Chapter 1892: Lu Yin"s Att.i.tude
Given the vastness of the universe, how many stars might have been created by the Cosmic Art? One? 10,000? Maybe hundreds of millions? Who knew?
The Rune Progenitor had changed the universe itself, which made runes visible and usable. He had also created an entire civilization based off of those very runes, and there were still powerful groups that had emerged from the vestiges that lingered on, such as G.o.ds’ Origin, which focused on cultivating Truesight. Progenitor Chen had also changed the universe, and he had done so by leaving behind new stars that remained in the universe.
It was possible that, after a person reached the peak of the Cosmic Art, they would be able to utilize the stars that Progenitor Chen had left behind, which would grant them an incredible power to alter the universe.
Xia Ji certainly knew this secret, which was why he had plotted and schemed in the dark for so many years despite being a Semi-Progenitor, and it was also why he had not hesitated to go to war against both the Cosmic Sect and Eversky Island at the same time. All of it had been in an attempt to grab the Skystar Jade Wall and Progenitor Chen"s inheritance that had been left behind at the Cosmic Sect. This was enough to demonstrate the value of this inheritance.
If possible, Lu Yin wanted to practice the Cosmic Art in the Timestop s.p.a.ce until he fully mastered the entire cultivation art, but that was impossible. Not only was it too difficult, but cultivating the Cosmic Art also required a person to do more than just simulate stars. Their strength also had to be able to support the stars that they simulated.
Becoming an Envoy had increased Lu Yin’s limits in regards to the Cosmic Art by leaps and bounds, so what would happen if he reached a power level of a million? Given his progress so far, it was possible that Lu Yin would be able to fully master the cultivation art at that time.
However, that goal was too far away, though he only needed to simulate a total of 99,000 stars to complete the fifth level of the Cosmic Art. However, the sixth level required him to simulate 380,000 stars, which was a ma.s.sive increase.
Having 380,000 stars revolving around him would be no different than the universe itself being simulated by Lu Yin from many other people’s perspectives. He did not even dare to imagine what the seventh level would be like.
On top of that, Progenitor Chen"s mastery of the cultivation art had to have been completely unimaginable.
Lu Yin wanted to keep training until he reached full mastery of the fifth level of the Cosmic Art, but visitors from the Sixth Mainland had appeared, and they were not people whom Lu Yin could ignore.
There were four powerhouses who had arrived: the Cloud Valley Master, Ancestor Sightless, Nong Laohan, and a three-inch tall powerhouse.
There were three Cosmic Imprinters, as well as an Empyrean Imprinter. Even when considering the entire Sixth Mainland, these four were below only the Semi-Progenitors.
Lu Yin personally welcomed the four men, along with the Second Nightking, Jiu Shen, Liu Huang, Yuan Shi, and Ya Mavis. Lu Yin’s side completely outcla.s.sed the visitors, no matter if it was in terms of quant.i.ty or quality.
Two groups people stood in the middle of outer s.p.a.ce facing each other.
Lu Yin looked calm, and there was even a faint smile on his face, though he was surprised to see the tiny powerhouse.
The man facing Lu Yin also appeared to be calm. He was only three inches tall, so he was known as Master San Cun.
Lu Yin was indeed surprised to see this man, as he was indeed no more than three inches tall. This small? Humanity had both giants and dwarfs, and Master San Cun was a typical dwarf. However, he was also a bit different from the dwarfs who lived in Forested Weave, as there was a somewhat timeless aura to the Empyrean Imprinter.
The Cloud Valley Master seemed sharp and energetic, and Ancestor Sightless appeared solemn as he stared intently at Lu Yin. As for Nong Laohan, he was calm, much like Master San Cun, and he even smiled when he saw Lu Yin look at him. The old man looked very simple and honest.
However, Lu Yin would never underestimate the old man.
"Everyone, you came from so far away to see me, but I was in seclusion. I apologize for leaving you all waiting for so long," Lu Yin said casually.
Master San Cun was an Empyrean Imprinter, and seniority dictated that he should be the one to lead the negotiations, and yet the Cloud Valley Master stepped forward to address Lu Yin. “Your Great Eastern Alliance has fought against the Astral Beast Domain for so long and done well! It’s time to hand it over to the Sixth Mainland. We are ready to immediately take over this war, so you can rest a.s.sured that the Astral Beast Domain is already doomed, Alliance Leader Lu. They will not be able to enter the Outerverse."
Lu Yin looked over and smiled. "But they"re already here."
The Cloud Valley Master replied, "We will push them back! Not just to the Primal Zone, but into the Astral Beast Domain itself. My Sixth Mainland will make them know the price for their arrogance."
Lu Yin nodded. "Then I have no need to worry. In fact, I wanted to ask Senior Progenitor of Bloodlines to destroy the astral beasts when I saw him since he’s a powerful Progenitor. But since you’re so confident, I’ll leave it to you instead and put in a good word for you the next time I see Senior Progenitor of Bloodlines."
Lu Yin’s casual reference to the Progenitor of Bloodlines caused the Cloud Valley Master’s expression to change drastically. All four of the powerhouses had heard about how the Progenitor wished to accept Lu Yin as a disciple, so they felt a bit torn when speaking with Lu Yin. They were hostile yet also wary. It was exactly the same way Xu Qing had confronted Lu Yin.
Master San Cun still appeared completely indifferent to everything that was being said.
Nong Laohan still looked calm, though he pursed his lips.
The Cloud Valley Master replied, "There’s no need for concern, Alliance Leader Lu. We will make sure that the Celestial Beast Domain pays a steep price, so initiate the handover as soon as possible. The Celestial Beast Empire"s reinforcements are already on the way, and the fighting will soon resume. We need to complete the handover before that happens."
"Handover? What handover?" Lu Yin looked surprised.
The Cloud Valley Master’s eyes flashed, and he felt a bad premonition. "Naturally, we are going to take over this war for your Great Eastern Alliance. What? Do you still want to fight against the Astral Beast Domain, Alliance Leader Lu?"
Lu Yin earnestly answered, "Of course! We’re duty-bound to fight against those animals! They’ve created countless blood debts in the Northcastle, Eastly, Forested, and Frostwave Weaves! I intend to collect payment for these debts myself."
The Cloud Valley Master stared intently at Lu Yin. "So, does the Great Eastern Alliance intend to occupy the eastern Outerverse and wage war against the Astral Beast Domain?"
Lu Yin clasped his hands behind his back. "What ‘occupy?’ We’re merely borrowing the area."
"There’s no need for that. My Sixth Mainland is taking over this war." Ancestor Sightless spoke up, and there was nothing polite about his tone. He had never had a good impression of Lu Yin. When the Sixth Mainland had attempted to invade the Outerverse through the Astral River, the Sightless clan had formed the core of the invasion’s forces, but Lu Yin had caused their attack to fail. Ancestor Sightless had always carried a grudge over this incident.
The Cloud Valley Master glared at Lu Yin. "Alliance Leader Lu, the Outerverse already belongs to my Sixth Mainland, and this war is something that we should handle. Frankly, it has nothing to do with you at all, so you can leave now. Don"t worry, Frostwave Weave still belongs to you. We will keep it safe, so you can pull back into Frostwave Weave from everywhere. There’s no longer any need for you to fight, and you can just watch for now."
Lu Yin replied with a slight smile, "Most of the Great Eastern Alliance’s fleet is already at the border of the Frostwave and Northcastle Weaves, which means that we aren’t in any position that will affect the Sixth Mainland"s a.s.sault on the Astral Beast Domain. You can go from Armament Weave to Flaxen Weave, and then to Northcastle Weave from there. Your path is clear and smooth, and we won’t impede your pa.s.sage at all."
Ancestor Sightless frowned as his voice grew harsh. "Does your Great Eastern Alliance not plan to withdraw? Do you plan to ignore the agreement that the Hall of Honor made with my Sixth Mainland?"
Lu Yin looked over at Ancestor Sightless, and his expression soured. "Are you the one talking, or the Cloud Valley Master? You’re randomly interrupting as though you’ve never received any education."
This response enraged Ancestor Sightless. "What did you just say?"
He took a step forward, but just as he did so, Yuan Shi and Ya Mavis did the same.
Master San Cun glanced over, and Jiu Shen and the Second Nightking responded in kind.
Nong Laohan was left speechless. Every time someone on their side made a move, two people would respond from the other side. The Sixth Mainland was being completely suppressed.
Ancestor Sightless was furious, and the Progenitor of Bloodlines’ imprint appeared behind the man. An overbearing aura swept out.
Lu Yin glanced over at Liu Huang.
The swordsman instantly drew his sword and attacked Ancestor Sightless.
No one had expected Liu Huang to attack so directly, not even Elder Jiu Shen and the others from the Fifth Mainland. This sword was too much of a shock.
Ancestor Sightless also had not expected to be instantly attacked, and he raised a hand to shatter the sword qi. Liu Huang’s sword turned sideways, and the Cloud Valley Master yelled, "Stop!"
As he spoke, his sword also moved, and sword qi clashed against sword qi. There was a bang, and ripples swept through s.p.a.ce as invisible blades shot out and shattered the void in the nearby area.
Master San Cun was suddenly standing in front of the Cloud Valley Master while the Second Nightking had appeared before Liu Huang. A battle was about to break out.
The Cloud Valley Master stared at Lu Yin. "Alliance Leader Lu, what are your intentions? Does your Great Eastern Alliance wish to go to war against my Sixth Mainland?"
The Cloud Valley Master had first met Lu Yin at the border between the Great Eastern Alliance’s territory in the Outerverse and the Sixth Mainland’s domain. At that time, the Cloud Valley Master had threatened Lu Yin and completely disregarded the youth as a mere junior. However, that junior had subsequently created a battlefield for the Sixth Mainland in Ironblood Weave, and he had nearly done the same in the Technocracy.
At this moment, the swordsman had a completely different att.i.tude towards Lu Yin, and the Cloud Valley Master could even be said to be completely pa.s.sive.
The Sixth Mainland’s overall strength truly did surpa.s.s the Fifth Mainland, but as time pa.s.sed, some major incidents like the conflicts with the Neohuman Alliance and the Progenitor of Secret Arts’ betrayal had greatly weakened the Sixth Mainland. Only the Sixth Mainland’s Progenitors were still able to pressure the Fifth Mainland, as the Fifth Mainland greatly surpa.s.sed the Sixth even when it came to the number of Semi-Progenitors that they had.
The Sixth Mainland had lost the vast majority of the advantage that they had initially held against the Hall of Honor, and the situation was only getting worse. The Sixth Mainland had even abandoned their intentions of starting a war against the Fifth Mainland, as it was clear that they would lose unless their Progenitors partic.i.p.ated.
In the past, the Cloud Valley Master had been able to shout threats of war without worry, but he had lost the confidence to do so.
Another matter was the fact that the Celestial Beast Empire’s invasion of the Outerverse was a difficult matter. The Astral Beast Domain was not an easy opponent.
The Sixth Mainland’s goal in taking over the war against the Astral Beast Domain was to use this external conflict to resolve the internal conflicts that had arisen from cleaning out the Progenitor of Secret Arts’ Territory. On top of that, they had received word that the Celestial Beast Empire were sending over reinforcements that the Great Eastern Alliance’s forces were not able to hold out against. They were thus worried that the Great Eastern Alliance would simply retreat, and then the astral beasts would be difficult to root out once they became entrenched in the eastern weaves.
The Sixth Mainland had no concern for the people who lived in the eastern weaves, but they had also underestimated how much Lu Yin valued ordinary humans, which was why the Sixth Mainland did not dare to take such a risk.
Too many times in a person’s life would they be given a chance to take a chance at something, but it all depended on whether or not they could afford to take the loss.
The Sixth Mainland could not afford the loss of letting the Astral Beast Domain occupy any part of the Outerverse. Thus, it was vital that they take over the war that the Great Eastern Alliance had initiated so that they could use the full, united strength of the Outerverse to push back the Astral Beast Domain.
They wanted to transform their internal conflicts into external conflicts, as if they failed to accomplish that, the Sixth Mainland would suffer from civil war.
However, something that they had a.s.sumed would be easy to accomplish had just become extremely difficult.
Lu Yin waved a hand, and the Second Nightking and all of the others backed up a bit. "Cloud Valley Master, the Great Eastern Alliance and I have no desire to go to war with you, but your people are too overbearing. They need to learn to have the proper att.i.tude when speaking to me."
He looked over at Ancestor Sightless. "Acknowledge yourself and your position, or else you won’t be as lucky next time we meet."
Ancestor Sightless twitched. He was a dignified Cosmic Imprinter, and yet he had just been threatened by a junior whom he felt he could easily crush like a bug. Rage boiled over in the man’s heart.
Nong Laohan laughed and moved to stand in front of Ancestor Sightless to address Lu Yin. "Alliance Leader Lu, it’s perfectly understandable that a young man like you would get upset, but this business is very important."
Lu Yin"s eyes flickered, and he focused on the Cloud Valley Master once again. "My mood’s been ruined. Leave for now. We’ll talk more next time."