With the degree of interference I had put out from my breakthrough, along with the continued interference from my lightning breaking the Ink Giant Spirit God apart… Even for Yang Kai, it wouldn't be safe to tear open space to leave. He could however use this method if he were right around the edge of the Spatial Territory, but we're currently at the center so he had to fly away instead. He stopped after a moment though.
"Hmm, that's odd, my Azure Dragon Spear is reacting to something?" Yang Kai murmured, taking it out his spear to do a cursory examination of it. "I don't see nor sense anything about it being different… Yet it seems like it wants to remain here for some reason..?" He continued… "Leiji, my son, would mind taking a look at my spear with those eyes of yours? I'll come back for it when you're done." He added, tossing the spear to me, which I caught.
"As you wish, Father, I'll see what I can find. If nothing else I'll give it a bit of empowerment while it rests here in my care." I said, confirming that would help.
"Alright, time to go assert dominance again. I could use the experience without using my spear this time. Smiles says it will help prepare me for the 9th rank." Yang Kai stretched.
"It most definitely will, Father. The 9th rank is a completely different animal from the 8th. Honestly, from my new current perspective, I'm shocked anyone has ever survived such a jump in power. It really is something else, artifacts become almost meaningless at that level." I replied, with a sigh and a smirk. "Realistically, using an artifact while in the 9th rank really just means you want to send a message statement to the enemy." I added.
"Hmm, then this will be excellent practice for me. And it would make sense why you added that part of artifact-less cultivation for your brothers and sisters. It will help them regardless of their circumstances." Yang Kai chuckled, and flew away at high speed all while conveying through the connection we shared that he trusted in my ability.
Several days continued to pass by, which began the steady stream of individuals from all over coming to seek the advice of masters they would otherwise have been denied even a sight of the force's gates. It was a renaissance, at least in a way. The only one currently not benefiting from this was myself.
"Now then, I have finished my pill refinements with much more ease than I had expected. Now time to take a look at you…" I muttered, taking hold of the Azure Dragon Spear. "Hmm, wait… There's no way… Did…" I nearly lost my train of thought.
"Oh… So… It was… You who woke me? I must say you have my thanks young dragon. Or well I guess you're actually an Ancient Dragon in realm terms… Interesting." A voice coming from the Azure Dragon Spear spoke through in a low tone of voice.
"Hmm, I could have sworn that you were made with the remains of the Azure Dragon Emperor, and that your source has gone back to the Dragon Pond to nurture the following generations. So I must admit, while thanks are nice and all… It's unnecessary, Senior." I replied.
"No, it's true that my source has returned to the pond from which it came. Such is the cycle. However, I did ask that ancient expert to keep a small portion of my source within the crafted artifact." The Azure Dragon answered calmly, almost yawning. "Though i wasn't expecting to be asleep for so damn long. So you're the son of my current master… Hmm, You're quite something yourself. I guess those two foolish ones managed to pull it off somehow. Congratulations." He added, looking into my existence a little.
"Please, I'm not that special. I only exist this way because I was called here. It's the fact my soul traversed to this world that I was able to stabilize the union of these powers properly. My little sister's newly born is a different story though. I had to stabilize her myself…" I chuckled slightly.
"I see, so then… It really is remarkable after all… Alright, I get the feeling you might actually be able to beat that Inky bastard. And I do owe you something for waking me up with this much power. I feel way better now. So, what would you like for me to do for you? I'll give you any reward I can give. Though I'm afraid it may currently be a little bit limited at the moment." The Azure Dragon spoke, his voice sincere and concise.
I thought about it for a moment. "I have an idea, but it may require you to disobey my father when the time comes. And it won't be easy for you either." I said after mulling it around.
"So long as it isn't insane for me to do. I'm sure I can agree to it." The Azure Dragon chuckled.
"I'd like you to use your knowledge and refine yourself to as high of rank as possible. And at the same time I want you to store enough power in your soul for even a new Ancient Dragon to achieve the Divine Dragon Realm." I said, leaving the other part of the request up to his imagination. He'd have to be a supreme idiot of the highest possible order to not understand.
"I… I see. You're resolved to see it through that much?" Azure Dragon asked in a shock that would stun no one.
A breeze went by as a few people finished their breakthroughs. My wife Qing Ning was one of them, so she would soon return to my side. My lightning also increased in intensity, speeding up the devouring rate of the Ink Giant Spirit God. Along with this… I noticed two mighty presences making their way over her.
"I have a family. Parents that want nothing but the best for me, wives whom I cherish and they return such affection back to me, I have baby brothers and sisters that I want to look up to their big brother. My in-laws, I have many and I desire their lives to be as stress-less as possible as well…" I started my long answer. "So yes, I am resolved. Even if I have to break out of the gates of hell to go for a second round, I will defeat Ink." I added, with determination in my eyes.