Chapter 1754: Shadow Tribe

Mang Dang decided to establish a branch of the Five-Color Chamber of Commerce on Three Realms Island, a decision that had already received approval from the island's other four Moon-Glow cultivators. Three Realms Island welcomed this proposal wholeheartedly. With one party making a request and the other readily agreeing, the atmosphere in the hall instantly became vibrant.

Lu Ye suggested waiving the rental fee, given Mang Dang's substantial assistance. Yet, Mang Dang firmly declined, explaining that while he would readily accept if it were a matter of personal favor, this was a formal collaboration between Five-Color Island and Three Realms Island, and thus, all procedures should follow established rules. He emphasized that this was a purely commercial endeavor, separate from the political standings of the two spirit islands. Understanding his point, Lu Ye no longer pressed the matter.

"Then I'll choose the largest and best area," Mang Dang declared. On a superior spirit island with abundant unused land, the first to establish a presence would naturally gain an advantage. As Mang Dang was representing Five-Color Island, he saw no reason to be modest, especially after the details had been agreed upon. Lu Ye smiled and replied, "Whatever satisfies you, Brother."

Following this, several Moon-Glow cultivators from Three Realms Island personally escorted Mang Dang on a tour of the island. As expected, Mang Dang selected the largest and most prime location to establish the Five-Color Chamber of Commerce branch.

Once everything was settled, Mang Dang prepared to take his leave. Personnel from Five-Color Island would handle the subsequent details; his role was limited to setting the overall direction, not overseeing every specific task. Lu Ye attempted to persuade him to stay, but Mang Dang smiled and replied, "We'll be in the Myriad Manifestations Sea for the foreseeable future, so there will be ample opportunities to converse. It's best to establish the branch as soon as possible. If you ever have leisure, younger brother, you are most welcome to visit Five-Color Island, and I, your elder brother, will ensure you receive a grand welcome."

Mang Dang departed, and Lu Ye along with the other Moon-Glows watched him until he was out of sight. It was only after the starship vanished from sight that Luan Xiao'e and the others finally showed their delight. Old Tang, clenching his fist, even exclaimed, "This is wonderful!" No one had anticipated that Mang Dang would be the one to resolve Three Realms Island's difficult situation. Lu Ye, too, was surprised that the Stone Clan member he had unexpectedly rescued from the Foul Race would play such a pivotal role at this moment.

Three Realms Island's ambitious development plan had finally broken its stalemate and taken its crucial first step. The Moon-Glows found this incredibly challenging. While taking this initial stride was significant, they knew the path ahead would remain difficult. Nevertheless, the glimmer of dawn had pierced through the darkness, ultimately offering them hope.

It was clear that numerous eyes, both obvious and hidden, were now covertly observing Three Realms Island's situation. Before long, news of the Five-Color Chamber of Commerce establishing a branch on the island would undoubtedly spread. What choice would the numerous merchants make then?

Considering the situation from the merchants' perspective, if Lu Ye and his companions were in their shoes, facing a treasure trove like Three Realms Island, wouldn't they be tempted? Most of these merchants originated from less powerful factions. Unable to occupy spirit islands themselves, they could only establish a presence on certain islands by opening shops, allowing them to sell their unique products while also benefiting from the right to cultivate there. Yet, spirit islands capable of hosting merchants were not abundant in the Myriad Manifestations Sea. Normally, such opportunities were fiercely contested. Three Realms Island, however, could now offer a vast number of available spots, making it irresistible to those merchants.

However, due to Yuan Du's influence, no one had dared to engage in any cooperation with Three Realms Island until this point. Five-Color Island was unconcerned by Yuan Du's threats. As a top-tier spirit island, it held the authority to act as it pleased, knowing that as long as they adhered to the rules, Yuan Du would have no recourse against them. Moreover, Lu Ye had genuinely saved Mang Dang's life, and Mang Dang's desire to repay this debt was the catalyst for today's cooperation.

"Old Tang, Five-Color Island has made an excellent start. Do you believe this will change the overall situation?" Lu Ye inquired.

Tang Jun nodded and replied, "There will undoubtedly be changes, but I fear the results won't be apparent in the short term. While Yuan Du's intimidation poses no threat to Five-Color Island, smaller merchants and businesses dare not disregard it. If Yuan Du cannot deal with Five-Color Island, he can certainly deal with them. And unfortunately, the Myriad Manifestations Sea is predominantly populated by these very small enterprises."

After a brief pause for thought, Old Tang stated, "We currently have two options. One is to continue seeking audiences with the Sun-Glows. The three newly arrived ones have proven unresponsive, but I haven't yet met the other two. We could try approaching them; if any of them concede, Three Realms Island will have a smooth path ahead! I refuse to believe that the Sun-Glows of the Myriad Manifestations Star System are a completely unified front."

"And what is the other option?" Luan Xiao'e inquired. Although she was the chief island master, her network of connections was truly inferior to Old Tang's, which was why he was primarily responsible for preparing Three Realms Island's development.

Tang Jun replied, "The second option, naturally, is to attract more major powers to enter the market here! Today, Five-Color Island has already decided to establish a branch on our island. If we can persuade a few more major powers to settle here, the situation will be completely opened up. We don't need too many—five more... no, just three will suffice!"

This was indeed a viable strategy. While Five-Color Island's disregard for Yuan Du's influence would certainly undermine his prestige to some extent, it wouldn't cause a major issue on its own. However, if three to five more factions followed suit, the smaller merchants and businesses would certainly flock in. In such a scenario, they would no longer fear Yuan Du, as he would first have to confront those major powers who had established a presence.

Listening to Tang Jun speak so eloquently, Lu Ye sighed inwardly, thinking, "Wu Zhuo, Wu Zhuo, it seems you'll have to endure staying in the Azure Dawn Dao Realm a bit longer. It's not that I, Lu Yiye, am breaking my word, but the greater good must take precedence." Before their return to the Myriad Manifestations Star System, Wu Zhuo had repeatedly urged Lu Ye to send Old Tang back to the Azure Dawn Dao Realm and let him take command in the Myriad Manifestations Sea. Wu Zhuo believed that Old Tang, being old and weak with limited power, had no prospects, and therefore, it would be better for Wu Zhuo to strive in his place. However, it now seemed that Old Tang's role here was genuinely irreplaceable. While he indeed had little future on the path of cultivation and his power was limited, the old adage held true: 'Having an elder in the family is like possessing a treasure!'

"I'll go handle this matter immediately!" Tang Jun declared, and true to his word, he swiftly departed.

Gazing in the direction Old Tang had departed, Lu Ye paused in thought before stating, "I'm going out for a while." Ma Shangsi, ever loyal, moved to follow him, but Lu Ye stopped him, saying, "You stay and stand guard." Although it was unlikely that any ill-advised factions would trouble Three Realms Island after the last major battle, it was still wise to be prepared. Ma Shangsi was arguably Three Realms Island's most formidable known cultivator. With him guarding the island, their defensive capabilities would be significantly stronger should an attack occur. Furthermore, Lu Ye's trip would not take much time. Ma Shangsi acknowledged the order.

Lu Ye summoned his starship and flew out. More than half a day later, he exited the Myriad Manifestations Sea and ventured deep into the starry expanse. If Three Realms Island's future had been shrouded in darkness until today, Mang Dang's arrival had now brought a glimmer of dawn to that deep gloom. Yet, this was not enough; greater effort was required to completely break the deadlock.

Old Tang already had a plan of action, though Lu Ye wasn't sure of its efficacy. However, Lu Ye had conceived another possibility and decided to pursue it. If it succeeded, it would be a cause for celebration; if not, there would be no significant loss. It was prudent to have a dual strategy for Three Realms Island's future.

Piloting his starship, he meticulously analyzed and re-evaluated numerous potential scenarios in his mind. Suddenly, an intense sense of alarm surged within him! Simultaneously, his peripheral vision caught sight of an unnaturally dark blur hurtling towards him. Lu Ye instinctively reached for the Mountain-Shattering Blade at his waist, simultaneously shifting his body sideways.

The very next instant, the dark blur swept past him. Lu Ye suddenly felt his right hand go numb, and his entire right arm lost all sensation! Blood erupted, and Lu Ye's expression turned grim. He clearly saw a massive wound appear on his chest, revealing his beating heart within his ribcage. His right arm, moreover, had been severed cleanly at the shoulder. Only then did a wave of excruciating pain suddenly overwhelm him.

He had been ambushed! And he had suffered a devastating blow in just a single exchange! An injury of this magnitude was unprecedented for Lu Ye in all his years of cultivation. It wasn't for lack of vigilance. Just two months prior, he had a highly unpleasant confrontation with Yuan Du, even forcing the latter into a humiliating retreat. While Sun-Glow Guardians were ostensibly bound by rules and could not overtly harm him, what happened in secret was another matter entirely. Therefore, Lu Ye had been constantly wary of such an attack. He had previously cultivated peacefully beneath the Myriad Manifestations Sea, but his departure from it today meant that anyone intending him harm would surely be lurking in the shadows. Throughout his journey, his formidable divine sense had continuously scanned all directions, anticipating any danger. Yet, the assailant gave no warning whatsoever before striking. By the time the attack landed, Lu Ye didn't even have time to react! Fortunately, his instinct, honed through countless life-or-death battles, prompted him to shift his body when he sensed something amiss. Otherwise, it would not have been merely an injury; that single strike could very well have cleaved him in two.

Pain throbbed from the wound, but Lu Ye remained expressionless as he turned his head to look. Not far away, a shadowy figure slowly coalesced, so indistinct that one might not even notice its presence without careful observation. It was a Shadow Clan member! As a race inherently skilled in assassination, the Shadow Clan was often considered on par with the Ghost Clan, and many of their astonishing abilities even surpassed those of the Ghost Clan. If not for the scarcity of their members, the Shadow Clan would undoubtedly qualify as a major clan.

Lu Ye had never encountered a Shadow Clan member before, but with a single glance, he identified his assailant. Their ghostly unpredictability was absolute; he couldn't even discern the attacker's face, much less their gender. Judging solely by the spiritual energy fluctuations surrounding them, the assailant was a late-stage Moon-Glow cultivator! What an extensive undertaking. The cost of hiring a late-stage Shadow Clan Moon-Glow cultivator would be substantial, clearly indicating the mastermind's resolve to kill him.

As Lu Ye assessed his opponent, the flesh of the wound on his chest was already beginning to wriggle and rapidly close. Even the bleeding from his severed arm had ceased. For a Moon-Glow, such injuries were not difficult to heal, merely requiring the expenditure of some vital energy.

"Did Yuan Du send you?" Lu Ye asked calmly. He reflected that he hadn't offended anyone else on the Myriad Manifestations Sea, and only Yuan Du would both desire his death and possess the means to hire a Shadow Clan assassin of this caliber.