Chapter 2572: Appearance
Wang Fan looked over at Progenitor Smoke. "Xi Wei, you have always stayed out of our feud with Lu Xiaoxuan."
Progenitor Smoke’s brow furrowed. "Your feud doesn't concern me, but this passageway that connects us to a parallel universe must remain sealed."
Wang Fan’s voice betrayed his irritation as he replied, "This matter doesn't concern you."
Progenitor Smoke lifted her head and declared, "Then I will stay right here. If you're capable of it, then break through."
"I'm trying to bring Xia Shenji back. Isn't that what you want?" Wang Fan challenged.
Shaking her head, Progenitor Smoke replied, "Let's not try to muddy the waters. This passage connects to the Three Monarchs Universe, which is part of the Sixverse Association, isn't it?"
Wang Fan's eyes narrowed, though he chose to remain silent.
"I won't allow our universe to be connected to any part of the Sixverse Association. If Xia Shenji wishes to return, then he'll need to find a way that doesn't involve this path. I've seen Sage Yuan's nature for myself. The Sixverse Association has no good intentions towards us. Now that we've reached a state of peace, I wish to avoid getting involved with them in any way," Progenitor Smoke said.
While this conversation was taking place, Bai Wangyuan was focused entirely on Lu Yin. "Were you aware that you exiled Xia Shenji to the Three Monarchs Universe?"
Lu Yin showed a smile as he responded, "The instability of the passageway beneath the Tower of Resonating Light in Shenwu Continent was made known to me by someone from the Three Monarchs Universe. It’s understandable that you wish to retrieve Xia Shenji, but you cannot be allowed to establish a link to the Three Monarchs Universe, which is a member of the Sixverse Association. As far as I’m concerned, they present the same kind of threat to us that the Sixth Mainland did decades ago.
"I'm intrigued. How did you discover that Xia Shenji was sent to the Three Monarchs Universe?"
Bai Wangyuan refrained from offering any explanations. Their attempt had already failed. Lu Yin had anticipated their actions. While Xia Shenji was able to send messages from the Three Monarchs Universe, he was unable to return. It would be impossible to form an alliance with the Three Monarchs Universe to strike at the Heavens Sect.
It was at this moment that Bai Wangyuan started to suspect that Lu Yin might have had a hand in Monarch Mu's disappearance.
Ultimately, Bai Wangyuan and the others from the Perennial World withdrew. With Sage Yuan's authority, the Three Monarchs Universe had forced the four ruling powers to send two people to help hold off Aeternus. Xia Shenji counted as one, which meant that the four ruling powers needed to select another.
Regardless of whom the four ruling powers sent, Lu Yin did not care. He also received a succinct message from Sage Yuan. "The Heavens Sect's downfall is imminent."
The unambiguous threat fully encapsulated the domineering nature of the Cyclic Universe.
When a messenger from the four ruling powers arrived, Lu Yin told the man to pass a message back to Sage Yuan. "The debt of blood will be repaid with blood."
This message was not only intended only for Sage Yuan, but also for the Cyclic Universe’s Great Sovereign, who had helped the four ruling powers banish the Lu family.
The Sixverse Association was already aware of Lu Yin’s existence, as well as his quest for revenge for the Lu family’s exile. Lu Yin thus saw no reason to mask his feelings. He did not anticipate any mercy from the Great Sovereign, as he had never expected forgiveness from any of his adversaries.
The more pressure that fell upon the Sixverse Association, the safer Lu Yin would be. For that reason alone, he needed to avoid restarting the war between the Fifth Mainland and Aeternus.
Deep beneath Aeternus Nation, Monarch Mu’s body was being slowly eroded by the vast ocean of death energy. It was becoming increasingly difficult for the woman to endure with her monarch essence, and her strength was steadily seeping away.
Lu Yin arrived, and asked, "What’s it feel like, being enveloped by death energy?"
Monarch Mu had a badly disheveled appearance, and her face was haggard as she stared at Lu Yin. "Is this the God of Death’s power?"
"That’s right. I understand that your Three Monarchs Universe has legends about the God of Death," Lu Yin replied.
Monarch Mu said bitterly, "Those are legends from the Three Monarchs Universe. I am not of that universe."
"I know. I just wanted you to feel the strength of a true powerhouse from the Origin Universe that you covet so badly. The God of Death was one of the Origin Universe’s Three Realms Six Dao. Did you ever even consider the possibility of encountering such a power when you were divvying up the Origin Universe with Xia Shenji?" Lu Yin asked.
Monarch Mu shut her eyes. "I accept being defeated by the power of the God of Death. Lu Yin, as Dao Monarch, what are your terms for releasing me?"
Lu Yin shook his head. "I can’t let you go for now."
Monarch Mu stared at the young man before her. "Xia Shenji agreed to cooperate with us to deal with you and to eliminate any threat posed by the Lu family. However, you’ve captured me, which means that the Three Monarchs Formation is no longer available. This will only benefit Aeternus.”
"Is this your goal? With Xia Shenji trapped in the Three Monarchs Universe, it is necessary for them to receive outside strength in order to continue blocking Aeternus’s forces. For that reason, Xia Shenji will be unable to return to the Origin Universe. In fact, he might even force the Origin Universe’s four ruling powers to send additional help."
Lu Yin admired the woman’s deductions. "Smart thinking."
He would never dismiss anyone, as he believed that there were no true fools, just varying levels of comprehension.
Monarch Mu had managed to grasp Lu Yin's motives almost instantly. If Xuan Qi was ever exposed as Lu Yin, Monarch Luo would instantly realize who was behind Monarch Mu’s disappearance.
The woman continued to stare at Lu Yin and stated, "We will work with you to fight against the four ruling powers."
Lu Yin just chuckled. "I just complimented your intelligence, and yet you follow that up with such a naive proposal? Do you really think that I'd fall for such a thing?"
"Why do you not believe me? Working with you is safer than cooperating with the four ruling powers. According to my understanding, even if you are counted as one, the Origin Universe’s Heavens Sect currently only has two Progenitor-level powerhouses. On the other hand, the four ruling powers possess far more such experts," Monarch Mu reasoned.
Lu Yin smirked. "To begin with, my Heavens Sect certainly has more than just two Progenitor-level experts. Apparently, Xia Shenji has deceived all of you."
Monarch Mu's countenance hardened at this revelation, and a cold wariness appeared in her eyes.
"Secondly, I have no interest in working with you. The three Monarchs stand united, and your combined strength is enough to fend off Forgotten Ruins God. You are only useful to me when you are not part of the Three Monarchs Universe. Aside from that, you hold no value.”
"Finally, even if you are truly open to an alliance, how do you plan to justify such a decision to the Cyclic Universe?"
Monarch Mu’s expression shifted, and she responded, "The members of the Sixverse Association each operate independently."
"Is that so? Then maybe I should add something." Lu Yin stared into Monarch Mu's puzzled eyes and slowly stated, "I am Xuan Qi."
Monarch Mu was caught off guard for a moment, but then her expression changed rather drastically. "Xuan Qi? The young genius, Xuan Qi?"
Amused by her reaction, Lu Yin nodded. "That’s right, I am the genius Xuan Qi. I've already managed to gather a decent amount of information regarding your Sixverse Association. So, is there anything else that you'd like to share?"
Monarch Mu grew pale. She was completely stunned by this revelation. She simply could not believe that Lu Yin, Dao Monarch of the Origin Universe’s Heavens Sect, was also Xuan Qi. Wasn't he brought in from the Transcendent Universe? Wait a moment, they never revealed where Xuan Qi came from. Is it possible...?
"So, you deceived the Transcendent Universe." Monarch Mu already understood that Lu Yin had acted deliberately from the very beginning. He had assumed the alias of Xuan Qi and then been taken to the Transcendent Universe. After that, he had used that identity as a starting point to further immerse himself into the Sixverse Association. The irony of this was not lost on the woman, as the entire Sixverse Association was under the impression that Lu Yin was completely ignorant of their universes.
What she found even more hilarious was the ongoing struggle between the Cyclic Universe and the Voidforce Universe for who would take Xuan Qi in. Monarch Mu found herself wondering what sort of reactions the two universes would have once they discovered Xuan Qi’s true identity.
Lu Yin left Aeternus Nation a short while later. Monarch Mu had only recently been captured, and she was thus focused on trying to find a way to deal with the Heavens Sect and escape. She had not yet accepted that she had fallen from being a powerful Progenitor-level expert to a mere captive. Lu Yin was confident that the next time he spoke with the woman, he would be able to extract the answers he sought from her.
The fact that both Shao Qingfeng and He Shu had already successfully returned to the Sixverse Academy was Lu Yin’s cue to return as well.
Before leaving the Origin Universe again, Luo Lao'er requested to speak with Lu Yin.
Luo Lao'er had found himself in a place where he had no path back to the Sixverse Association. He could no longer meet with anyone even associated with the Sixverse Association.
"The Fifth Mainland is home to myriad sects, and they can be found throughout the Outerverse, Innerverse, Cosmic Sea, and the Neoverse. You're free to join any sect you choose, or even just become a pirate," Lu Yin suggested.
Luo Lao'er replied, "Brother-in-law, I want to accompany you."
"I currently go by the name of Xuan Qi," Lu Yin clarified.
Luo Lao'er found himself with nothing to say. He yearned to give voice to his thoughts, but words seemed to elude him.
"What's on your mind?" Lu Yin asked, his brow furrowing.
Luo Lao'er felt a bit intimidated. He was standing in front of a man who had left Monarch Mu severely wounded. This was not the Xuan Qi whom Luo Lao’er was familiar with. "Brother-in-law, is it possible for me to seek out a formidable master?"
"That's something that you'll have to figure out on your own. I can't force anyone to accept you as their disciple. Besides, the Fifth Mainland is home to only a single peak powerhouse, which is Arch-Elder Zen. He is a senior who truly deserves respect," Lu Yin replied.
Luo Lao'er wanted to say more, but before he could speak another word, Lu Yin patted his shoulder and tried to reassure him. "The time will come when you'll be able to return to the Three Monarchs Universe and reunite with Monarch Luo. On that day, I believe that you’ll be the most worthy successor of monarch essence. That energy isn't bad at all."
With that, Lu Yin departed.
Luo Lao'er's expression betrayed his mixed emotions. It was true that monarch essence was an impressive power, but what did that matter? Monarch Mu had still been captured. The young man longed for the day when he would become a peak powerhouse and avenge his mother.
Luo Lao’er wanted to meet with Monarch Mu, but Lu Yin did not give him that opportunity. For the time being, there was no need for the two to meet. Monarch Mu no longer cared about Luo Lao’er.
...
In the Three Monarchs Universe, Lu Yin appeared on a planet in the Lower King Domain, close to the ruins of the Fenglei clan.
It was time for Xuan Qi to make a return appearance.
Taking on the image of Xuan Qi, Lu Yin made his way towards the Fenglei clan’s ruins in a spacecraft.
It took him several days to arrive at his destination, and he inspected the wreckage. Looking puzzled, he asked the locals, "Is this where the Fenglei clan lived?"
The people he questioned were taken aback, and they quickly distanced themselves from the young stranger.
No matter who Lu Yin asked, no one had the courage to give him an answer.
Soon, a middle-aged man appeared to confront him. "Young man, what brings you to the Fenglei clan?"
Bowing, Lu Yin explained, "I am a friend of Luo Qian, who is a member of the Fenglei clan. I am seeking assistance."
The man was taken aback. He was aware that Luo Qian was Luo Lao'er’s real name. "You are acquainted with Luo Qian?"
"That’s right."
"May I know your name?"
Lu Yin had already identified the middle-aged man, as he was one of the two Demi-Monarchs from the Mo Courtyard who had participated in the attack on the Fenglei clan. The man had been closely monitoring the area.
In a deliberately respectful manner, Lu Yin stated, "This junior is Xuan Qi."
An hour later, Lu Yin found himself in a courtyard, where the Demi-Monarch had brought him.
"Senior, may I know why you brought this junior here?" Lu Yin asked.
"I am Cang Bi," replied the middle-aged man.
"Greetings, Senior Cang," Lu Yin acknowledged.
"There’s someone who wishes to see you, which is why I brought you here. You'll need to be a bit patient," Cang Bi explained.
"Is it someone from the Fenglei clan?"
After a moment of silence, Cang Bi replied, "That might be it. For now, just enjoy the peace here while you wait."
"Very well," Lu Yin answered with a bow. He watched as Cang Bi faded into the distance.
Was it possible that Monarch Luo wanted to meet with Xuan Qi? Unfortunately for the Monarch, this was not the right timing. Lu Yin had chosen to reveal his presence at this moment because he had sensed Forgotten Ruins God's presence in the Three Monarchs Universe. Another massive battle was about to occur at the border of the human territory of the universe, and Monarch Luo would most likely be busy for some time. Furthermore, Lu Yin expected Xu Xiangyin to soon receive word that Xuan Qi had appeared, and he hoped that Xu Xiangyin would take Xuan Qi away from the Three Monarchs Universe before Monarch Luo returned. Lu Yin was not certain that he could conceal his identity before the Monarch.
Tens of thousands of individuals, all seemingly prisoners, had been gathered outside of the courtyard. All of them were people who had connections to the Fenglei clan. Compared to the rest of the people, Xuan Qi had been given quite special treatment, clearly due to his unique status.
For the time being, Lu Yin could do nothing but wait patiently.
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