Ding Yao curled his lip. "Don't try and pin that on me. There are disciples of my Great Battle Heaven under your command too. Do you really think I'd ignore their lives? It's just that there's only one ship available right now, and the East Army gets to use it first. If you're really so selfless, stop trying to block me."
Liang Yulong's face darkened and he said nothing, exchanging pointed looks with Zhong Liang and Shentu Mo. There was absolutely no way they could let Ding Yao walk away with the ship today. If word got out that the East Army had one while the South, West, and North Armies didn't, wouldn't everyone below say they were incompetent?
Shentu Mo furrowed his brow. "Ding Yao, this isn't the only ship of its kind. If there's a first, there'll be a second and a third. What's the rush? Sooner or later, everyone will have one."
Ding Yao was immune to persuasion and shot back, "Since you're not in a hurry, then quit nattering. The army is still out fighting, the disciples are bleeding on the battlefield, and I'm in no mood to waste my breath on you lot. Now get out of my way."
The three refused to budge.
On the other side, Dongguo Anping heaved a long sigh. "What a spectacle!"
Here were several army commanders bickering over a single tower ship like common squabblers — it was hardly befitting their dignity. Fortunately, no disciples were around to witness it, or it would have become a laughingstock.
"This ship was created by young Yang Kai. Why not ask for his opinion? Whichever army he's willing to let use it, that's the army that gets it. How does that sound?" Zhong Liang suggested, and as he spoke, he subtly shot Yang Kai a meaningful glance.
Of the four army commanders present, Yang Kai was closest to him. If Yang Kai were to speak, Zhong Liang believed his own side still held a significant advantage.
His suggestion left the other three in no position to object. Yang Kai's abilities had been thoroughly proven in recent times. Countless disciples across every army owed their lives to him, and in the future, they might well need to rely on his power to deal with the Ink Force. Objecting at a time like this would only invite trouble. So although Yang Kai was only a Sixth-Order Open Heaven cultivator, he did carry considerable weight in this matter.
Seeing all four commanders turn their gazes toward him, Yang Kai felt nothing but exasperation. He had caught Zhong Liang's signal, but how could he possibly play favorites at a time like this?
Moreover, there was simply no way to play favorites even if he wanted to.
After a moment's thought, Yang Kai cupped his fists and said, "Elders, this ship may be functional, but if taken out for extended use, it won't hold up for long."
Ding Yao's brow furrowed. "What do you mean?"
Yang Kai explained, "The Purifying Light is the fundamental means of dispelling and purifying the Ink Force. The supply sealed within the ship's hold is considerable, but by my estimation, it's only enough for roughly a hundred people. In other words, after a hundred entries and exits, the Purifying Light will be completely spent — at which point this tower ship will be nothing more than a decoration."
The commanders exchanged glances. Ding Yao blinked, suddenly realizing he had been a touch too eager. He had witnessed the Purifying Light with his own eyes and heard about it often in recent days, but he hadn't known the specifics. He had assumed that obtaining the tower ship would mean he could rest easy from now on. Only now, hearing Yang Kai's words, did he learn that the Purifying Light was a consumable resource.
Only enough for a hundred people — what good was that?
"Can't you seal more Purifying Light inside?" Ding Yao asked.
"Of course you can." Yang Kai nodded. "But exactly how much can be sealed hasn't been carefully tested yet. So I would like to ask you all to leave the ship here for the time being. After all, it was only just completed, and whether or not there are hidden issues, no one knows. Leaving it here for further observation will allow me to identify and address any shortcomings."
Since there was no way to divide this fairly, then he wouldn't divide it at all. Leave the ship here — nobody takes it. That was the only way.
This wasn't an excuse; it was a genuine necessity. Yang Kai could not guarantee that this tower ship would stand the test of time. Only careful observation could provide that assurance.
Only once everything was confirmed could they move forward with confidence.
Ding Yao and the others exchanged looks. Since Yang Kai had put it that way, it was clear to all that no one was walking away with the ship today.
After a moment's silence, Ding Yao flashed down from the ship and landed on the ground.
Zhong Liang turned to Yang Kai and asked, "How long before we can expect a definite answer?"
"Several months at minimum. Too short a time, and certain problems may not become apparent."
Zhong Liang nodded slightly. "If it's confirmed to be free of issues, then we'll need to produce them in large quantities. At the very least, four copies — one for each army." He turned to Dongguo Anping. "Brother Dongguo, that task will fall to you."
Dongguo Anping nodded. "Rest easy, Brother Zhong. Artifact forging is Divine Cauldron Heaven's specialty. I will not fail you."
"Then it's settled." Zhong Liang looked to the other three commanders, and none raised any objections.
With their discussion concluded, there was nothing further for the four commanders to attend to. Each had battles to oversee and armies to command — they couldn't linger. After reiterating that the expedition must remain strictly confidential, they hurried off.
Dongguo Anping, Fan Xun, and the others departed shortly after, preparing to forge a new Mobile Palace Artifact.
The tower ship currently sitting in the plaza had been pulled from storage, originally in severe disrepair. It was only after Dongguo Anping's extensive repairs that it had met the necessary standards. If each army was truly to be equipped with such an Artifact, new ones would naturally have to be forged from scratch — and defensive capability would need to be the paramount priority. Offense could be sacrificed, but the defensive strength absolutely could not be lacking. If an enemy shattered one, the losses would be catastrophic.