Chapter 2017: Reinforcements

If the Battle of Myriad Realms Sea brought fame to Three Realms Island, then this confrontation against the Zixuan invasion would be the battle that brought fame to the Jade Snail Star System.

While their current strength alone was indeed enough to contend with the invaders, Lu Ye's goal was not merely to stand on equal footing with the enemy, but to ensure the Zixuan army could not return. To achieve this, a prerequisite was essential: their forces must vastly outnumber and overwhelm the enemy. This would allow them to crush the enemy army in the shortest possible time, while also preventing large-scale casualties on their own side.

Mount Fangcun could likely deploy about ten Sun Exposure cultivators, which would directly counter the ten Demon Venerables from Zixuan, but it was still not enough.

Less than half a day later, Lu Ye appeared in the ancestral land of the Soul Clan.

As usual, he went to pay his respects to Xu Yuan. Upon seeing him, Xu Yuan immediately noticed his breakthrough: "You've reached Sun Exposure?" It wasn't surprising, as Lu Ye had been at the peak of Moon Brilliance during his last visit, appearing ready to break through at any moment.

"A fortunate breakthrough," Lu Ye nodded.

"Since you've advanced, has your problem been resolved?" Xu Yuan was undoubtedly referring to the Qi Blossom.

"It has."

"That's good." Xu Yuan looked relieved and pleased. After so many years of acquaintance, he had long regarded Lu Ye as a junior. Although Lu Ye was not born into the Soul Clan, no other Soul Clan member had ever been valued so highly by the ancestral land's will. "After Sun Exposure comes the cultivation of a God. The first thing you need to do is temper a Soul-Suppressing Secret Art. Much of your future cultivation will be based on this. When you have time, I'll explain it to you in detail." He clearly saw that Lu Ye had come for something else this time, and then asked, "What brings you here this time?"

"My homeland is in trouble; I've come for aid," Lu Ye stated his purpose.

"What's wrong?" Xu Yuan asked.

Lu Ye quickly explained the Zixuan invasion. Xu Yuan understood after listening, "You want to ask the Soul Clan to dispatch some members, right?"

"Yes," Lu Ye nodded.

"That's no problem," Xu Yuan readily agreed. If it were anyone else, the Soul Clan would certainly not bother. This race was even more reclusive than the Pixie race; their unique living environment made it almost impossible for them to have conflicts with other races. But since Lu Ye had asked, they naturally wouldn't refuse. This wasn't the first time the Soul Clan had assisted Lu Ye; Xu Yuan himself had taken action during the last invasion by the Filth Clan.

"How many people do you need?" Xu Yuan asked.

"The more, the better!" The only enemy intelligence he currently had was about the ten Demon Venerables of Zixuan. As for the total number of demon cultivators, he truly didn't know, but Black Cloud had previously used the term "leading an army," which suggested a significant number.

Xu Yuan tapped his finger and pondered for a moment before speaking, "Currently, the Sun Exposure cultivators our clan can dispatch, including myself, are roughly ten in number. Will that be enough?" He didn't mention those below Sun Exposure, but with ten Sun Exposure cultivators available, the number of Soul Clan members below that level would certainly be substantial.

"It's enough!" Lu Ye hadn't expected to be able to invite so many Sun Exposure Soul Clan members; in his plan, three to five would have been sufficient. Now, with the addition of these ten Soul Clan Sun Exposure cultivators, how could Zixuan possibly win this battle? The deployment of ten Zixuan Demon Venerables showed their considerable emphasis on Kyushu's affairs, but they probably didn't imagine they would be hitting a brick wall.

"Please wait a moment. It will take some time for me to awaken them," Xu Yuan said, closing his eyes as his soul power undulated outwards. Usually, when there was nothing to do, Soul Clan members would typically sleep on their lotus islands, especially those with higher cultivation. As a result, the entire Soul Clan space often seemed very empty, with only a few lower-cultivation members occasionally appearing and moving about.

Lu Ye quietly stood by, waiting.

A moment later, powerful auras emerged from various parts of the Soul Clan ancestral land, gathering towards their location. In less than the time it takes an incense stick to burn, ten figures appeared before Lu Ye, each with profound soul power, clearly the Sun Exposure cultivators Xu Yuan had mentioned. However, there was one more than Xu Yuan had stated. Regardless of who came, they all looked at Lu Ye with interest, having clearly heard of him.

The incident of a human being recognized by the ancestral land's will, entering the ancestral land space, and obtaining the Seven-Colored Divine Lotus in the lotus pond had long spread. Even though these Sun Exposure Soul Clan members were often in slumber, they had heard about it. Furthermore, this human had also brought the Soul Clan's sacred beast, and he himself seemed to be the legendary inheritor of the Dao Tree. The Soul Clan members had long lifespans and were all knowledgeable and experienced. How could they not know that such an individual would have soaring potential in the future? Therefore, even though their seniority and age far surpassed Lu Ye's, given that Lu Ye had already advanced to Sun Exposure, they still addressed him as "fellow Daoist," each with a benevolent expression.

Lu Ye greeted each of them in turn, expressing his sincere gratitude.

Not long after the ten Sun Exposure cultivators arrived, groups of Soul Clan cultivators began gathering from various lotus islands, and their numbers rapidly swelled.

"These little rascals," Xu Yuan chuckled, looking at the steadily gathering clan members. "They've been cooped up for too long and finally have a chance to go out. They all rushed over when they heard the news."

One of the Soul Clan Sun Exposure cultivators stroked his beard and chuckled, "Let them be."

"Can we even send them back now?" Xu Yuan shook his head helplessly. He hadn't intended to gather so many clan members, but since things had come to this, he could only let them be. The rules of the Soul Clan were strict, and clan members rarely had the chance to leave the ancestral land. Encountering such an opportunity, they naturally didn't want to miss it.

"Roar..." Suddenly, a tiger's roar echoed. Lu Ye's heart stirred, and he quickly looked in the direction of the sound. In that direction, a majestic, giant white tiger was flying towards them. Wherever the white tiger passed, all Soul Clan members stopped in unison, bowing respectfully with devout expressions. On the white tiger's back, a figure sat upright, constantly waving at him and calling out, "Lu Ye!" Behind the white tiger, a large group of Soul Clan members followed closely.

Lu Ye smiled and stepped forward to meet her. The figure on the white tiger also flew up, coming towards him, and plunged into Lu Ye's arms, holding him tightly.

"I've missed you so much!" Yiyi's small face was buried in Lu Ye's embrace, and a somewhat muffled voice spoke. Her hands clutching Lu Ye tightened further, as if she would never let go. Lu Ye embraced her delicate body, gently patting her. Amber's body shimmered with light, and in an instant, she transformed into the size of a cat. With a leap, she landed on Lu Ye's shoulder, rubbing her head against his face. The many Soul Clan members around them watched this scene with mixed feelings. They had deeply felt how difficult the sacred beast was to serve over the years. In their hearts, their clan's sacred beast was a symbol of holiness and inviolability. When had they ever seen the sacred beast in such a docile manner?

In his embrace, Yiyi looked up at Lu Ye. "Did you miss me?"

"Yes!" Lu Ye nodded.

"You missed me, my foot!" Yiyi puffed up her cheeks and struggled out of Lu Ye's embrace, placing her hands on her hips and looking difficult to appease. "You haven't come to see us for ages, and you didn't even tell us about such a big incident this time! If Elder Xu Yuan hadn't summoned us..."

"I was going to come," Lu Ye quickly explained. He indeed had that thought, but considering there might be some risks in this battle with Zixuan, he dismissed the idea. He hadn't expected that Xu Yuan's summoning would also bring Yiyi and Amber.

"La la la, I'm not listening!" Yiyi covered her ears with her hands and turned her back to him.

Lu Ye took a step forward, pulled her into his embrace, and whispered something into her ear.

Yiyi's eyes flickered, and then she squinted at him with a triumphant expression, "You said it, no backing out!"

"I said it," Lu Ye nodded heavily. Only then did Yiyi show a satisfied expression.

Lu Ye then looked up ahead as two figures arrived together.

"Fellow Daoist Lishang!" Lu Ye smiled and nodded. His initial contact with the Soul Clan was through Lishang. Back then, she had been captured by a Sun Exposure cultivator and put up for auction at the Myriad Phenomena Merchant Guild. Lu Ye had spent a large sum to buy her, and through their subsequent interactions, he gradually eliminated the barriers and gained her trust. In his interaction with Lishang, Lu Ye's initial intention was to find a place for the Immortal Yuan Guards to settle, but unexpectedly, he also gained immense benefits through a fortuitous coincidence.

"Long time no see," Lishang replied with a smile.

Lu Ye then looked at the figure beside Lishang. "City Lord, it's been a long time." This was none other than Zhang Zishan, the City Lord of Immortal Yuan City. Back then, all Immortal Yuan Guards had followed Lishang and settled on her Five-Colored Lotus Land. Now, under Xu Yuan's summoning, everyone had followed. Behind Zhang Zishan, Lu Ye saw familiar figures: Yu Qing, Liu Datong, Butcher, Scholar, Blind Fortune Teller, Gambler Liu Sanbao, Hongyue, and the pitiable Xi Wanying, who held a pipa. These Immortal Yuan Guards were all people he had interacted with years ago. Back then, their strength wasn't high; it was only due to the unique nature of Immortal Yuan City that they could exist for so long. But now, each of them possessed considerable soul power. The Soul Clan ancestral land nourished people well, especially Lishang's Five-Colored Lotus Land, which was of high quality and most suitable for the Immortal Yuan Guards to live and cultivate. Over the years, each of them had made significant progress.

Zhang Zishan smiled and said, "Our Immortal Yuan Guards' mission is to protect Kyushu with our lives. Now that Kyushu is in trouble, what should the Immortal Yuan Guards do?" He looked at Lu Ye, but his words were directed at the Immortal Yuan Guards behind him.

"Fight to the death! Fight to the death! Fight to the death!" Deafening shouts rang out in unison!

Compared to the loosely organized Soul Clan, who had not experienced many conflicts, the Immortal Yuan Guards, though not numerous, were a true iron-blooded army. Back then, they had voluntarily given up their physical bodies to protect Kyushu, demonstrating their courage and tenacity. And now, it was their time to contribute—a moment every Immortal Yuan Guard yearned for! Even the Soul Clan Sun Exposure cultivators who witnessed this scene couldn't help but be moved.

The shouts still echoed in his ears, and Lu Ye's heart surged. Looking at each Immortal Yuan Guard, he bowed respectfully. "That Kyushu has you all is Kyushu's fortune, and the fortune of all beings born in Kyushu!"

Zhang Zishan returned the bow, "That Kyushu has you is its greatest fortune!"

Xu Yuan interrupted them from the side. "It's time to go. If we don't leave now, there will be even more people!" He hadn't expected that this summoning would make the entire Soul Clan ancestral land so lively. If they continued to gather like this, this battle could easily be won by the Soul Clan alone.