Chapter 2307: The Second Blade

Lu Buzheng’s introduction horrified every last member of Star Alliance. Lu Tianyi was the Lu family’s patriarch, as well as an ancient powerhouse even during the Daosource Sect era, let alone during the Perennial World era. Every last person had heard of Lu Tianyi, but they had never heard of Lu Buzheng. On top of that, he was claiming to be from a different era as well.

He actually claimed to be Lu Tianyi’s senior? How was that possible?

"That’s ridiculous! Progenitor Tianyi is the person with the highest seniority in the entire Perennial World! How could you surpass him?" One of the former Lu family vassals became upset and started scolding Lu Buzheng before turning to look at Lu Yin. "Young master, don't be deceived by this person! Progenitor Tianyi is known to have existed years before recorded history."

"As I just said, the Heavens Sect era." Lu Buzheng’s hands remained clasped behind his back as he looked at the man who had spoken. "I have no need to lie to you. I, and many others, were sealed in a sourcebox during the Heavens Sect era, and were only recently released. Thus, I am indeed someone who was born before Lu Tianyi. In my era, Lu Tianyi was our Dao Chosen, and a direct descendant of my Lu family. He called me ‘Third Uncle’ when he saw me."

"This- this-" The Lu family’s vassals simply could not accept such a thing. One of the primary reasons why many of them had not joined the four ruling powers was because they had been waiting for Lu Tianyi. They were not waiting for the Lu family, but Lu Tianyi alone.

When the Lu family had been the ruler of the Fifth Mainland, Lu Tianyi had been the uncontested master of the Lu family, as well as of the entire Fifth Mainland. Even back during the Daosource Sect era, Lu Tianyi had used the Investiture of the Gods to summon all the other masters of the Nine Mountains and Eight Seas. These former vassals had all been quite close to the Lu family, and their intimate knowledge of the family and Lu Tianyi caused them to respect the man even more.

Even if the Lu family had been exiled, even if the four ruling powers had seized control of the Perennial World, these people refused to believe that Lu Tianyi could have died. They were absolutely certain that Lu Tianyi would eventually return. They had faith that Lu Tianyi would regain control of the entire Fifth Mainland and once again rule over all of humanity.

"Third Uncle is right. Many people have come from the Heavens Sect era, which is even older than the Daosource Sect era with the masters of the Nine Mountains and Eight Seas. During the Heavens Sect era, humanity ruled over six Mainlands, and Ancestor Lu Tianyi was indeed one of the Dao Chosen…" Lu Yin then proceeded to gradually share a bit of ancient history with all the members of Star Alliance. After all, the Lu family’s vassals deserved an explanation.

A short while later, the few people who had been the Lu family’s followers left with Lu Buzheng. They would all receive preferential treatment in regards to cultivation resources and anything else that they might need. Of course, this was all based on the premise that they were truly followers of the Lu family. If anyone was lying about such a thing, Lu Yin would not show them any mercy.

As for the people who remained behind, Lu Yin delivered all of them to the Interstellar Supreme Court to be identified and investigated. While the four ruling powers had indeed created Star Alliance out of selfish intentions, they had indeed condemned a number of terrible criminals to join Star Alliance, and there was untold amounts of blood on those people’s hands. There were people who had killed far, far more humans than Aeternals, and those people had to be found and isolated so that they could be dealt with without hesitation.

"This old one is Zhan Lin. I pay my respects to the Lu family’s young master." The only person from Star Alliance who had stayed behind was the sole Semi-Progenitor, and he offered Lu Yin a very respectful bow.

Lu Yin observed the old man. "I’m only a three-tribulation Envoy. I don’t deserve such respect from you, Senior."

Zhan Lin answered in a solemn manner, "It is not inappropriate. Young Master Lu was able to escape from Shenwu’s Sky, as well as from Xia Shenji. You have accomplished things that no one in the past or current era could ever accomplish. Such things were even beyond the masters of the Nine Mountains and Eight Seas when they had a comparable cultivation realm. Young Master Lu possesses enough combat strength to compare to a Semi-Progenitor. Such respect is certainly not unwarranted."

Lu Yin gave a small smile. "Why does a Semi-Progenitor like you bow to me, a mere junior Envoy?"

"I have a request."

"What is it?"

"I ask that Young Master Lu allow me to fight in the war against the four ruling powers," Zhan Lin asked with a stoic and steady look in his eyes.

Lu Yin caught off guard. "You regard the four ruling powers as your enemies?"

"There is no one in Star Alliance who does not. However, as a Semi-Progenitor, I possess the strength necessary to be able to negotiate such things with you, Young Master Lu," Zhan Lin replied.

A smile crept across Lu Yin’s face. "I’m sorry, but I already have a large number of Semi-Progenitors under my command. One more or one less won’t make a difference."

"But how many of those Semi-Progenitors are willing to swear to fight to the death against the four ruling powers? How many are willing to lay their lives down on the battlefield when facing the four ruling powers?" Zhan Lin asked rhetorically.

The Ghost Monkey suddenly shouted, "How presumptuous! What gives you the courage to speak to Seventh Brother in such a tone? Slap yourself."

Zhan Lin completely ignored the Ghost Monkey.

Lu Yin stared at the old man. "Do you hate the four ruling powers more than even the Aeternals? If you are confronted by both people from the four ruling powers and monsters from Aeternus, and you are only able to unleash a single attack, who would you kill?"

Zhan Lin was stunned for a moment, and he could not find a reply.

Lu Yin rose to his feet as he observed the old man. "I asked, who would you choose to kill?"

Zhan Lin stared at Lu Yin intently as he asked, "Are you asking me, Young Master Lu, or yourself?"

Lu Yin's eyes flickered. "Just answer the question. Who dies?"

Zhan Lin took a deep breath. "Enemies must die."

Lu Yin’s eyes narrowed.

Zhan Lin continued, "I would give my life to release a second attack. The attack would not be for myself, but-” The man stared at Lu Yin with a burning intensity. “For the bigger picture."

Lu Yin and Zhan Lin stared at each other. There were no reservations in the old man's eyes. They were firm and determined. He would exact revenge for himself, and he would also sacrifice himself to deal with the Aeternals for the sake of the bigger picture. Was this the right choice?

Eventually, Zhan Lin was also taken to the Interstellar Supreme Court. Everyone from Star Alliance needed to be questioned and investigated before any final decisions were made.

The sudden arrival of more than a hundred Envoys greatly boosted the Fifth Mainland’s overall combat power. Even if all the true criminals were simply eliminated, there would still be dozens of Envoys added to the Fifth Mainland’s numbers.

Lu Yin did not hide anything involving Star Alliance, as the Fifth Mainland needed confidence. They needed to be confident enough to be willing to face the four ruling powers.

Before the members of Star Alliance were led away, everyone’s cosmic ring was searched, as there was a desperate need for more of the Mother Tree’s bark. Everything else within the cosmic rings were returned to their original owners.

The bark of the Mother Tree was of vital importance, as it was the material that was used to create microarrays. The members of Star Alliance provided a great deal of bark as well as the white paper made from it. Lu Yin felt that it was enough to ease a great deal of the pressure that the researchers of the Heavens Sect’s Backyard were facing.

Backyard was the division of the Heavens Sect that was responsible for research and development of technology. Its foundation was Aurora Enterprises, but Backyard had managed to lure a large number of brilliant individuals, and they had also started cooperating with the Technocracy. Their current highest priority research project was to create a microarray that consisted of twenty eight individual arrays. Success would provide a qualitative rise in the Fifth Mainland’s military power.

After dealing with the members of Star Alliance, Lu Yin summoned Director Zhi. Microarray technology was truly humanity’s future, and Lu Yin considered it to be one of the most important projects being worked on.

"Dao Chosen, the sect has received shipments of resources from the Technocracy. They are available for your use any time you need," Leng Qing suddenly mentioned after delivering another report to Lu Yin.

Lu Yin immediately looked up. "Resources from the Technocracy? Is it star essence?"

Leng Qing nodded. "They sent quite a bit, Dao Chosen, but as you were in seclusion, we never completed the transfer, as we were awaiting your decision on the allocation, Dao Chosen."

Lu Yin's eyes grew red as he remembered that the Technocracy had once told him that he would be sent their star essence and that it likely amounted to over a trillion. 200 billion star essence had been delivered before Lu Yin had gone to the Perennial World, and the rest had been delivered during his absence.

"How much?" Lu Yin asked anxiously. He was desperate for funds, as he was currently completely broke.

Leng Qing was caught off guard by Lu Yin's obvious excitement for the star essence. He replied, "It's around 700 or 800 billion star essence. I don't have an exact number."

Lu Yin was delighted by the number and his hand rose to his forehead. He took a deep breath and worked to suppress his joy. "I see."

Once Leng Qing was gone, Lu Yin could no longer control himself. He let out a long breath. He was rich! He was rich once again! This was wonderful. Even if 800 billion star essence was not quite as much as what he had acquired from the Junior Progenitor Planets, it was not much less. In fact, given that there were three planets, this was the most that Lu Yin had ever acquired at one time.

Over 800 billion star essence! Lu Yin’s eyes light up brighter than ever.

How should he use this wealth?

While it was a great deal of wealth, it would be all too easy for Lu Yin to burn through all of it. He could not afford to grow complacent. He had to continue to gather more resources. If he acquired 9 trillion, or even 80 trillion, that would be a truly exaggerated amount of wealth.

Just how much star essence did the entire Fifth Mainland contain? Lu Yin was quite curious.

"Dao Chosen, Director Zhi is currently participating in a simulation of a twenty eight layered microarray, so he has not been informed of your return yet," a woman stated respectfully from outside the main hall. She was Lu Jiao, and she was another person from the Heavens Sect era, like Lu Buzheng. She had participated in the Heavens Sect’s Dao Chosen selection.

Lu Yin grunted. "Send Ku Wei to see me."

"Brother Seven, I know where Ku Wei is! I'll go get him!" The Ghost Monkey instantly disappeared.

Lu Jiao offered Lu Yin a bow and stepped back.

Lu Buzhen had been the one overseeing the Heavens Sect while Lu Yin had been in the Perennial World. So naturally, he had relied on Lu Lai and Lu Jiao extensively, given Lu Buzheng’s familiarity with the two members of the Lu family who were also from the Heavens Sect era.

Ku Wei soon arrived. Lu Yin saw the young man racing towards him at top speed. "Master! You’re back! Congratulations, Master! You are invincible throughout the entire universe! You’ve conquered a Progenitor-level mount! The first to do so throughout all of history! Congratulations on creating an immortal name, Master! Your name will blaze in glory for as long as stars shine in the sky! You’ve become an eternal beacon for mankind! Master…"

The Ghost Monkey stared in awe as Ku Wei spouted more and more ridiculous compliments. This bastard was too well spoken! He sounded so much better than the Ghost Monkey. Professional, even. How long had this man worked on preparing this speech?

Lu Yin frowned. "Shut up."

Ku Wei instantly stopped speaking.

Finally, the Ghost Monkey felt a bit better as he stared at Ku Wei being scolded.

Ku Wei eagerly stared at Lu Yin, licking his lips and laughing. "What did you call me here for, Master?"

Lu Yin observed Ku Wei. "Your cultivation hasn’t improved very much."

Ku Wei was left utterly speechless. It’s only been a few months since you’ve last seen me! Do you think that we’re all freaks like you?

Of course, Ku Wei would never dare to speak such words aloud.

"Your disciple is untalented, and I deserve to be laughed at, Master. You can rest assured that your disciple will devote himself entirely to training, and I will never again fail to meet your expectations!" Ku Wei promised with his head held high.

Lu Yin had no time to worry about Ku Wei’s lack of dedication to his cultivation. "Give me some of your blood."

Ku Wei blinked. "Blood?"

Lu Yin nodded.

Ku Wei's eyes lit up. "Understood, Master! Just wait a moment!"

He then turned and fled from the hall.

"He’s escaping! Seventh Bro, that brat’s getting away! I'll catch him and drag him back here!" the Ghost Monkey shouted.

Lu Yin grumpily replied, "He isn’t escaping, it’s fine. Go entertain yourself. There’s no need to be an eyesore here."

The Ghost Monkey felt quite offended. "An eyesore? Seventh Bro, I- I’m your pet! How can you call me an eyesore? Seventh Bro…"

Lu Yin was also left speechless at the monkey’s reaction, and he waved a hand. "Alright, fine. I didn’t mean to call you an eyesore. Just leave for now. I need to go over something on my own."

***

In another part of the Heavens Sect, Ku Wei was incredibly excited. He was one of the few people who knew Lu Yin best. Ku Wei was aware that Lu Yin possessed many secrets, one of which was related to Progenitor Chen.

When Ku Wei had visited Giant Consortium, he had provided Lu Yin with blood, but he had received Progenitor Chen’s blood in return. What did this mean? It meant that Lu Yin was somehow able to extract and refine Progenitor Chen's blood from Ku Wei’s blood.