Chapter 1722: Bowing at the Mountain

As Lu Ye was heading towards Three Realms Island, his sound transmission talisman suddenly vibrated. He picked it up to check and found it was Luan Xiao'e, asking about the situation on his side.

Lu Ye told her the truth.

Only then did Luan Xiao'e breathe a sigh of relief.

A moment later, Lu Ye and his two companions met up with Luan Xiao'e and her junior brother.

Glancing at their current state, Lu Ye frowned. "What happened to you?"

Both Luan Xiao'e and He Baichuan had sustained some injuries. This clearly indicated they had been in a major battle.

"We were intercepted!" Luan Xiao'e's expression was grim. "My junior brother He and I fought them. They suddenly retreated just before I sent you the message!"

Lu Ye frowned and asked, "How many people?"

"Three!" Luan Xiao'e replied.

And those who could intercept them, a senior and junior pair, were undoubtedly all Moon-level cultivators.

Lu Ye pondered for a moment, then understood. "Three Realms Island, we've been targeted!"

On his way back from Myriad Manifestations Island, Tang Jun was ambushed by two Moon-level cultivators and sent a message for help. As a result, Luan Xiao'e and her junior brother were intercepted.

Two on that side, three on this side—exactly five Moon-level cultivators. They were clearly working together. This was undoubtedly a premeditated provocation.

Therefore, it wasn't hard for Lu Ye to deduce that Three Realms Island had been targeted by a certain force. They intended to make an example of Tang Jun first, weakening Three Realms Island's defensive capabilities.

If he and Ma Shangsi hadn't left so quickly, the three Moon-level cultivators who had just intercepted Luan Xiao'e's junior brother would likely have confronted the two of them.

But Ma Shangsi's speed after activating the Blood Escape technique by bursting his precious blood was too fast. The opponents probably didn't react quickly enough, which is why they intercepted Luan Xiao'e and her junior brother, who were behind them.

Three Realms Island had been promoted to a High-Grade Spirit Island a month ago. It was a lucrative prize, so it was no surprise it had been targeted. Lu Ye even suspected that more than one force was eyeing Three Realms Island, but only one had made a move today.

"Let's go back first!" Lu Ye called out. Everyone headed back. They didn't relax their vigilance on the way. Who knew if a few Moon-level cultivators might suddenly appear and ambush them at a time like this?

It wasn't until they returned to Three Realms Island that everyone's tense nerves finally relaxed.

Tang Jun grumbled as he went to find Shui Yuan for healing. He had barely survived that battle, and the cost was immense. The several shattered protective spirit treasures and one red talisman alone were worth nearly four million spirit jade, a considerable loss.

Although Lu Ye had slain one of the opponents, Tang Jun had gained nothing significant, not enough to compensate for his losses.

Lu Ye went to the alchemy room to find Hua Ci. He had intended to do this when he first returned, but then he received Tang Jun's message about being ambushed and immediately rushed to his rescue.

Inside the alchemy room, Hua Ci already knew about Lu Ye's return, so she wasn't surprised to see him, merely giving him a smiling glance.

"Daddy!" A small figure darted from the side and pounced into Lu Ye's embrace.

It was Ya Ya.

Lu Ye hugged her, then reached up and playfully rubbed her small nose. "Have you been good?"

Ya Ya's eyes darted around. She said crisply, "I've been very well-behaved and obedient!"

Lu Ye looked at Hua Ci. Hua Ci nodded, "Ya Ya is very sensible; she doesn't fuss or make trouble when you're not around."

"What a good girl then!" Lu Ye gently pinched her rosy little cheek.

Ya Ya giggled.

"How is Old Tang?" Hua Ci asked.

Lu Ye sat down with Ya Ya in his arms and replied, "He's injured, but it's nothing serious. Second Senior Sister is treating him."

Ya Ya leaned forward, picked up the teapot nearby, poured a cup of water for Lu Ye, and handed it to him. She said obediently, "Daddy, have some tea."

Lu Ye took it with pleasure.

Just as he started to drink, Ya Ya asked, "Where's my mommy?"

Lu Ye spat out a mouthful of tea. He quickly explained, "Ah, your mommy? She went back to her family's home!"

Hua Ci chuckled meaningfully from the side.

Lu Ye immediately felt a headache coming on.

Ya Ya reached up and touched her little mouth with her finger. She thought seriously for a while, looking a little dejected.

"She'll be back in a while," Lu Ye comforted her.

He sighed inwardly. He knew Ya Ya wasn't a real child, but for some unknown reason, she had become like this. Coupled with her impaired mind, she always acted like a child. Yet, with Ya Ya calling him "Daddy" repeatedly, Lu Ye felt a heavy burden on his shoulders.

Before, he was a little afraid that Ya Ya might one day regain her full consciousness. If she remembered this period, his situation wouldn't be very good.

But now, he no longer thought that way. He even somewhat hoped Ya Ya could recover. After all, it was rather tragic for a dignified Sun-level cultivator to fall to such a state.

"You might have thought the situation in Myriad Manifestations Sea was too simple before," Hua Ci's voice remarked. "Now that you're back, you should communicate more with Old Tang and the others. This ambush on Old Tang actually had precursors."

"What do you know?" Lu Ye asked.

Hua Ci shook her head. "Second Senior Sister and I are in charge of the alchemy room. We've only heard a few simple things about external affairs and don't know much, so I won't mislead your thoughts."

Lu Ye nodded.

After chatting with Hua Ci for a while longer in the alchemy room, Lu Ye received a message from Luan Xiao'e and then departed.

In the Three Realms Island Council Hall, all the Moon-level cultivators were gathered.

From the Jade Snail Star System, there were four Moon-level cultivators: Luan Xiao'e, He Baichuan, Tang Jun, and Lu Ye.

From the Merfolk race, there were Grand Elder Yan Miao and Fourth Elder Cheng Xin.

Plus, the Blood Attendant Ma Shangsi.

The entire Three Realms Island now boasted seven Moon-level cultivators. Their strength had greatly increased compared to when they first arrived. Furthermore, Luan Xiao'e, Yan Miao, and Ma Shangsi were all at the peak Moon-level, while He Baichuan and Cheng Xin were at the late Moon-level.

With such a lineup, coupled with a thousand Star-level cultivators, Three Realms Island's defensive capabilities could be considered initially robust.

For any force, such a development speed was somewhat incredible. After all, the cultivators from Three Realms Island had only arrived in Myriad Manifestations Sea a little over a year ago.

Of course, due to the rules of Myriad Manifestations Sea, if they truly encountered a spirit island contention battle, the seven Moon-level cultivators couldn't all participate. Otherwise, it would be a provocation to the local star systems, and the Sun-level cultivators stationed on Myriad Manifestations Island would certainly not stand idly by.

After Shui Yuan's treatment, Tang Jun's injuries were no longer serious. He just looked a bit weak.

Everyone took their seats. Lu Ye was the first to speak. "Which force launched the attack on Three Realms Island today?"

Everyone fell silent; clearly, no one knew.

Luan Xiao'e's expression was a bit awkward as she explained, "We haven't been here long, so we don't have a clear understanding of the Moon-level cultivators of the major forces. But to be able to dispatch five Moon-level cultivators at once, all of whom are quite powerful, they must not be a small force."

For over a year, Three Realms Island had been focused on its own development. Various major forces were entrenched in Myriad Manifestations Sea, and Three Realms Island didn't have extensive connections. So, it was indeed impossible to determine which force was attacking them, especially since the other party was operating in the shadows.

This made the situation frustrating; they didn't even know who to seek revenge from.

Lu Ye lightly tapped his fingers on the table. Suddenly, he looked at Tang Jun again. "Old Tang, what were you doing on Myriad Manifestations Island today?"

Hearing this, Tang Jun replied, "Making a formal visit!"

"Making a formal visit?" Lu Ye frowned, looking bewildered. "A formal visit to what?"

Tang Jun said helplessly, "You're only focused on your cultivation, so of course, you don't understand the many hidden complexities of Myriad Manifestations Sea."

"Then tell me about it." Lu Ye straightened his posture, assuming a listening stance.

Tang Jun thought for a moment, then asked, "You should know that there are Sun-level cultivators stationed on Myriad Manifestations Island, right?"

"I know that." Lu Ye nodded. Even if he was more ignorant, he had still heard of this common knowledge. Furthermore, he knew that there was more than one Sun-level cultivator stationed on Myriad Manifestations Island.

"Sun-level cultivators are stationed in Myriad Manifestations Sea partly for deterrence, and partly to manage it, right? If any force breaks the rules, then a Sun-level cultivator needs to step in to resolve it. Normally, Sun-level powerhouses wouldn't bother with such trivial matters; their level is too high, and they each have their own pursuits, so why would they waste time on these things? However, in reality, this task of being stationed in Myriad Manifestations Sea is highly competitive within the local star systems. The Sun-level cultivators from the local star systems are very eager to come and be stationed here."

"How so?" Lu Ye raised an eyebrow.

"Of course, there are benefits, and significant ones!" Tang Jun looked at him. "Currently, on the surface, the local star systems only occupy one top-grade spirit island in Myriad Manifestations Sea. But in reality, almost every top-grade and even high-grade spirit island has intricate connections with the Sun-level cultivators from the local star systems. Behind those top-grade and high-grade spirit islands, there is a shadow of local Sun-level cultivators!"

Lu Ye frowned. "You're confusing me."

Tang Jun explained, "It's simple. Let's not talk about low-grade and mid-grade spirit islands; Sun-level cultivators don't care for those. But high-grade spirit islands are different. Take our Three Realms Island, for example: it currently has an excellent cultivation environment. Coming here, cultivation efficiency will greatly increase. Sun-level cultivators don't need such environments, but which Sun-level cultivator doesn't have juniors or disciples who need to be looked after? These people need excellent cultivation environments! The local star systems in Myriad Manifestations have a large number of cultivators, and Myriad Manifestations Island alone cannot accommodate them all. So, other top-grade and high-grade spirit islands become their choice."

Pausing, Tang Jun continued, "They won't overtly seize these spirit islands because they also need to save face. And since they established the rules, they naturally won't break them themselves. Therefore, the administrators of these spirit islands need to be astute enough to go and make a formal visit themselves."

Lu Ye began to understand. "Simply put, align with a certain Sun-level cultivator, and then that Sun-level cultivator will arrange for some people to cultivate on those spirit islands?"

Tang Jun nodded. "That's exactly it. This is an unwritten rule that has been passed down through Myriad Manifestations Sea since ancient times. The local star systems of Myriad Manifestations use this method to place their own cultivators on various spirit islands. Of course, these cultivators won't gain many substantial benefits from the spirit islands; they merely occupy some spots to have a better cultivation environment!"

As he spoke, Tang Jun raised his hand and tapped the table. "This is what's called 'making a formal visit.' It means a spirit island establishes a certain implicit cooperation with a particular Sun-level cultivator, and then, at certain times, can receive a degree of patronage."