"Earlier at the Langya Star Market docks, I was summoned by a senior disciple named Zong Yuquan. We chatted for a while, and as we parted, I casually dropped a remark to test him — confirming his identity as an Ink-Transformed!" Yang Kai said gravely.
Gu Pan was shocked: "Senior Brother Zong is an Ink-Transformed?"
Yang Kai nodded solemnly: "'Ink... shall be eternal!' Those were Shi Zheng's last words to me before his death. I don't know what exactly they represent, but they're very likely the unwavering belief of these Ink-Transformed. At the time I simply acted on impulse and said those words to Zong Yuquan — who could have expected that he would respond with the same phrase!"
Gu Pan suddenly understood: "So that's why you used the same words to test me?"
Yang Kai nodded: "That's right. But I never expected Junior Sister to be so decisive — trying to restrain me on the spot!"
Gu Pan explained: "My master told me about the Ink-Transformed before, so I know of the Ink Clan's existence. The matter of the Ink Clan has always been sealed within the Grotto-heaven Blessed Lands, and even among the various Blessed Lands, only Core Disciples are ever informed. You're not a disciple of any Blessed Land, Senior Brother, so when you suddenly brought up the subject of the Ink, I naturally misunderstood."
"I see!"
"Senior Brother, this is serious — we need to report it to the Sect Leader!"
Yang Kai frowned slightly: "I thought of that too, but what if your Sect Leader has also been Ink-Transformed? Right now every Ink-Transformed is hiding in the shadows, and there's simply no way to verify their identities. The only person I can trust right now is you."
Gu Pan hesitated: "That shouldn't be the case. If it were, I would have been Ink-Transformed long ago. What you may not know, Senior Brother, is that the Langya Sect Leader is my master — he was the one who told me about the Ink Clan."
Zong Yuquan's talent and future potential certainly couldn't compare to Gu Pan, who had been directly promoted to the Sixth Rank. If even he had been Ink-Transformed, there was no reason Gu Pan wouldn't have been targeted as well.
Hearing her words, Yang Kai also felt it was unlikely the Langya Sect Leader was connected to the Ink Clan.
"Zong Yuquan has almost certainly accepted me as one of their own now. If the Ink-Transformed communicate with each other, the news has probably already been sent out. If I go to see the Sect Leader at a time like this..." Yang Kai couldn't help but hesitate.
Gu Pan said: "Langya has established a dojo in the Star Boundary, so it maintains a cooperative relationship with them. And you're the Void Emperor of the Star Boundary — having come to the Langya Blessed Land, it's only proper to pay respects to the Sect Leader. Even if the Ink-Transformed find out, there won't be any issue."
That made sense. As a junior and the Void Emperor of the Star Boundary, there was no excuse for visiting the Langya Blessed Land without paying respects to its leader. It was simply basic courtesy.
With that thought, Yang Kai nodded: "Then I'll trouble you to arrange the introduction, Junior Sister."
Gu Pan nodded: "Please follow me, Senior Brother."
The two of them left the bamboo tower and soared into the sky, heading straight for the central one of the three massive Spirit Continents. Along the way they encountered many people from the Langya Blessed Land, and upon seeing Gu Pan, many stopped at a distance to bow respectfully — a testament to how high her status was as a Core Disciple.
Suddenly, Gu Pan halted and bowed to a half-aged elder approaching through the void ahead of them: "Uncle-Master Yuan!"
The half-aged elder glanced at Gu Pan with a warm smile and nodded: "Are you heading to see the Sect Leader, niece?"
Gu Pan replied: "Yes, Uncle-Master."
The Yuan-surnamed elder nodded slightly, then looked at Yang Kai with curiosity: "Niece, who is this? He doesn't seem to be one of our Langya disciples."
Gu Pan answered: "Allow me to report, Uncle-Master. This is Yang Kai, the Lord of Void Territory, an old acquaintance of mine. He happened to be passing through Langya and came to visit me."
The Yuan-surnamed elder was surprised: "Oh? You're Yang Kai, the Lord of Void Territory?"
"Young one Yang Kai greets the Senior!" Yang Kai bowed respectfully.
The Yuan-surnamed elder stroked his beard and nodded with a smile: "You're too polite. I've heard your name many times — now that I see you, it's true what they say: each generation produces its own heroes!"
"The Senior flatters me. I'm merely a junior who can't compare to the Senior's illustrious reputation!"
The Yuan-surnamed elder looked thoroughly pleased by the flattery and laughed heartily: "Young man knows how to talk — you'll surely have a bright future!" He then said cordially to Yang Kai: "If you're not in a hurry to leave, come visit my cave dwelling when you have time. I have quite a collection of fine wines, but sadly no one to appreciate them with!"
Yang Kai readily agreed: "If there's fine wine, I certainly can't miss that. I'll pay you a visit another day!"
The Yuan-surnamed elder smiled and waved them off: "Go on, then. The Sect Leader is free right now. Any later and he'll probably go into seclusion."
"Then this young one takes his leave." Yang Kai cupped his fists and continued forward with Gu Pan.
A moment later, Gu Pan transmitted her voice: "Senior Brother, were you trying to test Uncle-Master Yuan?" If not, why else would Yang Kai have agreed so readily?
Yang Kai replied: "Do you think there's any chance Elder Yuan might have been Ink-Transformed?"
Gu Pan pondered for a moment, then shook her head: "I don't know. Uncle-Master Yuan Du is one of Langya's three Vice Sect Leaders. He's usually very kind and treats all the disciples well. His only flaw is that he enjoys being flattered. I hope he isn't Ink-Transformed."
Yang Kai was left speechless. No wonder his offhanded compliment had made Yuan Du so happy — his love of flattery was apparently common knowledge.
But whether he had actually been Ink-Transformed was something no one could say for certain. If Yang Kai hadn't come this time, Gu Pan would never have believed that Elder Shi Zheng was Ink-Transformed either!
They continued forward, and shortly after, the two landed before a grand hall on the central Spirit Continent.
Gu Pan led the way inside with practiced ease, heading straight for an inner chamber. She knocked gently on the door, and a commanding voice came from within: "Enter!"
The doors slowly swung open, and Gu Pan beckoned to Yang Kai before stepping inside first.
The hall wasn't particularly large. At a glance, Yang Kai saw a middle-aged man standing before a desk with his hands clasped behind his back, holding a painting brush, seemingly absorbed in painting something.