Chapter 2844: Trade

The Winds of Kyushu Rise

In Kyushu, in front of the Tianzhou Guardian Hall, towering ancient trees swayed gracefully.

Xiao Jiu stood under the tree, looking up at the sky, and let out a long sigh: "They’re finally all gone!"

The turn of events had unfolded exactly as he had predicted. As Elder Tree exerted its power, the concealment of the Asura Field treasure quickly lost its effect, drawing numerous foreign cultivators to gather outside Kyushu, glaring covetously at Elder Tree.

However, by this moment, all those cultivators had already departed.

In the projection, Lu Ye's three strikes were simply too devastating; no one dared to ignore them. Furthermore, it was clear that the Cycle Tree was not a supreme treasure easily subdued. Even without Lu Ye's threat, it was virtually impossible for these Dao Harmonizers to subdue a sentient supreme treasure.

Given this, they naturally wouldn't continue to linger, as it would only increase the risk.

"Lu Ye has actually become this powerful," Xiao Jiu said, his face filled with excitement.

He was not a cultivator, so he didn't have a very intuitive understanding of the varying cultivation levels or strengths of cultivators. However, he knew that the cultivators who had recently invaded the starry sky were all so-called Dao Harmonizers, currently unmatched by the cultivators of this starry sky.

Yet, this very group of formidable individuals, who appeared so powerful in the eyes of the starry sky cultivators, were as vulnerable as pigs and dogs before Lu Ye's blade.

He knew that, with Lu Ye's actions this time, the current crisis in the starry sky was temporarily resolved, and his long-held tension began to ease.

***

In a luxurious private room of a tall building on Three Realms Island in the Myriad Forms Sea, Lu Ye and Yuan Xi were clinking glasses.

As the host, since Yuan Xi had arrived, Lu Ye naturally had to entertain her well.

He had never drunk with Yuan Xi like this before, but he had heard You Die mention that Yuan Xi used to frequently visit the Hehe Realm to drink with Pavilion Master Lian at places of entertainment.

Thus, Yuan Xi’s alcohol tolerance was certainly not bad.

As for Ni Chiluan, after a few cups of wine, her small face became flushed, and her expression became even more delicate and soft, which was truly surprising.

If he hadn't already known her identity, Lu Ye would never have dared to associate her with the legendary Ten City Lords if he had met her alone.

The Ten City Lords each had different temperaments: Ba Qiu exuded a domineering aura, and Dragon Sovereign was full of majesty. But none had ever been like Ni Chiluan, giving off such a harmless impression.

But Lu Ye knew that this was merely an illusion. To be able to become one of the Ten City Lords, how could one possibly be truly harmless?

After three rounds of drinks, Lu Ye looked at Ni Chiluan: "I must also thank City Lord Ni for her effective governance; otherwise, this starry sky would likely have been plunged into utter devastation long ago."

Cultivators who entered the starry sky through other Star Abyss Gates were generally disorganized and scattered. But the situation here at Myriad Forms Sea was different; it was under the command of the Ten Dao Harmonizer Cities. If Ni Chiluan hadn't imposed restrictions in advance, Myriad Forms Sea would never have been as peaceful as it was now.

Ni Chiluan slowly shook her head: "You exaggerate. I merely dislike bullying the weak, and I also didn't know this was your starry sky. If I had known earlier, I certainly wouldn't have allowed them to trespass freely."

Lu Ye chuckled: "Who could predict such a thing? Fortunately, the outcome is quite good." He then changed the subject, "Now that City Lord Ni has come to Myriad Forms Sea, have you made any discoveries?"

"What aspect are you referring to?" Ni Chiluan seemed slightly puzzled.

Lu Ye's expression turned serious: "Then let me rephrase that. Is there anything City Lord Ni desires right now?"

In the starry sky, only supreme treasures could tempt experts of the Ten City Lords' caliber.

Coincidentally, there was a supreme treasure beneath Myriad Forms Sea!

Although Lu Ye hadn't explicitly stated it, Ni Chiluan was no fool; she naturally understood immediately.

"Are you referring to that item beneath the sea?"

"It seems City Lord Ni has already discovered it." Lu Ye thought to himself, 'As expected.'

Although the Star Constellation Palace was concealed by the Myriad Forms Sea and located at an extremely deep part of it, for an expert like Ni Chiluan, it wouldn't be difficult to investigate if she put her mind to it, as the aura of a supreme treasure could not be faked.

Ni Chiluan had remained in Myriad Forms Sea without leaving, likely for this very reason.

Yuan Xi quickly said, "Grand Commander, rest assured, although Chiluan detected it, she hasn't done anything to that item; she merely went down to take a look."

It wasn't that she didn't want to; rather, she had been spending these days enjoying herself with Yuan Xi. Ni Chiluan had originally planned to refine and subdue it in a few days.

However, now that she knew this starry sky was Lu Ye's origin, and Myriad Forms Sea was Lu Ye's territory, things became a bit difficult to handle.

Lu Ye slowly shook his head: "Since City Lord Ni has already investigated the Star Constellation Palace, then you must know that the entire Myriad Forms Sea exists precisely because of that supreme treasure. If City Lord Ni were to take it, Myriad Forms Sea would eventually collapse and disappear. This would be an immense loss for all cultivators in this starry sky."

The fundamental reason for Myriad Forms Sea's existence is the Star Constellation Palace. It is this supreme treasure that continuously gathers the starry sky's spiritual energy, leading to the birth of Myriad Forms Sea.

If this foundation were to be removed, Myriad Forms Sea would also cease to exist.

The number of cultivators currently gathered at Myriad Forms Sea is immense. If Myriad Forms Sea were to disappear, it would affect the cultivation of many cultivators.

Ordinary cultivators might not have the ability to subdue the Star Constellation Palace, but Ni Chiluan might be able to.

The Star Constellation Palace's sentience was not inherently very high. If Ni Chiluan had the ability to obliterate its sentience, she would have the opportunity to refine it.

Ni Chiluan remained silent.

Even for her, the temptation of a supreme treasure was immense.

She could order her subordinate cultivators not to disturb the starry sky's beings and not to engage in bullying the weak. But when it came to a supreme treasure, it wasn't something Lu Ye could resolve with just a few words. Opportunities like this, to subdue a supreme treasure, were rare.

Currently, with the inner and outer realms merging, other Ten City Lords, besides her, also had opportunities to enter different starry skies. If she didn't subdue the supreme treasure here, others certainly wouldn't miss out. The gain or loss of any supreme treasure could affect the gap in their respective strengths.

She knew Lu Ye had a good relationship with Yuan Xi, but as one of the Ten City Lords, she had to consider the interests of the entire Chiluan City.

"Are you implying..." The flush of wine had vanished from Ni Chiluan's face, and she looked calmly at Lu Ye.

"The Star Constellation Palace cannot be taken!" Lu Ye looked back at her.

Ni Chiluan's expression remained calm, quietly awaiting his next words.

As expected, Lu Ye continued, "However, there is another supreme treasure in a different location. If City Lord Ni has the ability, you are welcome to take it!"

"What do you want me to do?" Ni Chiluan asked.

Lu Ye smiled: "City Lord Ni is indeed remarkably astute!" He hadn't even said anything yet, and Ni Chiluan had already sensed his intention. The Ten City Lords were, after all, the Ten City Lords; no matter how gentle and harmless they appeared on the outside, it was ultimately just a facade.

Or rather, only in front of Yuan Xi were her gentleness and harmlessness truly real.

"I wish to make a deal with City Lord Ni," Lu Ye slowly began. "I can hand over that supreme treasure for the City Lord to refine; whether you succeed or not will depend on your own capabilities. No one in this starry sky, including myself, will interfere in any way."

"What are the conditions?"

Lu Ye said, "I ask Chiluan City to shelter this starry sky! Since City Lord Ni has been in this starry sky for a while, you must know that there is more than just Myriad Forms Sea as a Star Abyss Gate in this starry sky. Besides this one, there are five other locations."

Ni Chiluan nodded slightly: "I've heard about them. However, after today's battle, those invading cultivators should all be preparing to withdraw."

"That's true," Lu Ye replied, "but as long as the Star Abyss Gates aren't closed, people will continue to intrude into the starry sky. I don't have that much time and energy to constantly stand guard and deter them, and what happened today cannot be repeated indefinitely. Therefore, I would like to ask City Lord Ni to send people to guard the Star Abyss Gates."

This way, anyone approaching a Star Abyss Gate would be deterred. Ordinary individuals wouldn't have this capability, but Chiluan City possessed sufficient renown.

The reputation of the Ten Dao Harmonizer Cities—who in the Star Abyss didn't know it?

This deal was not a difficult matter for Ni Chiluan. She wouldn't even need to send many subordinates; placing a few people in front of each Star Abyss Gate would suffice.

It was merely a matter of convenience!

Ni Chiluan did not agree immediately. Instead, she turned to look at Yuan Xi, with an inquiring look.

While Lu Ye was speaking, Yuan Xi only listened. It was only now that she nodded and said, "Grand Commander, we will make this deal. I will now order people to go to the other five Star Abyss Gates, but they might need your cultivators to guide them."

Even if it weren't a trade, she wouldn't have refused if Lu Ye had simply asked. What's more, Lu Ye also gave Ni Chiluan the opportunity to refine a supreme treasure.

This was undoubtedly done out of respect for her.

"Not five, but four!" Lu Ye corrected.

Yuan Xi was puzzled: "What's the situation with the remaining one? Does it not need guarding?"

Lu Ye sighed: "That particular Star Abyss Gate connects to Senluo City."

Hearing this, Ni Chiluan couldn't help but furrow her elegant brows.

Yuan Xi also frowned and said, "But we haven't found any trace of Senluo City cultivators in this starry sky."

Lu Ye explained, "They haven't had a chance to invade yet. I just returned from that side and killed quite a few of them."

Yuan Xi immediately said, "Do you need help?"

Lu Ye smiled: "City Lord, I appreciate your kindness. I'll find a way to resolve the trouble over there myself."

If Yuan Xi didn't have Chiluan City behind her, Lu Ye naturally wouldn't refuse. After so many years of acquaintance, they could naturally share joys and sorrows together.

However, she was currently the Deputy City Lord of Chiluan City.

Among the Ten Dao Harmonizer Cities, Chiluan City's stance was the most neutral, never engaging in conflicts or disputes with the other Ten. This was likely Ni Chiluan's way of establishing herself in the Star Abyss.

Therefore, Lu Ye couldn't drag Yuan Xi into it. His relationship with Ni Chiluan simply wasn't that good; forcing the issue would only displease Ni Chiluan.

"How will you resolve it?" Yuan Xi knew better than Lu Ye just how formidable the foundations of the Ten Dao Harmonizer Cities were. In this world, apart from Yifu City, every single one of the Ten was a behemoth.

They were not merely cities, but forces that had spanned countless millennia.

"You have to eat one bite at a time; there will always be a solution." Lu Ye didn't dwell on this issue further. Instead, he looked at Ni Chiluan: "City Lord Ni, if you find the previous deal acceptable, you may proceed to the location of that supreme treasure at any time."

"Since Yuan Xi has agreed, then I have agreed," Ni Chiluan said with a nod.

"Then I wish the City Lord success in all her endeavors!" Lu Ye raised his wine cup in a gesture.

A moment later, Lu Ye gave Jiu Yan a few instructions, left the private room, found Yi Yi, spoke a few brief words, and then departed in a hurry.