Chapter 1492: Guessing

Tang Jun, being a magic cultivator, greatly valued magic treasures. For instance, if he had a seal-like magic treasure, similar to the one wielded by the woman who attacked today, dealing with Nan Xingzhen would have been significantly easier.

While Tang Jun possessed magic treasures, his origins from Qingli Daojie meant they were far from top-tier. By the Starry Sky's grading system for magic treasures, both of his items were below three-star, making them quite inferior.

Lu Ye, currently only a Star Constellation cultivator, couldn't discern the grade of the Moon Yao woman's seal, but he believed it was definitely above three-star; otherwise, it wouldn't possess such strange and powerful abilities.

As the sole Moon Yao cultivator on Wushuang Island, Tang Jun represents its combat strength. If he could become stronger, he would be better equipped to handle more complex and dangerous situations in the future.

Without these considerations, Lu Ye would never have given him a million spirit jades.

"Where did you make your fortune, kid?" Tang Jun asked, his expression excited. A million spirit jades was no small sum; not even a minor faction might have that much readily available.

"Consider it a loan," Lu Ye said, looking at him. "Remember to pay me back when you have it."

Tang Jun chuckled softly, feigning deafness. When Lu Ye had previously asked him for travel expenses, there was no mention of borrowing. Once spirit jades were in his hands, there was no way he'd return them!

On the other hand, if he truly used these spirit jades to acquire two decent magic treasures, his personal strength would undoubtedly improve significantly. Then, should he encounter Nan Xingzhen again, it would be much clearer who held the upper hand.

"You're a good kid," Tang Jun declared. "I'll accept this gesture of filial piety. In the future, as long as I live on this Myriad Manifestations Sea, I will guarantee your safety!"

Tang Jun happily departed without delay, immediately setting off for Myriad Manifestations Island. He planned to follow Lu Ye's advice and acquire two decent magic treasures. With a million spirit jades and a bit more from his own reserves, he figured he could, with modest demands, barely afford two five-star treasures.

A major battle had just concluded, and the fate of Koi Island served as a cautionary tale. Therefore, it was unlikely anyone would target Wushuang Island again in the short term. Tang Jun's quiet departure presented no major issues, and he would return soon.

Not long after Tang Jun left, Chu Shen came over, sat in front of Lu Ye, and said, "Senior Brother, I'd like to go to Recruitment Island again to enlist more people."

Previously, Lu Ye had advised him against recruiting lower-strength Star Constellation cultivators, and he had heeded that advice. However, today was different; for Wushuang Island to truly grow, it undeniably needed more personnel.

At the very least, enough personnel were needed to maintain the grand array's operation. In today's battle, the defensive grand array on the island couldn't even utilize thirty percent of its power, solely due to insufficient personnel.

"You're from Cheling Realm," Lu Ye said. "Do you have anyone trustworthy from Cheling Realm or the Myriad Manifestations Star System itself?"

Chu Shen shook his head, smiling wryly. "To be honest, Senior Brother, before I became a Star Constellation cultivator, I always cultivated diligently within the Wanxia Sect and rarely left, so I don't know many people. While there are some trustworthy senior brothers and sisters in Wanxia Sect, most of them are cultivating on other spirit islands, and even if invited, they might not be willing to come."

Lu Ye nodded, understanding this to be the truth.

Cultivators like those from Koi Island, perhaps from a realm within another star system, had no suitable place to settle on the Myriad Manifestations Sea, so they sought to seize Wushuang Island upon seeing its appeal. However, for the Wanxia Sect, a native realm sect with Jiu Yan presiding over it, occupying a spirit island was naturally quite easy.

The spirit islands they occupied were undoubtedly superior to Wushuang Island's current state. Chu Shen inviting them would be tantamount to asking for their help, and with his prior agreement with Jiu Yan, not only might those individuals be unwilling to come, but Chu Shen himself was also disinclined to do so.

"Then we'll just have to spread the word," Lu Ye said.

"I was thinking the same," Chu Shen replied. "In this vast Myriad Manifestations Sea, countless Star Constellation cultivators lack a place to settle, and even late-stage ones are abundant. Today's battle has certainly established Wushuang Island's prestige. If we spread the word, many people will surely come to join! But don't worry, Senior Brother, I will screen them strictly to ensure no one with ulterior motives enters Wushuang Island."

With a place like Zhongzheng Island available, Chu Shen could examine the past records of these cultivators on its Zhongzheng Register. By reviewing their backgrounds, he could understand their character and conduct. As long as he maintained strict control, recruiting some outsiders wouldn't pose a significant problem.

"Since you have a plan, go ahead and do it," Lu Ye said, nodding. Then he suddenly remembered something. "What's the situation with Ban Ci?"

Speaking of which, prior to today, he had only met Ban Ci once, when she proactively visited shortly after arriving at Wushuang Island, then left, with no further interactions since. However, in today's battle, Ban Ci's performance was anything but ordinary for a Star Constellation cultivator.

Chu Shen scratched his head. "I'm not very clear about Senior Sister Ban Ci's background. She was recruited by Lucky Star from Recruitment Island and came with Elder Tang at the time."

"Together?" Lu Ye frowned.

"It was just a coincidence," Chu Shen explained. "When Elder Tang went to Recruitment Island, Lucky Star had just finalized arrangements with Ban Ci. Senior Brother, do you think there's something amiss with her?"

Lu Ye shook his head. "I'm just curious. With her strength and profound background, she should rightfully be listed on the Accumulation Ranking, but her name isn't there."

"It is strange indeed!" Chu Shen agreed. "But Senior Brother, she should bear no ill will. As you saw in today's battle, if you hadn't intervened in time, her life might have been in peril."

"That's precisely what I'm curious about."

She was merely recruited, receiving a modest monthly stipend. For Ban Ci, Wushuang Island was just a temporary haven. Was it truly necessary for her to fight with such desperation?

After some thought, Lu Ye asked, "Is there someone like this in your Cheling Realm?"

Chu Shen, not unintelligent, immediately made a connection. "Senior Brother, are you suggesting... Senior Sister Ban Ci was sent by my mother?"

If not, there would be no explanation for Ban Ci's actions.

"But I've never seen this person my entire life."

"She might not necessarily be from Cheling Realm..." Lu Ye mused thoughtfully.

Perhaps she's a cultivator from another realm within the Myriad Manifestations Star System. Given Jiu Yan's status, it wouldn't be difficult to find a Star Constellation cultivator unknown to Chu Shen to protect him.

However, Ban Ci's performance today was astonishing. For a Star Constellation cultivator to forcefully hold a Moon Yao cultivator at bay—even Lu Ye admitted he couldn't do it. Of course, Ban Ci ultimately paid a considerable price.

From this, it's clear that Ban Ci is no ordinary individual. Her absence from the Accumulation Ranking strongly suggests she used an alias, or "Ban Ci" itself is an alias.

While Lu Ye and Chu Shen were discussing, Poke and Ghost also gathered.

Ghost spoke with a serious expression. "Old Poke, did you feel it?"

Poke leisurely sipped his wine, his mischievous eyes darting towards the sisters Cai Yue and Cai Xing as they walked by nearby.

Hearing Ghost's words, Poke didn't turn his head, casually asking, "What?"

"Don't you think Li Taibai strongly resembles someone?"

"Like whom?" Poke asked, seemingly lost in thought.

"Think carefully, who does he resemble? Don't you feel anything at all?"

"Yes, I do!" Poke said with a smile. "Straight and slender, and it's rare to see twins. They're almost carved from the same mold; I can barely tell them apart!"

Ghost grabbed Poke's head with one hand, forcibly turning it. Exasperated, he said, "What are you looking at? What's so interesting? Look at me; I'm talking to you!"

"I can't tear my eyes away," Poke said. "Just say it, I'm listening."

Ghost was furious. "How can you not tear your eyes away? Are they forcing you to look?"

Poke's gaze slowly turned back, and with a look of yearning, he said, "No, I just want to look!"

Ghost was bewildered, not knowing what he was talking about. He sighed and said, "Did you hear what I said?!"

Poke took another sip of wine. "You want to say that Brother Taibai resembles Fa Wuzun, right?"

"Don't you think so?" Ghost's expression was solemn.

"Not just similar; they're practically the same person!"

If it were anyone else, the resemblance might not be so striking. But they had all previously formed an array with Fa Wuzun to confront General Dry Bones. That battle had been incredibly arduous for the three of them, an unforgettable experience. Today, while forming an array, the feeling was especially clear.

"But they are precisely not the same person!"

Poke frowned, "How can you be so sure?"

Ghost sighed and said, "I previously contacted Fa Wuzun using a sound transmission in front of Li Taibai, and I received a reply."

Poke was greatly surprised. "They're really not the same person? I thought Brother Taibai was Fa Wuzun!" After a moment's thought, he added, "If they're not, then they're not. What does it matter?"

With so many Star Constellation cultivators on the Myriad Manifestations Sea, it wasn't strange for two individuals to bear a strong resemblance.

"It's useless talking to you!" Ghost angrily departed. Unable to disclose matters concerning Fa Wuzun and the Merman territory, he could only stew in silence.

Wushuang Island recently saw an influx of Star Constellation cultivators seeking to pledge allegiance, as its island master, Chu Shen, had spread word that Wushuang Island, being newly established, was seeking to recruit talented individuals.

For cultivators from various star systems who lacked a place to settle, this was undoubtedly a very attractive prospect.

Especially since Wushuang Island was a Spirit Island! In such a place, cultivators would be willing to join even without a monthly stipend.

For the Star Constellation cultivators who came to join, Chu Shen personally received them, inquiring about their origins. He then instructed Lucky Star, who remained on Zhongzheng Island, to check their records in the Zhongzheng Register.

Those who were suitable were retained, while anyone with a blemish on their record was rejected without exception.

Not only did Star Constellation cultivators come to join, but several Moon Yao cultivators were also attracted.

Chu Shen politely declined the Moon Yao cultivators who sought to join.

Firstly, if a Moon Yao harbored ill intentions, it would be difficult to guard against them, so the best approach was to not accept any.

Secondly, any faction on the Myriad Manifestations Sea had a limited quota for Moon Yao cultivators. If Wushuang Island accepted an outsider Moon Yao, it would occupy one of these slots, meaning their own cultivators, if they advanced to Moon Yao in the future, might have to seek opportunities elsewhere.

Chu Shen knew that both Poke and Ghost were close to becoming Moon Yao cultivators. Naturally, Wushuang Island's Moon Yao quotas had to be reserved for its own people.