Chapter 1743: Long-Term Scruples

Charon was a genius Lockbreaker. Even when he had been Lu Yin’s classmate in the Astral Combat Academy, Charon had already been a one star Perceptive Intermediate Lockbreaker. Unfortunately, because of his time in Ironblood Weave, his reputation had never had a chance to spread.

"Brother Linley, are we really leaving? This is Ironblood Weave," Charon bitterly protested. Compared to his time as a student, he had greatly matured.

Linley's eyes flickered, but they remained bleak. "Let's go. Don’t think about it too much, and just follow our orders."

Charon sighed. "Why are we leaving? I can already smell the disgusting stench of those beasts! As soon as we’re gone, what will happen to the ordinary humans living outside this weave?"

"Don't worry about it. I asked, and the Hall of Honor’s already prepared something. Those people will be fine," Linley replied.

Charon laughed hoarsely. "It looks like an agreement was reached. This is bullshit! We risked our lives on this battlefield, and where were those decision makers then? Did they say anything to us before reaching an agreement?"

Linley stared off into the distance. Charon was not the only one to have such thoughts, as everyone who had fought at Brokenblade Fort held similar confusion; why were they leaving? This was Ironblood Weave! When they were gone, who would protect the Outerverse?

The people stationed in Ironblood Weave were rather ignorant of the rest of the universe’s matters, as the commanders were worried that such things would adversely affect the soldiers’ determination. This was why the soldiers did not know that the Sixth Mainland was about to take control of the entire Outerverse.

Charon and those with him were the last to evacuate. They looked back at Brokenblade Fort; how many heroes were buried in that place, both dead and alive? Everyone had worked so hard to keep this place from being broken, and yet they had just voluntarily abandoned it.

Behind Brokenblade Fort, countless black shadows suddenly appeared: astral beasts. Their eyes glowed brightly with the color of blood. They had already passed by Ironblood Fort and the others. Brokenblade Fort was the last stronghold in Ironblood Weave. Taking control of this place symbolized that they had become the masters of Ironblood Weave.

The humans’ Ironblood Weave had held the astral beasts back from entering the Human Domain for countless years, and it was finally about to shatter.

When Elder Lohar saw those astral beasts arrive, his eyes grew cold. He then turned his head to look in the direction that they were retreating, just in time to face a terrifying aura that swept over them. It was the power of an Envoy.

Elder Lohar and the other humans from Ironblood Weave were all stunned, as an Envoy-level figure was not someone who they could stand up to. How could an Envoy-level astral beast be blocking their way?

The countless astral beasts still behind Brokenblade Fort grew excited to see that an Envoy-level beast had appeared. They were still at the edge of the humans’ Ironblood Weave, and they could not wait to move past Brokenblade Fort to join their powerhouse to launch a true attack on the Outerverse.

Brokenblade Fort was quickly destroyed by the powerful astral beast.

𝑓𝑟𝑒𝘦𝓌𝑒𝑏𝑛𝑜𝘷𝑒𝘭.𝒸𝘰𝑚

Charon and the others clenched their fists as they mournfully watched the scene play out.

Naturally, the Envoy-level astral beast that had appeared past Ironblood Weave was Dark Beast. When Elder Lohar and other humans had seen it, so too had the astral beasts behind them.

Suddenly, a person appeared behind Dark Beast, and the figure raised a hand. The hand fell, and with it, so did a battle technique: Skyrender Claw. This was the Autumnfrost family’s battle technique.

The Skyrender Claw tore through Dark Beast’s body, and blood splattered through space.

Everything fell silent.

"That’s an imprint! That’s someone from the Sixth Mainland’s Autumnfrost family!" one of the retreating people shouted loudly.

These words ignited the rage of the astral beasts still behind the ruins of Brokenblade Fort. This attack had been carried out just outside of Ironblood Weave by the cultivator from the Autumnfrost family who had just arrived.

Elder Lohar immediately led the retreating soldiers in a different direction.

More of the Autumnfrost family arrived just as Elder Lohar led the last group of soldiers out of Ironblood Weave, and this was also the same moment that the astral beasts passed by Brokenblade Fort and made their way into the Outerverse.

Dark Beast had been killed by one of the Sixth Mainland’s powerful Imprinters, and the Sixth Mainland was also blocking the path to the Outerverse. This was an act of war to the astral beasts.

It was possible that there were intelligent members of the Celestial Beast Empire who did not want to fight against the Sixth Mainland, but at this moment, who could stop the astral beasts from charging forward? The beasts from the Primal Zone were far too eager to rush into the humans’ Outerverse.

Ancestor Autumnfrost simply snorted derisively. He had no desire to even try negotiating with these beasts. He was a World Imprinter, and his strength swept through space, easily eradicating all the approaching beasts.

There was a roar from within the depths of Ironblood Weave, and an incomparably massive python slithered through space, staring at Ancestor Autumnfrost through its slitted pupils. The Celestial Beast Empire’s experts had also arrived.

War broke out in Ironblood Weave again, but this time, it was being fought between the Sixth Mainland and the Astral Beast Domain.

Elder Lohar led the last of the defenders away from the battlefield and towards the Innerverse.

This was not their war to fight.

War had broken out in Ironblood Weave. Meanwhile, in the far flung Technocracy’s First Edition City, the vice city master had just refused Di Jun’s proposal.

Qing Tan had provided information to Bluedome Elder that confirmed to the Empyrean Imprinter that Origin Matter had appeared in the Sophic Rift, and this was why Di Jun had been sent to negotiate with First Edition City. They no longer simply wanted to recruit First Edition City’s androids as reinforcements in the Outerverse, as they also wanted to further verify the location of the Origin Matter.

Di Jun had already confirmed that Sky Creation Academy was in possession of Origin Matter, but he was frustrated by the conditions that First Edition City were demanding for them to provide the Sixth Mainland with any androids. The only requirement that the city had put forth was for the Sixth Mainland to attack Sky Creation Academy.

Di Jun asked the vice city master countless times for other options, but he had been met with the same response over and over. “If First Edition City is defeated by Sky Creation Academy, where will you get androids to support you?”

These words could not be refuted, especially since the Sophic Rift had been constantly shifting, and it was clear that First Edition City was at a distinct disadvantage.

Helpless, the only thing that Di Jun could do was reach out to Bluedome Elder, who told Di Jun to remain in First Edition City and continue the negotiations.

However, just half a month ago, First Edition City's attitude had suddenly and drastically changed, as they insisted even more forcefully that the Sixth Mainland immediately attack Sky Creation Academy.

Di Jun had been forced to reach out to Bluedome Elder yet again, which had resulted in Di Jun finally being told to return to the Sixth Mainland’s territory.

In the Technocracy, Di Jun's eyes glinted. After he moved away from First Edition City, he changed directions to move towards the Sophic Rift. Before leaving the city, he had made a point to say that he needed to visit the Sophic Rift to determine the matters there so that he could make a full report to Bluedome Elder. However, the truth was that Di Jun was going all the way to Sky Creation Academy.

The Sixth Mainland needed the support of androids, but that did not mean that they had to get them from First Edition City. Bluedome Elder’s intention was to look at other possibilities.

Di Jun intended to visit Sky Creation Academy to discuss a cooperative relationship that included the Sixth Mainland gaining the support of androids, but he was also visiting to investigate the existence of Origin Matter.

As long as Sky Creation Academy actually possessed Origin Matter, Bluedome Elder was willing to pay an incredible price.

Bluedome Elder was very intelligent, and he had no desire to hang himself on a tree, as he would much rather cooperate with Sky Creation Academy. However, First Edition City was also far from stupid.

Once Di Jun arrived in the Sophic Rift, he was greeted by the vice city master, who was still using the bear-shaped android.

First Edition City had recently come to see Lu Yin as more valuable than the Sixth Mainland. They already possessed a large amount of common materials, and the Sixth Mainland had been destroyed. Thus, the mainland had nothing that could rouse First Edition City’s interest. Only Lu Yin's ability to perfectly refine a substance into its composite materials was able to gain their interest.

Half a year of Disassembling various materials was an opportunity that held untold temptations for First Edition City. Regardless of Di Jun’s true purpose in visiting the Sophic Rift, he was dead. Midday’s goal was very clear: Lu Yin wanted to coerce the Sixth Mainland to start a war against Sky Creation Academy.

Not long after Di Jun perished, Bluedome Elder received a call from First Edition City.

"This is Little Bear, First Edition City’s Vice City Master. It’s been a long time, Bluedome Elder."

Bluedome Elder’s eyes flickered. "Vice city master, what might be the matter?"

"Di Jun is dead. He died in the Sophic Rift," the vice city master reported.

Bluedome Elder’s eyes grew sharp, and his voice grew chilly. "How?"

"He was caught up in the aftershocks of a battle. Experts are as numerous as the clouds in the Sophic Rift, and even someone like what you from the Sixth Mainland refer to as Imprinters can easily fall there. He was not familiar with the layout of the battlefield, and so ended up getting caught up in the shockwaves of a battle, which killed him."

There was no way that Bluedome Elder would believe such a story. He was very familiar with Di Jun and his strength. Even though the man was not particularly strong and was only a World Imprinter, he was very cunning. When Ancestor Di had died, Di Jun had led the rest of the Di family to escape to the Outerverse. He had been a very smart person, or else Bluedome Elder would have never sent him to First Edition City.

How could such a person have gotten caught up in someone else’s battle and died that easily?

"In that case, I’ll send someone else to negotiate with your city," Bluedome Elder stated. He did not particularly care about Di Jun’s death, as the Empyrean Imprinter simply wanted to get the androids as soon as possible, and also the Origin Matter.

The vice city master solemnly replied, "Is Your Excellency not curious about where Di Jun died?"

"What does that matter?"

"Di Jun died in the Sophic Rift near Sky Creation Academy’s border. It looked like he was trying to visit Sky Creation Academy."

Bluedome Elder frowned. "Things can change quickly on the battlefield, and it’s also possible that he could not control his position. He should have gone to the Sophic Rift to confirm the current situation. If your city is truly being suppressed by Sky Creation Academy, then my Sixth Mainland will naturally send help. After all, we have cooperated for many years."

"I hope that’s the case. It’s said that humans are cunning creatures, but we can still see Bluedome Elder’s sincerity. We just hope that your Sixth Mainland will not betray our hopes."

"Of course not."

"In that case, Bluedome Elder, when will you send people to attack Sky Creation Academy?"

Bluedome Elder said, "That will have to be decided after the Four Empyreans discuss the matter."

"Very well. We will wait for your answer then."

Once the call ended, Bluedome Elder immediately called Mr. Lifeview. Of the Four Empyreans, they were the only two with the same position on this matter.

"We can't attack Sky Creation Academy for the time being. War has already broken out in Ironblood Weave. If we start a war with the Technocracy as well, we will be helpless against the Fifth Mainland," Mr. Lifeview replied.

Bluedome Elder did not care about such things. "The Astral Beast Domain’s Celestial Beast Empire cannot threaten us. You or I alone can go in and prevent the Astral Beast Domain from ever taking a single step inside Ironblood Weave."

"Do not underestimate the Astral Beast Domain. While they do not have the same number of Semi-Progenitors as the Fifth Mainland, the two have been deadlocked for many years. When we attacked the Astral Beast Domain, we did not suffer small casualties either. The Astral Beast Domain is not a simple place, or else how could they possibly dare go to war with us? Have you already forgotten about the Fourth Mainland?" Mr. Lifeview’s voice dropped low.

Bluedome Elder’s expression finally changed, and he started thinking about the Fourth Mainland. "Then what do you suggest?"

"Don't worry about the Technocracy for now. If Sky Creation Academy does have Origin Matter, then it will not be able to move from there. At this time, we need to bring the entire Outerverse under our complete control. I’ve been feeling like there’s something wrong with First Edition City’s attitude towards us. Something’s fishy,” Mr. Lifeview replied.

After hanging up, Bluedome Elder reluctantly turned to look towards the Technocracy. He was not able to do anything for the moment, and the exact location of the Origin Matter still had not been verified. However, there was another lead that was related to the Origin Matter: Lu Yin. The Origin Matter had only been discovered by the outside world because Lu Yin had visited the Sophic Rift.

Lu Yin had also provided confirmation that the Origin Matter had appeared. As long as Lu Yin was telling the truth, Bluedome Elder would be able to determine the best way to deal with both First Edition City and Sky Creation Academy.

Thinking, he accessed his gadget.

…