Ancestral Land

After some time, somewhere in the vast desert, Kate and Ji Yao concealed themselves behind a rocky outcrop.

"This is perfect," Kate murmured, her eyes locked on the distant group of demons swarming the area.

"Go, you can do it," Kate encouraged, giving Ji Yao a thumbs up.

"Then please wait for my good news," Ji Yao replied confidently before taking to the skies.

High above the desert, Ji Yao hovered, staring down at the demons below.

"LOOK, A HUMAN!" a demon roared.

"WE'RE UNDER ATTACK!" another shouted, alerting the swarm.

"ATTACK!" the cry echoed as feathered demons and other airborne monsters surged towards Ji Yao.

"They're coming," Ji Yao thought, her heartbeat steady as she raised her hand over her head. A Gate of Babylon opened near her palm, and the handle of a gleaming blue sword emerged.

"To use the sword's power and gain its recognition, I must declare my desire," Ji Yao reminded herself, gripping the hilt tightly.

From afar, Kate watched with barely contained excitement. "There it is she's going to do it!"

"I only need to do this once," Ji Yao thought, steeling herself. "But Sister Kate was once Junior Brother's wife... No, I don't have time to hesitate. The demons are getting closer!"

Gripping the sword tighter, Ji Yao raised her voice. "Primordial Ice Sword, Niflheim, please grant me your power!" she shouted as she pulled the blade free.

Without hesitation, she bit her left thumb, smearing her blood across the blade. The sword glowed with an icy blue radiance.

"I, Ji Yao, declare my deepest desire to marry Junior Brother Yang Kai!" Ji Yao announced boldly, lifting the sword high above her head.

"CURSE YOU, HUMAN!" the demons screeched as they closed in.

"DAMN DEMONS, FREEZE!" Ji Yao roared as she swung the sword downward.

A dazzling blue slash of energy erupted from the blade, severing the approaching demons in an instant. The light struck the desert below, causing massive ice spikes to rise from the ground, piercing through the demon ranks.

Meanwhile, from her hiding spot, Kate clutched her sides, laughing uncontrollably. "She actually said it! HAHAHA!" Kate cackled, tears in her eyes.

"It's good that I recorded it," she chuckled, patting the nearby stone. "I'll show it to the others later!"

Meanwhile, on Ji Yao's side, she hovered in awe above the battlefield.

"This strength... Is this really mine?" Ji Yao thought, marveling at the countless ice spikes piercing the desert and the thousands of frozen demons immobilized on the ground.

"Let's go!" Ji Yao exclaimed as she descended rapidly. A glowing blue circle formed beneath her, with Ji Yao at its center.

The moment her feet touched the ground, an explosion erupted, creating massive ice spikes shooting outward in all directions. The blue circle expanded as it struck the ground, forming an enormous ice wall that launched smaller ice spikes continuously at the retreating demons.

"Wow! This power... With this weapon, even a Pseudo Emperor Realm Master wouldn't stand a chance against me!" Ji Yao thought, exhilarated by the might of Niflheim.

Dashing through the demon ranks, she swung her sword in a wide arc. A blazing blue crescent of energy surged forward, slicing through the demons. Those caught by the strike were severed at the waist, their bodies freezing instantly before shattering into deadly ice shards.

The demons began to scatter in terror, their morale broken by Ji Yao's relentless assault.

"Sister Yao'er, let's go back," Kate's voice echoed in her mind through thought communication.

"All right, I'll be there," Ji Yao replied. With a swift motion, Niflheim dissolved into golden dust, leaving behind a faint shimmer.

Ji Yao turned and flew toward Kate's hiding spot, her heart racing with excitement and newfound confidence.

After a month in Tiger Roar City, Ji Yao hovered above the familiar territory, her eyes scanning the surroundings.

"I haven't been here in about a month. What happened?" Ji Yao asked.

Kate, flying beside her, smirked. "Well, we wrecked havoc on every demon we encountered. Let's go back to my place first."

They landed near the broken gazebo, its dilapidated structure barely standing.

"It's good that it's still intact," Kate said, nodding at the remnants. She stretched slightly before adding, "I'll cultivate for now. You can do whatever you want—just no attacking demons."

"Right," Ji Yao replied before heading toward the mansion.

Inside, Su Yan and the others were gathered.

"Everyone, she's here," Su Yan said, sensing Ji Yao's approach.

"Why can't I feel her?" Xue Yue asked with a frown.

"Did Junior Sister Kate not give her the Flowery Pill?" Shan Qing Luo wondered aloud.

Moments later, there was a knock on the door.

"Please enter, Third Senior Sister," Su Yan called out.

Ji Yao stepped in with a slight bow. "I'm sorry to bother you, but I currently have nothing to do."

"It's all right," Shan Qing Luo said, looking Ji Yao up and down with a teasing glint in her eyes. "But look at you now, Senior Sister. Seems like you've gained quite a bit."

"Yeah," Ji Yao replied with a soft smile. "Sister Kate gave me something she calls the Babylon Key."

"Babylon Key?" Xue Yue echoed curiously. "What did she give you?"

"It's this." Ji Yao extended her hand, and the Gate of Babylon appeared on the floor before her, its ethereal golden light illuminating the room. Slowly, the handle of Niflheim emerged from the gate, its presence radiating icy power.

"A sword?" the group exclaimed in unison, their gazes fixed on the weapon with astonishment.

"Why are you all looking so surprised?" Ji Yao asked, noticing their reactions as multiple golden screens materialized around them, each showing the first time Ji Yao wielded Niflheim.

Shan Qing Luo and Xue Yue burst into uncontrollable laughter, tears streaming from their eyes, while Ji Yao looked like a shrinking turtle, her face flushed crimson with embarrassment.

"I didn't think she'd record that!" Ji Yao exclaimed, her voice tinged with humiliation.

Between laughs, Shan Qing Luo managed to say, "It's not just what you said—it's how you said it!"

Ji Yao's voice quivered. "Master, I want to go back," she murmured, on the verge of tears.

Su Yan, composed despite the scene, looked at Ji Yao with a kind smile. "You want to marry Husband?"

Ji Yao hesitated, her face burning even brighter. "Y-Yeah, I'm sorry."

"Why?" Su Yan asked gently.

Ji Yao lowered her head. "We've known each other for a long time, and Junior Brother is amazing... I couldn't help it. I'm sorry I betrayed you all."

Su Yan reached out and placed a reassuring hand on Ji Yao's shoulder. "It's okay. Junior Sister Kate has already shown me the future."

A delicate Flowery Bead materialized in Su Yan's hand, its soft glow lighting up the room. "Here," Su Yan said, offering it to Ji Yao with a warm smile.

"Eh? Are you sure?" Ji Yao asked, her voice trembling.

"Yes," Su Yan replied, her tone unwavering.

Without hesitation, Ji Yao threw her arms around Su Yan, tears of gratitude welling in her eyes. Moments later, Xue Yue and Shan Qing Luo joined in, wrapping their arms around both women.

"Welcome to the family," Su Yan said warmly.

"Yes, thank you," Ji Yao replied, her voice filled with emotion as she hugged them tightly.

Meanwhile, in the gazebo, Kate sat cross-legged, her aura calm yet profound. "Hmm, my cultivation of the Genesis Scripture is quite stable," she mused, her eyes closed in deep concentration. "I'm right; I need to balance Terminus and Genesis perfectly."

Suddenly, a soft chime echoed in her mind, breaking her focus. A notification appeared.

"Finally!" Kate exclaimed, her eyes snapping open, excitement flickering in them. "I can now go to a Lower World!"

Without hesitation, Kate rose to her feet. "Let's head to the High Heaven Palace and exit from there," she thought, her steps quick as she moved toward the nearest Cross Territory Array.

Upon arriving at the High Heaven Palace, Kate wasted no time. She headed straight to a secluded area, her gaze scanning the surroundings.

"This place is perfect," she murmured. "Let's go!"

Unlike the usual phenomenon of the ground splitting apart, this time the heavens themselves responded. A massive crack tore open in the skies above, swirling with otherworldly energy. A powerful force descended, enveloping Kate and pulling her upward into the breach.

As the crack sealed itself behind her, silence returned to the secluded area, as if nothing had happened.

Kate opened her eyes to an endless expanse of wooden flooring stretching infinitely in all directions. She hovered in the air, trying to get her bearings.

"Huh? Where am I?" Kate thought, her eyes scanning the horizon as she flew southward.

As she continued, an unsettling sensation struck her. Her powers suddenly flickered and vanished.

"HUH?" she exclaimed as she began to plummet.

"What's happening? My strength keeps appearing and disappearing!" Kate thought in panic. Spotting the ground below, she braced herself and managed a safe landing.

"Phew, I thought I was done for," Kate muttered, catching her breath. As she examined the surface, she realized it wasn't ordinary ground.

"This... this isn't just any wooden floor. It's the trunk of an enormous tree," she said, marveling as her gaze trailed upward.

"The crown of this tree is massive bigger than anything I've ever seen!" Kate whispered in awe. She shook her head to refocus. "Don't get distracted, Kate. First, figure out where you are."

She began investigating her surroundings.

Three years later...

Standing atop one of the tree's massive roots, Kate let out a long sigh.

"I finally managed to circle back," she muttered, frustration evident in her tone. "I thought I could find an edge, but it was a foolish idea. This tree… it's impossibly huge. I don't understand how something like this could even exist."

She glanced around, observing the familiar scenery.

"This place reminds me of the Celestial Emberlake a tree in the middle of a lake but this…" she trailed off as she landed near a shimmering body of liquid that looked like a sea of stars.

"This liquid..." Kate knelt down, her fingers brushing the surface. Instantly, her Emperor Qi surged back to full capacity.

"Whoa! Just touching it has miraculous effects!" Kate exclaimed. She immediately tried to use her Small Sealed World to collect the strange liquid, but nothing happened.

"It won't enter the Small Sealed World?" Kate frowned.

Her eyes caught a glimmer nearby. Something floated atop the starry sea. Without hesitation, she grabbed it.

"What's this?" Kate murmured, holding up a peculiar object. "It looks like… a twin sapling?" She carefully placed it in her space ring.

Kate stared at the vast expanse of the starry lake and the endless tree.

"I've been here for three years now," she muttered. "There are no living creatures, no sign of civilization. And this lake it's so vast, I can't cross it." She sighed heavily.

For now, all she could do was continue her exploration, searching for answers in this mysterious, otherworldly realm.

After some time, Kate sat perched on one of the massive roots of the colossal tree. She gazed into the endless horizon, her thoughts heavy with uncertainty.

"I don't know where this place is… or even when I'll be able to leave," Kate mused, her expression pensive. She took a deep breath and made up her mind.

"If that's the case, I might as well cultivate."

With a decisive nod, she descended from the root, heading toward the shimmering Sea of Stars below.

"This is the best place I've ever seen for cultivation!" she thought, her heart filled with determination as she immersed herself in the ethereal liquid and began her meditation.

A few months later, deep within the lake...

Kate remained perfectly still, her aura steadily growing as she cultivated. She could feel an unfamiliar yet benevolent force around her, subtly guiding her energy.

"Hmm? This strange force… it's helping me form a Dao Seal?" Kate thought, her eyes briefly opening in surprise before she refocused.

"My Dao… it must be the Dao of Destruction!" she decided, channeling her resolve and aligning her energy to condense the seal.

A year later, within the depths of the Sea of Stars…

Kate's eyes snapped open, their golden glow reflecting the radiant energy around her.

"Finally! I've condensed my own Dao Seal!" she exclaimed, her voice echoing through the silent depths.

As she reveled in her accomplishment, something unusual caught her attention on the lake floor.

"Huh? What's that?" she murmured, swimming toward the mysterious object.

Before her lay an orb, seemingly holding an entire universe within its transparent shell. The swirling galaxies and stars inside mesmerized her.

"What is this?" Kate whispered, reaching out to touch it. Her attempts to store it within her Small Sealed World proved futile.

"It won't go in, just like the strange liquid," she thought, puzzled. Sighing, she carefully placed the orb into her Space Ring for safekeeping.

"For now, I should stabilize my Dao Seal," Kate resolved, her excitement tempered by the need to solidify her newfound power.

With her path ahead becoming clearer, she resumed her cultivation, determined to unravel the secrets of this mysterious realm.

After some time, Kate returned to the edge of the Sea of Stars, her gaze heavy with contemplation. She bent down, scooping up a handful of the shimmering liquid.

"Let's see if I can understand this better…" she murmured to herself and took a sip.

The moment the liquid entered her system, her body was engulfed in a surge of energy.

"UGH! HUH? WHAT IS THIS WORLD FORCE?" Kate thought in panic as waves of power began pouring into her uncontrollably.

Her veins pulsed, and her Dao Seal began to tremble violently.

"CRAP! I'M GOING TO EXPLODE!" she screamed internally, her body straining under the pressure.

The influx of energy didn't stop.

"IT'S STILL POURING IN! MY DAO SEAL IS SHAKING… IT MIGHT SHATTER!"

Realizing her dire situation, Kate gritted her teeth.

"I have no choice… I need to start the process of breaking through to the Open Heaven Realm!"

Sometime later...

Kate knelt on the ground, her body trembling as sweat and blood dripped down her face. She had attempted to stabilize her energy, but the sheer intensity of the World Force overwhelmed her efforts.

"I can't refine the Immortal Tree…" Kate thought, despair sinking in. Her Dao Seal was on the verge of collapse, the strain threatening to undo all her progress.

"No… I have no other choice. I'll have to use the Twin Tree Sapling!"

With shaking hands, she retrieved the sapling from her Space Ring. Closing her eyes, she split it in two and began the arduous process of refining it.

Moments later, Kate opened her eyes, her breathing steady once more.

"Huh… the World Force is gone… but now I feel like I don't have enough energy left to stabilize my breakthrough."

Realizing the only way forward, she glanced back at the lake.

"I have no choice but to dive back under and absorb the lake itself," she decided, her resolve unshaken despite the risks.

Taking a deep breath, Kate launched herself into the depths of the Sea of Stars, this time actively drawing in its energy to fuel her breakthrough.

After a hundred years of intense cultivation, Kate opened her eyes, her energy steady and her aura more profound.

"That piece of wood gave me such a hard time refining it," she muttered, stretching as she floated upward. Her thoughts wandered, curiosity tugging at her mind.

"I wonder… what rank was that wood I refined?"

As she ascended, she was startled to find a Mysterious Being waiting for her, its form exuding an imposing yet enigmatic aura.

"H-huh? What are you doing here?" Kate asked, her surprise evident.

"You've got some nerve asking me that," the Mysterious Being replied coolly. "This is my home. I should be the one asking why and how you ended up here."

"This is your home?" Kate repeated, blinking. "I received a notification that the countdown to descend to a lower universe was complete. But instead of being sent to the Abyss, the skies cracked open, and when I woke up, I was here. I couldn't get out, so I cultivated instead."

The Mysterious Being sighed, its expression unreadable.

"I see… must've been another glitch in the system from the last fight," it muttered to itself. Then, addressing Kate, it added, "Either way, it's time for you to leave now."

Kate folded her arms, tilting her head defiantly.

"Wait a minute. Since this is obviously your fault, how about compensating me for all the time I wasted here? Some treasures would do nicely."

The Mysterious Being raised an eyebrow.

"And what do you want?"

"A Yin-Yang treasure," Kate replied without hesitation. "Something strong enough to help me break through to the Open Heaven Realm."

The Mysterious Being studied her intently, its gaze sharp and discerning.

"From your aura… you refined the Universe Tree Subtree," it murmured, almost to itself. "And you're lucky enough to have stumbled upon a Universe Orb Sea too."

Kate tapped her chin impatiently.

"Well? If you've got something good, let's see it!"

The Mysterious Being's expression darkened.

"This girl... calling the Universe Tree Subtree something like that. She's really testing my patience," it thought, suppressing a flicker of irritation.

Finally, it spoke.

"I'll give you a high-rank Yin and Yang treasure," it said.

Kate smirked, clearly unimpressed.

"High rank? That's all? I already refined some unknown wood element you'd better give me something to match that level."

The Mysterious Being clenched its jaw, its voice low and strained.

"How dare she dismiss the Universe Tree Subtree like that? This girl is infuriating." After a brief pause, it regained composure.

"Fine. I'll give you the highest rank treasures I have but you'll need to do something for me in return."

"Okay. What is it?" Kate asked, her confidence unwavering.

The Mysterious Being smirked.

"I want you to marry Yang Kai."

Kate blinked, caught off guard for the first time.

"What?!"

"You heard me. You already have a bet with him, don't you?"

"Yeah, but so what? There's no way he'll beat me," Kate said confidently.

"Then this deal shouldn't be a problem," the Mysterious Being replied smoothly. "When he does defeat you, I want you to marry him. If you agree, I'll throw in the highest-ranked Metal treasure I have."

Kate thought for a moment, then extended her hand.

"Deal."

The Mysterious Being smirked as their agreement solidified, its eyes gleaming with amusement and anticipation.

"She's the seed I planted to guard that branch of the Universe Tree, so she must stay tied to its fate," it mused.

Meanwhile, Kate stood firm, her arms crossed as she stared at the Mysterious Being with impatience.

"Go on, give me my treasures," she demanded.

With a flick of its hand, three orbs materialized, floating in the air before her.

"The white orb is Yin, the black one is Yang, and the silver one is the Metal Resource," the Mysterious Being explained. "Each matches the level of the wood you refined."

Kate's eyes lit up as she quickly grabbed the orbs and stored them in her Space Ring.

"Thanks," she said curtly.

The Mysterious Being then tossed a small pill toward her. Kate caught it with ease and examined it closely.

"What's this?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.

"A Small Universe Forming Pill. Take it before you break through to the Open Heaven Realm," the Mysterious Being said.

Kate furrowed her brows.

"I don't remember this pill from the novel," she muttered, holding it up to the light. "Can I get the recipe?"

The Mysterious Being ignored her question, its voice cutting through the moment.

"Go now."

Before Kate could protest, her surroundings began to fracture like delicate glass. The world crumbled around her, and she started to fall.

"Hmph, how stingy. It's just a pill," Kate muttered, crossing her arms as the fragments of the realm dissolved into nothingness.

In the High Heaven Palace, Kate reappeared at the exact spot where she had vanished a century ago.

"Finally! It took over a hundred years to see the light again!" Kate exclaimed, taking a deep breath as if to savor her freedom.

However, her joy quickly turned to surprise as she noticed the drastic change in the Star Boundary. The once vibrant realm was now almost entirely engulfed in dense, oppressive Demon Qi. Only the High Heaven Palace stood untouched, a beacon of purity amidst the corrupted land.

Kate's sharp eyes scanned the horizon, her expression turning contemplative.

"So, I've returned at this chapter now," she muttered, realizing where in the timeline she had landed. Watching the faint retreat of the Demon Qi, she smirked knowingly. "Time flows between universes are really different."

"The next event is the appearance of Mo Sheng," Kate muttered as she took off, flying swiftly towards Yang Kai's wives.

Landing in front of the group, she wasted no time. "Everyone, let's go. It's dangerous here—follow me," Kate commanded, her tone firm. She turned and led them back toward the safety of High Heaven Palace.

Inside a room with a large window overlooking the battle between Yang Kai and Mo Sheng, the atmosphere was tense.

"Is Husband going to be all right?" Su Yan asked, worry evident in her voice.

"He should be, right? There's still the Outer Universe," Xia Ning Chang said, trying to reassure herself.

"Tell us that he'll be okay!" Zhu Qing shouted, her grip tightening on Kate's arm.

"First of all, don't touch me," Kate said coldly, pulling her arm away. Su Yan quickly stepped in, guiding Zhu Qing toward the window.

"Yang Kai will be fine," Kate said firmly.

"Can't you help him?" Shan Qing Luo asked, her voice filled with desperation.

"I can't," Kate replied, her tone unwavering. "This is a critical point in time where Yang Kai will begin his journey toward the High-Rank Open Heaven Realm. If I intervene, it could disrupt everything."

She looked at them all, her expression softening slightly. "All of you should watch this battle closely. You might gain insights for your own cultivation."

The group turned their eyes toward the battle outside, their hearts heavy but resolute.

"Since I'm not a Great Emperor, how did I manage to form my own Dao Seal?" Kate pondered, her thoughts racing. "Since I refined a Wood-type element, the order I should refine is Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal, and Water," she reasoned. "I already have Yin, Yang, and a Metal-type element. Yin and Yang can be refined now, so I should proceed, as I still lack Fire, Earth, and Water."

With that decision, Kate began refining the Yin element.

Meanwhile, Su Yan, noticing Kate in cultivation, quickly notified the others. They gathered in the next room, peeking through to observe her.

"How can she cultivate at a time like this?" Zhu Qing asked, a mix of disbelief and irritation in her voice.

"Maybe it's because it's her second time witnessing this, and she knows that nothing will happen to Husband," Shan Qing Luo speculated. "She's that confident."

The group fell silent, watching Kate's unwavering focus as she continued her refinement.

After 70 years, Kate opened her eyes. "How long has it been?" she murmured, standing and stretching before heading outside. She immediately noticed the shifting atmosphere. "The World Principles have worsened. That means Yang Kai hasn't returned yet," she thought, her gaze sharpening as she moved toward Qu Hua Chang, the Chief Manager of High Heaven Palace.

On her way, she encountered Xue Yue.

"Junior Sister Kate, you're out of seclusion?" Xue Yue asked, a mixture of surprise and relief on her face.

"Yeah. Why aren't you in seclusion?" Kate replied.

"I just exited. Your seclusion took about 70 years. I can feel the pressure from you. What rank are you now?" Xue Yue inquired, her curiosity evident.

"I've already condensed a Dao Seal, so I'm at the same level as a Great Emperor," Kate replied nonchalantly.

"A Great Emperor? How?" Xue Yue exclaimed, eyes wide with shock.

Kate explained, "A Great Emperor is recognized by their own Universe World, granting them access to its World Force. But outside their Universe World, they're severely weakened. I'm at that level now."

"I see. So, would you fight a Great Emperor in their own Universe World?" Xue Yue asked, intrigued.

Kate smirked. "Well, since the Great Emperor of this Universe World is severely injured, I could take them on simultaneously. Why? Are you thinking of conquering the Star Boundary?" she teased.

"No, I'm just curious," Xue Yue replied, laughing lightly as they continued on their way.

After some time, Kate found herself sitting in a gazebo surrounded by all of Yang Kai's wives. The atmosphere was lively as they conversed, each sharing their experiences.

"It's rare for us to gather in one place, so let's see who's the strongest!" Zhu Qing declared, her fiery nature evident.

"Little girl, of course, I'm the strongest," Yu Ru Meng replied with a playful smirk, crossing her arms. Her gaze then shifted to Kate. "But I didn't expect that you would be one of us."

"Hasn't anyone told Senior Sister yet?" Kate asked calmly, raising an eyebrow.

"No, Yan'er already told me everything," Yu Ru Meng replied, shaking her head. "I couldn't believe it at first, but there's nothing I can do now, is there?"

"Since we're already gathered here, why don't we see who's really the strongest?" Yu Ru Meng proposed with a mischievous smile.

Zhu Qing nodded in agreement. "I'm curious about your strength, too," she said, leaning forward slightly.

Kate sighed, waving them off. "I don't want to fight. I still have one more Element to refine, and it already took me 70 years to get to this point," she explained. "But here, this should help."

With a flick of her hand, the Gate of Babylon materialized in the center of the table, shimmering with an otherworldly glow. Two golden beams of light emerged, swiftly darting toward Zhu Qing and Yu Ru Meng. Each light left behind a stunning violet lotus tattoo on their foreheads, radiating a faint divine aura.

Both women touched their foreheads in surprise.

"What is this?" Zhu Qing asked, her voice tinged with curiosity.

"A gift. It'll enhance your strength in ways you'll discover soon enough," Kate replied, leaning back with a faint smile.

Yu Ru Meng examined the tattoo through her reflection in a nearby tea cup, her eyes narrowing thoughtfully. "Interesting. I'll let this slide for now, but don't think you've gotten out of sparring with me," she teased.

Kate simply chuckled. "Maybe next time."

"Yang Kai's arrival should be close, so maybe you all shouldn't go into seclusion for now," Kate suggested as she calmly grabbed her tea and took a sip.

"Since Husband is about to arrive, how about staying with us and waiting for him?" Yu Ru Meng proposed, her playful tone masking the anticipation in her voice.

Kate shook her head with a faint smile. "No, I still have work to do," she replied. "There's one last Element I need to refine before I can finally complete my breakthrough. Besides, you all should be the ones to welcome him first."

Yu Ru Meng pouted slightly but nodded. "Fine, but don't take too long. It would be nice to have everyone here for his return."

"I'll see what I can do," Kate said with a knowing smirk. She stood, leaving her empty tea cup on the table. "In the meantime, you all should prepare yourselves. His return will bring more opportunities."

The group nodded, their expressions turning resolute as they exchanged glances.

Kate stepped away, her form disappearing into the distance as the wives began discussing the preparations for Yang Kai's return.

"For now, I better refine my Yang Element resource," Kate thought to herself as she walked toward her room. "Since I've already given the two a Key of Babylon, I can now focus on refining the Yang Element without worry. The next step is giving Qu Hua Chang and Tao Ling Wan the Flowery Bead."

She entered her room, sat cross-legged, and began preparing for the refinement. "Right now, I have Dr. Mei and Chu Yuechan, along with her daughter, working for me. Dr. Mei is already making progress on the A-173 Armada, while Chu Yuechan is serving as an informant. Everything is moving as planned," Kate mused, a small smile forming on her lips as she centered herself for cultivation.

As she started refining the Yang Element, she was surprised to feel the refined Yin Element aiding her process. "The Yin Element I refined is helping stabilize and accelerate the Yang Element refinement," Kate realized, her eyes glowing faintly as energy flowed through her.

"If this continues at this rate, I might be able to completely refine the Yang Element resource much faster than anticipated," she thought, a sense of satisfaction washing over her as she immersed herself fully into the process.

After 20 years, Kate opened her eyes, her expression calm and collected. "It took about 20 years to refine it this time. The help of the Yin Resource was really useful," Kate thought to herself as she stood up and stretched slightly.

"My next course of action is to copy one of the Universe Four Pillars in Yang Kai's possession," she muttered under her breath, her gaze sharp with determination.

"But before that... I better head to Void Land first," Kate decided as she turned and walked out of her room with steady steps. Her path was clear, and her next moves were already laid out in her mind.

As she moved toward the Main Hall, her presence radiated newfound strength, a silent testament to her progress.