Chapter 1568: Negotiation

"Who killed her? Was it a Jade Snail cultivator?" Wu Zhuo pressed, having investigated the matter for years. In this star system, only someone from Jade Snail could have killed Qin Yuandai, which was why he suspected them.

However, it wasn't something he could directly inquire about. Jade Snail was, after all, the dominant power in this star system, with a foundation far stronger than Azure Dawn Sect's. Offending them would bring dire consequences for Azure Dawn Sect.

Wu Zhuo had been patient over the years, planning to ask once he advanced to late-stage Moon Splendor.

Still, if he could gather more specific information now, that would be ideal. From Lu Yiye's demeanor, it was clear he knew the inside story.

"It wasn't a Jade Snail cultivator. Your sect's Moon Splendor died by my hand!" Lu Yiye stated, looking calmly at Wu Zhuo.

Wu Zhuo froze for a moment, then lowered his gaze, his long hair casting a shadow over his forehead. He said coolly, "Do you know what you're saying?"

Having admitted it, Lu Yiye had no intention of concealing the truth. Tang Jun knew about Qin Yuandai's death, as did many cultivators in Nine Provinces. There were no impenetrable walls in this world, so it was better to reveal everything now rather than have Wu Zhuo find out through other means later.

Furthermore, he didn't feel he had done anything wrong in killing Qin Yuandai. Given the circumstances at the time, it was a matter of kill or be killed.

"Indeed, Fellow Daoist Qin Yuandai was killed by me!"

Even with Wu Zhuo's mountain-like oppressive aura, Lu Yiye remained perfectly composed.

"You? A Star Constellation?" Wu Zhuo's voice turned frigid. Although Qin Yuandai was old and frail, she was still a mid-stage Moon Splendor. How could Lu Yiye kill her? He instinctively sensed an underlying story.

Lu Yiye replied, "In terms of strength, I was naturally no match for her. However, killing isn't solely about one's power; it can also be achieved through... external forces!" As he spoke, Lu Yiye raised a hand, and a red glow bloomed on his fingertip.

In an instant, Wu Zhuo tensed up as if facing a formidable enemy, his gaze fixed on the red glow on Lu Yiye's fingertip. He stated in a deep voice, "A Red Talisman!"

Lu Yiye nodded, "A Red Talisman from the Pygmy race!"

Wu Zhuo's eyes flickered between Lu Yiye and the Red Talisman. After a long moment, he said, "If you intend to threaten me with this Red Talisman, you're mistaken. At this close range, even if you could unleash its power, I could still take your life!"

Lu Yiye's expression remained calm. With a casual glance, the red glow on his fingertip dissipated. "I only came to discuss cooperation with you, not to threaten you. I merely spoke because you asked."

Wu Zhuo gazed steadily at Lu Yiye, a hint of surprise in his eyes. He hadn't expected Lu Yiye to dispel the Red Talisman's power. Without its restraint, taking Lu Yiye's life at that moment would be incredibly easy.

He realized that though the young man before him appeared youthful, his courage was extraordinary.

"Are you so certain I won't kill you?" Wu Zhuo leaned slightly forward, his presence growing more intense, like an ancient beast.

Lu Yiye calmly replied, "Although I haven't met you before, I've learned much about you from chatting with old Tang. You are ambitious, and ambitious people don't cut off their own retreat by making unwise moves!"

"Hmph!" Wu Zhuo grunted softly, and the oppressive aura that had accompanied his forward lean dissipated completely. After a moment of silence, he asked, "Does Tang Jun know about this?"

"At that time, old Tang went to Peerless with Fellow Daoist Qin and witnessed the event firsthand. That's why he pursued me relentlessly. As a result, both of us became trapped in a nascent wormhole. We fortunately escaped later, which allowed us to enter the Myriad Manifestations Star System."

Wu Zhuo couldn't help but frown. Tang Jun hadn't clearly explained this matter in the jade slip; he had only mentioned being trapped in the nascent wormhole with Lu Yiye, without stating the reason. It seemed there was more to it, and Tang Jun might have intentionally concealed it.

"Why did the conflict happen?" Wu Zhuo asked. Some things, though in the past, still needed to be understood.

Lu Yiye then recounted the initial conflict, which darkened Wu Zhuo's expression. The Myriad Souls Banner was forbidden even in Azure Dawn Sect due to its inhumane nature.

He hadn't imagined that Qin Yuandai's descendant would sneak out and find a vibrant realm to refine a Myriad Souls Banner.

This was an act deserving of death. Any vibrant realm in their star system was a resource, much like the Clear Wind Realm was valuable to Azure Dawn Sect.

If all Star Constellation cultivators acted recklessly and disturbed realms, what future would there be for the cultivation world?

Qin Yuandai also bore undeniable responsibility. Knowing her descendant's actions, she not only failed to stop them but also engaged in protection, only to meet her demise by a Red Talisman.

Wu Zhuo felt indignant that he had encountered so many troublesome matters.

"The culprit has been executed, and I have avenged the fallen cultivators of Nine Heavens. I do not intend to pursue this matter further," Lu Yiye stated slowly.

Wu Zhuo couldn't help but glance at him, wanting to ask on what grounds Lu Yiye would pursue it. But considering the trouble originated from Azure Dawn Sect, he genuinely lacked the confidence to ask.

After a moment of silence, he asked, "Have you and Tang Jun buried the hatchet?" Otherwise, there was no reason for Tang Jun to conceal this.

Lu Yiye replied, "The dead cannot be brought back. Since he and I ended up in the Myriad Manifestations Star System together, we can only help each other. How could we care about so much else?"

Wu Zhuo remained silent. If Tang Jun disregarded his three-thousand-year friendship with Qin Yuandai, what business was it of his? Moreover, compared to this matter, the future of Azure Dawn Sect was undoubtedly more important; everything else had to take a backseat.

Not lingering on the issue, Wu Zhuo eagerly asked, "Fellow Daoist Lu, how long did it take you to return from the Myriad Manifestations Star System?"

Lu Yiye replied, "Around three years."

Wu Zhuo's spirits lifted immediately. "If you return again, will it also take only that long?"

"Approximately!"

"How many people can you take with you?"

"How many people do you wish for me to take?" Lu Yiye countered.

Wu Zhuo was about to say "the more, the better," and even thought of going to the Myriad Manifestations Star System himself. But a moment's consideration showed it wasn't practical. Their sect had a limited number of Star Constellations; they couldn't all leave, and he certainly couldn't. So, even if Lu Yiye had the ability, Azure Dawn Sect lacked the foundation.

Lu Yiye said, "I understand your thoughts, but this matter isn't solely between my Nine Heavens and Azure Dawn Sect. Old Tang and I discussed it, and we must involve Jade Snail as well for it to work."

"Why is that?" Wu Zhuo frowned, clearly reluctant to let Jade Snail partake in this good fortune.

Lu Yiye explained, "There are many forces and rules in the Myriad Manifestations Sea. To establish a foothold there, Moon Splendors are indispensable. To be frank, my Nine Heavens is a newly risen realm and has no Moon Splendors. Old Tang is alone there and cannot cope by himself, and you must remain to oversee your sect. Therefore, if we want the assistance of Moon Splendors, we must rely on Jade Snail to send people."

Wu Zhuo looked dejected for a moment before reluctantly nodding. "They'll get off easy then!"

Lu Yiye said, "I'm unfamiliar with Jade Snail and have never been there. So, I would like to ask you to visit Jade Snail on my behalf to facilitate communication."

He needed to return to Nine Provinces to make preparations. By the time he finished, Wu Zhuo should have concluded discussions with Jade Snail. Then, cultivators from all three realms could converge and set off for the Myriad Manifestations Sea, which would be the most time-efficient approach.

As for whether Jade Snail would be interested... that was a given. What Indefinite and Great Luo Star System could see, Jade Snail couldn't possibly miss. If they truly couldn't see it, then they deserved to be forever confined to their small patch of land. Lu Yiye wasn't obligated to make them rich.

"Going to Jade Snail is no problem; I'm somewhat familiar with the place," Wu Zhuo nodded. "However, Fellow Daoist, Nine Heavens is weak, and my Azure Dawn Sect isn't much better off. If Jade Snail learns of such a good opportunity, what if they develop improper ambitions..."

Lu Yiye naturally understood his concern. Wu Zhuo's worry was identical to Hua Sheng's earlier. He said, "Even if they have ambitions, it's useless. The star map is in my possession. Even if I gave it to them, they wouldn't be able to enter the Myriad Manifestations Sea smoothly. Moreover, once there, they'd still need old Tang and me to help them establish a foothold. You just need to explain this; any sensible person among them won't harbor improper ambitions!"

Wu Zhuo nodded upon hearing this. "I understand!"

"Additionally, there's one more thing you need to remember."

Wu Zhuo asked, "What is it?"

Lu Yiye explained, "When I discussed this matter with old Tang, he mentioned something. He said there's a problem in your realm: cultivators who advance to Star Constellation there are basically unable to advance to Moon Splendor. So, he hoped that some slots could be sent to Peerless for cultivation and advancement to Star Constellation each year. I agreed at the time, but Peerless Realm isn't actually suitable for Star Constellation advancement because it's just an ordinary realm infested with the Corpse race."

Upon hearing this, Wu Zhuo became even more concerned about Tang Jun's intelligence.

Lu Yiye continued, "When you go to Jade Snail, you can discuss this with them. If you can reach an agreement, it will be my way of accounting to old Tang."

Wu Zhuo nodded. "We considered this before, wanting to send some people to Jade Snail to advance to Star Constellation. But as you know, the spiritual light nurtured by large realms is their own foundation. It's perfectly justifiable for their own cultivators to use it for advancement, but they would never easily allow cultivators from other realms to obtain it. So, we dropped the idea. However, if we discuss it this time, it might be possible."

At least there was hope for success, and Lu Yiye had certainly given it thought.

Lu Yiye stood up. "Then I'll leave the matter with Jade Snail to you. I must return to Nine Heavens. I bid you farewell!"

Although Wu Zhuo wanted Lu Yiye to stay longer and inquire more about the Myriad Manifestations Star System, seeing that Lu Yiye's mind was made up, he didn't press him and stood up to see him off.

"Oh, and Fellow Daoist Lu," Wu Zhuo suddenly said, "some things are hard to prove by word alone. Do you have any specialties from the Myriad Manifestations Sea that you could leave a couple of? That way, if I take them to Jade Snail, it will help gain their trust."

"Specialties..." Lu Yiye mused, then directly produced a few White Spirit fish. "These are spiritual fish from the Myriad Manifestations Sea, a special kind of astral beast. They are highly valuable whether cooked or used in medicine."