Chapter 2433: Promise
Lu Yin stared down at the wireless jincan in his hand. While he had long since known that the four ruling powers would find ways to strengthen their control over the Perennial World, he had not expected them to use such radical methods. Liu Yue had been a Progenitor, one of the strongest humans alive, but they had killed him without the slightest bit of hesitation.
With Liu Yue dead, who was next? Progenitor Nong? Specter Progenitor? Or maybe Humility's Gate’s Progenitor?
Regardless of whether the four ruling powers took down another victim, everyone had already raised their guards. Those whose interests aligned were certain to form troublesome alliances for the four ruling powers, but the four ruling powers’ authority had already increased drastically in the Perennial World.
Liu Yue’s death showed that the four ruling powers were confident, but what was the reason behind their confidence?
Lu Yin again attempted to contact Mu Xie, but there was still no answer.
Lu Yin was worried about Mu Xie's safety. No matter what, he had to return to the Perennial World and personally see the state of things. In the past, he had been powerless to stop the Lu family’s exile, but Lu Yin refused to be helpless again.
He decided against traveling back through the New Corridor, as the four ruling powers were certain to have set countermeasures to prevent Lu Yin from doing just that, and it would be too risky to leave any traces that they could track.
With that in mind, Lu Yin mounted the jiao and set off towards the Neoverse. While still on the way, he contacted Jiu Chi.
"What? The sourcebox array is broken?" Lu Yin had a huge shock.
Jiu Chi explained, "An unidentified Semi-Progenitor attacked with the clear intention of destroying the array. Highsage Grandmaster is already trying to repair it, but for now, it’s unavailable."
"When did this happen?"
"Two days ago."
Lu Yin frowned. Disabling the sourcebox array before Liu Yue’s murder was clearly just part of the four ruling power’s plan. The four ruling powers must have taken Lu Yin’s reaction into consideration long ago.
However, aside from the New Corridor and the sourcebox array, Lu Yin could also enter the Perennial World through Jupiter.
Ever since Aeternus had invaded the Fifth Mainland, it had become widely known that it was possible to travel to the Perennial World through Jupiter, though no one had been able to confirm it as true.
The four ruling powers were naturally aware of Jupiter as well, but they were unable to take any preventive measures against that means of entry to the Perennial World. Additionally, no one knew precisely where one would arrive after traveling through Jupiter.
The more preparations that the four ruling powers made, the stronger Lu Yin’s feeling that he had to make a trip to the Perennial World. Once the four ruling powers managed to gain total control of the Perennial World, he would lose any chance of making a comeback. The moment he became a Semi-Progenitor, the truce would become void, and the four ruling powers would spare no effort to kill him.
Given the current situation, the Fifth Mainland was completely unable to stop the four ruling powers.
…
In the Perennial World, the disciples of the Celestial Frost Sect looked upwards in terror. They all felt the pressure of Progenitors bearing down upon them. This was the first time that they had ever encountered such a frightening ordeal.
Bai Wangyuan, Wang Fan, and Xia Shenji stood on one side while Mu Xie, Progenitor Nong, and Specter Progenitor stood across from them. Considering the number of years it took for even a single Progenitor to appear, seeing six in one place was beyond amazing.
"Mu Xie, Humility's Gate was established to fight against Aeternus and expose Redbacks, not to confront us, the four ruling powers. Our affairs and relationships do not concern you," Bai Wangyuan stated.
Mu Xie turned to stare at Bai Wangyuan and firmly replied, "I have no intention of meddling in your affairs, but if you decide to engage in combat due to the presence of Redbacks or spies, then Humility's Gate cannot remain idle. You claim to have executed Liu Yue because he was a Redback who sheltered Undying God. However, my Humility's Gate has yet to ascertain whether that is the truth.”
"What does that have to do with you? The four ruling powers have verified matters, and we reached our own consensus. There's no need for you to poke your nose in this matter," Xia Shenji retorted.
"What evidence do you have to show that Liu Yue was a Redback? Just the fact that Undying God infiltrated the Liu family? There's been no shortage of Redbacks and spies within your four ruling powers," Progenitor Nong said with a contemptuous snort. He rested his weight on the branch of a tree, lounging on its leaves. Greenery sprouted from all over his body, and while he appeared quite vigorous, his muscular physique resembled a manual laborer’s, and the hoe slung over his back and his deep voice matched that appearance.
Specter Progenitor was shrouded by a haze of death energy. "Today, they killed Liu Yue. Tomorrow it could be me, and the day after, it might be Nong Yi’s turn. The four ruling powers are truly ruthless. Not even Aeternus is able to kill a Progenitor as efficiently as them. You guys are even more merciless than Aeternus."
Wang Fan turned to address Specter Progenitor. "Our actions against Liu Yue are fully supported by evidence. There’s no need for us to explain ourselves to you."
He then turned to Mu Xie. "What does Humility's Gate want? Or are you simply using this incident as a means to assist your junior brother?"
High in the sky, six Progenitors faced each other. A fierce gale had whipped up around them, and their powerful auras swept across the land and covered the sky. Even light warped around them, changing everything’s color. It looked as though a fight was about to break out.
In the middle of the argument, the wireless jincan in Nong Yi's hand vibrated.
Liu Yue had left Broken Star to return to the Liu family's territory because the four ruling powers had falsely accused and executed several members of the Liu family. That had lured Liu Yue out, as he had wanted to save his people. In order to prevent similar occurrences, Nong Yi, Specter Progenitor, and even Mu Xie had started to carry wireless jincans so that they could constantly maintain lines of communication with their people.
Nong Yi answered the message. Nong Sanniang was reaching out to him.
Nong Yi's expression changed as he observed the incoming message. He pondered for a moment before saying, "I have to go now, but I'll be back soon."
Specter Progenitor was quite puzzled by his reaction. "Do you really have something more important than this?"
Nong Yi looked at Mu Xie and implored, "Please take care of things here."
With that, the man turned around and left the Celestial Frost Sect.
Bai Wangyuan and the others exchanged looks of surprise. They had not expected Nong Yi to leave in the middle of their discussion. What could be more important than their talks?
After leaving the Celestial Frost Sect, Nong Yi went straight to Seed Garden. There, he saw Lu Yin standing beneath a waterfall, just outside of a garden.
Lu Yin had returned to the Perennial World through Jupiter, and he had appeared above the Middle Ocean, just like before. After verifying his location, he had went straight to Seed Garden and then asked Nong Sanniang to contact Nong Yi.
“Progenitor Long is currently guarding the New Corridor for the sole purpose of stopping you from returning. How did you get here?" Nong Yi asked in surprise.
Lu Yin looked at Nong Yi. "Senior, time is running out, so I won't beat around the bush. Are you willing to allow me to confer a copy of you?"
Before arriving in the Perennial World, Lu Yin had no plans to make the Nong family’s elder Progenitor the first Progenitor that he conferred.
Only after departing from the Middle Ocean and catching a glimpse of the Seed Garden in the distance did he come up with a sudden idea to contact Nong Sanniang and request a meeting with Nong Yi.
The four ruling powers had made a ruthless and decisive move to target Liu Yue, and their actions showed that they were preparing for something big. Inevitably, that would be unfavorable to both the Liu and Nong families.
The four ruling powers had to be fully aware of the consequences of killing Liu Yue, but they had done so anyway. For this reason, Nong Yi considered accepting Lu Yin’s request.
"Do you know why they are so confident?" Nong Yi asked.
Lu Yin shook his head. "I don't."
Nong Yi frowned. "Are you lying to me?"
Glancing over at Nong Yi, Lu Yin replied, "Knowing is unnecessary. Even if the Liu family, your Nong family, Specter Abyss, and my senior brother join forces, you all will still not be a match for the Lu family of old. Despite that, the four ruling powers were able to exile my Lu family. Now that Liu Yue is dead, the four ruling powers have as many as eight Progenitors among their ranks. If a war were to break out, the Nong family, Specter Abyss, and Humility's Gate will definitely suffer the same fate as the Liu family. All of you will be wiped out."
Nong Yi fell silent, as Lu Yin’s words were completely accurate. They were also the reason why the three Progenitors had gone to the Celestial Frost Sect together.
The alliance of the four ruling powers posed an immense threat to everyone else.
"Let me repeat my question: Senior, are you willing to allow me confer you into my Investiture of the Gods?" Lu Yin asked.
Nong Yi stared into Lu Yin's eyes for a long moment. Being conferred had both advantages and disadvantages. If the owner of the Investiture of the Gods was an ally, then it meant gaining another Progenitor-level expert who could support them. However, if they became enemies, then Nong Yi would end up fighting against a copy of himself. That would undoubtedly be unpleasant.
"Senior, are you willing to allow me to confer you?" Lu Yin asked for the third time.
No further explanation was needed, given the current situation. It was a straightforward matter of whether Nong Yi was willing. Nong Yi also was not eloquent enough to deceive Lu Yin by saying “no” when he actually meant yes.
Nong Yi let out a sigh. "Lu Xiaoxuan, can you promise that, as long as my Nong family does not betray humanity, you will not attack my Nong family?"
Lu Yin raised his head. "Yes. I, Lu Yin, swear that I will never attack your Nong family unless they betray humanity. I do reserve the right to defend myself."
The farmer nodded and said, "Then confer me. I would like to see how a sixth-tribulation Envoy will confer this old man."
Lu Yin smiled and waved his hand. A golden light spread across the entire Perennial World.
Back in the Celestial Frost Sect, Bai Wangyuan and his group grew pale as soon as they saw the golden light from below. "This is bad! That’s the Investiture of the Gods! It's Lu Xiaoxuan!"
They all headed straight towards the Middle Realm, but Mu Xie and Specter Progenitor blocked their path.
Specter Progenitor laughed. "Whoever Lu Xiaoxuan wants to confer is his own business, and it has nothing to do with you."
It immediately became clear why Nong Yi had left; he must have gone to be conferred into Lu Xiaoxuan’s Investiture of the Gods. As soon as that happened, they would gain another Progenitor on their side. Adding Lu Xiaoxuan to the mix would make the situation completely unpredictable.
Xia Shenji's expression grew ugly. The image of Lu Tianyi facing True God Wei Yi with the Investiture of the Gods reappeared in the man’s mind. It was a scene that had been etched deep into his memory.
No, Lu Xiaoxuan could not be allowed to grow any stronger! Xia Shenji’s body blurred, and he charged toward the Middle Realm.
Specter Progenitor reacted quickly, and death energy surged out from him, instantly enveloping half of the Higher Realm. Wang Fan and Bai Wangyuan exchanged looks. A battle was inevitable. Since they were unable to stop Lu Xiaoxuan, there would be a fight to determine the ruler of the Perennial World.
Suddenly, Xia Shenji coughed up blood and staggered, nearly falling.
The sudden change startled both Bai Wangyuan and Wang Fan. How had Xia Shenji suddenly been hurt? Was it because of Specter Progenitor?
They looked over, only to see a bewildered expression on the face of Specter Progenitor. He clearly had no idea how Xia Shenji had been injured either.
No one could understand how Xia Shenji had been wounded.
Xia Shenji clutched his abdomen and lowered his head, his face a mask of unadulterated rage. Damn that fool. How dare you hurt your own body? You bastard!
"Xia Shenji, what's wrong?" Wang Fan asked.
Xia Shenji coughed and replied, "I still haven't recovered from the injury that I sustained during the assault on the Dominion Realm."
Wang Fan and Bai Wangyuan were confused. An injury from the previous battle in the Dominion Realm? When had Xia Shenji been injured?
Mu Xie also felt puzzled, but he had been far away from Bai Wangyuan and the others during the previous attack, so he was not very clear on what had happened to them during Aeternus’s attack. Thus, Mu Xie believed Xia Shenji’s excuse.
Bai Wangyuan lowered his voice, "Can you still fight?"
Just as Xia Shenji was about to reply, he was attacked by another bout of coughs that overwhelmed him. More blood poured from his mouth. He gritted his teeth in frustration. "I must head back and heal my injuries. My apologies."
Bai Wangyuan and Wang Fan exchanged glances. They knew that Xia Shenji’s condition was far more complicated than what he was letting on. However, it was also clear that he was refusing to tell them.
Without waiting for any response, Xia Shenji left and made his way back to Shenwu's Sky. Before leaving, he cast a sharp look at Mu Xie and Specter Progenitor, as though trying to figure something out.
Mu Xie and Specter Progenitor stared back at him blankly, neither one having any idea about what was happening.
At that same time, the golden light from the Investiture of the Gods disappeared.
Every single Progenitor present turned their attention back to the Middle Realm. Had it succeeded? Or failed?
Conferring a Progenitor into an Investiture of the Gods as a mere six-tribulation Envoy was an accomplishment unheard of throughout the entire history of the Lu family. However, after considering Lu Yin's previous accomplishments, Bai Wangyuan and Wang Fan were not confident that Lu Yin was certain to fail.
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