Chapter 2571: Threat
The four ruling powers were not truly united. Without a common enemy, they had immediately started to turn on each other.
Monarch Luo asked Xia Shenji, "Are you referring to the other Progenitors who are part of your four ruling powers? Will they be willing to come here?"
Xia Shenji replied, "That is a matter for Sage Yuan to handle."
Monarch Luo took a deep breath. "I know what to do."
He looked back at Xia Shenji and added, "If you do manage to return home, our previous agreement will still stand."
"Of course. I won't let the Lu family go," Xia Shenji said, killing intent flickering through his eyes.
...
The Heavens Sect once again welcomed Progenitor Long to the Fifth Mainland. It was his fifth visit, but this time, he was accompanied by Bai Wangyuan.
As usual, Progenitors were received by Arch-Elder Zen.
Bai Wangyuan got straight to the point. "Things are getting increasingly urgent. The pressure that the Sixverse Association is facing is constantly increasing, and they can barely hold on any longer. We are no longer asking you to restart the war, only to offer some assistance to the Three Monarchs Universe. If you still have any concern at all for the overall situation, don't refuse. We can make a new treaty with you, agreeing to not enter the Fifth Mainland for as long as you support the Three Monarchs Universe."
Bai Wangyuan appeared serious about a new treaty, but Arch-Elder Zen shook his head. "The Heavens Sect only has a single Progenitor, which is me. Even if we count Lu Yin, as he is comparable to a Progenitor, we can't offer much support to the Three Monarchs Universe. On the other hand, your four ruling powers have many Progenitors, which means that you can easily send one or two. Why do you need our help?"
Progenitor Long said, "Aeternus is not run by fools. They are forcing the Three Monarchs Universe to face a crisis, but it might just be a ruse to divert our attention there before they launch a massive attack on the rear battlefield again. We cannot take such a risk."
Bai Wangyuan stared intently at Arch-Elder Zen for a moment before saying, "The Sixverse Association wants us to help by sharing the Aeternus’s pressure, but that does not mean that we must take on the entire burden. We merely need to take on a portion of it. This is why only two Progenitors need to go to the Three Monarchs Universe, while the others remain here to guard the rear battlefield. As long as we provide support for the Three Monarchs Universe, Sage Yuan will have no reason to force us to fully enter the war again. Isn't this what Lu Yin wants? Or are you expecting our Perennial World to take on everything?”
"Arch-Elder Zen, you’ve lived since the Daosource Sect era, and you’ve also become a Progenitor. You possess great insight and should not have the same perspective as a child like Lu Yin."
"What's wrong with having the same perspective as this child?" Lu Yin's voice rang out as he emerged from a spatial tear and confronted Bai Wangyuan.
Bai Wangyuan's voice dropped low, "Young man, your vision is too narrow. You cannot see the bigger picture, but I don't blame you. If what you value is mere gains and losses, then so be it. Let us agree to another treaty. As long as you or Arch-Elder Zen lend your support to the Three Monarchs Universe, we won’t enter this Fifth Mainland."
Lu Yin looked at Bai Wangyuan and then glanced at Progenitor Long. "Who will make this treaty with me?"
"It will be me, of course," Bai Wangyuan replied.
Lu Yin chuckled. "Can you represent all four ruling powers?"
Bai Wangyuan frowned. "When we agreed to the truce, you and I agreed to the treaty. From that moment until now, the four ruling powers have never taken the initiative to attack you. You have even been allowed to ban specific people. You have been given all control."
"And yet you guys did everything you could to kill me, like telling Nutjob Lu about me, or luring me into the trap that you set up in the Lu family’s treasury so that Nutjob Lu could attack me. Or even sending that old man, Sage Yuan, here to the Fifth Mainland. Bai Wangyuan, your promises are less than worthless. Enough of this nonsense." There was no hesitation as Lu Yin scolded the Progenitor.
Bai Wangyuan's eyes grew sharp. "I have upheld all of the truce’s terms. None of what you’ve mentioned were conditions of that truce. This time, you can present your own conditions. As long as I agree, we can establish a treaty."
Lu Yin shook his head and sighed. "I truly pity you, Bai Wangyuan. Do you really believe that you can represent all four ruling powers?"
"What does that mean?" Bai Wangyuan asked calmly.
Lu Yin tapped his fingers on the table. "Are Wang Fan and Specter Progenitor under your control? Can you speak for Xia Shenji?"
Progenitor Long replied, "Both Wang Fan and Specter Progenitor can be included in the treaty’s conditions. As for Xia Shenji, you banished him."
"And what if he comes back?" Lu Yin asked bluntly.
Bai Wangyuan and Progenitor Long exchanged glances, seeing the surprise in each other's eyes. Could this child know?
"Only you know where Xia Shenji went, Lu Xiaoxuan. What are you trying to say?" Bai Wangyuan asked in a deep voice.
Lu Yin said, "I’m not an unreasonable person. What you said is true, and if the Three Monarchs Universe really can’t hold on, then it won't just be the Sixverse Association who will suffer, as we’ll also be affected. I will agree to support the Three Monarchs Universe, but I first need to ensure that the Heavens Sect will be absolutely safe. First, the Sixverse Association needs to send someone to make a treaty with me as well, agreeing to not enter the Fifth Mainland without permission. Second, Xia Shenji needs to appear and agree to the treaty with me as well. If you can fulfill these two conditions, I’ll agree to whatever you say."
"Lu Xiaoxuan, you must be delusional! What make you think that the Sixverse Association will ever be willing to agree to a treaty with you?" Progenitor Long shouted sternly.
Bai Wangyuan’s brow furrowed tightly. "Lu Xiaoxuan, what does the Sixverse Association have to do with you? Even if they want us to restart the war with Aeternus, they will never agree to compromise with you. Besides, the Sixverse Association poses no threat to you."
Lu Yin interjected, "That’s where you’re wrong. They do pose a threat, and a very significant one at that."
As Lu Yin spoke, he looked over towards the sect’s main hall.
The others also turned to look.
There, they saw an elderly man slowly approaching them while leaning heavily on a cane. Zhi Yi was supporting the man, who was none other than the Sixth Mainland’s Progenitor of Bloodlines.
Lu Yin rose to his feet, his expression solemn and deep respect filling his eyes. "Senior, thank you for making this trip."
At this time, the Progenitor of Bloodlines looked completely different from before. The first time that Lu Yin had seen the man had been after his first stellular tribulation. At that time, the Progenitor of Bloodlines, despite his many years, had been full of vitality. There had been no resemblance at all to an old man. He had possessed an energy that could leave the stars trembling, and a wave of his hand had been enough to effortlessly shatter space. At that time, the Progenitor of Bloodlines had stood behind Lu Yin, and his presence had left the four ruling powers mistakenly believing that Lu Yin was protected by a Progenitor from the Fifth Mainland. This had prevented any of the Perennial World’s Progenitors from directly attacking Lu Yin.
When Lu Yin had seen the Progenitor of Bloodlines for the second time, it had been after Lu Yin had traveled through time and space, going missing for a period of twenty years. While Lu Yin had been gone, the Progenitor of Bloodlines had fought for the Fifth Mainland’s very survival, and he had blocked the gap between the Sky Pillar and the barrier protecting the Fifth Mainland with his body in order to prevent Corpse God from attacking. Lu Yin had used the Cosmic Art and borrowed Progenitor Chen's power to rescue the Progenitor of Bloodlines. However, by that time, the Progenitor had already lost his Progenitor's world and fallen from being a true Progenitor.
The third time had been after Sage Yuan opened a rift to a parallel universe that had allowed corpse kings to attack the Heavens Sect. The Progenitor of Bloodlines had risked his life to stop the corpse kings, which had cost him his cultivation and left him as a cripple who needed medical care to even remain alive.
Lu Yin would readily admit that, out of everyone in the Fifth and Sixth Mainlands, the Progenitor of Bloodlines was the person whom he admired the most. This admiration had nothing to do with cultivation or strength; the old man was a Progenitor-level expert who had readily and truly sacrificed himself for the sake of humanity. He possessed a fearless spirit and was someone who truly deserved to be addressed as “Senior.”
If not for already having accepted Mister Mu as his master, Lu Yin would have long ago chosen to become the Progenitor of Bloodlines' disciple.
"I’m merely taking a stroll. Being able to greet old friends isn't bad at all," the Progenitor of Bloodlines said with a chuckle. He looked to be rather cheerful and quite content with his fate. He seemed to have already come to terms with how brief his remaining life would be.
Before the Progenitor of Bloodlines, even someone like Bai Wangyuan, who was the master of one of the Nine Mountains and Eight Seas, could not help but feel a measure of respect. Regardless of his past grievances between the Fifth and Sixth Mainlands, there was no denying that the Progenitor of Bloodlines deserved to be respected by everyone.
"Zhi Yi, escort Senior to Mount Lang to look around. The scenery there is splendid. Also, have Zhao Ran brew tea for the two of you," Lu Yin instructed.
Zhi Yi offered a respectful bow. "Yes, Dao Monarch."
She continued to assist the Progenitor of Bloodlines as the two left again.
Despite the few words that had been spoken, the sight of the Progenitor of Bloodlines leaving left both Bai Wangyuan and Progenitor Long unable to speak for a long time. An esteemed Progenitor had reduced to such a state, and for what? Was it worth it?
"The Progenitor of Bloodlines could have lived out his final days in peace. Even after having his Progenitor's world destroyed, he still possessed enough strength to enjoy the rest of his life," Lu Yin clenched his fists as he continued, "But because of that old bastard, Sage Yuan, who brought corpse kings here, Senior lost all of his remaining strength, and he could die at any moment now."
Lu Yin looked at Bai Wangyuan. "Tell me, how am I supposed to trust the Sixverse Association? Do you still think that they don't pose any threat to my Heavens Sect? Should I change my opinion just because you, Bai Wangyuan, say I should?"
Bai Wangyuan wanted to retort, but no words came out. The example of what had happened to the Progenitor of Bloodlines left the Progenitor with absolutely no room to argue. He silently cursed Sage Yuan for the man’s unnecessary meddling. If the Sixverse Association had wanted to use Aeternus, then they should have made sure to eradicate that brat. Unfortunately, not only had they failed to accomplish anything, but they had even given Lu Yin ammunition to use against Bai Wangyuan.
"Alright, please leave now. We won't be getting involved. I don't know about this Sixverse Association, Three Monarchs Universe, or whatever. All I know is that the Fifth Mainland needs to be protected. I, Lu Yin, only care about the Fifth Mainland and the Heavens Sect," Lu Yin said as he dismissed the two men.
There was nothing more to discuss, so Bai Wangyuan and Progenitor Long left.
Arch-Elder Zen commented, "It seems that your assumptions are true. They never mentioned anything about bringing Xia Shenji back."
Lu Yin replied, "They’ll bring it up later. Right now, they just wanted to reassure me. Senior, Shenwu Continent is about to face a crisis, so I’ll have to trouble you to make a trip there."
Arch-Elder Zen stepped out to leave the Heavens Sect.
However, as soon as the man entered outer space, he found Bai Wangyuan and Progenitor Long were still waiting. "What else do you need to say? There's nothing further to discuss. Go back."
Bai Wangyuan stared at Arch-Elder Zen as he said, "Why do you follow a child like Lu Xiaoxuan? You've already repaid your debt to the Lu Family."
Arch-Elder Zen opened his mouth to answer, but before he could say anything, his expression froze. He looked towards Shenwu Continent. "This is bad!"
Bai Wangyuan immediately moved to block Arch-Elder Zen’s path. "There's no need for you to go anywhere. It's already too late."
Arch-Elder Zen's expression turned ugly. "You dare to attack Shenwu Continent?"
Bai Wangyuan stood in place and clasped his hands behind his back as he replied, "Since you refuse to assist the Three Monarchs Universe, then you need to allow Xia Shenji to return. We can then spare two people to support the Three Monarchs Universe."
Lu Yin suddenly appeared. "The older you get, the more shameless you become, Bai Wangyuan. Don't you already know that Xia Shenji was banished to the Three Monarchs Universe?"
Bai Wangyuan and Progenitor Long's faces turned pale. This question proved that Lu Yin already knew that Xia Shenji was in the Three Monarchs Universe. Their determination to open the passage on Shenwu Continent had revealed their motivations to Lu Yin. Since Lu Yin had already figured things out, then what was happening on Shenwu Continent?
At this moment, there were four individuals locked in a standoff above the Tower of Resonating Light on Shenwu Continent. They were Mu Xie, Progenitor Smoke, Wang Fan, and Specter Progenitor.
Wang Fan stared at Mu Xie and Progenitor Smoke in astonishment. "How did you two know that we would attack Shenwu Continent?"
Energy from his ?arīra twined around Mu Xie as he answered, "Leave. With us here, you can forget about accomplishing anything here."
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