"Let's not discuss these kinds of things for now. You should return and rest for the return trip. I know you better than anyone else aside from probably your mother, and I know that the stunts you just pulled were not easy on you." Yang Kai replied with a short sigh.
"Understood father, I'll take this time to recover. Upon returning home, I'd like to refine some of the other resources as well. I think I'll start with the fire element. So I can end it all off with the most refreshing element, wood." I said, stretching my arms high up.
"Just don't over do it son, Remember that much is riding on your achievement of the open heaven realm." Yang Kai sighed, knowing he couldn't possibly say anything to stop me from doing what I wanted at this point.
Su Yan had come over and wrapped her arms around me, hugging me tightly. "Yang Kai, you and I both know that isn't the reason. We care deeply for our son. And I know what you would do if he suddenly..." She said, holding me tighter, as if I would fade away if she were to let go.
"Stop, I don't want to even entertain the thought. Though, when he was injured on the battlefield last time. I learned a lot about myself, more than I knew. I have been holding back far more power than I had realized. I can only hope that it is enough to do what I must." Yang Kai said, joining the hug, as a somber look appeared on his face, it was brief, but it was obvious to me.
"Don't worry too much, once I break through there won't be much of anything that can do anything to me. And as I am now, others would be more than reckless idiots to think of causing a ruckus in my presence." I said, half laughing the situation off.
"Shut up, let me enjoy hugging my baby boy." Su Yan said, forcing me to turn around and then shoving my face into her bosom. "It doesn't matter how old you get, nor how strong you become and no matter where you end up, you'll always be my baby boy." She said tenderly and soothingly. "A child will always be a child when it comes to their parents. So I will continue to smother you." She continued saying in her motherly voice.
"In any case, it isn't related to our matters. We must go and quickly return to the No-Return Pass. The front lines are likely going to need our support soon." The Ancient Dragon said, looking at the back of his hand. "With these and the crystals we can banish the Ink Force completely. We will separate from the rest of you after exiting this domain." He added, resolutely.
"Then we shall all wish you great success in the battle to come." Yang Kai and the others said.
"Before we part ways, I have something here for my Phoenix Clan to use. It should prove useful from here on out. And with it, I have made good on my promise." I said, pulling out a book, bound in simple materials. "I unfortunately don't have much to use as good materials for this at the moment, so this will have to be enough." I added with a smile.
The Ancient Phoenix took the book and looked it over. The void was silent for a few moments while she was comprehending the things she was reading. After what seemed like forever, but was really a matter of a few moments, she smiled and then walked over to me. And patted my head like a child.
"Good male! Chi Qiu and Feng Qiang are quite lucky to have won you over. I'll take this back with me to the Clan and make good use of it there. The Dragon Clan isn't the only one at the top and we are about to prove that. Heh heh." The Ancient Phoenix said, snickers lightly at the end. "Oh, and make sure you start having babies as soon as possible. I'm certain they will also be excellent young phoenixes. Oh, but I guess you can't forget about your other women... I guess that's fine too. You're the first male in our clan that has a harem of women. It goes against our ideals quite heavily, even the opposite direction. So, if you mistreat even one of them just slightly, understand that you'll have hell to pay, understand." She added, with a glare that could kill, and pushed out a sensation of fear into me.
"I Understand, Senior. However, Senior, I should inform you, I would never mistreat any one of my wives on purpose. And even in a situation where it could result, I'd gladly pay hell for it to never happen." I replied, looking her directly in the eye, with my own eyes brimming with an unbreakable confidence.
"Alright then, Ladies, if he ever does wrong by you, go ahead and give him our clans, punishment, for doing so. If he had fun with the Husband Hunting games, I'm sure it would be an interesting experience for him." The Ancient Phoenix declared, point at my wives.
"Oh! Really! Heh heh, Husband, you better treat us right, or prepare yourself for many sleepless nights." Huo Lei giggled, with hearts in her eyes clear as day.
After a bit more time passed the ship had retreated from the Great Chaotic Dead Territory. The Phoenix Clan and Dragon Clan members set off, parting ways with us. And I went inside a private room. Well, private was subjective here. On the one hand no one could peek into the room, but I most certainly was not left alone. Having 6 wives is great, until they all begin begging for attention. However, they weren't in the mood for anything more than a good snuggling nap.
"How is it Husband? Or do you want to explore the body with us?" Xiu Che whispered, soothingly.
"It's not that. I'm thankful, thankful for this time I can actually rest. A time where all I need to do is rest with my wives by my side. It's a great change of pace." I said softly and contently.