Ke Jian could not provide Xuan Qi with an explanation, and he instead simply answered, "Regardless, Zi Jing can't meet anyone right now. Still, I can assure you that she is absolutely safe. Even if you don't trust us, you should have confidence in yourself. Madam He Ran absolutely takes your influence into consideration, as you are like a younger brother to her."
Lu Yin let out a breath. "I understand."
Ke Jian said, "Xuan Qi, rest assured, the next time you see Zi Jing, she will be completely different, to the point that the transformation will shock you. That’s truly all I can say, and honestly even I don't know where she is. All I can share with you is what Madam He Ran told me."
Lu Yin sighed in resignation. "So Zi Jing will not be able to meet with anyone for now, is that right?"
Ke Jian nodded.
"Do you want me to speak to Gods’ Origin to try to get this trade to go through, Senior?" Lu Yin asked.
Ke Jian replied, "It doesn't have to be with Gods' Origin. It’s true that the Origin Universe is rich in resources, but the Heavens Sect is paying close attention to everything, and we want to keep a low profile. Thus, we are hoping that you can continue to leverage your connections with the Cloudview clan, Void Yang clan, and Void Yin clan so that we can purchase more resources from the Voidforce Universe. Given your influence in the Voidforce Universe, this should be a simple matter."
"Does the Voidforce Universe have all of the necessary resources?"
"A good number of them, but we’ll figure out a way to acquire the rest ourselves."
Lu Yin was aware that the Three Monarchs Universe had been selling materials to the Transcendent Universe, and with him pushing things, the Voidforce Universe had started doing the same. The Transcendent Universe was most likely negotiating with many other parallel universes so that they could secure all the materials that they needed.
"Alright, I understand. You can relax about this, Senior," Lu Yin agreed.
Ke Jian heaved a sigh of relief. "Thank you."
After Ke Jian left, Lu Yin spent a long time thinking about their conversation. No matter what, he still felt the need to see Zi Jing, or at least confirm how she was doing.
When he had first come to the Sixverse Association, he had been forced to refer to many people as "Senior," but things had changed. Now, Xuan Qi was recognized and respected by many powerful people in the association.
The very next day, Lu Yin paid a visit to the Transcendent Universe. He found Ke Jian and asked the man to arrange a meeting with Madam He Ran.
Ke Jian felt rather puzzled. "You want to see Madam He Ran?"
Lu Yin just nodded.
The old man wanted to push for further information, but he decided against it. Xuan Qi had been addressing He Ran as Sister Ran for some time, and it was not Ke Jian’s place to question their relationship.
Ke Jian let Lu Yin to He Ran, who appeared delighted to see him. "Have you run into any problems? Tell Sister Ran about everything, and I will make sure to help you."
Lu Yin looked quite stressed, and confessed, "Sister Ran, your little brother's heart aches for Zi Jing."
After Hearing these words, Ke Jian’s expression changed, and He Ran also hesitated. She had already received a report from Ke Jian the day before, learning that Xuan Qi had agreed to set up additional transactions with various groups in the Voidforce Universe without asking to see Zi Jing. He Ran had assumed that the matter was settled, but surprisingly, Xuan Qi had paid her a visit to make the request in person.
"Ke Jian."
"At your service, Madam."
"Did you not disclose Zi Jing’s current situation to Little Brother Xuan Qi?" He Ran asked calmly. There was no hint as to whether she was happy or upset.
Ke Jian quickly answered, "I did indeed inform him."
He nervously glanced at Lu Yin.
Lu Yin chuckled. "Sister Ran, Senior Ke Jian did tell me about Zi Jing’s situation, but after thinking about it for a long time, I decided that I should meet her. No matter what, she is my woman, and seeing her would give me great peace."
He Ran responded with a gentle smile, "Little Brother, Zi Jing is currently in a critical juncture of her cultivation technology research, and she really cannot leave. If it weren’t for that, we wouldn’t have abandoned the abundant resources of the Origin Universe and chosen to trade with the Voidforce Universe. You must understand that this entire matter is extremely inconvenient for us, and it has even put us in a position where we can be easily targeted by those who wish to harm us. Even so, Zi Jing cannot leave where she is right now. What she is doing is simply too important."
Lu Yin lifted his head and stubbornly stared at He Ran. "Sister Ran, is Zi Jing alive or dead?"
He Ran's expression shifted the slightest bit.
Ke Jian sternly shouted, "Xuan Qi, how dare you!"
Even Uncle Mo stepped forward. He stared at Lu Yin, and an imposing aura descended.
The atmosphere fell into a heavy silence.
He Ran and Lu Yin stared at each other, each catching a glimpse of the coldness present in the other's eyes.
This was the first time that Lu Yin had revealed such behavior to the woman, and He Ran did not recognize this side of him.
She had seen this young man on many occasions, but the memory that had stuck with her the most had always been of their first meeting; bold and brash eyes had stared at her. If not for Bai Qian's intervention, he would have died then and there.
After that moment, Xuan Qi had become respectful and obedient, and He Ran had grown accustomed to his behavior, forgetting his initial insolence.
Despite gaining the backing of several peak powerhouses, Xuan Qi had continued to call her Sister Ran, and he had not once tried to go against her wishes. His evaluation from the Sixverse Academy had also been exceedingly high.
However, this brief exchange flew in the face of almost all their previous interactions, which was jarring for He Ran. She was strongly reminded of their first meeting, and it seemed like she was suddenly seeing the real Xuan Qi once again.
Ke Jian stared at Lu Yin, not recognizing the youth.
Uncle Mo also stared at Lu Yin, ready to suppress him, though the man also felt hesitant to do so.
Even a peak powerhouse was wary of Xuan Qi.
He Ran held an extraordinary status in the Transcendent Universe, but was Xuan Qi any less impressive in the Voidforce Universe?
After a prolonged silence, He Ran was actually the first to break, and she smiled at Lu Yin. "Little Brother, you're overthinking things."
Lu Yin’s stare and demeanor did not change the slightest bit. "Let me see Zi Jing, Sister Ran. I am very worried about her."
He Ran chuckled lightly, her perfect countenance dazzling Lu Yin, and he was reminded of Bai Qian's words: desecrating He Ran would be enough.
"Zi Jing is truly lucky to have as devoted a lover as you. Fine, I'll let her out just this once," He Ran stated.
Lu Yin expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, Sister Ran."
"Wait at Fenghua Hill. I will have Uncle Mo bring her to you there," He Ran stated before having Ke Jian escort Xuan Qi to Fenghua Hill.
Once Lu Yin was gone, He Ran's expression hardened, and rage filled her eyes. "In the entire Sixverse Association, who dares to speak to me like that? Who dares to question me? If not for me, he would have died in the belly of that beast long ago!"