"Son, you wouldn't happen to be making the…" Yang Kai started asking, swirling his freshly poured tea. "Pills I used a year ago, are you?" He finished asking.
"I am, father. Mother was rather insistent upon it. And since I don't have anything else to do… I figured I might as well continue to make them. I did make a promise after all." I answered, chuckling, as the ingredients went into the furnace. "Besides, if I don't do it, Mother said she would force me on her breast every day as punishment." I added with that nervous chuckle.
"Pfft… I see that sure does sound like Su Yan. Ever since we were rather young… Younger than you are now, she had wanted a child of her own. And I must say, I did as well. She'll continue to dote on you until she's had her fill. Try not to let it bother you." Yang Kai responded with a calm and lighthearted laughter. "But let's not say anything about the 3 fools from before…" He added.
"Oh, father… It's a bit too late for that. There is no way Mother doesn't already know." I laughed, taking the first set of pills out and separating the perfect from the slightly imperfect ones. "When I used my power to save my little sister, a deep bond was created and it also deepened the bond I have with Mother. And when taking into consideration the spread of effect my breakthrough had. It's impossible for either of them not to know." I explained, starting the next batch of pills.
"I see… That's why you're focusing on these pills for a while then?" Yang Kai laughed, then sighed.
"As much as I love being coddled by Mother, I can't afford to be like that every day. And after the events recently, I'm certain Mother will latch on and never me go until something changes." I answered with a twitch.
"Well, I'm not going to say no. You can dump that problem on me for a month or so, but after that…" Yang Kai chuckled. "You should prepare yourself and get whatever you need out of your system." He added, drinking the tea.
"It's fine, Father. I'm more than able to hold back those desires. And you of all people should know the extent of how much that statement means. Given you have a similar experience taking place in your Small Universe too." I laughed, as another set of pills was finished.
"With medicine like that, it's like every few years the population either doubles or triples." Yang Kai said with a narrowly straight face. "How exactly do you have enough room for that? I fear I might actually run out of room soon. Given how many years actually pass by in my Small Universe." He asked, albeit, not expecting an answer.
"Father, I do have an answer for that, but I'm uncertain how you'll like it." I said, starting another batch of pills. "My meaning is that, I know you can figure it out on your own, so my telling you might leave a scar. But if you like, can I give you a hint?" I added, with a wink.
"You mean that I already have the tools at my disposal, or the ability to create the tools?" Yang Kai asked, I nodded. "Then sure, why not give me a hint." He said, making a gesture with his hand, one that meant please go on.
"Well, two high rank open heaven cultivators sit at a table. They both have people living their best lives inside the cultivators' Small Universes." I started, slowly, only giving vague hints at first. After all Yang Kai did have the needed ability already, he need only apply it differently. "These people are only a table apart but they are also…" I continued, stopping once Yang Kai's eyes widened and he smirked.
"I see, I've only used such things for combat. I never thought to use them in such a way." Yang Kai said after realizing it. And in that moment he began trying to do it. "Well, that worked incredibly well… Hold on… With this ability, I can drastically shorten the time needed to reach the 9th rank. It'll still take me a bit but it won't be thousands of years by any means. Let me see just how much I can force it to expand…" He continued.
"Don't do more than 50% larger every couple of months, Father." I noted. "Even I struggle a little when I do more than that. Though, I suppose you have the benefit of World Tree Senior's aid… So you might be able to do a bit more." I added, thinking a little deeper. "I wonder if that ability would help me at all? No, I think I'm at the point his aid wouldn't be of any significance lest his true body were to take root there. Anything less and I only need to grow slightly more." I murmured.
"Yeah… Even with the help of the tree, I can't do much more than 20% increase without suffering any consequences. Perhaps, I've grown weaker…" Yang Kai wondered, sipping the tea again, with an admiring and proud gaze in my direction.
"Father, it's not that you are weak. In fact if I wasn't around I have no doubt that you'd be the strongest cultivator. Save for Mu… Speaking of…" I said, going off into a deep thought.
"What about Mu?" Yang Kai asked, a bit curious.
"No, it's nothing… Well, no, that's not exactly right. I get the feeling she is still alive. Though I'm not entirely certain. I'll know more once I can get close enough to the source of this vague feeling." I answered… "To be honest I'm shocked I can sense such a faint power through the mass that is Ink. It gives a bit of hope that I might actually win." I chuckled.
"Don't worry about that for now. Once those pills are done let me know, I'll come and collect them." Yang Kai said, stretching as he stood up. "I'm off to exert command and control of the Shattered Heaven's forces. I have a few souvenirs that should make talks a bit more exciting. But before I go, here is this thing, I captured the ink clan forces that remained in hiding." He said, placing the container to float just above the table, waving as he left.