Chapter 3661: Replace

Lu Yin was satisfied with how things had turned out, and he let out a sigh. Jiu Xian would not return anytime soon. As long as Nian Xian did not want to be thrown back into the Champions' Stage Purgatory, he would do his absolute best to keep an eye on the woman, which would prevent her from returning to her valley.

At last, Lu Yin had peace and quiet again.

Qing Yun and Qing Xiao stared at the empty space, dazed. What had just happened?

Yuan Qi’s face twitched. He really did not know how to react to such a scene.

Lu Yin ignored the two siblings and returned to tearing out karmic bricks. He had no time to waste.

...

More than a month passed since Jiu Xian had been driven off in disgust by Nian Xian. She had returned to her valley once during that time, though she still had no idea how to shake off Nian Xian.

While the man’s combat strength was relatively average, at least in Lu Yin’s perspective, he was truly impressive when it came to pursuing Jiu Xian. There was no doubt that Nian Xian had honed his skills through years of experience, and she struggled to get away from him for even a moment.

The moment Jiu Xian appeared, Lu Yin summoned Nian Xian back. The Dukkhan wished for nothing more than to simply vanish. He wanted to distance himself from Lu Yin, but Nian Xian did not dare to do such a thing. He had asked around and had learned just how terrifying Lu Yin was. The man was a powerhouse at the same level as the High Seraph. The idea of being targeted by the High Seraph was beyond horrifying.

With no other choice, Nian Xian returned to the Roaming South Realm as well. After all, he simply had to chase after Jiu Xian, which was something that he had already made a habit of doing.

Not even a day passed for Jiu Xian in her valley before she was once again driven off by Nian Xian, utterly revolted.

She knew that Lu Yin had called the man back, but there was nothing that Jiu Xian could do about it. She knew that it was impossible for her to defeat Lu Yin in battle, and given how unreasonable he was, her only choice was to flee.

Qing Yun and Qing Xiao watched. While they empathized with the Seraph, there was nothing that they could do. Shameless people were simply too terrifying to deal with.

After another month passed, Ge Yao arrived one day.

"This girl is Ge Yao. Greetings, Seraph Lu."

Lu Yin observed Ge Yao, but he merely grunted before saying, "Go back. I’ve already said that I won’t leave this valley without Jiu Xian’s consent. I will not go to Heavenspire."

Ge Yao laughed. "Given your strength, why do you insist on bullying a little girl like me, Seraph Lu?"

"What do you mean by that?" Lu Yin asked in return.

Ge Yao replied solemnly, "I am not here on behalf of Heavenspire, but rather on behalf of Lesser Sancte Yue Ya."

Lu Yin arched a brow.

So, they're using the direct approach now. It looks like Yue Ya has run out of options. Is this when I’m offered a bribe?

"Lesser Sancte Yue Ya?"

Ge Yao stared into Lu Yin's eyes. "You don’t know that name, Seraph Lu?"

"Should I?"

"Since you are uninformed, Seraph Lu, please allow me to explain. If I say something incorrect, I humbly ask for your correction."

Lu Yin did not refuse.

Ge Yao proceeded to slowly explain the existence of the Nine Odysseys Megaverse, and she even revealed the names of the five Lesser Sancti. She made no attempts to hide anything at all. Qing Yun and Qing Xiao listened in stunned silence, and even Yuan Qi was shocked by the revelations that he was hearing; was there actually a Nine Odysseys Megaverse above the Spirit Nidus? How could that be possible?

Were there not only three megaverses?

Dazed, Yuan Qi stared at Lu Yin. The young man remained calm throughout the entire explanation, revealing not even the slightest hint of any surprise.

Ge Yao continued calmly, speaking about the relationship between the two megaverses, and there was one particular detail that she made a point to emphasize. "The Nine Odysseys Megaverse is above, while the Spirit Nidus is below. That is the relationship between the two universes.

"To rise up from the Spirit Nidus and ascend to the Nine Odysseys Megaverse, one must look upward. Even the High Seraph must look up. Lesser Sancte Yue Ya is a being who is second only to the four Greater Sancti of the Nine Odysseys Megaverse.

"With this, do you understand, Seraph Lu?"

Lu Yin exhaled deeply and nodded. "I understand. So, you represent Lesser Sancte Yue Ya?"

"Yes."

"Why didn’t you say so last time?"

Ge Yao laughed. "The Nine Odysseys Megaverse is not allowed to casually meddle in the affairs of the Spirit Nidus, as doing so would be unfair to the others in the Spirit Nidus."

"So why are you approaching me so openly now?" Lu Yin continued to stare at the woman.

This time, Ge Yao grew haughty as she answered, "Because Lesser Sancte Yue Ya is allowed to be unfair."

Lu Yin stared at Ge Yao, and as she met his eyes, she did not flinch at all.

After a moment, Lu Yin nodded. "Tell me why you are here. What could the exalted Lesser Sancte Yue Ya possibly want with me?"

Ge Yao solemnly replied, "Although the High Seraph is also a Lesser Sancte, he received that position as a gift from the Nine Odysseys Megaverse. However, he has grown far too presumptuous in recent years, and the Nine Odysseys Megaverse has grown dissatisfied with him. Lesser Sancte Yue Ya intends to replace the ruler of the Spirit Nidus on behalf of the Nine Odysseys Megaverse. The first favored candidate was Emperor Wu, who represented the beast-form Spirit Rebirths. Human-form Spirit Rebirths possess certain emotional ties that the beast-forms lack, which made him a suitable choice.

"However, Emperor Wu was defeated by you at the source of the Fu River. After careful consideration, Lesser Sancte Yue Ya has decided to have you replace the High Seraph, Seraph Lu."

Lu Yin was astonished. "He wants me to replace the High Seraph?"

Ge Yao smiled. "Precisely."

"Has the High Seraph agreed?"

"This is not up to him. He does not control his own title. As long as the Nine Odysseys Megaverse wishes it, the High Seraph can lose his position at any time."

"But the High Seraph is extremely powerful. I don’t believe that I am able to replace him," Lu Yin protested.

Ge Yao laughed. "You need not worry about that, Seraph Lu. Lesser Sancte Yue Ya will handle things.

"I understand that you do not fully appreciate Lesser Sancte Yue Ya's power. Before sending me here, Lesser Sancte Yue Ya took that into consideration and prepared a gift for you."

Lu Yin asked in confusion, "What gift?"

A cold glint flickered in Ge Yao's eyes. "The Ru family."

Lu Yin frowned. “The Ru Family?”

Ge Yao solemnly replied, “The Ru family also had a Lesser Sancte, and yet Lesser Sancte Yue Ya has already wiped them out. Seraph Lu, you should understand that Ru Guo attacked

Boundless

to avenge his daughter, Ru Mu, but if not for Lesser Sancte Yue Ya’s actions, Ru Guo would not have been alone when seeking revenge.

Boundless

would have been assaulted by the entire Ru family. This is the gift that Lesser Sancte Yue Ya has bestowed upon you, Seraph Lu.”

Lu Yin was left speechless. If he had not already known the truth of the matter, he might have believed the woman’s story.

It was clear that Yue Ya was the one controlling Ru Mu, trying to lead Lu Yin to the Morrow Behemoth’s hand. That attempt had only been stopped by the High Seraph, and Ru Mu had ended up as a living corpse.

The Ru family had also been destroyed by Yue Ya because of matters involving Yong Heng, who had then been coerced into acting against Lu Yin by Yue Ya.

While Lu Yin had learned of Yue Ya’s activities through Yong Heng, it appeared that Yue Ya knew nothing of that. If he did, the Lesser Sancte would have never allowed Ge Yao to spout known lies to Lu Yin.

Ge Yao confidently declared, “The Ru family ruled over Heavenspire, while Heavenspire belongs to the High Seraph. When Lesser Sancte Yue Ya orders an extermination, his orders are carried out without question, and not even the High Seraph dares to utter a word in protest. Is this not enough to assure you, Seraph Lu?”

Lu Yin nearly laughed.

Heavenspire belongs to the High Seraph?

While this was common knowledge to everyone in the Spirit Nidus, the truth of the matter was that Heavenspire belonged to the Ru family, which meant that it belonged to the Nine Odysseys Megaverse. On top of that, Lu Yin still did not know for sure whether Heavenspire was a separate megaverse or not. He also did not know what the High Seraph’s goal was, though it was clear that Yue Ya wanted to blame everything on the man.

Lu Yin asked, “Lesser Sancte Yue Ya sounds truly formidable. He wiped out the Ru family, and even then, the High Seraph still doesn’t dare to oppose him. I believe that he truly is powerful. Still, I am human, and I am also from the Tianyuan Megaverse. Why would Lesser Sancte Yue Ya choose me? I defeated Emperor Wu, so shouldn’t I be facing Lesser Sancte Yue Ya’s wrath?”

Ge Yao spoke in an admiring tone, “Although you are a Tianyuan cultivator, Seraph Lu, as far as the Nine Odysseys Megaverse is concerned, the Tianyuan, Spirit Nidus, and even the Consciousness Megaverses are all subordinate to them. Any of the megaverses can be reset whenever the Nine Odysseys Megaverses wishes it so. That megaverse is supreme, and it stands above the other three megaverses.

“This is a gesture of inclusivity, which is why your native megaverse is no hindrance. You do not need to worry about this, Seraph Lu.”

A cold light appeared in Lu Yin’s eyes, and he slowly said, “Inclusivity... It’s true, the Nine Odysseys Megaverse is inclusive.”

Ge Yao laughed. “That’s only natural. No matter how many different types of ants there are, to humans, all of them are still just ants. It’s as simple as that.”

Lu Yin smiled and stared at the woman more intently. “True, the type doesn’t matter.”

There was pause before he continued. “When Emperor Wu was chosen to assist Lesser Sancte Yue Ya, he was first given the Nine Heavens Transformation. Does the Lesser Sancte not have a similar gesture of good will for me?”

Ge Yao frowned. “He is having you replace the High Seraph, Seraph Lu. Is that gesture not enough?”

“That will be the final result, and even then, only in an ideal situation. While I will admit that it’s a wonderful possibility, until it happens, I have been given nothing at all,” Lu Yin explained.

Ge Yao’s expression grew somber. “Seraph Lu, are you stating conditions for working for Lesser Sancte Yue Ya? I will remind you—”

Before she could finish speaking, pressure fell upon her like a collapsing universe. She was forced down onto her face, spitting out a mouthful of blood. Darkness shrouded her vision, and an overwhelming sense of terror kept her from even breathing.

“Girl, who do you think you are speaking to?” She heard Lu Yin’s voice. It was calm, yet it carried a certain depth, as though an abyss were speaking. “Let me explain something to you: no matter how many types of ants there might be, they are all still ants. In the same way, regardless of whose feet they fall under, if that person wishes to crush them, they can only be crushed.”

Ge Yao shook from both fear and despair. She had never experienced such a sensation before. She felt like she was staring at death itself. It was like being looked down upon or even devoured by some colossal power, and the feeling froze her very thoughts. She failed to think of anything at all, aside from Lu Yin’s statement. It rang in her ears, echoing again and again, seemingly for countless years.

It was impossible for her to know how long she suffered beneath the pressure. It might have been an instant, or it might have been an eternity. Once again, the ground appeared before Ge Yao’s eyes. She realized that she was lying on the ground, and she watched as dust fell in front of her eyes. Blood and saliva leaked from her mouth as her bodily sensations slowly returned.

She slowly lifted her head, and she first saw a pair of feet. As her head continued to rise, she saw Lu Yin lounging in his recliner, completely at ease.

At that moment, his face was completely calm. It was impossible to see if he was angry or pleased.

Even so, the sight of Lu Yin filled her with endless terror, despite being the exact same face as before.

No matter whose feet an ant crawled under, they could always be crushed.

She was nothing more than an ant crawling beneath Yue Ya’s feet. If Lu Yin wished to crush Ge Yao, he could do so just as easily. To her, Yue Ya was human, as was Lu Yin.

She had actually forgotten that Lu Yin was someone who existed at the same echelon of power as the High Seraph.

Lu Yin shifted in his chair so that he could look down at Ge Yao. He smiled at her. “Care for a bit of fruit?”

Ge Yao coughed once, causing blood to trickle from her mouth. She did not dare to wipe it away. Instead, she dropped her head again. When she spoke, her voice trembled. “Yes. My apologies, Lord Seraph Lu.”

Lu Yin waved a hand. “Alright, get up.”

Ge Yao breathed out in relief and slowly rose to her feet. Unfortunately, because of the overwhelming pressure she had just endured, her legs were weak, and she needed several attempts to stand.

“Care for a seat?”

“No, no. That’s not necessary.”

“Let’s continue with our earlier conversation. What did you want to say?”

Ge Yao swallowed. Her face was completely devoid of all blood, and her entire body was covered with dust. “The conditio- what conditions do you wish for, Seraph Lu? I will report your terms to Lesser Sancte Yue Ya.”

Lu Yin smiled. “It would have been better if you had said that at the start.”

Ge Yao did not dare to speak back. She ducked her head even further and listened silently.

Lu Yin had just been considering what conditions he should demand. Everything that Yue Ya had said about Lu Yin replacing the High Seraph had been pure nonsense. It was nothing more than an excuse to lure him to the Morrow Behemoth’s hand. That meant that any conditions that Lu Yin demanded would be nothing more than an excuse to prolong the conversation, as Lu Yin would never agree to work with Yue Ya.

“50 trillion spirit seeds,” Lu Yin declared.