Chapter 2475: Lu Yin's Image
Ever so slowly, Xia Ji lifted his head even as he strained from the effort. He glared daggers at Lu Yin. "Are you here to humiliate me?"
Lu Yin retorted, "What else would I be here for?"
Xia Ji sneered. "I know that you want to learn the Nine Clones Secret Technique from me. The more you humiliate me, the more desperately you expect me to cling onto life. Am I right?"
Lu Yin said nothing as he simply stared at the man.
Xia Ji spat out a mouthful of blood before craning his neck to look up at Lu Yin. "You win. I'll teach you. I can teach you the Nine Clones Secret Technique, as long as you release me. Our grudge will end here. You're too powerful for me to threaten you in any way, so let me go."
Lu Yin let out a long breath. "It would’ve been nice if you had said that sooner. Unfortunately, your guess is completely wrong. I only came here to humiliate you."
Xia Ji screamed, "No one else can teach you the Nine Clones Secret Technique! Do you think that that brat, Xia Luo, can teach it to you just because you two have a good relationship? I know that Starsibyl can't teach you either. I’m the only one who can teach you the Nine Clones Secret Technique. You must let me go!"
Lu Yin did not feel even the slightest hint of amusement as he watched Xia Ji scream and beg for his life, abandoning all traces of his dignity. This revenge was nothing more than him fulfilling his promise to himself, and it could not offer him any true joy. The score between him and Xia Ji was something that needed to be settled. With that in mind, he grabbed Xia Ji and departed.
On the Shenwu Continent, Arch-Elder Zen had only just returned. Shao Chen, the headmaster of Astral-10, had transformed non-existence into reality when he stepped into the Semi-Progenitor realm. For this reason, both Arch-Elder Zen and Progenitor Smoke had gone to visit the man, and they had spent several days chatting with him.
Despite the fact that Shao Chen's cultivation level was much lower than the two Progenitors’, he had achieved enlightenment by visiting the Stargazing Deck numerous times and witnessing events of the past. During their conversations, the three individuals had come to regard each other as equals, including Progenitor Smoke.
Arch-Elder Zen felt a bit of pity for the crazy Headmaster, as without opening his three meridian points, he would never be able to become a Progenitor, which was truly unfortunate.
"Who goes there? Please share your name," Arch-Elder Zen asked as he stared in a particular direction. As he stared, Xia Qin appeared with Xia Shenfei.
Despite being opponents, Xia Shenfei did not show any sign of rudeness to Arch-Elder, and he offered the old man respectful greetings. "This junior is Shenwu's Sky's Xia Shenfei. Greetings, Arch-Elder Zen."
Arch-Elder Zen looked at Xia Qin. "Are you also from Shenwu's Sky?"
Xia Qin stared back at Arch-Elder Zen. "I’ve seen you before."
Arch-Elder Zen was taken aback. "When?"
"It was during the war between the Sixth and Fifth Mainlands. You met Senior Lu Tianyi, and I was also present. I was behind Xia Shenji," Xia Qin said.
Xia Shenfei did not expect the two Progenitors to have met in the past.
Arch-Elder Zen was amazed. "So we are old acquaintances."
"Back then, you were just a teenager, though I was about the same age. We’re both so old now," Xia Qin commented. Her voice had already softened and warmed a great deal upon recognizing Arch-Elder Zen.
Arch-Elder Zen nodded. "True, we are both quite old now. Are you here regarding Xia Shenji?"
Xia Qin replied, "I want to see Lu Xiaoxuan. Where is he?"
"You'll have to wait. I need to inform him."
Xia Qin nodded and then looked away from Arch-Elder Zen to observe the Tower of Resonating Light and the Sealed Path sourcebox array. "I see now. This sourcebox array is sealing the passage to the parallel universe. So was Xia Shenji banished to that universe?"
"That's correct. If you are here to bring Xia Shenji back, I suggest that you leave. Seeing as how we're old acquaintances, I hope to avoid any conflict."
Xia Qin wondered, "Why are you helping Lu Xiaoxuan? Is it because you owe Senior Lu Tianyi a favor?"
Arch-Elder Zen shook his head. "I have already repaid any debts that I owed to Senior Tianyi. The person I'm helping is Lu Yin, not Lu Xiaoxuan, who was the descendant of the Lu family’s direct line."
"What's the difference?" Xia Qin asked, puzzled by the answer.
Arch-Elder Zen considered his response for a moment. "The descendant of the Lu family's direct line was a person of noble character who only ever saw the beauty of the world. Given his position, he was quite similar to Senior Tianyi and was going to be someone who would stand at the very frontlines to protect all of humanity. No matter if one considered his talent, cultivation, appearance, or character, he was practically perfect in every aspect. On the other hand, Lu Yin is a person who sees the ugliness of the world. He is scheming, ruthless, vengeful, and greedy."
Xia Qin arched a brow. This sounded like a completely mismatched comparison, and Lu Yin seemed anything but an admirable individual.
"But despite being such a person, he is also willing to shoulder tremendous responsibilities and acts as a guiding light that will lead humanity forward. Everything that he does is for the sake of survival, and ultimately, he will do whatever it takes to ensure that humanity endures. Such a person is worth helping. He will never compromise his principles or his bottom line," Arch-Elder Zen explained.
As Xia Shenfei listened to Arch-Elder Zen's words, an image of Lu Yin appeared in his mind. This description of Lu Yin was perfectly accurate. Lu Xiaoxuan had projected an illusion of perfection, while Lu Yin was an authentic human who clearly possessed grit and street-smarts. Humanity did indeed need someone who possessed a flawless appearance to lead them, but many such people already existed. When times grew truly desperate, what they actually needed was someone who knew how to survive and navigate various challenges. That was the role that Lu Yin fulfilled.
How many times had Lu Yin faced death for this Progenitor to be so willing to help him?
"This makes me even more curious about him," Xia Qin commented. She had always remained on Savage Star, so even though she had been aware of what was happening in the Perennial World, she had not been aware of the details.
Arch-Elder Zen made a welcoming gesture. "Please, sit and chat with me. It's not often that I get to meet an old friend."
Xia Qin nodded and took a seat across from Arch-Elder Zen.
The two appeared to be from completely different eras, given one’s aged look and the other’s youthful appearance. However, the truth was that Xia Qin was even older than Arch-Elder Zen.
Xia Shenfei respectfully kept some distance as he quietly waited. He occasionally glanced at the Tower of Resonating Light. Just what was this place? Senior Progenitor Shenji had been tricked, but no one knew when he would return.
Before much time passed, a massive figure appeared and cast a shadow by completely blocking out the sun. The jiao let out a roar while fully revealing its teeth and claws as it looked around. Unfortunately, there was no one nearby. Disappointed, the beast lowered its claws.
Lu Yin appeared on the Shenwu Continent and stood between Xia Qin and Arch-Elder Zen. "This junior apologizes for being late."
Arch-Elder Zen offered an introduction. "This is Lu Yin."
Lu Yin observed Xia Qin, who returned his gaze. "You're the one who exiled Xia Shenfei, aren’t you?"
Lu Yin replied, "To be precise, he took the wrong path."
Xia Qin furrowed her brow. "You're unrepentant."
Lu Yin calmly replied, "What brings you here, Senior?"
"Can you bring Xia Shenji back?"
"No, I cannot."
"Then forget it," Xia Qin responded.
Arch-Elder Zen was surprised. Was that really the end of it?
On the other hand, Xia Shenfei was not surprised at all, and neither was Lu Yin. Both of them were a bit more familiar with Xia Qin's circumstances.
"I’ve heard that you can use Xia Shang's power. How did you acquire that?" Xia Qin asked another question.
"Senior, let's just get to the point. I know about your situation, and I can tell you right now that I acquired the power through the Cosmic Art. Nothing that I have was directly passed down to me from Progenitor Chen," Lu Yin explained.
Xia Qin's eyes grew cold. "You know about my situation? Who told you?"
Lu Yin replied, "There's no need for that question, Senior. Regardless, you hate both Shenwu's Sky and Progenitor Chen, but you also owe both of them a debt. This junior has a suggestion that could fulfill all your needs."
Xia Qin responded with a contemptuous snort. "You want to help me?"
Lu Yin shook his head and explained in an earnest manner, "I’m helping myself. Shenwu's Sky banished my Lu family, and that decision was made by Xia Shenji. Thus, I want Xia Shenji to be banished not only from our universe, but also from Shenwu's Sky."
Xia Qin grew puzzled as she stared at Lu Yin. "You certainly talk big."
Xia Shenfei’s eyes flickered as he stared intently at Lu Yin.
Arch-Elder Zen also grew curious as to precisely what Lu Yin had in mind.
Lu Yin took out Zenith Mountain and released a person: Xia Luo.
"Luo Zhong? Why are you here?" Xia Shenfei was startled. Ever since the army that the Perennial World had sent to the Fifth Mainland had been captured by Lu Yin, the perennial World had known that Luo Zhong was actually Xia Luo, who was a descendant of the Xia family from the Fifth Mainland. However, Xia Ji had already pledged his family’s loyalty to Shenwu's Sky. Thus, there had been no need for anyone to consider Xia Luo.
After Lu Yin released everyone from the Perennial World that he had captured, Xia Luo had remained within Shenwu's Sky. However, due to his identity, he had been treated poorly and often struggled.
Xia Shenfei had never paid much attention to Xia Luo in the past, and he had not expected to see him suddenly appear.
"Senior Brother, we meet again," Xia Luo said with a smile.
Xia Shenfei turned back to look at Lu Yin in confusion.
Lu Yin said, "Senior, this man is Xia Luo, descendant of Progenitor Chen."
Xia Qin stared at Xia Luo, her expression a complex mix of both excitement and resentment.
"If Senior owes Progenitor Chen a debt, then you simply need to return the favor to this man. Please lend your support and help Xia Shang’s descendant take charge of Shenwu's Sky," Lu Yin stated.
"Absolutely not!" Xia Shenfei shouted.
Xia Qin only paid attention to Lu Yin. "You want me to have Xia Shang's descendant take charge of Shenwu's Sky? Lu Yin, you're just as manipulative as Arch-Elder Zen said you were."
Lu Yin glanced at Arch-Elder Zen. He did not know what Arch-Elder Zen had said to Xia Qin, but still, Lu Yin continued. "Senior, don't be in a hurry to answer. Please let me first finish. This will allow you to repay the debt that you owe Progenitor Chen, and you can also repay the debt that you owe Shenwu's Sky."
Lu Yin turned to Xia Shenfei. "Your father is currently imprisoned. You can choose to take his place in Shenwu's Sky or simply release him. I can even remove the Death Seal that I placed in his body."
Xia Shenfei's eyes narrowed. "My father betrayed Shenwu's Sky and colluded with you! He-"
Lu Yin interrupted, "I controlled him with a Death Seal. If he hadn’t cooperated with me, he would have had no way to survive. I can promise that I will remove the Death Seal from him and give him back his freedom. As for what he does in Shenwu's Sky after that, that’s none of my concern. You can choose to allow him to remain in charge of Shenwu's Sky, with Senior's support of course. If that is what you choose, Xia Xing’s authority would be equal to Xia Luo's. Otherwise, you can choose to take over the task yourself. It's up to you."
"This is ridiculous! Shenwu's Sky's affairs are not something that you can decide, Lu Xiaoxuan! Do you really think that you can determine who runs Shenwu's Sky?" Xia Shenfei became increasingly upset
Lu Yin then turned to address Xia Qin, a mischievous smile on his face. "Would you like them to experience the same pain that you were once subjected to?"
Interest danced in Xia Qin's eyes.
Xia Shenfei's heart sank as he finally understood Lu Xiaoxuan's plan. While Xia Shenei did not know the specifics of what happened to Xia Qin in the past, he did know that she had been hurt very deeply. Otherwise, as a Progenitor, there would be no reason for her to stay so far away from Shenwu's Sky for so many years, not intervening in any of the sect’s matters.
As Xia Shenfei turned to Xia Qin, he sounded nearly desperate. "Senior, don't listen to Lu Xiaoxuan! He's trying to stir up discord within Shenwu's Sky."
Lu Yin's grin only widened. "That makes things even more interesting. You’re right, I am trying to make some trouble. Direct family line versus branch families. It seems that Shenwu's Sky cares quite a lot about one’s ancestry."
Xia Qin closed her eyes. The family’s direct line versus the branch families. Yes, Shenwu's Sky cared about this more than anything else.
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