Even if Lu Yin had his cosmic ring on him, he still would have been captured by Shaman God. There had simply been no chance for Lu Yin to escape. His fate had been sealed the moment he had set foot in the Neoverse.
Lu Yin lifted his head and looked around the dark underground space. He thought to himself that this might very well be the end of his road. The only chance of a miracle was Mister Mu, but even Mister Mu might not be able to save him from this place, as just finding this parallel space was quite difficult. Even though, for countless years, every discovered member of the Neohuman Alliance had been instantly eliminated, the dark power was still standing tall, and that was not without reason.
Silver did not press Lu Yin, and he only silently watched from the side. The same smile as always decorated his face.
Lu Yin fell deep into thought, and then he asked Silver, “Silver, do you have any human emotions?”
Silver’s smile slowly faded as he stared at Lu Yin’s back. “I might. Look at how polite I am to you, Captain.”
Lu Yin sighed. “I’ll absorb the death energy, so you can leave now.”
Silver shrugged. “Then I’ll be going. Captain, next time we meet, you might not be yourself anymore. Till next time. Oh wait, there won’t be a next time…”
His words trailed off as he turned around and left.
Lu Yin then turned to look in the direction of the massive pit. He had no other choice in the Aeternus Nation, even if it was simply trying to drag things out. Despite Silver being polite, and even though Shaman God had not used any force, Lu Yin knew that the moment he tried to stall, he would be force-fed the death energy.
His only glimmer of hope was to proactively absorb the death energy. If he lost initiative and became reactive, his secrets might be unveiled.
Lu Yin was very decisive about this matter. His ambition had allowed him to become the first person in history to successfully unite the Outerverse. Hence, he had the courage to proactively absorb this death energy as well.
If one was unable to avoid a specific fate, then taking charge of the situation would be more beneficial. Lu Yin had already resigned himself to his fate, the fate of absorbing death energy. However, that did not necessarily mean that his mind would be corrupted by the death energy. This was the only way that Lu Yin could calm himself, as having a tiny sliver of hope was better than nothing at all.
Lu Yin released his domain and then retracted it. This pulled the death energy into his body, where it was absorbed. At the same time, he began to recite the Stonewall Scriptures in his mind. More often than not, whenever Lu Yin was in a perilous situation, he would find himself relying on the scriptures for a miracle and a sense of security.
Silver turned around and looked at Lu Yin from a distance. His eyes flickered for a moment as he watched Lu Yin absorbing the death energy. He then turned away, muttering, “This really is it. Goodbye, Captain.”
Aboveground, the Ghost Monkey shuddered in fear inside Shaman God’s tower.
Shaman God cackled. “It has finally begun! He’s absorbing death energy to create the perfect weapon! With this kid’s physical prowess, he’ll be able to cultivate the Specter Clan’s eye technique to at least the gold eyes. Then, he’ll be able to use the corpse king’s transformations to the fourth or fifth change. Once he succeeds, he’ll be unrivaled within his generation. To hell with the Tri-Yang Technique! Even if Progenitor Chen was at this kid’s cultivation level, he still wouldn’t be a match. Heuheuheu.”
The shadow of the Ghost Monkey lamented beneath Shaman God. “Seventh Bro, this is the end for us. It’s not that I don’t want to help you, but rather, it’s that I don’t have a choice either. You’d better pray for a miracle. I think that you’re pretty lucky, so good luck! We’re each on our own for now.”
…
In the Neoverse’s western region’s Azure Mansion, Ming Yu returned with a pale face. Her trip to the Mountain and Seas Zone had greatly broadened her perspective.
As Azure Mansion’s Flower Queenu, she had seen many talented youths, and there were even powerhouses with power levels of more than a million. However, none of that had had the same effect as what she had witnessed atop those golden platforms.
In particular, the Tri-Yang Technique had toppled her entire worldview.
Such an incredible technique actually existed in the universe!
Aside from Shang Qing, the other people atop the screens had also given her quite a shock. The one who had left the deepest impression on her was actually that Beast creature from the Neohuman Alliance.
Thud, thud, thud.
“Come in,” Ming Yu said.
The madam stepped into the room with a subservient smile. No matter how innocent and kind this woman appeared to be, Ming Yu knew that it was all just a façade. There were only six Azure Mansions, but there were hundreds of madams. If their demeanor was deemed improper, then they would immediately be removed from their position, and more often than not, a tragic fate awaited them after that.
Normally, most madams would not be allowed to enter Azure Mansion, but those who could were people capable of doing anything.
“Ming Yu, how was your trip? Was there anyone who caught your fancy?” the madam asked coquettishly.
Ming Yu indifferently answered, “You must not have heard the news. The Mountain and Seas Zone no longer exists.”
The madam remained smiling. She was fully aware of this groundbreaking news. After all, she had been close to the Mountain and Seas Zone when everything had happened. What’s more, she was fully aware that Ming Yu was mocking her, but the woman did not pay it any mind.
There were many madams. But the Flower Queen? There was only one.
“Young Master Tian said that the competition for the Cosmic Five was unsuccessful. It’s possible that there will no longer be a Cosmic Five in the future. So, he is very concerned about where your loyalties lie.” The madam chuckled.
Ming Yu’s expression grew cold as she stared at the madam. “Tell Young Master Tian that I, Ming Yu, already have someone I favor, and that person has promised to take my hand in marriage. So, please, don’t concern yourself with this matter any longer.”
The madam shook her head and said, “Your time here at the Azure Mansion hasn’t been short. You should be well aware of our influence. Even in the Mountain and Seas Zone, there were people working for Young Master Tian. Don’t think for a minute that Young Master Tian does not know about what you were doing in the Mountain and Seas Zone. You never made any contact with Shang Qing, Xia Jiuyou, Wen Sansi, or any of the other promising talents.”
The corner of Ming Yu’s lips curled up. “Everything is fine if Young Master Tian knows about this. Go and ask him yourself who I spent most of my time with in the Mountain and Seas Zone.
The madam was stupefied as her eyes flickered over Ming Yu’s figure. She had thought that Ming Yu was lying, but apparently, that was not the case.
Ming Yu stood up and said, “Please, make yourself at home. I’m going to pay Sister Yan Yu a visit.”
As she spoke, she left the room.
The madam fell deep into thought as she watched Ming Yu leave. After a while, she used her gadget to call someone.
After Ming Yu left her room in disgust, she moved towards another room and opened the door.
Inside this room was Ming Yan. She faced the sky, but her expression was one of despair and hatred. However, there was also resolution.
“Sister Yan Yu, have you not thought things through?” Ming Yu asked.
Ming Yan answered coldly, “Cut the bullshit.”
Ming Yu sighed. “Azure Mansion will not force you to sell your body, but you must make an appearance…”
Soon, the madam followed Ming Yu into Ming Yan’s room with an unpleasant expression. “Were you looking for Lu Yin or Lan Si?”
Ming Yan whirled around when she heard the madam’s words.
Lu Yin?
Ming Yu smugly answered, “Lu Yin, of course.”
The madam brows furrowed. “He agreed to marry you?”
Ming Yu nodded. “That’s right.”
Ming Yan stared at Ming Yu in shock.
The madam responded, “What a pity. Lu Yin was captured by the Neohuman Alliance, and he will never return in his lifetime. Even if he does, he will be eliminated by the Hall of Honor. You can’t rely on him.”
Ming Yu said, “It doesn’t matter whether or not he returns. He promised to marry me, and I have already informed Lan Si as well as Black and White from Eversky Island of this matter. They will relay that message to Lu Yin’s people. Go and ask Young Master Tian if he still dares to lay a hand on me. I am already Lu Yin’s fiancée.
The madam’s eyes grew cold as she glared at Ming Yu.
Azure Mansion’s motto was to be friends with all and offend no one. They aimed to build a network with people of high value. The reason why Lu Yin had been so highly regarded was not because he had unified the Outerverse. Any powerful faction in the Neoverse was capable of doing the same, and breaking the Outerverse back up could be easily accomplished.
The true reason was Lu Yin’s backing. He had Eversky Island and the Hall of Honor’s Yuan Shi supporting him. These two were tremendously robust support pillars for Lu Yin, and if given a choice, Azure Mansion would not easily choose to offend such forces.
Now that Ming Yu had claimed that she belonged to Lu Yin, if Young Master Tian dared to lay a hand on her, that would essentially be slapping Eversky Island and Yuan Shi in the face. Not only would the master skin Young Master Tian’s hide, but the madam’s fate would also be far worse.
The madam felt utter regret. She wanted Young Master Tian’s support, but Ming Yu was too cunning. She was now regretting ever letting the girl go to the Mountain and Seas Zone.
She did not doubt Ming Yu’s words, as it would not be too difficult for a Flower Queen to find a marriage partner.
Ming Yu felt extremely smug. This was the effect that she wanted. This was the sole reason why she had entered the Mountain and Seas Zone.
Young Master Tian had always had his eyes on her, so Ming Yu’s only option had been to find someone who Azure Mansion was unwilling to offend. This was the precise reason why she had made contact with Lu Yin and Lan Si.
She wanted Young Master Tian to grow wary and abandon any plans for her.
Her beauty was not the only thing that she had relied upon to reach her position of Flower Queen Ming Yu, and her cunning was just as sharp.
“Young Master Tian will send someone to verify this matter. Ming Yu, you are truly clever.” Although the madam was filled with regrets, she did not forget to praise the girl and force out a smile.
Ming Yu completely ignored the woman.
The madam then shifted her attention to Ming Yan. “Strange. Are you feeling unwell, Yan Yu?”
Ming Yan seemed to be lost in thought, and she ignored the madam.
The madam was seething with rage, but she could not show anger before the two girls standing in front of her.
Ming Yu won’t do it, but I can hand Yan Yu over to Young Master Tian. Also, Ming Yu can stay as the flower queen.
As she thought about this, the madam smiled radiantly and looked at Ming Yan before throwing another glance towards Ming Yu.
“Ming Yu, guide Yan Yu well, as she will be your successor,” she said as she left the room.
Ming Yu heaved a sigh of relief. It seems that she would be safe for the moment.
“You said that Lu Yin agreed to marry you?” Ming Yan blankly stared at Ming Yu as she tried to conceal her emotions.
Ming Yu nodded and answered, “Alright now, let’s not talk about this any longer.”
“Was Lu Yin captured by the Neohuman Alliance?” Ming Yan asked another question.
Bewildered, Ming Yu commented, “You seem very concerned about Lu Yin”
Ming Yan remained expressionless. “I’ve heard of him, as I’m also from the Outerverse.”
Ming Yu immediately understood. “Oh right, you’re also from the Outerverse. Yes, he was captured.”
Ming Yan clenched her fists and turned around, facing away. She trembled, though she did manage to keep her emotions under control.
Ming Yu had no intention of staying and chatting with Ming Yan, as she had to find a way to conceal the lie that she had concocted.
“Think about it, Yan Yu.” With those words, she left the room.
After Ming Yu left, Ming Yan was no longer able to control her surging emotions as she crumpled to the ground and silently wept. Her hair changed from black to white and then back to black once again. The excruciating pain left her gasping for air.
Even if Ming Yu had claimed that Lu Yin had agreed to marry her, Ming Yan did not believe it. She knew what kind of person Lu Yin was, and she knew that he would not agree to marry Ming Yu so quickly. However, it was true that he had been captured by the Neohuman Alliance, and that was what had dealt her such a harsh blow.
After a long time, Ming Yan regained control of her emotions, and her fists loosened. Blood dripped down from where her fingernails had cut into her palms. She vehemently swore, “Brother Lu, I will definitely avenge you. I swear!”
