Chapter 1750: Spending Money to Ward Off Disaster

"So it was just a misunderstanding?" Luan Xiao'e looked calmly at Zhao Yunqi.

"It most certainly was!" he declared resolutely.

Luan Xiao'e's expression relaxed slightly. "Then that's for the best."

Zhao Yunqi couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief. From Luan Xiao'e's tone, it seemed she had no intention of dragging things out, and since they hadn't initiated hostilities immediately, a battle today could likely be avoided. Just as he was thinking this, Luan Xiao'e's tone shifted: "While it was a misunderstanding, it remains a fact that my Three Realms Island's protective formation was breached, and many treasures on the island were lost..."

Zhao Yunqi's eye twitched. He knew things weren't that simple; this was where the real issue lay. Three Realms Island had no formidable protective formation to speak of; it was merely a simple illusion array, which the Giant Blade cultivators had easily breached. Moreover, there couldn't have been any treasures on the island, as they had found nothing of value there at all.

Zhao Yunqi's heart sank, knowing he would likely have to pay to appease them today, otherwise, they certainly wouldn't give up. It made sense; they had come out in full force, menacingly, and wouldn't just exchange a few empty words. Furthermore, Giant Blade had indeed attacked Three Realms Island.

After a moment's contemplation, Zhao Yunqi nodded. "The situation was critical then, and we were left with no choice. My Giant Blade is willing to compensate for your island's losses."

Luan Xiao'e regarded him with satisfaction. "Daoist Zhao is indeed a reasonable person."

Zhao Yunqi felt a wave of bitterness. He knew that if he hadn't been 'reasonable,' a conflict between Giant Blade and Three Realms Island would have been inevitable—something he desperately needed to avoid right now. He cautiously glanced at Luan Xiao'e and asked, "May I inquire about the value of your island's protective formation and those... lost treasures?"

"On the way here, I made a rough estimate," Luan Xiao'e replied. "Let's say twenty million spirit jade."

Zhao Yunqi felt a sharp pain in his liver...

Twenty million spirit jade was no small sum. Even Three Realms Island, after conquering Baiyue, hadn't extracted that much spirit jade from Baiyue's treasury. Giant Blade Island was somewhat less prosperous than Baiyue, so they certainly wouldn't be able to produce such a large amount. None of the various forces, large or small, across the Myriad Manifestations Ocean could afford to keep large reserves of spirit jade. Firstly, it wasn't safe, and secondly, cultivators' cultivation expenses were substantial. Spirit islands like Giant Blade, which lacked significant trade activities, had very few avenues for acquiring spirit jade. Most of the spirit jade they used daily was supplied by their home star system, with only a small portion obtained through their own efforts. Only a handful of spirit islands engaged in extensive trade had substantial spirit jade reserves.

Luan Xiao'e had anticipated this, so she added, "If you don't have spirit jade, other resources of equivalent value will also suffice."

Zhao Yunqi was about to haggle. "Daoist Luan—"

Luan Xiao'e cut him off directly, her gaze icy. "Twenty million. Not a coin more, not a coin less. Your island has half a day to prepare!"

This was clearly an ultimatum. In other words, if Giant Blade Island dared to haggle, or failed to gather resources worth twenty million within half a day, Three Realms Island would certainly not be lenient. Zhao Yunqi was seething with frustration but dared not express it. After a long silence, he finally nodded. "Very well, Island Master Luan, please wait. I'll return to prepare now!"

A crippling loss! Just for breaching an illusion array of little value, he was now forced to pay twenty million spirit jade, with absolutely no room for negotiation. Zhao Yunqi was filled with resentment and fury, yet he couldn't unleash it. He turned and re-entered Giant Blade Island, clearly to consult with the other Moon Realm cultivators there.

On the starship, Luan Xiao'e returned. He Baichuan asked, "Senior Sister, do you think they'll pay?"

"I don't know," Luan Xiao'e replied, shaking her head. Twenty million spirit jade was a significant sum, but for an entire star system, it wasn't insurmountable. If Giant Blade Island was willing to swallow their pride, they would most likely agree. After all, it had only been ten days since Three Realms Island conquered Baiyue, and its formidable reputation still resonated. Giant Blade Island likely wouldn't want to engage in conflict with Three Realms Island at this moment.

"It doesn't matter if they don't pay; it just means another battle," He Baichuan declared spiritedly. "Giant Blade Island was clearly in cahoots with Baiyue. Since we've offended them today, we might as well finish what we started!"

Luan Xiao'e shook her head. "Engaging Giant Blade is pointless. Even if we could conquer it, this medium-sized spirit island isn't something we can absorb." This was different from waging war on Baiyue. The conflict with Baiyue was Three Realms Island's way of demonstrating its power externally, and also a counter-offensive. Although that battle had erupted and concluded swiftly, it had actually taken two months from preparation to the start of hostilities, which ensured everything proceeded smoothly. If they were to launch an immediate assault on Giant Blade now, there wouldn't be enough time for preparation. The defenses of a medium-sized spirit island are considerable; even if Three Realms Island could conquer it, they would likely pay a significant price. Moreover, as Luan Xiao'e noted, even if Giant Blade were subdued, Three Realms Island couldn't effectively manage it. If the Three Realms cultivators withdrew afterwards, others would simply benefit at their expense. Baiyue Island was a high-grade spirit island, and its ownership could be auctioned off, attracting significant interest from many factions. Giant Blade Island, however, likely wouldn't hold the same appeal. Given the circumstances, it was better to secure ample benefits without bloodshed.

Upon hearing this, He Baichuan conceded the point, exclaiming, "Our Third Island Master truly excels at strategic planning!"

From the war against Baiyue to today's expedition to Giant Blade, it had all been Lu Ye's covert planning. Luan Xiao'e was merely the public figurehead. Looking back now, two months ago, when Lu Ye had instructed the Three Realms Island cultivators to evacuate the island and shelter in the Imperial Conch Palace, using an illusion formation to obscure the island's true state, he had likely already anticipated this very outcome. Trading an illusion formation of little value for twenty million spirit jade in cultivation resources—this was an incredibly profitable deal!

Giant Blade Island indeed lacked the courage to engage Three Realms Island in battle. Zhao Yunqi returned two hours later, bringing back numerous storage rings. Some contained spirit jade—not a huge amount, only around eight or nine million—but the rest were various resources, whose combined value certainly exceeded twenty million. Luan Xiao'e accepted them without a meticulous count. After exchanging a few pleasantries with Zhao Yunqi, she waved her hand, and the watchful Three Realms cultivators boarded their ships, the fleet setting course for Three Realms Island.

The many observing cultivators, witnessing this scene from afar, couldn't help but feel a pang of disappointment. Spectators, always eager for a grand show, naturally hoped the two factions would clash. But the outcome was not what they desired. While the specific agreement between the two islands remained unclear, the sight of Zhao Yunqi handing over numerous storage rings to Luan Xiao'e was noted by those paying close attention. They immediately understood that Giant Blade Island had paid to avert disaster. A very pragmatic move, though perhaps contemptible to some!

With no further spectacle, the observing cultivators soon dispersed.

Three Realms Island, a vast spirit island, now lay completely deserted, not a single soul in sight. In the past, this would have been utterly impossible. Such a treasure trove, if left undefended, would undoubtedly become a hotly contested prize among major factions. However, with Three Realms Island's recent conquest of Baiyue, no one dared to make such a move. Even if they forcibly occupied Three Realms Island, it was uncertain whether hastily erected defenses could withstand the furious onslaught of the Three Realms cultivators. The people of Three Realms Island were known to be fanatical; unless absolutely necessary, no one wished to provoke such a group of zealots.

The deserted spirit island gained a touch of vibrancy after the return of the Three Realms cultivators, but due to Three Realms Island's immense size, the entire island still felt somewhat sparse. The island's protective formation needed to be re-established, and many defenses had to be rebuilt. For a while, the Three Realms cultivators wouldn't be able to settle down. Yet, everyone was in high spirits, brimming with hope for the future.

Lu Ye did not involve himself in these minor affairs. Upon returning to Three Realms Island, he immediately entered a state of cultivation. His previous encounter with Yuan Du had instilled in him a deep sense of crisis.

Although on the Myriad Manifestations Ocean, even the local Sun Illumination cultivators were expected to adhere to the rules they themselves established—that day, Yuan Du had even been compelled to personally execute Yu Huan to uphold the fairness and justice Lu Ye advocated—who could guarantee that these Sun Illumination cultivators would always abide by such rules? The rules were their creation; if they chose to forcefully break them, there might be subsequent complications, but those confronting a Sun Illumination at that moment would undoubtedly face dire consequences. Yuan Du's willingness to kill Yu Huan was a decision made after weighing the benefits and drawbacks; he believed that upholding the Myriad Manifestations Ocean's rules was more crucial than forcibly protecting Yu Huan's life. If, one day, something compelled a local Sun Illumination to forcefully disregard their own established rules, then the Myriad Manifestations Ocean would descend into complete disorder.

In this vast cultivation world, strength ultimately reigns supreme! Lu Ye felt he had to swiftly advance his cultivation, at the very least reaching the late Moon Realm stage, just to barely ensure his survival against a Sun Illumination.

The Myriad Manifestations Ocean was a treasure trove, yet it also harbored hidden dangers. Fortunately, cultivation was his forte. As long as he possessed sufficient Talent Tree fuel, the Myriad Manifestations Ocean—his unique cultivation ground—could provide limitless benefits.

Previously, he had to rein in his cultivation speed, concerned about an unstable foundation. But now, at the Constellation Realm, he had pushed himself to his utmost, manifesting the Body Flower and establishing an exceptionally solid foundation. With the Seven-Colored Divine Lotus nourishing his soul, and the twin robust pillars of essence and spirit supporting him, a swift advancement in the Qi aspect would not significantly impede him. And the Moon Realm, precisely, was the cultivation of Qi!

Among the spoils acquired from Baiyue Island and Giant Blade Island, there were fire-attributed treasures, all of which Lu Ye absorbed. Combined with what he had previously obtained from the Jade Snail Realm, his current Talent Tree fuel reserves were relatively ample. Of course, cultivating deep within the Myriad Manifestations Ocean also entailed considerable consumption.

While cultivating beneath the Myriad Manifestations Ocean, Lu Ye left a Talent Tree clone to oversee Three Realms Island. This clone did not partake in specific affairs; its primary purpose was to facilitate external contact, ensuring that others could reach him should anything arise.

Two months passed in a blur. The aftermath of the Baiyue war had long since dissipated, becoming mere fodder for cultivators' discussions. The transfer of ownership of a high-grade spirit island was indeed a major event, yet for the vast and magnificent Myriad Manifestations Ocean, it was merely a single ripple. Once the crest passed, it was forgotten.