Chapter 1548: You want some?

Before the starship even neared Wuding, Lu Ye noticed someone secretly observing from a distance. It seemed Kang Cheng had reported his recent encounter after escaping back to Wuding, putting the region on high alert.

The scouts were Moonfall cultivators, making Hua Sheng inwardly groan. He could only pray that everything would proceed smoothly. If negotiations failed and they turned hostile, regardless of Lu Ye's outcome, Scarlet Sky would undoubtedly face difficult times ahead.

Scarlet Sky was already in a precarious position, forced to rely on Wuding for its very existence. If it were also branded with the crime of colluding with the enemy, its cultivators would have no future.

They continued forward until they reached the vicinity of Wuding Realm's airspace, where a line of figures blocked their path. The leader was indeed Kang Cheng.

His face was somewhat pale, clearly indicating recent injuries. However, his shattered arm had already regenerated, which wasn't a difficult feat for a Moonfall cultivator, merely requiring a certain cost.

Besides Kang Cheng, there were five other Moonfall cultivators, both male and female, all exuding powerful auras that highlighted Wuding's formidable strength.

This was clearly not the entirety of Wuding's Moonfall cultivators.

On the way, Lu Ye and Hua Sheng had inquired about Wuding Realm's power, learning that Wuding had a total of three Sunlit cultivators. However, two of them were constantly traveling and rarely revealed their whereabouts, leaving only one Sunlit, the realm master named Jiang Shang, residing within the realm.

The starship piloted by Hua Sheng stopped about ten miles away from the Moonfall cultivators, a distance easily covered by them.

Gazing at the opposing lineup, Hua Sheng was secretly nervous, unsure of Wuding's true stance. He exchanged a glance with Lu Ye, and both stepped out of the starship.

Ya Ya had already woken up and was riding on Lu Ye's neck, her hands gripping his hair. With a leisurely expression, her short legs dangling in front of Lu Ye's chest.

All eyes instantly converged on the seemingly inconspicuous Ya Ya, as they evidently knew her identity as a Sunlit cultivator.

Led by Kang Cheng, the six Moonfall cultivators bowed in unison: "Your esteemed presence graces our humble realm. We welcome you, honored guest!"

Seeing this, Lu Ye raised an eyebrow, knowing that the situation was not developing negatively.

Even though Kang Cheng had lost an arm to Ya Ya earlier, he was the one who had offended first. If Ya Ya had wanted to take his life then, he would surely not have survived. Losing just an arm was a tremendous gain for him.

In this starry sky, offending a Sunlit cultivator carried severe consequences. Kang Cheng, a late-stage Moonfall, was reasonable enough not to dwell on such matters.

Furthermore, even if he harbored resentment and persuaded his realm's Sunlit to intervene, who could say who was stronger? Once Sunlit cultivators began to clash, it wouldn't be easy to stop. No one wanted to witness Sunlit powerhouses fighting in this star system.

Given these considerations, Kang Cheng could only pretend that the previous incident hadn't happened. As for whether the Sunlit powerhouse, who looked like a child, would hold a grudge, Kang Cheng couldn't guess.

That's why Hua Sheng had been anxious these past few days, unsure of Wuding's attitude, but Kang Cheng was actually even more anxious.

Now that Wuding had shown its attitude, it was naturally Lu Ye's turn to respond.

Lu Ye understood, cupped his fist, and bowed: "Lu Yiye of Nine Heavens, greetings to all fellow daoists!"

In terms of age and cultivation, it would have been appropriate for him to call them seniors. However, he was representing Jade Snail on this trip, and even if his cultivation wasn't high, with Ya Ya, a Sunlit cultivator, present, he couldn't afford to diminish his own presence.

The Moonfall cultivators on the other side were slightly stunned by his words. One woman frowned and asked, "Lu Yiye of Nine Heavens? Are you the Lu Yiye who participated in the Divine Sea contention at the Reincarnation Tree a few years ago?"

Back then, even Scarlet Sky had participants in the Divine Sea contention, and Wuding naturally did as well. This woman was their leader. However, the Divine Sea cultivator she brought didn't survive, dying in the Grand Beginning Realm shortly after the contention began, which the woman deeply regretted.

She didn't leave immediately but waited until the Grand Beginning Realm closed. So, while others might not have known of Lu Yiye of Nine Heavens, she had heard of him.

After returning, she had even told her realm's Moonfall cultivators about it, astonishing everyone. After all, for an Eighth-Level Divine Sea cultivator to emerge as the top contender in such a competition was truly extraordinary.

"That's right!" Lu Ye replied, neither humbly nor arrogantly.

The woman scrutinized him, secretly shocked by the speed of Lu Ye's cultivation advancement, then somewhat relieved: "No wonder you could overpower Luo Shenzi."

As she spoke, her divine sense also surged, clearly transmitting a quiet message to the Moonfall cultivators beside her.

What astonished her during the Divine Sea contention was not just Lu Yiye of Nine Heavens' performance, but also the powerful individual who brought him. Others might only have realized Yang Qing's extraordinary strength, but due to her own bloodline, the woman could subtly sense Yang Qing's terrifying power.

Her current revelation made the expressions of the surrounding Moonfall cultivators grow even more solemn.

Kang Cheng was filled with profound regret. That day, after hearing about Xu Dingyang's encounter, he had foolishly assumed Lu Ye was a promising talent and intended to recruit him to Wuding Realm for cultivation, hoping to pit him against Luo Shenzi. He never imagined Lu Ye had such a terrifying background.

If he had known earlier, Kang Cheng would never have dared to act that way.

As it stood, this Lu Yiye of Nine Heavens had at least two Sunlit cultivators backing him: one who had brought him to the Reincarnation Tree, and the little girl currently riding on his shoulder.

This was what they knew; who knew if there were even more? That Nine Heavens Realm must be an exceptionally formidable top-tier realm.

How could Wuding possibly covet such a person? Forcibly keeping him might invite disaster upon themselves.

Already hesitant due to Ya Ya's presence, Wuding dared not act rashly. Now, after the woman's secret message, the Moonfall cultivators grew even more cautious.

Lu Ye spoke, "This presumptuous visit is for an important matter we wish to discuss with your esteemed realm. I wonder if it's convenient."

Kang Cheng no longer wore his previous haughty and indifferent expression. A smile bloomed on his face: "Since there's an important matter, please come in, fellow daoist, and let's discuss it."

Hua Sheng had told him a few days ago that he would bring Lu Ye to Wuding to discuss an important matter. At the time, Kang Cheng hadn't paid much attention, but now it seemed Hua Sheng really hadn't been deceiving him.

"Pardon the intrusion!" Lu Ye nodded and stepped forward, with Hua Sheng close by.

As they proceeded, Lu Ye walked in the center, flanked by Wuding's Moonfall cultivators. Kang Cheng casually chatted with Lu Ye, occasionally introducing him to the realm's enchanting scenery.

They had pretty much figured out that although the little girl riding on Lu Ye's neck was a Sunlit powerhouse, Lu Ye seemed to be the main figure on this trip. Moreover, the little girl gave a strange impression, more like an innocent child, not at all like a Sunlit cultivator.

Only Kang Cheng knew that beneath this cute and innocent exterior lay a genuine Sunlit cultivation base.

Upon entering the realm and arriving at Wuding Sacred Palace, they found the area misty and ethereal. Rare beasts and exotic birds freely ran and soared through the mountains and wilds. Amidst the swirling mist, pavilions and terraces appeared and disappeared. The mountains were full of strangely shaped rocks, and a silver river waterfall plunged three thousand feet, creating a magnificent and diverse landscape.

On the highest and largest mountain peak stood a magnificent hall. Kang Cheng and the others led Lu Ye there, and Lu Ye immediately sensed an endless pressure slowly emanating from within the hall.

A Sunlit cultivator!

Lu Ye understood. There was a Sunlit powerhouse inside the hall, likely Jiang Shang, the realm master of Wuding.

It wasn't hard to understand. Since Lu Ye had brought a Sunlit cultivator, the realm's own Sunlit naturally had to make a display of power, a manifestation of their own authority.

Although the endless pressure was intense, it didn't greatly affect him, clearly indicating no intention to make things difficult for him.

The pressure was aimed at Ya Ya, who was riding on Lu Ye's neck!

Powerhouses of the Sunlit level naturally wouldn't bother a mere Nebula cultivator without reason. Only fellow Sunlit powerhouses would pique their interest.

Ya Ya had been casually looking around from Lu Ye's head, her expression leisurely. But upon arriving here, her cheeks puffed out, and then she scurried off Lu Ye's head like a monkey, directly leaping into the main hall.

Lu Ye was greatly alarmed and quickly shouted, "Ya Ya!"

But Ya Ya was already out of sight.

Lu Ye quickly stepped out to follow, and Kang Cheng and the others, not daring to hesitate, could only follow suit.

When Lu Ye entered the hall and looked up, he saw Ya Ya. She was standing at the very front of the hall, where a desk was placed. Behind it sat a middle-aged man dressed like a scholar, holding a feathered fan. The endless aura Lu Ye had sensed was emanating from this very person.

This was none other than Jiang Shang, the realm master of Wuding.

Jiang Shang held a feathered fan, which had appeared to be gently fanning. But now, it was inexplicably still. He stared intently at Ya Ya, who stood opposite his desk, his expression solemn.

Ya Ya, however, didn't even look at him. She only stared at Jiang Shang's desk, which held three fruit plates. One plate contained grape-like berries that resembled crystal. Another held two or three pear-like spirit fruits, and the third held some small, reddish fruits.

"Do you want some?" Ya Ya suddenly looked up at Jiang Shang, her eyes clear.

Jiang Shang's eyelids visibly twitched, and for a moment, he didn't know how to respond.

"Then I'll eat!" Ya Ya brightened, her two small hands reaching out, grabbing the pear-like fruits and the reddish berries and stuffing them into her mouth, as if she hadn't eaten for a long time.

In the blink of an eye, two plates of spirit fruits were completely devoured. Then she picked up the plate with the grape-like berries, excitedly ran to Lu Ye, and held it up like a treasure: "Daddy, yummy!"

Lu Ye's mouth twitched.

The hall instantly fell silent, so quiet that a pin drop could be heard. All eyes were on Lu Ye, and Kang Cheng and the others' mouths were agape, wide enough to fit an egg, completely unable to believe their ears.

Only then did Lu Ye realize that Jiang Shang wasn't the only one in the hall. Behind a table on the left were two other people. He didn't recognize one of them, but the other looked very familiar. This person was now gazing at Lu Ye with interest, offering a slight smile that felt like a warm spring breeze.

This person was none other than Luo Shenzi.