Once the battle was over, it was time to assess the damage done, while containing the remaining Ink Clan to the area they had escaped towards.
Smiles was the first to be by Yang Kai's side. "Husband, are you okay-" She began inspecting Yang Kai's condition. "Not good…"
The new 9th rank, the one that appeared just before I vanished, came over. "What's wrong with him?"
"He's unstable. I need to bring him back home, if he returns to where he was titled, he'll be able to recover…" Smiles paused, and gulped, holding back the tears. And looked back to the others.
Cang, and all the others nodded. "Go, take him home. We'll handle things here for a while."
Bai Yi, and Feng Ying arrived, having sensed something was wrong. They were frantically looking around. Their eyes fell on Smiles, and that was all they needed to see to know…
"Why don't the two of you return home for a while as well. Families should be together in times like these."
And so, the four of them made moves to leave. However, before they could. Someone spoke up. "Excuse me, but would you mind if I tag along? I can bring him back through my space dao rather quickly."
Smiles was a little confused. "Huh?" Then nodded, feeling that the woman wasn't lying.
The five disappeared from the area, leaving behind the remainder of the Human Race Army.
Wu Kuang spoke next. "While Sister Smiles is gone, I'll take care of the Great Evolution Mountain Pass."
"Good, now we need to start charting courses to contain the ink clan, monitor that powerful seal, and investigate those void scars."
"Hmm? I agree with the first two. But why should we investigate those scars?"
"Because knowing Yang Leiji, he would have made sure that even if he lost, there would be something left behind to strengthen ourselves. That's just how he was."
The 9th ranks began their discussion of who is assigned what job. And while it was difficult, the end result was two groups of 9 were to stay behind at the seal, and practice their battle formation, the idea was to provide a slowing effect on Ink's advance should he ever manage to break out of the seal.
27 Mountain Passes were assigned to contain the Ink Clan. And then of the remaining forces, half would form a middle defensive line. While the rest would join forces with the No-Return Pass. Thus securing the entranceway to the 3000 Worlds. To add to this final line of defense, the twins took up residence with the Dragon & Phoenix Clans.
~ Star Boundary, High Heaven Palace ~
Upon arrival, the world spirit noticed right away, and came to check it out. "Oh my, what happened!?" She quickly took action to try and help but… "He's too strong for me to help him on my own. Where's Leiji, he'd… be able to supplement my strength…" She started crying. And sent a summons to the other Great Emperors, including all of the new ones.
Suddenly, there were 20 Great Emperors in the main hall. And of them were the four students I had placed in charge of managing the fluid creation of cultivation materials. Yang Kai was comfortably laid on his back. While the World Spirit and the Great Emperors surrounded him on their own cushions. This was going to take a while.
Su Yan came bursting into the room, looked at Smiles, but she didn't expect that Smiles wasn't looking at her. "Smiles, what happened?"
Smiles bit her lip. "Sister… I… Leiji he's…" She couldn't even finish the words before collapsing to the floor.
Su Yan stumbled, she knew what this meant. "No…" And while she felt absolutely devastated, she showed right then, why it was her, who was the head wife.
Su Yan floated over to Yang Kai, and laid on top of him. She began circulating her cultivation with his, bearing a huge burden of the damage Yang Kai suffered. And it was this that brought Yang Kai back to consciousness.
Yang Kai spoke. "I'm… I'm sorry."
Su Yan held Yang Kai tight. "Stupid, that's not what you need to say right now."
Once Yang Kai had awoken, the Great Emperors left, struggling to walk on their own. Several servants had to aid them. Especially the newer ones, since they had yet to break through to the open heaven realm, it was not easy to bear the burden they just did. But what was worse, was seeing the joyful looks on the other children as they ran in to see what was happening.
Yang Xingjuan, being the oldest child with a deep connection to both of her parents, stopped cold in her tracks and began crying right away. Yang Luan and Yang Liang both quickly noticed the same, and had similar reactions. However, Yang Liang had a bit more difficulty, being taught not to cry made this far more difficult for him.
My other siblings, who had a weaker connection were still holding out hope and looking around. Then one of them, being a daughter born of Smiles' loins, went up and asked. "Mommy, where's big brother? I can't find him anywhere. And, I can't sense him either."
Smiles, reached out, and cradled her daughter into her arms, and cried. "I'm sorry, but… He's…"
It was at that moment when everyone else had it all sink in… I was gone. The 9th rank who had brought them back decided to take her leave for a moment. She already had difficulty accepting this outcome, though it was for a much different reason.
The days the Yang family spent together were long, and sad. After a few days though, The world Spirit came back inside, this time accompanied by my wives.
"Void, I can sense the title I gave Tempy. He's very far away… I don't know where though. But he's-"
"Then… He must be drifting in the outside chaos. Is he really still alive?"
Smiles noted something. "Husband, you weren't able to sense him the last time he went there, remember. Perhaps something is different this time?"
Then another guest arrived. "Yang Kai, was it? Would it be alright if I explain what happened now? Yang Leiji is the reason why I've been able to return to life… My task is to help you, his father, achieve the World Creation Realm."
The look of shock on everyone's face was nothing short of surprise. "And you can do that?"
"Yes, I can. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Mu."