Chapter 1845: Giving an Explanation

When Hu Guang's words fell, many guests frowned. Although the Moon Rims who had been invited belonged to different races, none of them had ever actually tried cannibalism. Even the Moon Rim who had previously spoken and expressed great anticipation for the Blood Sacrifice now looked troubled.

If Purple Profound Island had presented a spirit beast, he would certainly have enjoyed it, but what was presented was, unexpectedly, a Moon Rim human! Just as Lu Ye had never used the power of his Talent Tree to refine the energy within a cultivator's body, it wasn't due to inability but a natural psychological repulsion. The lively atmosphere suddenly became awkward.

Seeing this, Hu Guang smiled faintly, "What's wrong? You fellow daoists can consume spirit beasts, but not other things? To be frank, on my Purple Profound Demonic Star, a Blood Sacrifice of this caliber is what constitutes a true Blood Sacrifice; what came before simply doesn't compare. I assure you, you will have an unforgettable experience today."

As he spoke, he turned to Lionheart and said, "Senior Brother."

Lionheart remained seated, merely nodding slightly, "Begin!"

"Yes!" Hu Guang responded, then strode towards the bamboo bed. In a few steps, he stood before it, flipped his wrist, and gripped a slender short blade, speaking as he did so: "Rest assured, my knife skills are excellent. I will ensure you taste the freshest blood offering. The blood offering will not perish before the banquet concludes today."

The short blade swung, poised to strike.

Just then, a wine cup suddenly flew out, hurtling straight towards Hu Guang and blocking the short blade's path. A crisp sound resonated as the cup shattered into dust.

Hu Guang looked up towards Lu Ye.

Simultaneously, Lu Ye was enveloped by several powerful auras. Almost the instant he made his move, these auras descended, unmistakably from the displeased Moon Rim cultivators of Purple Profound Island. They were clearly well-prepared, as their reaction was incredibly swift.

"What is the meaning of this, fellow daoist?" Hu Guang narrowed his eyes at Lu Ye.

Surrounded by numerous Moon Rim auras, Lu Ye found it difficult to make any sudden moves. He could only remain seated, pondering how to save Wei Po's life. Hu Guang's aura, however, became incredibly dangerous as he glared at Lu Ye and stated, "Fellow daoist, you may not be aware, but the Blood Sacrifice is a sacred and paramount ritual for my demon race. Should anyone dare to interrupt us during this ceremony, my demon race will pursue them relentlessly. While you are a guest, it would be best to have a valid reason."

This individual was clearly feigning ignorance, and Lu Ye found it awkward to expose him. He could only say, "Fellow daoist, please calm your anger. The truth is, the person on the bamboo bed is a cultivator from my Three Realms Island who mysteriously disappeared a year ago. We have been searching for his whereabouts ever since, with no news, yet somehow he was captured by your island and is now to be offered as a blood sacrifice?"

Hu Guang wore a surprised expression, "Is this a cultivator from your Three Realms Island?"

His surprise was feigned, but many guests' surprise was genuine. However, these guests quickly began to suspect and finally understood why Purple Profound Island had suddenly invited them. Today's banquet was clearly a maneuver by Purple Profound Island targeting Three Realms Island, and they were merely spectators. The guests naturally avoided interfering, lest they draw trouble upon themselves, so they all remained seated, observing silently.

Hu Guang, without waiting for Lu Ye's response, pressed on, "Are you certain, fellow daoist, that this is a cultivator from your Three Realms Island?"

Lu Ye nodded, "Absolutely certain!"

"Excellent!" A cold, sinister smile curved Hu Guang's lips. He turned to Lionheart, clasped his fists, and announced, "Senior Brother, the mastermind behind the murder of my Purple Profound Island cultivators... has been found!"

Lionheart snorted coldly, looking down at Lu Ye with an intimidating gaze, "Your Three Realms Island truly has immense audacity!"

Lu Ye frowned, "What do you mean by that, Great Island Master?"

Lionheart remained silent, but Hu Guang furiously interjected, "Don't you want to know why my Purple Profound Island captured this person and even intends to use him as a blood sacrifice? I will tell you now: a year ago, when this person passed near my Purple Profound Island, he inexplicably attacked and killed several of our Constellation-level cultivators. That's why we captured him. For the past year, we have been investigating his background, but unfortunately, we found nothing. So, it turns out this person is from Three Realms Island! Hehe..."

With a cold sneer, he continued to glare at Lu Ye, "Fellow daoist, my Purple Profound Island and Three Realms Island have always been without grievances. Why would a Moon Rim from your island kill my Purple Profound cultivators? Do you perhaps think my Purple Profound Island is easy to bully?"

Lu Ye looked at him and said, "My Three Realms Island has not been established long on the Myriad Manifestations Sea, and our foundation is still shallow. The cultivators on our island have always acted cautiously, never easily forming enmities. When you claim a cultivator from my island killed your Constellation-level cultivators, could there be some misunderstanding?"

The claim that Wei Po had killed Purple Profound cultivators near Purple Profound Island was something Lu Ye wouldn't believe for a second. However, since they had brought it up, his refutation would be futile. The immediate priority was to find a way to save Wei Po's life.

A light, airy voice suddenly drifted from directly opposite Lu Ye: "Three Realms Island has indeed not been established long on the Myriad Manifestations Sea, yet its battle achievements are remarkably splendid! A top-grade spirit island was conquered just like that. Its efficiency and speed have truly set a precedent in the Myriad Manifestations Sea, earning our admiration. Fellow daoist Lu, is this what you mean when you say Three Realms Island doesn't easily form enmities? Well, those who did form enmities with Three Realms Island were all annihilated, so from a certain perspective, your words are not incorrect."

Lu Ye looked at the smiling Yuan Cheng and said calmly, "The war with Baiyue was a self-preservation counterattack by my Three Realms Island, not a conflict we initiated. Fellow daoist Yuan, you should be perfectly clear on the reasons, so why speak in such a sarcastic manner here?"

"I'm not clear," Yuan Cheng shook his head. "All I know is that Baiyue was conquered by you, and all the Moon Rims on Baiyue Island were completely annihilated. Those numerous Constellation-level cultivators, had they not fled swiftly, likely wouldn't have survived. Your actions, fellow daoist, are decisive and ruthless; I truly admire them. Come, allow me to offer you a toast here."

With that, he drank his cup.

Lu Ye ignored him. Yuan Cheng was deliberately stirring up trouble, and addressing him was pointless. He turned to Hu Guang and said, "Fellow daoist, you claim a cultivator from my Three Realms Island killed a Purple Profound Constellation. There must be a misunderstanding here. Could you please remove the restrictions so I can question him?"

Hu Guang said coldly, "There's no misunderstanding. I personally witnessed the events of that day, and I was the one who captured this individual."

Lu Ye couldn't help but frown. Hu Guang's words were so resolute that they left Lu Ye with no room for negotiation.

As he pondered, Hu Guang suddenly changed his tone and said, "My Purple Profound Island has been investigating this person's background. Now that we know he is a cultivator from Three Realms Island, and since you, fellow daoist Lu, are the Third Island Master of Three Realms Island, could you perhaps give my Purple Profound Island an explanation for this matter?"

Lu Ye asked, "What kind of explanation do you seek?"

Without hesitation, Hu Guang immediately raised two fingers: "For each Purple Profound cultivator killed, two hundred million spirit jade in compensation. Those deceased cultivators were the pillars of their respective families; their deaths are a fatal blow to the development of the families they represented."

Lu Ye was completely surprised that Hu Guang would propose such a condition and couldn't help but ask, "What is the total sum?"

Hu Guang replied, "He killed five of my Purple Profound cultivators, so the total is one billion!"

Lu Ye looked at him, "One billion spirit jade, to buy his life?"

Hu Guang smiled faintly, "If you find that too expensive, fellow daoist, you are free to decline!"

Lu Ye pressed, "Can you confirm, fellow daoist, that if I hand over one billion spirit jade, I can take him safely from Purple Profound Island?"

Hu Guang nodded, "Naturally."

Lu Ye nodded, "Wait a moment!" As he spoke, he took out a sound talisman and feigned sending a message outwards.

Hu Guang was startled, clearly not expecting Lu Ye to agree so readily. One billion spirit jade to buy a Moon Rim's life – such decisiveness was not something just anyone possessed. His offer of one billion was merely a tactical move, intended to force Lu Ye to agree to other conditions. After all, this was an extremely unprofitable deal. If Wei Po truly possessed extraordinary talent and a promising future, it might be justifiable, but the crucial point was that while Wei Po had talent, no one could predict his future.

Meanwhile, on Three Realms Island, Lu Ye's main body opened his eyes and looked at Luan Xiao'e, who had been waiting there: "Senior Sister, quickly gather one billion spirit jade."

"What do you need so much spirit jade for?" Luan Xiao'e exclaimed in surprise.

"To buy Wei Po's life!" Lu Ye briefly explained the situation concerning his clone.

Luan Xiao'e's expression was one of immense struggle. After a long moment, she gritted her teeth and said, "Junior Brother, given the current situation, even if you truly take one billion spirit jade over, Purple Profound Island will most likely not let it go. Wei Po... he probably won't survive."

Purple Profound Island had waited a full year to execute their current scheme. How could they possibly reach a quick reconciliation with Three Realms Island? The one billion spirit jade compensation was merely a pretext. Purple Profound Island had never anticipated Lu Ye would agree to the proposal; their true objective was not the spirit jade. Therefore, in Luan Xiao'e's opinion, sending the one billion spirit jade would be a complete waste. It wasn't that she begrudged the one billion spirit jade. Though one billion was a large sum, Three Realms Island, with its current reserves, could still manage to gather it. It was just that such an expenditure would be largely meaningless.

She could see this point, and Lu Ye, who was on Purple Profound Island, certainly could as well. However, since the other party had made this proposal, he had no choice but to agree.

Lu Ye nodded, "I am certainly aware, but with Wei Po captured, we cannot simply stand by. We must try our best, even if there's only a slim possibility. Senior Sister, rest assured, if they truly dare to go back on their word, we'll give them one billion today, and we will surely reclaim ten times that amount in the future!"

Luan Xiao'e, naturally having unconditional trust in Lu Ye, immediately nodded and said, "Alright!" With that, she turned and left.

A short while later, Luan Xiao'e returned with a large collection of storage rings. Handing them to Lu Ye, she said, "There wasn't enough spirit jade to reach one billion, so I gathered some resources to make up the difference. Their total value definitely exceeds one billion."

Lu Ye nodded, then immediately left Three Realms Island with the storage rings, heading swiftly towards Purple Profound.

About half a day later, on Purple Profound Island, Lu Ye's clone looked at Hu Guang, "The spirit jade has been gathered. Please open the grand formation, fellow daoist; I need to go out and receive it."