Big Brother Huang and Big Sister Lan ignored them entirely, focused on their discussion.
Big Brother Huang said, "Excluding those annoying ones, there are thirty-three people in total."
Thirty Seventh-Order Open Heaven cultivators escorting the ship, plus Liu Mu, Da Yi, and Yang Kai — exactly thirty-three.
Big Sister Lan grinned. "Half each."
Big Brother Huang fretted, "There's still one left over."
Big Sister Lan waved dismissively. "Let's not count Yang-kid — he doesn't look too bright, no better than those little Stone Clans. Let him go deal with those pesky things and we'll save ourselves the trouble."
"You make a good point." Big Brother Huang nodded seriously.
Veins bulged on Yang Kai's forehead. If not for the fact that he absolutely could not beat these two below, he would have loved to ask just what exactly "not looking too bright" was supposed to mean!
Originally, Divine Lord Liu Mu and Divine Lord Da Yi had been feeling thoroughly dejected, but upon hearing those two speak, they felt a flicker of schadenfreude.
Over there, Big Brother Huang and Big Sister Lan finished their deliberation. The two turned their gazes this way in unison. Liu Mu and Da Yi hastily wiped the smiles from their faces, adopting solemn expressions.
Big Brother Huang spoke up: "Yang-kid, we've just discussed it. It's not that we can't help with your problem — after all, you are our little brother. Now that you've come asking for our help, we can't just stand by and do nothing."
Big Sister Lan quickly chimed in: "But we have our conditions."
Yang Kai, who knew their conditions full well, pretended to be completely in the dark and asked with curiosity: "What conditions would those be?"
Big Brother Huang said, "It's like this — since you left last time, our forces have expanded rapidly. We now each command armies numbering in the tens of millions, and directing them has become quite overwhelming. What we desperately need are officers and generals who can follow orders! I think the people you've brought this time look quite suitable. Why not let them serve under our command? If they do, we'll have the time to help you with your affairs!"
Before Yang Kai could even reply, Divine Lord Liu Mu urgently interjected: "Big Brother, Big Sister — couldn't we negotiate a different condition?"
He had finally figured it out. These two beings, whose power was arguably unrivaled under heaven, were treating their time on this spirit continent as nothing more than a game to pass the time. Here he was, an Eighth-Order Open Heaven cultivator — instead of slaying demons and defending the Dao, he was stuck playing along with two children. If word ever got out, what would that make him? Did he have no dignity?
This was absolutely something he could not agree to.
Though Divine Lord Da Yi said nothing, his sentiment was clearly the same.
Big Brother Huang refused flatly: "This is the only condition. If you can't agree, then you're free to leave."
Yang Kai quickly glanced to the side, his expression mournful, his tone grave: "Two Divine Lords, I implore you to consider the bigger picture!"
The two immediately bristled at him, glaring as though they wanted to stuff something into his mouth.
Big Brother Huang's expression darkened: "It seems you're not terribly willing!"
Big Sister Lan grew annoyed as well: "If you're not willing, then leave. No one's forcing you."
Yang Kai persisted earnestly: "Two Divine Lords, there are several thousand lives on that ship! This time it's several thousand — next time there could be even more. Your sacrifice today, this vast heaven and earth will never forget it!"
Divine Lord Liu Mu and Divine Lord Da Yi wished they could flay Yang Kai alive. This brat was clearly the type to watch a fire burn from the sidelines, fanning the flames with his free advice. But under the present circumstances, refusing was not an option. Just as Yang Kai had said — this time it was several thousand lives, but what about next time? No one could guarantee that their own sects wouldn't have disciples corrupted by the Ink Force. None of them wanted to taste the kind of tragedy that had befallen the Langya Paradise.
If they could secure the help of Radiance and Obscurity, then in the future, when they captured Ink Disciples, there would be no need to execute every last one of them.
Divine Lord Liu Mu gritted his teeth: "Fine. Since Big Brother and Big Sister think so highly of me, it would be ungracious of me to refuse any longer. I am willing to submit under your command and follow your orders from now on!"
Divine Lord Da Yi sighed inwardly, knowing he too had no choice. He spoke with a cheerful tone: "I share the same sentiment."
Big Brother Huang and Big Sister Lan, who had been wearing dour faces, immediately broke into wide smiles. Big Brother Huang said, "Good, good, good! Call your people over here right away."
Divine Lord Liu Mu sent out a wave of spiritual consciousness. In the next moment, thirty Seventh-Order Open Heaven cultivators descended from the sky ship.
Though they had witnessed a great deal from above, they still weren't entirely clear on the situation below. They could only vaguely surmise that the two small children must be the legendary Radiance of the Sun and Obscurity of the Moon.
Liu Mu pointed at Big Brother Huang and addressed the group: "Come pay your respects to Big Brother!"
All thirty Seventh-Order cultivators wore blank expressions. What was with the overwhelmingly roguish air in the Supreme Elder's words?
But none dared question it. If the Supreme Elder had given the order, there had to be a reason. They all clasped their fists and called out greetings to Big Brother.
Liu Mu then pointed at Big Sister Lan: "This is Big Sister!"
The group bowed once more.
Big Brother Huang and Big Sister Lan smiled even more happily. Their delight even made them politely defer to each other. Big Brother Huang said, "You're younger — you pick first."
Big Sister Lan replied with a grin, "You're younger — you pick first."
Yang Kai knew this kind of exchange absolutely could not be allowed to continue, or the peaceful atmosphere would turn hostile in an instant. He immediately took the initiative: "If you two don't mind, shall I help you sort them out?"
Big Brother Huang and Big Sister Lan exchanged a glance and nodded together: "Very well."