Balsam went silent for a while after hearing Lu Yin’s blunt denial. “Yu Mu caused my Shamrock Enterprise and the Great Eastern Alliance to have a bad relationship, and that matter created grave losses to my company. We decided to punish him for this matter, and his punishment was to be death. I was told that Yu Mu was taken by your people; does Alliance Leader Lu really not know anything?”
“I know a bit. Yu Mu proposed a deal to me, claiming he would offer me some kind of medicine in return for me saving his life. I asked Elder He from the Sea King’s Dome to save Yu Mu. I had intended to bring him to the Great Eastern Alliance, but halfway along the journey, the Sixth Mainland’s Autumnfrost family intercepted them, and Yu Mu’s whereabouts are now,” Lu Yin explained.
Balsam was caught off guard. She no longer had any idea what was going on. When Yu’er had tried to send a report to Balsam, the Innerverse president had not been able to answer to the call. Balsam had called Lu Yin the moment she had received the report, but she had not expected the matter to have involved the Sixth Mainland’s Autumnfrost family.
That family was one of the three most powerful clans from the Bloodburn Realm. Even if the Sixth Mainland had been invaded by monsters and had lost many of their top powerhouses, the Autumnfrost family still had World Imprinters, which meant experts with power levels of more than 800,000. This made the family a power on the same level as the Sword Sect, the Daynight clan, and the other top powers of the Innerverse’s eight great flowzones.
“Why was Autumnfrost family there? Did they take Yu Mu?” Xiangzhi asked strangely.
Lu Yin snorted derisively. “Yu Mu’s just scum. First he enticed me with certain conditions, and then, while traveling, he met a powerhouse from the Autumnfrost family, and he immediately turned over to them. Not only did he betray our agreement, he also caused Elder He to be seriously injured. I hope that if Shamrock Enterprise manages to catch him that you’ll give me an invitation to watch his punishment. I need to find some release for the hatred that’s been built up towards him.”
Balsam had no idea if Lu Yin was telling the truth or not. This matter now involved the Autumnfrost family. While Shamrock Enterprise had managed to keep some of their intelligence operatives active in the western reaches of the Outerverse, it was impossible for them to infiltrate the Autumnfrost family. It would not be easy to prove Lu Yin’s words true or false.
“Alliance Leader Lu, Yu Mu is a very treacherous man. What he says cannot be trusted,” Balsam warned.
Lu Yin’s voice grew cold, “You don’t believe me? You think I’m hiding Yu Mu? Go ahead and investigate this matter. You’ll learn that some powerhouse from the Autumnfrost family entered our region of the Outerverse. Elder He shared that the expert is known as Uncle Hua and also the man’s appearance.”
Balsam thought for a few moments. “Very well, we’ll look into this. I’m sorry for the trouble, Alliance Leader Lu.”
Lu Yin continued the conversation, “Actually, I’m quite curious about something; Yu Mu mentioned that your Shamrock Enterprise’s managed to develop something called a stellular energy pill and that it can allow someone to enter the true universe. He offered this to purchase the right to join the Autumnfrost family. Does your Shamrock Enterprise really have such a thing?”
Balsam sneered, “Entering the true universe? That’s something limited to only Envoys. The universe is utterly mysterious, so how could a medicinal pill manage to accomplish such a thing? If my Shamrock Enterprise actually had the ability to create this so-called stellular energy pill, I would have teamed up with Aurora Enterprises long ago to step onto the same level as the Mavis Bank. How could we have failed to enter Mt. Microcosms?
“Alliance Leader Lu, how could a person as smart as you possibly believe such nonsense from Yu Mu?”
Lu Yin hesitated. “But he did break into the true universe in order to escape. How else could he have survived?”
“Yu Mu managed to get his hands on many treasures due to the years he held the position of Outerverse president of Shamrock Enterprise. I’ve heard that several families or sects from ancient times have been discovered hidden in spatial cracks, and it’s normal for such places to hold some life-saving means,” Balsam said. She quickly continued, “If you don’t believe me, you are welcome to visit my Shamrock Enterprise. As the Innerverse president, I am able to investigate any pharmaceuticals manufactured by Shamrock Enterprise. The Alliance Leader Lu can come and check if there are any of these so-called stellular energy pill.”
Lu Yin’s voice instantly turned cold. “It would seem that Yu Mu did indeed lie to me. I apologize, Miss Balsam, for interfering in your company’s attempt to punish Yu Mu. Don’t worry, I will compensate you for this incident.”
“There’s no need for that. He’s just an abandoned dog that no longer holds any value. I was reaching out to Alliance Leader Lu just to make sure that he didn’t create any additional misunderstandings. However, since he’s been taken away by someone from the Autumnfrost family, we will ask approach them to ask about this matter Alliance Leader Lu, please excuse me,” Balsam excused herself.
Lu Yin hummed and ended the call.
Behind him, Sister Fei Hua voiced her admiration, “You spin an impressive web. You target the Autumnfrost family and don’t give them any out while removing yourself from the company’s suspicions. You even reminded that woman that Yu Mu tried to use the stellular energy pill as a bargaining chip to join the Autumnfrost family, which means that no matter how they deny their involvement, even if they tell Shamrock Enterprise that Uncle Hua is missing, they will never be believed.”
Liu Ye let out an emotional sigh. “No wonder you’re able to deceive everyone. You threw the entire Perennial World into chaos, and even disrupted the four ruling powers. The White Dragon Clan became the source of a joke that won’t be forgotten for a long time to come. Not even the Progenitors were able to see through you. Your actions were truly ruthless.”
Regardless of the words that Lu Yin heard from Liu Ye, Lu Yin did not think the Envoy was giving a compliment. “I’m just trying to protect myself.”
“Can that stellular energy pill really allow an Enlighter to enter the true universe?” Sister Fei Hua asked. This was something that was unheard of even in the Perennial world.
Lu Yin shrugged. “No clue. I hope so, but in the current universe, it’s impossible to know if it’s true or not.”
Liu Ye and Fei Hua looked at each other before looking back at Lu Yin. Their expressions made it clear that they felt that Lu Yin was the most deceptive person of all.
Sometimes one needed to muddy the water in order to fish. Shamrock Enterprise might not believe any response that the Autumnfrost family gave, and that was even if the family was willing to provide any explanation at all. Given the typical personalities of people from the Autumnfrost family, Lu Yin felt it was highly likely that Shamrock Enterprise would not receive any answer at all, and the family might even suspect that Shamrock Enterprise might have done something to Uncle Hua and the others who had been with him.
Of course, suspicions would also be raised concerning Lu Yin. All he was hoping for was to buy a bit of time in order to give Yu Mu an opportunity to obtain a stellular energy pill. As long Lu Yin could get a stellular energy pill, the Autumnfrost family would be released. At that time, Lu Yin would be able to hold negotiations with Shamrock Enterprise.
Lu Yin stared at the three rings of mainlands that circled a familiar planet, and he started to grow excited about being back.
He had left Earth, moved to Zenyu Star, and then continued on to cultivate at Astral-10. While at the academy, Lu Yin had frequently returned to Zenyu Star, but not once had he ever been as excited as at this moment.
He had truly come close to dying during this last adventure. He had fully believed that he would not be able to return from the Perennial World, so he felt incredibly nostalgic while gazing at Zenyu Star.
Lu Yin was an incredibly poor regent for the Great Yu Empire. He had not held a cabinet meeting in a very long time, and he also had no plans to hold one again any time in the future. His status as the leader of the Great Eastern Alliance was much greater than being the royal regent of the Great Yu Empire.
Lu Yin’s arrival raised no ripples on Zenyu Star, as only a few people were even aware of his return.
At the gate of King Zishan’s palace, Kayze looked at a familiar figure. The guard trembled and he quickly bowed. “This subordinate welcomes His Highness’s return.”
Lu Yin grunted and stared at Kayze before complimenting the man, “You’ve improved a great deal.”
Kayze bent low, not even daring to look at Lu Yin. “My thanks, Your Highness, for your praise.”
Originally, Lu Yin had only subdued Kayze due to a whim. Lu Yin’s thought at the time was that if he had any sort of run-in with the Dire Barbarian clan turned in the future, Kayze would provide a connection. However, the Dire Barbarian clan had become insignificant to Lu Yin. He could easily destroy a clan that did not even have a single Envoy. However, Kayze had been acting as Lu Yin’s doorman for many years, and Lu Yin had become used to the man.
“Ahh! Your Highness is back! I’ll go prepare some floral tea.” Zhao Ran had been startled to see Lu Yin, and she quickly fled.
The girl was as flighty as ever, but seeing that she had managed to remember him gave Lu Yin some hope that she would be able to recover her memory.
Liu Ye and Fei Hua were both settled into the palace. They were not able to go far from Lu Yin, and he also needed two such powerful bodyguards nearby.
“Your Highness, have a taste!” Zhao Ran had already made a cup of floral tea for Lu Yin, and he stared at it blankly. How could the girl’s drinks have become even more disturbing and bizarre to look at.
Previously, she had simply prepared excessively colorful drinks, but Lu Yin felt that he saw creatures swimming about within the floral tea. Can this thing actually be drunk?
Zhao Ran stared at Lu Yin with great excitement. She looked like a child who waiting to be rewarded.
Lu Yin pursed his lips. “Why don’t you take a sip first?”
Zhao Ran was visibly confused. “Why? It’s delicious! Does Your Highness not like it?”
Lu Yin coughed. “No, it’s just-“
Suddenly, Kayze’s voice was heard, “Your Highness, Qiong Shanhai, master of Millions City, is asking to see you.”
“Let him in,” Lu Yin quickly replied. He then looked at Zhao Ran. “Head on out for now, and I’ll see you in a bit.”
Zhao Ran grunted and stared at her floral tea. She looked rather hurt.
Qiong Shanhai soon entered, and he quickly bowed as soon as he saw Lu Yin. “Qiong Shanhai greets the alliance leader.”
Lu Yin made a welcoming gesture. “Where’s Xi’er? Didn’t she come with you?”
Qiong Shanhai showed a bitter smile. “That girl has been very busy recently, and so she did not come. I apologize for her rudeness.”
Lu Yin waved a hand. “I just wanted to thank her for dealing with Shamrock Enterprise. Please thank her for me.”
“We’re the ones who should be grateful towards Alliance Leader Lu. If not for your Great Eastern Alliance, I don’t know where our Millions City would have gone,” Qiong Shanhai rebutted.
“It’s not that much.” Lu Yin smiled.
Qiong Shanhai sighed. “Your Highness must be unaware of the Phoenix family. Word is that they are not doing well at all.”
The Outerverse’s Phoenix family, which was known as the Dark Phoenix family, had previously been located in Endless Weave. When the Sixth Mainland had attempted to invade the Outerverse, Mister Mu had shifted the entire border warfront from Endless Weave into Southside Weave, and naturally, the Dark Phoenix clan had been moved as well. At the moment, the western regions of the Outerverse had fallen to the Sixth Mainland’s rule, and the Dark Phoenix clan had fallen under the Sixth Mainland as well.
The Dark Phoenix Clan had once joined the Great Eastern Alliance, but when the Sixth Mainland had started taking over the Outerverse, Wang Wen had reached out to the Dark Phoenix Clan. They had been unwilling to leave the western weaves, and a continued relationship with the Great Eastern Alliance would also be impossible due to the Sixth Mainland’s sovereignty. Eventually, the Dark Phoenix clan had fallen under the Sixth Mainland dominion.
“Which of the Sixth Mainland’s families rules over the Dark Phoenix?” Lu Yin felt a bit curious. He truly knew almost nothing about how things were in the western regions of the Outerverse at the moment. It seemed like he would need to take some time to speak with that Uncle Hua.
Qiong Shanhai replied, “The Arrow Sect.”
Lu Yin was surprised. “What? The Sword Sect?”1
“Arrows, like archery. The Arrow Sect used to be a power in the Progenitor of Secret Arts’ East Realm. They once gave birth to a powerful Empyrean Imprinter known as Arrow God of Wilderness. They were one of the top powers in the Sixth Mainland. The members of the sect have the bloodline of giants, and they are skilled at using a bow. Each of their arrows is more than five meters long, and extremely deadly, as they carry a terrifying amount of power. They took control of the Dark Phoenix clan and are using the clan as mounts.”
Lu Yin’s expression suddenly changed. “Mounts?”
Qiong Shanhai sighed. “The members of the Arrow Sect are all giants. They roam about space and use their archery skills to kill their opponents. Given their battle techniques, they need mounts, and the Dark Phoenix clan has been taken to fill that need. Honestly, the Dark Phoenix clan must be mourning the fact that they didn’t move to Frostwave Weave when they had the chance.”
Lu Yin had not expected such a miserable fate to have befallen the Dark Phoenix clan. They had been a powerful clan that had killed their way out of the Innerverse, and yet they had been reduced to acting as the mounts for others.
However, it was the fate that the clan had chosen for themselves. The Great Eastern Alliance had not abandoned the Dark Phoenix clan, and had even given them an opportunity, but the clan had refused the hand that had been offered.
[1] “Sword” and “Arrow” are homophones in Chinese, which causes this confusion. ☜
OMA’s Thoughts
Translated By: OMA
Edited By: Neshi/Nyxnox
TLC’ed By: OMA
