Calculating the timeline, the supplies from Void Domain should have already arrived at the Dayan Blessed Land by now, where the Creation Divine Furnace would be used to produce high-grade resources.
Yang Kai was naturally happy to delay — the more time that passed, the more opportunities Void Domain would have to use the Creation Divine Furnace.
But it didn't matter much. Even after an agreement was reached, it would still take time for the various Grotto-heaven Blessed Lands to gather and transport their resources to the Dayan Blessed Land. Before those supplies arrived, Void Domain could continue using the Creation Divine Furnace.
"Also." Hua Qingsi leaned in closer, lowering her voice. "Elder Shi Zheng of the Langya Blessed Land wishes to have a private meeting with the Sect Master."
"Shi Zheng?" Yang Kai's brow furrowed.
He had naturally met all the External Affairs Envoys stationed in the Star Boundary by the various Grotto-heaven Blessed Lands. Shi Zheng was the envoy of the Langya Blessed Land, a Seventh-Order Opening Heaven cultivator.
"Did he say what it's about?" Yang Kai asked.
It would have been one thing if it were any other Grotto-heaven Blessed Land, but this was Shi Zheng of the Langya Blessed Land. And the Langya Blessed Land was Zhang Ruoxi's ancestral sect — Zhang Ruoxi was currently a disciple there.
Hua Qingsi shook her head. "He didn't say, but I'd guess it has something to do with the Creation Divine Furnace."
In three days, representatives from all the Grotto-heaven Blessed Lands would convene at Lingxiao Palace to discuss the matter of the Creation Divine Furnace. For Shi Zheng to seek a private meeting with Yang Kai now — his intentions were obvious.
Was he trying to go through the back door? Yang Kai felt somewhat annoyed, but he couldn't very well refuse. After all, there was still that connection through Zhang Ruoxi — if he rejected Shi Zheng, there was no telling whether the man might make things difficult for her later.
But in the current situation, even if Shi Zheng met with him privately, Yang Kai couldn't agree to anything too outrageous. Shi Zheng surely understood that as well.
"Have him come over," Yang Kai instructed.
Hua Qingsi said, "Elder Shi Zheng says there are too many eyes and ears around the Star Boundary for him to visit rashly. He requests that the Sect Master make the trip out."
This sneaking around really did have the flavor of wanting to discuss some secret that couldn't see the light of day.
Hua Qingsi added, "If the Sect Master doesn't wish to meet him, I can send word back immediately."
Yang Kai pondered for a good while before saying, "I should still meet him. Where's the location?"
Hua Qingsi promptly presented a jade slip. Yang Kai took it, sent his divine sense in to take a look, and understood. He then asked, "And the time?"
Hua Qingsi replied, "Elder Shi Zheng's message says he will wait there for the Sect Master."
That urgent...
But then again, in three days all those high-ranking Opening Heaven cultivators would be gathering at Lingxiao Palace. If he didn't hurry, there would be no more chances.
"Let me go take a look."
"Sect Master!" Hua Qingsi called out hurriedly. "Be careful!"
Yang Kai nodded, his figure flickering as he vanished.
The meeting place Shi Zheng had designated was still within the Lingxiao Domain, though some distance from the Star Boundary. Yang Kai moved through space and arrived in just two hours.
In the silent void, a massive tower ship hung motionless. Below the deck, two figures stood waiting.
Sensing Yang Kai's aura, both turned to look. One of them was first surprised, then called out joyfully, "Brother Yang!"
Yang Kai landed on the deck and looked at the person before him, equally delighted. "Ruoxi?"
Waiting for him here were not only Shi Zheng, but Zhang Ruoxi as well.
Come to think of it, when news of the World Tree had spread and the various Grotto-heaven Blessed Lands had taken up residence in the Star Boundary, Yang Kai had quite hoped to see Zhang Ruoxi.
Unfortunately, even though the Langya Blessed Land had sent people, Zhang Ruoxi had not appeared.
Yang Kai had asked Shi Zheng and learned that Ruoxi was in closed-door cultivation.
Now meeting again, Zhang Ruoxi had clearly already reached Opening Heaven, carrying the unique aura fluctuations of that realm.
"Brother Yang, what are you doing here? The Elder said an honored guest would be arriving soon, and I was wondering who it could be." Zhang Ruoxi smiled like a blooming flower.
Yang Kai smiled back. "I didn't expect you to be here either. Did you come specifically from the Langya Blessed Land?"
Zhang Ruoxi nodded. "I've been wanting to come back for a visit, but I was in closed-door cultivation before and it really wasn't convenient. Now that my realm has stabilized, the sect gave me permission to leave."
"What rank?" Yang Kai asked with concern.
"Fifth-Order!" Zhang Ruoxi answered happily.
"Good, very good!" Yang Kai reached out and patted her on the head. Though there was some small regret — if Zhang Ruoxi had condensed her Dao Seal a bit later, she might not have missed the chance to advance to the Sixth-Order — but what was done was done, and there was no use lamenting.