Chapter 2004: Chapter 2002: Testing the Waters
When the power of an affiliated treasure is unleashed, it can almost match the strength of a Peak Sun Blaze expert!
And the power of an affiliated treasure can only be offset by another affiliated treasure.
Ma Bin’s words inadvertently made him recall the contest between Yuan Se and Shang Chengyue, where the former had summoned the fire gourd and the latter the Sword Qi of Tianxuan Sword. Such a level of confrontation was indeed not comparable to ordinary scenes.
"Are there a lot of affiliated treasures?" Lu Ye asked. From his perspective alone, he had come across several affiliated treasures, which indicated how many must exist in the stellar space.
Ma Bin thought for a moment and said, "The number of affiliated treasures is indeed not small, but most are used as stabilizing artifacts for domains and are not easily deployed. After all, these artifacts are generally tied to the stability of a domain or an entire Star System, and when not utilized externally, they possess the greatest deterrent power."
Lu Ye understood.
If it weren’t for the excessive actions of Animitta Palace’s people, Yuan Se probably wouldn’t have brought the fire gourd there. Initially, he thought that the fire gourd’s power could easily resolve the crisis, but Shang Chengyue had been prepared long before and had summoned the Sword Qi of Tianxuan Sword for protection.
Speaking of the Sword Qi of Tianxuan Sword, when Lu Ye saw it, he felt a sense of familiarity as if he had seen it somewhere before.
It was only now that he suddenly remembered something...
Back when he had just ascended to Constellation level and left the Nine Provinces for the first time to explore the stellar space, he encountered a strong opponent named Fong Rumo who was being chased by a sword light, fleeing in terror.
That person had asked Lu Ye for some food and drink, and later, under his guidance, Lu Ye encountered the Ghost Ship and met Hai Tang there.
The feeling Lu Ye had from the Sword Qi of Tianxuan Sword unleashed by Shang Chengyue was quite similar to that of the sword light pursuing Fong Rumo.
At that time, his strength was not sufficient to gauge the depth of Fong Rumo’s cultivation. Looking back now, Fong Rumo must have been on par with Ma Bin in terms of cultivation, yet such a strong opponent was being hunted by a sword light. Could that be the supreme treasure Tianxuan Sword?
But upon further reflection, it didn’t seem right; if it truly were a supreme treasure, Fong Rumo wouldn’t be able to withstand it.
Yet if that golden light were the Sword Qi of Tianxuan Sword, it seemed too powerful.
Lu Ye couldn’t figure it out, but he was sure that the Sword Qi pursuing Fong Rumo was related to the Tianxuan Sword.
The strong man he had briefly met back then, he wondered how he was now.
Lu Ye then inquired about the Saintess of Animitta Palace, but unfortunately, although Ma Bin knew about Animitta Palace, he didn’t know much, and hence didn’t have specific information on the Saintess.
Now that Yaya was on the run, Lu Ye didn’t know where to find her. But since she chose to unlock her power and memories, she should have a way to cope.
One day later, Three Worlds Island was bustling as the Island Masters of various Spirit Islands gathered on Three Worlds Island, and under Tang Jun’s lead, the exchange of materials officially began.
Each Spirit Island reported their losses, detailing precisely what was lost; this was all self-reported, and inevitably some would exaggerate or take advantage for profit. But Three Worlds Island had no means of verification, and Tang Jun was well aware of this and didn’t mind as long as it wasn’t too excessive, because this time’s gains were so substantial that the entire All Phenomena Merchants Guild and Zixuan Island’s resources were all taken by Three Worlds Island, effectively becoming fat overnight.
In a thankful and appreciative atmosphere, the handover proceeded smoothly, with the Island Masters of each Spirit Island generously offering words of praise, and Tang Jun responded with a smile.
Although grateful for Three Worlds Island’s return of the previously plundered resources, no Spirit Island expressed acknowledgement of Three Worlds Island’s governance over All Phenomena Ocean.
At this time, in Lu Ye’s pavilion, he was seated opposite Mang Dang.
Just a Shichen ago, Mang Dang had come uninvited. Despite Lu Ye’s recent ascension to Sun Blaze, their relationship was amicable without any estrangement, and Mang Dang’s visit at such a time was obviously not merely to pay a visit.
"The old man said that various powers are willing to allow the governance of All Phenomena Ocean by All Phenomena Galaxy mainly because All Phenomena Ocean is located within this Star System, and the native galaxy has a natural advantage, plus their overall strength is not bad, so for many years everyone has been willing to adhere to the rules here," Mang Dang said.
Such a treasure land as All Phenomena Ocean, if those top-tier powers truly wished to take over, could the native Star System stand up to them? The probability suggests not.
But if everyone wished to seize it, it would ultimately lead to chaos where no one gains any advantage. This mutual restriction ensures no one rises above the rest.
The native galaxy occupies a geographical advantage, and their overall strength is quite good, making their governance naturally reasonable.
The old man he referred to was an old Peak Sun Blaze from Five Colors Territory. After the incident at All Phenomena Ocean, he was one of the first to arrive.
However, like the Sun Blaze experts from other Star Systems, this strong figure from Five Colors Territory didn’t enter All Phenomena Ocean but stayed on the outskirts.
"Now, if Three Worlds Island wants to take All Phenomena Ocean, they must show strength sufficient to make others abandon their coveting!" Mang Dang said. This statement was clearly not his own but relayed from the Five Colors Territory Sun Blaze expert’s perspective.
It’s undoubtedly a form of guidance, given the relationship between Three Worlds Island and Five Colors Island.
"Wasn’t the previous battle enough?" Lu Ye asked, having first driven back Animitta Palace and then defeated the Sun Blaze of the All Phenomena Galaxy. In that battle, no less than seven Sun Blaze perished. With such deterrent power, it still wasn’t enough?
Mang Dang replied helplessly, "That battle didn’t happen right under their noses. To them, everything is just hearsay. To be honest, the current foundation of Three Worlds Island is indeed somewhat thin."
The number of Sun Blaze that Three Worlds Island currently shows to the outside world is only four, and whether it’s Lu Ye, Luan Xiao’e, or Yann Miao, they all had just advanced to Sun Blaze not long ago.
Ma Bin, on the other hand, has been renowned for a long time, but his severe injury is no secret, and at this stage, it’s difficult to have enough deterrent power.
Indeed, the fame of the golden light-type treasure has already spread. Everyone knows that Three Worlds Island has a strange golden light-type treasure capable of imprisoning Sun Blaze, but to those top domains, who doesn’t have an affiliated treasure?
And without an affiliated treasure, Three Worlds Island is nothing in the eyes of the top powers. A heavily injured Ma Bin cannot support the beam.
Lu Ye understood: "So they want to see the foundation of my Three Worlds Island with their own eyes?"
Mang Dang nodded: "That’s roughly what it means."
If Three Worlds Island can show a strong enough foundation, then controlling the All Phenomena Ocean will naturally not be difficult. But if not... then changes will inevitably happen.
"How do they want to see it?" Lu Ye asked.
"I don’t know either." Mang Dang shrugged, "But the old man said it should become clear soon."
As the two were speaking, Lu Ye suddenly turned his head to look in a direction, showing a clear expression: "So that’s how it is!"
He sensed the aura of a Sun Blaze intruding into the All Phenomena Ocean. But judging from the other party’s itinerary, they weren’t heading to Three Worlds Island, but to another place!
This was blatant provocation.
At the same time, Mang Dang also obviously received a message, quickly checking the audio talisman, then looked up at Lu Ye and said, "Shern Yun of Winged Heaven Planet, with Peak Sun Blaze cultivation, carries the Heavenly Net Umbrella, impervious to a myriad of techniques! The old man said that he once swore brotherhood with Guk Xi of the Celestial Flames World in their youth. He comes with bad intentions!"
Lu Ye immediately became interested: "Heavenly Net Umbrella?"
Winged Heaven Planet is also a top domain. Shern Yun comes from Winged Heaven Planet and has Peak Sun Blaze cultivation. With an affiliated treasure like the Heavenly Net Umbrella, it’s safe to say that with this treasure, there is no place in the vast stellar space where he cannot go.
Moreover, the name Heavenly Net Umbrella sounds like it’s meant for defense, no wonder he’s bold enough to intrude into the All Phenomena Ocean. Clearly, he has something to rely on.
He once swore brotherhood with the deceased Guk Xi in their youth... Guk Xi’s death at Lu Ye’s hands is not a secret. Although no one saw the process, with Lu Ye being able to kill two Sun Blaze of Animitta Palace, what does it matter if he killed Guk Xi?
It wasn’t just Guk Xi; the deaths of Yuan Du and Chen Xuanba were also related to him. Many Sun Blaze are well aware of this matter.
"I’m going out for a bit." Lu Ye stood up.
"Be careful!" Mang Dang couldn’t help but be a bit worried. Although Lu Ye’s performance in the previous battle was remarkable, it relied more on the power of the affiliated treasure. Now that Shern Yun is well-prepared, if Lu Ye’s affiliated treasure doesn’t play a role, he surely wouldn’t stand a chance against Shern Yun with his newly advanced Sun Blaze cultivation.
And once Lu Ye is defeated, the notion of Three Worlds Island controlling the All Phenomena Ocean would be a joke.
Lu Ye nodded, left the pavilion, and soared into the sky, not hiding his Sun Blaze aura at all.
At that moment, around the periphery of the All Phenomena Ocean, pairs of eyes focused in, and strands of Mental Consciousness darted back and forth. It was apparent to all that the moment to decide the future ownership of the All Phenomena Ocean had arrived.
Shern Yun was an old man with a sinister expression. Being at Peak Sun Blaze, yet looking so aged, it was clearly due to his old age. He gained fame many years ago, and early on, a stroke of fortune granted him the Heavenly Net Umbrella. Since then, there was no one in the world who could threaten him.
Upon hearing the news about the changes in the All Phenomena Ocean, he immediately realized that this was an excellent opportunity for Winged Heaven Planet to control the All Phenomena Ocean. As for that Three Worlds Island, he didn’t really consider them at all.
There are indeed differences in the quality of affiliated treasures. He has encountered the powers of other affiliated treasures, but in this world, he has yet to encounter one capable of breaking the defense of the Heavenly Net Umbrella.
He could feel a number of Sun Blaze lingering around the periphery of the All Phenomena Ocean, observing, but this didn’t affect him.
The current ownerless state of the All Phenomena Ocean meant the first mover would emerge strong. Those people prided themselves on being cautious and wise, but in reality, they were missing an excellent opportunity, truly laughable.
As he swept towards the direction of Winged Heaven Island, he suddenly sensed an eerie Mental Consciousness falling upon him remotely.
"Hmph!" Shern Yun snorted coldly, turning his head towards the source of the Mental Consciousness, vaguely seeing a figure swiftly approaching his direction, which he found very displeasing, as such blatant probing with Mental Consciousness was a provocation to him.
Three Worlds Island’s Lu Ye? Shern Yun almost instantly deduced the identity of the other party, since at this moment, only someone from Three Worlds Island would come to find him.
