The massive tower ship sailed for a full three months before finally reaching the outer perimeter of the Chaos Dead Zone.
At the Domain Gate, the same Eighth-Order Supreme Elder Yang Kai had met before was still stationed there, leading the guard. Though the Chaos Dead Zone was far less dangerous now thanks to Yang Kai's previous visit — one could even say it was completely safe — the matter concerned Solar Scorching and Lunar Dimming, two supreme deities, and the Cave Heavens and Blessed Grounds dared not be careless.
A considerable number of High-Order Open Heaven cultivators were stationed at the Domain Gate at all times, guarding against any unforeseen contingencies.
"Senior Dayi!" Yang Kai leaped down from the bow of the ship and approached the Eighth-Order Supreme Elder, bowing respectfully.
The last time he had met this Eighth-Order, Yang Kai hadn't known how to address them and hadn't asked. However, during his time at the Yin-Yang Heaven, Yu Xiangdie had told him about this person — the Eighth-Order Supreme Elder from the Great War Heaven, Divine Monarch Dayi.
Divine Monarch Dayi nodded slightly, then glanced past him with a puzzled expression. "Liumu?"
Though they came from different backgrounds, as Eighth-Order Open Heaven cultivators, they naturally all knew one another. After all, there were only so many Eighth-Order cultivators across the various Cave Heavens and Blessed Grounds — after living for so long, who didn't know whom?
Divine Monarch Liumu stepped forward and bowed. "Senior Brother Dayi!"
Divine Monarch Dayi furrowed his brow. "What happened?"
His divine sense was powerful, and he had long detected the aura of many living beings aboard the tower ship. But he couldn't quite understand what Yang Kai and Liumu were doing bringing so many people here.
Moreover, the thirty High-Order Open Heaven cultivators aboard the ship had caught his attention as well.
Deploying such a lineup absolutely meant the Cave Heavens and Blessed Grounds had joined forces. He had a vague feeling that something major must have occurred.
"Senior Brother Dayi, come aboard and see for yourself." Liumu gestured invitingly.
Divine Monarch Dayi considered briefly, then nodded in agreement.
Boarding the tower ship and seeing the thousands of Ink Disciples held in restraint, he was naturally shocked all over again — especially since some of the Ink Disciples still bore obvious traces even after being sealed by secret arts.
Take Fan Xiuqi, who had advanced from Fifth-Order to Sixth-Order. He had broken through the grade limit of his Open Heaven cultivation, and while he had managed to advance, it had left catastrophic hidden damage to his body. His frame had ballooned in size, and numerous fleshy growths had sprouted across his skin, making him appear utterly horrifying.
Liumu and Yang Kai accompanied Divine Monarch Dayi as he inspected the condition of the Ink Disciples aboard the ship, while also briefly recounting what had transpired in the Black Domain.
Divine Monarch Dayi listened with a look of astonishment. "That Ink Clan member was hidden in the Black Domain?"
Liumu corrected him. "Not hidden — imprisoned there. Right now those old fogeys are deliberating over what to do with that Ink Clan member."
"Then these Ink Disciples..."
Liumu glanced at Yang Kai. "Young Yang says the two inside have the ability to purge the Ink force and restore things to their original state, so he's brought these Ink Disciples here."
Divine Monarch Dayi naturally knew who "the two inside" were. He had gone in with Yang Kai before and had laid eyes on them himself.
"Are you confident?" Divine Monarch Dayi turned to look at Yang Kai.
"I'll do my best!" Yang Kai didn't dare give a definitive answer. Though he had gotten along well with Brother Huang and Sister Lan previously, no one truly knew what those two were thinking.
Divine Monarch Dayi nodded slightly. "I'll go in with you."
As the Supreme Elder stationed at the Domain Gate, monitoring all developments in the Chaos Dead Zone was his responsibility as well.
After a brief arrangement to have the others continue guarding the Domain Gate, Divine Monarch Dayi followed the ship as it surged into the Chaos Dead Zone.
Divine Monarch Liumu and the thirty High-Order cultivators escorting the ship were slightly tense.
They had all heard of the Chaos Dead Zone and knew how dangerous it was, but what they saw before them left them somewhat confused — the interior of the Chaos Dead Zone was completely serene, without the slightest hint of danger.
This was nothing like what they had heard in the rumors.
Each of their factions had once stationed a Supreme Elder here, and even an Eighth-Order Open Heaven Supreme Elder could only remain in the outer reaches of the Chaos Dead Zone briefly, with no possibility of venturing deep — otherwise their lives would be at risk.
Rumors held that this place was filled with the power of Solar Scorching and Lunar Dimming clashing and slaughtering each other — a power that transcended all things in existence, with each collision bringing unimaginable destruction.
Seemingly noticing everyone's curiosity, Divine Monarch Dayi explained. "The Chaos Dead Zone used to be incomparably dangerous, but ever since Yang Kai visited once, it's been peaceful here."
Liumu heard this and asked in surprise. "What did you do to make those two bury the hatchet?"
Yang Kai didn't know how to explain, so he could only say. "When we meet those two, Senior, you'll understand for yourself."
Divine Monarch Liumu nodded, took a deep breath, straightened his chest, and made an effort to carry himself with the bearing of a Supreme Elder.
The interior of the Chaos Dead Zone was a void, with only a single spirit continent pieced together floating within.
That spirit continent had been forged jointly by Yang Kai and Divine Monarch Dayi during their last visit, using fragments of a star from a nearby Great Domain.
Above the spirit continent, a mass of radiance like a great sun hung high, illuminating every detail of the continent below.