Tanno Phoenix watched on as Lu Yin left, completely dumbfounded at what he was seeing and clueless as to what he should do. Should he forcibly detain this youth? Whether or not they could even do so was merely one detail, as Yuan Shi was not very far away, and such a powerhouse could arrive within the blink of an eye. However, if this person was allowed to leave, then who would they go to for compensation for the Dark Phoenix family’s losses?
Tanno Phoenix pondered his options for just a moment, but Lu Yin had already left.
Someone could not help but speak up. “Patriarch, he’s about to escape.”
“Shut up!” Tanno Phoenix barked, frightening the man.
Zax Phoenix had a bitter smile, as it was better for Lu Yin to leave than for him to stay behind given the current circumstances. As for the family’s losses, Zax Phoenix could only try to bear the cost himself.
None of them knew that, if not for Lu Yin being worried about the fire dragon reemerging from the Skyblaze Stone, he might have only stopped after absorbing all of the Sixteen Layers of Darkflames. At that point, they would have been forced to meet him regardless if they wanted to or not.
Although Lu Yin had not absorbed the entire flame barrier this time, he felt that it was still fine. There was no way for these Darkflames to escape. Once he depleted the Skyblaze Stone’s heat, he could simply take another trip here.
These Blackmist flames of the Dark Phoenix family reminded Lu Yin of the Phoenix family. If this Dark Phoenix family had such terrifying flames, then the Phoenix family and the Blaze Realm could only be stronger. Those places were simply treasuries in his eyes.
Absorbing the Dark Phoenix family’s Blackmist flames had been an unexpected boon, and Lu Yin left the Dark Phoenix family’s territory with a sense of excitement as if he had just robbed them blind. He looked back and saw that there was no one pursuing him, but he still hastened to take his leave.
His journey had been exceptionally successful this time, and Lu Yin started to use his special privileges to return to Frostwave Weave via the express military routes. This meant that the return journey only took him ten days.
When he saw Zenyu Star, a sense of returning home sprang up within him, completely unbidden.
Although he had only been gone for a bit more than half a year, the suffering that he had experienced during this time had made it feel much longer.
News of Lu Yin’s return to Zenyu Star spread quickly, and all of Frostwave Weave grew jubilant.
The masters of the Great Eastern Alliance’s various leading powers all made a trip to offer their congratulations, and many people hoped to learn of the Innerverse’s circumstances. However, everyone was turned away with the excuse that Lu Yin needed to recuperate from some injuries.
When he returned to Zenyu Star, the first thing that Lu Yin did was give the Twelfth Squadron the wreckage of the giant mechanical monster that had attacked Bro Hui Kong back in the Technocracy. He wanted them to study its materials.
The Twelfth Squadron also gave Lu Yin a surprise of their own: 3,000 androids.
These androids had been manufactured according to the blueprints that Lu Yin had Pilfered from his die. Each of these androids had the power level of an Explorer, and they had proven their tremendous value in the previous battle at the astral cemetery.
There had only been several hundred androids at that time, and each had only had the strength of an Explorer. This time, Lu Yin was greeted by 3,000 androids. Although the strength of these androids were still only comparable to an Explorer’s, their power level approached the level of a Cruiser’s, and their defenses could definitely match a Cruiser’s.
3,000 androids with Cruiser-level defenses were more than enough to shock the entire Outerverse.
In the past, the majority of the Great Yu Empire’s Thirteen Imperial Squadron Captains had only been Cruisers. Thus, it was quite clear how badly these 3,000 androids would shock the outside world when they were revealed.
In addition, Ban Jiu had also discovered quite a few rare materials within the Great Eastern Alliance, and he was testing their combinations. Once he was successful, the androids would be upgraded yet again.
They were already reaping the benefits of uniting the Outerverse, as one such benefit was easy access to all sorts of materials. Lu Yin’s King Zishan’s palace had also been renovated, and all of the secret rooms had been reinforced with the sturdiest materials available, and they were almost sturdy enough to resist Hunter-level attacks. On top of that, a secure lockbreaking room had been specially installed inside the palace, and it was completely constructed from Spiritual Thread.
As the preeminent power of the entire Great Eastern Alliance, the Great Yu Empire had taken the leading position in all aspects whether it was economy or military power. In the past, the empire had actually needed the Nalan family and other similar organizations to financially support them. However, at present time, Zenyu Star alone was able to support the Great Yu Empire’s economy.
The street that held Lu’s Grand Auction was still there, though it had been changed owners thousands of times now despite the exorbitant property value of that street that had exploded by almost ten thousand times. In the past, quite a few financial organizations had been pushed out of this street, and it was currently almost entirely occupied by giant companies that spanned dozens of weaves.
Even organizations that covered an entire weave were not able to maintain a shop on this street.
Lu’s Grand Auction had not received any premium goods from Lu Yin in the past half a year, but due to its reputation, it had received enough rare items that they had still been able to hold an auction every three months. This was quite a valuable source of income for Lu Yin, but Lu YIn could simply disregard that amount with his current assets, so all of the profits were thrown to the recently established Lu Charity.
“Word has spread throughout the outside world that I died, but despite that, there really was no chaos within the empire?” Lu Yin asked curiously. Across from him were Wei Rong, En Ya, Huan Sha, Gavin, Hill Auna, and other top officials of the empire.
As the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hill Auna was also a member of the Imperial Cabinet, and he was the one who spoke up first. “The Hall of Honor itself promised that regardless of what happened to Your Highness, they would protect the Great Yu Empire and ensure a thousand years of peace.”
Lu Yin finally understood: a thousand years of peace. This guarantee was enough to make many financial organizations envious. This meant that the empire had essentially become another Millions City, and it was even a strengthened version at that.
“Your Highness, there’s one matter that your subject feels has to be brought to your attention,” Gavin spoke solemnly. “The Great Yu Empire cannot have only a Royal Regent.”
The moment this matter was brought up, the expressions of the entire crowd changed, but not one of them showed any hint of surprise.
In truth, Lu Yin’s status had been discussed by countless people within the empire since long ago. The Royal Regent was a title that could substitute for the ruling authority of the empire, and there would naturally be no issues if this was still the same Great Yu Empire as before. However, Lu Yin was also the Great Eastern Alliance Leader as well as the Outerverse Allied Forces’ Commander. Both of these positions far surpassed the prestige of the Great Yu Emperor, but Lu Yin still had not taken the throne. This had led to even further discussions among the populace, especially those in the Great Eastern Alliance, who all spoke of how the Great Yu Empire had internal conflicts.
Wendy Yushan had also come under great pressure, as she had no desire for any authority. Despite that, many people criticized her directly because she was the person who was the most qualified to inherit the throne, even more so than Lu Yin.
Lu Yin muttered to himself, as he had actually forgotten about this matter.
Ever since he had become the Great Eastern Alliance Leader, the throne of the Great Yu Empire no longer held much attraction to him. However, he had never considered how his current status might bring about such trouble.
“This matter can be postponed for the moment,” Lu Yin said.
Gavin wanted to say something further, but he was stopped by Hill Auna.
Wei Rong then said, “Your Highness, during the seven months that you were gone, the empire’s infiltration of the weaves in the western region has advanced greatly. With your return, quite a few more weaves in the central area are now willing to join the Great Eastern Alliance.”
Lu Yin nodded. “You, Wang Wen, and En Ya can discuss this matter amongst yourselves, as you know best what to do to those who are unwilling to join the alliance. The title of the Outerverse Allied Forces’ Commander cannot be wasted.”
Wei Rong smiled. “Got it.”
“Your Highness, the Nalan family delivered a message to us yesterday…”
…
Within the sprawling Great Yu Empire, the even larger Great Eastern Alliance, as well as the even more expansive Outerverse, there were many matters that had been waiting for Lu Yin’s approval, as he was the only one who could make a decision for many issues. He had no choice but to delegate the tasks bit by bit.
It was dusk when Gavin and the others finally left.
After they departed, Wendy Yushan arrived.
As Lu Yin looked at her, he felt like the last time he had seen her was a lifetime ago. “I nearly died, and I even thought that I would never be able to see you again.”
Wendy Yushan’s gaze trembled. “What happened?”
Lu Yin would not say much about his experiences to the others, but he shared a great deal with Wendy Yushan, as there were certain things that he simply had to vent.
Her expression turned cold. “Nightking Zhenwu, that guy isn’t easy to deal with.”
“I know, and I won’t be rash. After fighting him once, I won’t lose to him the next time,” Lu Yin said confidently.
Wendy Yushan muttered, “There’ve been more people in the Daosource Sect’s ruins.”
“That’s normal as the Sixth Mainland has retreated. It would probably be best for you to not go back for now. After the battle in the astral cemetery, you might be recognized over there,” Lu Yin said.
Before too long, Wendy Yushan also left.
Lu Yin muttered to himself for a bit before switching on his gadget. A person soon appeared on the screen: Wang Wen.
“Royal Chesspiece, it’s been a long time!” Wang Wen smiled, looking very happy.
Lu Yin grew very serious. “I want to deal with the Daynight clan.”
Wang Wen rearranged his expression. “What did you say? Beg your pardon?”
Lu Yin repeated, “I want to deal with the Daynight clan, so help me find a way.”
Wang Wen’s eyes lit up, and his lips involuntarily curved upwards, revealing a deep excitement that his heart could not suppress. Rather than fear, he felt a willingness for battle. “How interesting. I had guessed that after uniting the Outerverse, you would refocus on the great clans of the Innerverse, but I had assumed that it would be the Blaze Realm or the Ross Empire. I never even considered that it could be the Daynight clan. Chesspiece Bro, your appetite has increased.”
“Can we do it?” Lu Yin asked seriously.
Wang Wen answered with a rejoinder. “Do you have the means to go against a super powerhouse with a power level of 1,000,000?”
“Yes,” Lu Yin replied.
“Do you have the method to resist thousands, millions, or even tens of millions of cultivators who make up the Daynight clan troops?”
“Yes.”
“Are you able to remove the Daynight clan’s internal influence on the Hall of Honor?”
“Yes.”
“How about stalling the Daynight clan’s allies’ troops?”
“Yes.”
“Then one last question.” Wang Wen’s face showed an unprecedented degree of seriousness. “Do you have the determination to defeat Nightking Zhenwu?”
Lu Yin’s gaze trembled, and his mouth cracked open as he smiled. “That’s naturally the case.”
Wang Wen laughed. “Alright! Then let’s play a game with the Daynight clan as our opponent!”
At that moment, a chess piece mysteriously appeared in his hand that he slammed into the table, shattering the piece.
Lu Yin clenched his fists as the void distorted. It sounded as if battle drums were echoing out. At this moment, he wanted to make the Daynight clan his mortal enemy and to find a way to use the entire Outerverse’s strength to extinguish the Daynight clan. Also, he wanted to take out Nightking Zhenwu.
In a secure room within King Zishan’s palace, Lu Yin surveyed the area. This place had clearly been extensively renovated, and the walls were now much sturdier. Reportedly, they were able to resist Hunter-level attacks. Although this might be a bit exaggerated, it should at least be able to prevent the aftershocks of Lu Yin’s cultivation sessions from spreading out.
He did not see many other changes aside from the walls’ reinforcement.
Lu Yin’s domain swept out. He then sat down, raised a hand, and caused his die to appear.
It was time to upgrade his items, and he felt that there were many things to do, as upgrading his new items was just one task. The Skyblaze Stone had already been completely restored, so he could use it for another cultivation session, which would improve his realm to complement his current strength. That was of the utmost importance. Also, he hoped to return to the Daosource Sect’s ruins to absorb the second cauldron’s cauldron energy. Also, there was the Daynight clan’s stone of inheritance.
His spiritual force was already very powerful, but Lu Yin had never learned how to properly use it. The Daynight Punch was his only spiritual force attack, but it was too crude. Lu Yin hoped to take advantage of the Daynight clan’s inheritance stone and obtain an attack that was similar to the Skybreaker, as that would drastically improve his battle ability.
All of these tasks had to be completed step by step, and Lu Yin’s first step was to upgrade his items.
He tapped out, and his die spun. Finally, it stopped on one pip, which was a common occurrence. One pip was the most common roll.
As Lu Yin watched one, a small piece of herbal medicine fell out that emitted a flickering light. Lu Yin seriously appraised the herb, but he quickly found that it was perfectly ordinary, which left him slightly disappointed.
He restored the die and tapped out again. This time, his luck was better, and he rolled three pips: Enhance.
