This matter was of enormous significance, and it was not something Dongguo Anping could decide on his own. It would have to wait until the ancestor finished recuperating and emerged from seclusion, and only after reporting the matter could it be confirmed.
In truth, if they were truly going to launch an expedition against the Ink Clan, it would not be the responsibility of Biluo Pass alone. Every human stronghold across the front would need to contribute. Only when the armies from each stronghold advanced in unison could they hope to wipe out the Ink Clan in one decisive stroke, eradicating them completely. And the preliminary preparations required for that were not something that could be accomplished in a short time.
Yet the prospect alone was enough to set minds racing and imaginations wandering across vast distances.
"Whether my idea holds any value can be tested right here on the battlefield of Biluo Pass." Dongguo Anping withdrew his gaze. "I have already sent word to the four Army Commanders. They should be arriving soon. I will brief them on this matter, and the specifics of how to proceed will be up to them to decide. But when that time comes, Yang Kai, you will need to put in considerable effort."
"This Disciple will do everything in his power!" Yang Kai clasped his fists.
The moment the trial results came back, confirming that the modified palace Artifact was indeed fit for purpose, Dongguo Anping had immediately sent word to the four Army Commanders. The group had waited on the tower ship for less than the time it took an incense stick to burn before four figures arrived one after another.
The Eastern Army Commander, Ding Yao, hailed from the Dazhan Heavenly Cave. The Southern Army Commander, Liang Yulong, was from the Ziwei Heavenly Cave. The Western Army Commander, Zhong Liang, came from the Biluo Blessed Land. And the Northern Army Commander, Shentu Mo, was from the Qingyun Blessed Land.
Every one of them was an Eighth-Order powerhouse, and among Eighth-Order cultivators, they stood out as the very best. With the war dragging on, the four of them had been stationed at the eastern, southern, western, and northern positions of Biluo Pass respectively, and they would not easily leave their posts until the fighting was over.
The last time any of them had left was when Zhong Liang had sent word about an important matter that required discussion. This time, Dongguo Anping had sent his summons as well, and the matter was equally grave — it demanded nothing less than the personal attendance of commanders at their level. Otherwise, no one would dare so casually interrupt them.
The four had little time to spare, and upon arrival they immediately sought to understand the situation.
Zhong Liang already knew what Yang Kai had been working on lately. After all, Feng Ying had been at Yang Kai's side this whole time and would periodically send messages to keep him informed. The other three, however, had little understanding of what was happening here.
Now, having listened to Dongguo Anping's vision for future operations, their eyes lit up one by one. If this was truly feasible, then Yang Kai's arrival at Biluo Pass had given them far more than just a means of dispelling Ink Force — it had given the entire human race the capital to launch an expedition against the Ink Clan's homeland. This was of critical importance.
Ding Yao wore golden armor and carried himself with an imposing air. Warriors from the Dazhan Heavenly Cave all had this sort of bearing. After entering the tower ship and conducting a thorough inspection, he turned his head and asked, "You've tested it and it works?"
"It should work," Yang Kai nodded.
Ding Yao frowned. "This matter cannot be taken lightly. It needs to be tested thoroughly to confirm feasibility."
While they were speaking, they noticed someone hurtling toward them from the distance — a human cultivator whose body had been corroded by Ink Force and who had come seeking help. Upon suddenly seeing all four Army Commanders present, the newcomer froze for a moment before hastily clasping his fists in greeting.
The four waved their hands, signaling that such formalities were unnecessary.
Yang Kai smiled. "Whether it works — we'll know soon enough." There was no need for any special preparations here. People came to him every day seeking to have their Ink Force dispelled. This was exactly the moment they had been waiting for.
All four understood and gave slight nods, waiting patiently.
Yang Kai stepped forward and guided the Ink Force-afflicted cultivator onto the spatial formation. Activating the formation's power, he teleported the man into the ship's hold, though he did not follow him inside.
Moments later, the cultivator suddenly reappeared from the hold, his expression caught somewhere between bewilderment and shock.
Though he had heard fellow humans mention over the past several months that someone within the Pass possessed a mysterious technique capable of purifying Ink Force, it had been nothing more than hearsay. He had never experienced it firsthand, and so he had no true grasp of what it entailed.
Now, having undergone the process himself, he finally understood what it meant to be truly beyond comprehension. The Ink Force that had invaded his body had been purged completely in a remarkably short time — not a trace remained, and the risk of being corrupted by Ink was entirely gone. The gentle white light within the hold had felt like a warm spring breeze, extraordinarily comfortable.
This was the grace of salvation.
He was profoundly grateful to Yang Kai.
The four Army Commanders, however, were not yet at ease. They carefully inspected the man's personal Small World, and only after confirming there was no issue did they allow him to leave.
Seizing the opportunity, Yang Kai entered and exited the hold once more to check for any loss in the Purifying Light. Every time someone carrying Ink Force entered the hold and had it purified and dispelled, the Purifying Light was bound to suffer some degree of depletion.
However, just as he had anticipated, the loss was virtually negligible. He had previously invested a considerable number of Yellow Crystals and Blue Crystals inside the hold, which had caused the Purifying Light sealed within to become extremely abundant and dense.
Dongguo Anping addressed the four. "Fellow Senior Brothers, this method is viable."
With the verification complete, there was no room left for doubt. Deep within, a quiet excitement stirred. Did humanity finally possess the means to support a full-scale expedition? Perhaps one day, they could truly bring the war on the Ink Battlefield to a perfect conclusion. And the many clansmen trapped here might finally have hope of returning home.
Liang Yulong nodded. "This matter is of great importance. For now, let it not be spread beyond those present."
Everyone understood what he was referring to. The existence of the tower ship could not be kept secret — everyone who came seeking help would inevitably need to enter the ship to have their Ink Force purified and dispelled. So when he said it should not be spread, he was not talking about the ship.
What he meant was the expedition itself. Humanity was not yet prepared for it, and the ancestors had not yet given their approval. If word got out, the people would harbor a new wave of hope, and if it ultimately could not be realized, that expectation would turn to bitter disappointment.