Star Odyssey

Chapter 1533: Intel

As soon as Lu Yin emerged from his quarters, Qing Chen asked, "Who did you contact?"

Lu Yin replied, "Realmless is able to intercept the jade butterflies' reports, so this subordinate exposed my location to the jade butterflies."

Qing Chen was startled. "Why?"

Lu Yin explained, "If the Celestial Frost Sect wishes to capture this subordinate, then I'll be attacked while on the way to Dragon Mountain. Regardless of if we take the Bifrost or the Cloud Shuttle, we will still have to pass through a place where they can lay an ambush. This subordinate knows that Yu Chen is quite clever."

Qing Chen did not have much to say in response. "Realmless's information is very precise."

The old man was completely unconcerned about any potential ambush that the Celestial Frost Sect might launch.

Lu Yin grew uneasy. "Supervisor, if the Celestial Frost Sect sends someone to intercept us, will we really be able to safely reach Dragon Mountain?"

Qing Chen's eyes grew hard. "Yes."

Lu Yin's heart sank. This was not the answer that he had been expecting. Qing Chen seemed very confident even when their opponent was the Celestial Frost Sect. What trump card did the old man have hidden? Regardless, it was clear that he did not care about any possible attacks.

This was bad.

Suddenly, Lu Yin remembered what had happened when they had been in the Lower Realm. When they had encountered a truly dangerous situation, the Commander had suddenly appeared. Was it possible that Qing Chen's confidence was because the Commander would intervene?

For a moment, Lu Yin grew a bit flustered. Mister Mu was able to instantly traverse an endless distance by passing through the void. the Commander was a powerful Progenitor, and there was no way he would be any slower than Mister Mu. If the Commander showed up, then even if Mister Mu also arrived, Lu Yin's master might not be able to take him away. Even though Lu Yin suspected that Mister Mu might also be a Progenitor, that only placed him on par with the Commander.

While Lu Yin would have Mister Mu, they would be up against the Commander and Qing Chen. Even if Lu Yin worked together with Mister Mu, escape was not 100% guaranteed.

Complicated thoughts filled his mind as Lu Yin followed Qing Chen towards the Cloud Shuttle. His success or failure would all be determined in the next few moments.

***

Inside Huaiyuan Gate, Wang Dashuai was proudly ordering about a team of people. "That guy has to be a traitor! Com'on, search his house."

"Yes."

"Where's Shang Qing? Where did he go?" The fatty suddenly felt as though something was missing, and asked where Shang Qing was.

"I haven't seen him."

"What about Liu Tianmu?"

"I couldn't find her."

"No matter. Search the house and capture the traitor!"

***

Far away was the Sword Monument. Many people were lined up, waiting to view and pay their respects to the Sword Monument while the members of the Liu family were spread throughout the nearby area. Occasionally, flickers of sword qi could be seen throughout the entire region.

There was a hunched old man beneath the Sword Monument. When he stepped out, there was an invitation card in his hand.

Even though communication crystals meant that people could communicate from anywhere in the Perennial World, paper invitations were still frequently used. These invitations were typically made in an antique style, and they could last for many years.

"The White Dragon Clan's Long Qi will worship Humility's Gate's Commander as his master? This is truly a momentous occasion," the old man commented in surprise. He still remembered the youth who had visited the Sword Monument with a respectful attitude, though that youth also had a stubborn streak that prevented him from being cowed by others. It felt like it had only been the blink of an eye, but that child had already climbed to such heights. This was simply too fast.

Behind the old man, Liu Yijian, who was the master of the Graceful Sword Arts, commented, "Not even when Long Tian became one of the four Junior Progenitors during the Yuanlun Festival did the White Dragon Clan show such enthusiasm."

"Long Qi is no longer just a member of the White Dragon Clan, as he has also received the favor of Humility's Gate's Commander. Long Zu must see the child as a second Long Xing," the old man quietly replied.

Liu Yijian remembered. "Even if Long Qi is truly talented, he will never be able to reach Long Xing's level. Her and my Liu family's Little Pebble were members of the Seven Heroes of the past. They excelled in combat, cultivation, and lockbreaking. They truly stood above all of their peers."

"Which of those Seven Heroes back then did not stand head and shoulders above all their peers? Not a single one of them was in any way inferior to Bai Xian'er. The appearance of the Seven Heroes was the most glorious display of their era, and they represented the rise of humanity. However, such glory ultimately came to an end and became nothing more than a stepping stone for Bai Xian'er." The old man sighed.

"It's really a pity. Even our old Progenitor said that the Seven Heroes might have been able to replicate the Nine Mountains and Eight Seas from the Daosource Sect's peak." Liu Yijian's voice dropped low. This was not only because he regretted the loss of the Seven Heroes, but also because he regretted the loss of the most outstanding descendant that the Liu family had ever seen.

The old man's hunch slowly straightened out. "It's time to take a trip. With the White Dragon Clan sending out invitations so widely, it would be a disgrace to not attend, and that child, Long Qi, is also not bad. I'd like to see how much he's grown to have become worthy of a Progenitor's guidance."

***

In another distant location, Seed Garden also received an invitation. Their patriarch, Nong Ya, looked at the name of Long Qi on the invitation, and he grew somewhat nervous. Previously, he had been blackmailed by the youth, and the patriarch still did not know how to treat the youth. The cost had been a small amount of resources for the Nong family, but they had still been blackmailed. This Long Qi was far from being as honest as he appeared to be.

As Nong Ya read the invitation's description of Long Qi that the White Dragon Clan had put together, he became increasingly uncomfortable. A righteous heart that would rather die than surrender? A genius Lockbreaker?

"Father, how do you intend to reply to the White Dragon Clan?" Nong Sanniang asked.

Nong Lie was also present.

Nong Ya replied, "Since we've received the invitation, I have no choice but to go. I'll have to attend in person."

At this point, he turned to look at Nong Sanniang. "With Bai Shaohong's death, the Celestial Frost Sect will go after everyone who returned from the Dominion Realm alive. This means that you will also be under their focus. Do not leave Seed Garden for now. That way, the Celestial Frost Sect will not be able to do anything."

Nong Sanniang nodded. "I understand."

"Father, may I go with you?" Nong Lie was eager to try his luck.

Nong Ya considered the request for a moment. "Yes."

***

Not many of the forces in the Middle Realm were powerful enough to qualify to receive invitations from the White Dragon Clan. The Liu family and the Seed Garden were two such powers, and the only other organization that truly stood on the same level as them was the Virtue Archives. After those three, the next most-powerful organizations were the Purple-Gold family, the Smokecloud Sect, and the four ruling powers' other subordinate organizations. All of these powers received invitations as well.

In the Lower Realm, Root received an invitation. Even though the organization remained bound to the Lower Realm and had no influence on the rest of the Perennial World, they were greatly respected by everyone. They were known as the Mother Tree's protectors, and they constantly rid the tree of parasites. They quietly protected humanity's home, and as far as most people were concerned, Root deserved the same respect as the people fighting on the battlefield behind the Mother Tree.

After all, the Lower Realm was not much safer than the rear battlefield.

However, no one knew whether or not Root would send a representative all the way to the Higher Realm to attend the ceremony at Dragon Mountain. Even if they did not, none of the four ruling powers would make much trouble for Root. The people in that organization would defend their dignity to death, as this was Root's credo. While there were some members who feared death, most did not.

***

As for the Higher Realm, the Wang family also became uncomfortable as they read the invitation that they had received. To begin with, the Celestial Frost Sect had stood slightly above the other four ruling powers while the other three had stood equal to each other. The fact that the White Dragon Clan had now given birth to such an extraordinary genius who was gifted in every aspect was something unacceptable to the Wang family. However, they had no choice but to accept it, and they also had to send someone to attend the ceremony.

"Would you like to have Wang Yi go? His injuries should be nearly healed by now," a member of the Wang family suggested, but Wang Si instantly shot this down.

"Why would you want to let him out? To shame us? I have seen that Long Qi before, and his courage is extraordinary. Now, he's going to worship a powerful Progenitor as his master, and he is also apparently a gifted Lockbreaker. This is someone who practically stands on the same level as Wang Su and the other Junior Progenitors. Wang Yi cannot compare to this person."

"Then what does Elder intend?"

"Old Shen will be the one to go. Also, Yun'er's punishment is about to end, so have her join Old Shen."

"Yes, Elder."

***

At Shenwu's Sky, the imprisoned jiao was shining. Anyone who visited Shenwu's Sky for the first time would be shocked to see the imprisoned dragon, and they would be even more amazed by the massive blade that pinned the dragon to the ground.

Shenwu's Sky was a domineering power. In particular, their Nine Clones Secret Technique was seen as being practically invincible as long as one was able to comprehend it.

On one particular day, Xia Taili was lazing about when she received a message: Long Qi will be entered into the White Dragon Clan's main family, as well as accepted as the disciple of the Humility's Gate's Commander. Moreover, he has been viewed favorably by many gifted Lockbreakers. He has entered heaven with this single step, and the White Dragon Clan is sending out invitations to attend the ceremony. Taili, get ready. You will be accompanying me.

The message had been sent by Xia Xing, the master of Shenwu's Sky, who was also Xia Shenfei and Xia Taili's father.

Xia Taili lowered her arm, shocked. "That guy is actually going to become a Progenitor's disciple? Doesn't that mean that he'll be on the same level as big brother? Why?"

She thought back to when she had first met Long Qi. At that time, the youth had dared to point a spear at her throat. Up in the Higher Realm, he had shamelessly threatened her into protecting him. The more she thought about their past interactions, the more upset she became.

This could not be allowed. She had to expose his true nature! He was not a man—he was an absolute bastard!

Xia Taili ground her teeth as she thought of a way to embarrass Lu Yin. She absolutely had to humiliate him in front of the Progenitors.

Elsewhere in Shenwu's Sky, Wu Taibai received the news as well, though he would not accompany Xia Xing to Dragon Mountain as he was currently being punished.

In Shenwu's Sky, the younger disciples were separated into four different groups—namely, there was the Shen generation, the Tai generation, the Lin generation, and then the rest of the disciples. Only the top geniuses could be a part of the named groups while everyone else, regardless of their numbers, would only ever be considered an ordinary disciple.

Wu Taibai was an elite of the Tai generation, the same as Xia Taili. They were both considered to be second only to Xia Shenfei, who was a part of the Sheni generation. However, Wu Taibai had long since disregarded the rules of Shenwu's Sky and frequently ventured out on his own adventures. He had left for many years, only returning the previous one. While he should have been punished for his unexcused absence, he had returned with news that atoned for his mistakes.

In actuality, Wu Taibai had not been qualified to go to the Dominion Realm with Xia Shenfei, but the Junior Progenitor himself had requested it. However, Xia Shenfei had been trapped, and so Wu Taibai had been imprisoned and was currently suffering the clan's punishment.

Such punishment would be absolute torture for anyone, and cultivators who were subjected to this particular sentence would scream in despair. There were even some who were unable to endure the punishment and sought to end themselves. In contrast, Wu Taibai remained very calm, especially after he heard the news about Lu Yin, which actually caused him to laugh.

"The place of the true inheritances will soon begin to demonstrate its power! This Perennial World will never be able to match that place's foundation. All of the greatest powers that can be pursued can only be found there! The God of Death is only the most blatant example, but that is nothing more than the beginning! One day, the skies will reverse, and this place will be trampled underfoot." Wu Taibai lifted his head to look out at the imprisoned dragon beyond the purgatory flames roasting him. "Progenitor Chen, Progenitor Hui, and even the Rune Progenitor—why did all of them go to that place? Because that place is the only place with true inheritances!"

***

At the Celestial Frost Sect, Liu Shaoge handed Yu Chen a report.

Yu Chen glanced at it, and her expression instantly changed. "This report came from the jade butterfly at Huaiyuan Gate?"

"Yes. The jade butterfly discovered that Long Qi deliberately returned to Huaiyuan Gate, though his purpose there remains unknown," Liu Shaoge replied.

Yu Chen looked up, her eyes focused and radiating sharp intellect. "Do you think that Qing Chen couldn't mask his presence with Long Qi when he returned to Huaiyuan Gate?"

Liu Shaoge respectfully replied, "No."

"So then how did this jade butterfly discover Long Qi's presence?" Yu Chen asked rhetorically.

Liu Shaoge answered, "Long Qi most likely intended for it to happen."

Yu Chen revealed a slight smile. "Keep talking."