Chapter 1728: The Counterattack Begins

"What do you all think?" Lu Ye asked, turning to the others in the council hall.

Everyone remained silent, contemplating the pros and cons of the plan.

After a long pause, Luan Xiao'e finally said, "We have seven Moonfall cultivators here, so let's vote by a show of hands. Those who agree with Junior Brother Lu's proposal, please raise your hand."

No sooner had she finished speaking than Tang Jun raised his hand.

The others stared at him in astonishment.

Old Tang grumbled, "If anyone else had suggested this, I certainly wouldn't have agreed. But since it's Lu, you all will surely support him. Why should I object?"

He had a point. The two Moonfall cultivators from the Merfolk Race would undoubtedly agree with Lu Ye's proposal, and Ma Shangsi was a given. With four out of seven Moonfall cultivators already on Lu Ye's side, Old Tang's dissent wouldn't matter.

There was no need for further voting. With the plan decided, the next step was to discuss the specific course of action.

The absolute priority of Lu Ye's proposal was how to swiftly breach Hundred Yue Island's defenses. If that couldn't be achieved, then everything else was moot.

However, Hundred Yue Island had been established for many years, and its defensive array had accumulated immense power. While not impenetrable, its defenses were certainly formidable. A direct assault from the outside was out of the question. Even if everyone from Three Realms Island launched a full-scale attack, they might not be able to significantly impact the island's protective array in a short time.

After much discussion, everyone agreed that breaching Hundred Yue Island's defensive array could only be accomplished from within.

Ideas were put forward, and their chances of success were debated. It wasn't until half a day later that a vague operational plan emerged. The plan remained vague mainly because it contained too many uncertain factors, requiring improvisation.

The matter was thus settled.

Lu Ye took out a sound talisman and sent a message.

Three Realms Island officially entered a state of readiness for battle.

Two days later, the grand array of Three Realms Island hummed, and a large amount of mist suddenly spread within. In a short while, the entire island was enveloped in fog.

Outsiders looking in from the outside could not see anything clearly inside the island.

On Hundred Yue Island, several Moonfall cultivators, led by Yu Huan, gathered. News of Three Realms Island's changes had already reached them. They had placed personnel to monitor Three Realms Island from the outside; otherwise, they wouldn't have been able to precisely intercept Luan Xiao'e and He Baichuan when they left previously.

In the main hall, Yu Huan sat in the primary seat, frowning in thought. "Three Realms Island has suddenly changed, using a mist array to conceal its interior. I wonder what they're up to." As he spoke, he turned to a woman. "Junior Sister Meng, you are in charge of this matter. Have you heard anything?"

A dignified woman, seated to his left, shook her head. "Our subordinates haven't made any clear discoveries. The changes on Three Realms Island were very sudden. And as you know, Senior Brother, the sea area around Three Realms Island is vast. While I have people monitoring the periphery, they can't get too close."

Yu Huan nodded slightly, acknowledging that Junior Sister Meng was correct.

Across from Junior Sister Meng, a burly man stroked his chin and said, "In my opinion, Three Realms Island is likely just taking precautions. Our previous actions alerted them, so it's natural for them to respond this way."

Yu Huan's eyes flickered. "Then is there a possibility that Three Realms Island has already uncovered our identities?"

"Unlikely!" a young-looking Moonfall cultivator shook his head. "The cultivators from Three Realms Island come from a star system called Jade Snail, which we've never even heard of. It's clearly insignificant. They're new here, lucky to have occupied a revitalized desolate island, and without connections or channels, how could they possibly discover our identities?"

He was right. If Lu Ye and his group hadn't coincidentally encountered Yu Huan, they would still be trying to uncover their identities.

There were many Moonfall cultivators on the Myriad Manifestations Sea, with spiritual islands generally having one in charge. If Three Realms Island had truly begun inquiring about their identities, they would surely have received word. After all, Hundred Yue Island was far superior in terms of local operations and intelligence gathering. The fact that they hadn't received any hint meant Three Realms Island knew nothing about their situation.

After a brief discussion, the Moonfall cultivators concluded that the changes on Three Realms Island were merely precautionary. Their people had been ambushed previously, so it was only natural for them to take defensive measures until they could identify their attackers.

Using a mist array to conceal the island's interior clearly indicated they were aware of being monitored.

"Three Realms Island must be taken down! This isn't just a mission from above; we also need to avenge our fallen Junior Brother Wang!"

At the mention of this, Yu Huan's face filled with indignation, and the other Moonfall cultivators also showed hatred in their eyes.

The Moonfall cultivators were all from the Hundred Yue star system and had worked together for many years, naturally forming strong bonds. In the previous battle, the enemy suffered no losses, while they lost Junior Brother Wang. This left Yu Huan and the others filled with unparalleled fury. They vowed secretly to attack Three Realms Island sooner or later and massacre all its cultivators to honor Junior Brother Wang's spirit. Especially the early-stage Moonfall cultivator who killed him — they swore to make him suffer a fate worse than death to assuage their hatred.

On Three Realms Island, shrouded in mist, outsiders could no longer discern anything within.

Lu Ye dispatched a Blood Clone to guard the island while his main body delved deep into the Myriad Manifestations Sea for cultivation.

With the plan set, the next step was to await the opportune moment.

Upon reaching the Moonfall stage, the efficiency of cultivation in the Myriad Manifestations Sea didn't significantly increase. This was because Lu Ye wasn't actively cultivating in this manner; rather, the sea's waters relentlessly eroded his body. Therefore, regardless of Lu Ye's cultivation level, his efficiency in absorbing and refining energy remained constant once he entered the Myriad Manifestations Sea.

Of course, if he were to actively open his body and mind to assist the process, the efficiency would likely be faster.

However, this would lead to a greater consumption of fuel for the Talent Tree. The current cultivation efficiency was just right.

Two months passed in a flash. During this period, Three Realms Island remained quiet, and there was no movement from Hundred Yue Island. Both sides were so calm it was as if nothing had ever happened between them.

Then, one day, the Blood Clone remaining on the island suddenly received a message.

Lu Ye's main body immediately left the Myriad Manifestations Sea and returned to the island. After retracting his Blood Clone, he sent a message to Luan Xiao'e, then activated his concealment and aura-restricting spirit patterns before quietly departing Three Realms Island.

After traveling a considerable distance, Lu Ye opened the portal to the Small Flower Realm. Ma Shangsi emerged from it, summoned his starship, and, guided by Lu Ye, rapidly flew towards the outer reaches of the Myriad Manifestations Sea.

As he made his move, the entire Three Realms Island also sprang into action. All cultivators who had been in seclusion were summoned and prepared for battle.

The counterattack had begun!

Although it was uncertain if this operation would proceed smoothly, it was an opportunity Three Realms Island had waited two months for, and it had to be seized. If Lu Ye's progress was smooth, there was still a possibility for the subsequent plans to unfold. If not, then everything would be called off.

Beyond the Myriad Manifestations Sea, in a cosmic expanse, a massive meteorite hung suspended.

When Ma Shangsi brought Lu Ye here, they immediately descended towards the meteorite, where they soon found Zhou Chuang waiting.

The message Lu Ye had received earlier was from Zhou Chuang.

For the past two months, Zhou Chuang had been monitoring Hundred Yue Island's activities. Unfortunately, their opponents had remained inactive until today.

Asking Zhou Chuang for help was a last resort because Three Realms Island was undoubtedly being watched. Moreover, Three Realms Island's Moonfall cultivators had already met those from Hundred Yue. Therefore, to conduct stealthy surveillance, they had to rely on someone from the Four Directions Star System.

To date, almost no one on the Myriad Manifestations Sea knew about the relationship between Three Realms Island and Four Directions Island.

After exchanging greetings, Zhou Chuang said, "The one who came out is named Chu Zhu. She's a late-stage Moonfall cultivator and has now entered a realm."

Lu Ye immediately took out a star map to check, and seeing that the realm ahead was One Origin Realm, he asked, "Is this One Origin Realm connected to Yuan Du?"

Zhou Chuang nodded. "Yuan Du originated from One Origin Realm. Besides him, there's also another Sunfire cultivator within that realm."

Lu Ye nodded.

Although he didn't know why Hundred Yue's Moonfall cultivator would go to One Origin Realm, this indirectly confirmed Yuan Du's involvement in Hundred Yue's previous ambush on Old Tang.

"Isn't this location too close?" Zhou Chuang asked. "We don't know the full extent of a Sunfire cultivator's power. If a major battle erupts here and the Sunfire cultivator from One Origin Realm detects it, our plans could be exposed."

While Sunfire cultivators on the Myriad Manifestations Sea were generally constrained by rules from easily intervening, this was no longer the Myriad Manifestations Sea. This location could be considered close to One Origin Realm's territory, and if their Sunfire cultivator detected activity and intervened, no one would criticize them.

Zhou Chuang didn't know Lu Ye's exact intentions, but since Lu Ye asked him to help monitor someone, he naturally devoted himself to the task. With Lu Ye rushing here, clearly intending to harm Chu Zhu, Zhou Chuang naturally felt compelled to offer a reminder.

"It is indeed too close." Lu Ye nodded, examining the star map. "In that case, I'll take Old Ma back a bit. Please continue to observe from here, and send me a message if there's any activity."

"Alright," Zhou Chuang nodded.

Lu Ye immediately left with Ma Shangsi, retreating towards the Myriad Manifestations Sea.

After waiting quietly for a while, a little over half a day later, Lu Ye received another message from Zhou Chuang.

After a quick check, Lu Ye exchanged a glance with Ma Shangsi, who understood immediately and began to prepare discreetly.

Not long after, two figures swept over from the front: Zhou Chuang and Chu Zhu from Hundred Yue. From their appearance, they seemed to be conversing, each with a smile on their face.

Lu Ye had asked Zhou Chuang to secretly monitor Chu Zhu, yet Zhou Chuang was now openly walking with her.

This was undoubtedly a very wise approach. Since Chu Zhu was, after all, a late-stage Moonfall cultivator, it would be risky for Zhou Chuang to track her without revealing himself unless he maintained a sufficient distance.

By openly appearing and feigning a chance encounter, he could undoubtedly monitor her more conveniently.

Four Directions Island and Hundred Yue Island were not far apart. Although Zhou Chuang and Chu Zhu weren't close, they had met several times. Encountering each other in such a place, exchanging a few words, and walking together for a while was not unusual.

At the very least, Chu Zhu had no idea that Zhou Chuang harbored malicious intent.