In ancient times, how an incomparably powerful Giant Divine Spirit had been converted into the Ink Clan—no one knew anymore.
The Dragon and Phoenix Clans had sacrificed the Dragon Emperor and Phoenix Empress, giving up half their ancestral territory, just to successfully seal it away. After so many years, that Giant Divine Spirit had long since lost all traces of life, and the aura of the Ink Clan had vanished completely.
Ancestral Spirit Power was an exceedingly rare and potent force, one that clearly had a suppressing effect on the Ink Clan's power. Otherwise, after all these years—even with that Giant Divine Spirit thoroughly dead—there should still have been remnants of the Ink Clan's power left behind.
"Ink Worms are extremely precious to the Ink Clan, so when they act, they generally only target upper-grade Open Heaven cultivators. After all, converting a mid-grade one simply isn't worth the effort for them," Yu Xiangdie explained. "Speaking of which, I'm sure you've heard the other rumor—outside the major Blessed Lands and Paradises, anyone who advances to the Seventh Order faces pursuit and siege. Because of this, quite a few upper-grade Open Heaven cultivators have even fled into the Shattered Heaven, living under assumed names and keeping to themselves."
Yang Kai said thoughtfully, "So the reason those upper-grade Open Heaven cultivators are targeted by the major Blessed Lands and Paradises is that you're afraid they'll be found by the Ink Clan?"
Yu Xiangdie nodded. "That's only part of the reason. All Open Heaven cultivators from the Blessed Lands and Paradises have cultivated secret techniques to stabilize their own Small Universes and guard against external corruption. The effects aren't as powerful as your Heaven and Earth Spring, but at least they provide some measure of protection—not completely helpless against an Ink Worm's corruption. Those who don't come from the Blessed Lands and Paradises are different. Even if they're upper-grade, if an Ink Worm sets its sights on them, the only end result is Ink transformation."
Yang Kai gave a slight nod. Hearing Yu Xiangdie's explanation, another question in his mind had been answered.
He had recently visited the Shattered Heaven and knew that quite a few upper-grade Open Heaven cultivators were indeed hiding there, every single one of them dreading the Blessed Lands and Paradises' hunt. Xia Linlang had once said that to maintain their dominant position, whenever an outsider advanced to the Seventh Order, they were either recruited or simply vanished without a trace—suspected of having been killed.
That was why, no matter how barren and dangerous the Shattered Heaven was, those upper-grade Open Heaven cultivators refused to leave. It was for this reason that Xia Linlang had rather flee with him through endless pursuit than leave the Shattered Heaven.
"I've heard that many upper-grade Open Heaven cultivators simply disappeared without a trace after being taken away by you..." Yang Kai looked at Yu Xiangdie.
Yu Xiangdie remained silent.
The white-robed upper-grade cultivator said, "They're not dead. The Blessed Lands and Paradises have never mistreated them—they were simply sent to a certain place. As for where that place is... it's not convenient to disclose at this time!"
Yang Kai flipped his hand and produced the wooden box. As the lid snapped open and shut, something pitch-black inside stirred restlessly.
The white-robed upper-grade cultivator's face fell with dismay!
Was he being targeted? This was definitely directed at him!
Yu Xiangdie smoothed things over. "Yang Kai, stop asking. When the time comes, you'll find out naturally. Many things aren't the Blessed Lands and Paradises keeping secrets—it's just that if they were exposed, it might cause panic, which wouldn't be good for the stability of the Three Thousand Worlds."
Yang Kai pondered for a moment, then put the box away with a grin. "When the time comes—you mean when I advance to the Seventh Order?"
Yu Xiangdie said nothing, tacitly confirming it.
Yang Kai said, "I have one more question. Lan Youru is currently in seclusion at my Void Territory, attempting to break through to Seventh-Order Open Heaven. If she succeeds, what will you do?"
Yu Xiangdie replied, "Lan Youru was formerly the proprietor of the First Inn. The First Inn is Xuanyuan Paradise's Situ Kong's enterprise, so she's considered half a member of Xuanyuan Paradise. When she advances to the Seventh Order, Xuanyuan Paradise will handle it themselves. Besides, she already knows about these matters, so that's not something you need to worry about."
Yang Kai furrowed his brow slightly. Though he hadn't gotten a real answer, since Yu Xiangdie had put it that way, he couldn't very well press further.
Yu Changdao spoke up gravely, "Everyone, what we need to address right now is still the matter of Shi Zheng. Though he perished by his own hand, the fact that he produced an Ink Worm to attempt Yang Kai's corruption means he must have possessed more Ink Worms beforehand. I have reason to believe that Shi Zheng was not the only one corrupted in the Langya Blessed Land!"
These words struck home, and the expressions of all the upper-grade cultivators grew solemn.
Shi Zheng's corruption had been a complete surprise—such a thing hadn't happened in seventy thousand years. Though the major Blessed Lands and Paradises had always maintained precautions, so much time had passed that their vigilance had naturally slackened.
Had Shi Zheng not tried to corrupt Yang Kai today, he would never have been exposed.
How many more Shi Zhengs were hiding in the Langya Blessed Land?
And among all the Blessed Lands and Paradises, how many more were there?
No one knew, but the situation had suddenly taken a sinister and dangerous turn.
Most critically—where had these Ink Worms come from? Those who had been Ink-corrupted could not possess Ink Worms. Only the purest, most authentic members of the Ink Clan could produce them.
In other words, somewhere in the Three Thousand Worlds, at least one true member of the Ink Clan was hiding! The mere thought was enough to send chills down one's spine.
"With Shi Zheng's case as precedent, every single one of us is under suspicion. Not just us—all upper-grade cultivators residing in the Star Boundary as well. That is why I propose we begin with a thorough self-inspection to prove our innocence!" As Yu Changdao spoke, his gaze swept across the assembled crowd.