Chapter 3913: Paying The Debt

Zi Tianshu thought for a moment. “Once a Seraph, as long as one remains undefeated, they will remain a Seraph. May I ask, Lord Lu, why did you kill Lan and the others?”

Lu Yin said, “They contained a hidden darkness that you don’t know about. Don’t bother looking into it, as others will handle this.”

Zi Tianshu hesitated. Don’t bother? After all, Lan had stood at the front of the movement to attack the Skyward Gate. Could her death really be brushed aside with just one sentence? Still, even if people wanted to intervene, what were they supposed to do?

Rong Xiang suddenly spoke up, “Lord Lu, you say that the Spirit Nidus owes the Tianyuan Megaverse a debt that must be repaid. May I ask, how should we do that? While we were not part of the Tianyuan invasion back then, we now represent the Spirit Nidus and will not shrink back. Please, Lord Lu, instruct us.”

Lu Yin glanced at Rong Xiang. This man certainly knew how to talk. He had both given Zi Tianshu an out while also giving Lu Yin a chance to state his terms. How befitting of a merchant.

“The Tianyuan is currently facing a crisis that they can barely resolve on their own. I need the Spirit Nidus to help them. If you help the Tianyuan eliminate this threat, the grudges between the Tianyuan and the Spirit Nidus will be erased.”

Rong Xiang asked doubtfully, “What crisis?”

“You’ll know once you get there.”

Zi Tianshu did not immediately respond. Instead, he turned to face everyone from the Spirit Nidus cultivators. “What do you all think?”

No one answered, but their silence was essentially voicing their disapproval.

Lu Yin was not at all bothered. “It doesn’t matter. If you choose not to go, I’ll simply help the Nine Odysseys Megaverse seal the Skyward Gate and suppress the Spirit Nidus. They can then send people to eliminate the Tianyuan’s current crisis. It’s your choice.”

Still no one spoke.

“However, if the Spirit Nidus helps me save the Tianyuan, I can offer you one thing: an opportunity to open the Skyward Gate and enter the Nine Odysseys Megaverse.”

Zi Tianshu and the others were stunned. Lu Yin’s offer shook everyone from the Spirit Nidus. “Open the Skyward Gate?”

“Enter the Nine Odysseys Megaverse?”

“Is this true?”

“No way... can Lu Yin really allow that to happen to the Nine Odysseys Megaverse?”

...

Zi Tianshu stared at Lu Yin. “Lord Lu, can we trust your words?”

Lu Yin turned to look back at the Skyward Gate. “Senior Ku Han, can my words be trusted?”

Everyone from the Spirit Nidus looked at the Skyward Gate.

On the other side, Ku Han nodded. “Mr. Lu holds a high status within our Nine Odysseys Megaverse, similar to your Spirit Nidus’s Seraphs. His word can determine what happens, so of course it can be trusted.”

The Spirit Nidus cultivators were startled. Was Lu Yin’s status in the Nine Odysseys Megaverse similar to the Spirit Nidus’s Seraphs? So high?

Zi Tianshu, Rong Xiang and the others had not anticipated Lu Yin having such an exalted status in the Nine Odysseys Megaverse. It was unbelievable, especially since Lu Yin had only been in that megaverse for a short time.

Ku Han was not even exaggerating. Lu Yin had gained that kind of status within the Nine Odysseys Megaverse. While he did not lead any of the major factions, was not an Odyssey Commander, and was not a Lesser Sancte, who would dare to offend the man? Not even the Lesser Sancti dared to cross Lu Yin; how was that any different from the Spirit Nidus’s Seven Seraphs?

In the Spirit Nidus, only the High Seraph and the invincible being stood above the Seven Seraphs, whereas only the Immortal Greater Sancti stood above Lu Yin in the Nine Odysseys Megaverse. Strictly speaking, he did not have a status equal to the Seven Seraphs but was similar to the High Seraph himself.

After receiving confirmation from the Skyward Gate, the people from the Spirit Nidus showed drastically different attitudes. Lu Yin could help them pass through the Skyward Gate. Even if they did not know what kind of deal they could strike with the Nine Odysseys Megaverse, this was far better than never even being able to step through the gate.

Rong Xiang quickly revealed his position. “Many thanks, Lord Lu, for stepping in. The Spirit Nidus must pass through the Skyward Gate and speak with the Nine Odysseys Megaverse. No price is too high.”

Zi Tianshu glanced back and forth between Rong Xiang and Lu Yin before offering a deep bow. “Many thanks, Lord Lu.”

Behind the two men, many of the gathered cultivators also hurried to bow. “Many thanks, Lord Lu.”

More and more of the cultivators bowed. Eventually, every last person from the Spirit Nidus who had gathered to attack the Skyward Gate was bowing. “Many thanks, Lord Lu.”

Lu Yin was satisfied. “Return to the Spirit Nidus and prepare the universe-class battleships. It’s time to head to the Tianyuan.”

...

Within the Frightened Sparrow Terrace, Qing Yun was caught off guard. “The Rift of Suffering actually holds Lu Yin in such high regard? Are they really willing to open the Skyward Gate for him?”

Granny Yin’s expression had turned grave. “Young Lady, Lu Yin’s strength is beyond what we are able to understand. It’s possible that only the Immortal Greater Sancti are able to fathom his power.”

“You also hold him in such high regard?”

“I am only speaking of his power, not his character.”

“He seems... decent.”

“Hmph! As far as I’m concerned, that boy is rather despicable.”

“Why?”

“He promised to open the Skyward Gate for the Spirit Nidus. But open or close, does it even matter? Hasn’t the Spirit Nidus’s cultivators already passed through the gate once before?”

Qing Yun froze and then gave Granny Yin a strange look. “Did he just say that for himself?”

Granny Yin shook her head. “I’ve lived long enough to be able to hear what is left unsaid.”

“If you can hear that, can’t those people from the Spirit Nidus?”

“Surely some of them can, but he just offered the Spirit Nidus a way out. How else can they endure his strength? When people become lost, if someone can lead them, no matter if they are right or wrong, people will follow them. That’s simply human nature.”

Qing Yun stared intently towards the North Domain.

At that moment, the massive gate behind the two women opened wide. Granny Yin turned, and as soon as she saw who stood on the other side of the gate, she offered a deep bow. “Greetings, Greater Sancte Awe Gate.”

Qing Yun turned around as well. “Mother.”

“Leave us.”

Granny Yin bowed again and then withdrew.

“Mother, how is Lu Yin going to deal with the trouble in the Spirit Nidus?”

“Hasn’t he already said it?”

“Is he going to open the Skyward Gate?”

“He’s leading them to the Tianyuan Megaverse.”

Qing Yun was puzzled. “Leading them to the Tianyuan Megaverse?”

“While cruel, Xing Fan’s solution is the only option. All of this generation’s Spirit Nidus cultivators, as well as the next, will be moved to the Tianyuan Megaverse. In that manner, the Spirit Nidus can remain ignorant, though the Tianyuan won’t be reset. Lu Yin will lead them to that place and grant them a place to live. He said that he’s already done this more than once and has some experience.”

Qing Yun understood. “So, opening the Skyward Gate was a lie, but leading them to the Tianyuan was true.”

“You’ve seen life in all its forms. Have you still not seen through things? Communication does not lie in the words themselves. If that’s true of even ordinary humans, then how much more must that apply to the ruler of a megaverse?”

Qing Yun nodded thoughtfully, but then she suddenly gave the other woman an odd look. “Mother, are you speaking in support of Lu Yin?”

The gate slowly closed. There was no reply.

Qing Yun blinked.

Is that tacit approval?

She found it odd that all three of the Nine Odysseys Megaverse’s Greater Sancti seemed to favor Lu Yin.

How strange... is it just because he’s comprehended karma?

As she looked back at the North Domain, Qing Yun fell deep into thought. In both the Nine Odysseys Megaverse and the Spirit Nidus, most people were still underestimating Lu Yin. If they knew that even the Immortal Greater Sancti held him in high regard, how much would their attitudes change?

It would no longer be a matter of simply not offending the man, but rather of how to win his favor. In some ways, both mortals and cultivators were exactly the same.

...

𝚏𝐫𝚎𝗲𝕨𝐞𝐛𝕟𝚘𝐯𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝗺

Lu Yin was quite excited. He had not expected it to be possible to eliminate the Tianyuan’s crisis by taking advantage of the upheaval in the Spirit Nidus. In fact, he should really thank Xing Fan and the others. Without them, Greater Sancte Awe Gate would have never demanded that Lu Yin deal with the unrest in the Spirit Nidus.

Greater Sancte Green Lotus had already stopped Lu Yin from returning to the Tianyuan, but this time, no one could stop him.

Even Master Qing Cao was absent.

It was important to hurry back, as things would completely change as soon as Master Qing Cao returned to the Spirit Nidus.

That man was the only variable in his current plan.

Lu Yin needed to quickly return to the Spirit Nidus and coordinate the move to the Tianyuan Megaverse. However, before that, he needed to release Feng Bo. It was time to have a talk with the man.

After attacking the Ossis Ark, Lu Yin had refused to listen to Feng Bo, which had left him ignorant of many things. It had since become clear that Feng Bo had much to say.

After being released from the Champions’ Stage Purgatory, Feng Bo crumpled to the ground in a pitiful manner. His first glance landed on Lu Yin, and Feng Bo instantly saw the distant and imposing Skyward Gate behind Lu Yin. The sight caused the man’s face to turn deathly pale.

Lu Yin calmly observed Feng Bo. “Tell me something that will prevent me from killing you. Don’t waste my time.”

Feng Bo looked up at Lu Yin. “I can take you to find Yong Heng.”

Lu Yin’s eyes grew cold. “You’re still wasting my time.”

He immediately reached out to grab Feng Bo. Lu Yin did not believe that the man was capable of finding Yong Heng. That much was obvious, given Yong Heng’s scheming. It was impossible for him to be that easily found.

Yong Heng had paid a terrible price to enter the Nine Odysseys Megaverse. Would he allow Feng Bo, who had already been abandoned, to find him?

Feng Bo was terrified. He had already died twice and did not want to die a third time. “I know Yong Heng’s greatest secret!”

Lu Yin’s hand stopped right in front of Feng Bo’s forehead, and he looked at the man with open interest. “Go on.”

Feng Bo panted, “Don’t you find it strange? The seeds from Yong Heng’s Eternal Decree can only resurrect us once, and yet I was brought back a second time. Why does he keep me alive? It’s because I know his greatest secret.”

Lu Yin chuckled. “If you’re telling the truth, wouldn’t it be better for him if you stayed dead?”

“I can’t die. If I die, his secret won’t stay safe.”

“Do you really think that you can manipulate Yong Heng like that? Do you really think that I’ll believe that Yong Heng allows you to threaten him?”

Feng Bo explained: “It’s not that I can threaten him, but rather that it’s simply not worth having his secret exposed because of me.

“Eternal Decree’s seeds are able to resurrect someone they’ve been used on, and Eternal Decree itself has the power of resurrection, but once that ability is used, the technique itself is destroyed. However, Yong Heng was already recultivating with a spirit seed, so even if he hadn’t used that resurrection ability, he still needed to retrain Eternal Decree. He simply used it on me to not waste that opportunity.”

“This means that what you call a secret is worthless.” Lu Yin was not at all convinced.

Feng Bo quickly retorted, “To the right person, it’s valuable, immensely valuable.”

Lu Yin stared at Feng Bo. Despite saying that he did not care about Feng Bo’s secret, how could that be true? If Lu Yin truly did not care, he would never have bothered keeping Feng Bo alive. It was clearly unusual that Yong Hong had resurrected the man more than once.

However, why had Yong Heng not taken Feng Bo along into the Nine Odysseys Megaverse and instead left him outside the Skyward Gate? Lu Yin could not make sense of that.

Everything pointed at Feng Bo being both important and unimportant to Yong Heng.

Feng Bo’s eyes flickered. Secrets were only secrets because they could not be revealed. Sharing a secret caused its value to disappear. However, in front of Lu Yin, Feng Bo had no choice but to speak.

He did not doubt for a second that Lu Yin would kill him.

It was clear that Lu Yin did not care about Feng Bo’s life at all.

“Yong Heng is Bai-” That was all that Feng Bo spoke before his entire body simply shattered. He scattered like dust in the wind, instantly vanishing.

Lightstream flickered around Lu Yin, reversing time by a second.

It proved useless. The seed that had resurrected Feng Bo was still destroyed. It could not be affected by the power of time. It was as if its destruction was an already established fact, and not even reversing time could change that.

Lu Yin stared at the drifting debris before him, Feng Bo’s words echoing in his mind.

Yong Heng is Bai...