Chapter 1320: Old Stubborn's Condition (New Year's Greetings)

For several days, Lu Ye studied the sound talismans, gaining insight into their various intricacies. These talismans are widely used throughout the Starry Sky and are not particularly difficult to refine. Anyone with some proficiency in Spirit Patterns can create them, as their construction involves relatively complex Spirit Pattern formations.

Lu Ye's expertise in Spirit Patterns naturally met the requirements for refining sound talismans. His only lack was the necessary material: a specific type of jade he had never encountered before.

He presumed it was no ordinary jade, and at the very least, something not found in Kyushu.

This was easily resolved. He decided to send a message to Haitang, asking if she could help him acquire some, and offered to pay with spirit jades.

Acting on the impulse, he sent the message. A short while later, Haitang replied, instructing him to wait in the valley where someone would deliver the jade. She declined any payment in spirit jades, explaining that the jade was not particularly precious and she would never charge him for it.

Lu Ye accepted her kindness and waited patiently.

On Immortal Spirit Peak, in a secret chamber, Haitang sighed softly after concluding her message with Lu Ye. She had originally planned to visit Lu Ye and his senior sister often in the coming days. As Lu Ye was her guest, it would be improper for her, as a host, to neglect them, and this was certainly not the way of the Little People.

However, her master had strictly ordered her to enter seclusion for cultivation, in preparation for the Black Abyss Martial Arts competition scheduled in a few months. She was forbidden from leaving without explicit permission.

Helpless, Haitang had no choice but to comply.

In the valley, Lu Ye did not wait long. A Divine Sea Realm cultivator soon arrived, delivering a storage ring. Lu Ye inspected its contents and found it indeed contained the exact type of jade he needed, and in ample quantity, enough for him to use lavishly.

This confirmed that the jade was indeed not a particularly valuable item.

He then settled down to refine the sound talismans.

His initial attempts were not smooth, as proficiency comes with practice. After several days of persistent effort, he finally succeeded in refining the first sound talisman.

He excitedly sought out Nian Yuexian, handing her the talisman. The two then positioned themselves in different locations and began to experiment with communicating using the sound talismans.

Everything proceeded smoothly. While this communication method was not as convenient or swift as battlefield imprints, it offered a significant advantage: it was not restricted by the Heavenly Secret's coverage range.

The range of communication was also far greater than that of a sound transmission stone. Lu Ye wasn't entirely sure of its precise maximum distance, a detail that would need to be verified later.

Regardless, in terms of communication, Kyushu had now aligned with the Starry Sky. In the future, should they encounter cultivators from other realms using sound talismans while traveling, they would no longer appear provincial.

Over the following period, Lu Ye continued to refine more sound talismans, both to hone his personal skills and to prepare them for the Star Constellations of Kyushu.

Half a month quickly passed. Lu Ye now possessed a large collection of sound talismans, more than enough for the current Star Constellations of Kyushu to distribute among themselves, with some to spare even after each person received one. Over half of the jade sent by Haitang still remained.

Refining the same item for such a long time inevitably became monotonous. What puzzled Lu Ye, however, was the complete lack of news from Haitang's master.

While he understood that good things often take time, he faced a pressing reality: Square Inch Mountain was constantly in motion.

He and Nian Yuexian could not remain there indefinitely. If they stayed too long, they might struggle to find their way home, even if they managed to leave Square Inch Mountain.

Therefore, Nian Yuexian's situation needed to be resolved swiftly.

While he was reluctant to rush those who were helping him, he felt that after such a long time, there should have been some news.

Communication between Sun-Glow Realm cultivators should not be this complicated.

Lu Ye messaged Haitang again, and quickly received a reply.

However, Haitang's reply carried a hint of helplessness: "Junior Brother Lu, please wait for me there for a moment. I will come over and speak with you personally."

Previously, Su Yuqing had instructed Haitang to enter seclusion for cultivation and recuperation. However, she had also told her that if Lu Ye inquired, she should explain the situation to him in person. What that situation was, Haitang didn't yet know; she would need to ask Su Yuqing first.

Emerging from her seclusion, Haitang met her master and listened to her teachings. With a heavy heart, she then descended Immortal Spirit Peak.

Upon reaching Lu Ye's residence, she exchanged greetings with both Lu Ye and Nian Yuexian.

"Senior Sister Haitang, is something troubling you?" Lu Ye asked, noticing her visibly poor complexion, which filled him with a sense of foreboding.

Had Su Yuqing's personal intervention been in vain? Just how stubborn could Chen Xuanhai be?

Haitang looked at Lu Ye, then at Nian Yuexian, her expression filled with apology. She spoke softly, "Master said she has already negotiated with Uncle-Master Chen. Initially, Uncle-Master Chen adamantly adhered to the ancestral rules, but he was eventually persuaded by Master and agreed to let Daoist Nian depart."

If that were the sole outcome, Haitang would not appear so distressed. Lu Ye calmly asked, "Are there any other conditions?"

Haitang bit her red lip and slowly nodded.

"Tell me," Lu Ye urged. "Provided it's not an impossible demand, my senior sister and I will certainly do everything in our power."

Haitang stammered for a moment before finally speaking: "Uncle-Master Chen stated that, historically, intruders have always been required to serve on Square Inch Mountain for a hundred years, even those from the most powerful realms. There has never been a precedent for breaking this rule, and such a loophole cannot be created, as it would cause Square Inch Mountain to lose its authority. Therefore, he proposed a compromise."

"I'm listening."

Haitang glanced up at Nian Yuexian. "Uncle-Master Chen said that if Daoist Nian could find a man within Square Inch Mountain and form a cultivation partnership with him, she would then be considered one of their own, and the rules for outsiders would naturally no longer apply."

Upon hearing this, Nian Yuexian turned and walked away, her voice drifting back, "I choose to serve here for a hundred years." The idea of her finding a cultivation partner on Square Inch Mountain was utterly out of the question.

Lu Ye turned to watch her retreating figure. After a long silence, he withdrew his gaze and asked in a low voice, "Is there truly no other possible compromise?"

Haitang's expression grew even more ashamed. "Junior Brother Lu, I apologize. I genuinely thought this wouldn't be too much trouble, but who could have known Uncle-Master Chen Xuanhai..." She couldn't comprehend how things had escalated to this point. Earlier, after meeting her master and hearing the details, she had known the situation was dire and had almost been too ashamed to face Lu Ye.

Yet, she knew she had to come, so she steeled herself and proceeded.

Lu Ye waved his hand. "This has nothing to do with you, Senior Sister Haitang; there's no need to blame yourself. However, please forgive us, but my senior sister and I absolutely cannot agree to this condition!"

If he hadn't been so clearly outmatched, Lu Ye would have stormed Cloud Sea Peak the moment he heard that condition, eager to see what kind of person Chen Xuanhai truly was to propose such a thing. However, the power disparity between a Star Constellation cultivator and a Sun-Glow cultivator was too immense; even if Lu Ye confronted him, it would be futile.

If Nian Yuexian was not permitted to leave, Lu Ye knew he could not depart alone. He mused that if it came to that, he would simply remain with her for a hundred years. After all, as a guest of Square Inch Mountain, he could enter and exit freely, and it wouldn't significantly impede his cultivation.

"Junior Brother Lu, please rest assured. I will plead with Master again! I am determined to ensure that you and your senior sister can depart safely!" Too ashamed to linger, Haitang uttered these words before soaring into the sky, heading directly for Immortal Spirit Peak.

After Haitang left, Lu Ye stood in silence for a long time. He then turned and approached Nian Yuexian's room, raising his hand to gently knock on the door.

Upon receiving permission, he pushed the door open and entered.

Nian Yuexian was seated cross-legged on a meditation cushion, seemingly engaged in cultivation.

Seeing her in this state, Lu Ye felt a slight sense of relief. Her ability to cultivate indicated that the recent events had not disturbed her state of mind.

It made sense; as a Star Constellation Realm cultivator, her state of mind would not be easily swayed by a mere insignificant remark from an outsider.

Lu Ye sat down before her, opened his mouth, then swallowed his words.

He wanted to ask certain questions but found it awkward, and he somewhat regretted coming.

Nian Yuexian shot him a look. "Just say what's on your mind. As a man, don't be so indecisive."

Lu Ye flushed in embarrassment and began, "Senior Sister, I wanted to ask, regarding our eldest senior brother... that... that..."

"Are you still infatuated with your eldest senior brother, is that it?" Nian Yuexian finished his sentence for him.

Lu Ye chuckled, "That's exactly what I meant."

Nian Yuexian answered without hesitation: "In our era, your eldest senior brother was the most brilliant figure in Kyushu, truly the brightest star in the sky. What young woman wouldn't harbor romantic feelings? Women naturally admire heroes and look up to the strong. It wasn't just me; countless other women, both known and unknown to you, harbored deep affection for him."

"But I'm asking about you," Lu Ye said, looking at her.

"Me too," Nian Yuexian replied, a rare smile gracing her lips and a flicker of reminiscence in her eyes. "At that time, I followed your eldest senior brother, and along with Taishan, we were known as his right-hand figures. Taishan shared a bond of brotherhood with him, but as a woman, I naturally harbored different feelings. Yes, those were truly beautiful and unforgettable years. However, your eldest senior brother ultimately chose another woman, married her, and had a daughter. In the final battle, he was also killed in combat. Of course, we now know his death was a deception, but at the time, Taishan even recovered his body. Who could have known he was still alive, living in another realm?"

"Decades have passed. Time can change many things. Some have forgotten your eldest senior brother, while others still remember him. But ultimately, it is just a memory. Even if he were to die and return, the memory would still remain just that—a memory. Do you understand?"

Lu Ye seemed to grasp Nian Yuexian's sentiments, nodding. "I understand."

Nian Yuexian had made it clear: for her, Feng Wujiang was merely a chapter from the past. Certain things were already settled, and she would no longer dwell on what had been. While memories were indeed beautiful, one could not live solely in the past; doing so would only lead to stagnation.