"Yes, yes — ginger gets spicier with age, no doubt about it — but those youngsters still need more experience before they can truly grow. Think of it as giving them a chance to prove themselves." That Eighth-Order veteran knew well that Ouyang Lie was the type who responded better to flattery, so he naturally wouldn't go against him.
Ouyang Lie brooded in silence for a long while before finally gritting his teeth: "The day I get back, I'm going to twist Big Head Mi's skull off and use it as a chamber pot!" His thoughts then turned to Yang Kai. "And that Yang brat — no good egg either, tricking me like that. I'll make sure to teach him a lesson!"
"Good — we brothers-in-arms will back you up!" the Eighth-Order veteran added with a chuckle. "With the two of us joining forces, that kid wouldn't stand a chance no matter how formidable he is."
Ouyang Lie looked at him, but in the end could only let out a long sigh, his expression desolate. What else could he do but accept his fate?
Tens of thousands of warriors were soon divided into several groups under the Eighth-Order commanders' arrangements, dispersing in all directions to mine whatever resources could be found in the vicinity.
Meanwhile, Yang Kai had already used the Ethereal Pearl to return swiftly to the Biluo Theater, his heart full of guilt. He could understand Ouyang Lie's feelings, but this had been arranged by Mi Jinglun, and he had no right to interfere. Moreover, in his heart of hearts, he also believed it was right for old veterans like Ouyang Lie to be withdrawn from the battlefield.
The human race now had quite a few Eighth-Order powerhouses, and many rising stars were active across various theaters of war. The harsh days when scarred and battered veterans needed to hold the front lines were over.
The younger generation already had the ability to shoulder the heavy responsibilities their seniors had carried!
The human race's period of generational decline had already passed.
But just as Mi Jinglun had worried, what still plagued human development was the issue of resources. The emergence of a massive number of high-Order Open Heaven cultivators meant an equally massive demand for supplies.
Sending manpower to the Ink Battlefield to mine resources was one option, but mining took time. Yang Kai planned to approach the problem from a different angle.
As for resources — the Ink Clan certainly had no shortage of them. Having experienced their willingness to pay up during the extortion at No-Return Pass, Yang Kai knew this all too well. That enormous quantity of supplies, and the Ink Clan had handed it over without so much as a frown. How could they possibly lack anything?
Since the Ink Clan didn't lack resources, he would simply take some.
Yang Kai decided to become a Ranger! In truth, ever since he had first heard that the human race had these special figures known as Rangers, he had been quite intrigued. If he were merely a Sixth or Seventh-Order Open Heaven cultivator, he wouldn't need to worry about anything.
Unfortunately, he was long past being the insignificant nobody he once was. His immense strength and elevated status meant that every word and action of his carried far-reaching consequences. Even if he harbored the desire, he couldn't simply act on it — doing so could trigger unpredictable repercussions.
But here on the Ink Battlefield, he had no such concerns. The peace agreement between the humans and the Ink Clan applied only to the Three Thousand Worlds and did not include the Ink Battlefield.
Becoming a Ranger was a skill in itself, requiring careful planning. In any case, he was currently unburdened — he didn't need to cultivate to improve himself, nor did he need to garrison any particular stronghold. He was perfectly free, and this was an ideal time to stockpile resources for the human race.
Several months later, inside the great hall of No-Return Pass.
Upon the Throne of Bones, the Ink Clan Sovereign sat regally. Monaye had also been granted a seat, positioned below and to the Sovereign's left. Along both sides of the hall, the Domain Lords stood in orderly rows.
Pairs of eyes converged on the Sovereign. The Domain Lords were utterly bewildered, and even Monaye wore a look of puzzlement.
Because of Yang Kai, the Ink Clan now had an additional False Sovereign but still dared not let their guard down in the slightest. Monaye in particular could not leave No-Return Pass freely, lest Yang Kai find an opportunity to destroy the Ink Nest.
The Sovereign alone might not be able to guard everything. Only when he and Monaye joined forces could they ensure the Ink Nest's safety.
As a result, in recent years the Sovereign had largely remained inside the Ink Nest, rarely showing his face. On the rare occasions he did appear, his expression was always grim — clearly still vexed by Yang Kai's last visit.
With Monaye as such a capable right hand, the Sovereign had become a hands-off leader, delegating all matters great and small to Monaye while enjoying his own leisure.
Yet as they observed him now, the Sovereign's expression seemed... remarkably pleased. They wondered what good news he had received. Could it be that on some major battlefield, the Ink Clan had achieved a breakthrough?
Combined with the Sovereign's earlier summons — the tone of his voice when he ordered them to convene — a ripple of anticipation ran through the assembled Ink Clan powerhouses.
With the Sovereign above remaining silent, the Domain Lords didn't dare speak out of turn. It was Monaye, the False Sovereign, who read his master's mood and asked with a smile: "Sovereign, you've gathered us here today — is there some joyful news?"
The Sovereign chuckled, casting an approving glance at Monaye. Though he had many powerful subordinates, only Monaye was perceptive enough to read the room. That was precisely why the Sovereign was willing to share power — there was no possibility of a power struggle within the Ink Clan. Monaye's status as a False Sovereign ensured he could never surpass the true Sovereign in authority.
He nodded to Monaye in acknowledgment, then spoke to announce the momentous news:
"Word has come from the Grand Seal of Primordial Heaven!"
At those words, the entire hall was struck with shock!
Every Domain Lord's eyes went wide, their faces alight with excitement and elation. Monaye shot to his feet, his voice tight with disbelief:
"My Lord — the Grand Seal of Primordial Heaven has been broken?!"