Chapter 1871: That Three Realms Island Lu Ye... Is Not Human

After such a major battle, many matters needed to be addressed, but the first priority was to return and defend Three Realms Island.

During the attack on Violet Palace, Three Realms Island had deployed all its forces. All five registered Moon-level cultivators and two thousand regular cultivators had passed through the Azure Sea Conch's portal to reach Violet Palace.

It could be said that Three Realms Island was currently in a completely undefended state.

Although the prestige of this victory would likely deter anyone from causing trouble on Three Realms Island, it was still necessary to take some precautions.

In fact, when various factions realized that Three Realms Island had sent all its forces to attack Violet Palace, many had already begun to stir, secretly deploying troops.

If Three Realms Island's attack on Violet Palace failed and suffered heavy losses, these factions could immediately move to seize Three Realms Island, taking control of this valuable territory.

While a few newly promoted Moon-level cultivators remained on Three Realms Island, they were not officially registered. Therefore, even if an attack occurred, they would be helpless to offer effective resistance.

Of course, Three Realms Island had now won an incredibly overwhelming victory, and those restless factions had all quieted down.

Half a day later, a central warship slowly ascended from Violet Palace, flanked by two large escort warships. The decks of these three vessels were packed with docked Tiger Shark battleships.

This was originally Violet Palace's formidable fleet, which had aggressively dispatched troops to Three Realms Island just days prior. Now, it had become spoils of war.

From the two thousand cultivators, eight hundred were dispatched, most of whom were wounded. They departed from Violet Palace, proudly manning the three warships.

This sight filled the cultivators still observing from afar with immense envy.

Besides other things, just one such massive central warship was incredibly valuable, and the entire fleet's worth was immeasurable.

What surprised onlookers, however, was that the three ascending warships did not appear to be heading towards Three Realms Island. No one knew their destination.

After half a day of information exchange among various parties, the destination of the three warships finally became clear.

Giant Blade Island!

It was Giant Blade Island, to everyone's surprise. No one knew why.

Yet, the three warships indeed stopped just outside Giant Blade Island.

At this moment, on the central warship, a Jade Spiral cultivator asked, "Senior Brother Ma, why aren't we returning to our island? Why have we stopped here instead?"

Ma Shangsi rubbed his head and replied, "I don't know."

The Jade Spiral cultivator who had asked was baffled. "You don't know? Then why did you bring us all the way here?"

Ma Shangsi then added, "It was the Third Island Master's order. We just need to follow it. It's just a slight detour."

He genuinely did not know why Lu Ye wanted him to make a stop at Giant Blade Island. Lu Ye had given this order before he departed from Violet Palace, and he hadn't questioned it.

The Jade Spiral cultivator fell into thought. He was certainly familiar with Giant Blade Island. During the last campaign against Baiyue, Giant Blade Island had interfered. As a result, Three Realms cultivators had paused outside Giant Blade Island on their return journey, after which Giant Blade Island offered spirit jade and supplies as compensation for breaking Three Realms Island's protective formation. Only then did the Three Realms cultivators withdraw.

Now, they had inexplicably stopped outside Giant Blade Island again. Could it be because of the previous incident?

The Third Island Master held quite a grudge...

With the three warships lying across the waters outside the island, even without any intention of attacking from Three Realms Island, Giant Blade Island was thrown into utter chaos.

Zhao Yunqi's face was deathly pale as he listened to the reports from his subordinates, recalling the events of a few days prior.

While Ma Shangsi did not know why Lu Ye had ordered him to stay here, Zhao Yunqi understood perfectly.

It was because during the banquet at Violet Palace, he had gloated and cheered, shouting, "A life for a life!"

At the time, he had indeed felt a surge of satisfaction, believing Violet Palace to be powerful and Three Realms Island weak and no match. In his excitement, he had spoken carelessly, never imagining a situation like this would arise today.

In fact, he had followed the battle at Violet Palace more closely than anyone. When he heard that Violet Palace's protective formation had been breached, Moon-level cultivators were being killed one after another, and Three Realms Island cultivators had forcefully descended upon Violet Palace, he nearly blacked out and fainted.

He had hoped that Lu Ye of Three Realms Island wouldn't remember such a minor incident, but it now seemed that Lu Ye was truly vengeful and had not forgotten at all.

No sooner had he dealt with Violet Palace than he was at their gates.

Fortunately, Three Realms Island currently had no intention of attacking Giant Blade. Zhao Yunqi, of course, knew what he had to do.

"Quickly inventory the treasury! Bring out everything we have," he immediately ordered.

A Moon-level cultivator widened their eyes in surprise. "Senior Brother Zhao, why is this?"

Zhao Yunqi replied with a somber face, "To avert disaster through financial loss."

The cultivator angrily retorted, "This time, our Giant Blade Island did not provoke Three Realms Island! Why are they so overbearing? The last time was one thing, as Giant Blade had started it, but this time is different. Why should Giant Blade Island always be the one to suffer?"

"Senior Brother, this is intolerable! Let's fight them! They haven't brought many cultivators, and it seems there's only one Moon-level cultivator. They're no match for us!"

"Yes, Three Realms Island is too arrogant! We absolutely cannot compromise this time."

"Please give the order, Senior Brother! We will follow you to the death!"

Amidst the clamor, Zhao Yunqi angrily roared, "Fight what?! Is it easy for our star system to occupy a high-grade spirit island in the Myriad Manifestations Sea? This is the foundation our ancestors built! Those Three Realms Island cultivators outside aren't many, and we might win, but what then? Everyone, Violet Palace has been destroyed! Among all Moon-level cultivators, only Lionheart escaped by hiding on Myriad Manifestations Island. Most Star-level cultivators perished. That Lu Ye from Three Realms Island... he's not human!"

At the mention of Lu Ye's name, the morale of the Moon-level cultivators plummeted.

The title of "foremost under the Sun-level" was indeed intimidating. That person killed Moon-level cultivators as easily as chickens. It was incomprehensible how someone could be so powerful when they were all Moon-level cultivators.

Zhao Yunqi wore a look of guilt. "Today's situation is my fault. When I attended the banquet at Violet Palace that day, I spoke ill-advisedly in a moment of anger. Three Realms Island's visit this time is not without reason."

All the Moon-level cultivators stared at Zhao Yunqi in surprise, only now understanding the full story.

As for what Zhao Yunqi had actually said that day, there was no need to investigate. It must have been words that angered Lu Ye.

"Start inventorying the treasury's supplies," Zhao Yunqi said, looking crestfallen, as he waved his hand.

No one said anything more.

The last time, Giant Blade Island had depleted its entire wealth just to make Three Realms Island retreat. After that, their home star system had sent a large supply of resources, which finally addressed their urgent needs.

They never expected that good times would be so short-lived, and they would soon face another period of tightening their belts.

The Moon-level cultivators were frustrated, wishing they could be stronger. They thought, "Attending a banquet to eat and drink is fine, but why did he have to speak out? No one would have thought him mute if he'd kept quiet."

An incense stick's time later, Zhao Yunqi led a group of cultivators out of Giant Blade Island, approaching the central warship with a broad smile.

"Who goes there?" Ma Shangsi challenged.

Zhao Yunqi quickly announced his identity.

Ma Shangsi frowned. "What is it?"

Zhao Yunqi waved his hand, and the cultivators behind him immediately began moving and carrying, piling countless resources before Ma Shangsi, quickly forming a small mountain.

The reason they didn't use storage rings was to create a greater visual impact and demonstrate Giant Blade Island's sincerity.

Ma Shangsi was completely bewildered, unable to understand the situation.

Zhao Yunqi bowed and said, "Fellow Daoists, as you have traveled a long way and passed by our island, we wish to offer some materials to show our hospitality. Please do not find them insufficient."

Ma Shangsi was stunned.

He thought to himself, *Such a good thing exists? Just stopping outside someone's spirit island yields such benefits. If we traveled around to all the major spirit islands, wouldn't we quickly become the wealthiest in the world?*

And the items Giant Blade Island had sent out seemed a bit excessive, didn't they? Although he hadn't meticulously counted them, a quick glance gave him a rough idea of their value.

*Something unusual must be amiss,* he thought. When in doubt, ask the Master. Ma Shangsi pondered for a moment, then said, "Wait a moment!"

He immediately sent a message to Lu Ye.

He quickly received a reply. Ma Shangsi now largely understood the situation. He looked at Zhao Yunqi plainly and relayed Lu Ye's words: "Island Master Zhao, an incident can happen once, or twice, but not three times! If there's a next time, your island's fate will be unpredictable."

Zhao Yunqi let out a long breath, knowing that this hurdle had been cleared. He immediately nodded and said, "I understand, and there will absolutely not be a next time!"

Ma Shangsi nodded, then raised his hand to give the order: "Return to the island!"

A short while later, the three warships returned fully laden. Zhao Yunqi, leading a group of Giant Blade Island cultivators, shouted from behind, "Farewell, fellow Daoists!"

Only after a long time did he look up, his face full of remorse as he watched the three warships gradually disappear. A single sentence had caused Giant Blade Island to lose resources worth tens of millions of spirit jade. He wished he could slap himself multiple times.

He turned, looking somewhat dispiritedly at a Moon-level cultivator, and said, "Junior Brother, go back to our home star system again and request material support."

Hearing this, the Moon-level cultivator's expression immediately became as if he had eaten something foul. The last time, he had been the one to go back and request material support, only to be severely reprimanded by the Sun-level cultivators of their homeland. Why was it him again this time?

Inside Violet Palace Island, Lu Ye put away his sound-transmitting talisman, ending his communication with Ma Shangsi.

He had no intention of wiping out Giant Blade Island. There was no need. Besides the fact that Three Realms Island had just overwhelmingly defeated Violet Palace, and their cultivators were physically and mentally exhausted, many injured and needing recuperation, what would be gained by taking Giant Blade Island anyway?

Conquering Violet Palace was already enough to make all the various powers in the Myriad Manifestations Sea wary of Three Realms Island. If they immediately attacked Giant Blade without pause, it would only make Three Realms Island appear arrogant and overbearing.

Furthermore, on that day, Zhao Yunqi had merely expressed his indignation with an echoing remark; he had not taken any substantial action to harm Three Realms Island's interests.

That was why he had instructed Ma Shangsi to lead the fleet to stop outside Giant Blade Island. Zhao Yunqi was a smart man and would naturally know what to do.

Now, they had used wealth to avert disaster, offering compensation and an apology, and the matter was concluded.

"Junior Brother, we've found the entrance to the spirit jade mine," Feng Wujiang called out as he flew over to Lu Ye.

"Let's go see," Lu Ye said, his spirits immediately lifting. He flew with his Senior Brother towards the entrance of the spirit jade mine.