Chapter 3232: Verdant Eternity

Xiao Can had no choice but to leave. He already knew that, if Lu Yin discovered the fruiting Root of Intelligence, Xiao Can would lose all claim to it. Still, he did not feel much regret, seeing how it had been impossible for him to obtain more of the Yellow Springs.

Who knew how much of the Yellow Springs it would take to fully let someone understand the carvings that he had seen?

With the Lu family taking over the Wang family's continent, it had become impossible for Xiao Can to get so much as another drop of Yellow Springs. That avenue had been completely closed off to him.

Throughout the entire universe, Lu Yin alone could proceed further and unveil the true nature of the Yellow Springs.

The Wang family had not left behind much of the Yellow Springs, though when Xiao Can saw what remained, he could not help but shout. It was far more than what he had managed to gather over the years.

Of course, that was the expected outcome. Xiao Can had only ever managed to steal tiny bits of the Yellow Springs. Given his abilities and cultivation, how much could he have really snuck away? Let alone the fact that he had been stealing from an already limited supply.

In contrast, Lu Yin had full access to all the Yellow Springs that Wang Fan had left behind for the Wang family. While this was not nearly as much as what Wang Fan had kept on his person, it was still a considerable amount.

It was more than what someone like Xiao Can could have gathered, even after thousands of years of working the mines.

Lu Yin ordered the Lu family to gather more of the Yellow Springs while he continued to breathe in the fragrance produced by the Root of Intelligence’s fruit after it was watered with the Yellow Springs. He hoped to learn the truth behind the odd liquid.

Lu Yin's orders overturned the remnants of the Wang family yet again.

In the Tri-Petal area, Wang Jian’s expression was gloomy as he looked at an old woman from the Lu family standing before him.

The woman looked quite calm. “Hand it over. This is a direct order from Lord Lu himself. If you refuse, no one can protect you.”

Wang Jian replied in a low voice, “There really is no more of the Yellow Springs. As soon as the Lu family took control of the Wang family’s continent, all of the Yellow Springs was given to you.”

The old woman sneered. “Wang Jian, the only reason why you're still alive is thanks to Lady Wang Miaomiao. We are fully aware of whether you gave us all the Yellow Springs in here. If not for the sake of your daughter, do you really think that you would be allowed to remain here in the Tri-Petal area?

“Wang Fan betrayed humanity and deserved to die. As the Wang family’s last remaining Progenitor, you should understand what your fate should be.

“Lord Lu’s orders cannot be disobeyed. If you refuse again, you will be killed and shown no further mercy.”

Wang Jian’s eyes narrowed, and he prepared to continue arguing, but Wang Miaomiao arrived at that moment. “Father, give her the Yellow Springs.”

Wang Jian’s mouth fell open as he stared at Wang Miaomiao for a long moment. Finally, his only option was to sigh, retrieve the Yellow Springs that he still had in his cosmic ring, and hand it to the old woman.

She accepted it while giving Wang Jian a cold glare. “If anyone from the Wang family is ever found with Yellow Springs again, you will all be treated as traitors to humanity. Lord Lu won’t need to say a word, as my Lu family will completely eliminate all traces of the Wang family.”

Wang Jian grew furious. The old woman was just a Semi-Progenitor, and yet she dared to threaten him.

The old woman left after giving Wang Miaomiao a simple nod.

It did not matter if Wang Miaomiao eventually ended up with Lu Qi or not. The one who stood at the peak of humanity was Lu Yin, and his orders were more important than anything else.

Once the old woman was gone, Wang Miaomiao turned to glare at Wang Jian. “Why did you hang on the Yellow Springs?”

Wang Jian’s expression turned bitter. “That was always our Wang family’s property.”

“There is no ‘Wang family’s property’ anymore! No one can disobey Lord Lu’s orders, not even Lu Qi. This is the way of humanity now,” Wang Miaomiao scolded.

Wang Jian sighed. “Alright, I understand. Don’t worry, there isn’t any more of the Yellow Springs, not a drop.”

While Wang Jian’s words convinced Wang Miaomiao, the Lu family still was not convinced. So, all of the remaining members of the Wang family were rounded up and interrogated. This even included those who had been sent to the 100,000 currents; everyone from Semi-Progenitor Wang Xun to a mere janitor was questioned to ensure that there was truly no more of the Yellow Springs anywhere.

The Lu family even sent people to take over the Wang family’s mining operations to gather more of the Yellow Springs, just because there was a chance that Lu Yin might need it.

Two months quickly passed. During this time, Lu Yin used up all of the Yellow Springs that he had been provided with before emerging from the pond civilization.

Outside of the pocket dimension, Xiao Can had been waiting respectfully.

While there was no way for him to know what happened, Xiao Can still hoped that Lu Yin would be able to discover something, as that would comfort his entire family.

Lu Yin looked over at Xiao Can. “You’ve never done anything to try to harm me, nor have you betrayed humanity. On top of that, you are one of Progenitor Hui’s descendants. I won’t take that fruit of the Root of Intelligence from you.”

Xiao Can stared at Lu Yin in surprise.

The world of cultivators was cruel, and the ideas of stealing or being robbed were perfectly normal. Since it had been discovered, Xiao Can naturally expected the fruit from the Root of Intelligence to be taken by Lu Yin. In fact, Xiao Can had already steeled himself for that moment.

What did Lord Lu mean with this gesture?

Lu Yin calmly continued on. “I want to offer you two choices. First, that fruit from the Root of Intelligence will remain yours, but you will need to stay in the Lu Sanctum. My Lu family will provide you with more of the Yellow Springs until you discover its origin and share your findings with them. This isn’t about taking your results from you, but rather about providing an answer for all of humanity and to the Origin Progenitor.

“I won’t say anything further about that.

“Second, you can become my disciple.”

Xiao Can was astonished. “Become your disciple?”

Lu Yin looked at Xiao Can. Despite the man’s weak cultivation at the time, he had willingly stepped onto the rear battlefield, schemed against the Wang family, and even successfully obtained some of the Yellow Springs for a Root of Intelligence. Lu Yin believed that Xiao Can had to have already prepared a way to escape from the Wang family before being captured. There was no way that he had not prepared a backup plan.

Clever scheming combined with courage and wisdom; Xiao Can was certainly a descendant of Progenitor Hui. On top of that, humanity had greatly benefited from the Roots of Intelligence, and Lu Yin was deeply grateful for them.

Taking Xiao Can as a disciple was an idea that had occurred to Lu Yin when he had seen the fruit of the Root of Intelligence in the pond civilization. It was a means of making up for possibly taking the fruit from Xiao Can.

“It’s just my suggestion, and if you refuse, you are absolutely free to choose the first option,” Lu Yin calmly stated.

Xiao Can did not hesitate even a moment before he bowed low to Lu Yin. “This disciple is willing to become Lord Lu’s disciple. I ask Lord Lu to accept me.”

The man was no fool. Between a fruit from a Root of Intelligence and Lu Yin, Lu Yin was clearly the better option.

No matter what that fruit might be able to offer, even if it could elevate Xiao Can to the Progenitor level or beyond, it would not be comparable to being the Dao Monarch’s disciple.

Everyone had seen how, when Lord Lu’s first disciple had wanted to read books, an entire branch of the Heavens Sect had been created that had spread across the Sixverse Association.

Becoming Lord Lu’s disciple would instantly raise someone to the pinnacle of all humanity. How could Xiao Can not know the best choice?

Xiao Can acted exactly in line with Lu Yin’s expectations. He observed Xiao Can for a long moment. “Go to the Heavens Sect and wait for me there. Find Tuo Lin. I’ll meet up with you.”

Xiao Can excitedly replied, “Yes, Master!”

The man then immediately started making his way towards the Fifth Mainland.

Lu Yin stared at the man’s departing back. This disciple was much more cunning than Tuo Lin. Hopefully, Lu Yin would not be disappointed.

...

"A palace? How do you know about that?" Lu Yuan asked in surprise as he stared at Lu Yin.

Lu Yin replied, "Did the Origin Progenitor really have a battle technique that looked like a palace?"

Lu Yuan nodded, and he started reminiscing. "Master had an ultimate technique that he called Verdant Eternity. He often carved things inside of Verdant Eternity, and those carvings would eventually transform into power. For us Three Realms and Six Daos, our graduation exam was to overcome Verdant Eternity. Actually, Verdant Eternity inspired me to create my Investiture of the Gods.

"How do you find out about this? Did Master tell you?"

Lu Yin shook his head and took a moment to gather his thoughts. "Ancestor, I think I’ve figured out what the Yellow Springs is."

Lu Yuan's eyes lit up. "And that is?"

Lu Yin looked at Lu Yuan. "Verdant Eternity."

The older man blinked. "Verdant Eternity is the Yellow Springs? You can't be serious."

Lu Yin explained everything about Progenitor Hui's arrangements and how a fruit from a Root of Intelligence had appeared after the plant was watered with the Yellow Springs. Lu Yuan was completely astonished.

"If that's all true, then the Yellow Springs really could be Verdant Eternity. But how? How could Verdant Eternity have become the Yellow Springs?" Lu Yuan felt quite puzzled.

Lu Yin could not make sense of this either, which was why he had gone to visit his ancestor, Lu Yuan. Lu Yin wanted to learn how Verdant Eternity could have become the Yellow Springs, but it was apparently impossible.

The two discussed the matter for some time, and they even called Garan Zhiluo over, but she could not help them find an answer either.

Hongyan Mavis and Wu Tian were standing guard in the Scourge, keeping watch on the Six Paths of Reincarnation Realm so that none of the Aeternals could escape. This was why they did not join the discussion.

"Little Seven, since you can see the carvings, then can you learn Verdant Eternity?" Lu Yuan suddenly asked.

Garan Zhiluo instantly looked over at Lu Yin. "If you can learn Verdant Eternity, your strength will rise precipitously."

Lu Yin grew curious. "Is Verdant Eternity really that powerful?"

Their discussion had initially been focused on how Verdant Eternity might have transformed into the Yellow Springs, but they had never discussed the technique’s strength.

From what Lu Yin could see on Lu Yuan and Garan Zhiluo's faces, it seemed that Verdant Eternity was no ordinary technique.

Lu Yuan's expression turned serious. "It’s beyond powerful. It’s downright monstrous."

Garan Zhiluo added, "Before Master approved of us graduating, we had to defeat Verdant Eternity, but it didn’t matter if we worked together or on our own; the result was the same."

"You failed?" Lu Yin asked out of reflex.

Garan Zhiluo was quite offended. "If we failed, how would we have become the Three Realms and Six Daos?"

Lu Yin was speechless. After all, the woman’s tone had made it sound like they had failed.

"What I mean is that we were only barely able to handle Verdant Eternity on our own, but that was still the case even when all nine of us worked together," Garan Zhiluo explained.

Lu Yin could not believe that. "All of the Three Realms and Six Daos, nine people working together, could barely overcome Verdant Eternity? How did any of you manage to do it on your own?"

Lu Yuan explained, "That's the brilliance of Verdant Eternity. As long as you're inside that palace, energy consumption simply doesn’t occur. When peak powerhouses fight against each other, we use stamina, internal energy, and the power of our Progenitor’s world. Even using sequence particles will consume those.

"However, for someone using Verdant Eternity, nothing that they use will be consumed. Even if they use their sequence particles, Verdant Eternity will instantly reproduce that same power from the palace’s carvings. If used properly, Verdant Eternity can allow for a truly endless stream of attacks.

"The simplest example I can give you is how you use death energy with Blackie's left arm and scythe to release that powerful attack. If you can master Verdant Eternity, then congratulations, you can use that exact same slash countless times without ever running out of energy."

Lu Yin's eyes bulged. "Is something like that even possible?"

He considered the possibility. If he had been able to release countless attacks with the scythe during the last battle in the Second Scourge, how would that have altered the battle? Forget about dealing with just Tian Feng and Tian Ci—Lu Yin could have even slowly chopped the black Mother Tree down.

Was such a thing really possible?

Garan Zhiluo sighed. "That’s the wonder of Verdant Eternity, one of Master's ultimate techniques. Every ability has limits, except for Verdant Eternity. It increases a quantity to infinity without diminishing quality. That's why we’ve never been able to understand how the Boundary Guardians managed to defeat Master, even if all of them worked together.

"It was only during that last battle when I saw the Four Locks Formation that I figured it out. Tian Feng must have sealed Master with Verdant Eternity, binding his hands. That's how Master was defeated.

"If not for that, no matter how many Ortusers attacked, they would have never been able to defeat Master. Just Verdant Eternity alone would have been too much for them to overcome."