"Those who mine black stones in the Black Prison are called mining slaves. Because the environment in the Black Prison is so harsh and the Opening Heaven Realm cultivators have limited lifespans, the Black Prison has always had enormous demand for mining slaves. The sources for mining slaves are numerous — some are Opening Heaven Realm cultivators from various factions who committed grave errors and were bought at high prices by Luan Baifeng to serve as slaves for life. Others are evildoers who have exhausted their wickedness and were captured by Luan Baifeng. Still others were forcibly abducted, and there are also the defeated parties from conflicts between two forces." As Old Bai spoke, he turned his head to glance at Grey Bones. "Senior Brother Grey Bones previously stayed on the Penitent Stars of Yin Yang Heaven. Comparatively speaking, the environment on the Penitent Stars is practically luxurious — the conditions in the Black Prison are several times worse."
Grey Bones broke into a cold sweat as he listened, secretly thanking his lucky stars that Yin Yang Heaven had never done business with Luan Baifeng. Otherwise, if all their criminals had been sold into the Black Prison, they'd likely have been nothing but dried skeletons by now.
Yang Kai mused thoughtfully, "In that case, when Luan Baifeng came to our Void Land last time with the Hundred Families Alliance led by Kong Feng, she had ulterior motives?"
Old Bai nodded. "Kong Feng and Luan Baifeng had done business several times and were familiar with each other. He personally requested Luan Baifeng to break the Nine Heavens Grand Array, and she naturally agreed. Of course, what attracted Luan Baifeng the most was the mining slaves. If Void Land had been defeated at that time, all the Opening Heaven Realm cultivators would have been taken by her to the Black Prison to mine black stones for the rest of their lives."
"Too bad she and Kong Feng never expected Void Land to have such powerful foundations. They tried to steal the chicken but ended up losing the rice." Yang Kai stroked his chin. "In that case, the Black Prison is definitely worth a visit! Luan Baifeng has been running the Black Prison for so many years that she must have accumulated tremendous resources. If we can take her down, the problems Void Land is currently facing can be solved in an instant."
Old Bai shook his head. "I wouldn't recommend you go directly into the Black Prison to find Luan Baifeng. As I mentioned before, the Black Prison is full of naturally occurring restriction arrays. No matter how strong you are, once you enter, you may not be able to find her. Even if you do find her, you may not necessarily be her match."
Yang Kai looked at him. "Then what do you suggest?"
"Wait for the enemy to make a move!" Old Bai said succinctly. "If there's anyone in this world who's most interested in the conflicts between various factions, it's Luan Baifeng. Every conflict is bound to produce losers, and defeated Opening Heaven Realm cultivators are exactly the mining slaves she needs. She's more than happy to involve herself in the struggles between factions, placing her bets on whichever side she believes will win."
Yang Kai's eyes lit up. "Now that Zuo Quanhui has openly fallen out with our Void Land, the great battle from a few days ago won't escape the notice of observant parties. This news will spread sooner or later. And Luan Baifeng — that woman has caused trouble for our Void Land twice already. Regardless of her original intentions, she's already drawn our enmity. Plus, with so many Opening Heaven Realm cultivators in our Void Land now, she'll be greatly tempted."
Old Bai nodded. "So if the news reaches her ears, she'll surely come out to assist Zuo Quanhui."
Yang Kai immediately rose to his feet. "There's no time to waste. I'll head to the Black Prison now. If I'm too late, I may not be able to cut her off!"
Yue He hurriedly said, "Young Master, I'll go with you."
Yang Kai waved his hand. "One person is enough for this trip. Although Zuo Quanhui has withdrawn from the Void Domain, he'll definitely have left spies to monitor every move here. If I go alone, I can operate covertly. More people would only be a hindrance. After I leave, the Void Domain will be in everyone's care. Zuo Quanhui shouldn't attack the lower-realm beings again. As long as you hold the sect and don't engage in any direct confrontation with him before I return, you'll be perfectly safe!"
Everyone cupped their fists together. "Yes!"
Although Yue He was worried, she knew Yang Kai was right. With his mastery of the Space Laws, Yang Kai would indeed have more freedom moving alone — she would only be a burden. So she said nothing more.
Several days had passed since the great battle, and no one knew when the news would reach Luan Baifeng's ears. Once she learned that Zuo Quanhui had personally attacked Void Land, she would likely be unable to resist getting involved. Time was pressing. Yang Kai didn't delay a moment longer. After giving everyone their instructions, he set off.
Carrying the Space Laws, Yang Kai came and went like a ghost. When he left Void Land, there was no risk of being detected. He traveled while recovering the energy depleted from the recent battle, and in just a few days, he arrived at the Domain Gate.
His divine sense surged outward, confirming there were no spies around the Domain Gate. Yang Kai plunged straight in.
Passing through the Domain Gate and arriving at the neighboring great domain, Yang Kai concealed his aura immediately. If Zuo Quanhui had left spies, the most likely location would be the Domain Gate of the great domain neighboring Void Domain, where people would be stationed to keep watch.
He looked around for a while but didn't find anything noteworthy.
Zuo Quanhui probably hadn't had time to arrange anything yet — after all, only a few days had passed since the battle, and he'd been injured by the Sun Moon Divine Wheel. He would be desperately searching for a place to recover.
Now that he'd arrived here without spotting any spies, Yang Kai proceeded with bold confidence. The Three Thousand Worlds were vast, and he alone was like a drop of water in the ocean — no one could hope to glimpse his trail.
Although he'd never been to the Black Prison, with the Cosmos Map in hand, he didn't need to worry about losing his way.
Passing through one great domain after another, Yang Kai relentlessly activated his Space Laws without sparing his own energy consumption. In less than a month, he had arrived at the great domain bordering the Black Prison.
The great domain where the Black Prison was located was marked on the Cosmos Map as the Black Domain!
The great domain where Yang Kai currently stood was separated from the Black Domain by only a single Domain Gate. Passing through it would take him straight to the Black Domain.
However, without knowing the situation on the other side, Yang Kai didn't dare rush in blindly. If he accidentally triggered some restriction array upon entering, it would likely expose his whereabouts, and then he'd have to face Luan Baifeng head-on. Fighting on her home turf was never advantageous.
Moreover, the biggest problem he faced now was that he couldn't confirm whether Luan Baifeng was even in the Black Domain. If she wasn't, everything would be for naught. Even if she was, Yang Kai couldn't guarantee she would walk out of the very Domain Gate before him.
From the Cosmos Map, he could see that the Black Domain had no fewer than five Domain Gates, connecting to five different great domains. The chances that Luan Baifeng would emerge from the Domain Gate right in front of him if she left the Black Prison were only twenty percent.
So Yang Kai felt the most pressing matter right now was to find a way to gather intelligence on Luan Baifeng's movements, and then lure her out through the Domain Gate before him.