Chapter 2418: Truly Deserved

Just as Yuan Xi had once appeared like a ghost in the dilapidated Harmony City, she now materialized beside Lu Ye once more. Not only did Lu Ye fail to notice her, but even the old man had no prior detection.

The moment he saw Yuan Xi, the old man's expression changed drastically. He hadn't personally experienced Yuan Xi's strength, but he had witnessed her single-handedly contend with the entire Flowing Light Harmony City. Therefore, he knew clearly that he was no match for her.

"Why was she here? Hadn't the City Lord pursued her with his Harmony City?"

Without time to think, the old man instantly retracted his Dao soldiers and fled into the distance without looking back. Since he knew he was no match, he naturally had to flee for his life immediately.

"Wait for me here," Yuan Xi ordered, and with a flicker of her figure, she pursued him.

The two Harmony realm cultivators were incredibly fast, disappearing from Lu Ye's sight in a blink.

Lu Ye, who had narrowly escaped a disaster, let out a soft breath. Gazing in the direction Yuan Xi had left, his brows were slightly furrowed. Like the old man, he also wanted to know why Yuan Xi had appeared here.

He had previously thought Yuan Xi had merely regarded him as a disposable chess piece, bringing him here merely to attract the enemy's attention. Who would have thought that at this critical moment, Yuan Xi would emerge to save him?

From this perspective, Yuan Xi's action of using him to divert attention was understandable, but she likely had no intention of abandoning him. So, after shaking off her pursuers, she immediately came looking for him. As for how she could precisely find this place, Lu Ye guessed that the empty box from earlier must have been tampered with by her. When the old man crushed it, some imperceptible information might have remained on him.

There was no need to resent anything. He had no kinship or connection with Yuan Xi. If they were truly friends, he might have grounds for anger and resentment for her actions. In the end, it was ultimately his own weakness. If he were truly strong enough, Yuan Xi wouldn't have been the one in charge this time.

His clone arrived belatedly, and Lu Ye recalled it.

A moment later, Yuan Xi also returned. She sized Lu Ye up, her eyes gleaming with a strange light, and genuinely praised, "As expected of my Grand Commander, I truly didn't misjudge you."

Lu Ye looked at her expressionlessly. Although he wasn't angry, he had, after all, been used, and felt naturally uncomfortable inside. Yuan Xi, however, chose to mention the very thing he was sensitive about: "Are you angry?"

"I wouldn't dare!" Lu Ye replied calmly.

Yuan Xi said, "Don't be angry anymore. I killed that guy, which should settle the score for you! Moreover, Grand Commander, you have rendered great service this time. I must properly thank you."

Lu Ye replied, "You exaggerate, Madam. I didn't do much." From start to finish, he was the one being hunted, which left him in quite a dishevelled state. This was the first large-scale conflict he had encountered since entering the Inner Realm. Looking at the whole situation, it was indeed thrilling and exciting.

Yuan Xi shook her head. "If you hadn't lured away one of their Harmony realm cultivators, I wouldn't have been able to escape so easily. Hmm, speaking of which, it was my mistake. I had thought they would send another Harmony realm cultivator after you, a very weak one who had likely only recently advanced to the Harmony realm. With your strength, Grand Commander, you probably could have handled it. I just didn't expect them to send that old guy. All in all, it was my fault."

Lu Ye frowned slightly. Yuan Xi's words sounded very strange. How could she know his strength? And how could she be so sure he could handle a Harmony realm cultivator?

After a moment of silence, he said, "You saved my life, Madam. Let's call it even." They weren't very connected to begin with. Although the previous crisis originated because of Yuan Xi, at the critical moment, she did come to save him. With one action balancing the other, neither owed the other anything.

Yuan Xi tilted her head and glanced at Lu Ye, then smiled faintly, "Alright, then come back with me."

They set off on their return journey. Half a month later, they returned to Yuan Xi's Harmony City. The journey was peaceful, and any cultivators they encountered on the way kept their distance.

Although Yuan Xi had previously rebuilt the basic framework of the grand formation for this dilapidated city, it wasn't actually a valuable asset in the Inner Realm. Therefore, even if left unguarded, there was no need to worry about it being stolen.

Inside the City Lord's Manor, in the Central Hall.

The entire Central Hall, from inside out, was covered in dense, intricate patterns. Only in the center was there a circular elevated platform. This was the most crucial core of the entire Harmony City, and also where the Harmony Orb was placed. The original Central Hall had been badly dilapidated, but this was after Yuan Xi's renovation.

Having acquired a Harmony Orb this time, what she had to do upon returning, of course, was to place this treasure and then activate the full power of the Harmony City. Lu Ye had never seen this before, so he came along with her to observe.

Earlier, on the way back, he had specifically inquired with Yuan Xi and learned that there was indeed more than one Harmony Orb born in that stellar wonder; there were roughly three in total. Yuan Xi had seized one, Lu Ye had obtained one, and another had been taken by a different Harmony realm cultivator.

On the circular elevated platform, there was a recessed slot, which was precisely where the Harmony Orb was to be placed. Yuan Xi, holding the small Harmony Orb, simply dropped it in. And then... that was it.

Lu Ye watched, dumbfounded. He had thought there would be some particularly complex method or ritual to activate the Harmony City. Who would have thought it would be so simple? But on second thought, it wasn't that simple after all, because Yuan Xi had made many preparations beforehand.

The originally unremarkable Harmony Orb, after being placed inside, suddenly emitted a soft light. The light bloomed from the slot and then flowed outwards like water. The numerous intricate patterns spread out in all directions, illuminating one after another. In a short while, the entire Central Hall was enveloped in that soft light. Lu Ye and Yuan Xi bathed in it, and from afar, it looked quite sacred and inviolable.

With a hum... The Harmony City, which had been still for ages, emitted a hum. The continuous vibration lasted for more than ten breaths before finally stopping.

"It's done!" Yuan Xi clapped her hands, clearly delighted. "From this day forward, Yuan Xi's Harmony City will truly live up to its name!"

Before possessing its own Harmony Orb, Yuan Xi's Harmony City was merely a name and could not be considered a true Harmony City. But with a Harmony Orb, it was different. Only those with a Harmony Orb were considered true Harmony Cities. From today onwards, as long as Yuan Xi, the City Lord, was within the range of the Harmony City's power, she could utilize the city's strength to battle others, displaying power beyond her own cultivation.

"Congratulations, Madam," Lu Ye offered his congratulations.

"The pleasure is mutual!" Yuan Xi's eyes curved into crescents as she smiled. "Grand Commander, I've reserved a residence for you near the City Lord's Manor, and the formations within are also set up. You can tidy it up yourself later; your cultivation efficiency will be better there."

Lu Ye looked at Yuan Xi in surprise upon hearing this. She had never mentioned this to him before.

Harmony Cities possessed various profound mysteries. When Lu Ye chatted with Yun Shiwang, Yun Shiwang had told him about this aspect. The greatest mystery, of course, was enabling the City Lord to wield greater power within the range of the Harmony City's influence. But for cultivators who were not City Lords, the most significant mystery was that cultivation efficiency would be higher within a Harmony City.

Because the Harmony Orb, a supreme treasure, was inherently capable of controlling the Dao power of the Star Abyss, and its shattered fragments were considered treasure-grade items, they also carried on its power. When such a fragmented Harmony Orb was placed inside a Harmony City, it would make the entire city more capable of gathering Dao power from the Star Abyss. The effect was similar to the various spirit islands in the Myriad Manifestations Sea. In such an environment, cultivators naturally became more efficient in their practice.

Therefore, in the Inner Realm, Harmony Cities were the mainstream. Innumerable Harmony Cities of all sizes existed, where the large fish preyed on the small, and the small fish preyed on the shrimp, and numerous conflicts arose from this. This was also why most cultivators in the Inner Realm, unable to build their own Harmony Cities, would seek out a suitable Harmony City to pledge allegiance to. Even some Harmony realm cultivators were no exception, to say nothing of Fusion realm cultivators, who were basically all affiliated with different Harmony Cities. The mere increase in cultivation efficiency was something few could resist.

However, unlike the spirit islands in the Myriad Manifestations Sea, within a Harmony City, provided the City Lord willed it, cultivators holding important positions, like Lu Ye, could achieve even higher efficiency by cultivating in specific locations. For him now, the specific location was naturally the Grand Commander's residence Yuan Xi had prepared for him, where Yuan Xi had personally made various arrangements.

This should not be compensation for the previous incident, because Yuan Xi had arranged this before leaving the Harmony City.

Lu Ye was momentarily at a loss for words, his emotions even somewhat complex. He had known Yuan Xi for a short time, and there was no real friendship between them. One could even say that Yuan Xi appointing him Grand Commander of the Harmony City had a somewhat playful nature. It was simply that Lu Ye's strength was inferior to hers, so he could only resign himself and follow her wishes. Yet, he hadn't expected this City Lord to still think of him to some extent...

After a brief contemplation, Lu Ye touched his nose and said, "Madam, I actually have another Harmony Orb on me!"

Yuan Xi whipped her head around to look at him.

Lu Ye took the Harmony Orb out from his embrace and handed it to Yuan Xi, saying, "Earlier, when you were still in the beehive, someone brought a Harmony Orb out, and I snatched it." His offering of this privately kept Harmony Orb was not because Lu Ye was moved. Mainly, this item was difficult to store; it couldn't be placed in a storage ring or the Small Flower Realm, and Lu Ye had to constantly expend Dao power to conceal its aura. He worried that if its aura was accidentally leaked during a battle with someone, it would cause trouble later. He had actually already considered this idea: to simply hand this item over to Yuan Xi. But he was somewhat reluctant. Now that Yuan Xi was thinking of him, he didn't mind making a contribution. After all, if Harmony City became stronger, he would also benefit.

"Haha!" Yuan Xi laughed aloud. "Grand Commander, you actually snatched one too!" She paid no mind that Lu Ye hadn't reported this to her immediately, showing no trace of a City Lord's authority. Instead, she was very happy to see another Harmony Orb.