Chapter 1580: Leaving Sorrow's Request

"There actually were no Soul Clan members in this world initially, because pure soul entities find it difficult to exist for long," Li Shang began. "The earliest Soul Clan members, just like Yiyi, were transformed from unique beasts such as Hu Po."

"Were all of your Soul Clan born this way?" Lu Ye asked, surprised. If so, wouldn't that mean there were also White Tigers among the Soul Clan?

Li Shang shook her head. "Not exactly. The Soul Clan's existence is reliant on a divine artifact, which is also our clan's most treasured possession. Our birth is different from Yiyi's. I was merely stating that the very first Soul Clan members were beings like Yiyi."

Lu Ye understood, realizing he had misunderstood.

Li Shang continued, "For Yiyi, Hu Po is her anchor, just as the Immortal Guard currently rely on the Myriad Soul Banner. If Hu Po were to perish, Yiyi couldn't survive on her own. But conversely, Hu Po would be fine. It's a unique form of symbiosis."

Lu Ye nodded. He had known these things for a long time, just like the life-essence technique he had previously formed with Hu Po. The reason he wanted to sever the life-essence technique was his fear that if he ever met with misfortune, Hu Po and Yiyi would be implicated.

Fortunately, he had previously deduced the life-essence technique, and Lu Ye had already dissolved it after returning this time.

Without the life-essence technique, Lu Ye would no longer be able to draw strength from Hu Po in the future, nor could he perform the beast transformation secret art. Even if Lu Ye encountered any misfortune, Hu Po would no longer be affected.

"This peculiar symbiosis greatly benefits both Hu Po and Yiyi," Li Shang explained. "Their cultivation allows them to both benefit simultaneously. In other words, while others cultivate for themselves, their cultivation yields mutual gains."

Lu Ye had noticed this a long time ago. It was also why Hu Po and Yiyi had grown so rapidly. While not lacking resources was a minor factor, the most crucial reason was that their cultivation provided double the benefit.

Although Hu Po and Yiyi's current cultivation levels were on par with many Star Manifestation cultivators in the Nine Provinces, over time, their cultivation would gradually surpass others.

Lu Ye hadn't expected Li Shang to know this secret. This suggested that Li Shang truly had a deep understanding of the White Tiger, one of the Four Divine Beasts.

This was clearly not the result of Li Shang's observations over the past few days. A few days of observation couldn't lead to such a conclusion unless she had known it for a long time.

"Are you curious about how I know these things?" Li Shang asked, noticing the change in Lu Ye's expression and smiling slightly.

Before Lu Ye could ask, she proactively explained, "Because if there's any race in this world that understands the White Tiger best, it's undoubtedly my Soul Clan! From ancient times to the present, my clan has always been the White Tiger's most natural ally. To our clan, the White Tiger is a sacred beast. In our recorded history, a total of six sacred beasts like Hu Po have appeared, and each has left an indelible mark on the history of my Soul Clan."

The title of "sacred beast" was not bestowed lightly; it demanded reverence and heartfelt, devout admiration.

Lu Ye then recalled that even when Hu Po was very weak, its tiger roar had the miraculous ability to deter souls. On one occasion, an enemy had their mind seized by Hu Po's roar, and Lu Ye then finished them with a single strike.

In this light, Hu Po's various abilities indeed seemed related to souls, and since the Soul Clan themselves were soul entities, they naturally had the most extensive research into spiritual matters.

"Fellow Daoist, I wish to ask something of you!" Li Shang's expression suddenly turned serious.

"What is it?" Lu Ye asked.

"I want to bring Hu Po back to our ancestral land!" Li Shang stated. "Please rest assured, Fellow Daoist, a sacred beast like Hu Po would only be revered and honored by our clan in the ancestral land, never mistreated in any way."

Lu Ye quipped, "Isn't your Soul Clan's ancestral land off-limits to outsiders?"

The Immortal Guard were one thing; they were, after all, soul entities and could barely be considered kin to Li Shang, so taking them back was understandable. But Hu Po was not a soul entity.

"It's different," Li Shang countered. "Since the passing of the last sacred beast, our ancestral land hasn't had one for thousands of years. If I bring Hu Po back, my clan members will welcome her with open arms."

Lu Ye finally understood why Li Shang had been so interested in Hu Po these past few days. So, this was her intention. If it was truly as Li Shang said, allowing her to take Hu Po back wouldn't be impossible. Furthermore, Li Shang had helped him immensely this time, and the Immortal Guard could also find a home in the future, so reciprocating her kindness seemed appropriate.

However, Hu Po was not his spirit beast after all. They had met and lived together since Hu Po was weak, sharing joys and hardships. Lu Ye considered both Hu Po and Yiyi as his own family.

Some matters were not his to decide arbitrarily. Moreover, if Hu Po were taken, Yiyi would inevitably have to go along, as the two were inseparable. Lu Ye himself was also a bit reluctant to part with them.

Seeing Lu Ye hesitate, Li Shang quickly said, "Fellow Daoist, setting aside the benefits Hu Po would gain in the ancestral land, let's talk about Yiyi... From my observations these past few days, I've found that Yiyi is following a traditional spell cultivation path. However, this is not the true cultivation method of my Soul Clan. No one taught her before, but if she returns with me to the ancestral land, she can cultivate various secret arts of my clan. Her cultivation path has gone astray; even if she achieves a high cultivation level in the future, she won't be able to unleash her full potential. Don't you wish to set things right?"

Lu Ye was stunned. Yiyi had already reached the Star Manifestation realm, and only now was someone telling him that her path was wrong...

But upon reflection, Li Shang was likely not exaggerating. After all, beings like Yiyi had never appeared in the Nine Provinces before, so no one knew how she should correctly cultivate.

From the current perspective, cultivation for a soul entity should naturally focus on the soul itself. Following a traditional spell cultivation path was indeed somewhat incorrect. If Yiyi could go with Li Shang to the Soul Clan's ancestral land, she would certainly benefit immensely.

"What benefits would Hu Po gain by going?" Lu Ye asked.

Li Shang replied, "I can guarantee that our clan will select the most talented members to form a symbiotic relationship with her. This way, her growth rate will further increase, and correspondingly, Yiyi's growth rate will also accelerate!"

Lu Ye had a faint realization. "So, the sacred beasts of your Soul Clan in the past all formed symbiotic relationships with highly talented clan members for mutual benefit?"

Li Shang nodded. "Yes, the more clan members a sacred beast forms a symbiosis with, the faster its own growth and the growth of its symbiotic partners, and the higher their potential ceiling!"

"According to your records, what's the maximum number of clan members a sacred beast can form a symbiotic relationship with?"

"Nine clan members!" Li Shang responded gravely. "In that generation, among those nine clan members, four successively perished along the way, but the remaining five all advanced to the Sunlit realm! However, the number of clan members a sacred beast can form a symbiosis with varies; some can have many, some few. It might also depend on the sacred beast's disposition. To establish a symbiotic relationship, the sacred beast's trust must be gained, and it must be initiated by the sacred beast itself. My Soul Clan cannot force it."

This was indeed good. With the initiative entirely in Hu Po's hands, some darker machinations could be avoided.

"Fellow Daoist, please let me take Hu Po and Yiyi back to the ancestral land," Li Shang pleaded, looking at Lu Ye. "For them, there are truly only benefits and no drawbacks."

"I believe you," Lu Ye nodded. "However, this is not something I can decide alone. If you truly wish to take them back, you must ask for their own consent. If they are willing to go with you, I will not object. But if they are unwilling, then there's no need to force them."

Li Shang was overjoyed upon hearing this. "As long as you, Fellow Daoist, have no objection, then there's no problem."

Watching the delighted Li Shang, Lu Ye felt she was a bit naive.

Hu Po would undoubtedly prioritize Yiyi, and Yiyi would certainly be unwilling to be separated from Lu Ye again. Therefore, Lu Ye felt that Li Shang's attempt to persuade Yiyi to go to the Soul Clan ancestral land would likely be difficult, possibly ending in disappointment.

Li Shang left with light steps, clearly intending to persuade Yiyi. However, Yiyi had only just begun her cultivation, so she might have to wait a while.

Yaya was still sleeping in his arms. Lu Ye looked down; although he didn't know why Yaya was so attached to Hu Po, perhaps Hu Po truly possessed some ability to help her recover.

Ahead, the three escorting Tiger Shark warships were still engaged in a playful chase, clearly having a great time.

Lu Ye turned and entered his cabin, placing Yaya on the bed. He sat upright beside her, his Pan Shan Saber resting across his lap, and immersed his mind, entering the azure great hall.

The next moment, a continuous flurry of saber light slashed towards him.

The Nine Provinces were only half a month's journey from Wushuang. By the time the fleet arrived near the Wushuang Continent, three star boats and two Tiger Shark warships were already waiting there.

The number of Star Manifestation cultivators on Wushuang's side was fewer than in the Nine Provinces mainland, so their allocated spots were also significantly fewer.

Lu Ye finally met with the Sect Master and his senior brother. The last time he passed through here, they were still exploring the starfield, so there had been no opportunity to meet.

After the news spread, the Sect Master and others also rushed back to Wushuang to discuss the quotas for accompanying Lu Ye to the Myriad Manifestation Sea.

Lu Ye led several members of the Green Blood Sect forward and respectfully saluted them.

The Sect Master had shown him great kindness by recognizing his potential; if not for the Sect Master taking him into the Green Blood Sect, Lu Ye's cultivation path would not have been so smooth. His master, Yun Xuechu, had also been exceptionally kind in teaching him. Lu Ye's mastery of spirit patterns was primarily taught by his master. Although he had now surpassed his master, it was largely due to the power of the Talent Tree.

Purely in terms of talent in spirit patterns, Lu Ye felt he couldn't compare to his master.

The Sect Master and his master had a love-hate relationship for many years, and Lu Ye had never fully understood the specific reasons, though he supposed it had something to do with their experiences in their youth. Now that they had both advanced to the Star Manifestation realm, their relationship had greatly improved.

Moreover, the Sect Master now appeared much younger. While not decrepit before, he had clearly looked aged. Now, he seemed like a middle-aged man in his early forties.

After a long separation, there was naturally much to say. On the star boat, Lu Ye hosted a banquet, entertaining the Sect Master and others. The spirit fish from the Myriad Manifestation Sea earned everyone's praise.

The fleet did not stop at the Wushuang Continent. After regrouping, they continued to sail forward. With ten star boats and five Tiger Shark warships, the fleet was not large, but it was certainly not shabby.