Chapter 2041: Husband……

The Winds of Kyushu

As expected, Hua Ci was not waiting outside the imperial palace for no reason. She had clearly received a message from Su Yuqing and was deliberately keeping an eye on him. The unusual interaction with Jiu Yan earlier had probably made Su Yuqing notice something amiss. Since she couldn't appear herself, she could only send a message to Hua Ci. It seemed that the relationship between these two women was quite good; they were already on the same side regarding certain matters.

Throughout the journey, Lu Ye felt uneasy, while Hua Ci remained as gentle as water.

Finally, they arrived at Myriad Manifestation Island.

Given Lu Ye's special status, he had disguised himself halfway through the journey. Otherwise, being recognized would certainly cause a commotion. Even so, shortly after they entered Myriad Manifestation Island, someone proactively came to greet them. It was none other than Ling Yue from the Che Ling Realm, Aunt Yue, who always stayed by Jiu Yan's side.

His appearance could be disguised, but Lu Ye's aura could not be hidden. Jiu Yan had clearly sensed his arrival and specifically sent Ling Yue to greet him.

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Lu." Ling Yue gracefully bowed, her gaze somewhat complex as she looked at Lu Ye. The first time she met this young man, he was only at the Star Cultivator realm. Yet, in a flash, years had passed, and he was now a Sun Glimmer, moreover, now in charge of the Myriad Manifestation Sea, holding a position of great power and authority. In contrast, her own cultivation had advanced slowly over the years; she was still merely a Moon Azure.

"Fellow Daoist Yue!" Lu Ye nodded slightly.

"May I ask what brings Fellow Daoist Lu to Myriad Manifestation Island, and what instructions you may have? The Realm Master has been in seclusion, having gained some insights since returning from the One Yuan Realm. If Fellow Daoist has any instructions, please let me know, and Ling Yue will certainly make proper arrangements." She, too, had just rushed over after receiving Jiu Yan's message. As for the seclusion, it was entirely fabricated. Ling Yue had a feeling that the Realm Master seemed to be intentionally avoiding this young man, though she couldn't understand why.

As she spoke, she glanced at Hua Ci.

Ling Yue had, of course, heard about Lu Ye's Dao companion, the true owner of that supreme starry sky treasure. Seeing her now, she was indeed stunningly beautiful and graceful. Although her cultivation was a bit lower, the supreme starry sky treasure was enough to compensate for this deficiency. With these two standing together, they were truly a perfect match, a union made in heaven.

Lu Ye said, "There's nothing important. I just came to look around. Fellow Daoist needn't trouble yourself; please go about your business." He had originally come here to ask Jiu Yan some questions, but now that Hua Ci had followed him, he certainly couldn't ask them. So, he decided to drop it and wait for another opportunity.

"Is that so..." Ling Yue didn't suspect anything. "If Fellow Daoist has any needs, feel free to send me a message. While the Realm Master is in seclusion, Myriad Manifestation Island is currently under my management."

"Then I shall thank Fellow Daoist Yue in advance."

Ling Yue departed. Lu Ye stood rooted, pondering for a moment, before turning to look at Hua Ci: "Where do you want to go?"

"Just stroll around." Hua Ci smiled gently, her eyes narrowing into crescents. She affectionately linked her arm through Lu Ye's and walked towards the interior of Myriad Manifestation Island. Lu Ye knew he couldn't refuse and could only let her have her way.

Before long, in front of a shop, Hua Ci seemed to spot something new and interesting, her beautiful eyes lighting up as she walked over. A moment later, she waved to Lu Ye, who was behind her, and called out sweetly, "Husband, come quickly!"

Lu Ye, who had been slowly walking towards her, stiffened. He almost wondered if he had heard wrong. They had known each other for so many years, but Hua Ci had never called him by such an intimate term before. She had always called him by his name. This sudden intimacy made Lu Ye's hair stand on end. He knew he was probably in for big trouble...

He reluctantly walked forward, only to see Hua Ci had already picked up a hairpin and placed it in her hair. The hairpin featured a butterfly design. As Hua Ci moved, the butterfly gently flapped its wings, as if alive. What's more, light and shadow flickered around the hairpin, with ethereal butterfly illusions appearing and disappearing. Such an accessory, adorning a beauty like Hua Ci, truly enhanced her charm, leaving many passing cultivators mesmerized.

"Husband, does it look good?" Hua Ci looked at Lu Ye, her face filled with anticipation.

"It looks good." Lu Ye nodded.

The shop owner, standing nearby, began to speak with a beaming smile: "Madam truly has excellent taste! This 'Dancing Butterflies' is indeed our shop's treasure. Not only is its appearance beautiful, but it is also a sixth-grade defensive artifact. When infused with spiritual power, it can provide extremely powerful defensive capabilities. Madam's graceful demeanor particularly suits this treasure; it is truly tailor-made for you. You absolutely mustn't miss it!" He praised it effusively, deeply understanding the art of commerce.

Hua Ci, however, picked up another piece and put it on her head. The design of this accessory was even more dazzling than the previous one, further highlighting Hua Ci's unparalleled beauty.

"Does this one look good?"

Lu Ye nodded vigorously, like a chick pecking at rice: "It looks good!"

Hua Ci smiled, picked up a third piece, and put it on her head: "What about this one?"

"Good, good." Lu Ye nodded again.

The shop owner beside them was grinning from ear to ear. Everything Hua Ci chose was among the most valuable items in their shop. Three items at once – if all were sold, it would be a huge profit. He bowed and scraped beside Hua Ci, diligently pointing out the merits of his merchandise. Having operated his business here for many years, he had naturally developed a keen eye. Lu Ye and Hua Ci clearly looked like people who had no shortage of money, and thus, were certainly worth his dedicated service.

"They all look good, do they?" Hua Ci ignored him. She simply glanced sideways at Lu Ye, a smirk playing on her lips: "So, Husband is also one to prefer the new over the old..."

Lu Ye's expression froze, and he suddenly understood. He had wondered why Hua Ci suddenly took an interest in buying hair accessories; she was clearly making a point. He quickly said, "Of course, they look good on you. They wouldn't have the same effect on anyone else."

"Hmph!" Hua Ci let out a soft huff, took off the hair accessories, put them back in their original places, and turned to leave.

The shop owner was dumbfounded. He couldn't understand why a perfectly good deal had suddenly fallen through.

Lu Ye urged, "Why are you standing there stunned? Pack them up quickly!"

The owner was startled, then realized, and quickly packed the three hair accessories. Lu Ye paid with spirit jade and turned to chase after Hua Ci.

When he found the woman, she was already holding something resembling candied hawthorn skewers. After taking a bite, she instantly frowned: "So sour... Here, take it." She casually handed the unfinished skewer to Lu Ye.

Lu Ye blinked, took it, and pondered finding a place to discard it. He, the dignified Lord of the Myriad Manifestation Sea, a revered Sun Glimmer, eating candied hawthorn skewers in public? How undignified!

But then he heard Hua Ci say, "I paid for it; you can't throw it away. Eat it quickly."

"...I'll eat it!" Lu Ye had an air of resignation.

Hua Ci never made a fuss without reason. Her purposely coming to Myriad Manifestation Island with him and acting so mischievous and troublesome was clearly intentional. Lu Ye knew it well but couldn't expose her; he could only dutifully cooperate. For the rest of the day, they walked and browsed along the way, spending time together like the most ordinary of couples. Hua Ci occasionally bought things, often taking only a single bite before handing the rest to Lu Ye to finish. If Lu Ye were truly just an ordinary person, his stomach would probably have burst.

As they walked, they arrived at the Myriad Manifestation Commerce Guild.

"I'm tired!" Hua Ci suddenly stopped and announced.

"Then let's go back." Lu Ye felt as if a great burden had been lifted. In all his years in the Myriad Manifestation Sea, he had entered and exited Myriad Manifestation Island many times, but never before had it been such an ordeal. Now, it was finally over.

Hua Ci leaned closer and whispered into his ear, her breath like orchids: "I heard that above the third floor of the Myriad Manifestation Commerce Guild, there are guest rooms for lodging and rest?"

Lu Ye was startled and quickly tried to dissuade her: "Wouldn't it be more comfortable to go back and rest? They say there's no place like home, no matter how humble."

Hua Ci pursed her lips and smiled, saying nothing. She simply grabbed Lu Ye's hand and pulled him into the Myriad Manifestation Commerce Guild, then directly found a guild manager and opened the most luxurious guest room!

A moment later, in front of the guest room on the top floor of the Myriad Manifestation Commerce Guild, Lu Ye stood at the doorway, his expression grave. Hua Ci had already walked around inside and was clearly very satisfied with the environment. She then poked her head out from the inner room, waved to Lu Ye, and called out, "Come in, Husband!"

Lu Ye knew that this time, there was no escaping his fate. He could only take a deep breath and stride forward, as if to declare, "Though a thousand stand against me, I go forth!" He refused to believe it. Could he not handle a mere Hua Ci? Even Sun Glimmer peak cultivators like Su Yuqing were defeated by him. What right did a mere Hua Ci have to be so arrogant? This time, he would show her just how formidable he was! One cannot keep falling in the same place forever; there will always be a day to stand up!

Days passed in a flash.

Outside Myriad Manifestation Island, a star-ship shaped like a flower basket flew out. Lu Ye sat cross-legged inside, resting with his eyes closed. Hua Ci, piloting the star-ship, had a rosy complexion. Suddenly, feeling something, she looked back. At the same time, within Myriad Manifestation Island, at the spirit jade mine, Jiu Yan's gaze was fixed in that direction. Hua Ci's lips curled into a slight smile, and she turned her head away, as if she had won a great battle and was about to return in triumph...

Returning to Three Realms Island, Hua Ci put away the star-ship. She spoke gently, "Husband, you must be exhausted from this trip. Go back and rest early. Don't run around unnecessarily. Myriad Manifestation Island isn't particularly fun anyway; whatever they have there, we have on Three Realms Island. If you want anything, just tell me, and I'll arrange it properly for you."

Lu Ye said weakly, "Don't call me Husband. I'm not!" He slowly shuffled towards the alchemy room.

Hua Ci suppressed a laugh behind him: "Go slowly; don't fall."

Lu Ye instantly straightened his back and walked with a swift stride! Hua Ci laughed even louder.

"This hateful woman! A gentleman's revenge is never too late, not even after ten years... or a hundred years. Just you wait!" Lu Ye vowed fiercely in his heart.

At the alchemy room, Lu Ye found Yi Yi and Amber, who were with his second senior sister. Lu Ye called out, "Let's go!"

Yi Yi asked, puzzled, "Where are we going?"

"Back to Kyushu, to the ancestral land!" Lu Ye said concisely.

"We're going back already?" Yi Yi was visibly reluctant. However, she thought that they would have to return eventually, and going back sooner meant she could resume her cultivation earlier. Once she became stronger, she could continue to help Lu Ye. With that thought, she made her decision.

There was nothing to pack. A moment later, Lu Ye piloted his star-ship, taking Yi Yi and Amber towards the Worm Path.