Chapter 1989: Invasion of the Wuxiang Palace

Huaci stood quietly on the sea near Three Realms Island.

Lu Ye looked closely and realized she wasn't standing on the water, but on the back of her pet. Her pet, which possessed Pixiu bloodline, had transformed into a desk-sized platform, just large enough for Huaci to stand on.

Their eyes met, and Lu Ye quickly flew towards her.

He was about to ask about the situation, but when he met Huaci's gaze, Lu Ye was stunned. Her eyes held a strange, unfamiliar look; there was no joy of a long-awaited reunion, only a bewildered and uncertain assessment.

She looked as if she didn't recognize him at all.

"What... what's wrong?" Lu Ye asked, feeling a little uneasy.

Huaci's expression was slightly confused. She shook her head and said, "I don't know. I've forgotten many things. Who are you? Why do I feel like you're very familiar and important... but I can't remember who you are."

Lu Ye's expression stiffened, and his cheek twitched. "Don't joke around."

Huaci had no other flaws besides her fondness for pranks. Lu Ye had been a frequent victim. Once, after a long separation, he saw her holding a child and even mistakenly thought he had a son, only to find out it was someone else's baby. Yet, Huaci had gone to great lengths to display her "maternal love" at the time.

Huaci didn't speak, merely watched him silently, her beautiful eyes as deep as an abyss.

Lu Ye's heart pounded. He reached out, grabbed her hand, activated his spiritual power, and spread his divine sense to examine her carefully.

A moment later, Lu Ye looked at the woman before him with a complicated expression. "You really don't remember me?"

There was nothing abnormal within Huaci's body; in fact, she was in excellent condition. Her spiritual power was incredibly pure, and her foundation solid. What was even more astonishing was that her cultivation had reached the late Moon-Illumination stage, just one step away from advancing to Sun-Illumination.

He couldn't help but wonder if Huaci was playing a prank on him, but upon reflection, during the years she had been sealed, some unknown changes must have occurred within her; otherwise, such a massive increase in strength would have been impossible.

Perhaps these changes had also affected her memory.

Huaci slowly shook her head.

"It's alright," Lu Ye said with a smile, squeezing her hand. "Take your time."

As long as she was safe, the lost memories... could be recovered eventually.

Moreover, now was not the time to investigate this matter. In the brief moments he spoke with Huaci, Lu Ye vaguely sensed chaos spreading throughout the Myriad Manifestations Ocean. In various directions, there were signs of numerous Sun-Illumination cultivators clashing.

"First, tell me what happened just now."

Something significant must have happened here during the short time he spent advancing to Sun-Illumination.

"Wuxiang Palace!" Huaci spoke.

Through her explanation, Lu Ye finally understood the source of the current turmoil in the Myriad Manifestations Ocean.

The root cause was actually Ya Ya!

Previously, Ya Ya had shattered her two jade bracelets, recovering her sealed cultivation and memories. After injuring Yuan Du to help Lu Ye, she quickly fled. Following her departure, a portal suddenly opened, and then a Bone Clan member and a Demon Clan member pursued her.

These two Sun-Illumination cultivators pursued Ya Ya in the direction she fled, but the opened portal remained.

Lu Ye had actually noticed this at the time, but he hadn't paid much attention to it, assuming that portals opened from a distance via secret techniques wouldn't last long.

However, just as Lu Ye was spreading his Sea of Blood, massively devouring Sun-Illumination and Moon-Illumination cultivators from the Myriad Manifestations Ocean, and then advancing to Sun-Illumination, a vast number of cultivators suddenly poured out of that portal. Leading them were more than ten Sun-Illumination cultivators, accompanied by a large number of Moon-Illumination and Constellation cultivators, descending upon the Myriad Manifestations Ocean from an unknown place.

This sudden turn of events caught both warring parties by surprise.

These newly emerged cultivators attacked indiscriminately, treating anyone not from their faction as an enemy.

"The Sun-Illumination cultivators who were fighting each other earlier were all caught up in it. I heard someone shouting 'Wuxiang Palace' from afar, so I assume these cultivators are from that force."

Wuxiang Palace... Lu Ye pondered for a moment, realizing he had never heard of this force, nor did he know where it was located.

But this must be the force Ya Ya came from.

It seemed the portal hadn't immediately disappeared after the two Sun-Illumination cultivators passed through, allowing Wuxiang Palace to discover the situation in the Myriad Manifestations Ocean. Perhaps they had reinforced the portal through some means, leading to this full-scale invasion.

For any force, the Myriad Manifestations Ocean was a prize, normally offering no opportunity for invasion. However, today's chaos presented Wuxiang Palace with an opening, so they decisively made their move.

Even if they couldn't completely occupy the Myriad Manifestations Ocean, simply plundering the major Spirit Islands would allow Wuxiang Palace to profit handsomely.

Learning all the reasons, Lu Ye didn't know whether to laugh or cry, having never imagined that Ya Ya would be the source of this turmoil.

However, Ya Ya probably hadn't thought so far ahead when she helped him at the time; Wuxiang Palace's subsequent actions were merely taking advantage of the situation.

To be able to dispatch two Sun-Illumination cultivators, and then more than ten at once... this Wuxiang Palace had a very strong foundation!

"You stayed here to protect me?" Lu Ye asked.

Luan Xiaoe, Yan Miao, and the others couldn't stay. As Sun-Illumination cultivators, they were too obvious a target. Only Huaci remained nearby after the chaos erupted, constantly monitoring Lu Ye's situation to prevent anyone from disturbing him rashly.

The Sun-Illumination cultivators from Wuxiang Palace were currently busy conquering the major Spirit Islands and plundering resources, so they naturally paid little attention to Lu Ye.

The Myriad Manifestations Ocean was in complete disarray!

This hadn't happened in many years; the last time the Myriad Manifestations Ocean saw such turmoil might have been tens of thousands of years ago.

Many thoughts raced through Lu Ye's mind. He vaguely perceived that this chaos wouldn't last long. The Myriad Manifestations Star System had more than just the five Sun-Illumination guardians; there were others, and once they received news, they would surely rush over to quell the unrest.

Not just them, but if the forces behind the other major Spirit Islands learned that their islands were being plundered and cultivators killed, they certainly wouldn't stand by idly; they would inevitably send troops for assistance.

With bug channels connecting them, it wouldn't take much time if the news was delivered promptly.

Wuxiang Palace likely knew the situation in the Myriad Manifestations Ocean as well, so their current mindset was probably to grab what they could and then flee!

But what about after they left? With Sun-Illumination cultivators from various star systems gathering in the Myriad Manifestations Ocean... what kind of chaotic situation would that create?

The reason Sun-Illumination cultivators from various star systems were willing to abide by the rules of the Myriad Manifestations Ocean and not easily come here was because they trusted the Myriad Manifestations Star System to protect their interests and the safety of their cultivators. In fact, over the years, the Myriad Manifestations Star System had done quite well, leaving no opportunity for others to interfere.

Wuxiang Palace's disturbance had sullied the reputation of the Myriad Manifestations Star System and would inevitably cause it to completely lose the trust of other star systems, giving their Sun-Illumination cultivators a pretext to intervene in the Myriad Manifestations Ocean.

Perhaps from now on, the Myriad Manifestations Ocean would no longer be exclusively guarded by Sun-Illumination cultivators from its home star system; other Sun-Illumination cultivators could also come to take up residence.

Although this was just Lu Ye's conjecture, such an outcome was highly probable.

He was immensely glad that he had advanced to Sun-Illumination at this time. Otherwise, if it truly reached that stage, Three Realms Island wouldn't have much say. Who wouldn't covet such a top-tier Spirit Island?

He took out his communication talisman to check and found that both Yan Miao and Luan Xiaoe could still send messages, indicating that both women were still alive.

As for Ma Bin... Lu Ye wasn't worried at all. The renowned Azure Demon King wouldn't die so easily.

The turmoil in the Myriad Manifestations Ocean was unavoidable. What should he do to prepare for it?

Moreover, this time he had killed three Sun-Illumination cultivators from the Myriad Manifestations Star System, forming a mortal enmity with the native star system. With Ma Bin still on his side, normally, there would be no place for cultivators from the Three Realms in this vast Myriad Manifestations Ocean in the future.

Previously, compelled by necessity, when Three Realms cultivators evacuated and abandoned Three Realms Island, Lu Ye could accept it willingly.

But now that he had advanced to Sun-Illumination, and with Huaci as a major trump card... his thoughts couldn't help but broaden.

Why should Three Realms cultivators retreat? Why should they abandon Three Realms Island? This was the foundation they had painstakingly built!

Thinking this, a fierce aggression welled up in his heart. Three Realms Island was too small; why not seize the opportunity to control the Myriad Manifestations Ocean?

If he did this, Three Realms cultivators would have everything they desired in the future, and the Jade Snail Star System would eventually become a renowned top-tier star system in the cosmos!

Indeed, with his current foundation, he was actually qualified to control the Myriad Manifestations Ocean!

Once the thought arose, he couldn't suppress it.

In the past, Lu Ye might have considered things more thoroughly, but the black fruit on the Talent Tree had a significant influence on him, causing him to be easily swayed by emotions when making decisions.

Suddenly turning his head to look at the chaotic Three Realms Island, Lu Ye put his arm around Huaci's waist. "Put away your pet, and stay close to me!"

A familiar scent lingered at his nose, and Lu Ye greedily took a deep breath. Huaci subtly frowned, keenly sensing that something was off about Lu Ye's state, but she still put away her pet, cradling it, and allowed Lu Ye to hold her.

The next instant, two figures streaked above Three Realms Island.

Lu Ye swept his gaze coldly, instantly noticing the distinct aura of certain cultivators on the island. These cultivators had an exceptionally arrogant and unrestrained demeanor, acting utterly brazen.

If he wasn't mistaken, these arrogant cultivators must be from Wuxiang Palace!

At that very moment, these Wuxiang Palace cultivators, led by two Moon-Illumination cultivators, were plundering various shops.

Perhaps some had resisted earlier, but without exception, they had been killed. Therefore, facing the plundering by these outsiders, the cultivators in the various shops dared not offer any resistance.

After all, in the current situation on Three Realms Island, two Moon-Illumination cultivators were enough to suppress everything.

Wuxiang Palace had evidently detected the situation here, which was why they left such a small contingent to handle the aftermath.

Lu Ye was furious. He immediately roared, "Stop robbing things in my home!"

The moment he finished speaking, his body flared with a bloody light, and streams of blood arrows shot forth from the air.

The Wuxiang Palace cultivators who were plundering everywhere, whether in plain sight or hidden, even those inside buildings, suffered a devastating blow at that moment.

The blood arrows pierced through one cultivator after another, draining their life force. Even the two Moon-Illumination cultivators who were left behind to oversee the operation were not spared.

They didn't even get a clear look at who had attacked before losing their lives in confusion.