Chapter 1878: You Have a Poisonous Mouth

Inside the attic, Hei Yun stared deeply at him, lost in thought. Ultimately, he didn't make a move, instead pointing a finger at Lu Ye and saying, "You should be glad it's me who came this time. If any of my senior brothers had come, you would have already lost your life for those words you just spoke."

Lu Ye replied, "The Demon Venerable should also be glad it's you who came."

These words left Hei Yun speechless. In fact, when news of the events at Zixuan Island reached Zixuan Demon Star, all the Demon Venerables were furious. It was Hei Yun's strenuous persuasion that held them back, after which he personally came to handle the matter. He knew the temperaments of those Demon Venerables; they were easily ignited, and letting them handle the situation would only make things worse. So, Lu Ye's statement that Hei Yun should be glad was entirely accurate. He, of course, knew the consequences if a Zixuan Sun-rank cultivator were to kill Lu Ye here.

Lu Ye picked up his teacup and took a sip, remarking casually, "Demon Venerable, there's no need to feel disadvantaged. This is a very cost-effective deal."

Hei Yun sneered repeatedly, "How is it cost-effective?" One hundred billion spirit jades was one thing—Zixuan could afford that. The key was Lionheart's life, a demand he absolutely could not agree to. As a Zixuan Sun-rank cultivator, if he agreed to this condition, how would he explain it to Zixuan Demon Star upon his return? The Lionheart clan still held significant power within Zixuan Demon Star.

Lu Ye said, "A top-tier spirit island and a spirit jade mine with an annual output of thirty million spirit jades. If the Demon Venerable thinks this isn't cost-effective enough, then what is the value of your realm's prestige? You should know that what your realm has lost is not just Zixuan Island, but also the prestige of a top-tier realm. One hundred billion spirit jades and the life of a Moon-rank cultivator in exchange for all this back—is that not worth it?"

These words left Hei Yun speechless. Indeed, compared to simply reclaiming Zixuan Island, the issue of Zixuan Demon Star's prestige was his primary concern. Reclaiming Zixuan Island would allow them to regain their lost face. If they failed to reclaim it, Zixuan Demon Star would become the first top-tier power on the Myriad Manifestations Sea to lose a spirit island, a topic that would surely be discussed for tens of thousands of years or even longer. Who could withstand that?

Hei Yun felt mentally exhausted. Although he knew before coming that his side was at an absolute disadvantage in this negotiation, he hadn't expected Lu Ye to be so difficult to deal with.

"I want Lionheart's life to provide an explanation to our island's cultivators," Lu Ye continued. "I also know why the Demon Venerable is unwilling to agree—it's nothing more than a matter of prestige."

It was no secret that Lionheart had fled into Myriad Manifestations Island under everyone's gaze. If Zixuan were to hand over Lionheart, it would undoubtedly damage Zixuan's reputation. The world would simply think Zixuan feared Three Realms Island and thus abandoned Lionheart, which was utterly unacceptable to Zixuan Demon Star.

"Since you know that," Hei Yun said with a grim face, "then you should understand that I cannot possibly agree to the second condition."

Lu Ye calmly stated, "When Lionheart sacrificed his demon core in a desperate struggle, although he narrowly survived, his demon core must have been damaged. As far as I know, he was already without hope of reaching the Sun-rank, only able to refine his cultivation at the Moon-rank. Now with his demon core damaged, his future is likely even bleaker. With so many Moon-rank cultivators in your realm, why be reluctant to part with one Lionheart?"

Hei Yun countered, "Then why was your Three Realms Island able to wage war over one Wei Po?"

Lu Ye blinked, unwilling to get entangled in that question, and changed the subject. "Your realm's prestige issue can actually be resolved. It just depends on whether the Demon Venerable is willing. All I want is Lionheart's life, not to kill him in public!"

After a pause, Lu Ye added, "Furthermore, considering Lionheart as Zixuan's Grand Island Master, he lost an inheritance that your realm's ancestors built over tens of thousands of years while in his position. I believe Zixuan must be very angry about this, right? Won't there be accountability afterwards? Lionheart's mistake is one for which he cannot escape responsibility, even if he died ten thousand deaths!"

Hei Yun gazed into Lu Ye's eyes, then, after a long moment, pointed a finger at him. "Your mouth... I'm afraid it's poisonous!"

Lu Ye offered no response.

Hei Yun pondered for a while longer, then raised a hand and sent a sound talisman towards Lu Ye. Lu Ye took it, understanding Hei Yun's intention. He then handed his own sound talisman to Hei Yun, and they exchanged talisman imprints.

Hei Yun stood up without a word. Lu Ye respectfully saw him off.

Moments later, Hei Yun soared into the sky and quickly disappeared. Lu Ye stood watching him leave. Although Hei Yun did not give a definitive answer until the very end, his willingness to exchange talisman imprints was a very good start. Perhaps Hei Yun was hesitant, or perhaps he had already made a decision; exactly what it was, Lu Ye could not guess.

Three Realms Island had already presented its two conditions. If Zixuan Demon Star still wished to reclaim Zixuan Island, they would have to agree to these terms. Otherwise, given enough time, Lu Ye might very well decide to find a new owner for Zixuan Island. If that happened, Zixuan would certainly be the one to suffer. Therefore, Three Realms Island was in no hurry for a resolution. It was Zixuan's side that should be anxious.

The Talent Tree clone continued to preside over the island, while the main body cultivated greedily beneath the Myriad Manifestations Sea. He Baichuan also knew that Lu Ye was always a hands-off manager. So, ever since Luan Xiao'e entered seclusion, He Baichuan had taken full charge of all matters, big and small, on Three Realms Island. With Tang Jun's assistance, no major issues arose on the island, and any minor problems were quickly resolved. After their great victory over Zixuan, many of Three Realms Island's Constellation-rank cultivators, aside from their duties, diligently cultivated. Even the newly advanced Moon-rank cultivators were no exception. While advancing to Moon-rank was not the beginning, it was certainly not the end. Who wouldn't hope for their cultivation to progress further?

In the blink of an eye, another two months had passed. On this day, the sound talisman on the Talent Tree clone, presiding over the island, suddenly vibrated. The clone quickly checked; the message within the talisman was simple, containing only a location. Upon seeing the sender, it immediately understood. The next moment, Lu Ye's main body, which had been cultivating beneath the sea for four months, slowly opened his eyes. He swiftly ascended, silently emerged from the water, and flew in a specific direction.

Several days later, a starship steadily traversed the starry sky. This starship was completely sealed, meaning its interior could not be seen from the outside. Such starships were not uncommon in space, so it did not attract any particular attention.

Inside the starship were two figures: one piloting the vessel, the other sitting cross-legged behind him. The figure seated cross-legged in the back was remarkably tall and burly, though his aura seemed somewhat unstable, and his broad face was pale.

Suddenly, the burly figure opened his eyes, startled and uncertain. "Fellow Daoist, is there something happening outside?"

The cultivator piloting the starship replied, "Some people were fighting nearby just now; no need to panic."

Conflicts often occurred within the Myriad Manifestations Star System. Hearing this, the burly figure felt a slight sense of relief. In the past, throughout the vast Myriad Manifestations Sea, there was truly no one he feared. He was of noble birth, strong in his own right, and as long as a Sun-rank cultivator didn't appear, no one could be his match. However, a battle several months prior had shattered this confidence. Only then did he realize that, at the Moon-rank level, someone could actually be stronger than him! Crucially, the opponent wasn't even a late Moon-rank cultivator, but merely a mid Moon-rank. That day, he fled towards Myriad Manifestations Island. If Hu Xue hadn't intervened at a critical moment, using the Battle Platform to trap that person, he would have likely died that very day! Having barely survived until today, battered and resentful, he harbored no thoughts of seeking revenge against that person. He only wanted to leave the Myriad Manifestations Sea and go as far away as possible.

Hei Yun had arranged for his departure, and he naturally complied. Furthermore, Yuan Cheng was escorting him, so it could be said the arrangements were very proper. He had profoundly experienced Lu Ye's intense killing intent from Three Realms Island. As long as he remained here, he would have no peace. However, as long as he could return to Zixuan Demon Star alive, he would no longer have anything to fear.

"Fellow Daoist, could you go a bit faster?" preoccupied with his thoughts, he urged.

"Alright!" Yuan Cheng, piloting the starship, replied, appearing calm on the surface but feeling extremely anxious within, for he knew what was about to happen. Before their departure, Yuan Du had secretly instructed him. He didn't want to get involved in such matters, but looking across the entire Myriad Manifestations Island, there was truly no one else suitable to escort Lionheart away. Moreover, with Yuan Du's command, he had no right to refuse.

The starship gradually sailed to a secluded area. Even cultivators from various star systems rarely willingly came to such places because the space here was unstable, showing signs of a new wormhole forming. No one knew when this wormhole would appear, but once it did, anyone nearby might be sucked into it. Therefore, people usually kept far away from this area. There were several such remote and rarely visited places within the Myriad Manifestations Star System.

Upon reaching this location, Yuan Cheng's heart involuntarily pounded, and he became incredibly nervous. Even with his best efforts to conceal it, Lionheart, seated behind him, still noticed his state. At first, Lionheart didn't realize anything, but slowly he detected that something was amiss; Yuan Cheng was clearly fearful and on guard. He pondered for a moment, then quickly pulled out his star chart to examine it. When he saw his current location, his expression changed instantly. This location was nowhere near the route back to Zixuan Demon Star. Returning to Zixuan Demon Star from the Myriad Manifestations Sea required passing through a wormhole, crossing another star system to enter the one where Zixuan Demon Star was located. But the starship's current position was unknown distances away from the correct route.

He instinctively thought Yuan Cheng harbored malicious intent and wished him harm, but then reconsidered, feeling it wasn't quite right. Yuan Cheng was only an early Moon-rank cultivator; even though Lionheart wasn't at his peak and his strength was significantly diminished, Yuan Cheng could still not be his opponent. Thoughts of Demon Venerable Hei Yun's various earnest instructions before departing Myriad Manifestations Island involuntarily surfaced in his mind.

Lionheart's panicked expression gradually calmed. He roughly understood what was happening.