Chapter 1509: Blue Jade Realm

Winds of Jiuzhou

Furthermore, Lu Ye strongly suspected that the Samsara Tree knew he practiced a certain race's secret technique. This was because he had annihilated an entire race using that secret technique during the Divine Sea conflict in the Tai Chu Realm. Otherwise, with Lu Ye currently only at the Star Constellation stage, the Samsara Tree would have no reason to place its hopes on him. The Tai Chu Realm is a secret realm within the Samsara Tree; legend has it that it is the place where the Samsara Tree was born. Given the Samsara Tree's immense power, nothing happening within it could escape its perception.

“There's no time to lose. If you need no preparations, young friend, depart now. I await your triumphant return!” As it spoke, two green leaves suddenly floated down from the Samsara Tree. One drifted towards Lu Ye's hand, gently imprinting itself and quickly merging. Lu Ye immediately felt his previously expended Samsara Tree mark return. The other green leaf, just like ones he had seen before, glowed brightly as it floated, then transformed into a phantom image of the Samsara Tree, its branches intertwining to form a portal.

Lu Ye silently stepped into the portal. This time, Li Shang followed closely without any need for Lu Ye to beckon. With a single step, the world shifted.

Within a slightly dim realm, as Lu Ye materialized, he saw two tall figures standing before him. He looked up, curiously observing the two figures. Although he had received a general understanding of this realm from the Samsara Tree, including the races inhabiting it, Lu Ye had never actually seen them before.

The figure on the left looked somewhat familiar, like an ancient tree spirit. It bore traces of the Samsara Tree, with four limbs and facial features on its trunk, yet it also differed slightly from the Samsara Tree itself. This must be the Wood Spirit race! In the starry sky, there are Five-Element Spirits corresponding to Metal, Wood, Water, Fire, and Earth. They are collectively known as Spirit Races, but due to their distinct elemental attributes, each branch of the Spirit Race is quite different. Spirit Races are also extremely rare. Although not as rare as the Mermaid, Fairy, and Soul Races Lu Ye had encountered, their numbers are ultimately small compared to other races. However, regardless of the Spirit Race, they all possess a Spirit Core, which is similar in nature to a Star Beast's Crystal Core. But Spirit Cores are far more useful than Star Beast Crystal Cores; they greatly aid cultivators in their practice and in comprehending certain secret techniques, attracting the covetous gaze of many ill-intentioned individuals.

The figure standing next to the Wood Spirit was equally tall, but unlike the Wood Spirit, which resembled an ancient tree spirit, this one looked like a giant mushroom. It had a hemispherical cap on its head, whose jet-black color appeared incredibly sturdy, certainly no less robust than any defensive spirit treasure. Its body was straight and rotund, with two small, bean-like eyes where its facial features should be, making it look utterly comical. The Spore Race! This was a race Lu Ye had never seen, or even heard of before. Seeing them now, he couldn't help but marvel at the vastness of the starry sky, truly full of wonders. Though he had witnessed much in the Myriad Manifestation Sea, it was merely the tip of the iceberg of this immense cosmos.

Both the Wood Spirits and the Spore Race emanated auras comparable to the late Star Constellation stage. This realm was undoubtedly a large one, with abundant spiritual energy, otherwise, it wouldn't be capable of nurturing Star Constellation realm beings. According to the information provided by the Samsara Tree, this realm was one where the Wood Spirit and Spore Races coexisted, having lived peacefully there for tens of thousands of years. It wasn't until this invasion, which they struggled to withstand, that they were forced to send a plea to the Samsara Tree.

Lu Ye looked back and saw a Samsara Tree clone behind him. His ability to reach this place was clearly due to the clone's function. However, at this moment, all the leaves on the Samsara Tree clone had withered and turned yellow, falling off one by one. It was unknown how long it would take for it to recover its vitality, or if it would ever recover at all.

When Lu Ye appeared, both the Wood Spirit and Spore Race bowed in unison. The Wood Spirit spoke in a booming voice: “Mu He, Wood Spirit Clan Leader of the Lan Yu Realm, greets both fellow Daoists!” He then pointed to the Spore Race member beside him: “This is Black Umbrella, the Spore Clan Leader.” Black Umbrella also spoke: “Greetings, fellow Daoists!”

Lu Ye pondered for a moment: “Wushuang, Li Taibai!” Li Shang, behind him, remained silent, appearing like a loyal attendant.

Mu He's gaze went past Lu Ye to the Samsara Tree clone behind him. Seeing its withered state, he asked in surprise, “Are there only two of you this time?” Lu Ye nodded: “Yes, just the two of us.” Mu He seemed a little disappointed. He and Black Umbrella had used the Samsara Tree clone to send a request to the Samsara Tree, expecting it to dispatch powerful individuals. Instead, only two Star Constellation cultivators arrived, and even if they were both at the late Star Constellation stage, their impact in such a war would be extremely limited. Nevertheless, these were ultimately people sent by the Samsara Tree, and two extra helpers were better than none. Mu He dared not neglect them, and spoke again in his booming voice: “As you have just arrived, please settle in first, and then we can make further plans.”

Lu Ye raised a hand and said, “No need. Clan Leader, please explain the current situation to me in detail.” He naturally sensed the Wood Spirit's thoughts, but some things didn't require explanation; actions were always more persuasive than words. Furthermore, the Samsara Tree had specifically summoned him for help precisely because it valued his ability to counter the invading race's methods. If another race had invaded the Lan Yu Realm, Lu Ye alone might genuinely struggle to succeed. But if it was *that* particular race... then it was a different story. He intended to act quickly; he didn't have much time to waste here.

The Wood Spirit's brows, located on its trunk, furrowed slightly. However, it still cooperatively explained the current situation. While the Samsara Tree could hear the requests of the Wood Spirit and Spore Races through its clone remaining in this realm, and generally knew of its situation, the precise details of the current state of affairs were unclear to it.

After Mu He's explanation, Lu Ye discovered that the situation in the Lan Yu Realm was much better than he had imagined. He had originally thought that this realm, being invaded by that race, would surely be devastated and desolate. But in reality, the Wood Spirit and Spore Races had managed to construct a strong defensive line here, resisting the invaders' final push. This gathering place was also the last sanctuary for the two great races in the Lan Yu Realm. If the defenses of this sanctuary were breached, their fate would undoubtedly be enslavement and annihilation.

As Mu He explained, Lu Ye looked up to see white clouds pressing down from the sky, like thick wads of cotton. When he first arrived, he had thought they were just ordinary white clouds. But only after Mu He's explanation did he understand that they were not clouds at all; they were a technique unleashed by the Spore Race. What appeared to be white clouds were actually formed by countless tiny spores coalescing. It was precisely this defensive line, formed by these peculiar spores, that had halted the enemy's further incursions. Currently, this entire gathering place was tightly enveloped by the spore cloud. Unable to breach the spore cloud's protection, the enemies could only glare from outside. However, being trapped meant eventual losses. Realizing the bleak prospects, Mu He, along with Black Umbrella, had requested assistance from the Samsara Tree.

As Lu Ye observed, he occasionally saw one or two flashes of crimson within the dense spore cloud, but they quickly vanished without a trace. After Mu He finished speaking, he said no more. Lu Ye thought for a moment and said, “I'll go take a look. I'll also trouble both Clan Leaders to notify your respective divisions.” Mu He replied, “Fellow Daoist, please be careful. By no means leave the protective range of the spore cloud.”

Lu Ye nodded, then soared into the sky. Li Shang's figure flickered and followed, but soon vanished without a trace. Normally, if she vanished like that, Lu Ye would only be able to discern a faint trace by activating his Insight Spirit Mark to empower his eyes. But this time, even though she disappeared, she still voluntarily revealed a wisp of her aura to Lu Ye, allowing him to clearly sense her whereabouts. This was undoubtedly Li Shang's concern that he might misunderstand something.

Rushing into the spore cloud, Lu Ye immediately noticed the peculiar nature of these spores. They were incredibly tiny, almost imperceptible to the naked eye. Despite their minuteness, they gave off a very dangerous feeling. Lu Ye immediately understood that this spore cloud, formed by countless minute spores, was not merely for defense. If any invading enemy dared to delve deep within, they would undoubtedly be possessed by these spores. As for the consequences, Lu Ye did not know. This reminded him of Hua Ci. Hua Ci also cultivated mushrooms, and when those peculiar mushrooms shattered, countless spores would scatter, possessing mysterious and unpredictable powers.

Soon after entering the spore cloud, Lu Ye saw two tall figures standing side by side. Approaching them, Lu Ye realized they were a Wood Spirit and a Spore. At this moment, the Spore had one hand pressed against the Wood Spirit's body, power surging around it. It was unclear what profound technique it was employing, but remarkably, as the Spore's power was channeled, various sizes of mushrooms continuously grew on the Wood Spirit's body. They would then rupture, transforming into numerous spores that integrated into the spore cloud, increasing its volume. Lu Ye paused beside them for a while, finding it quite remarkable.

The Wood Spirit and Spore were also curiously observing Lu Ye. However, they had clearly received some information from their respective clan leaders, and they nodded at Lu Ye in a friendly manner, showing gratitude. For anyone daring to come to their aid at such a critical juncture, whether human or otherwise, the Wood Spirit and Spore would not withhold their respect and gratitude. Lu Ye also nodded in acknowledgment, encouraging them, “Hold on a little longer!” He could tell that both the Wood Spirit and the Spore were greatly depleted; it was unknown how long they had been persevering there. Moreover, their cultivation levels were not high, only at the True Lake stage.

As he continued forward, he constantly encountered combinations of Spore and Wood Spirits. This spore cloud, covering the entire gathering place, was undoubtedly created in this manner. After countless years of coexistence, the two great races had become indistinguishable, and this method of jointly resisting enemies had long become second nature to them.