Chapter 2642 – Probe
Luo Lao"er proceeded to carry out the transaction.
While this was happening, in a dim place, weary eyes slowly rose up to look at a glowing screen. "What s.h.i.tty timing, I"m exhausted."
The person had been planning to rest for a few days, and for that reason, he was considering rejecting the deal. However, after getting a good look at the screen, the person’s eyes lit up. "Luo Lao"er?"
The person stepped forward, their breath quickening. "It really is Luo Lao"er. He"s finally shown himself. This time he wants information on Zi Jing? How odd… He doesn’t want more information about spies? Just what is he up to?"
After a brief internal conflict, the person started to respond to Luo Lao"er.
Anxiety was causing Luo Lao"er’s stomach to churn. This transaction was important to Lu Yin, and it also involved the You family. He could not afford to mess things up.
"Brother-in-law, the price that he"s quoting for what you want is insane," Luo Lao"er commented.
Lu Yin calmly responded, "That"s fine."
"Brother-in-law, there is information about Sister Zi Jing, but how is it so comprehensive? There’s even some pieces about Zi Jing"s childhood. How did they get that?" Luo Lao"er exclaimed.
Lu Yin frowned. He would not have been surprised if Luo Lao’er’s contact had current information on Zi Jing, but it was astonishing that there was information about her childhood. That was not a simple matter, and it was proof that whoever Luo Lao’er was interacting with wielded considerable influence in the Transcendent Universe.
Elsewhere, a man was excitedly staring at a screen. "Almost there! Almost there! Don"t hang up! Don"t you dare end this call!"
He was trying to determine Luo Lao"er"s location and gather information about him. This opportunity was too rare to let pa.s.s by.
As for Lu Yin, he was still processing the information that he had just received regarding Zi Jing. He could not decide just what the information broker was doing. The person had to know that they were dealing with Luo Lao"er, who had been involved in Monarch Mu"s disappearance. When it was discovered that Luo Lao"er was in the You family"s territory, what would the information broker do with such details?
Finding the information broker immediately through the transaction was impossible, which meant that Lu Yin could only try to shift trouble elsewhere. By letting out something important, like Luo Lao’er’s location and all of its implications, Lu Yin was hoping to find the information broker’s trail.
Lu Yin terribly missed his die"s Possession ability. It allowed him to instantly scan through a person’s memories with no effort. It eliminated so much trouble and complications.
Possession was like being given the answer key to a test. Working backwards from the end point was far more efficient than having no idea where to even start.
"The Ziyou Realm! He’s actually in the Ziyou Realm!" In the dimly lit place, a man"s face flushed with excitement. "So, it"s the You family. Yes, the You family controls the Bureau, so it’s no surprise that they would buy information about spies. However, I also can"t rule out that it might be someone else from the Bureau, especially that Xuan Qi. After all, he was the one who captured that last spy, though there’s no confirmation that he’s the one paying for information about spies.
"It’s also possible that the You family could be exploiting him. He was invited to the Transcendent Universe by the You family, so it would not be a surprise if he"s become their puppet.
"However, Xuan Qi would never buy any information about Zi Jing. They were lovers when they arrived here… Only the You family has a vested interest in such a thing, as Zi Jing is a key researcher in the most confidential cultivation technology that’s being studied. So far, that whole matter has been kept secret from the You family."
The man paced back and forth. His eyes had gained a feverish glint, and there was no trace of his previous exhaustion. The You family, Monarch Mu, Transcendent Universe, the Three Monarchs… He looked back at the screen, focusing on the location that had been revealed in the Ziyou Realm. "I"ll risk everything!"
As for Lu Yin, he had already sent Luo Lao"er back to Aeternus Nation. Everything that he could do had already been done, so all that remained was to wait. Lu Yin did not actually know what the information broker would do next. It was possible that nothing would happen and that the person would focus solely on trading information, but it was also possible that the person would do something.
There was no way for Lu Yin to seize the initiative, so he could only throw out some bait.
The fact that Luo Lao’er’s contact sold information suggested a lack of resources. Information as important as what this person sold could be sold to the Three Monarchs Universe for a very high price. Lu Yin hoped that he would not be disappointed.
The information broker did not disappoint Lu Yin. The man was indeed in dire need of resources, and he was willing to trade with anyone, even spies, as long as he received the resources that he needed.
At this moment, the man had just been given some truly priceless information. As long as he could sell it, he would receive all the resources he would ever need. It was too much temptation to resist.
…
The towering rainbow wall was both the most beautiful and the most dangerous place in the entire Three Monarchs Universe. Being inside or outside of the wall was the difference between life and death.
At all times, countless nervous eyes peered out from inside the rainbow wall. From the first moment the enormous land ma.s.ses had appeared and clung tightly to the rainbow wall, even more nervous eyes had appeared.
"I think that she"ll try to go after Xia Shenji," Arch-Elder Zen commented as he stared forwards. He was standing atop the rainbow wall, and just outside of it lay a continent that seemed to stretch on forever. It was not a real continent, but rather the Forgotten Ruins.
Arch-Elder Zen had already seen Forgotten Ruins G.o.d in action in the Fifth Mainland, as well as during the Daosource Sect era, but he had never seen such a vast display of the Forgotten Ruins.
From the moment he had arrived at the Three Monarchs Universe’s rainbow wall, he had witnessed the boundless Forgotten Ruins, as well as how it had forced Monarch Luo, Monarch Xing, and Xia Shenji to quickly pull back. It was only then that Arch-Elder Zen had learned just how terrifying Forgotten Ruins G.o.d truly was.
If he touched the Forgotten Ruins continent, he would instantly forget everything. While the effect would only last for a moment, a single moment was more than enough to determine the outcome in a fight between true experts.
Despite Forgotten Ruins G.o.d’s formidable strength, she did not fight directly against the four powerhouses. After all, each of them had the strength of a Progenitor, and dealing with such people was far from easy.
At the moment, the four people were trying to determine which direction Forgotten Ruins G.o.d would strike from next.
The rainbow wall was meant to protect the entire Three Monarchs Universe. If the four powerhouses acted together, Forgotten Ruins G.o.d could then strike elsewhere, and they would have no time to move and help the a.s.saulted area.
The Three Monarchs Formation worked together with the rainbow wall to let the Three Monarchs instantly attack from any location. While Arch-Elder Zen and Xia Shenji were able to compensate for the weakened state of the Three Monarchs Universe due to Monarch Mu"s absence, it was impossible for either of the two to take her place in the Three Monarchs Formation.
On top of that, the rainbow wall was weakening. If they never found Monarch Mu, someone would need to take her place, or else the rainbow wall would eventually vanish entirely.
“I think that she"ll aim for Xia Shenji"s region," Monarch Luo agreed in a low voice.
Monarch Xing voiced her opinion, "I believe that she"ll target me.”
Arch-Elder Zen said, “Forgotten Ruins G.o.d was once injured by my Origin Universe’s Senior Xia Shang, and her wounds have yet to heal even now. She bears an intense hatred for the Xia family.”
“Which is exactly why she"ll leave Xia Shenji for the end," Monarch Xing stated.
Arch-Elder Zen had not considered that particular angle, and thus he fell silent for a moment.
“Heh heh, are even people as old as you only able to rely on guesses? Well, go ahead. I’ll send a single attack with my full strength. I wonder which of you is able to block it on your own, hehe.” Forgotten Ruins G.o.d"s laughter echoed through the Three Monarchs Universe.
Xia Shenji’s eyes narrowed. This was so troublesome. The plan had been for him to be replaced by Bai Sheng and Arch-Elder Zen so that he could return to the Perennial World. However, while Arch-Elder Zen arrived, Bai Sheng had merely sent greetings while also asking why he should risk his life replacing Xia Shenji to protect the Three Monarchs Universe.
Not even Bai w.a.n.gyuan could force Progenitor Bai Sheng to move against his will.
Without Bai Sheng, Arch-Elder Zen and Xia Shenji were not enough to compensate for the loss of the Three Monarchs Formation, and this was mostly because of the sheer size of the area that they had to protect. Monarch Luo did not want to let Xia Shenji leave, which had led to the current situation.
“In the Sixverse a.s.sociation, only your Three Monarchs Universe is on the defensive. All the other five universes have managed to force us out. Why do you cling to the t.i.tle of the Three Monarchs? What can you gain by fighting to the death to defend your little corner of the Sixverse a.s.sociation? Even if you do force my Aeternus back, what will be left for your Three Monarchs Universe?” Forgotten Ruins G.o.d mocked.
Monarch Luo replied, his voice deep and somber, "There’s no need for your nonsense. We"ve confronted each other for many years and have a good understanding of each other as well. Your words mean nothing."
"The Origin Universe is far more powerful than your Three Monarchs Universe. Now that they’ve been dragged into the Sixverse a.s.sociation"s battlefield, once the Sixverse a.s.sociation accepts the Origin Universe, do you really think that your Three Monarchs Universe will remain a part of the Sixverse a.s.sociation?" Forgotten Ruins G.o.d asked, clearly delighted to sow discord.
Monarch Luo"s eyes grew sharp. One of his greatest concerns had just been voiced, but with Monarch Mu"s sudden disappearance, he was left with no choice but to keep Xia Shenji in the Three Monarchs Universe and pull the Origin Universe into the fray. Without that a.s.sistance, the Three Monarchs Universe would be in grave danger.
"Have you ever considered that this situation might be exactly what the Origin Universe desires?" Forgotten Ruins G.o.d added.
Arch-Elder Zen sighed. "Aeternus is well known for tempting the human heart and causing humans to lose their will to resist by offering tantalizing promises of immortality and immense power, but you are also human. If you truly cared about nothing, how could you have fallen? Forgotten Ruins G.o.d, what do you care about?"
"Child, when did it become your place to lecture me?" Forgotten Ruins G.o.d snorted with disdain.
"I was merely curious," replied Arch-Elder Zen.
"Leave your curiosity in your coffin! If you want to get anything out of me, bring Lu Yin here. I"ll answer any question he asks me, hehe." Forgotten Ruins G.o.d released her attack, and the universe beyond the rainbow wall was turned upside down. Surprisingly, she had gone after Arch-Elder Zen.
Arch-Elder Zen might have been the last of the four powerhouses to reach the peak, but that by no means meant that he was the weakest. With the Tri-Yang Ancestral Qi Technique, even Bai w.a.n.gyuan was wary of Arch-Elder Zen.
After arriving in the Three Monarchs Universe, Arch-Elder Zen and Forgotten Ruins G.o.d had traded blows more than once. While the most recent exchange was significantly more powerful than normal, the exchange still ended quickly.
"Old people like you are no fun. I’d rather visit the Origin Universe and find Lu Yin. I wonder how he"s doing? I kind of miss him." Forgotten Ruins G.o.d let out a delicate laugh as she turned to leave the Three Monarchs Universe.
Arch-Elder Zen arched a brow. "If you dare to leave this universe, Aeternus will never enter this place again."
Monarch Luo shot a glare at Arch-Elder Zen. The Monarch was desperate for Forgotten Ruins G.o.d to leave, but Arch-Elder Zen would not allow her to go make trouble for Lu Yin.
"Try me." Forgotten Ruins G.o.d"s voice faded away.
Arch-Elder Zen"s expression grew somber, and he launched a powerful attack beyond the rainbow wall.
Countless s.p.a.cecraft shot out from the wall, smashing into a similarly endless sea of corpse kings. The ocean of scarlet eyes struck fear into all who saw them.
Beams of light shot out. Each s.p.a.ceship was shrouded with monarch essence, and the universe was illuminated with vibrant colors.
Suddenly, the battleships ceased fire. The various captains were all staring blankly at their screens, which were suddenly displaying the words “Monarch Mu is here.” The statement sent tremors of shock through all who saw them.
Every single screen on countless vessels was displaying the same four words. Inside the rainbow wall, the phrase also appeared on every technological device.
Monarch Luo quickly arrived inside a s.p.a.ceship. "Head back."
He then sent his contact information to the person who had sent the message.
“We’ll talk here,” was the reply sent.
Monarch Luo remained calm and asked everyone else aboard the ship to leave. "You should be able to hear me speak."
"It"s an honor to speak with you, Monarch Luo," a mechanical voice replied. It was impossible to distinguish the person’s gender.
Monarch Luo stared at a screen. "You want to talk to me, but you do not want me to know who you are, and this is the only way for you to ensure that. Are you the one who captured Monarch Mu?"
"Monarch Luo, you misunderstand me. I just happened to learn of Monarch Mu"s location, so I came here to tell you."
"What’s your price?"