Chapter 2059: Chapter 2057: Horizon Pavilion
Lu Ye brought Ma Shangsi and Yoo Meng to the Horizon Pavilion, just as another Blood Race Sun Blaze arrived from the side.
Blood Race members typically have slender figures, but this arriving Blood Race Sun Blaze was broad-shouldered and thick-waisted, resembling a beast walking upright.
He was followed by two attendants, with Moon Jade’s cultivation, though it was unclear if they were his Blood Servants.
Lu Ye’s gaze met his, instantly recognizing the disdain in each other’s eyes. The next moment, the two figures stood at the entrance of the Horizon Pavilion, staring at each other, their auras turbulent, clashing intensely.
Ling Ze was the third-ranked strongman of the Blood Jade World, while the broad-shouldered and thick-waisted figure in front of him was ranked fourth, known as Fong Wudi.
Originally, he didn’t have this name, but after traveling once, he returned and changed it. Blood Race names aren’t related to family inheritance, nor do they follow any pattern. One can call themselves whatever they wish.
The crucial thing is, Ling Ze and Fong Wudi don’t quite get along. Their domains are adjacent, and the Blood Race under them often have conflicts. Moreover, Fong Wudi always felt his strength surpassed Ling Ze’s and dislikes Ling Ze holding the third rank.
The two Blood Race Saintly Venerables have had grudges for many years. Upon suddenly encountering each other now, naturally, they are at loggerheads.
Lu Ye’s foundation is strong; otherwise, this collision would have exposed him. But even so, he can’t hold out for long. He is ultimately only in the Sun Blaze Early Stage, and masquerading as having Sun Blaze Late Stage power is too draining, potentially unsustainable at any moment.
Yet at this critical juncture, he cannot afford to retreat; doing so wouldn’t be fitting for Ling Ze.
His expression remained unchanged, though inwardly he grew anxious. In such an aura clash, he could maintain it for thirty breaths at most, any longer and he’d surely expose himself.
He quietly decided that if push came to shove, he’d have to let Ma Shangsi step in to assist.
Fortunately, shortly after, a commanding voice rang out: "Enough!"
The next moment, a much stronger aura than his and Fong Wudi’s suddenly descended, forcibly separating the two entangled energies.
Lu Ye and Fong Wudi each retreated a few steps, then upon looking again, an elderly Blood Race member came into view.
Both Lu Ye and Fong Wudi respectfully bowed: "Greetings, Saintly Venerable Jiuw Tian."
Throughout the Blood Jade World, Jiuw Tian has lived the longest, his standing the highest. Above all, his strength is unrivaled, having reached Peak Sun Blaze many ages ago, and his saintliness exceeds that of Ling Ze and Fong Wudi.
The entire Blood Jade World regards him as supreme!
"Today’s deliberation is of great importance. With the Insect Race envoy present, refrain from causing trouble!" Jiuw Tian reprimanded them. He knew about Ling Ze and Fong Wudi’s grievances, tried to resolve them before to no avail, so he paid them no mind anymore.
"Yes." Both Lu Ye and Fong Wudi immediately responded.
Jiuw Tian cast another glance at them before stepping into the Horizon Pavilion. As soon as he entered, another Blood Race Sun Blaze arrived, ignoring the two, and went straight in.
Neither Lu Ye nor Fong Wudi displayed any displeasure, for it was the Blood Jade World’s second strongest, also a Peak Sun Blaze, Zhuang Huaiyue. She was the most solitary among the Blood Race elites, so much so that she didn’t have her own domain, meditating quietly on a spirit mountaintop. Even other Blood Race Sun Blaze rarely saw her, typically only appearing in deliberations.
Once Zhuang Huaiyue was inside, Lu Ye and Fong Wudi concurrently stepped forward, rushing into the Horizon Pavilion without one gaining advantage.
On the second floor of the Horizon Pavilion, at a long elliptical table, when Lu Ye led his two Blood Servants inside, he observed three figures already seated.
Two were the Peak Sun Blaze Blood Race, and the remaining had noticeable Insect Race characteristics, a thick carapace on their body surface, a long torso sprouting six limbs, with unknown Insect Race origins.
From Ling Ze’s memories, Lu Ye didn’t glean much about this Insect Race envoy; they’d only interacted with Jiuw Tian upon arriving in the Blood Jade World, unseen by other Blood Race Sun Blaze.
Presently, this Insect Race envoy sat at the uppermost position, Jiuw Tian and Zhuang Huaiyue at his sides.
Lu Ye scanned around, then settled in the position below Jiuw Tian, while Fong Wudi sat directly across from him, staring fiercely at Lu Ye, as if ready to devour him.
Lu Ye returned the glance without hesitation!
Jiuw Tian suddenly looked behind Lu Ye and smiled, "Ling Ze, is this your newly acquired Blood Servant?"
Lu Ye promptly withdrew his gaze, responding in Ling Ze’s manner, "Yes, he’s called Ma Shangsi, a native who grew up in my domain. He ventured out and gained some fortune, advancing to Sun Blaze."
Ma Shangsi quickly bowed, "Greetings, Saintly Venerables."
Opposite, Fong Wudi chuckled, "Your domain’s native? Aren’t your domain’s natives all your descendants? You better conduct a bloodline survey; could be this Blood Servant is your son or grandson. You should treat him well in the future."
Lu Ye slammed the table, furiously shouting, "What’s that supposed to mean?"
Fong Wudi sneered through his nose, "What’s wrong? Dare to act but not admit? Everyone knows what you’re like, Ling Ze Saintly Venerable." Then he turned to Yoo Meng beside Ma Shangsi, "Is this your daughter? Tsk, tsk, she carries a strong scent of you; even from here, I can smell it!"
"I’ll tear you apart!" Lu Ye appeared furious, killing intent evident as he rose.
"That’s enough!" Jiuw Tian snapped, looking coldly at Fong Wudi, "Restrain your tongue!"
Although some matters are well-known to everyone, bringing them up is not ideal, especially since more than just Ling Ze as a Saintly Venerable has issues in this area.
"You sit down as well!" Jiuw Tian glanced at Lu Ye again.
Lu Ye grumbled, "Saintly Venerable Jiuw Tian, it’s him..."
"Sit down!" Jiuw Tian’s expression turned cold.
Lu Ye sat down reluctantly, finally taking his seat slowly.
Jiuw Tian shook his head in resignation, initially wanting to inquire about Ma Shangsi, but suddenly lost interest, turning his gaze to the Insect Race emissary: "Forgive us for the scene."
The Insect Race emissary waved his hand: "No worries, the cosmic changes are about to occur, presenting an opportunity for both our races. The Insect Race hopes the Blood Race here can be somewhat united."
"I will do my best," Jiuw Tian nodded.
Over there, Fong Wudi curiously asked, "How should we address the emissary?"
The Insect Race emissary replied, "I am Shilong!"
Fong Wudi said, "Fellow Daoist Shilong, I am straightforward, so I’ll ask directly; what exactly do these cosmic changes mean?"
Lu Ye immediately perked up his ears, eager to know and couldn’t help giving Fong Wudi a mental note of approval.
Shilong slowly shook his head.
Jiuw Tian spoke up: "Once everyone is here, Fellow Daoist Shilong will explain in detail, don’t be anxious."
Fong Wudi, having no choice, could only wait.
Blood Race Saintly Venerables continued to arrive, and after one incense stick’s time, those able to attend had arrived. Besides Shilong, there were eight Blood Race Saintly Venerables present, as well as one Blood Servant, Ma Shangsi. Others, like Moon Jade, were there to listen alongside the Saintly Venerables; those able to stand here were highly valued by the Saintly Venerables.
The entire pavilion held less than thirty people.
Jiuw Tian glanced at Shilong, nodding slightly: "Everyone is here."
Shilong then stood up, surveying the room: "By now, all of you should have heard some whispers about the cosmic changes. Earlier, Fellow Daoist Fong Wudi asked what these changes meant, a question I’m sure many of you have."
Numerous Saintly Venerables listened intently.
"The cosmic changes... are a turning point, a once-in-a-lifetime chance! You need to know one thing: when this opportunity arises, our Insect and Blood Races might break free from years of suppression by others. Not only that, but we might rise above all races, becoming the rulers of the stellar space!"
In just a few words, the Blood Race Saintly Venerables were all taken aback, even the most composed Zhuang Huaiyue couldn’t help but glance at Shilong, puzzled by his confidence.
Shilong’s face showed a look of indignation: "Since ancient times, our Insect and Blood Races have lived with our tails between our legs in this stellar space, viewed as disasters by other races, facing hostility. Had it not been for our considerable strength, we would have been eradicated long ago. After years of humiliation and endurance, our foes’ days are numbered, and under these cosmic changes, we will become the masters of the stellar space!"
He was filled with enthusiasm, as if he already saw that day coming.
Conversely, the Blood Race Saintly Venerables showed little reaction; mainly, Shilong’s words seemed too distant—the Insect and Blood Races have been surviving like this for years. Suddenly, someone claims their days are over; not only that, they could become rulers of the stellar space.
No one could easily accept this.
Fong Wudi couldn’t help but ask, "Fellow Daoist Shilong, it’s hard for us to believe what you say, and you haven’t explained what these cosmic changes entail."
Shilong smiled slightly: "Haven’t any of you noticed strange changes in the stellar space over the years?"
Fong Wudi was startled and then seemed to recall something: "You mean the increased activity of stellar space energy?"
"That’s just one aspect!" Shilong nodded, "If you have investigated some stellar space marvels, you should be able to see that many of their internal rules have subtly changed."
Upon hearing this, the Saintly Venerables felt a stirring.
If it were just stellar space energy becoming more active, it wouldn’t be significant, but if the rules inside stellar space marvels have changed, that’s no small matter.
Stellar space marvels were birthed with the stellar space; their internal rules rarely change. Once they do, it’s not trivial.
If the changes occur in more than one stellar space marvel, it’s even greater.
Lu Ye couldn’t help but fall into deep thought; the changes in All Phenomena Ocean undoubtedly proved Shilong’s words true, and the Insect Path connecting Nine Provinces and All Phenomena...
Earlier, he thought it was merely good luck that the Insect Path connected when danger approached Nine Provinces, but what if it was the result of certain changes in the stellar space?
