Chapter 1522: Long Yun Star System

Lu Ye flashed out of the cave. Tang Jun was waiting outside, his expression solemn. Seeing Lu Ye appear, he gestured, "Let's go."

Lu Ye conjured a starship and stepped aboard. Tang Jun piloted the vessel, quickly leaving the Myriad Manifestations Sea and flying in a specific direction.

After flying for over half a month, the star-filled sky suddenly became bustling. A large number of cultivators were gathering in the same direction, which happened to be where Tang Jun and Lu Ye were headed.

"What's happening?" Lu Ye asked, looking around with some curiosity.

Tang Jun shook his head. "I'm not sure, but it's definitely not a bad thing." Cultivators are a pragmatic bunch; they don't move without profit. Such a large-scale gathering likely indicates some kind of benefit.

The further they went, the livelier it became ahead. It was hard to tell where so many cultivators had appeared from.

A few more days passed, and the entrance to a wormhole appeared ahead. From a distance, a long queue stretched before the wormhole. Many cultivators were also emerging from the wormhole, entering the Myriad Manifestations Star System.

Lu Ye frowned. "Old Tang, is that the wormhole leading to the Longcloud Star System?" According to the star map given to him by the Reincarnation Tree, if he wanted to return to the Nine Provinces from the Myriad Manifestations Star System, he would need to pass through two star systems, the first being the Longcloud Star System. The Longcloud Star System was connected to the Myriad Manifestations Star System by a wormhole, making travel very convenient.

However, wormholes in each star system were guarded by powerful cultivators from that system. Without connections, free passage was impossible, so Lu Ye had to ask Tang Jun to find a way. Fortunately, the Longcloud Star System had a cooperative relationship with Unrivaled Island, with two Longcloud Star System shops located there. Tang Jun had some dealings with a Longcloud Light Illumination cultivator, so it wouldn't be a problem for him to arrange Lu Ye's entry. But now, it seemed Lu Ye wasn't the only one wanting to enter the Longcloud Star System; there were many others. And the Light Illumination cultivator guarding the wormhole entrance in the Longcloud Star System didn't seem to be stopping them... This was a bit strange.

As they got closer, they realized that all cultivators wishing to enter the Longcloud Star System had to pay a certain amount of Spirit Jade, and the price was steep: five thousand Spirit Jade per person! For an average Constellation Realm cultivator, five thousand Spirit Jade was a considerable sum. Lu Ye himself had once painstakingly fished out a White Spirit, which was only worth about three to four thousand Spirit Jade.

Tang Jun put away his starship and led Lu Ye directly towards a Light Illumination cultivator standing by the wormhole.

"Brother Tang!" the Light Illumination cultivator exclaimed upon seeing Tang Jun, quickly cupping his hands in greeting.

Tang Jun returned the greeting and approached the cultivator, asking curiously, "Brother Zhang, what's going on? Why are so many people trying to enter your Longcloud Star System?"

The Light Illumination cultivator surnamed Zhang chuckled. "Brother Tang, you might not know, but the Great Wheel of Fortune has suddenly appeared in our Longcloud Star System. Once the news spread, it turned into this."

Tang Jun was startled. "The Great Wheel of Fortune?" He then sighed. "Your star system is truly blessed; for such a divine object to appear, it seems you're destined for wealth!"

The Light Illumination cultivator surnamed Zhang laughed heartily. "Just luck, just luck. We never expected such a thing. The enthusiasm of fellow cultivators from all directions is too high to obstruct them, so we can only charge a small transit fee and let them seek their own fortunes." As he spoke, he looked at Lu Ye, who was standing beside Tang Jun. "This must be your junior, Brother Tang?"

Tang Jun nodded. "An unpromising nephew who wants to gain some experience, but for some reason, he's set on visiting your Longcloud Star System. But don't worry, Brother Zhang, though this lad's strength isn't much, he's not one to cause trouble and certainly won't inconvenience your star system."

Lu Ye, showing no change in expression, stepped forward and bowed. "Greetings, Senior Zhang!"

The Light Illumination cultivator surnamed Zhang smiled slightly. "Since you're Brother Tang's associate, the transit fee is waived. Take this token when you enter the Longcloud Star System. If anyone questions your origin, simply present this token." As he spoke, he handed Lu Ye a token. Lu Ye thanked him and took it.

The Light Illumination cultivator surnamed Zhang added, "It's a rare opportunity, young friend. You might as well try your luck at the Great Wheel of Fortune; perhaps something good will happen."

Tang Jun cupped his hands. "Then I'll escort him over first. We won't disturb you further."

"Brother Tang, please proceed!" the Light Illumination cultivator surnamed Zhang gestured.

The two moved to the side, and Tang Jun transmitted a message. "You're a lucky lad, running into the Great Wheel of Fortune. If I had known, I wouldn't have needed to use this favor." He paused briefly. "Do you know what the Great Wheel of Fortune is?"

"I've heard of it," Lu Ye nodded. He had seen records of it in the Breath Abyss Pavilion of the Minikin race, and because it was quite interesting, he remembered it vividly.

Strictly speaking, the Great Wheel of Fortune is a Supreme Star Relic, but unlike most, it isn't fixed in one location. Instead, it sometimes vanishes and sometimes appears, with no predictable pattern for its location or timing. Since the Myriad Manifestations Sea has many wormholes connecting to various star systems, cultivators there often receive news immediately when the Great Wheel of Fortune appears, allowing them to rush to its location.

The star systems where the Great Wheel of Fortune appears generally act like the Longcloud Star System is doing now: they don't obstruct cultivators from entering. To truly block them would surely incur public wrath. Instead, they charge a certain amount of Spirit Jade as a transit fee, which allows them to earn a significant amount of Spirit Jade. Essentially, a single appearance of the Great Wheel of Fortune can earn a star system at least several hundred million Spirit Jade. Such a vast sum is no small amount anywhere. The "Fortune" in "Great Wheel of Fortune" comes precisely from this, as its appearance brings good fortune to the star system where it manifests.

However, if cultivators participate, it might not only bring good fortune but also misfortune... It's entirely a matter of luck; no one can predict the outcome.

"If you know about it, I won't say much more," Tang Jun said. "You can participate in this; it won't take too much time anyway."

"Understood." Lu Ye nodded. "Then I'll go. Please take care, Senior."

"Go!" Tang Jun waved his hand. He also wanted to try his luck at the Great Wheel of Fortune to see if he could gain something. However, the Longcloud Star System clearly wouldn't just let a Light Illumination cultivator enter their system casually. If they opened that door, many Light Illumination cultivators would surely come, and the Longcloud Star System wouldn't be able to suppress them. So, they could only allow Constellation Realm cultivators to enter.

Lu Ye turned and headed for the wormhole. He didn't need to queue; the wormhole was large enough for people to enter and exit simultaneously, so he just needed to find an unoccupied spot to go in. Silently, the surroundings became fantastical and kaleidoscopic. By the time Lu Ye regained his footing, he had already arrived in the Longcloud Star System. There were also Light Illumination cultivators from Longcloud stationed here, so despite the large number of cultivators arriving, no one dared to cause trouble.

There was no need to ask for the location of the Great Wheel of Fortune; he just needed to follow the flow of people. Lu Ye summoned his own starship and flew forward with the crowd. Li Shang, having exited her soul-attachment state, quietly stood beside him. Although there were many cultivators nearby, they were all in the Constellation Realm, so there was no worry of her being discovered. Everyone was eagerly rushing in one direction, and the journey was peaceful.

After only five days, a massive bronze disc suddenly appeared ahead, standing majestically in the starry sky. The disc was grand and ancient, yet it looked battered and worn, like something that had endured countless battles. It was hard to imagine what kind of brutal combat such a Supreme Star Relic had been through to end up in such a state. There had been Radiant Sun Realm powerhouses who tried to subdue it, but throughout history, no Radiant Sun Realm cultivator had ever succeeded. After all, no matter how dilapidated it appeared, a Supreme Star Relic was still a Supreme Star Relic, not something easily tamed.

Many cultivators had gathered near the bronze disc, mostly Constellation Realm cultivators. There were also the auras of several Light Illumination Realm powerhouses, positioned in four directions, likely Light Illumination cultivators from the Longcloud Star System, guarding the area. Continuously, cultivators from various directions entered the bronze disc and vanished, while others emerged from it. Some wore joyful expressions, having clearly gained benefits inside the disc. Others shook their heads and sighed, presumably having obtained nothing.

This was still considered good. When Lu Ye arrived, he saw a cultivator emerge from the disc, covered in soot, looking utterly terrified. He had no idea what the person had encountered inside. Immediately after, a thunderous crack echoed, and a purple lightning bolt suddenly materialized above the cultivator's head, striking directly down at him. That cultivator, who was at the late Constellation Realm, roared and activated a protective spirit treasure above his head. But the purple lightning, with just one strike, shattered the protective spirit treasure. A second thunderous crack sounded as another purple bolt descended. The cultivator's face paled, and he swiftly darted towards a nearby Light Illumination cultivator, shouting, "Senior, save me!" The Light Illumination cultivator merely observed with cold indifference. The purple lightning struck, and the cultivator staggered, looking even more dishevelled. He spat out a mouthful of blood, his aura becoming extremely weak. Though not dead, his injuries were clearly severe, and it was unclear how long it would take for him to recover. The person didn't linger, forcing himself to gather his strength and flee into the distance, quickly disappearing from sight.

The numerous cultivators nearby watched with sympathy...

Entering the Great Wheel of Fortune wasn't about strength; it was entirely about luck. Good luck might bring benefits, but bad luck, like the fate of the person just now, could be considered fortunate; worse outcomes could lead to losing one's life. As for what benefits the Great Wheel of Fortune offered... no one knew, because those who gained advantages concealed them, unwilling to let others see. However, it was said that some people had obtained spirit treasures perfectly suited to them.

Lu Ye didn't expect to gain significant benefits. A piece of Phoenix Sky Azure Crystal would be ideal. Last time, Ban Ci had asked him to accompany her to a secret realm, promising Phoenix Sky Azure Crystal as compensation, but after the accident, that plan fell through, and Lu Ye hadn't seen Ban Ci since.

After observing for a while, Lu Ye noticed many unlucky individuals: some were struck by lightning, others burned by fire, and some emerged from the disc with a layer of black smoke clinging to them, looking as if bad luck surrounded them. He couldn't tell what they had encountered.