Chapter 2057: Tianya Pavilion

**Winds of Kyushu**

As Lu Ye arrived at Skyreach Pavilion with Ma Shangsi and Yumeng, another Blood Clan Sun-Illuminator coincidentally arrived from the side. While Blood Clan members were typically slender, this particular Sun-Illuminator was burly and broad-shouldered, resembling an upright beast at first glance. Two attendants, both at the Moon-Clarity cultivation level, followed him, though it was unclear if they were his personal Blood Attendants.

As Lu Ye’s gaze met his, they instantly recognized the mutual disdain in each other’s eyes. The next moment, both figures stood at the entrance of Skyreach Pavilion, facing each other, their energies surging in a fierce confrontation. Ling Ze was the third most powerful expert in the Blood Jade Realm, while the burly individual before him, named Feng Wudi, held the fourth rank. He hadn't originally borne that name; he adopted it after a journey. Blood Clan names were unrelated to family heritage or any specific rules, allowing individuals to choose whatever they pleased.

The key issue was the strained relationship between Ling Ze and Feng Wudi. The territories of these two Sacred Venerables were adjacent, leading to frequent skirmishes among their subordinate Blood Clan members. Furthermore, Feng Wudi consistently believed himself stronger than Ling Ze and resented Ling Ze's third-place ranking. With years of enmity between them, the two Blood Clan Sacred Venerables naturally engaged in a direct confrontation upon their sudden encounter.

Fortunately, Lu Ye’s foundation was robust enough, or this clash would have exposed him. Even so, he couldn't sustain it for long; he was, after all, only an early-stage Sun-Illuminator, and maintaining the aura of a late-stage Sun-Illuminator was excessively draining, risking collapse at any moment. However, at such a critical juncture, he couldn’t afford to show any hesitation, as that would be entirely out of character for Ling Ze. His expression remained normal, but he was secretly anxious. He could only maintain this energetic confrontation for at most thirty breaths; any longer, and his disguise would surely be exposed. He secretly resolved that if things became unbearable, he would have to have Ma Shangsi step in to assist him.

Fortunately, after just a moment, a majestic voice commanded, “Enough!” The next instant, an aura far more potent than his or Feng Wudi's suddenly descended, forcibly separating their two entangled energies. Lu Ye and Feng Wudi each retreated a few steps. When they looked again, an aged Blood Clan member came into view. Both Lu Ye and Feng Wudi respectfully bowed, greeting, “We pay our respects, Sacred Venerable Jiao Tian!”

Throughout the Blood Jade Realm, Jiao Tian was the oldest and held the highest seniority. Crucially, he was also the strongest, having reached the peak of Sun-Illuminator cultivation countless years ago, and his Sacred Nature surpassed both Ling Ze's and Feng Wudi's. He was revered as the supreme authority throughout the entire Blood Jade Realm!

“Today’s discussion is of great importance. Do not act recklessly in front of the Insect Clan envoy!” Jiao Tian reprimanded. He was well aware of the long-standing animosity between Ling Ze and Feng Wudi, having attempted to resolve it unsuccessfully in the past, and thus no longer intervened.

“Understood,” both Lu Ye and Feng Wudi promptly replied.

Jiao Tian gave them another glance before stepping into Skyreach Pavilion. No sooner had he entered than another Blood Clan Sun-Illuminator arrived, walked past them without a glance, and went straight inside. Lu Ye and Feng Wudi showed no displeasure, as the newcomer was Zhuang Huaiyue, the Blood Jade Realm’s second most powerful expert and another peak Sun-Illuminator. She was also the most reclusive Blood Clan cultivator in the entire realm, possessing no territory of her own, preferring to cultivate peacefully on a certain spiritual peak. Other Blood Clan Sun-Illuminators rarely saw her, and she would not have appeared in such a place if not for this critical meeting.

Once Zhuang Huaiyue had entered, Lu Ye and Feng Wudi simultaneously stepped forward, surging into Skyreach Pavilion as if in a race, though neither ultimately gained an advantage.

On the second floor of Skyreach Pavilion, a long oval table occupied the center. As Lu Ye entered with his two Blood Attendants, he noticed three figures already seated. Two of them were the peak Sun-Illuminator Blood Clan members they had just encountered. The third, clearly belonging to the Insect Clan, had a thick carapace and six arms extending from its long torso; its specific species was unknown.

Lu Ye couldn't extract much information about this Insect Clan envoy from Ling Ze’s memories; after arriving in the Blood Jade Realm, the envoy had only met Jiao Tian, and no other Blood Clan Sun-Illuminators had seen him. The Insect Clan envoy was seated at the head of the table, with Jiao Tian and Zhuang Huaiyue positioned to his left and right. Lu Ye scanned the room, then settled into the seat below Jiao Tian. Feng Wudi, however, took the seat directly opposite him, glaring fiercely at Lu Ye as if ready to devour him. Lu Ye, equally unreserved, returned his gaze with the same intensity!

Jiao Tian, however, suddenly looked behind Lu Ye and smiled, asking, “Ling Ze, is this your newly acquired Blood Attendant?”

Lu Ye quickly averted his gaze and replied in Ling Ze’s tone, “Yes, his name is Ma Shangsi. He is a citizen from my territory who recently embarked on a journey, gained some opportunities, and has since advanced to the Sun-Illuminator realm.”

Ma Shangsi promptly bowed, “Greetings, Sacred Venerables.”

Feng Wudi, from across the table, sneered, “A citizen from your territory? Aren’t all the citizens in your territory your descendants? Go and get a bloodline tracing done quickly. Perhaps this Blood Attendant is your son or grandson; you should treat him well from now on.”

Lu Ye instantly slammed the table and roared in anger, “What did you say?!”

Feng Wudi looked down his nose at him. “What? You dare to do it but not admit it? Who doesn’t know what kind of person you are, Sacred Venerable Ling Ze?” He then turned to Yumeng, who was beside Ma Shangsi. “This is your daughter, isn’t she? Tsk, tsk, your aura is so strong on her; I can smell it from this far away!”

“I’ll tear you apart!” Lu Ye exclaimed, rising to his feet with undisguised killing intent.

“Enough!” Jiao Tian, looking annoyed, shot a cold glare at Feng Wudi. “Say less!” Though some matters were tacitly understood by all, it was improper to openly discuss them, especially since Ling Ze wasn't the only Sacred Venerable with such issues.

“You sit down as well!” Jiao Tian said, glancing at Lu Ye.

Lu Ye huffed angrily, “Sacred Venerable Jiao Tian, he was the one who…”

“Sit down!” Jiao Tian’s expression hardened.

Lu Ye, disgruntled and unwilling, slowly took his seat. Jiao Tian shook his head helplessly. He had originally intended to inquire about Ma Shangsi but now lost interest, turning to the Insect Clan envoy and saying, “My apologies for the spectacle.”

The Insect Clan envoy waved a hand. “No matter. The great tide is about to descend, and this is an opportunity for both our clans. The Insect Clan still hopes the Blood Clan can be more united.”

“I shall certainly do my best,” Jiao Tian acknowledged with a nod.

From across the table, Feng Wudi asked curiously, “How should we address the envoy?”

The Insect Clan envoy replied, “I am Shlong!”

Feng Wudi said, “Fellow Daoist Shlong, I am a straightforward person, so I will ask directly: what exactly does this ‘great tide descending’ signify?”

Lu Ye immediately perked up his ears; he, too, wanted to know, and couldn't help but secretly commend Feng Wudi. Shlong slowly shook his head.

Jiao Tian interjected, “Fellow Daoist Shlong will explain in detail once everyone has arrived. There’s no need to rush.”

Feng Wudi, left with no choice, could only wait.

Blood Clan Sacred Venerables continued to arrive until, after approximately the time it takes an incense stick to burn, all those expected were present. Besides Shlong, there were eight Blood Clan Sacred Venerables and one Blood Attendant, Ma Shangsi. The remaining individuals were Moon-Clarity cultivators who had accompanied their respective Sacred Venerables to observe; all those permitted to be there were highly valued by the Sacred Venerables. The entire pavilion held fewer than thirty individuals in total.

Jiao Tian looked at Shlong, nodded slightly, and stated, “Everyone is here.”

Shlong then stood up and surveyed the room. “I am sure you have all heard some rumors regarding my visit, concerning the great tide that is descending. Fellow Daoist Feng Wudi just asked me what the ‘great tide descending’ truly signifies, and I presume that is what all of you wish to know.” The numerous Sacred Venerables all listened intently.

“The great tide descending… is a pivotal moment, a once-in-ten-millennia opportunity! You only need to know this: when this opportunity arrives, our two clans, the Insect and Blood, might be able to cast off years of oppression and targeting from other races. More than that, we might even ascend above all other races and become the masters of the starry sky!”

These few words stunned all the Blood Clan Sacred Venerables. Even the usually detached Zhuang Huaiyue couldn't help but glance at Shlong, wondering where he derived such immense confidence. Shlong’s face was filled with indignation. “Since ancient times, our two clans, the Insect and Blood, have had to tread carefully in this starry expanse. Other races view us as monsters, harboring much hostility. Were it not for our considerable strength, our clans would have been eradicated long ago. Years of humiliation and endurance have finally come to an end. Under this great tide, we will become the masters of the starry sky!” He spoke with high spirits, as if he had already witnessed that day’s arrival.

In contrast, the Blood Clan Sacred Venerables showed little reaction, primarily because Shlong’s claims seemed too ethereal. For countless years, the Insect and Blood clans had endured their plight. Suddenly, someone was telling them those days were over, and not only that, but they could become the masters of the starry sky. No one could possibly accept such a notion.

Feng Wudi couldn’t help but ask, “Fellow Daoist Shlong, what you’re saying is difficult for us to believe. Furthermore, you haven’t yet explained the nature of this great tide.”

Shlong smiled slightly. “Have you not noticed some strange changes occurring in the starry sky in recent years?”

Feng Wudi paused, then seemed to recall something. “Are you referring to the increased activity of starry sky energy?”

“That’s just one aspect!” Shlong nodded. “If you have investigated any of the starry sky wonders, you would have surely noticed that the internal rules within many of them have subtly changed.” The Sacred Venerables’ hearts stirred at this revelation. If it were merely the increased activity of starry sky energy, that would be insignificant. But if the rules within starry sky wonders had changed, then it was no small matter. Starry sky wonders were born alongside the starry sky itself; their internal rules rarely changed. But once they did, it was never a minor event. And if such changes affected multiple starry sky wonders, the implications would be even more profound.

Lu Ye couldn't help but fall into deep thought. The changes in the Myriad Forms Sea undoubtedly proved Shlong’s words true, as did the Insect Path connecting Kyushu to the Myriad Forms… Previously, he had attributed it to sheer luck that the Insect Path had connected precisely when Kyushu faced danger. But what if that, too, was a consequence of certain changes in the starry sky?