Chapter 1615: Parting Ways

On the starship, Lu Ye took out a sound charm and attempted to send a message to Tang Jun. After waiting for a moment, he received no reply. However, his concern slightly diminished. The lack of a response meant Tang Jun was still alive; it likely indicated either too great a distance for the charm's message to transmit or that Tang Jun was occupied and hadn't checked it.

None of these possibilities were cause for major concern, as long as Tang Jun was alive. As for what had transpired on Wushuang Island, he would simply have to go there and see for himself.

Lu Ye then attempted to message Chu Shen, but again, there was no response. He subsequently tried to contact Xiao Dai, Xiao Wai, Cai Xing, Cai Yue, and Lucky Star, with the same result.

Lu Ye frowned. Logically, their current position wasn't too far from Wushuang Island, so communication range shouldn't have been an issue. The fact that he couldn't reach anyone undoubtedly indicated that these individuals were not on Wushuang Island.

It appeared Wushuang Island had indeed run into trouble.

As Lu Ye was attempting to contact people, Luo Xie's expression suddenly became serious. After quietly sensing for a moment, he spoke, "Young friend, I'm afraid I won't be able to accompany you to the Myriad Manifestations Sea."

"Why not?"

Luo Xie replied, "The Sun Sempiterne of this star system has detected my arrival and sent me a message, instructing me to go to the Myriad Manifestations Realm!" As he spoke, he then asked, "Where exactly is the Myriad Manifestations Realm?"

The Myriad Manifestations Realm was the largest and most profoundly established realm in the Myriad Manifestations Star System; otherwise, this star system would not bear its name.

Its status within its star system was akin to that of the Wuding Realm in the Wuding Star System – a veritable overlord.

This was a standing rule in the Myriad Manifestations Star System: any foreign Sun Sempiterne was required to report to the Myriad Manifestations Realm and state their intentions. It wasn't a deliberate move targeting Luo Xie.

However, since this was Luo Xie's first visit, he naturally didn't know the Myriad Manifestations Realm's location and had to ask Lu Ye.

Lu Ye had also heard of this rule, so he retrieved the star map of the Myriad Manifestations Star System, consulted it, and then indicated the location to Luo Xie.

Luo Xie swiftly departed, his voice echoing back, "You all go on ahead. I'll rejoin you after I've concluded my affairs here!"

He vanished from sight in an instant.

Only after Luo Xie's departure did Lu Ye turn his gaze towards the Myriad Manifestations Sea, leading the fleet to continue their journey.

The wormhole of the Long Cloud Star System was a half-month journey from the Myriad Manifestations Sea. As they drew nearer, the immense grandeur of this cosmic marvel became increasingly palpable. The cultivators from the Three Realms, as well as those from the Four Directions Star Systems aboard the starship, all experienced the same sense of awe Lu Ye had felt during his first visit here.

It was a complex blend of wonder, awe, and exhilaration.

However, the group soon became acquainted with the region's inherent chaos. During their journey, they frequently encountered cultivators engaged in fierce, intractable battles within the vastness of space.

The cultivator community was, by nature, the most restless. The Myriad Manifestations Star System, encompassing a vast number of star systems, attracted countless cultivators, making conflicts inevitable. The Myriad Manifestations Star System could only tolerate this, as long as actions remained within established rules.

Nevertheless, the fleet's considerable size, comprising over thirty starships accompanied by five Tiger Shark vessels, deterred any potential provocations. Consequently, their journey proceeded without incident.

Half a month later, they entered the Myriad Manifestations Sea. Almost everyone immediately gazed towards the dense, profound depths of the sea. They had learned from Lu Ye that the waters of the Myriad Manifestations Sea were composed entirely of concentrated stellar energy.

Logically, stellar energy, when concentrated to a certain degree, should only condense into spirit jade and spirit crystals, subsequently forming spirit jade ore veins. Yet, a cosmic marvel is, by definition, extraordinary. Somehow, this boundless sea had come into being.

It was difficult to imagine how much stellar energy such a colossal body contained. Unfortunately, this energy could only be observed, not used. Any cultivator who dared to try and exploit the waters of the Myriad Manifestations Sea would invariably meet a grim fate.

Not long after, they encountered a spirit island that was under attack. The island's protective barrier was flickering precariously, appearing as though it could shatter at any moment.

Lu Ye initially had no intention of interfering, having witnessed such events countless times before. However, considering it was everyone else's first visit to the Myriad Manifestations Sea, he ordered the fleet to stop, allowing everyone to quietly observe.

This journey was different from his previous solo adventures. The cultivators of the Three Realms needed to establish a foothold here, and they would undoubtedly encounter similar situations in the future, so a preview wouldn't hurt.

The four Moon Revolvers from the Four Directions Star Systems gathered, assessing the relative strengths of the attacking and defending forces. They all concluded that the battle would ultimately end in victory for the attackers.

Comparing it to their own strength, Kang Cheng and the others were greatly reassured. They realized their own foundation appeared even stronger than that of the attacking force. In other words, if they chose to assault this spirit island, victory would be virtually guaranteed.

This was hardly surprising. The attacking cultivators clearly originated from a single star system, showcasing the power of just one. In contrast, Kang Cheng and his companions represented the combined strength of four star systems, a force beyond comparison for any ordinary faction.

The overall strength of the cultivators who arrived from the Four Directions Star Systems, when compared to the major powers across the Myriad Manifestations Sea, might not be described as exceptionally formidable. However, it was, at the very least, of upper-middle tier caliber.

Luan Xiao'e was also observing the battle. Unlike Kang Cheng and the others' composure, she suddenly realized she had underestimated the situation. Given the chaos of the Myriad Manifestations Sea, it would be far from easy for the Three Realms cultivators to establish themselves solely on their current foundation.

Fortunately, Tang Jun had already established a firm footing here. With his patronage, the Three Realms cultivators should encounter fewer obstacles in the future.

The presence of such a sizable fleet observing from a distance made both the attacking and defending sides hesitant and wary. Even the intensity of their fierce battle noticeably diminished, as each feared the fleet might be reinforcements summoned by the other.

Fortunately, the fleet made no significant moves, truly remaining mere spectators.

This major battle ultimately concluded with the attacking force's victory. Once the spirit island's protective barrier was breached, the outcome of the island changing hands was already sealed.

Kang Cheng and the other four Moon Revolvers swiftly moved to Lu Ye's starship, where they found him looking pensive.

Kang Cheng asked, "Fellow Daoist Lu, now that we have arrived at the Myriad Manifestations Sea, what are your intentions moving forward?"

Lu Ye's original plan was to lead everyone to Wushuang Island for a temporary stay, then discuss other matters once they were familiar with the Myriad Manifestations Sea. However, under the current circumstances, it would be imprudent to proceed before determining what had truly happened to Wushuang Island.

Understanding Kang Cheng's implication, he replied, "I haven't decided yet. If any of you have plans, please feel free to proceed; there's no need to consider us."

While the cultivators from the Three Realms and the Four Directions Star Systems had journeyed together to the Myriad Manifestations Sea, they could not remain allied indefinitely. Kang Cheng and his companions had no desire to live dependently; they aspired to establish themselves and forge a legacy in the Myriad Manifestations Sea through their own capabilities, thereby benefiting their descendants. And indeed, they possessed the means to do so.

Therefore, it was inevitable that the two parties would eventually part ways, a fact well understood by both Lu Ye and Kang Cheng.

Kang Cheng and his companions had come specifically to take their leave. Now that they had arrived at the Myriad Manifestations Sea, they naturally had their own intentions.

Kang Cheng nodded. "In that case, fellow Daoist, please take care. If you ever require assistance in the future, do not hesitate to send a message."

Another late-stage Moon Revolver named Zhou Chuang added, "Junior Brother Lu, if you encounter any difficulties, you must speak up. Please, don't be a stranger!"

Among the four late-stage Moon Revolvers, he hailed from the Beixuan Star System. It was likely that he had received specific instructions from Qin Yi before their departure, prompting this particular piece of advice.

Since entering the Myriad Manifestations Star System, Lu Ye had appeared troubled, a fact they all observed. They suspected he might have encountered some difficulty, but as Lu Ye had not spoken of it, they refrained from asking further.

The other two Moon Revolvers also nodded in agreement. Lu Ye had rendered great service to the Four Directions Star Systems, and if their benefactor genuinely needed assistance, they would not hesitate to offer help. Before their departure, all of them had received specific instructions from their respective Sun Sempiternes to look after Lu Ye in the Myriad Manifestations Sea whenever it was within their power.

"Then I thank you all in advance, fellow Daoists," Lu Ye replied. "If I truly encounter difficulties in the future, I will bring the cultivators of my star system to seek refuge with you. Please don't be displeased when that time comes!"

Zhou Chuang said, "If it comes to that, your Jade Snail system can simply come with us."

Their group boasted four late-stage Moon Revolvers, and the overall strength of their constellations was formidable; most were late-stage cultivators, with a few at mid-stage, and none at the early stage.

In contrast, the Three Realms cultivators had only one Moon Revolver, Luan Xiao'e, and a considerable number of early-stage Constellations.

Compared side-by-side, they were simply not in the same league.

Zhou Chuang's offer was certainly well-intentioned, but Lu Ye still shook his head, stating, "My star system has a connection to Wushuang Island. I wish to assess the situation there before making any further plans."

Zhou Chuang replied, "That's also a good idea. Since Junior Brother has a plan, I won't press the matter."

After a further discussion, the cultivators from the Four Directions Star Systems finally departed.

The fleet immediately shrank by more than half.

With only their own people remaining, Luan Xiao'e no longer had reservations and asked Lu Ye, "Did something happen with Tang Jun?"

She did not possess Tang Jun's sound charm imprint and had virtually no prior interaction with him, so she had no means of sending him a message.

Lu Ye replied, "I can't reach him. I'm unsure if something has happened." He glanced at the resting Three Realms cultivators and added, "Senior Sister Luan, I'll trouble you to oversee matters here. I need to go to Wushuang Island to assess the situation."

"Will there be danger?" Luan Xiao'e asked, a hint of worry in her voice.

Lu Ye was their guide. If anything were to happen to him, she would be at a loss, leading such a large number of Constellations.

"No," Lu Ye replied, shaking his head. When Wushuang Island was initially constructed, Chu Shen developed it as a commercial spirit island. Through Chu Shen's extensive network, countless factions established shops there. Given such intricate relationships, Wushuang Island should, by all accounts, be impregnable, and even if an unforeseen event occurred, it wouldn't devolve into a battlefield.

Therefore, simply going to observe the situation would not pose a danger.

"Regardless, please be careful," Luan Xiao'e urged.

Lu Ye assented, then offered a few more words of caution to Yi Yi, Hua Ci, and the others before soaring into the sky, heading towards Wushuang Island.

He wanted to discover what changes Wushuang Island had experienced during his years away, and why he couldn't reach any of the people he tried to contact.