"So… so many… already gone… taken away just like that. Ha… haha… hahaha… And to think the others are going to ask for the same thing." Lei Jin complained just floating there feeling defeated by the thought of losing that many people.
"So uh… how many people is it exactly?" Supreme Elder Hong asked, worried since this was the first time he ever saw Lei Jin in such a state.
"If we add up an equal number of people for all four of us then it's 200." Supreme Elder Azure Heart said with a serious smile.
"So not too many… isn't that just 50 people for each of us?" Supreme Elder Hong asked. "Ow!" he exclaimed, getting a powerful smack on the back of the head.
"Senior Brother Hong must be joking. It's not 50 people. It's 50 thousand people! We just asked Jin'er to give us 50 thousand people each." Supreme Elder Mei said, furious that her Senior Brother could be so stupid.
"Ha… Haha… HAHAHA… All that effort just poof… gone just like that. And from my own In-laws no less. 2… 200 thousand people gone just like that." Lei Jin said, still hysterical but with far more sense now.
"Jin'er you can ignore my request. I should have asked how many people before pushing the matter." Supreme Elder Mei said, trying to apologize.
"Indeed I can wait for some time now as well." Elder Kong said retracting right away since even his domineering wife was backing down.
"I'll be waiting for those people, Lei Jin. However, I can wait until it is easier to handle such losses to the population program you have. And it's for the best for Azure Heart to receive them first; it will be of great help to her cultivation." Supreme Elder Hong said, only semi backing down.
Lei Jin, realizing that he wouldn't lose nearly all of his people, recovered. "Thank you for understanding. To be frank, giving the 50 thousand already pains my heart quite a bit. I ask you to forgive my display just now. But when I heard In-laws' words I only heard "I want 50 thousand too" each time. I can give you some now but the number won't be nearly enough to create a self sustaining city. Hence why I won't be giving you any for now. Only Mother Azure Heart will receive them as she needs them to live in her Small Universe." Lei Jin said, holding his head.
"Why does Senior Sister Azure Heart need them?" Supreme Elder Mei asked. Knowing that Lei Jin wouldn't hardline the others and give a gift to another without an incredibly important reason.
"Junior Sister Mei, first congratulations on breaking through to the 8th rank." Supreme Elder Azure Heart smiled, and motioned for Supreme Elder Mei to lend an ear.
Supreme Elder Azure Heart spent a little time explaining what had happened at first. Then she revealed that she was about to break through. Supreme Elder Mei's eyes widened as she realized everything. And why it was so important that Supreme Elder Azure Heart be given such an amazing gift.
"With such a reason I couldn't possibly make things difficult for Jin'er. In fact Jin'er do you think with how strong you are now… well… how fast to you think you could make an Artifact World's time flow?" Supreme Elder Mei asked with intent.
"If I had to guess I could make it flow nearly as fast as I wanted. However, it's not about how fast it is at this point. Rather it's about stability. If I were to try and force the Artifact Worlds much faster than they are now… I doubt they would hold up to the sheer forces contained within." Lei Jin explained.
"So what you're saying is that you need to make a stronger Artifact, one of the High grade variety?" Supreme Elder Mei inquired.
"Correct, however, I have to be present for this. Because the ones that were made recently are only able to handle the 5 times flow rate. As they were based off the other ones. And judging by the intensity of the heat that would be required… I doubt a 7th rank could withstand such pressures. And there no longer any 8th rank Artifact Refiners here in the Azure Void Cave Heaven. Our last one was sent to the Battlefield, I'll admit that was a heavy blow." Lei Jin said, guzzling his special tea by the jug.
"What do you mean? Am I not 8th rank?" Supreme Elder Mei hmphed and flicked Lei Jin's forehead.
"You remember the heat you and the other refiners went through last time?" Lei Jin asked, rubbing his forehead.
"Of course I do. It was far too hot for us to remain fully clothed. Oh… and you said… hotter." Supreme Elder Mei said, realizing what Lei Jin meant.
"Yes, far hotter. The only reason I can suppress it is due to my unique strength. And while I may be able to wrap you in the protection as well… it does not eliminate the heat. In short you'll be sweating so much either way that if you sat on an Ice jade pedestal fully bare. Even the jade will melt. But if we even tried that…" Lei Jin said.
"It wouldn't matter since I'd still be unable to bear the heat fully either way and end up nude regardless. That aside, the ice aura would render the fire aura weakened by default. So unless I am willing… it would be impossible without outside help and that would bring more problems." Supreme Elder Mei realized the situation.
"How hot is this fire Aura exactly?" Elder Kong asked.
Lei Jin pulled out a 9th rank fire element resource and isolated the space around them. "This, only several hundred times hotter. Can you bear it?" Lei Jin asked.
"I can not… I'd need help. And not a small amount just to bear the heat." Elder Kong grunted and fell to his knees as a result from the heat.
Lei Jin returned the Fire Resource to the Artifact World and released his pressure to return the air to a calm temp. "Drink this, it will help the worst of it." Lei Jin said, placing a jug of special cooling wine in front of him.