Chapter 1842: Charging Toward Me

Throughout the starfield, the Monster Race is undoubtedly a major force. Their active presence can be found in almost every corner, and while not as numerous as humans, they are far more populous than other races.

However, generally speaking, members of the Monster Race typically coexist with other races in various domains. The sole exception is Zixuan Monster Star, which is a paradise solely for the Monster Race. Only Monster Race members live within this entire domain; there are no others. Zixuan Monster Star is also a sacred place in the hearts of all Monster Race members, being the only top-tier domain occupied exclusively by them.

Such a powerful force naturally has the right to occupy a top-tier spiritual island in the Myriad Manifestations Sea. Zixuan Island has likely existed for tens of thousands of years, and looking across the entire Myriad Manifestations Sea, it is undoubtedly one of the top powers.

Although Three Realms Island currently enjoys great renown and has the record of conquering a high-grade spiritual island, it still lags behind Zixuan Island.

The situation is now quite clear. Wei Po was captured alive by Zixuan Island and is currently being held there.

However, Luan Xiao'e couldn't quite understand it. They had no prior grievances, so why would Zixuan Island target Three Realms Island?

"I heard a rumor before, but I didn't pay much attention to it at the time. Now, however, it might be true," Tang Jun said, wearing a thoughtful expression.

"What rumor?" Lu Ye asked.

Tang Jun explained, "Old Yuan Du has no other hobbies, only an obsession with women. It's said he has three hundred concubines in his harem, and among his most favored concubines, one is a member of the Monster Race!"

Old Tang has been traveling widely in the Myriad Manifestations Sea for years, making many friends. When drinking and chatting with people, he naturally hears all sorts of gossip and news from far and wide. This particular matter was mentioned by a drinking buddy during a casual conversation. But Old Tang just listened for amusement at the time, as, although Yuan Du is old, he is still a man, and it's normal for him to be infatuated with women.

"It's said that the Monster Race woman's true form is a six-tailed fox demon. She is exceptionally beautiful, with countless enchanting charms. Even a Sun-Illuminated cultivator like Yuan Du is utterly captivated by her. The crucial thing is that her voice is as soft as water, and her body is boneless and supple..."

"That's enough!" Luan Xiao'e snapped coldly.

Lu Ye, who had been listening with great interest, quickly came back to his senses. Old Tang also cleared his throat, raising a fist to his mouth. "It seems, then, that Zixuan Island is probably acting under the instructions of that old scoundrel Yuan Du!"

"That must be it," Luan Xiao'e said, her face grim.

"So what do we do now?" Tang Jun asked. Sending him out to socialize and negotiate was his forte, but with Wei Po imprisoned on Zixuan Island, he had no idea how to rescue him. If they hadn't known Wei Po's whereabouts, it would have been one thing. But now that they knew, they certainly couldn't just stand by. The other party had deliberately sent Wei Po's sachet, clearly intending to provoke them. The formidable Zixuan Island indeed had the qualifications to do so.

"This is aimed at me!" Lu Ye suddenly said.

"How so?" Tang Jun was startled.

Luan Xiao'e, however, realized, "That's right, it's aimed at you!"

Tang Jun looked at Lu Ye, then at Luan Xiao'e. After a moment's thought, he suddenly understood. He was old and shrewd, just slow to catch on for a moment. Now that he had figured it out, he finally reacted.

Wei Po had encountered trouble a year ago. For all this time, he had been imprisoned on Zixuan Island. Luan Xiao'e could only deduce that he was still alive and in the Myriad Manifestations Sea based on the response of the sound transmission talisman. If Wei Po had died or was too far away, the talisman would certainly not have responded. Zixuan Island had made no move for a year. Yet, precisely after Lu Ye's return, they sent someone to find Tang Jun and specifically instructed him by name to deliver the storage ring to Lu Ye. What else could it be if not aimed at him?

Upon his return, Lu Ye immediately went to the Mermaid Territory. After returning from there, he visited the Pixie Tribe's talisman shop. It was likely then that the cultivators secretly observing discovered his whereabouts, which led to the subsequent events.

"I'll go," Lu Ye said, standing up.

"No!" Luan Xiao'e and Tang Jun quickly tried to stop him.

Luan Xiao'e said, "The other party is hostile towards us. If you go rashly, you will definitely not be safe. Zixuan Island is not Baiyue."

"I know that, of course, but Wei Po is in their hands. We can't just abandon him."

"I'll go!" Luan Xiao'e gritted her teeth, looking at Lu Ye with a solemn expression. "In terms of cultivation, although I am more powerful than you, Three Realms Island was built up by you. Three Realms Island can do without me, but it absolutely cannot do without you."

Lu Ye shook his head, saying, "They are targeting me. It's useless if you go, Senior Sister. Do you believe that if you go, you'll simply give them another hostage?"

Luan Xiao'e was speechless.

Tang Jun said, "We need to deliberate on this at length!"

Lu Ye shook his head, saying, "If I don't go, the other party will surely use Fellow Daoist Wei Po's life to cause trouble. They'll spread rumors everywhere, destroying Three Realms Island's reputation. At that point, Three Realms Island will inevitably bear the stigma of abandoning someone in need. So, whether I want to or not, I must go!"

"Neither this nor that works. Zixuan Island's tactics are simply too despicable!" Tang Jun exclaimed indignantly.

"They acted first, so they naturally gained the upper hand," Lu Ye said, reassuring them. "Don't worry, I have a plan, and I certainly won't walk into my own death."

"How confident are you?" Luan Xiao'e asked.

"One hundred percent!" Lu Ye smiled confidently.

"Don't lie to me!" Luan Xiao'e looked at him seriously. "I also hope to rescue Junior Brother Wei Po, but your safety must not be jeopardized for him, not even for the slightest risk!"

"Don't worry, Senior Sister. I value my own life more than anyone. Have you forgotten that I possess the Art of the Clone?"

Luan Xiao'e froze, then showed an embarrassed expression. "I must have lost my head; I completely forgot about that."

Tang Jun also relaxed. "You should have said so earlier."

Lu Ye thought for a moment and said, "Senior Sister, do me a favor. Find a magical artifact that resembles my saber."

Luan Xiao'e immediately nodded. "That's easy." She flashed away. Tang Jun asked from the side, "What should I do?"

"Tell me about the situation on Zixuan Island." He hadn't paid much attention to Zixuan Island, so he wasn't clear about its overall foundation. Old Tang, undoubtedly, knew more about it.

Old Tang immediately began to explain. As Lu Ye listened, he flicked out a drop of precious blood, transforming it into a clone. He then took off his clothes and dressed the clone.

In a short while, Luan Xiao'e returned. She brought back a long magical saber that looked no different from the Pan Mountain Saber. Seeing two Lu Yes there and realizing that even with her sharp vision, she couldn't distinguish between the real one and the fake one, she was still astonished, even though she had experienced this before.

The clone equipped the long magical saber. With everything ready, it soared away.

He deliberately did not conceal his form, flying over the commercial district of Three Realms Island. His imposing presence attracted the attention of countless cultivators. This was because, on Three Realms Island, external cultivators were generally not allowed to fly; otherwise, it would be considered a provocation to Three Realms Island. Over the years, those who occasionally disobeyed the rules were taught a harsh lesson. So, Lu Ye's action was undoubtedly conspicuous. However, after sensing the Luna-Illuminated level spiritual power fluctuations from Lu Ye, the cultivators knew it was likely one of Three Realms Island's island masters and stopped paying attention.

Only one cultivator standing by the street, after staring at Lu Ye's figure for a moment, took out a sound transmission talisman and sent out a message. Immediately, this cultivator also hurriedly darted outwards. He quickly left Three Realms Island and headed directly in one direction.

However, just as he moved away from Three Realms Island, a presence rapidly approached from behind. The cultivator instinctively turned to look and was instantly greatly surprised. The person who came was a woman, and he was not unfamiliar with her; it was none other than Luan Xiao'e, the Great Island Master of Three Realms Island! The opponent approached aggressively, clearly with ill intent.

"I've been exposed!" The cultivator was greatly alarmed. He immediately tried to take out a sound transmission talisman to send a message. However, since Luan Xiao'e had already targeted him, some things were no longer within his control, especially given the huge disparity in their cultivation levels. The might of a late-stage Luna-Illuminated cultivator suddenly descended. The cultivator's body stiffened, and he almost fell into the Myriad Manifestations Sea. Fortunately, Luan Xiao'e arrived in time, scooping him up. She then took out a cloth bag-like magical artifact, placed it over his head, and captured him directly.

After confirming there were no cultivators around and that the recent scene hadn't been witnessed, Luan Xiao'e turned and returned towards Three Realms Island. In her heart, she deeply admired Lu Ye's judgment. This was because just moments ago, Lu Ye had asked her and Tang Jun to investigate any anomalies within Three Realms Island, to see if any cultivators sent messages outwards after he left. If so, the other party was very likely an informant planted by Zixuan Island. This very cultivator was one such case, as Luan Xiao'e had already detected a unique Monster Race aura on him—a wild scent. Allowing the opponent to leave was merely a delaying tactic; this was because Luan Xiao'e intended to capture him alive in an uninhabited area. Otherwise, if she acted within Three Realms Island, the news would quickly leak out. Currently, it was unknown if this was the only one, but Three Realms Island's several Luna-Illuminated cultivators had all been dispatched. Lu Ye's true body remained stationed on Three Realms Island, ensuring that any informant from Zixuan Island would certainly not escape their detection.

Meanwhile, on Zixuan Island, a powerfully built man with a bare chest and a wild, shaggy mane of hair, born with an extremely rugged appearance, suddenly opened a pair of dark yellow eyes, licked his lips, and revealed a bloodthirsty smile: "He's finally here!" Divine sense surged. The quiet Zixuan Island quickly became boisterous.

After half a day, Lu Ye followed the star map and arrived at Zixuan Island. From a distance, he observed that Zixuan Island was massive. Although not as large as Three Realms Island, it was undoubtedly much larger than Baiyue. Its large size meant it contained many cultivators. As expected of a top-tier spiritual island that had been established for tens of thousands of years, the defensive array's light barrier around the island was brighter than those of most other spiritual islands Lu Ye had seen. This undoubtedly indicated the defensive array's formidable protective power. Furthermore, this was merely its normal operating state. If fully activated, its defensive capabilities would be unknown. If Baiyue Island had possessed a defensive array of this caliber back then, Three Realms cultivators, with their collective strength, would never have been able to breach it. Consequently, the subsequent events would not have occurred. It could be said that such a defensive array was enough to deter any force from coveting it, unless it was breached from within.