Chapter 1966: I Have It

"They're all refined in my own home," Lu Ye casually explained. "If you find them useful, senior, please take them."

"Refined in your own home..." Ma Bin looked puzzled. Did the current Kyushu truly possess such an outstanding alchemist? He had spoken with Lu Ye once before and learned that Kyushu had only recently been promoted to a large realm. Ordinarily, such a realm would require thousands, if not tens of thousands, of years of development to truly flourish. Yet, suddenly, so many top-grade spirit pills could be refined—a development speed that was beyond imagination.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony," Ma Bin said, taking a few jade bottles and consuming the spirit pills within. He then looked at Lu Ye, his gaze profound. After a moment, he asked, "Have you obtained the Dao Tree inheritance?"

As a former cultivator from Kyushu, having lived through those turbulent times, he naturally knew about the Dao Tree. The last time he saw Lu Ye, he hadn't thought much of it, but this time, after only a few decades, Lu Ye's cultivation had astonishingly progressed from mid-Constellation to late Moon Splendor. Such a cultivation speed was clearly abnormal. The only explanation was that Lu Ye possessed an inheritance with immense potential! Zhao Nian's cultivation had similarly advanced at an incredible pace back then; he had witnessed it firsthand. Having that experience, he naturally made this deduction.

Lu Ye nodded. "Yes, senior, your insight is sharp." There was no need to hide this from Ma Bin.

"The Dao Tree inheritance truly remained within Kyushu..." Ma Bin sighed. "Back then, Zhao Nian... he was the previous Dao Tree inheritor. After his death, the Dao Tree inheritance vanished without a trace. Many speculated it had remained in Kyushu, and countless individuals tirelessly searched for it, but to no avail. I never imagined that after ten thousand years, you would be the one to obtain it."

His expression turned solemn as he spoke. "However, you must remember that the Dao Tree lineage can devour and refine all things with spiritual essence in this world, but there is one thing you must never refine."

"Cultivators?" Lu Ye interjected.

Ma Bin's expression changed. "You've tried it?"

Lu Ye replied, "A Dwarf clan Sun-Disciple once told me about this. She said that the Dao Tree lineage cannot refine the seven emotions and six desires, so refining cultivators could lead to very unfortunate consequences."

Ma Bin nodded. "Precisely. A large part of the catastrophe in Kyushu back then stemmed from this. You must take heed."

"I understand," Lu Ye replied solemnly. In the Asura Arena, he had indeed attempted this. The sensation was undeniably captivating and endlessly memorable, but it also made him extremely wary!

"Cough, cough, cough..." Ma Bin suddenly coughed again, raising a hand to cover his mouth. When he lowered it, his palm was stained with dark blood, a shocking sight.

Lu Ye frowned. The top-grade spirit pills Ma Bin had just consumed seemed ineffective. He pondered for a moment before asking, "Senior, may I examine your injuries?"

Ma Bin chuckled. "You possess healing arts? No need, though. I know my own injuries; ordinary methods won't resolve them."

Lu Ye said, "I don't understand healing arts, but since you know I am a Dao Tree inheritor, you should understand that I can refine away some abnormalities within your body. Perhaps that could make you feel better."

Ma Bin asked curiously, "The power of the Dao Tree... can it be used this way?" He truly hadn't known this. Zhao Nian had never displayed such a method back then, so Ma Bin's understanding of the Dao Tree was actually not much more extensive than that of the Dwarf clan.

"Shall we try?" Lu Ye looked at him.

"Then let's try!" Ma Bin's interest was piqued, and he extended a large, fan-like hand.

Lu Ye sat cross-legged before him, extended his hand to his wrist, and activated the power of the Talent Tree. Ma Bin's expression shifted; he clearly sensed something. There were indeed abnormalities within his body. Earlier, facing four equally powerful cultivators alone, he had managed to kill one and wound three, a brilliant achievement. However, he himself had sustained serious injuries, with several powerful foreign energies raging uncontrollably inside him, making his wounds difficult to alleviate.

However, as Lu Ye performed his technique, the invading energies within his body miraculously began to dissipate, as if being refined by some power. Ma Bin's condition gradually showed signs of improvement.

After about an hour, Lu Ye withdrew his hand. Ma Bin silently assessed his own body and couldn't help but laugh heartily. "I feel much better now."

Lu Ye, however, showed little joy. He simply looked at Ma Bin and asked with a puzzled expression, "Senior, your injury is somewhat peculiar. I feel as if you've been wounded at your very foundation?" If that were the case, his efforts just now could not help Ma Bin much, only provide minor relief. And if the foundational damage wasn't repaired, Ma Bin would never fully recover; in fact, his condition would worsen over time.

At these words, Zhu Yuan, who had been standing silently behind Ma Bin, couldn't help but change his expression.

Ma Bin's laughter gradually subsided. Looking at Lu Ye, he said, "The lands of Kyushu truly nurture talent. To produce someone like you after ten thousand years, this old man is very pleased."

Lu Ye's expression was grave. "Senior, are you truly wounded at your foundation?"

Ma Bin, however, remained unconcerned. "It's nothing major. Most of the revenge I sought these past years has been accomplished. In the days to come, I don't plan to do much; finding a place to live out my golden years peacefully will suffice."

Lu Ye felt a pang of sadness. Although he hadn't reached the Sun-Disciple level and didn't know how renowned the title "Azure Devil King Ma Bin" was, it was clear from Nan Lian's earlier words that Ma Bin was a prominent figure in this corner of the starry sky. He had always pursued vengeance and lived freely, but now, because of Lu Ye, he was left broken here. If Ma Bin hadn't noticed him when he was escaping that day, he certainly wouldn't have fought four opponents alone, and this current situation wouldn't have occurred. For such a figure to ultimately face a dismal end was undoubtedly a tragedy.

"Is there no way to treat your injury, senior?" Lu Ye asked.

Ma Bin slowly shook his head. "There isn't."

Lu Ye fell silent.

Zhu Yuan, however, suddenly spoke. "Actually, there is a way."

Lu Ye looked up at him. "What is it?"

Zhu Yuan cautiously glanced at Ma Bin. Seeing that he had no intention of stopping him, he began, "I used to follow the Sun-Disciple from Brahma Valley. I once heard him speak of Master. Although he wasn't one of the four Sun-Disciples who fought Master, he had some connections with them. According to him, Master's Dao Foundation is damaged. Unless Master can find a spirit jade ore vein for healing, there's no chance of recovery. Those Sun-Disciples, led by Chang Feng, sent out many messages, instructing top realms with spirit jade ore veins to be on high alert, preventing Master from seizing any opportunity."

"Spirit jade ore vein?" Lu Ye's expression stirred upon hearing this.

Ma Bin grinned. "That's right. This old man's injury can only be slowly repaired by recuperating in a spirit jade ore vein. However, all realms in this world possessing spirit jade ore veins are top-tier realms. In my current condition, showing my face in any of them would be suicidal. So, young Lu, you don't need to worry about this old man. Having lived for so many years, I am quite content." Especially knowing that Kyushu still existed, and with a rising star like Lu Ye, he would have no regrets even if he died now.

Lu Ye didn't know why a damaged Dao Foundation required recuperation in a spirit jade ore vein, but... "Senior, I have a spirit jade ore vein!" Lu Ye exclaimed, quite excited. Finally... he had a way to help Ma Bin. If it were any other method, he might not be able to achieve it, but a spirit jade ore vein...

"Huh?" Ma Bin was stunned. "You have a spirit jade ore vein? Where did you get it?" Kyushu had only recently been promoted to a large realm, so it couldn't possibly be capable of nurturing a spirit jade ore vein. Moreover, a spirit jade ore vein was an incredibly precious resource. For a Moon Splendor cultivator to claim he had one, Ma Bin found it truly hard to believe.

Lu Ye pondered for a moment before explaining, "It's like this, senior. I have a very good relationship with the Dwarf clan. Previously, I was entrusted by them to search for the core of Mount Fangcun within a certain stellar wonder. I was fortunate enough to succeed. Later, I brought the core back and placed it near Kyushu. There's a spirit jade ore vein inside. If you need to use it, I'll speak with them, and it should be fine." By now, he was effectively the master of Mount Fangcun; the entire mountain was his. So, using the spirit jade ore vein naturally wouldn't be an issue.

Even Ma Bin, who had lived for over ten thousand years and was widely experienced, was momentarily stunned by Lu Ye's words. After a long pause, he said, "You actually managed to find the lost core of Mount Fangcun and even placed it near Kyushu? The Dwarf clan had no objections?" Mount Fangcun! What a renowned stellar treasure. For so many years, the various parts of Mount Fangcun had drifted through the starry sky. Their Sun-Disciples were numerous and formed their own distinct faction, never closely associating with other races. How could they allow Lu Ye to casually place the core of their supreme treasure? He couldn't understand it.

"The Dwarf clan didn't raise any objections." The core had been found and placed there, and the three parts of Mount Fangcun were being drawn by it to merge. In a few years, the Dwarf clan would regain their ancestral glory. Who would have any objections? Who would dare to have any objections?

Ma Bin felt a momentary daze. All this time, he had viewed Lu Ye merely as a junior from his own realm. After meeting him years ago, Ma Bin had no intention of interacting with him further. But now, it seemed he had always underestimated this junior... Then again, how could a Dao Tree inheritor be an ordinary person?

For a moment, Ma Bin was indeed tempted; after all, this truly was a method for healing. But soon, he slowly shook his head. "Forget it. There are some things you might not understand. Even if your relationship with the Dwarf clan is good, they might not agree when it comes to a spirit jade ore vein. For any race, a spirit jade ore vein is a crucial resource. It's not just about the output of spirit jade; it also concerns the path after Sun-Disciple!"

He paused, then continued, "Besides, I carry a great deal of trouble. If the Dwarf clan knew my identity, I'm afraid they wouldn't accept me."