Chapter 1326: Still Not Giving Up

In the fourth level, Lu Ye's divine sense swept through, and he already had a plan. He walked straight to the very bottom, picked up a jade slip, and immersed his mind in examining it.

"The Yin-Yang Great Millstone!"

These prominent characters immediately imprinted themselves on his mind.

The jade slips on the fourth level documented various celestial wonders, numbering perhaps tens of thousands. This particular slip described a celestial phenomenon known as the Yin-Yang Great Millstone.

It meticulously detailed the wonder's appearance, characteristics, danger level, and methods to cope if one accidentally fell into it. It even included the exact location of the celestial wonder and nearby star charts, making the records exceptionally comprehensive.

Lu Ye knew that the starry sky held a myriad of wonders, natural results of cosmic evolution, but he had never actually witnessed any of them.

However, this jade slip displayed an image of the Yin-Yang Great Millstone scaled down countless times. Combined with the textual descriptions, Lu Ye could easily visualize the wonder's immense grandeur. If he ever encountered it in the starry sky, he would surely recognize it instantly.

It must be said that such information was incredibly important to Lu Ye and, indeed, to Kyushu.

He couldn't help but think that such intelligence gathering centers likely existed in any large realm where Stellar-level cultivators emerged. Kyushu, still in its nascent stage, was naturally far behind others.

Putting everything else aside, this trip to Fangcun Mountain, particularly the visit to Xi Yuan Pavilion, was an unimaginably huge gain.

What was rare was that the Lilliputian race didn't hoard their knowledge; instead, they allowed him to enter, observe, and copy the information. This was not a privilege granted to just anyone.

Lu Ye didn't know if it was because he had saved Haitang, or if Su Yuqing still wanted him to participate in the Black Abyss Martial Arts Competition, but he knew he had to cherish this opportunity.

He carefully studied the slips. After fully reviewing one, he would take out a blank jade slip and copy the content. He then proceeded to examine the next slip, repeating the process.

While Lu Ye and Nian Yuexian were intensely busy at Xi Yuan Pavilion, Chen Xuanhai and Wu Qimo had separately messaged Su Yuqing to inquire about the situation.

Ordinary matters wouldn't concern individuals of their Sun-Gazing cultivation level much, but when it came to the Black Abyss Martial Arts Competition, they couldn't help but be invested.

The situation in their main realm had been consistently sluggish, and as the three main pillars of the realm, they bore undeniable responsibility. They yearned to reclaim their honor, as the Sun-Gazing cultivators from the other two divisions would mock them after every competition, greatly frustrating them.

Improving their main realm's standing in the Black Abyss Martial Arts Competition had become a persistent worry for them. However, with their juniors failing to meet expectations, they could only sigh in helplessness.

This was a rare opportunity and an unexpected coincidence, so they naturally paid close attention.

Soon, they both received Su Yuqing's reply, informing them that everything was going as planned and there was no need to worry. Only then were they satisfied.

In the main hall of Immortal Spirit Peak, after concluding her divine sense communication with the other two Sun-Gazing cultivators, Su Yuqing revealed a faint trace of worry.

She had her own reasons for reporting only good news, but Lu Ye's unwillingness to take a Dao partner at Immortal Spirit Peak had disrupted her original plan.

She couldn't quite understand why he would refuse such a good opportunity.

Yet, using force was not an option. Not only did Lu Ye have an immense debt of gratitude from Haitang, but Su Yuqing also didn't want to rashly offend the mysterious high-level cultivator standing behind him.

If not for these considerations, Su Yuqing would have long since resorted to special measures. After all, she was a Sun-Gazing cultivator; how could a mere Stellar-level cultivator resist if she truly used force?

Days flowed by, and two months passed in a flash.

Lu Ye and Nian Yuexian had returned from Xi Yuan Pavilion. They divided the work and collaborated, directly copying all the jade slips on all four levels of the pavilion.

Currently, Lu Ye was examining the jade slips Nian Yuexian had copied, while she, in turn, was examining his. Through this mutual exchange, they could assimilate all the information from Xi Yuan Pavilion. Later, upon their return to Kyushu, these copied jade slips could be placed in the Guardian Hall, allowing Stellar-level cultivators in Kyushu to consult them freely.

This period had been quite comfortable; apart from Haitang's occasional visits, there were no other trivial matters.

However, as the Black Abyss Martial Arts Competition drew closer, Haitang's appearances became increasingly rare. Her last visit was ten days ago, at which time she mentioned going into seclusion to prepare for the competition.

Counting the days, the Black Abyss Martial Arts Competition should begin in a few days. After it concludes, Lu Ye felt he could bring up their departure to Su Yuqing again. If his previous deduction was correct, Su Yuqing would have no reason to forcefully keep him and Nian Yuexian.

Although he couldn't contribute to the Lilliputian race in this specific matter, Lu Ye couldn't go against his conscience to do something he was unwilling to do. At present, he faced only one problem.

It had been over two months since they arrived in the main realm, and Fangcun Mountain had been constantly moving. He had no idea where it had gone, so even if he and Nian Yuexian left later, finding their way home would require considerable effort.

However, a path always appears when one reaches the mountain; they would just have to deal with it when the time came.

As he was reviewing the slips, Su Yuqing's voice suddenly resonated in his ear: "Lu Ye, come to Immortal Spirit Peak for a moment!" Lu Ye paused, surprised.

Before, she had addressed him as "virtuous nephew," but now it was just "Lu Ye." It seemed that his refusal to take a Dao partner at Immortal Spirit Peak had left Su Yuqing somewhat annoyed.

Nian Yuexian sensed something and looked up. "What is it?" she asked. Lu Ye replied, "Senior Su wants to see me."

Nian Yuexian frowned. "Has she still not given up?"

Lu Ye sighed helplessly. "It seems so. With the competition approaching, she might be making a final attempt. I'll go and explain the situation to her more clearly." Nian Yuexian cautioned, "Be polite with your words; don't provoke her."

Lu Ye nodded repeatedly. "I know, and Senior Su isn't an unreasonable person. However, she is still a woman, and even a Sun-Gazing cultivator can be a bit petty, otherwise she wouldn't be secretly annoyed."

From her perspective, he was indeed being somewhat ungrateful. If she were a completely unreasonable person, he would surely face unpleasant consequences.

However, after two encounters, Lu Ye had found Su Yuqing to possess the demeanor of a formidable Sun-Gazing cultivator, so he wasn't worried about this summons.

He gracefully rose into the air and flew towards Immortal Spirit Peak.

A moment later, they were once again sitting opposite each other in the grand hall.

Su Yuqing looked at him with a helpless expression. "If I gave you another chance to choose, would you change your mind?" Lu Ye honestly shook his head.

Su Yuqing's phoenix eyes flashed with anger. "What's wrong with Haitang? In terms of cultivation, she's one minor realm higher than you. In terms of talent, she's also highly remarkable and is sure to advance to the Moon-Gazing realm in the future. Furthermore, my disciple has excellent physique and looks. Why do you not fancy her?"

Lu Ye sincerely replied, "Senior Sister Haitang is excellent; it's not that I don't fancy her. It's simply that there are certain things I cannot do, and if I were to do them, my conscience would surely trouble me."

Su Yuqing snorted coldly. "The Black Abyss Martial Arts Competition is the most critical event for our main realm; everything else must yield to it. If you don't agree, then I will use force!"

"Senior," Lu Ye said, "a melon twisted off the vine isn't sweet." "I don't care if it's sweet or not," she retorted, "as long as it quenches thirst!"

Lu Ye was speechless. He had previously thought Su Yuqing was quite reasonable, but now it seemed that any woman, no matter how high her cultivation, could have her unreasonable moments.

"But Senior," Lu Ye continued, "even if you manage to send me into the Black Abyss, how can you guarantee that I will truly do my utmost?"

Su Yuqing's expression deepened; this was indeed her biggest headache. She had considered using force before, but if she did, Lu Ye would undoubtedly harbor resentment and merely go through the motions or slack off in the Black Abyss. In that case, it would be better to send another Stellar-level cultivator who would at least fight with all their might.

Her tone softened slightly. "Are you truly so unwilling?" she asked. Lu Ye replied earnestly, "It's not that I'm unwilling, but that I truly cannot!"

"What if you don't have to be responsible for Haitang?" Su Yuqing asked again. "After the competition, you can do whatever you want; just pretend Haitang doesn't exist."

Lu Ye shook his head. "That would be far too unfair to Senior Sister Haitang. Senior, no master would do such a thing!"

The powerful aura of a Sun-Gazing cultivator surged forth, and the entire hall seemed to freeze. Su Yuqing stared at Lu Ye. "Are you lecturing me?" she demanded.

Lu Ye felt his bones creak throughout his body, and his upright posture involuntarily hunched over. Gritting his teeth, he spoke word by word: "I wouldn't dare. It's just that I always thought Senior was a good master, but now it seems one can only know a person's face, not their heart!"

"How dare you!"

Lu Ye's body hunched even lower, his forehead nearly touching the ground. Yet, he stubbornly held on, his face flushed and veins bulging. "Speak what should be spoken," he insisted, "and do what can be done. If there is injustice in the world, what harm is there in being impudent, even as an ant?"

The vast, oppressive pressure gradually dissipated, and Lu Ye slowly straightened his body. He looked at Su Yuqing with bloodshot eyes, not from emotional turmoil, but because his eyes were strained and reddened by the overwhelming pressure she had exerted.

Su Yuqing's anger and fierce expression vanished. Instead, she looked at him with a half-smile. "Do you know that the more you act like this," she said, "the more agreeable you become to me, and the more I wish for you and Haitang to be wed?"

Lu Ye's expression was helpless. "Senior, that's not fair," he said.

Su Yuqing sighed. "Ultimately, Haitang doesn't have this fortune. If you are unwilling, I won't force you!" "Thank you for your understanding, Senior," Lu Ye said, letting out a long breath. This matter... was it finally over?

However, Su Yuqing unexpectedly changed the subject. "Nevertheless, I still need your help for the Black Abyss Martial Arts Competition!"

Lu Ye frowned. "Senior, you just said you wouldn't force me. You can't go back on your word so quickly, can you?"

"Of course not!" Su Yuqing snorted coldly. As she spoke, she flipped her delicate hand, and a crystal-clear, lychee-sized spherical bead appeared in her palm.

Lu Ye focused his gaze on it but couldn't discern much about it. However, since it was something a Sun-Gazing cultivator had produced, it was certainly no ordinary item.

So he humbly asked, "Senior, what is this item?"