1076 Pest Control
As she quietly waited for Elder Song to explain, Yi Min was taken aback as she made her way over to the representatives of the different independent sects together with Elder Song and ended up spending the next few hours listening to Elder Song and the representatives discuss where they would settle and repay the Star Shattering Sect for protecting them.
During this time, she didn't have to do anything as Elder Song smoothly negotiated with the representatives from the different independent sects.
In the end, it was decided that the independent sects would take over a large number of kingdoms all the way to the border of her kingdom and the core territory of the Sky Empire. Making the territory of these kingdoms part of the Star Shattering Sect.
Not only did this give the independent sects more than enough space to settle down, but it also helped the Star Shattering Sect expand towards the core territory of the Sky Empire. Although it would undoubtedly take some time to reintegrate the territory after the situation in the Sky Empire calmed down and the independent sects left.
As she thought about this to herself, Yi Min could not help turning to look over at Elder Song standing no more than a few meters away from her.
"Hm…?"
Seeing the happy smile plastered all over his old face as he engaged in small talk with the different representatives of the independent sects after the discussion had finished, Yi Min couldn't shake the feeling that Elder Song wasn't planning to let the independent sects leave after joining under the banner of the Star Shattering Sect…
But… What is it that he wanted my help with? Subdue the independent sects?
Feeling even more confused as to what Elder Song wanted her help with as the negation between the independent sects and the Star Shattering Sect ended smoothly without any problems, Yi Min could not stop herself from giving Elder Song a confused look.
Unfortunately for her, she could only continue staring curiously at Elder Song for the next thirty minutes, as the old man continued chatting with no end in sight. Only when the last of the representatives left did her turn his attention back towards the rather confused Yi Min.
"Sorry to have kept you waiting like that… I'm sure you are curious as to what I needed your help with, but I couldn't really say it before I finished up the discussion and made sure that those independent sects were going to help my Star Shattering Sect expand." Showing a somewhat apologetic expression as he said this, Elder Song was only met with the curious expression of Yi Min waiting for him to explain.
Although she had been left hanging with nothing to do for the past few hours, she didn't feel mad about it. After all, she had agreed to help out Elder Song and understood that he should have had a reason for taking her along even though she did nothing more than stand around for the past few hours.
"First of all, the reason I wanted you here during the negotiations with the independent sects is due to your Soul Ascension Realm strength. Showing that the Star Shattering Sect is more than strong enough to protect them even if someone above the Domain Lord Realm appears. After all, Xuan Hao is not around at the moment… And even if he was, I doubt he would join me in standing around to intimidate some representatives from the independent sects…"
"…"
Did he really just have her stand around for the past few hours to intimidate the representatives from the different independent sects? Did those representatives even have the ability to sense that she had reached the Soul Ascension Realm in the first place?
Not knowing what to say as she heard this, Yi Min could only stare speechlessly at Elder Song with even more confusion present in her eyes.
"Ehm… Now, for the more important matter and the main reason why I need your help… The different independent sects are not exactly perfect and contain several spies deeply rooted inside of them belonging to the different major kingdoms and other forces of the Sky Empire.
Given that you are someone in the Soul Ascension Realm, I thought it would be easy for you to find these spies…"
So, you want me to act as pest control?
Understanding what Elder Song wanted to say, Yi Mi could not help rolling her eyes. Although it would indeed be easy for her to find the spies lurking inside the different independent sects, it would take her far longer than the few weeks that Elder Song had told her about earlier.
Not to mention weeks, given that all of these independent sects were located inside the core territory of the Sky Empire, it would be a miracle if she could finish looking through all of them in half a year… And that was not even considering the danger involved in entering the core territory of the Sky Empire at the moment.
Even though her strength had reached the Soul Ascension Realm, it might help her that much considering that she was quite well known among the Soul Ascension Realm Experts of the surrounding empires as the best blacksmith in the Sky Empire.
The main problem didn't stem from this, but the fact that her relationship with the imperial family was also well known. Even if the imperial family had disappeared, the invading empires would undoubtedly consider her an enemy if they spotted her.
Thinking about it, the only reason why her kingdom had been left alone for now was because the surrounding empires still thought of her as someone in the Domain Lord Realm who didn't pose any threat to them.
If they found out about her reaching the Soul Ascension Realm, it was doubtful that her Iron Sky Kingdom would be able to survive for more than a few days…
Because of this, Yi Min could not help shaking her head in response to Elder Song's request.
"Elder Song… This request is a bit much…"
Even if she wanted to repay the kindness shown by the Star Shattering Sect elders, she wouldn't go as far as to risk her life to investigate a group of independent sects that weren't even a part of the Star Shattering Sect.
Maybe if Xuan Hao had been the one to ask, things might be different, but there was no way she would risk her life for a bit of kindness.
"Senior Yi, you misunderstood me, I don't want you to go all the way to the core territory of the Sky Empire and search through these independent sects. Instead, I was hoping that you would be able to look through them when they cross through from the core territory of the Sky Empire and enter the border territory." Seeing the visible frown on Yi Min's face and hearing her outright rejection, Elder Song did his best to hurriedly explain himself in a calm manner.
"Hm? But why did you ask me if I was available for the next few weeks? As far as I know, even at their fastest speed, it would at least take another three years for the first independent sect to arrive at the borders of my kingdom and another half year to a year before reaching your sect's territory…"
"Ah, this… It's because I wanted to make sure everything was in order and the final parts of the independent sect's future arrival is in place."
"I see…" Not fully buying what Elder Song said, Yi Min decided to just nod her head and not think too much about it. Even if Elder Song was very clearly hiding something from her, she felt that it shouldn't be anything bad.
"Hehe, let's not dwell on these matters any longer, why don't we head back to the sect for now and continue from where we left off during our last conversation about the internal management of power struggles between subordinate powers?"
"Sure, I have been quite curious as to how your Star Shattering Sect does manage the power struggles between your subordinate powers…"
Knowing that Elder Song was trying to change the conversation away from the independent sects and what he needed her help with, Yi Min happily responded as she was of the same mind. Soon resulting in both of them making their way back to the Star Shattering Sect while discussing how to ensure the continued growth of subordinate powers without compromising the overall strength of the forces that could be mobilized by the Star Shattering Sect.
Unknown to Yi Min who was happily enjoying this conversation, she would soon find out why Elder Song asked her to remain in the Star Shattering Sect for a few weeks longer.
However, that was a story for another time- Or at least until Xuan Hao returned to the sect and found out what had ended up happening…
