Chapter 1545: 华晟

Both Lu Ye and Li Shang knew the little girl couldn't be an ordinary person. She possessed her own Spirit Sea and could physically traverse the starry sky, which meant she had to be at least a Star Host realm cultivator. Furthermore, her ability to preserve her soul and spiritual body from the Soul Devouring Aphids' erosion suggested her cultivation was likely far beyond just the Star Host realm. Yet, her physical body showed no signs of cultivation, which was very strange.

Lu Ye personally stepped forward to examine her and found that it was exactly as Li Shang had described. For a moment, the two of them in the room stared blankly at each other, utterly bewildered.

The condition of the little girl's body was secondary; the real problem was that she, for reasons unknown, had mistaken them for her parents.

After a moment of thought, Lu Ye said, "This girl is all yours. I don't know how to take care of children!"

"Neither do I!" Li Shang retorted, looking at him.

Lu Ye persuaded, "Just take care of her casually. Besides, she's not an ordinary child. Her true age might even be greater than ours combined. She's just disoriented right now, behaving a bit like a child."

Li Shang gave him a resentful look.

Suddenly, Lu Ye picked up a communication talisman, sensed its message briefly, and declared, "I'm going out to visit the Moon-Blessed cultivator of this realm." With that, he quickly made his escape.

Du Lang had sent a message, informing him that his master had agreed to an audience and asking if Lu Ye was free. If so, Du Lang would take him there immediately.

Arriving at the agreed location, Lu Ye found Du Lang already waiting. The two then flew together in one direction. On the way, Lu Ye asked Du Lang for the name of his Moon-Blessed master and learned it was Hua Sheng.

A short while later, they arrived in front of a grand hall. Without needing an announcement, Du Lang directly led Lu Ye inside. Inside the spacious hall, only one figure sat cross-legged, emanating a profound aura. Lu Ye looked up and saw that Hua Sheng appeared very old, with white hair and beard, and his face covered in wrinkles. Lu Ye knew in his heart that this elder, like Tang Jun, likely didn't have much lifespan left, and his condition seemed even more severe than Tang Jun's. Tang Jun, at least, had previously acquired an Everlasting Fruit, which significantly extended his lifespan, giving him perhaps a few more centuries to live. This elder, however, looked like he wouldn't live much longer.

Du Lang led Lu Ye forward and respectfully announced, "Master, Brother Lu Yiye has arrived!"

Lu Ye also bowed respectfully, saying, "Lu Yiye of Nine Heavens greets Senior Hua!"

Hua Sheng's face broke into a gentle smile as he sized up Lu Ye. He saw that, just as Du Lang had reported, this young man who had shone brightly at the Reincarnation Tree had indeed reached the late Star Host realm. Though his expression remained calm, inwardly, Hua Sheng was astonished. Such a cultivation speed was unheard of! This suggested not only that Lu Ye had the backing of a supreme powerhouse but also that his own talent was exceptional; otherwise, he couldn't have achieved such immense growth in such a short time. Furthermore, based on Du Lang's previous reports, Lu Yiye wasn't merely a cultivator with high cultivation; he possessed formidable strength that matched his realm.

"Young friend, please don't be so formal. Have a seat and let's talk," Hua Sheng said, gesturing with his hand, his smile becoming even more amiable.

Lu Ye courteously sat on a nearby meditation cushion.

"My unworthy disciple was fortunate to be rescued by you earlier, and I am immensely grateful," Hua Sheng began slowly.

Lu Ye quickly replied, "Senior, you're too kind. Brother Du Lang and I are old acquaintances. It was only natural for me to help if I could; it's nothing significant. Moreover, Brother Du Lang also gave me some good things back in the Primordial Realm."

Hua Sheng clearly knew about the past events. He stroked his beard and smiled, "Mere Jade-Eating Ants cannot be compared to a life-saving grace." He then turned to Du Lang, "Never forget a life-saving kindness. It's rare that Young Friend Lu doesn't mind your low strength. You should cultivate a good relationship with him in the future."

Du Lang quickly nodded in agreement.

The subsequent conversation lacked much substantive content. Hua Sheng had initially assumed Lu Ye's visit was merely a matter of courtesy, so he spoke on casual topics. However, after chatting for a while, Lu Ye suddenly said, "Senior, actually, I came here with a request."

Hua Sheng smiled faintly, "Young friend, feel free to state your request. If I can help, I certainly won't refuse." Aside from Lu Ye saving his disciple, Hua Sheng also didn't mind fostering a good relationship with Lu Ye because of the supreme powerhouse behind him.

Lu Ye pondered for a moment. Instead of stating his request, he asked, "Senior, have you heard of the Myriad Manifestations Star System?"

Hua Sheng paused at the question, then nodded, "When I was young, I also traveled the starry sky, so naturally, I've heard of the Myriad Manifestations Star System. It's said to be considered the central star system of the starry sky."

Du Lang was clearly unaware of the Myriad Manifestations Star System. He asked curiously, "Central star system? Master, does that mean the Myriad Manifestations Star System is at the very center of the entire starry sky?"

Hua Sheng smiled, "This 'central star system' doesn't refer to its geographical location. I don't know if the Myriad Manifestations Star System is truly at the absolute center of the starry sky, but it's called the central star system because it contains many wormholes connecting to thousands or even tens of thousands of other star systems in all directions. Cultivators from all these star systems can enter Myriad Manifestations through these wormholes. The prosperity there is unimaginable, though unfortunately, I never had the chance to witness it."

Du Lang was astounded to hear that a single star system could possess wormholes connecting to thousands or tens of thousands of other star systems. Such a scene was indeed hard to imagine.

Hua Sheng offered a brief explanation to his disciple, then looked at Lu Ye, asking curiously, "My disciple said you are from the Jade Snail Star System. Is that not correct?"

Lu Ye replied, "I am indeed from Jade Snail, but I came here from the Myriad Manifestations Star System."

At this statement, Hua Sheng showed a surprised expression, "You came from the Myriad Manifestations Star System?"

Lu Ye nodded, "That's right!"

Hua Sheng clearly realized something and became faintly excited, "May I ask how long your journey here took, young friend?" He knew the time couldn't have been too long, as he had seen Lu Ye at the Reincarnation Tree just a few years prior.

"Exactly one year!"

Hua Sheng was greatly astonished and blurted out, "One year?"

Du Lang, beside him, also showed an expression of disbelief. Although one year wasn't a short period, it was negligible for space travel. He recalled that it had taken them half a year just to return from the Barren Star Territory. Didn't this mean that before they met Lu Ye, he had only been traveling through space for half a year? Could the Myriad Manifestations Star System be so close to Boundless?

After his initial shock, Hua Sheng suddenly shook his head, "Impossible. When I was young, I inquired about the location of the Myriad Manifestations Star System. It's incredibly far from our Boundless realm; reaching it in one year is absolutely impossible..." As he spoke, he seemed to suddenly realize something, "...unless there's a newly formed stable wormhole!"

Lu Ye replied, "I did indeed use a wormhole, but it wasn't a newly formed one; it was a wormhole that had existed for a long time."

"Where is that wormhole located?" Hua Sheng grew excited. As an old Moon-Blessed cultivator who had lived for thousands of years, his mind was usually as calm as an ancient well. Yet, at this moment, he couldn't suppress his surging emotions. If it were truly possible to reach the Myriad Manifestations Star System in such a short time, it would be an excellent path forward for the entire Crimson Sky.

"It's in the Barren Star Territory," Lu Ye replied.

Hua Sheng thought, 'Just as expected.' Du Lang had met Lu Ye in the Barren Star Territory, and Lu Ye had only taken so little time to travel from the Myriad Manifestations Star System. If there was a wormhole, it would certainly be in the Barren Star Territory. However, the Barren Star Territory was a place often visited by Star Host cultivators from these four star systems, yet no one had ever reported finding a wormhole there. This was indeed strange.

"Young friend, could you tell me the exact location of that wormhole?" Hua Sheng looked at Lu Ye with a sincere expression. Lu Ye had come to see him and had proactively mentioned the Myriad Manifestations Star System and the wormhole. From Hua Sheng's perspective, Lu Ye probably wouldn't refuse to tell him more details.

Lu Ye indeed had no intention of concealing it, as such information couldn't be kept secret anyway. Furthermore, he needed help from the Boundless Star System, and whether he entered the Long Cloud Star System or reached the Myriad Manifestations Star System later, there would be times when Boundless would need his help. Therefore, it was best for both sides to cooperate with sincerity for a win-win outcome. Among other things, once his fleet entered the Long Cloud Star System in the future, Lu Ye would first need to greet the powerhouses there. Otherwise, so many cultivators suddenly entering their star system might be considered an invasion, and it would be bad if a misunderstanding led to a conflict. The Long Cloud Star System was not weak in strength.

Just as Lu Ye was about to speak, Hua Sheng raised a hand to stop him, frowning in thought for a moment. "Young friend, you don't have to tell me yet!"

Lu Ye looked at him, puzzled. Hua Sheng had asked first, and now he said there was no need to tell him. Lu Ye didn't understand what he was thinking.

As if sensing his thoughts, Hua Sheng gave a wry smile. "Young friend, you should be aware of the current situation in Crimson Sky. It is currently somewhat dependent on the Boundless Realm. If I were to know the passage to the Myriad Manifestations Star System, it would be difficult for me to keep it private. I would have to report it to the Sun-Blazed cultivators in the Boundless Realm. So, it's better not to know." He paused, then continued, "Young friend, I have a favor to ask of you."

Lu Ye nodded, "Senior, please speak."

"If, one day, young friend, you return to Myriad Manifestations, could you help me take some people with you? No more than ten, and all of them Star Host cultivators!"

Lu Ye replied, "Senior, I am indeed going back to Myriad Manifestations, but I must first return to my homeland. My journey from the Myriad Manifestations Star System just happened to pass through this place."

Hua Sheng mused, "So, young friend, you intend to return to your homeland and then take a group of people to Myriad Manifestations?"

Lu Ye nodded, "Therefore, if Senior wishes for me to take some people, it's certainly no problem, but it will require some time."

"There's no hurry," Hua Sheng said. "When you return, simply take our Crimson Sky Star Hosts with you." As he spoke, he finally realized Lu Ye's true purpose for coming to see him. "Young friend, you wish to meet with Boundless's Sun-Blazed cultivators, don't you?"

Before, he had simply assumed he was finding a way out for the younger generation of his own realm. Only now did he truly understand Lu Ye's actual intention. This was because if Lu Ye genuinely intended to bring people from his homeland and then pass through Boundless, he would first need permission from Boundless.