Chapter 2367: Verification

The Insect and Blood races had always cooperated and supported each other within the Iridescence Realm. Strictly speaking, they were equals. However, due to certain unique characteristics of the Mother Queen, powerful individuals from both races often accustomed themselves to following her commands. The Mother Queen oversaw the overall situation in most war zones. Therefore, in practice, the Mother Queen's status was somewhat higher than that of an average Dao integration cultivator, especially for the Mother Queen who presided over the Imperial Insect Star.

Although she, like You Die, possessed peak Dao integration cultivation, her status was much higher than You Die's. This was because she was older, had a higher seniority, and her active period could be traced back some 100,000 to 200,000 years ago. She was a true elder. Naturally, many Dao integration cultivators were obligated to obey her commands.

They had originally thought this was a comprehensive ambush, a net spread specifically for Lu Ye. Who would have expected him to penetrate deep into the insect nest? The Dao integration cultivators of both races were filled with immense indignation and humiliation. They couldn't fathom how Lu Ye had managed it.

Inside the insect nest, after a brief silence, the Mother Queen's grim voice rang out, "I don't believe it!" Although Lu Ye's previous statement had greatly shocked her, she had lived for so many years that she quickly regained her composure.

Lu Ye ignored her, simply observing her bloated, mountain-like body. Compared to You Die, this physical form, despite appearing similar, exuded a much older aura. He couldn't help but frown, "Are all your Mother Queens so ugly?" The Mother Queen paid him no mind. "Human, if you think saying such things can provoke me, then you are sorely mistaken." "I merely spoke my mind; I had no intention of provoking you," Lu Ye said calmly.

The Mother Queen was silent for a moment before speaking, "What evidence do you have to prove what you just said?" "Why should I prove it?" Lu Ye countered. "Besides, what difference would it make if I did?" "Then why tell me all this?" The Mother Queen fumed. Hearing such news so suddenly, she naturally wanted to ascertain its truth. Yet, Lu Ye seemed disinclined to elaborate on the matter. Was he not toying with her?

"I merely wish to prevent unnecessary deaths among your kind." "Ridiculous! Who was it that killed ten Dao integration cultivators from our two races in mere moments? And now you stand here, posturing about 'unnecessary casualties'? Do you truly believe our Insect and Blood races are to be trifled with?"

Lu Ye remained calm. "Had we not acted three days ago, we could have had a proper discussion. Therefore, the deaths of those Dao integration cultivators were quite necessary... Never mind, I won't waste more words on that. Let me put it this way: you should know that Iridescence is a Dao weapon. It belonged to an old monster named Nine Infants. I killed him and refined Iridescence, so now I am its master!"

The Mother Queen was stunned, struggling to process the mind-shattering information, unsure whether to believe Lu Ye. "My ability to come and go freely is a convenience of being the master of Iridescence. Sending You Die away was also for the same reason. So, if I wish to come, you cannot stop me. If I wish to leave, you also cannot stop me. Do you understand? All those arrangements outside are meaningless to me."

The Mother Queen remained silent for a long moment before asking, "Is your strength also a result of being the master of Iridescence?" That wasn't entirely true... However, Lu Ye had no intention of denying it. If the Mother Queen wished to believe that, he would let her. Her ability to ask that question undoubtedly showed that she was seriously considering the possibility of Lu Ye being the master of Iridescence. Since it was the truth, she would eventually arrive at the correct conclusion.

"What price must I pay to..." Before the Mother Queen could finish speaking, Lu Ye raised a hand. "Stop. I sent You Die away because she showed me some kindness, however small. As for you... it's impossible. No Dao integration cultivator from either the Insect or Blood races can leave Iridescence."

The Mother Queen was so enraged she almost laughed, but constrained by Lu Ye's formidable strength, she refrained from speaking too harshly. She merely said, "If that's the case, then why should our two races comply with your demands?" Lu Ye looked at her calmly. "You can refuse. I can also keep killing until you agree!"

The Mother Queen's bloated body shivered involuntarily. She suddenly realized a very serious issue: "Sir, if what you say is true, then wouldn't you be able to annihilate our Insect and Blood races?" "I have considered that question," Lu Ye nodded. "But I ultimately abandoned the idea." "May I know why?" The Mother Queen's tone was noticeably less assertive than before. In the face of absolute power, fearless defiance would only invite disaster. "Flowers in a greenhouse don't grow strong. Conflict and struggle are necessary within Iridescence, and the competitive nature of living beings cannot be eradicated. What if I annihilated your Insect and Blood races? The Human race would fight among themselves or wage war against the Giant race. The current situation is quite good."

The Mother Queen fell silent once more. She understood Lu Ye's intent: he clearly meant to use the Insect and Blood races as nourishment for the growth of human cultivators. Previously, the two races harbored ambitions of unifying Iridescence. But now, learning that Lu Ye had become its master, their grand ambitions could never be realized. They could never achieve that goal. In fact, from now on, the development of both races within Iridescence would be severely constrained and limited. They could no longer expand their territories, because if they went too far, it would inevitably provoke the intervention of Lu Ye, the master of Iridescence. The cultivators of the Insect and Blood races would become sparring partners for the growth of human cultivators. What a cruel reality, yet they were powerless to resist.

"Sir... I wish to see the scenery outside Iridescence!" The Mother Queen uttered the words almost with a struggle. Lu Ye knew exactly what she was thinking. She still hadn't fully believed him; it was less that she couldn't believe it and more that she didn't want to. Because if she did believe, then her pursuit of over 100,000 years would turn to dust. Even for a peak Dao integration cultivator, such a blow would be immense. Therefore, she needed to verify it herself! Hearsay was unreliable, and what was heard might not be true; only by seeing it with her own eyes could she believe.

"What a bother!" Lu Ye frowned. "Fine, enter my Spiritual Sea, and I'll take you to see. Do you dare?" As his words fell, the Mother Queen's soul body detached from her physical form and surged directly towards Lu Ye, entering his Spiritual Sea in the blink of an eye. "Such courage!" Lu Ye chuckled, and ripples spread through the void before him.

The Mother Queen's soul body, like You Die's, was that of a beautiful and charming woman. However, in comparison, this Mother Queen's form was far more alluring. This allure would normally be highly captivating, but at that moment, she seemed somewhat disoriented. On one hand, she eagerly anticipated seeing the scenery beyond Iridescence—a pursuit of countless years. On the other hand, she feared seeing it, for that would mean Lu Ye had not lied to her.

Within the Spiritual Sea, Lu Ye did not seal her off, so she could still perceive everything outside as if seeing it with her own eyes. Moments later, she saw that Lu Ye had already left the insect nest and appeared on an altar. She naturally knew this was the altar for entering the ancient ruins. Previously, only cultivators who had reached the Dao realm could enter, but several years ago, something went wrong with the ruins, preventing anyone from entering. Thinking back, if Lu Ye truly was the master of Iridescence, this was likely his doing. And this altar was an unknown distance from where her physical body remained!

Lu Ye strolled into the ruins, casually explaining the situation within to the Mother Queen as he walked. He quickly passed through two grand halls and arrived at the exit portal. "Is this the exit?" The Mother Queen grew agitated within the Spiritual Sea. "Yes, step out of here, and you'll be in the Star Abyss," Lu Ye said, taking a step forward. When he reappeared, he was already outside Iridescence.

"Come out and take a look?" Lu Ye suggested. The Mother Queen hesitated for a moment before flashing out of Lu Ye's Spiritual Sea. Her physical body was still within Iridescence, so even if she harbored any ulterior motives, she couldn't act on them, unless she chose to abandon her physical form entirely.

The first thing she saw was the vibrant, miniature starry sky. Standing there and looking at it, it seemed ridiculous that such a small place had confined her for over 100,000 years. A surge of malevolent energy suddenly rose within her. If she were to exert her full power here, she wondered if she could break free from this cage. Although she knew it was almost impossible, the restless urge within her grew stronger and stronger, becoming almost uncontrollable. "Look over there!" Lu Ye's voice reached her ears.

The Mother Queen snapped back to attention in surprise and followed his gaze. She immediately saw many figures gathered, and in the center of their gathering, a red vortex was slowly rotating. "This is the Star Abyss Gate, connecting to another starfield. The aura of the Star Abyss is invading." "Star Abyss Gate..." the Mother Queen murmured to herself. "I've heard that many starfields have been invaded and shattered this way." "Indeed. That's why I need a large number of Dao weapons to bring in and support that starfield."

The Mother Queen turned to look at him. "You are from this starfield?" "Clever!" Lu Ye responded calmly. "That's why the three thousand Dao artifacts are very important to me. If anyone dares to obstruct me, I will show no mercy." The Mother Queen naturally picked up on the clear threat.

She continuously turned her head, looking around. A sense of unreality disturbed her. With her knowledge and experience, she knew that everything around her could not be fake. The fact that these things were not seen within Iridescence undoubtedly meant that she had truly left it. But where did this feeling of unreality come from? Was it because a wish she'd held for over 100,000 years had been achieved so easily?

As she pondered, a figure streaked from a distance and soon arrived nearby, cupping his fist and saying, "Fellow Daoist Lu." Lu Ye returned the gesture. The Mother Queen beside him gasped, "Yan Yao!" Yan Yao was also observing the Mother Queen. He quickly discerned the situation and said gravely, "A Mother Queen's soul body?" He had noticed this much, but he didn't recognize which Mother Queen it was, as their active periods differed, and Yan Yao had never met her. However, as the head of the Yan family, the Mother Queen naturally possessed detailed information about him. "She wanted to see the outside world, so I brought her out for a look. How is your cultivation, Family Head Yan?" Lu Ye asked.