Lu Yin gave the girl a wry smile, as people had started referring to him as Arbiter Lu ever since he had defeated Nightking Zhenwu and taken Nightking Zhenwu’s place as one of the Ten Arbiters.
“Please, have a seat,” Lu Yin courteously offered.
Ya’er sat down across from Lu Yin and placed her guqin on the stone table. “I never expected that Arbiter Lu would visit our Azure Mansion. Your presence brings glory to our humble western region Azure Mansion.”
“I’m only accompanying someone,” Lu Yin said.
Ya’er smiled. “It would seem that Arbiter Lu’s friend is a distinguished guest.”
Lu Yin smiled, but he did not say much. He knew that Azure Mansion offered entertainment rather than selling their bodies. Visiting them was more like going on a blind date with a bunch of women. Highsage Shenwei actually had not come to this place for the reasons that Lu Yin assumed, but he also had not come for a so-called distinguished guest.
“Is there anything weighing on Arbiter Lu’s mind? Ya’er is willing to play a song for Arbiter Lu.”
Lu Yin looked at her. “Do I have to pay?”
Ya’er tried to stifle her laughter but failed. Her smile was dazzling. “Arbiter Lu really knows how to joke around.”
The Ghost Monkey was speechless. “Seventh Bro isn’t actually joking though.”
Ya’er raised her hand and plucked the guqin. “A melody of the cool breeze, as a gift for Arbiter Lu.”
As the guqin played, melodious music drifted out. This was the same song that Lu Yin had heard earlier, and it left him with a calm and peaceful feeling. In the distance, someone else was lured over by the music and approached, only to be surprised to see Ya’er. “It’s actually the western region’s Lotus! Who exactly is that man? Not only did the madam personally escort him in, but the western region’s Lotus, Ya’er, is also personally entertaining him.”
“He must be a disciple from one of the great powers. The contest at the Astral Tower is about to begin, and a few absolute geniuses who have been in hiding are beginning to show themselves. I even heard that someone will join Eversky Island as a nominal disciple to participate in the contest at the Astral Tower. Could he be from Eversky Island?”
“It’s very possible. This place isn’t that far away from Eversky Island.”
…
When Lu Yin heard this conversation, he was left somewhat speechless, as this person had guessed his identity too easily. Apparently, the Neoverse was not that big.
When the song ended, Lu Yin clapped. “Bravo.”
Ya’er smiled gently. “Thank you, Arbiter Lu, for the compliment. Truthfully, Ya’er should thank Arbiter Lu.”
Lu Yin felt confused.
Ya’er smiled. “Ya’er also just returned to the western region’s Azure Mansion, as before that, I was on Nightking Planet.”
Lu Yin frowned. “When was that?”
“When Arbiter Lu fought against Arbiter Zhenwu,” Ya’er replied.
Lu Yin nodded. It was no wonder why this girl had recognized him, as she had been on Nightking Planet at the same time as him.
“Arbiter Lu’s strength is astounding. Even in the Neoverse, there are not many who are a match for Arbiter Lu. Are you going to represent Eversky Island for this contest at the Astral Tower?” Ya’er asked.
Lu Yin nodded, as there was no reason to hide such a thing.
Ya’er marveled. “The Innerverse and Outerverse both thought that Arbiter Lu was destined to miss the contest at the Astral Tower. However, which one of them knows that Arbiter Lu has already arrived in the Neoverse? Ya’er will congratulate Arbiter Lu in advance for becoming one of the Cosmic Five.”
Lu Yin shook his hand, embarrassed by her words. “You’re that confident in me?”
Ya’er smiled. “Naturally. Anyone who saw that battle would be confident in Arbiter Lu.”
When she said this, Lu Yin suddenly thought back and realized that he had revealed all of his strength and trump cards during his battle against Nightking Zhenwu, which was definitely not good. Lu Yin had even used the Ce Secret Art, though he did not know if anyone could recognize it for what it truly was. If his battle had been transmitted and displayed into the Neoverse, then his opponents from the Neoverse would definitely be prepared for him, which was not acceptable. Fortunately, the Neoverse did not seem to care very much about the Innerverse or the Outerverse.
Lu Yin muttered to himself, deep in thought.
Ya’er suddenly asked, “Does Arbiter Lu fancy Ya’er?”
Lu Yin casually agreed. “Of course, you’re quite pretty.”
“Then should Ya’er marry Arbiter Lu?” Ya’er said bashfully.
Lu Yin was about to nod when he suddenly came to his senses. “What did you say? Say that again.”
Ya’er suddenly turned shy. “Shall Ya’er marry Arbiter Lu?”
Lu Yin was stumped. “Why? That couldn’t be good for you.”
“Seventh Bro, you already have a wife.” The Ghost Monkey was laughing.
Lu Yin instantly screened the monkey off.
Ya’er looked sad, and she quietly said, “Does Arbiter Lu not fancy Ya’er? That must be it—Ya’er is only a Lotus, and there’s still others above Ya’er, not to mention the supreme queen of flowers. Ya’er truly isn’t compatible with Arbiter Lu.”
Lu Yin pursed his lips. “I didn’t even know about any of that, but why did you suddenly say that you want to marry me?”
Ya’er’s eyes lit up, and she looked back at Lu Yin. “Arbiter Lu should have some understanding of Azure Mansion: the women in this place offer entertainment, but not intimacy. Our ultimate ending is to die in Azure Mansion of old age or to marry out. Ya’er is not yet at Flower Queen Ming Yu’s level, but nevertheless, I am still Lotus. Thus, it’s extremely difficult for me to be married off. If Arbiter Lu wishes to marry Ya’er, then Azure Mansion will definitely not reject such an offer. And Ya’er… Ya’er already worships Arbiter Lu.”
Lu Yin was stumped and was unable to reply.
Ya’er expression dimmed, and she stood up to bow to Lu Yin. “Ya’er was too rude and has disturbed Arbiter Lu. Please, don’t be inconvenienced.”
As he watched Ya’er leave, Lu Yin did not know what to think. Out of nowhere, such a beautiful woman had asked to marry him, and it was impossible for him to not be moved. However, he also thought of Ming Yan. When this contest at the Astral Tower ended, he would take Ming Yan to the Great Yu Empire, as it was time for him to make things up to her.
With his current position, he was able to protect her.
Over the course of an entire day, nobody disturbed Lu Yin.
Lu Yin waited, rather anxious, as he was concerned about wasting time. After all, he still had to be accepted by Eversky Island and then go to the meeting place for the contest. His time was tight.
Finally, after two days passed, Lu Yin saw Highsage Shenwei again.
Highsage Shenwei did not say much to Lu Yin. He simply led the youth straight to the spacecraft, turned it on, and directed it to the south.
“I heard that Lotus Ya’er wanted to marry you?” Highsage Shenwei was leisurely lounging in the hot tub.
Lu Yin replied, “She was probably just testing me.”
Highsage Shenwei let out a very comfortable breath. “She wasn’t testing you. The women in Azure Mansion form connections with others through marriage, and they even have people within the Seven Courts. With your status, position, and ability, marrying a Lotus would be a cheap price for them to pay.”
Lu Yin was amazed. “They bind themselves to other powers through marriage? Azure Mansion’s influence must be unbelievable.”
“That’s for sure,” Highsage Shenwei said.
“Who’s the boss?” Lu Yin asked.
Highsage Shenwei did not reply.
With the eonlight-grade Aurora’s speed, it only took them a single moment to cover an astronomical distance.
Before much more time passed, Lu Yin looked into the distance at where the sky had grown bright.
Outer space was always dark, but off in the distance, there was an entire region that looked boundless and clear white.
“We’re at Eversky Island,” Highsage Shenwei said lazily as he got out of his hot tub.
Lu Yin stared off into the distance; that was Eversky Island?
The soil normally scattered throughout space converged towards Eversky Island from all directions, looking like chains.
Eversky Island was actually a real island as large as a continent, but it floated in outer space. The surrounding area had even changed its structure, eliminating the darkness.
Lu Yin could not help but transform his pupils to take a better look at this place. However, when he did so, he was shocked at what he saw: there were no runes to be seen! Not a single one could be seen anywhere.
The vast white expanse surrounding Eversky Island was clearly artificial, but there were no runes to be seen. Just how had this been done?
The vessel shot towards Eversky Island, and soon, Lu Yin had entered the white expanse.
The moment he entered Eversky Island’s territory, his surroundings changed, and it was as though he had entered a separate plane. A space that was filled with peace.
Highsage Shenwei’s vessel casually landed on the ground, and he grabbed hold of Lu Yin before flying off. “Kid, you’ll have to remember these rules: do not casually tear through the void in the Neoverse or else you’ll make a lot of trouble.”
Lu Yin nodded. “I understand, Senior.”
Eversky Island was quite large, but there was not a single person to be seen.
Highsage Shenwei took Lu Yin over to a cliff. “After crossing this bridge, you’ll become a nominal disciple of Eversky Island. Go on.”
Lu Yin was curious. “Cross this bridge?”
Highsage Shenwei explained, “This is Eversky Bridge, and it’s unique to Eversky Island. It allows you to see the powers that you’ve used in the past but from a third-person perspective. This is the best method to gather your abilities and fuse them to create a unique fighting style.”
Lu Yin was amazed. “There’s really such a thing?”
“This is something left behind from ancient times, so don’t bother asking me for any more details. Go on. There are countless people in this universe who have racked their brains, trying to find a way to pay to cross this bridge, but you get to do so for free.” He then gave Lu Yin a push from behind, and Lu Yin’s foot stepped onto the bridge.
Eversky Bridge looked completely ordinary, and it was just a suspension bridge that connected two steep cliffs. Also, there was a great deal of fog obscuring one’s vision.
Step by step, Lu Yin moved forwards, and he quickly lost sight of Highsage Shenwei.
The fog completely blocked his vision.
Lu Yin unleashed his domain, and the fog boiled for a moment before quickly forming the towering tree while Lu Yin stared in shock. This was the shape of Lu Yin’s forcefield; it had been perfectly replicated by the fog, and it looked remarkably lifelike.
Lu Yin was amazed, and he stared at the tall tree formed from the fog. After observing it for a while longer, he lifted a foot and continued to press onwards. The fog forming the tall tree dissipated, though a strand of it floated past his eyes and changed once again. This time, it formed one rune after another.
At the same time, in the depths of Eversky Island, a pair of eyes opened, and they peered through space to observe Lu Yin walking across Eversky Bridge, and they also saw the runes formed within the fog. “The Rune Progenitor’s inheritance? But not by Gods’ Origin’s methods? Shenwei, come here.”
Next to Eversky Bridge, Highsage Shenwei’s expression suddenly trembled, and he vanished. When he next appeared within the depths of the island, there was a smile plastered on his face. “Master, you’ve awakened. You must have been thinking of this disciple. Did you know, Master, that-”
“Alright, less nonsense. Who is that child?”
Highsage Shenwei swallowed his saliva. “He’s a junior from the younger generation that Junior Leon holds important. He was schemed against and lost his qualifications to go to the Astral Tower. As a senior, I couldn’t simply watch on and allow people from my Eversky Island to be bullied. It’s ridiculous, and although others might not want him to participate, this disciple just wants to give him the chance. Thus, I brought him here.”
“Leon’s junior? His son?”
“Master is brilliant, but nope.”
“If it’s ‘no,’ then brilliant your ass! What relationship does he have with those loons from Gods’ Origin?”
“He has no relationship, and he only knows a little of their methods.”
“Hmph, what Gods’ Origin’s methods? That’s just the technique from that old man, the Rune Progenitor.”
“Yes, yes, yes. Master is right.” Highsage Shenwei’s eyes grew shiftily as he looked up. “Master, that- this child, is it okay?”
“We’ll have to see.”
“Master is right.”
…
On Eversky Bridge, Lu Yin was stunned to see the fog forming various runes. The fog had even discovered his Truesight. It really was extremely mysterious. It reminded him of the Daosource Sect’s Platform of Inception, which had been quite similar to this fog. Hold on, could the two have been made by the same person?
Lu Yin continued to walk forward, and the runes formed from fog dissipated as a mist blew by that circled around his fingers. The fog then formed the Skybeast Claw, which produced a distant beast howl.
In the depths of Eversky Island, “Eh, isn’t that that battle technique?”
“Master, what did you say?”
“Nothing.”
