In this way, Black Abyss was naturally able to recover faster than the other Domain Lords. This wasn't because Black Abyss deliberately suppressed the others — it was simply human nature.
In truth, if it had been possible, Black Abyss would have preferred to send those Domain Lords back to their respective territories upon returning all those years ago. That way, they wouldn't have had to share the power of his Ink Nest.
But the injuries sustained by those Domain Lords at the time had been far too severe. Every one of them had fallen into a deep slumber, and it would have been unconscionable to simply abandon them. With no other choice, Black Abyss had brought them back to his own Ink Nest, where they could all recuperate together and keep watch over one another.
Even now, the only sentiment those Domain Lords held toward Black Abyss was gratitude — not a shred of resentment. Their injuries were indeed not yet fully healed, but they had at least regained a measure of self-preservation. All they had to do now was return to the Ink Nests in their respective territories and rest, and they would slowly recover.
The whole process wouldn't take more than a few years.
Once they exited the Ink Nest, the Domain Lords offered Black Abyss their thanks, then soared into the sky one after another and departed swiftly. This was Black Abyss's territory — they couldn't linger long, and naturally needed to return to their own domains.
Black Abyss watched them leave.
The moment the Domain Lords departed, Ghost Fanged, having received word, led a group of Ink Clan members rushing over to welcome Black Abyss as he emerged from seclusion.
Shortly afterward, back inside the ancient fortress, Black Abyss sat in a position of authority while Ghost Fanged stood below and reported on the various affairs of the territory over the years, his manner respectful.
Black Abyss listened in silence.
Nothing much had happened in the territory during those years. The human side was calm, and there had been no major clashes between the two races. As such, Ghost Fanged finished his report quickly.
Black Abyss gave a slight nod and offered a word of praise: "You've done well these years."
Ghost Fanged replied modestly: "It was all due to the Domain Lord's wise governance. This subordinate merely looked after things on your behalf — I dare not claim any credit."
Black Abyss offered no comment on that. Then, abruptly, he asked: "That Ink Slave I recently took in, the one called Yang Kai — is he an Artifact Forger?"
Ghost Fanged showed no sign of surprise. He answered respectfully: "Yes. Over the years, he has forged Artifacts for quite a few Domain Lords."
Black Abyss had been in seclusion inside the Ink Nest the entire time, recovering from his injuries. He hadn't had any contact with the outside world since his return, yet he still possessed this kind of information — all because of the Ink Nest.
Within the domain created by the Will of the Ink Nest, many Domain Lords enjoyed discussing various matters, and none of those conversations could escape the awareness of the Ink Nest's master. In other words, as long as Black Abyss wished it, every piece of information that circulated within the Will's domain during his time inside the Ink Nest would be known to him immediately.
The news that Yang Kai was an Artifact Forger was known to many Domain Lords, and naturally it had come up in conversations within the Will's domain. It was entirely reasonable for Black Abyss to have learned of it.
Moreover, Ghost Fanged knew perfectly well that such things couldn't be concealed. He wasn't foolish enough to try.
"The Domain Lords seem quite fond of the Artifacts he's forged. In your estimation, how is his skill?" Black Abyss asked further.
Ghost Fanged replied: "This subordinate doesn't know exactly how the human Artifact Forgers rank their levels of mastery. But in my estimation, his skill is considerable. The Artifacts produced by his hands are no worse than those many humans already possess. With those Artifacts, the Domain Lords' strength has been elevated to varying degrees, which is of great help to them on the battlefield when slaying enemies."
Black Abyss nodded slightly. "If even you say it's considerable, then it must be so."
He felt a twinge of surprise. He hadn't expected that after all this time, the one Ink Slave he'd managed to take in would turn out to be a rare Artifact Forger. The main reason he had personally corrupted Yang Kai was the young man's truly impressive performance and formidable combat prowess.
Such talent, combined with expertise in artifact forging — it seemed he'd stumbled upon a treasure without even trying.
The loss of resource territories a few years ago, the casualties suffered in that great battle — the Royal Lord would certainly impose punishment. Though as a Domain Lord, the penalty wouldn't be severe. At most, he'd have some territory reduced. Even so, it was not something he wished to see happen.
But a Forger of considerable skill might be able to offset those failures.
Though handing over such talent would sting, the fact remained that as an Artifact Forger, Yang Kai would inevitably be drawn into that grand undertaking. Whether Black Abyss needed to atone for his failures or not, this talent could not be kept. Otherwise, if the Royal Lord took issue with him, the consequences would be dire.
"Where is he now?" Black Abyss asked suddenly.
Ghost Fanged answered honestly: "He's at Zagu's place. There's a dead Great Sun Star over there, and he can make use of its Great Sun Fire for forging."
"Send word to him. Tell him to return and see me immediately."
"Yes!"
Two hours later, Yang Kai — in the middle of forging an artifact — suddenly sensed the restriction being triggered. He couldn't help but frown. After all this time, visitors from Zagu's side had always waited outside. They never triggered the restriction on their own. Today's behavior was highly unusual.
And under his perception, it was Zagu himself who had triggered it.
Yang Kai didn't intend to bother with it. The Artifact in his hands was in its final stage — just three to five more days and it would be complete.
But Zagu, waiting outside for a moment and seeing that the restriction showed no signs of opening, simply shattered through it and burst inside.
The restriction Yang Kai had set up was quite simple — nothing particularly impressive. For someone of Zagu's Domain Lord-level cultivation, breaking through it was as easy as breathing.
The sudden intrusion immediately disrupted Yang Kai's concentration. The Artifact, which had been nearly complete, twisted violently under the powerful force.
Zagu took one glance and knew that his actions had likely ruined the Artifact. But he had no time to worry about that. He spoke immediately: "Brother Yang, the Domain Lord has emerged from seclusion. He wants to see you."