"There are still a few left, but not many. This thing is very precious — even the Master cannot bestow too many. Refining a single Ink Bug consumes a portion of his limited strength," Luan Baifeng replied.
This explanation aligned with what Yuan Du had said before — Ink Bugs were precious even to the Ink Clan. However, it was only now that Yang Kai learned the Ink Bugs were refined from the Ink Clan's own power. The Ink Clan trapped in the Black Domain had existed for ages beyond counting, and their strength had deteriorated severely. Even their Master needed to conserve what little power he had left, making it impossible to refine many Ink Bugs.
Luan Baifeng seemed to vaguely divine his intentions. "What are you thinking?"
"I brought a few people along…" Yang Kai replied. "Perhaps we could turn them into companions as well."
Luan Baifeng said, "I'd advise against acting rashly. If it were only those two Sixth Order, we could give it a try. But among the people you brought this time, there's actually an Eighth Order. The conversion rate for an Ink Bug on an Eighth Order is far too low — only the Master himself has any hope of pulling it off. If we alert them prematurely, the Master will be in danger. Neither of us can afford to bear that responsibility."
Yang Kai considered briefly, then nodded. "I was too hasty."
Luan Baifeng chuckled softly. "No matter — you were only thinking of the Master's grand plan." Having said what needed to be said, and with Yang Kai already converted into a fellow companion, she decided to bring their conversation to a close. "We should head back out. If we take too long, the people you brought may grow suspicious."
Yang Kai nodded.
A short while later, the two walked out side by side, behaving as usual, without any telltale signs.
The airship had long since departed Mineral Star Sixteen and was heading toward the outer perimeter.
Yang Kai stood on the deck, gazing toward the center of the Black Domain, a single question weighing on his mind.
Was the Ink Clan imprisoned in the Black Domain the same one whose majestic willpower he had sensed before? If not, that would mean there was more than one Ink Clan lurking across the vast expanse of the universe.
Still, Yang Kai felt it was likely the same one.
Recalling his experience during the sacrificial ritual to the Ink Clan in the Blessed Realm left behind after Yuan Du's death — when that majestic will had descended, he had truly sensed the other's overwhelming power, and had also felt that the being seemed to be trapped somewhere.
Yang Kai remembered reporting this matter to the higher-ups of the Langya Realm.
Now it appeared that the place where the owner of that majestic will was imprisoned was none other than the Black Domain! But this was merely speculation. Whether the two were the same Ink Clan or not, Yang Kai would need to sense the other's will to confirm it definitively.
After more than half a day, the group returned to Luan Baifeng's palace on the outskirts of the Black Domain. Without delay, Yang Kai handed a jade slip each to Qu Huashang and Luo Tinghe. "Each of you take a trip — one to Lingxiao Palace, the other to Void Land. Deliver these to Lingxiao Palace's chief steward, Hua Qingsi, and Void Land's deputy chief steward, Bian Yuqing. Tell them the Black Domain needs a large number of people to assist with resource extraction, and have them dispatch manpower here."
Qu Huashang was taken aback. "Go now?"
Yang Kai had never discussed this with her at all. To suddenly hand her a jade slip and order her to mobilize personnel was somewhat bewildering. However, after their nine cycles of reincarnation, she had vaguely sensed that something was off about Yang Kai. Though suspicion stirred in her heart, she chose not to press the matter.
"Go now," Yang Kai nodded, then glanced at Tao Lingwan. "Wan'er will go with you — you'll have someone to watch your backs on the road."
Qu Huashang acknowledged. "Very well!"
Tao Lingwan had always been obedient and compliant. She had no objection to this arrangement whatsoever, only a trace of reluctance at the parting.
Luo Tinghe, however, was less than pleased. "I haven't even had enough fun yet. Why do you need me to deliver messages? I'm not one of your subordinates."
Yang Kai smiled. "Don't you want to visit the Star Boundary and see the World Tree? Lingxiao Palace is in the Star Boundary. While you're there, do me this favor."
Luo Tinghe smacked her lips but raised no further objection. "Fine. I'll do as you say."
Qu Huashang looked at Yang Kai. "Then we'll set off now. Take care of yourself."
"Don't worry." Yang Kai nodded.
Qu Huashang summoned the airship. Once the three women boarded, it transformed into a streak of light and shot toward the Domain Gate.
Yang Kai and Luan Baifeng stood in place, watching them go. Only after the airship vanished from sight did Luan Baifeng speak. "Come. Let me show you what we've harvested recently. In the years you were away, the resources extracted from the Black Domain have been quite substantial."
The airship burst through the Domain Gate almost immediately. The instant they arrived in the neighboring Great Domain, Luo Tinghe's expression darkened. She turned to Qu Huashang and said, "Something isn't right with Yang Kai."
Qu Huashang was startled. "You felt it too, Martial Aunt?"
Luo Tinghe nodded. "Don't forget — from the sixth life onward in your nine cycles of reincarnation, I've been by your side through every cycle. We spent decades together, all told. I know his habits well enough. The way he rushed us away so urgently, without any explanation — something has clearly happened."
Tao Lingwan started in alarm. "H-Husband is in trouble? What happened?"
"Don't know." Luo Tinghe shook her head and produced the jade slip Yang Kai had given her. "But we'll find out soon enough."
Qu Huashang nodded.
The two of them immersed their spiritual senses into their respective jade slips simultaneously. In the next instant, their faces changed drastically!
Each jade slip contained only a single line:
The Ink Clan is hiding in the Black Domain!