Chapter 1670: I Will Try

"It is indeed the Yin-Yang Grinding Mill!" Hua Qianying said with a helpless expression. "If not for this celestial marvel, the outer realm, while perhaps not becoming a large realm, would at least possess more than just basic life. It would certainly have given birth to living beings. But because of the Yin-Yang Grinding Mill, the outer realm appears as you observed it."

The Yin-Yang Grinding Mill continuously grows, drawing sustenance from everything in its surroundings. Even though the outer realm is still somewhat distant from it, it remains vulnerable to the celestial marvel's pervasive influence.

In fact, were it not for the symbiotic nourishment provided by the World King Flower, the outer realm would have long ceased to possess even a trace of life.

It is precisely this symbiotic relationship with the World King Flower that has prevented this realm from becoming a completely dead and barren celestial body.

While the realm currently sustains basic life, its continued existence is precarious. As the Yin-Yang Grinding Mill relentlessly expands, it will inevitably succumb, likely within a few years.

Considering this, the World King Flower undeniably contributes significantly to a realm's development. It's important to remember that this is an desolate starfield, filled only with dead planets, barren stars, and fragmented floating continents. Yet, the World King Flower's presence can, to a certain degree, counteract the destructive influence of a cosmic wonder like the Yin-Yang Grinding Mill.

Lu Ye instantly grasped the immense power of this divine artifact.

If such a divine artifact were acquired and put up for sale, top-tier realms might react one way or another, but larger realms would undoubtedly fall into a frenzy, desperate to claim it.

Who wouldn't desire their realm to ascend to a top-tier status sooner? Yet, enhancing a realm's foundation isn't as straightforward as a cultivator's practice; it demands centuries of gradual accumulation.

However, with the World King Flower's symbiotic attachment, mutually beneficial to the realm, this timeline could be drastically accelerated.

Only now did Lu Ye truly grasp Hua Qianying's meaning regarding the Divine Wind Pirate Group's greater interest in this divine artifact. Compared to the Flower Clan itself, the World King Flower's value is immeasurable. If they were to acquire it, the Divine Wind Pirate Group could effectively retire, and even if they chose to reside in a large realm, they would be welcomed as esteemed guests!

On that note, Kyushu truly needs a World King Flower!

Kyushu had only recently ascended to the status of a large realm. While it possessed the foundations of the Blood Refining Realm and the Peerless Continent to absorb, even after integrating these, Kyushu's progression to a top-tier realm remained a distant prospect. Kyushu's sole advantage lay with Little Nine; due to Little Nine's presence, Kyushu was a realm capable of rapid development. Indeed, across the entire starfield, realms like Kyushu were exceptionally rare.

Otherwise, the Sun-Glow named Yue Xin wouldn't have been so overjoyed back then.

A realm capable of rapid growth, further supported by a World King Flower... Lu Ye scarcely dared to imagine such a magnificent outcome.

His mind began to race, but the presence of the Divine Wind Pirate Group outside immediately brought a wave of trepidation.

The Divine Wind Pirate Group's overall strength wasn't overwhelming, but their crucial asset was a late-stage Moon-Glow cultivator, a force Lu Ye currently had no means of combating.

After a moment's thought, Lu Ye asked, "The pirate group outside is attempting to destroy this realm. If the realm is annihilated, what will be the effect on the World King Flower?"

According to Hua Qianying, the World King Flower attaches itself to a realm in a manner similar to, yet distinct from, parasitism. While Lu Ye was unsure of the exact consequences of the realm's destruction on the World King Flower, he was certain they would be dire.

Hua Qianying explained, "Once the World King Flower attaches itself to a realm, it can no longer be separated. And without our Flower Clan opening the portal, no one can enter. There is only one method to achieve separation..."

"Destroying the realm the World King Flower is attached to!" Lu Ye realized.

It appears the Divine Wind Pirate Group somehow discovered the presence of a World King Flower here and knew how to separate it from the realm, which explains their efforts to destroy the realm.

Once the realm is annihilated, the World King Flower will be exposed and can then be collected.

At this point, Hua Qianying’s expression turned somber. "In truth, even if the pirate group outside hadn't intended to destroy the realm, our original plan was to find a way to do so ourselves. The Yin-Yang Grinding Mill is ceaselessly expanding, and the World King Flower's reciprocal nourishment can no longer sustain this realm's vitality for much longer. Once the realm's life force dwindles, the World King Flower's own realm will suffer severe damage."

Thus, for this branch of the Flower Clan, the only viable path was to destroy the realm themselves before these events unfolded, retrieve the World King Flower, and seek another location to settle.

Their requirements for a realm were modest; as long as the environment wasn't too harsh, with the World King Flower's assistance, any realm they selected could rapidly flourish.

"Why haven't you acted yet?" Lu Ye inquired.

Hua Qianying replied bitterly, "Insufficient strength! To retrieve the World King Flower, one requires immense soul power, because the World King Flower isn't a tangible object but rather a quasi-real entity. Besides its attachment to the realm, it can only be stored within one's spiritual sea. As I am merely a Star-Lord, my spiritual sea is insufficient to contain it; attempting to force it would likely result in my spiritual sea's collapse."

This presented a significant challenge for Hua Qianying's branch of the Flower Clan.

They originated from the World King Flower's Flower Realm, meaning their individual strength was directly tied to the Flower Realm's level. If not for the Yin-Yang Grinding Mill's ceaseless absorption over the years, the World King Flower's realm would have long since matured, and Hua Qianying's power would not be limited to that of a Star-Lord. But precisely because of the Yin-Yang Grinding Mill, the World King Flower's realm has been unable to develop.

If the Flower Realm's level cannot advance, neither can the cultivation of the Flower Clan members.

This was the fundamental reason why no Moon-Glow cultivators had emerged from Hua Qianying's branch of the Flower Clan.

"Initially, when Fellow Daoists Mu He and Black Umbrella ascended to Moon-Glow, we believed our prospects had greatly improved. However, both attempted it and found they were still unable to succeed."

Mu He and Black Umbrella, standing nearby, wore expressions of shame.

The Flower Clan had offered them refuge, a place to live, and even aided their ascension to Moon-Glow status. Yet, in the end, they had been utterly useless, which left them feeling genuinely remorseful. At its core, their soul power simply wasn't robust enough.

"My previous journey from the Flower Realm to the Myriad Phenomena Sea was undertaken to find a trustworthy and powerful individual who could assist us. Regrettably, I found no such person."

Relying solely on their own Flower Clan members was no longer an option. As long as the Flower Realm's level remained stagnant, the maximum power achievable by Flower Clan members born from it would be that of a Star-Lord, analogous to how Kyushu once only produced cultivators up to the Spiritual Sea Realm.

Consequently, the Flower Clan considered seeking external assistance. However, according to Hua Qianying's estimation, acquiring the World King Flower would require at least a late-stage Moon-Glow cultivator. As merely a late-stage Star-Lord, her access to such powerful individuals in a place like the Myriad Phenomena Sea was severely limited. Moreover, even if she managed to connect with them, she couldn't guarantee their character.

After several years spent fruitlessly in the Myriad Phenomena Sea, she ultimately had no choice but to return. She had barely arrived back when the current crisis struck.

Now, with the realm under attack, it will be breached within two or three days. Once the World King Flower is exposed, the Flower Clan's future will become dire.

The only strategy they could conceive of now was to unite the strengths of the Flower Clan, Wood Spirits, and Spore Clan, launching a counterattack the instant the realm was breached, hoping for a chance to defeat their opponents.

However, the opposing force ultimately had a late-stage Moon-Glow cultivator presiding, along with an early-stage Moon-Glow. Even if Mu He and Black Umbrella had both ascended to Moon-Glow, they would still be no match.

Moreover, several Tiger Shark warships loomed outside, their unleashed power comparable to that of a Moon-Glow cultivator's strike.

When the realm is ultimately breached, the three clans will most likely face defeat and the grim fate of enslavement.

"Is soul power truly what's required to collect the World King Flower?" Lu Ye mused thoughtfully.

"Yes," Hua Qianying nodded. If she could ascend to Moon-Glow, her race's inherent connection to the World King Flower would likely make its collection straightforward. However, she was unable to achieve that ascension.

"May I try?" Lu Ye asked.

Soul power... He was confident that his far surpassed that of cultivators at the same cultivation level, as he hadn't consumed so many soul-enhancing elixirs for naught.

However, since both Mu He and Black Umbrella had tried and failed, and while he wasn't sure of the exact disparity between his soul power and theirs, at this point, it was a desperate gamble.

If he succeeded, there would be a glimmer of hope; if not, they would be left with no option but a desperate, final stand.

Hua Qianying clearly understood this, and therefore did not refuse Lu Ye's request. "Certainly, you may try, but please be cautious, Fellow Daoist. Even though it's just an attempt, there's still significant danger. If anything feels amiss, please cease immediately!"

Among the diverse individuals she had encountered in the Myriad Phenomena Sea, she held the highest regard for Lu Ye. During her years there, he was the sole cultivator who had extended aid to her. Had Lu Ye been a late-stage Moon-Glow, she would very likely have sought his assistance then. However, since his cultivation was identical to her own—merely a late-stage Star-Lord—she had not brought it up.

Lu Ye nodded. "What should I do?"

"Just a moment!" Hua Qianying instructed, and soul power surged around her.

Soon, the entire Flower Realm began to vibrate, as if something was being birthed within it.

Countless specks of shimmering light flew in from all directions. Sensing this phenomenon, all living beings within the Flower Realm had their attention captivated.

Though the Flower Realm was vast, its inhabitants were sparse. The combined population of the three clans amounted to fewer than two hundred, spread thinly throughout the realm.

As Lu Ye observed, the myriad specks of light converged before Hua Qianying, swiftly coalescing into a single flower.

The flower was roughly the size of a human head, pristine white, and spotless. It didn't appear particularly remarkable.

Yet, this was one of the most invaluable treasures in the starfield: a projection of the World King Flower!

The true World King Flower remained bound to the realm; its physical form would only manifest if the realm itself were shattered. Thus, what appeared before Lu Ye was merely a projection.

Despite being only a projection, it was a concentrated essence of the World King Flower's origin, making its collection far from simple for Lu Ye.

Hua Qianying instructed, "Fellow Daoist, you can activate your soul power and refine it as you would a treasure, to see if you can draw it into your spiritual sea."

Lu Ye nodded, then followed the instructions. His soul power surged, enveloping the projection of the World King Flower.