Chapter 1846: Killing Must Be Repaid with Death

The grand formation of Zixuan Island enveloped it, isolating inside from outside. Therefore, Lu Ye couldn't use the Void Spirit Pattern to transport the storage rings even if he wanted to. Furthermore, even if there were no isolating formation, the Blood Avatar lacked the means to activate the power of the Talent Tree, making it not easy to construct a Void Spirit Pattern.

The best approach was to meet them directly.

Upon hearing this, Hu Guang merely smiled faintly. "Why don't we have someone bring the spirit jades inside?"

He was clearly afraid that Lu Ye would seize the opportunity to escape.

Lu Ye, of course, would not agree. While his Blood Avatar had no qualms about coming to Zixuan Island, his true self should not enter personally. If the formation were sealed, he would be trapped like a turtle in a jar. So he said, "Rest assured, fellow Daoist. Since I came, I won't leave. I'll return after receiving the spirit jades."

Hu Guang still shook his head. "That's not suitable."

Lu Ye blinked. "In that case, would fellow Daoist make the trip yourself?"

If Hu Guang could be made to leave Zixuan and meet his true self, Lu Ye's main body could subdue him. Although Hu Guang was a late-stage Moon Splendor cultivator, Lu Ye didn't really take him seriously. With Wei Po on Zixuan's side and Hu Guang in his hands, both parties would have leverage, making things easier to resolve.

Hu Guang gazed deeply at Lu Ye, then smiled and nodded. "Alright!"

"Much obliged!" Lu Ye nodded expressionlessly.

Hu Guang turned and called out, "Junior Brother Hu, Junior Sister Bao, come with me!"

Across from Lu Ye, next to Yuan Cheng's seat, a young man and another agile woman stood up. Immediately, the three figures swept out towards the island's exterior.

Lu Ye picked up his wine cup and took a light sip, his expression calm. Old Tang was right; among everyone on Zixuan Island, Hu Guang was the most cunning. The saying that foxes are inherently suspicious certainly held true. Any other person in Hu Guang's position, simply going out to receive spirit jades, wouldn't have thought much of it. But this fellow actually brought two companions! Considering the rendezvous point was just outside Zixuan Island, this demon Moon Splendor cultivator was overly cautious!

One-on-one, Lu Ye was confident he could take down Hu Guang, but against three, he wasn't so sure. If he rashly made a move and failed, it would only lead to Wei Po's faster demise.

Outside Zixuan Island, Hu Guang and his two companions appeared. Lu Ye's true self had already put away his Mountain Breaker saber and activated the Mimicry and Thousand Faces spirit patterns, changing his aura and appearance. They met, and Lu Ye's true self handed the numerous storage rings to Hu Guang, then turned and departed.

After watching Lu Ye's figure disappear, Junior Brother Hu spoke up. "Senior Brother, we could have captured him!"

Hu Guang shook his head. "Outside the island, any fight would create undeniable repercussions. If we couldn't subdue him immediately, the guests on the island would notice. We already have enough leverage, so there's no need to create extra complications."

Junior Sister Bao said with a grin, "Senior Brother's plan is to not only act against Three Realms Island but also to maintain a righteous stance, so that others won't later accuse our Zixuan Island of bullying the weak."

Hu Guang nodded with satisfaction. "Exactly..." He weighed the numerous storage rings in his hand. "This is also an unexpected gain. Three Realms Island's speed in accumulating wealth is truly astonishing. How many years has it been, and they've already amassed so many spirit jades?"

Junior Brother Hu said, "Once we take down Three Realms Island, this profit will be ours."

"Only half, though," Hu Guang shook his head.

Junior Brother Hu and Junior Sister Bao immediately understood. The other half would undoubtedly be for Yuan Du, as another force, designated by Yuan Du, would take over Three Realms Island.

"Let's go!" Hu Guang turned and swept back towards Zixuan, followed closely by Junior Brother Hu and Junior Sister Bao.

A moment later, Hu Guang and his two companions returned. Lu Ye looked up and saw their hands were empty, and he narrowed his eyes slightly.

"How was it?" asked Lionheart, who was seated at the head of the table.

Hu Guang spread his hands. "We didn't see anyone at all." He then looked at Lu Ye. "Are you sure someone from your island came to deliver spirit jades?"

Lu Ye stared at him expressionlessly. "Is this how Zixuan conducts its affairs?" His true self had personally handed the many storage rings to Hu Guang, yet in the blink of an eye, they were denying it. He truly hadn't expected such a large power to be so brazenly deceitful, but this also indirectly showed their resolve in targeting Three Realms Island.

Hu Guang gazed at him with a smile. "What do you mean by that, fellow Daoist?"

Lionheart, seated above, erupted in fury, slamming his hand on the armrest of his chair. He chastised, "Fellow Daoist, our Zixuan has given Three Realms Island enough face. Five of our Star Manifestation cultivators were killed, and we only demanded a billion spirit jades as compensation, yet you still play such tricks! Do you have any respect for our Zixuan at all?"

Hu Guang's smile vanished as he spoke coldly, "Since Three Realms Island is unwilling to compensate, then let's go to war. From ancient times, a life for a life has been a matter of course!"

Among the guests, someone shouted, "Exactly, a life for a life!"

Lu Ye abruptly turned his head to look at the speaker. At first glance, the person seemed somewhat familiar, as if he had vaguely seen him somewhere before. After a moment of thought, he finally remembered who this person was.

Giant Blade Island, Zhao Yunqi!

Back then, during the war against Baiyue, Giant Blade Island also got involved. They took advantage of Three Realms Island being undefended and secretly occupied it. However, before they could even settle in, they heard the news that Baiyue had fallen, and in a panic, they quickly retreated. After the cultivators of Three Realms occupied Baiyue, Lu Ye then led his troops to encamp at the entrance of Giant Blade Island, posing as if to attack. This greatly frightened Zhao Yunqi at the time. Ultimately, they compensated Three Realms Island with tens of millions of spirit jades before the Three Realms cultivators finally withdrew.

Zhao Yunqi had always held a grudge over that incident. They hadn't really done anything significant, merely broken through Three Realms Island's empty shell formation, yet they were extorted tens of millions of spirit jades. Today, presented with such a rare opportunity, he was momentarily excited and chimed in with a supportive remark, feeling a great sense of satisfaction.

Meeting Lu Ye's gaze, Zhao Yunqi instinctively recoiled, but quickly straightened his back again, convinced that Lu Ye wouldn't survive the day. If Zixuan was going to act against Three Realms Island, how could Three Realms Island possibly resist?

"Indeed, a life for a life!" Lionheart sneered, raising his hand and grabbing towards the bamboo bed. His massive palm covered it, squeezing hard. The bamboo bed shattered, and Wei Po bled from his mouth and nose. Under the effects of the prohibition, he couldn't speak or move, his face contorted in pain.

Lu Ye hastily looked at Lionheart. The next instant, his pupils constricted. Lionheart had opened his gaping maw and directly tossed Wei Po into his mouth. With a powerful bite, blood splattered everywhere. His expression was terrifying as he chewed, staring at Lu Ye with a malevolent grin and roaring, "Zixuan demon cultivators, hear my command: flatten Three Realms Island!"

"Yes, sir!" Hu Guang and the group of cultivators acknowledged the order, then all turned simultaneously, glaring menacingly at Lu Ye, their powerful divine senses locking onto him.

Hu Guang declared, "You've ruined Zixuan's blood sacrifice ritual, Lu Ye. You shall be today's offering!"

Lu Ye's gaze swept over the Moon Splendor demon cultivators, then suddenly fixed on Yuan Cheng, who was beaming with pride and smiling at him. Yuan Cheng's heart skipped a beat; he instinctively felt that something was wrong. But before he could react, Lu Ye moved, darting out like lightning. As his treasured long saber flashed from its sheath at his waist, a dazzling blade light streaked across.

"How dare you!" Hu Guang cried out in alarm, utterly astonished that Lu Ye would attack Yuan Cheng. If Yuan Cheng were to die on Zixuan Island, they would have no way to explain it to Yuan Du. He immediately moved to intercept. The other Moon Splendor demon cultivators also made their moves, and even Lionheart, who was seated, raised a palm and slammed it down fiercely towards Lu Ye.

In that instant, at least seven or eight Moon Splendor cultivators attacked simultaneously. In such a situation, even if the Blood Avatar could momentarily unleash its true self's full power, it would be difficult to evade. A muffled groan sounded, and as blood splattered, Lu Ye's chest and back both caved in. Even his left leg was severed.

Enduring this barrage of attacks, Lu Ye bravely broke through the encirclement. His seemingly lunging trajectory towards Yuan Cheng's shattered body suddenly shifted, redirecting him towards Junior Brother Hu, who was not far from Yuan Cheng.

Junior Brother Hu, seeing Lu Ye's miserable state, was utterly fearless. He extended his hand like a claw, aiming straight for Lu Ye's chest. Lu Ye raised his saber to strike, but was easily intercepted by Junior Sister Bao. With a wet squelch, Junior Brother Hu's large hand plunged into Lu Ye's chest. He immediately revealed a grim smile, squeezing hard, intending to crush Lu Ye's heart.

But soon, he looked puzzled, as his grasp met no solid resistance. It seemed there was no heart within the opponent's chest. This left him quite bewildered. As he looked up, he saw a cold and stern expression on Lu Ye's face, and a chilling voice echoed in his ear: "A life for a life! Blood for blood!"

As the words fell, the long saber in Lu Ye's hand was discarded, and his hands, like shackles, seized Junior Brother Hu's arms. Gazing at the resolute look in Lu Ye's eyes, Junior Brother Hu's heart jolted. He suddenly realized something: Lu Ye's target was never Yuan Cheng; it was him! After all, Yuan Du stood behind Yuan Cheng. Killing Yuan Cheng here today would only bring catastrophic disaster upon Three Realms Island, and Lu Ye certainly wouldn't do that.

With Lu Ye holding his arms, Junior Brother Hu's mind raced in panic. Although he didn't know what Lu Ye intended, he clearly felt a violent aura surging from Lu Ye's body. Immediately afterward, a brilliant red light erupted before his eyes. The next instant, an incredibly violent shockwave swept outwards. The few Moon Splendor demon cultivators who had come to assist Junior Brother Hu were destabilized by the impact, stumbling momentarily.

Lionheart's eyes widened in astonishment at that very moment. He saw it most clearly: after Lu Ye spoke those words, his entire being suddenly exploded. The ferocity of that instant made even him feel a tremor in his heart.

Numerous screams erupted, and the banquet hall became a chaotic mess. Yuan Cheng, who was not far from Junior Brother Hu, was sent flying high by the impact, the protective light from his personal treasure rapidly dimming. It was fortunate that he had activated his protective treasure at the critical moment; otherwise, the mere aftershocks would have been enough to severely injure him.

When he finally managed to steady himself and looked again, his scalp tingled. Lu Ye, whom he loathed, was gone, clearly dead beyond doubt. Junior Brother Hu's entire body was also in tatters; half of him was missing, and the remaining half was riddled with holes. He stood dazed, feeling his life force rapidly draining away. Instinctively, he looked at Lionheart and mumbled, "Save me..."