Chapter 1588: Butterfly

In the past, if a group of early-stage Star Constellation cultivators dared to glare defiantly at Luan Xiao'e, she would have long since taught them the difference in their strengths. If a late-stage Moon Splendor cultivator wanted to use force, how could an early-stage Star Constellation cultivator resist?

But these were, after all, cultivators from Kyushu, so how could Luan Xiao'e resort to force? She could only persuade them painstakingly.

On a starship from Kyushu, Luan Xiao'e arrived in person. Looking at the Star Constellation cultivators before her, she slowly began, "You must all be Daoist Lu's closest companions. I understand your feelings, but I just want to ask one thing: do you think Daoist Lu would encounter any mishap in such circumstances?"

Yiyi immediately spoke up, "No!"

She was right there when Lu Ye rushed out. At the time, Luan Xiao'e had been curious why she wasn't worried at all and had even asked her about it.

Luan Xiao'e observed their expressions and noticed that every single one of the Star Constellation cultivators before her seemed to show no sign of worry. They were clearly all certain that Lu Ye would not suffer any mishap due to the spatial magnetic storm.

She didn't know the reason but was only curious why these people had such strong confidence in Lu Ye. She nodded slightly and said, "Since you all believe Daoist Lu will be fine, why insist on continuing the search?"

Tang Yifeng said, "He must be found. We can't leave him alone here. It would be too pitiful for him to be left here by himself, like a lost child."

Luan Xiao'e looked at them. "If Daoist Lu is unharmed, then he must also be searching for the fleet's whereabouts right now. But he hasn't contacted us, so it's highly probable that we are searching in the wrong directions relative to each other. In space, once there's an error in direction, finding each other becomes very difficult. You all know Daoist Lu well, so may I ask: if Daoist Lu realizes this, what decision would he make?"

Tang Yifeng and the others all showed thoughtful expressions.

Li Baxian said, "As for our junior brother, he would probably continue on his way and wait for us ahead!"

That was the answer Luan Xiao'e wanted. She immediately nodded. "I thought so too. This is likely the most sensible and safest course of action! Therefore, we only need to set off as planned. Perhaps, as we travel, we will encounter Daoist Lu waiting for us ahead! I checked the star map. In about another month, we can exit the turbulent zone and reach Thousand Hills Tomb. Instead of searching aimlessly here, it would be better to go to Thousand Hills Tomb and see."

The Sect Master and the others pondered in silence. Although they didn't want to admit it, they had to concede that what Luan Xiao'e said was very likely to happen. Lu Ye was not a single-minded person; if he truly couldn't find the fleet, he would definitely think of other ways. Continuing on his journey was the best choice.

Luan Xiao'e added, "Furthermore, everyone, this is a turbulent zone. It's not a place where we can stay for a long time. Daoist Lu entrusted me with the lead in this cooperation, so I must be responsible for the cultivators of the Three Realms. If we continue searching here, it will only increase the risks. What if Daoist Lu is safe and sound, waiting for us at Thousand Hills Tomb, but we encounter problems here, with casualties among our personnel? How would I explain that to Daoist Lu later?"

Seeing that the people before her were showing signs of being persuaded, she pressed on, "Rest assured, everyone. Once we reach Thousand Hills Tomb, if Daoist Lu isn't there, the fleet will wait for half a month. If Daoist Lu still doesn't appear, I will personally return to search for him. I will certainly give you all an explanation."

This was the greatest sincerity Luan Xiao'e could express. If Kyushu still refused to cooperate, then they would have no choice but to part ways.

The Sect Master looked at the people around him and found it difficult to make a decision immediately.

At the crucial moment, Hua Ci stepped forward. She softly said, "Let's continue our journey. As for Lu Ye... he won't die!"

Previously, they could judge Lu Ye's safety by Amber's life or death. However, after Lu Ye returned this time, he released the life-essence technique, so this method was no longer viable.

However, regarding Lu Ye's life or death, no one was truly worried. Given the circumstances, if he dared to rush out, he must have been confident. It was just that no one knew where he had been swept away by the spatial magnetic storm.

With Hua Ci's affirmation, the Sect Master finally nodded, "Then we will follow Daoist Luan's arrangements!"

A moment later, the fleet continued along the route marked on the star map.

On the Kyushu starship, Yiyi squatted beside Amber, poking Yaya's plump cheeks with her finger. "Don't keep sleeping! Your daddy is gone! Quick, wake up and go find him!"

Yaya was drooling in her sleep. After Yiyi poked her, she just shifted her position and continued to sleep soundly in Amber's arms.

"So unreliable!" Yiyi was furious, wishing she could pick Yaya up and spank her. However, remembering that Yaya was, after all, a Sun Splendor cultivator, she didn't quite dare.

In space, the starship streaked past like a beam of light. Lu Ye stood at the bow, constantly comparing the surrounding celestial phenomena with his star map. A moment later, his expression brightened: he had finally found the correct route.

Finding the correct route made things much simpler. As long as they followed the route, they could leave the turbulent zone and enter Thousand Hills Tomb.

After carefully discerning for a while and slightly adjusting the direction, the starship sped forward at a faster pace than before.

After several days of recuperation, Wan Guliu and the others' injuries had almost fully recovered. Unfortunately, no matter how hard they tried, they still couldn't establish contact with the fleet.

"Yiye, how much longer until we leave this area?" Wan Guliu asked.

Lu Ye replied, "According to the star map, it should be around twenty days."

The expressions of all three, including Wan Guliu, relaxed. Twenty days was not far. Having experienced being swept into a spatial magnetic storm before, the three of them were filled with psychological shadows regarding this area and only wanted to leave quickly.

Even now, none of the three understood how Lu Ye had rescued them, because rescuing someone in such circumstances was simply preposterous.

They secretly prayed that they wouldn't encounter another spatial magnetic storm. Now, traveling on a single starship, they didn't have the convenience of a fleet, nor did they have anyone scouting ahead to give warnings. If they encountered one and couldn't find a place to hide in time, they would very likely suffer again.

Fortunately, throughout their journey, they encountered no further mishaps.

Several days later, Lu Ye was piloting the starship when he heard Zhou Xingzhi, the Star Constellation cultivator from Qingli Dao Realm, exclaim in surprise: "What is that?"

Everyone on board felt a jolt. Finding something unusual in this kind of place was not a good sign. They quickly looked in the direction he pointed. In that direction, they saw a vibrant, flowing expanse of light and color, like a rainbow ribbon stretching across the starry sky. The ribbon was slowly extending in one direction, as if it had a life of its own. The tail end of the ribbon was slowly dissipating, but because the front end was still spreading, the ribbon consistently maintained a very long span.

Lu Ye strained his eyesight and only then saw what was at the very front of the ribbon.

It was, astonishingly, a giant butterfly. The butterfly was incredibly colorful and dazzling, looking like the most exquisite work of art at first glance. With a gentle flutter of its wings, it spanned tens of thousands of miles. The visible ribbon of color was, surprisingly, the accumulated dust scattered when it flapped its wings.

"A star beast?" Another cultivator from Yuluo Realm, named Tao Yan, had clearly also spotted the butterfly and couldn't help but exclaim.

"Brother Tao, do you recognize what kind of star beast this is?" Lu Ye asked.

Tao Yan shook his head and said, "I have never seen it before."

It was not surprising. Star beasts in space were myriad and bizarre. Let alone Tao Yan, who was only a Star Constellation cultivator, even Sun Splendor cultivators wouldn't dare claim to be omniscient.

Zhou Xingzhi also stated that he didn't know what kind of star beast it was. As for Wan Guliu, there was even less to say; in terms of knowledge of various things in space, he was undoubtedly the least informed.

The butterfly star beast was still millions of miles away, so the few of them observed it while commenting. However, as he watched, Lu Ye suddenly realized that something was amiss.

"Brother Lu, is this star beast... coming towards us!" Tao Yan's expression turned panicked.

Zhou Xingzhi and Wan Guliu also changed color dramatically, because as they watched, the butterfly star beast suddenly changed its direction of travel and was now sweeping towards them.

As its butterfly wings vibrated, the distance rapidly closed. The rainbow ribbon stretching across the sky floated towards them.

The expressions of the few people on the starship became varied and complex, feeling that this journey had been truly fraught with misfortune. Just a few days ago, they had been ravaged by a spatial magnetic storm, and today they actually encountered a bizarre star beast.

Various thoughts flashed through Lu Ye's mind. He ultimately abandoned the idea of fleeing. Although he didn't know the exact cultivation level of this star beast, just by looking at its speed, he knew that even if he piloted the starship with all his might, it would be impossible to outrun it. If the star beast had no malicious intent, then it was fine. But if it truly harbored any ill will, then they could only prepare for the worst.

"Don't move, and don't be nervous!" Lu Ye quickly urged everyone.

No sooner had he spoken than Tao Yan's teeth began to chatter. "Brother Lu... this is a Sun... Sun Splendor!"

As it got closer, the butterfly's terrifying aura was fully revealed. It was far more powerful than Luan Xiao'e, clearly a Sun Splendor star beast.

Lu Ye also froze. He couldn't quite understand what was so special about this turbulent zone that it could attract such powerful star beasts. On the way back, he had encountered the giant blue bird and at least got a free ride. Now, encountering this bizarre butterfly again, he wondered what would happen.

Fortunately, although the butterfly star beast's aura was terrifying, it seemed to genuinely hold no malice. This somewhat put Lu Ye and the others at ease.

Moreover, the butterfly star beast did not seem to be heading directly for them. Its massive form, like a sea of stars, gently glided past not far above their starship, showing no interest whatsoever in the starship carrying Lu Ye and the others.

Multicolor dust drifted down and lightly settled on Lu Ye and the others.

Naturally, the few of them were all wary of this strange dust. After all, no one even knew what kind of butterfly star beast this was, so no one could judge what power this dust might possess.

However, the dust's coverage was too vast. There was nowhere for them to hide, so they could only activate their spiritual power to protect themselves.

Strangely, the dust seemed to cause no harm. After settling on them, it quickly melted away like snowflakes.