Chapter 1876: Demon Lord Arrives

For Luan Xiao'e, the Grand Island Master, to come and inform Lu Ye, the Third Island Master, of her intention to step down was an unprecedented event that would never happen on any other spirit island.

"What happened, senior sisters?" Lu Ye's expression turned serious. Honestly, ever since the cultivators from the Three Realms arrived in the Myriad Manifestation Sea, Luan Xiao'e had been managing affairs, and she had done an excellent job. Her sudden appearance today, accompanied by Yan Miao, left Lu Ye somewhat bewildered.

Luan Xiao'e looked at him and said, "I'm going into seclusion for an indefinite period, and so is the Grand Elder."

Lu Ye's heart stirred; he suddenly understood and showed a look of joy. "Then I must congratulate both of you, senior sisters."

Both Luan Xiao'e and Yan Miao were at the peak of the Moon Glimmer realm. Their decision to enter seclusion could only mean one thing: they intended to break through the Moon Glimmer shackles and advance to the Sun Glimmer realm! For Three Realms Island, this was undoubtedly a cause for great celebration. Had years of continuous consumption and nourishment from top-grade Spirit Refinement Pills finally begun to bear fruit? If Luan Xiao'e could truly take that step, she would become the first Sun Glimmer cultivator in the Jade Snail Star System. Yan Miao's potential advancement to the Sun Glimmer realm also held immense significance. For countless years, only royal bloodlines among the Merfolk had any hope of reaching the Sun Glimmer realm, due to the shackles of the bloodline curse poison. If Yan Miao succeeded, the Merfolk would finally have their own Sun Glimmer cultivator, which would vastly improve their living conditions underwater.

However, breaking through from Moon Glimmer to Sun Glimmer was no easy feat. Looking across the vast starry sky, with countless star systems, every single one had its Moon Glimmer cultivators. Although the number of Moon Glimmer cultivators in the cultivation world wasn't as vast as those in the Constellation realm, there were still quite a few. Yet, Sun Glimmer cultivators were genuinely scarce.

"Did you two senior sisters suddenly perceive an opportunity?" Lu Ye asked.

Luan Xiao'e shook her head. "Actually, two years ago, the Grand Elder and I faintly sensed an opportunity. However, Three Realms Island hadn't fully stabilized, and we couldn't rest easy. Now it's different; with Zixuan defeated, no one will dare to trouble our island again, so we can enter seclusion with peace of mind."

"I see," Lu Ye understood. "When do you plan to begin?"

"As soon as possible," Luan Xiao'e replied. "Of the five Moon Glimmer cultivators, after the Grand Elder and I depart, the Merfolk will send their Second Elder Yuxi and Fourth Elder Chengxin to fill the vacancies. From now on, Three Realms Island will largely depend on your efforts."

The island currently had some newly advanced Moon Glimmer cultivators, but their cultivation levels and strength were insufficient for major responsibilities, which was why replacements had to be drawn from the Merfolk. After all, in the event of real warfare, enemies wouldn't care if one was a newly advanced Moon Glimmer cultivator; they would show no mercy when striking.

"No problem at all," Lu Ye nodded repeatedly, picturing He Baichuan's face in his mind. He could hand over the major and minor affairs of Three Realms Island to He Baichuan. With Old Tang assisting, things would be fine.

After discussing some further details with Luan Xiao'e and Yan Miao, the two women departed. They needed to wait a few days for Yuxi and Chengxin to arrive from the Merfolk territory. Then, they would all travel to Myriad Manifestation Island to update the information regarding the island's Moon Glimmer guardians. Only then would Yuxi and Chengxin officially be recognized as Three Realms Island's Moon Glimmer guardians.

As for Luan Xiao'e and Yan Miao's seclusion location... what place in the world could offer better conditions for cultivation than directly on a spirit jade ore vein? Therefore, the two women intended to go to the Merfolk territory. This approach had another advantage: if they successfully advanced to the Sun Glimmer realm, no one would be alerted. If they were to remain on Three Realms Island for their seclusion, the commotion of their advancement to Sun Glimmer would surely be impossible to conceal. In that case, they wouldn't be able to stay long in the Myriad Manifestation Sea; even if they didn't wish to leave, they would have to. There was a precedent for this. Throughout history, there had always been Moon Glimmer cultivators who advanced to Sun Glimmer in the Myriad Manifestation Sea, but without exception, they could only stay for a short while before departing.

Several days quickly passed. The island's Moon Glimmer guardians were replaced by two new individuals, and the island masters' rankings were also adjusted. Lu Ye became the undisputed Grand Island Master of Three Realms Island. Despite the other Moon Glimmer cultivators surpassing him in both cultivation and age, no one raised any objections to his taking the position of Grand Island Master. With the island's reputation at its peak, having the strongest cultivator serve as Grand Island Master also acted as a deterrent to outsiders. When others mentioned Three Realms Island, they would immediately think of the foremost cultivator below the Sun Glimmer realm. He Baichuan became the Second Island Master, followed by Ma Shangsi, Yuxi, and Chengxin.

Perhaps due to the immense prestige Three Realms Island gained from its previous battle against Zixuan, the island had become increasingly bustling in recent days. The foot traffic had more than doubled compared to before, making many shopkeepers glad they had chosen to establish their businesses there. However, they also felt a little worried, wondering if the rent would increase because of this.

After Luan Xiao'e and Yan Miao departed for their seclusion in the Merfolk territory, Lu Ye also began his own period of closed-door cultivation. Speaking of which, he had planned to break through to the late Moon Glimmer realm a long time ago, but things kept getting in the way, preventing him from doing so. Now, riding on the immense power of their great victory over Zixuan, surely no one would come looking for trouble, right?

He left his Talent Tree clone to guard the island, while his true body submerged beneath the sea. There, he activated the Talent Tree's power, opening his mind and body to refine the seawater.

Time passed. Two months swiftly slipped by.

One day, on the bustling Three Realms Island, a distinguished-looking young man strolled along a wide street, eagerly looking around and taking everything in. Soon, the young man arrived at a particular location. This was the boundary between Three Realms Island's commercial district and the resident cultivators' area. Further ahead lay the residential zone for the island's own cultivators. Generally, cultivators who came to Three Realms Island for trade or transactions would not venture this far. Three Realms Island cultivators also stood guard here.

Seeing the young man continue straight ahead without changing direction, a Three Realms Island cultivator immediately stepped forward, blocking his path, and raised a hand. "Halt there. The area ahead is not open to outsiders. If you wish to buy or sell anything, please turn back."

The young man, with his hands clasped behind his back, smiled faintly with an air of calm composure. "I'm not here to buy things. I'm here to see your Grand Island Master."

The Three Realms cultivator blocking the path asked, "May I ask who you are, sir? And what matter requires you to see the Grand Island Master?"

"Indeed, I have something to discuss with him," the young man replied without directly answering. Instead, he produced a jade token and flicked it forward. "Please deliver this to your Grand Island Master; he will understand."

The Three Realms cultivator took the jade token and glanced at it, but couldn't discern anything special. He then couldn't help but look at the young man opposite him. Only now did he realize with surprise that he couldn't perceive the depth of the other's cultivation. This undoubtedly indicated that the other party was very likely a Moon Glimmer cultivator. Moreover, despite his youthful appearance, the young man possessed an extremely steady demeanor, giving the immediate impression that he came from a significant background.

Now that Three Realms Island's reputation had spread, it naturally attracted many visitors. However, most cultivators who came were looking for Tang Jun, as everyone now knew that he was Three Realms Island's external representative. Therefore, if one truly wanted to cooperate with Three Realms Island, approaching him was the correct course of action. Previously, some had sought an audience with Lu Ye, but after being refused several times, no one came knocking on his door again.

"Please wait," the Three Realms cultivator said before immediately turning and departing.

A short while later, in Lu Ye's bamboo house, his Talent Tree clone carefully examined the jade token, then raised an eyebrow. "Is the visitor a young man?"

The cultivator who had brought the message nodded. "Very young."

Of course, in the cultivation world, a youthful appearance didn't necessarily mean actual youth; it could also be an old monster. This visitor was undoubtedly such a monster! And he was a genuine old monster, for the jade token emanated a faint yet incredibly pure wisp of demonic aura! Lu Ye roughly understood the young man's background.

"Invite him in," Lu Ye instructed.

"Yes, sir!"

A moment later, waiting outside the bamboo house, the Talent Tree clone saw the young man enter with the disciple who had brought the message. His expression instantly turned solemn. Ever since he returned from the Cheling Realm that day, he had been waiting for this day to arrive. He had also wondered how Zixuan's Sun Glimmer cultivator would approach him to discuss matters concerning Zixuan Island. Most likely, they would send someone to convey a message and arrange a meeting somewhere. But Lu Ye had never imagined that the person would simply come in person! For a Sun Glimmer cultivator, this was undoubtedly a gesture of lowering one's status. What surprised Lu Ye even more was that the other party had arrived silently, leaving no trace, and even sought an audience in such a polite manner. It wasn't that Sun Glimmer cultivators couldn't come to Three Realms Island. In fact, for a Sun Glimmer cultivator, arriving forcefully on the island and demonstrating supreme might to assert dominance would be the normal approach. After all, they already had a deep-seated enmity; there was no need for such formality.

This demon cultivator... he wouldn't be easy to deal with! That was Lu Ye's first impression upon seeing him. Despite the significant upheaval at Zixuan, it seemed to have no impact on his state of mind. As he walked, there was no trace of indignation or other emotions on his face; instead, he looked around with keen interest.

"Grand Island Master," the Three Realms cultivator who had led the way approached and cupped his fists in greeting.

Lu Ye nodded, waved his hand for the cultivator to withdraw, and then looked directly at the young man who had followed him. The other party also happened to look over. As their eyes met, the young man's clear gaze resembled a deep, tranquil pool—profound and bottomless. What puzzled Lu Ye slightly was that he seemed to have seen this person somewhere before! But he couldn't recall where at the moment.

"Lu Ye of Three Realms Island!" Lu Ye bowed first.

"Heiyun," the other party nodded slightly, introducing himself.

Unable to suppress the doubt in his mind, Lu Ye asked directly, "May I ask, Demon Venerable, have we met somewhere before?" In the Zixuan Demonic Star, Moon Glimmer cultivators were kings, and Sun Glimmer cultivators were venerables. Demon cultivators like Lionheart Hu Guang were at the demon king level. The Heiyun before him was a demon venerable. This was not a division of strength but rather a classification within the demonic race's status system.

Heiyun smiled and prompted, "The Reincarnation Tree, Grand Beginning Realm!"

Lu Ye suddenly realized, finally remembering where he had seen him. Back when Yang Qing took him to the Reincarnation Tree to participate in the Battle of the Divine Sea, he had seen many powerful figures from various great realms in the main hall. Heiyun, being from the Zixuan Demonic Star, had also brought a rising star from Zixuan with him at that time.