Hearing this, Zhong Liang nodded. "Your thinking actually aligns with what the Yin-Yang Pass side has come up with. To be honest, it was precisely because of this matter that your Martial Uncle Ding went to the Yin-Yang theatre. This Ink Clan palace Artifact was captured in the process."
"Then... how did it go?" Yang Kai asked tensely.
Zhong Liang shook his head grimly. "He joined forces with another Eighth-Order cultivator from the Yin-Yang Pass. All they managed to do was kill some Ink Clan members and capture this palace Artifact. As for the source responsible for refining it — they learned nothing."
Yang Kai's expression grew solemn. He pondered for a moment before speaking. "To uncover that Ink Servant's identity, someone would need to infiltrate deep behind enemy lines and act on opportunity. The two Martial Uncles charging in so brazenly would only alert the enemy."
"Indeed." Zhong Liang sighed heavily. "However, the Ink Clan must place tremendous value on an Ink Servant capable of refining palace Artifacts. This person's identity is very likely classified within the Ink Clan — ordinary Ink Clan members wouldn't possibly know. To uncover it quietly? Nearly impossible. And who could even take on such a task?"
Yang Kai blinked, then suddenly caught on. He chuckled despite himself. "So that's why you summoned me here?" He paused, then added, "I can disguise myself as an Ink Servant and infiltrate the Ink Clan's territory in the Yin-Yang theatre. If I'm careful, I may be able to track the person down."
Since Yang Kai had seen through the purpose, Zhong Liang dropped all pretense. With a heavy sigh, he said, "I originally didn't want to involve you in this, but your Martial Uncle Ding already tried and failed. Beyond that, there's no other option. Don't feel pressured to agree right away — think it over carefully before you decide."
Yang Kai shook his head. "That Ink Servant was already refining these things over two years ago. The longer we wait, the more likely he is to perfect the palace Artifact. By then, even if we found him, it would be too late. There's nothing to consider — this mission, this Disciple accepts."
Zhong Liang's expression turned grave. "This undertaking is extremely dangerous. The slightest misstep means annihilation."
Yang Kai replied, "You forget, Sir — before coming to Biluo Pass, this Disciple once infiltrated the Ink Clan disguised as an Ink Servant for two full years. No one has more experience than I do when it comes to impersonating an Ink Servant."
He paused briefly, then continued. "Furthermore, even if this Disciple fails and runs into trouble, I still have the Space Laws to rely on — it's not impossible to turn danger into safety. And if it truly comes to the worst, it still doesn't matter. The Ink Expulsion Pills have already been refined successfully, giving our people a means to counter the Ink Force. The Purifying Light is no longer the only option. All things considered, this Disciple is the best candidate for this mission."
Having said all this, Yang Kai cupped his fists and spoke in a firm voice. "Sir, this Disciple formally requests permission to travel to the Yin-Yang theatre and gather intelligence. I humbly ask for your approval."
Zhong Liang's expression was complicated, his face wavering with indecision. After a long moment, he released a heavy sigh. "I'm asking a great deal of you."
Yang Kai shook his head. "Since time immemorial, countless human powerhouses have come to this Ink Battlefield, one after another. All for the peace of the Three Thousand Worlds, to hold back the enemy beyond the gates. In battle after battle, which of our people hasn't given everything they have and spilled their life's blood? This Disciple is well able — it is my duty, and I will give it my all."
From the very first day he set foot on this Ink Battlefield, Meng Qi had taught him a lesson with his own life. To protect the secret of the Void Tunnel's existence, he had not hesitated to self-destruct — terrified of being corrupted by ink once more and exposing the tunnel.
Those battles, those countless men and women who had burned their very lives to hold back the Ink Clan — weren't they all Meng Qi, every last one?
The Ink Clan's palace Artifact was a matter of immense gravity. If that Ink Servant were allowed to perfect it completely, then the sacrifices and accumulations of the human race across all these countless years would vanish like smoke. The Three Thousand Worlds themselves could be destroyed in the blink of an eye.
Who would simply sit by and watch such a catastrophe unfold?
Having come to this Ink Battlefield, he was one of humanity's soldiers. When it came to a mission requiring infiltration behind enemy lines to gather intelligence, Yang Kai felt no one could be more suited than himself.
"Sir, this Disciple has one more matter to ask about." Yang Kai spoke gravely.
"Go ahead."
"Has the Yin-Yang Pass side estimated roughly how many years the Ink Clan would need to perfect this palace Artifact?"
Zhong Liang mulled it over. "The Yin-Yang Pass has made some estimates. The palace Artifact the Ink Clan has produced so far is barely functional — likely just a prototype for testing the waters. To perfect it? They'd need no less than a century, at minimum half that — fifty years. Of course, it could take even longer. The Ink Servant refining it would need to improve his own artifact-refining proficiency as well, and at his level, such advancement doesn't come easily."
"Then going by the minimum of fifty years..." Yang Kai murmured to himself. "There's still room to maneuver. Sir, before I set out on this mission, I have one more request."
"Name it. If the Pass can provide it, you won't be disappointed."
"I wish to study the art of artifact refining!"
Zhong Liang started in surprise, then his eyes lit up. "You mean to say..."
Yang Kai smiled. "Sharpening the axe doesn't delay the woodcutting. Besides, if I'm going to gather intelligence, I ought to know exactly what I'm dealing with."
Zhong Liang nodded repeatedly. "It's you young folk who think fastest. This is something us old fogies never considered. Very well — we'll do as you suggest."
A quarter of an hour later, at the Artifact Refining Hall, Yang Kai presented Zhong Liang's written order to Dongguo Anping, who was overseeing the refinement of a squad-level Artifact. They were old acquaintances — after all, the very first Ink Expulsion Warship had been produced through the combined efforts of Yang Kai, Dongguo Anping, and Fan Xun. There was no need for formalities between them.
Hearing Yang Kai's request, Dongguo Anping's eye twitched. "You want to study artifact refining?"
Yang Kai cupped his fists in respect. "I would be grateful for Senior Dongguo's guidance."
Dongguo Anping looked him up and down, thoroughly baffled. "Why the sudden interest in artifact refining?"
Yang Kai replied, "My cultivation has been advancing too quickly — it's not advisable to push it further. I discussed this with Martial Uncle Zhong, and he sent me here to study artifact refining instead, saying the path of artifact crafting might offer some benefit."
Dongguo Anping laughed despite himself. "What does artifact refining have to do with your cultivation? And I heard you've shown considerable talent in alchemy — if something's gone wrong with your practice, shouldn't you be at the Alchemy Hall rather than here?"
Yang Kai answered deferently, "It was Martial Uncle Zhong's idea. This Disciple doesn't know the details either."