend from the sky, landing directly before the crowd.
One was none other than Yang Kai, who had not been seen for decades. The other was a woman none of them had ever met before, dressed in white as pure as snow.
Zhu Qing's beautiful eyes lit up, and she gazed at Yang Kai with tender affection. But with so many people present, despite the intensity of her longing, she could not make too intimate a gesture.
Xiao Xiao and Liu Yan, however, cared nothing for such propriety. The two of them had been by Yang Kai's side since his earliest, humblest days — they could be counted among his longest companions.
Xiao Xiao bounded forward in a single leap, arriving before Yang Kai in an instant. Using both hands, he scurried up along Yang Kai's clothes and settled himself on his shoulder with a contented little plop, looking thoroughly pleased.
Liu Yan, meanwhile, toddled over with small, hurried steps, threw open her little arms, tilted her head back, and said in a sweet, childlike voice, "Master, hug!"
Yang Kai reached out and tapped her on the head. "Speak like a normal person!"
Though Liu Yan had gained a physical body through certain fortuitous encounters, she had always maintained the appearance of a little girl. Her deliberate baby talk now was quite endearing in its own way.
After being tapped by Yang Kai, her eyes immediately grew glassy with tears, but she stubbornly held out her arms. "Hug!"
Yang Kai sighed, bent down, and lifted her into his arms. Liu Yan immediately wrapped her arms around his neck with satisfaction, resting her little head against his neck, a smile lingering at the corners of her eyes.
The killing intent in Zhu Qing's smiling gaze erupted without restraint!