Chapter 2032: 融界

Qin Yi departed, ultimately declining Lu Ye's offer to see her off. She was returning to the Four Quarters Star System, and the journey was long; there would be no end to the farewell if he accompanied her too far. Furthermore, Lu Ye had promised to allow the Four Quarters Star System passage, ensuring frequent and close contact between them in the future.

With a flicker of his form, Lu Ye left the spot. Moments later, he was back at the Jadeblood Sect. Yi Yi immediately sensed his return, rushing over with Amber and clinging to his arm, as if she never wanted to be separated from him again.

After a brief chat with Yi Yi, he went to find his busy Second Senior Sister.

It was quite some time before Lu Ye suddenly realized, "Where are the Sect Master and Master?" He hadn't seen any sign of the old couple.

His Second Senior Sister smiled faintly. "They both had a sudden revelation and went into secluded cultivation."

Lu Ye's expression grew serious. "Are they about to advance to Moon Gem?"

Shui Yuan nodded. "That's likely correct. And... it's not just the two of them. According to the information I've received, many older generation cultivators are showing signs of breakthroughs after this great battle. Soon, our Kyushu will see many newly advanced Moon Gems."

Considering the time, it was indeed natural for these older generation cultivators to be nearing breakthroughs. They had been leading figures in various eras across Kyushu, possessing top-tier talent and ingenuity. With Lu Ye's arrival in the Myriad Manifestations Sea, the cultivation environment improved significantly, and resources became abundant, making it logical for them to break through the Constellation realm.

Earlier, during the major battle with Zixuan, although the process wasn't particularly arduous, everyone had approached it with utter disregard for their lives, embodying a fierce determination. After the great victory and their return to their long-separated homeland, a sense of peace settled in their hearts. This profound shift in mental state undoubtedly helped them break through previous limitations, leading to many older generation cultivators entering secluded cultivation. It wasn't just the older generation; even newer cultivators like Feng Wujiang and Li Baxian had gradually entered secluded cultivation. Indeed, as Shui Yuan had stated, Kyushu would soon see the emergence of many new Moon Gems.

"Senior Sister, you must be close to a breakthrough too, right?" Lu Ye asked.

Shui Yuan smiled faintly. "I can still suppress it for a little while."

"That's good," Lu Ye nodded, looking towards Righteous Peak where the Sect Master resided. He sighed faintly. "What a pity."

He had previously instructed the cultivators of Three Realms Island to notify him in advance if they showed signs of breaking through to Moon Gem, as there were significant benefits to advancing to that realm within the Constellation Hall. When Bailu and several other mermaid cultivators advanced to Moon Gem, he had personally escorted them into the Constellation Hall. At the time, he didn't fully comprehend the Moon Gem realm; he only knew there were benefits, but not the specifics. Now he understood that advancing to Moon Gem within the Constellation Hall would result in a slightly higher quality of the resulting Law Source, which would undoubtedly benefit a cultivator's future practice.

Unfortunately, advancement isn't something that can be artificially controlled. Forcibly suppressing a breakthrough once the critical point is reached not only offers no benefits but can also cause problems. Furthermore, since he was often absent from the Myriad Manifestations Sea, many cultivators from the Jade Snail Realm had gradually advanced to Moon Gem over the years. This time was no different; the Sect Master and others felt the moment was right and simply allowed nature to take its course.

Shui Yuan's situation was somewhat different. She had spent a considerable amount of time on alchemy over the years, which had slightly slowed her cultivation progress, thus allowing her to suppress her breakthrough for a while longer. However, it wasn't a major issue if the Sect Master and others advanced in Kyushu. They simply wouldn't acquire a superior Law Source, but this wouldn't affect their foundational strength. Furthermore, advancing in one's homeland could deepen the connection between the cultivator and their native land, providing a certain advantage if they were to contend with others there in the future. Moreover, if Kyushu eventually ascended to a top-tier realm, the Sect Master and his peers would receive even greater benefits. It was a trade-off with both gains and losses.

Without dwelling on it further, Lu Ye looked at Shui Yuan. "It's been a long time since I tasted Senior Sister's cooking." Back when his cultivation was lower, Shui Yuan had gone to great lengths to care for Lu Ye, preparing delicious and nourishing medicinal meals every time he returned. Thinking about it now, he truly missed those times.

"Wait right here," Shui Yuan said with a faint smile, pursing her lips before turning to leave.

"I'll go help!" Yi Yi exclaimed, hopping and skipping to catch up with Shui Yuan.

Lu Ye stayed at the Jadeblood Sect for several days, truly enjoying a comfortable and peaceful time.

Several days later, Tang Jun and Wu Zhu, who had been residing on Square Inch Mountain, arrived at the Jadeblood Sect after receiving his summons. On Green Bamboo Peak, Lu Ye hosted the two, serving them tea.

Old Tang sighed with emotion. "Your Nine Heavens... no, Kyushu is indeed vast and rich, with profound foundations." In comparison, if Kyushu was a bustling metropolis, then the Azure Dawn Dao Realm was a remote mountain village. The overall appearance and standard of their cultivation worlds were simply incomparable.

Changing the subject, Old Tang asked, "They say your Kyushu was a top-tier realm ten thousand years ago—is that true?" He had clearly caught wind of some rumors.

"Who knows about things from ten thousand years ago?" Lu Ye replied with a faint smile. "If you, Elder, think Kyushu is agreeable, why not move here to retire?"

Tang Jun curled his lips. "I'd be willing, but would you be?"

Lu Ye pondered for a moment, then nodded. "The Myriad Manifestations Sea truly cannot do without you." Since the early days of Three Realms Island's rise, Tang Jun had served as its foreign affairs manager, establishing connections and interacting with all parties. Without him, Three Realms Island would face numerous inconveniences.

"So, I'm just destined to be busy my whole life!" Tang Jun declared, picking up his teacup, draining it in one gulp, then looking at Lu Ye with a bitter, aggrieved expression. "You're truly dishonest, young man! I was completely strung along by you."

"What do you mean by that?" Lu Ye asked, surprised.

Tang Jun began to enumerate, "When I first met you, you told me your name was Li Taibai. It was a long, long time later that I learned that name was false. And then, only recently, did I discover that not only was your name fake, but your origin was also a lie!"

Lu Ye flushed with embarrassment. "That's ancient history; why bring it up now?"

Tang Jun was relentless. "No, young man, explain yourself clearly. What about you is real?"

Lu Ye sighed. "My respect for you, Elder, is real!"

Tang Jun was left speechless. After a long moment, he grumbled, "You truly rely on your silver tongue, young man! I suppose I deserve to be tricked by you like a fool!"

Wu Zhu watched their banter from the side, smiling silently.

"Tell us, what is the reason you summoned us this time?" Tang Jun asked.

Lu Ye pondered for a moment, then decided to state it directly. "Realm fusion!"

Tang Jun was stunned. Despite his extensive knowledge, he completely failed to grasp the meaning. "What does that mean?" he asked, perplexed.

Wu Zhu also looked bewildered.

"It's quite simple," Lu Ye explained. "We will merge your Azure Dawn Dao Realm into Kyushu! From this point forward, the Azure Dawn Dao Realm will cease to exist as a separate entity; the two realms will become one!"

Both Tang Jun and Wu Zhu were dumbfounded. Old Tang stammered, "Is such a thing even possible?"

Lu Ye nodded. "Since I've said it, then it is certainly possible. However, if you two agree to this, it will require a great deal of preparatory work, and it won't be accomplished overnight."

"Can it truly be done?" Tang Jun pressed, still uncertain.

"Yes!" Lu Ye answered firmly. Since Little Nine had suggested it, the method was undoubtedly feasible. He continued, "Of course, I understand this matter is of immense importance, so..."

"I agree!" Old Tang immediately declared, not waiting for Lu Ye to finish his sentence, then turned to look at Wu Zhu.

Wu Zhu slowly nodded as well. "If this can be achieved, I have no objection."

Lu Ye blinked, the rest of his sentence caught in his throat. He could only swallow it. "You two aren't going to consider it more carefully?"

Old Tang said, "I'll ask you one question: After the realm fusion, our Azure Dawn Dao Realm will be completely incorporated into Kyushu, correct? Will the problems that plague our realm still exist?"

Lu Ye, of course, knew the problem he was referring to: the inability of Constellations born within the Azure Dawn Dao Realm to advance to Moon Gem. This was an inherent flaw of the entire Azure Dawn Dao Realm, beyond human intervention. The core reason was that the spiritual light nurtured within the Azure Dawn Dao Realm was defective, only allowing cultivators to reach the Constellation realm.

"After the realm fusion, the Azure Dawn Dao Realm will cease to exist, and that problem will naturally disappear with it," Lu Ye replied.

"Then there's no problem," Tang Jun nodded.

Lu Ye couldn't help but interject, "I still think you should consider it more..."

Tang Jun raised a hand to stop him. "Comparing the two realms, Kyushu possesses a far more profound and powerful foundation. Your Kyushu has only been a large realm for a few years, yet in terms of its foundation alone, even the Jade Snail Realm can hardly compare. Such rapid advancement shows the clear potential of a top-tier realm. Furthermore, Kyushu has the Asura Ground, where cultivators, from Spirit Stream to Constellation, can freely temper themselves. I've also heard that your Kyushu has profound and unpredictable Heavenly Secrets, which oversee all things. These are all advantages our Azure Dawn Dao Realm craves but cannot attain. After the realm fusion, everyone will be a Kyushu cultivator, meaning our Azure Dawn Dao Realm's cultivators will also gain access to all these conveniences. What more is there to consider?"

Wu Zhu nodded in agreement from the side. "There's also another point: during Zixuan's recent invasion, the Azure Dawn Dao Realm bore the brunt. Had it not been for you, Fellow Daoist Lu, rallying so many allies to repel the enemy externally, the Azure Dawn Dao Realm would likely have been devastated. Currently, our realm lacks the strength to resist external threats. However, if we integrate into Kyushu, we won't have to worry about such issues, especially since Square Inch Mountain is nearby."

Tang Jun continued, "Certainly, no matter how flawed our homeland may be, it is still the land that gave us birth and nurtured us, and I, too, feel a sense of reluctance. But if realm fusion can grant future generations a better and broader future, then it is only right for our generation to make some sacrifices." As he spoke, he looked at Lu Ye. "There is simply no reason to refuse such a beneficial proposal."

Lu Ye glanced at both of them. "It appears you two have agreed."

Old Tang urged, "Agreed! You should proceed quickly. Whatever cooperation is needed from our realm, just say the word!"

Realm fusion was not something that could be achieved overnight; it required extensive preparation in the initial stages. Seeing their determined and even eager attitudes, Lu Ye immediately began to elaborate. The two listened, nodding continuously and occasionally showing expressions of surprise. Many of the things Lu Ye described seemed impossible to them, but since Lu Ye was making these arrangements, they were confident there would be no issues.