Xuanming Domain. As the Human Race army continued to mobilize in ever-greater numbers, the once-quiet battlefield grew tense and uneasy once more.
This round of mobilization had caught not only the Ink Clan off guard, but even the humans themselves were surprised.
Both sides had assumed there would be a lengthy period of calm after the last great battle, yet barely ten days had passed before the humans launched another major operation.
Over two hundred thousand human warriors on the front lines moved out in full force, their armies aimed squarely at the Ink Clan's main base.
Along the auxiliary battle lines, the humans were also piling on the pressure.
In less than half a day, the fleet carrying the human army had stretched across the void millions of miles from the Ink Clan's headquarters. On the massive warships, drums beat in rolling cadence, rallying spirits.
"Kill, kill, kill!"
"Fight, fight, fight!"
The unified war cries of the human soldiers nearly tore the Xuanming Domain apart.
Though the sudden mobilization had caught the soldiers by surprise, when the moment arrived, the humans never lacked the resolve to fight the Ink Clan to the death.
At the Ink Clan's main base, their army was arrayed in battle formation. At the forefront, the numerous Domain Lords wore grim expressions, hearts heavy with humiliation.
They had been fighting the humans in Xuanming Domain for decades, yet this was the first time the humans had come knocking at their doorstep…
In the past, it was usually the Ink Clan that launched the attacks. Even when the humans occasionally seized the initiative, they never pushed this deep. The Human Race had always focused primarily on defense and counterattacks.
This was the Ink Clan's main base. Such provocation was something the Ink Clan simply could not stomach. Had it not been for that inexplicable human Eighth-Order cultivator who had appeared without warning, the Domain Lords would have ordered an attack long ago.
Since when had the Ink Clan ever feared the humans?
But when they recalled that human Eighth-Order cultivator, even the most powerful among them couldn't help but feel a chill.
In less than the time it took to drink half a cup of tea, that man had cut down three Innate Domain Lords in succession — something that had never happened before. What truly terrified the Domain Lords was that this wasn't the first time he had killed Domain Lords.
News had come from Buhui Pass — this human had caused a disturbance there, right under the King's own nose. He had struck twice and killed three Domain Lords. Not only that, he had destroyed seven King-level Ink Nests!
Powerful Innate Domain Lords were like chickens and dogs before this man — utterly helpless.
When the news first arrived, the Domain Lords in Xuanming Domain could scarcely believe it.
Killing Domain Lords and destroying King-level Ink Nests was one thing, but doing so right under the King's gaze, and even when the King personally intervened, he couldn't stop him — that was something else entirely.
The reports said this man could command a Small Stone Clan army, using them to unleash an inconceivable Light of Purification. When he fled, the King had been blocked by that purifying light. Over a dozen Domain Lords had their power purified away, their auras plummeting. They were still recuperating inside their Ink Nests, and no one knew when they would recover.
This was an extraordinarily terrifying opponent.
As long as he didn't show himself, which Domain Lord would dare act rashly?
So even as the humans arranged their formations and heaped on provocation in every conceivable way, the Domain Lords didn't dare charge out. They feared the human Eighth-Order cultivator might be lurking in the shadows, lying in wait to strike.
The Domain Lords far outnumbered the human Eighth-Order cultivators, but they simply couldn't endure being slaughtered like that.
While the Ink Clan's Domain Lords searched desperately for Yang Kai's whereabouts, inside the council hall, Yang Kai had already sent out a transmission.
At the same time, among the human fleet, aboard the warship modified from Bixi's clone, Yu Rumeng took out a communication bead, glanced at it, gritted her silver teeth, and cursed: "That bastard is going to leave us behind again."
The women were all startled. Su Yan quickly asked: "Where is he going?"
Yu Rumeng shook her head: "I don't know. He only said he's going on a long journey and will return before long, and told us to wait patiently!"
Though furious that Yang Kai was leaving once more, with the situation so dire and war between the two races possible at any moment, the women had no choice but to compose themselves and hold their formations.
Meanwhile, in the council hall, after sending his transmission, Yang Kai linked his consciousness to the old tree. In the next instant, the void folded, and he appeared directly in the Taixu Realm, beside the Ageless Tree.
Looking closely, Yang Kai was startled. Though only a few decades had passed since his last visit, the old tree had undergone significant changes.
During his previous visit, many of the World Fruits on the tree had already shown signs of decay, but at least the fruits had still covered every branch.
Now, the World Fruits were noticeably fewer, and the old tree's sickly condition had worsened considerably.
Yang Kai understood. The World Fruits on the old tree were projections of the various Universe worlds. When the Heavenly Dao of a Universe world collapsed, the corresponding World Fruit would rot and vanish.
Over these decades, countless Universe worlds had seen their Heavenly Dooms destroyed. Reflected on the old tree, the result was that many World Fruits had disappeared.
As Yang Kai watched, another decayed World Fruit fell from a branch and dissolved into nothingness.
"Tree Elder," Yang Kai called softly.
The old tree's face emerged from its trunk, its complexion darkened — seemingly tainted by the power of Ink. "Something the matter?"
Yang Kai nodded: "Could I trouble the Tree Elder to examine Xiangsi Domain? See whether there are any Universe worlds whose Heavenly Dooms have not yet collapsed."
If there were, he could use the World Tree's power to descend directly onto one of those worlds, saving himself the trouble of traveling there.
Of course, the likelihood was slim.