Chapter 1000: I need your help

Rise of the Nine Provinces

“You’ve hit the nail on the head,” the Lord said, a hint of excitement in his voice. “Since it’s a new faction, it must naturally be distinct from the Vast Heaven Alliance and Myriad Devil Ridge. The essence of this new faction’s existence will be to not contend with others! I believe that if this truly comes to pass, it will undoubtedly attract a large number of cultivators. There are quite a few cultivators in this world who are weary of the conflict between the two major factions.”

Yu Daiwei stood behind the Lord, observing the excitement brimming on his face, and found it quite astonishing. In all her years of following the Lord, she had never seen such an expression on him. What made it even more unbelievable was that the person eliciting such a reaction from the Lord was merely a young man in the fifth-level True Lake Realm!

She understood the Lord's arrogance well. Even the sect masters and strong leaders of the top sects in the Nine Provinces might not earn a second glance from him. In his eyes, those so-called sect masters and leaders were mostly corrupt individuals, like summer insects who cannot understand ice. Yet, what she witnessed now was the Lord engaging in such an amiable conversation with Lu Yiye, a feeling akin to sitting down to discuss the Dao. This left her deeply surprised and further underscored the Lord’s high regard for the young man before him. However, even she didn't know why the Lord held Lu Yiye in such high esteem.

“That should be the case,” Lu Yiye nodded. If such a faction truly appeared in this world, it would very likely attract many people to join it. As the Lord said, there are many who are weary of the conflict between the two major factions; it's just that often, when caught in the prevailing current, they are unable to act freely. Most cultivators bear no inherent enmity towards one another, but the mere opposition of their factions gives them reason to draw swords against each other.

Changing the subject, Lu Yiye said, “Broadly speaking, the Heavenly Secret Merchant Guild is a faction of that nature.”

The Lord was taken aback for a moment, then chuckled wryly. “That’s different. The Heavenly Secret Merchant Guild operates as a business; they cannot be conflated. While they indeed don’t contend with others, the essence of business lies in harmony bringing wealth. How could they contend with anyone?”

“So, Lord, you wish to establish such a faction?” Lu Yiye generally understood what he meant.

“Chaos!” the Lord declared. “Vast Heaven Alliance and Myriad Devil Ridge represent Yin and Yang respectively. Yin and Yang cannot coexist independently. Harmonizing Yin and Yang, uniting Yin and Yang into one, creates Chaos!”

“So, ultimately, Lord, you still wish to unify the Nine Provinces!” Lu Yiye hit the mark precisely.

The Lord shook his head. “Unifying the Nine Provinces is not my ultimate goal. I simply wish to change the current格局 of the Nine Provinces.”

Lu Yiye fell silent for a moment. He had to admit that someone with such grand ambitions was not necessarily a bad thing. If the Lord could truly achieve such a feat, it would greatly benefit the entire Nine Provinces. The conflict between the two major factions would become history, and many lives would be saved. However, while some things may start with good intentions, the process might not be so pleasant. Lu Yiye could foresee that if a faction called Chaos truly rose in this world, the Nine Provinces would only descend into greater turmoil.

“Then, why did you capture me, Lord?” Lu Yiye asked, voicing the doubt in his heart. After all the Lord had just told him, Lu Yiye still couldn't figure out why he had been captured.

“I need your help!” the Lord said, looking at him with sincerity in his eyes.

Lu Yiye met his gaze for a moment, then said faintly, “Lord, you think too highly of me. I am merely a small True Lake Realm cultivator. How could I possibly help you achieve such a grand endeavor?”

“As I said, you shouldn’t underestimate yourself. You possess your own unique energy, an energy I do not have.” The Lord smiled. As he spoke, he took out a palm-sized disc from his robes and handed it to Lu Yiye.

Lu Yiye hesitated for a moment, then reached out and took it, carefully examining it. The disc appeared to be made of stone, its surface adorned with numerous intricate patterns that were dazzling to the eye. Looking at it for a few moments induced a dizzying sensation, as if one’s entire mind was being drawn into it. It was clearly no ordinary stone disc, but Lu Yiye couldn't discern its true nature.

As Lu Yiye observed the disc, the Lord observed him. Under the close scrutiny of a top-tier expert like the Lord, Lu Yiye's every subtle reaction was impossible to conceal. After a moment, the Lord couldn't help but frown slightly, because some things were not as he had imagined.

“What is this?” Lu Yiye asked.“Can’t you tell?” the Lord countered.Lu Yiye shook his head.

The Lord smiled faintly, not explaining much more. He took the strange stone disc back from Lu Yiye’s hand. “It’s nothing. You may return.”

The conversation ended abruptly, even though it had been going so well moments before. Lu Yiye didn't dwell on it. He stood up and walked towards his wooden hut.

After he left, Yu Daiwei finally spoke. “Lord, is he not the one you’re looking for?”“He is.”“Then why…?”

“The time is not yet right.” The Lord leaned back in his chair, a faint look of disappointment on his face as he frowned.

“What is that stone disc, then?” Yu Daiwei couldn't contain her curiosity.

The Lord toyed with the stone disc in his hand, remaining silent for a long time before finally speaking. “A token to found a new faction!”

Yu Daiwei’s pupils contracted. Having followed the Lord for so long, she naturally knew some secrets ordinary people didn't. Founding a faction was not as simple as merely talking about it, nor was it just raising a banner. It had to be acknowledged by the Heavenly Dao. Just like the current Vast Heaven Alliance and Myriad Devil Ridge, these were factions acknowledged by the Heavenly Dao. Hence, Vast Heaven Alliance cultivators’ battlefield marks glow blue, while Myriad Devil Ridge’s are red. The vast Nine Provinces are covered by the Heavenly Dao; nothing can bypass the mysterious and unfathomable Heavenly Dao. If not acknowledged by the Heavenly Dao, even if a new faction’s banner is raised, it would ultimately be difficult to sustain. Furthermore, if acknowledged by the Heavenly Dao, one could change their battlefield marks, allowing cultivators of the same faction to quickly identify allies and enemies.

“Since you have this item, why not use it, Lord?” Yu Daiwei was puzzled. For so many years, the Lord had been preparing for a new faction. Now with such an item, founding a new faction would be instantaneous.

The Lord shook his head. “I cannot use it, nor can you. Only one favored by the Heavenly Dao can activate this item!” Decades ago, there was someone qualified to use this item, but he kept it hidden. Because at that time, he carried too many blood grievances, even if he had used this item, he wouldn’t have been able to win the hearts of the Myriad Devil Ridge cultivators. And today, decades later, the only one qualified to use this item is probably Lu Yiye. But judging from his reaction just now, he couldn't use it either. Otherwise, after getting his hands on it, he would have known its purpose.

*The time is not yet right…* The Lord sighed inwardly.

“So… how should we handle him?” Yu Daiwei finally understood why the Lord had captured Lu Yiye. Clearly, it was for this stone disc. Now that Lu Yiye could not use the disc, his value had been greatly diminished. Killing him was certainly out of the question. The time was not yet ripe; Lu Yiye could not use the stone disc now, but that didn't mean he wouldn't be able to in the future. But he couldn't just be released either.

“No need to bother with him; he will leave on his own,” the Lord said, slowly standing up.Yu Daiwei was surprised. “Do you believe he can leave this place?” This was a fractured minor secret realm. The exit was guarded by Dao Shibo. Without her or the Lord’s command, Dao Shibo would never allow passage. How could Lu Yiye, a True Lake Realm cultivator, escape from here?

“One favored by the Heavenly Dao can always accomplish things ordinary people cannot. If he cannot leave, then he is not the one I am looking for. If he is not the one I am looking for, then let him die of old age here.” The Lord strode towards the exit. There was one more thing he hadn't told Yu Daiwei: through close observation, he found that Lu Yiye had not been enchanted! But Yu Daiwei had reported earlier that Chen Tianchui had already used the enchantment technique on Lu Yiye, a technique that ordinary people could not resist. Yu Daiwei’s report couldn't be wrong. In other words, Chen Tianchui did use the enchantment technique on Lu Yiye, but for some unknown reason, the technique failed on him. This was also why he had laughed heartily upon first meeting Lu Yiye, because he needed a Lu Yiye who could maintain his own self, not a puppet after enchantment. Capable of what ordinary people cannot, favored by the Heavenly Dao – this further solidified his conviction that Lu Yiye was indeed the one he was looking for!

A moment later, Yu Daiwei respectfully saw the Lord out of the secret realm. She stood in place, pondering for a moment, then walked towards Lu Yiye’s wooden hut.

A moment later, Lu Yiye opened the door and came out, looking at her in confusion. “What’s the matter?”

Yu Daiwei pointed to Dao Shibo, whom she had summoned there. “From now on, he will follow you every step of the way. So, you absolutely must not try to escape.” Saying this, she turned and instructed Dao Shibo, “If this young man attempts to open the secret realm exit, kill him without mercy!”

“Understood!” Dao Shibo replied.

The Lord said that one favored by the Heavenly Dao can always accomplish things ordinary people cannot. She wanted to see how Lu Yiye would leave this secret realm under such circumstances! If he could still escape with Dao Shibo constantly tailing him, that would be truly incredible.

Lu Yiye’s eye twitched. “Are you out of your mind?”

Yu Daiwei pursed her lips and chuckled sweetly. “Before you speak so brazenly, you’d best consider the disparity in our strengths.”

Lu Yiye immediately composed his expression. “Why are you doing this?”

“To prevent you, of course.”

Lu Yiye looked thoughtful. “Are you leaving?” He glanced towards the lake. The Lord’s figure was no longer visible; he had clearly already departed. If Yu Daiwei left, wouldn’t only Dao Shibo be left here?

“Don’t ask what you shouldn’t.”

“If that’s the case, let’s discuss something.” Lu Yiye looked at Dao Shibo beside her. “I understand your intention in having him monitor me, but constantly tailing me is unnecessary, isn’t it? I need some privacy.”

“What privacy does a prisoner under surveillance have?” Yu Daiwei scoffed.

Lu Yiye said angrily, “Even if I was captured by you, I’m still a person. Don’t go too far. Your Lord seems to need my help. Be careful, I’ll tell on you next time I see him.”