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Author: Silavin
“Hey, why did you close the door? We need him in here” Yang Ji turned around to ask once he heard a *thud* behind him.
“If he’s in here, then he would stop whatever we do if it risks destroying his home.” Yang Xu said as she already took out the Array Plate and started setting up the Array around them.
“He would still be helpful if we have any questions.” Yang Ji shrugged and just allowed her to continue, without bothering to open the door.
“Maybe.” Yang Xu replied, thinking back on how most questions they had were still left unanswered. She did not believe Mo Na Ye was hiding anything from them, rather, it was the case where he truly did not know.
Yang Xu was not the only one that felt that way, Yang Ji was the same. So, they just continued to explore the cultivation room with interest.
Except for the few large indents on the walls, big enough to fit a child, there was not much else in the room. The most prominent structure was the protrusion in the middle. If the twins were to describe it, they would say that it was akin to a caldron with its lower half completely attached to the floor.
“I think this is the thing.” Yang Ji pointed to the ‘caldron’ and added, “I remember Father saying that the Black Ink Clan had something, where they pour in resources to create more of their kind. But, since he calls this the cultivation room, and seeing how they lack natural resources here, I guess they don’t need materials to cultivate?”
“Why not just try interacting with it while you try and cultivate?” Yang Xu suggested.
Yang Ji gave a nod and moved directly in front of the ‘caldron’. He sat down cross-legged and started to pour his Divine Sense into it.
However, once he did, it felt as if his Soul was taken away from his body.
By the time he regained his bearing, he was already in another space. It was dark, but not as eerie as he had expected. In fact, he felt the presence of others, but did not see them.
[So, this is what they call Black Ink Space?] Yang Ji looked around to find if there was anything else of interest here. However, there was really nothing else here. It was just an empty space that seemed to be in the shape of a sphere.
The Black Ink Space was an independent space which Black Ink Nests could connect to. Each Black Ink Nest had its own space, and each Black Ink Nest were connected to one another through their parent nest. They were so connected that Yang Ji could feel the presence of others, in their own space, without them even entering his space.
Naturally, this was amazing for instant communications that crossed the boundaries of Space. Furthermore, since each Black Ink Nest had their own space, there was a certain level of privacy for their conversations.
Yang Ji wondered for a moment on what to do next, but it did not take too long until he elicited the notice of someone.
“You’re finally here.” A familiar voice rang out, as one part of the surrounding walls condensed to form a small figure.
“Mo?” Yang Ji asked, a little taken aback. After all, the form Mo chose to take was completely identical to his Uncle Eleven.
The ‘little boy’ gave a nod to Yang Ji and he waved his hand.
Immediately, the floor had changed. The flat ground formed two bumps, which soon formed into mats.
Mo waved his hand to indicate Yang Ji to sit, as he took his own.
Yang Ji nodded obediently and sat down cross-legged. He wanted to open his mouth but Mo stuck his hand out first and addressed his concerns. “No need to ask again. I already know what you are curious about. But, I cannot answer everything right now. For now, just focus on your main goal. Focus on how to control the Black Ink Strength within you.”
“Close your eyes.”
Yang Ji still wanted to ask more, but seeing how Mo was moving on to instructing already, he had no choice but to just follow along. He closed his eyes and started to sense himself.
Strangely, even when his Soul was in this Black Ink Space, he could still feel the Black Ink Strength within his body. Typically, when one’s Soul was temporarily outside of one’s body, they would be in a vulnerable state. So, it was strange how he could not feel his actual body but could feel the Black Ink Strength inside of him.
Mo soon started to explain, “Black Ink Strength… is my or rather our entire existence. We are the embodiments of its existence. It is just as much a part of us as we are a part of it.”
There was a melancholic look in his eyes as he said that. Nevertheless, Yang Ji did not notice since his eyes were closed and he was focusing on the Black Ink Strength within him, waiting for the next set of instructions.
“To control Black Ink Strength is to be a part of it, and for it to be a part of you. This need not mean corrupting yourself to it. Rather, it is to claim a part of it as your own.” Mo said as his hand widened and Yang Ji immediately felt the Black Ink Strength within him started to squirm. Just like Mo’s hand, the Black Ink Strength inside of Yang Ji also expanded out.
“This portion of Black Ink Strength could still be considered a part of me. It not having an effect on you is a surprise in and of itself, and it is the greatest blessing you have.” Mo said with a little envy in his voice. “I will detach this portion from myself. At the same time, you are to refine it.”
With a single thought, the connection was severed and the Black Ink Strength within Yang Ji suddenly collapsed. It no longer held up its form, as though it was a lump of clay that just sat there.
Yang Ji could feel that the Black Ink Strength clump was no longer as resistive as before. Using his Divine Sense, he could now slice it apart without it changing its shape back.
He played with it for a while, and was awaiting for the next set of instructions, but Mo never spoke up.
When he opened his eyes to check, he was no longer there. The space looked the exact same as before, but Mo has just disappeared.
“Mo? Are you there?” He asked, but there was no response.
In fact, he could not feel any presence, not of Mo or of any others. It was as though he had been isolated from the rest.
