The three Territory Lords thought as much, and rather than feeling even a shred of gratitude toward Bai Yi, their resentment only deepened.
Because in this way, their Domain Lord would only think of Bai Yi as someone who understood the bigger picture, while they three would be seen as petty villains who had acted without cause.
Bai Yi was never so kindhearted. If she could use Zhufeng's hand to give these three Territory Lords some grief, she would be more than happy to do so. But her plan with Yang Kai was the most important thing right now, and being in this Secret Realm, her Small Universe was being eroded by the Ink Force at every moment — she couldn't hold out much longer, so she couldn't be bothered to stir up additional trouble.
Everything now was aimed at putting their plan into action as quickly as possible. If they were too late, there would be no more opportunities.
Zhufeng, who was concealed within the Ink Nest, was silent for a moment upon hearing this before speaking. "In that case, all of you withdraw. Guard this place carefully, and do not let anyone disturb my recovery again."
The three Territory Lords hurriedly agreed with fawning obedience.
Bai Yi spoke up. "Master, I wish to present this human captive to Master."
Zhufeng replied, "How thoughtful of you. Hold him in confinement for now. We'll discuss it when my injuries have healed."
"Master!" Bai Yi spoke again. "This man is quite powerful and holds a significant position among the humans. He should know what methods the human race has been using in recent years to resist the erosion of the Ink Force. If it is convenient for Master, I suggest converting him first and extracting the answer. That way, we won't let other Domain Lords seize the opportunity and steal the credit."
Zhufeng's injuries were severe, and he was anxious to focus on recovery. Seeing Bai Yi defy his orders had initially annoyed him, but after hearing her reasoning, he fell into deep thought.
What Bai Yi said was true. The Ink Clan was indeed very curious about what miraculous means the human race had gained in recent years to resist the erosion of Ink Force. King Lord Menxie himself had issued orders to his subordinate Domain Lords to find out the reason.
However, to date, the Ink Clan had still not captured a single human, so they had never been able to investigate the matter.
Since the last great battle between the two clans, this human that Bai Yi had captured could be called the first prisoner — and he was a Seventh-Order Open Heaven cultivator at that.
The Seventh Order was indeed no minor rank among humans — sufficient to serve as a squad leader or even a garrison commander. Someone of that standing was very likely to know something.
If the secrets could be extracted from this man's mouth, it would indeed be a merit worth claiming. Zhufeng's injuries were serious. Even with the aid of the Ink Nest and at no expense to its reserves, he would need at least half a year to a full year to recover. By then, other Domain Lords might have already figured out the situation.
To pass up a merit sitting right before his eyes and instead let other Domain Lords claim it — Zhufeng was naturally unwilling.
And so, after only a brief pause, Zhufeng made his decision. "Bring him in."
"Yes!" Bai Yi responded respectfully, and under the gaze of the three Territory Lords — a mixture of jealousy and reluctance — flew straight toward the Ink Nest.
The closer they got to the Ink Nest, the denser the Ink Force became. Being carried in Bai Yi's grip, Yang Kai quietly observed her condition, a vague worry stirring in his heart.
He didn't know how much longer Bai Yi could hold on, but it couldn't be long. This battle had to be resolved swiftly — only then could they settle matters before Bai Yi was transformed into an Ink Disciple once more.
Fortunately, though the plan had encountered some setbacks, progress overall was still going reasonably well.
Beneath the Ink Nest — that colossal structure resembling a giant flower bud — was a passage shaped like a root, connecting it to the earth. The root-like structure was neither flesh nor something else entirely, and it emitted an aura of extreme malevolence.
Bai Yi carried Yang Kai into the entrance beneath the Ink Nest and ascended rapidly through the root-like passage.
In short order, they arrived in a vast, spacious chamber.
Though Yang Kai had seen the Ink Nest from afar many times, this was his first time entering its interior. He immediately began studying his surroundings carefully.
Within this space, the Ink Force was so dense it had become almost tangible, roiling and surging. At some point in the chamber, an invisible gravitational pull seemed to be ravenously devouring the Ink Force.
At the source of that pull sat an enormous figure in lotus position.
The figure was towering, his aura magnificent — yet an unmistakable frailness hung over him. Who else could this be but Domain Lord Zhufeng, who had fled with grievous injuries?
As the two of them entered, the boundless Ink Force filling the great hall surged into Zhufeng's colossal body.
"Master." Bai Yi walked up to Zhufeng, dropped to one knee, and bowed her head.
Yang Kai was placed before her, lying still. Their eyes met, and Yang Kai's heart tightened — for in Bai Yi's gaze, a wisp of darkness flickered in and out of visibility.
From the moment they had entered this Secret Realm to now, barely half a cup of tea's time had passed, and Bai Yi was already on the verge of losing control. Once the Ink Force completely eroded her Small Universe, she would inevitably be transformed into an Ink Disciple again.
"This is the human you captured?" Zhufeng inclined his head slightly, looking down at them. His enormous figure brought with it an overwhelming pressure.
"It is!" Bai Yi trembled, appearing as though she was cowed by Zhufeng's might — but Yang Kai knew she was struggling desperately to keep her Divine Sense clear.
"This man is Seventh Order?" Zhufeng asked again.
Yang Kai nearly cursed aloud. Instead of getting on with converting him, this fellow kept chattering away — truly infuriating.