Chapter 1650: Entering Cangyue

Lu Ye had words of admonishment on the tip of his tongue, but he swallowed them back. With the soft, fragrant presence in his arms, feeling Yiyi's lingering fear and shock, he quickly patted her shoulder, "Don't be afraid, don't be afraid, it's over now."

"Waaah, that was so scary," Yiyi sobbed even more intensely, her body trembling harder, though not a single tear fell.

After a long while of comforting, Yiyi's mood gradually calmed down. Beside them, Amber licked her paws, her tiger eyes filled with an expression of resignation.

Yiyi was still nestled in Lu Ye's arms. He reached out, gripped her shoulders, and gently pulled her upright in front of him, his face stern. "Now do you understand how dangerous it is out there?"

Yiyi wiped non-existent tears from the corners of her eyes, nodding her small head like a pecking chick, a wronged expression on her face. "I know!"

Lu Ye was about to say, "Since you know, then go back obediently!" After all, they hadn't been away from the Myriad Manifestation Sea for long, and it would only take a few days to escort Yiyi back.

However, before he could speak, Yiyi continued, "Lu Ye, don't worry, I'll definitely stick close to you!"

As she spoke, she cheerfully linked her arm through his again, a clear sign that she wouldn't leave his side.

Lu Ye's eye twitched... something felt off!

He had known all along that Yiyi was following him; otherwise, he wouldn't have walked so slowly. If he really wanted to shake her off, he could simply pick up the pace, as Amber couldn't keep up with him.

He had thought that after this dangerous experience, Yiyi would change her mind, but it turned out he was completely wrong.

However... Lu Ye glanced at her in surprise, then pulled his arm free from hers. "You're grown up now; don't act like a child!"

"I like it!" Yiyi scoffed, then linked her arm through his again.

Lu Ye was helpless.

Sensing his mood, Yiyi's eyes curved into crescent moons again.

Given the current situation, it seemed unlikely he could force Yiyi to go back. Even if he did manage to shake her off, it would only expose her to unnecessary risks. If something similar to what they just experienced happened again, who could guarantee Yiyi's safety?

Having no other choice, Lu Ye summoned his Star Shuttle again and boarded it with Yiyi.

Yiyi cheered excitedly, even leaping up to cup Lu Ye's face and plant a loud kiss on his cheek. "I knew Lu Ye was the best!"

Lu Ye touched the spot where she had kissed him, remaining stunned for a while, then his expression turned serious. "Don't celebrate too soon. You're coming with me on this trip, but whether you enter the Soul Clan ancestral land is something we'll decide later!"

If he had the chance, he wanted to enter the Soul Clan ancestral land to see it for himself. However, according to Li Shang, the ancestral land was a special place where only Soul Clan members could enter; beings with flesh and blood bodies like Lu Ye simply couldn't.

This was one reason why the Soul Clan ancestral land had remained undisturbed throughout history.

With flesh and blood bodies barred entry, the Soul Clan ancestral land was virtually impregnable. Furthermore, the Soul Clan boasted a considerable number of powerful cultivators, and their foundation was no less formidable than any top-tier realm.

For now, he could only keep Yiyi by his side and assess the situation later.

Yiyi, however, looked completely unconcerned. She had seen through Lu Ye's pretense anyway; once they reached the Soul Clan ancestral land, she would just slip inside. Could Lu Ye really drag her out then?

On the Star Shuttle, Lu Ye sat cross-legged, with Yiyi nestled in his arms.

Once they arrived at the Soul Clan ancestral land and inevitably separated, she didn't know when they would meet again. Yiyi cherished this precious time immensely.

Half a month later, the entrance to a wormhole, resembling a gateway, appeared in the distance. Beside the wormhole was a floating landmass, upon which several palace-like structures had been built.

This must be the outpost established here by cultivators from the Azure Moon Star System.

A Moon-Grade cultivator undoubtedly guarded this place, and all cultivators entering or exiting this wormhole had to undergo inspection; the same applied on the other side.

Therefore, to enter the Azure Moon Star System, one needed the consent of the Moon-Grade cultivator stationed there. However, this was generally granted, as cultivators from the Azure Moon Star System also used other wormholes to enter different star systems. If everyone sealed off their own wormholes, inter-system travel for cultivators would be impossible.

Unlike Lu Ye's previous massive fleet with cultivators from the Three Realms and the Four Directions Star System, a single Constellation-Grade cultivator passing through was typically not an issue.

Upon reaching the floating landmass, Lu Ye stowed his spirit boat.

Immediately, a cultivator who had detected their arrival emerged from one of the palaces to greet them.

It was a mid-stage Constellation-Grade cultivator, naturally from the Azure Moon Star System.

While Moon-Grade powerhouses were stationed here, there was certainly more than one. There was always a need for assistants to handle miscellaneous tasks. Constellation-Grade cultivators assigned to such places to assist their star system's Moon-Grade were usually from notable backgrounds, as working in such a location provided not only generous monthly stipends but also opportunities for extra income.

This fat-faced, big-eared mid-stage Constellation-Grade cultivator looked rather jovial.

Lu Ye immediately thought of Pang Dahai from Bing Province. Generally, such individuals were not difficult to deal with, provided the benefits were sufficient!

The plump cultivator stepped forward and bowed, "Greetings, fellow Daoist. May I ask what brings you here?"

Lu Ye returned the bow and said, "I wish to use your star system's wormhole; I hope for your cooperation!"

The plump cultivator's eyes narrowed. "Passing through... that's common. However, please forgive me, fellow Daoist, I need to complete some registration, so I'll have to ask you a few questions!"

As he spoke, he took out a jade slip, appearing ready to begin the registration.

"Please ask, fellow Daoist!" Lu Ye knew this was standard procedure. Even if Azure Moon wasn't concerned about a single Constellation-Grade cultivator entering, certain details still needed to be ascertained.

The plump cultivator immediately asked Lu Ye several questions, such as his origin, his current residence in the Myriad Manifestation Sea, and the purpose of his visit to the Azure Moon Star System.

Lu Ye answered each question. His origin and background couldn't be verified, so when Lu Ye gave the name "Lu Yiye of Wushuang," the plump cultivator simply recorded it. As for his purpose in entering the Azure Moon Star System, Lu Ye stated it was merely to pass through to the next star system.

These matters also couldn't be thoroughly investigated. Azure Moon wouldn't dispatch someone to escort Lu Ye out.

Therefore, the registration here was purely a formality, partly due to Lu Ye's relatively low cultivation level. If a Moon-Grade or Sun-Grade cultivator had arrived, they would not have received the same treatment.

Next came the main point. The plump cultivator chuckled as he looked at Lu Ye, "Fellow Daoist, you must know the rules. Two people and one beast, so..." He rubbed his fingers together.

Lu Ye asked, "How much?"

The plump cultivator replied, "It's per person, one thousand Spirit Jade each!"

A bit expensive!

However, this was understandable. Once cultivators entered another star system, they could collect Spirit Jade there. If a star system's Spirit Jade was being harvested, it was natural to charge a fee.

Although Lu Ye didn't have a vast amount of Spirit Jade to spare at the moment, he still had a million or two. So, he readily paid the three thousand Spirit Jade.

As expected, these plump individuals were usually quite greedy. As long as the Spirit Jade was paid, everything was easy. If not, who knew what difficulties they might create?

After receiving the Spirit Jade, the plump cultivator immediately took out a token. "Fellow Daoist, you may enter with this token. However, I must still state the rules: within the Azure Moon Star System... you must not collect Spirit Jade!"

Although he said this, if Lu Ye actually did collect it and wasn't discovered, no one would know. Thus, most cultivators, even when given such a warning upon entering another star system, didn't pay it much mind.

"Is that all?" Lu Ye took the token. He had expected to meet the Moon-Grade cultivator stationed there, but to his surprise, a mere Constellation-Grade cultivator had handled everything, and he hadn't even entered their grand hall.

"It's not a troublesome matter to begin with," the plump cultivator chuckled, bowing again. "Then I wish fellow Daoist a smooth journey ahead!"

"Thank you!" Lu Ye expressed his gratitude, then headed towards the wormhole with Amber and Yiyi.

Watching Lu Ye depart, the plump cultivator's face became even more cheerful. He was truly happy to have acquired another three thousand Spirit Jade! Even if he had to share this Spirit Jade with his fellow disciples, each would still get several hundred. Such a good opportunity, where people delivered Spirit Jade right to their doorstep, was only available at this outpost and nowhere else.

Soon, Lu Ye and his companions arrived at the wormhole. Upon sensing it, Lu Ye realized it was a very stable one; in other words, passing through it would have no negative after-effects.

This reminded Lu Ye of the wormhole on the Jade Snail side. It was certain that wormhole connected to the Myriad Manifestation Star System, but because it had only been formed for a few years, it had remained unstable. Back then, if he and Tang Jun hadn't relied on the Void Beast's core, they wouldn't have been able to escape from it.

He wondered how long it would take for that wormhole to stabilize. When it did, it would be much easier for Jade Snail cultivators to travel to the Myriad Manifestation Star System, eliminating the need for years of arduous travel.

Even the Four Directions Star System would benefit. They could then enter the Myriad Manifestation Star System through the Jade Snail's wormhole, which would be far better and save a lot of time compared to passing through the Mist Dragon and borrowing a path from Changyun.

However, not every wormhole would stabilize. Some remained chaotic and unusable, while others might even collapse again. Therefore, whether the Jade Snail's wormhole would ever be usable and when, was entirely up to fate; human effort could not interfere.

Passing through the wormhole, the group arrived in the Azure Moon Star System, where there was also a floating landmass.

As Lu Ye and his companions appeared, cultivators approached from that side, inspected the token Lu Ye had paid three thousand Spirit Jade for, and after confirming its validity, allowed them to pass directly.

Summoning his Star Shuttle, Lu Ye flew in a certain direction under Li Shang's guidance.

Lu Ye still hadn't figured out how to reach the Soul Clan ancestral land, as Li Shang hadn't elaborated, only telling him he would know when the time came.

Moreover, the route Li Shang had provided only extended to the Azure Moon Star System, which made Lu Ye somewhat suspicious. Could the Soul Clan ancestral land actually be within the Azure Moon Star System itself?

But if that were the case, why hadn't the Azure Moon Star System discovered it all this time?

He pondered it but couldn't understand, so he decided to confirm the specifics when they arrived.