Chapter 1980: Desiring to Add Crime

Lu Ye immediately understood Yuan Du's intentions when he saw him bring a bloodkin. The bloodkin's last-minute defection surprised him, but he could guess the reason. Evidently, the bloodkin had genuinely activated the Blood Roar Art, sensing the bloodkin bloodlines in both himself and Ma Shangsi.

From the bloodkin's perspective, he would naturally not harm his own kin, which explained why he falsely accused Yuan Cheng. This led to the current absurd and awkward situation.

Yuan Cheng, looking innocent and indignant, loudly rebuked the bloodkin. However, the bloodkin showed no fear; he was bound to die anyway, and helping a few of his kin better conceal themselves before his death was a gain for him.

Yuan Du frowned, staring deeply at the bloodkin. If his original plan was merely to use this bloodkin to frame Lu Ye, then at this moment, he couldn't help but feel suspicious. The bloodkin's behavior was undoubtedly a cover-up. What was he trying to conceal? Why wasn't he acting according to Yuan Du's instructions? Could it be that Lu Ye of Three Realms Island truly was...

At this thought, Yuan Du's heart stirred, as if he had stumbled upon a shocking secret. But he quickly realized that if the bloodkin didn't identify Lu Ye, what purpose would his visit serve? As a Sun-Tier garrison leader, he could not attack Three Realms Island without evidence; doing so would break the rules. Moreover, to create momentum and demonstrate his impartiality, he had intentionally invited so many cultivators to observe. This situation had truly backfired on him. For the first time, Yuan Du felt his position as a garrison leader was a hindrance.

Suddenly, a powerful surge of spiritual energy erupted. Yuan Du's heart jumped, and he quickly turned, shouting, "No!" However, the person unleashing the spiritual energy paid him no heed. As a figure burst forth, they struck the void with a punch. Under this blow, the bloodkin, who was still entangled with Yuan Cheng, was obliterated. The punch's remaining force, undiminished, slammed directly into Three Realms Island's defensive array. Visible ripples of energy spread from the point of impact, causing the entire Three Realms Island to tremble violently.

"I told you long ago, just attack directly! Why bother with all these unnecessary things and waste time?"

Inside the defensive array, Lu Ye looked at the figure who had suddenly appeared, his face filled with disbelief: "Hei Yun?" Wasn't this guy dead? He was clearly besieged and killed by several Sun-Tier cultivators from Fangcun Mountain in Kyushu over a year ago. How could he be here, perfectly fine? Yet, the person's appearance and demeanor were unmistakably those of the Demon Venerable Hei Yun, who should have died. Furthermore, from what Lu Ye could perceive, this Hei Yun seemed considerably more powerful than when they had met before.

Hei Yun stared coldly at Lu Ye through the defensive array, his divine sense flowing with a message: "Boy, if you don't want anything to happen to your Kyushu, surrender obediently!"

Lu Ye frowned: "What have you done?"

Hei Yun scoffed, "Nothing much. It's just that at this very moment, two Great Demon Venerables and eight Lesser Demon Venerables from our realm, a total of ten Demon Venerables, have joined forces to lead an army to Kyushu. They will arrive in three months." Ever since his Dharma body was trapped in Kyushu, Hei Yun had been consumed by thoughts of revenge. However, he speculated that Lu Ye might have already inherited the Dao Tree's legacy. Therefore, while mobilizing the Purple Xuan army, he himself came to Myriad Manifestations Sea, determined to capture Lu Ye personally.

Attacking Kyushu was a precautionary measure because the Dao Tree's legacy being with Lu Ye was merely his speculation, something he couldn't confirm. Thus, the best strategy was to capture Lu Ye and Three Realms Island here, and take Kyushu there. This way, no matter where the Dao Tree's legacy was, it would surely remain within their control. He knew Kyushu had powerful cultivators stationed there; otherwise, his Dharma body wouldn't have perished. But what did strength matter? This time, ten Sun-Tier cultivators from Purple Xuan were mobilized together, leading tens of thousands of troops. There was no way they couldn't conquer Kyushu. Judging by the time, the Purple Xuan army should already be halfway there. After he captured Lu Ye, he would even have time to join the Purple Xuan army, personally oversee the battle, and see who had destroyed his Dharma body.

Lu Ye's expression changed. Although several Sun-Tier cultivators from Fangcun Mountain were stationed in Kyushu, the force mobilized by Purple Xuan was too strong. Fangcun Mountain alone was utterly incapable of resisting it. Unless the southern and western regions also sent reinforcements, even then, they could only contend with Purple Xuan at the Sun-Tier level. If a major war broke out, Kyushu would surely suffer immense devastation!

Noticing the anger in Lu Ye's eyes, Hei Yun sent another message: "Of course, if you are willing to surrender and answer a few questions, I can immediately recall the Purple Xuan army!" This was, of course, a lie. The Purple Xuan army had already set out, and even as one of the five Great Demon Venerables, he couldn't interfere with the army's progress. He said this merely to capture Lu Ye more easily. He could sense that Yuan Du had his own designs. However, in Hei Yun's view, Yuan Du was after Three Realms Island itself, while he wanted Lu Ye and the cultivators of Three Realms Island. Therefore, their objectives did not conflict.

"You're asking for death!" Lu Ye stared at him coldly.

Hei Yun scoffed, "It's been many years since anyone dared to speak to me like that!"

The divine sense exchange between the two lasted only an instant, but this sudden turn of events astonished all the observing cultivators. No one had expected a Sun-Tier cultivator to suddenly emerge from behind Yuan Du and attack so boldly. Moreover, the Sun-Tier cultivator's aura felt distinctly unusual.

"It's a Demon Venerable from the demon race!" Someone with sharp eyesight immediately recognized Hei Yun's origin.

"Demon race... in that case, it must be a Demon Venerable from Purple Xuan."

"Demon Venerable Hei Yun, isn't it? I recall seeing him once from a distance when I was younger."

"A Demon Venerable attacking without cause—this breaks the rules! Aren't the garrison leaders reacting?"

As the cultivators discussed amongst themselves, four figures gathered in front of the Garrison Palace on Myriad Manifestations Island, gazing in the direction of Three Realms Island. These four were precisely the other four garrison leaders, excluding Yuan Du. Gu Xi from Heavenly Flame Realm, Mu Qing from Kunyu Realm, Mo Wenli from Illusion God Realm, and Chen Xuanba from High Heaven Continent. Including Yuan Du, who hailed from Primordial Realm, these major realms were essentially the most powerful ones in the entire Myriad Manifestations Star System.

"What is Senior Brother Yuan Du doing?" Mu Qing's delicate brows furrowed. As fellow Sun-Tier garrison leaders, they naturally knew Yuan Du had been planning something recently. Moreover, before Yuan Du set off this time, he had greeted them and solemnly promised that whatever he did, he would not break the rules of Myriad Manifestations Sea. But now, it seemed Yuan Du's promise was worthless. An external Sun-Tier cultivator had already attacked here. If this matter wasn't handled properly, it would severely damage their prestige and reputation as Sun-Tier cultivators and might even trigger a series of commotions.

"Should we go take a look?" Mo Wenli asked.

"What can we do if we look?" Chen Xuanba slowly shook his head. "Help, or stop him?" If they helped, Myriad Manifestations Sea's reputation, built over so many years, would instantly vanish. But if they tried to stop him, it would only make them a laughing stock to outsiders. So, neither choice was right. At this moment, they could only wait and see, hoping Yuan Du could resolve the matter without causing too much damage to Myriad Manifestations Sea's interests.

"It's that Three Realms Island again, always causing trouble!" Gu Xi scoffed, his words hinting at considerable displeasure with Three Realms Island. The other Sun-Tier cultivators understood perfectly well... Gu Xi had always looked down upon Three Realms Island, not because he had a deep friendship with Yuan Du, but because his Heavenly Flame Realm had taken control of Peerless Island back then. As Peerless Island declined, Three Realms Island rose, and Gu Xi always felt that Three Realms Island had stolen Peerless Island's luck, leading to one spirit island falling into decline while another prospered. If not for Three Realms Island, Peerless Island might have been just as prosperous now, bringing immense benefits and profits to Heavenly Flame Realm. But today, how many people in Myriad Manifestations Sea still remembered the former Peerless Island? He was pleased that Yuan Du was targeting Three Realms Island. Perhaps after Yuan Du captured Three Realms Island, Peerless Island, which belonged to Heavenly Flame Realm, would have a chance to revive?

At this moment, outside Three Realms Island, Hei Yun boldly attacked. Yuan Du, unable to stop him, had many doubts flash through his mind. He immediately shouted sternly, "This bloodkin would rather die than frame and cover for you! Lu Yiye, you are indeed of bloodkin origin! Show your true form!" The bloodkin's previous actions were too bizarre. He could never believe that Yuan Cheng was a bloodkin, because Yuan Cheng was his junior from Primordial Realm. Others might not know if Yuan Cheng was a bloodkin, but how could he not know? Yet, the bloodkin made that decision despite prior arrangements, which was undoubtedly a cover-up. Yuan Du was eighty percent certain that Lu Yiye was a bloodkin! He had no evidence, but that didn't matter. By first pinning this accusation on Lu Ye, he would occupy the moral high ground. Although the process wasn't ideal, as long as the situation didn't escape his control, it was fine.

"When one wants to condemn, one can always find a pretext!" Lu Ye scoffed. "After the Insect and Blood races suffered greatly in the Primordial Realm of the Reincarnation Tree, they jointly issued a massive bounty on this island master. I believe many people have heard of 'Lu Yiye of Nine Heavens.' How could this island master be a bloodkin?"

Hearing this, Yuan Du was momentarily stunned. Indeed, if Lu Ye were a bloodkin, what about this bounty? Many others shared his doubts. Many knew about the bounty issued by the Insect and Blood races back then, and also knew the person with the bounty on his head was Lu Yiye of Nine Heavens. However, very few knew that this Lu Yiye of Nine Heavens was actually Lu Ye of Three Realms Island. Having him reveal it himself naturally became a means of proving his innocence.

Fortunately, Hei Yun was quick-witted. He knew that this was not the time to argue further with Lu Ye but to quickly capture him. He immediately sneered repeatedly, "Of course, I've heard of 'Lu Yiye of Nine Heavens.' But do you truly come from Nine Heavens?" You clearly come from Kyushu! He was certain Lu Ye wouldn't dare to answer that question, and indeed, Lu Ye immediately fell silent.

While the two exchanged words, Hei Yun's attacks did not cease. With a few more punches, the entire Three Realms Island became unstable, and its defensive array, accumulated over many years, began to totter under such an assault. This was the might of a Sun-Tier cultivator. Not to mention Three Realms Island's defensive array, even Purple Xuan's defensive array from back then couldn't withstand such an offensive. In comparison, Purple Xuan's defensive array was much more powerful than Three Realms Island's.