Chapter 1753: Helping in Times of Need

Faced with this situation, Lu Ye felt somewhat helpless, unsure how to resolve it.

In fact, Old Tang hadn't told Lu Ye one more thing: Yuan Cheng had already made it clear that Three Realms Island would never gain prominence unless they were willing to apologize in person.

Previously, Yuan Du had been unwilling to accept Tang Jun's formal visit because he looked down on Three Realms Island. Before Lu Ye returned, Three Realms Island's apparent strength wasn't significant, and Yuan Du believed its cultivators couldn't hold onto their foundation, rendering early acceptance useless.

But now the situation was different. Three Realms Island had demonstrated its strength, even conquering Baiyue Island. Unless a top-tier power intervened, no force on the Myriad Manifestations Sea would be so foolish as to provoke Three Realms Island.

In other words, Three Realms Island had now earned the right to make a formal visit based on that battle.

However, a Sunlit cultivator's prestige could not be lost. If Three Realms Island wanted to make a formal visit to Yuan Du, they would have to show their sincerity. Apologizing in person was just the first step; there would undoubtedly be many more harsh demands afterwards.

Old Tang knew Lu Ye would never agree to such terms, so he naturally didn't mention it.

As the two were talking, a clear, robust voice suddenly came from outside: "Mangdang of the Stone Clan has come to visit. Is Fellow Daoist Lu Yiye present?"

Lu Ye looked up sharply. Outside the island, a starship hovered, and a burly figure stood on it. Who else could it be but Mangdang?

Tang Jun looked at Lu Ye in astonishment. "You have connections with the Stone Clan?"

Lu Ye explained, "Outside the Jade Snail Realm, when the Filth Clan invaded, I saved him."

Old Tang suddenly realized, "So it's him!"

He Baichuan had already informed the island's Moonlit cultivators about the Filth Clan incident. Everyone knew Lu Ye had saved a Moonlit cultivator from the Filth Clan, and that he was from the Stone Clan, but they hadn't expected him to visit today of his own accord.

Lu Ye hadn't expected Mangdang to come either. They had parted ways upon arriving in the Myriad Manifestations Star System, with Mangdang saying he was returning to the Five Colors Domain for a visit, and he had only appeared today.

However, when he left, he had indeed asked Lu Ye where to find him if he came to the Myriad Manifestations Sea again.

So it wasn't strange that Mangdang found his way here.

As they spoke, Lu Ye sent a voice transmission to Luan Xiao'e, asking her to control the array jade slip to open a gap in the grand array, and Mangdang's starship flew directly in.

Lu Ye and Tang Jun were already waiting.

"Brother Lu!" Mangdang grinned widely. He was undoubtedly much more enthusiastic compared to when he was first rescued.

"Fellow Daoist!" Lu Ye returned the greeting.

His gaze suddenly caught sight of another figure behind Mangdang, who looked somewhat familiar.

On closer inspection, it was indeed someone he knew!

Baoshi!

Lu Ye had first experienced the Stone Clan's formidable physique through this very person. Back then, they were all still in the Divine Sea Realm, participating in the Divine Sea dispute in the Grand Beginning Realm.

Baoshi looked at Lu Ye with suspicion. The moment their eyes met, his mouth fell open.

He was of the Stone Clan, and Mangdang was also of the Stone Clan. Both originated from the Five Colors Domain, so there was certainly some relation between them.

The reason he came along was mainly because he had heard about Lu Ye and was very curious whether this Lu Ye was the one he knew.

As it turned out, upon seeing him now, he discovered it really was him!

"How are you... already Moonlit?" Baoshi's face was filled with shock.

Back then, they were all Divine Sea cultivators. He considered his own cultivation speed to be quite fast, and with a top-tier realm backing him, he had no shortage of resources. Yet, he was only at the mid-Constellation Realm, while Lu Ye's cultivation had actually surpassed him by an entire major realm.

This was truly astonishing.

"Mind your manners! Call him Senior Uncle!" Mangdang slapped Baoshi on the back of the head. The blow resonated with a thud, sending stone fragments flying, and Baoshi stumbled.

Mangdang called Lu Ye "Brother Lu" and was Baoshi's elder, so from his perspective, it was appropriate for Baoshi to call Lu Ye "Senior Uncle."

Baoshi clutched the back of his head, his face flushing green then red, unsure what to think.

Lu Ye quickly said, "Brother Baoshi and I are old acquaintances. We can address each other as before." This was actually not uncommon in the cultivation world, as a cultivator's age, seniority, and strength are often not directly correlated, and there's no need to be too particular about how cultivators without direct ties address each other.

Mangdang was also a person who didn't stand on ceremony. Hearing this, he laughed heartily, "As long as you're happy, Brother."

"Fellow Daoist, what brings you here?" Lu Ye asked.

Mangdang replied, "I returned to the Five Colors Domain for a trip, and was then assigned to the Myriad Manifestations Sea to guard Five Colors Island. So I came to visit you."

Mangdang, with his late Moonlit Realm cultivation, indeed had the qualifications to guard the Myriad Manifestations Sea. Moreover, Five Colors Island was one of the few top-tier spirit islands on the Myriad Manifestations Sea.

Such spirit islands could only be occupied by top-tier powers. The Five Colors Domain, naturally, possessed this qualification.

"Then we should certainly interact more often in the future," Lu Ye said with a smile.

Old Tang spoke up, "Let's talk inside, don't just stand here. Yiye, really now, this isn't how Three Realms Island treats its guests."

Lu Ye suddenly understood and quickly apologized.

A short while later, in the reception hall, host and guests were seated. Several of Three Realms Island's Moonlit cultivators arrived upon hearing the news.

Everyone already knew that Lu Ye had rescued a Moonlit cultivator from the Filth Clan in the Jade Snail Star System, but no one had expected this Moonlit cultivator to proactively visit today.

Furthermore, the Stone Clan's foundation was not weak. Five Colors Island, as one of the few top-tier spirit islands on the Myriad Manifestations Sea, had a reputation far surpassing Three Realms Island's.

Such a figure naturally warranted a serious reception from Three Realms Island's Moonlit cultivators.

The Moonlit cultivators conversed cheerfully, while Baoshi stood behind Mangdang, feeling dazed. Even now, he found it hard to accept that Lu Ye was already a Moonlit cultivator.

He couldn't help but feel a surge of motivation. He felt he was no worse than anyone else: if Lu Yiye could cultivate so fast, why couldn't he? After this trip, he resolved to seclude himself for intensive cultivation and break through to the Moonlit Realm as soon as possible!

After some small talk in the hall, Mangdang changed the subject and looked at Lu Ye. "Brother, I just observed your island's layout. You've set aside a large commercial area, haven't you?"

Lu Ye nodded. "Yes, there is."

Mangdang raised an eyebrow. "That's truly excellent. When do you plan to open your island for external leasing?"

"Fellow Daoist, do you mean..." Lu Ye had a faint guess.

Mangdang said, "My Five Colors Chamber of Commerce has always wanted to establish branches abroad. We previously considered a few locations, but none were ideal. I think Three Realms Island is excellent, so we intend to open a branch here."

On the Myriad Manifestations Sea, there were many chambers of commerce, not just the Myriad Manifestations Chamber of Commerce.

Forces from all over the starfield, countless in size and strength, converged here. Those with power could occupy spirit islands on the Myriad Manifestations Sea, while those without could only travel around.

Regardless of whether they had the power to occupy a spirit island, these forces were backed by a realm or even an entire star system. If they didn't have a spirit island and wanted to survive on the Myriad Manifestations Sea, they either sought work on recruitment islands or brought goods from their own realms or star systems to sell.

Take An Zhe, who sold Dragon Breath Crystals to Lu Ye previously. The power backing him wasn't strong, and he couldn't occupy any spirit island. Yet, he could still open a shop on Peerless Island because his realm had its own unique products that could be exchanged for spirit jades.

If An Zhe could expand his shop and diversify his goods, he could develop it into a chamber of commerce.

The Five Colors Domain, as a top-tier realm, naturally had extremely abundant resources within its borders, especially rich in earth-element resources. Although the Five Colors Chamber of Commerce wasn't as renowned as the Myriad Manifestations Chamber of Commerce on the Myriad Manifestations Sea, its foundation was not to be underestimated.

Moreover, the Five Colors Chamber of Commerce indeed had precedents for establishing branches on other spirit islands.

Hearing Mangdang's words, Tang Jun immediately showed delight, but he didn't speak, instead looking at Lu Ye.

Lu Ye pondered for a moment before finally speaking, "Fellow Daoist, I presume you've heard about the situation of my Three Realms Island."

Mangdang's visit shouldn't be just to see him; the main purpose must be to open a branch on Three Realms Island. This was undoubtedly Mangdang repaying a debt of gratitude!

Mangdang grinned. "I naturally heard about Three Realms Island's situation. It's a pity I hadn't arrived two months ago when you attacked Baiyue; otherwise, I would certainly have come to cheer you on."

Direct intervention would definitely not be allowed, as it would violate the rules of the Myriad Manifestations Sea. Cheering them on, however, was fine.

He only heard the specific details of Three Realms Island's battle against Baiyue after arriving at the Myriad Manifestations Sea about half a month ago, from his own clan members.

Changing his tone, Mangdang showed a look of disdain. "Our Five Colors Domain acts without needing to curry favor with anyone. Even if he is a Sunlit cultivator, as long as we don't violate the rules of the Myriad Manifestations Sea, no one can do anything about it. Now, I am the Moonlit Realm guardian of Five Colors Island, and I have the authority to decide where to establish a branch. So, Brother, you really don't need to worry."

Several Moonlit cultivators from Three Realms Island, hearing Mangdang's bold words, couldn't help but feel a longing for the day Three Realms Island could act without having to consider anyone else's feelings.

But such profound foundations couldn't be accumulated casually. Mangdang had this confidence because of the many Sunlit cultivators in the Five Colors Domain.

In contrast, the Jade Snail Star System had no Sunlit cultivators at all.

"Furthermore, I truly have high hopes for Three Realms Island. Looking across the entire Myriad Manifestations Sea, among top-tier spirit islands, Three Realms Island is the largest in scale, and you all have prior planning. A top-tier spirit island of such massive scale, once operational, its future popularity will be immeasurable. Therefore, my decision to open a branch of the Five Colors Chamber of Commerce here is not merely a personal one, but considered from the perspective of Five Colors Island as a whole. Our island has five Moonlit Realm guardians, and if it weren't reasonable enough, the other four Moonlit cultivators wouldn't have agreed to my proposal."

Although he said that, without Lu Ye's life-saving grace back then, this current situation likely wouldn't have occurred.

Five Colors Island indeed didn't need to be too concerned about Yuan Du. However, unless absolutely necessary, even Five Colors Island wouldn't want to offend a Sunlit cultivator.

Mangdang's action was primarily a subjective act of repaying gratitude, and secondarily an objective judgment.

Lu Ye was well aware of this, but since Mangdang had already stated things so clearly, he naturally wouldn't refuse. To refuse would be too hypocritical.

Three Realms Island's current awkward situation indeed desperately needed a breakthrough.

Mangdang's decision could be said to have truly lent a hand at Three Realms Island's most awkward moment!