Chapter 4102: Bluff

“Kang Tian, Lan Meng, the Immortal Lord, and the Immortal beast; these four are confirmed Immortal enemies. If we can eliminate them, then humanity’s current crisis will be greatly alleviated for the time being,” Lu Yin mentioned.

The problem was how they could remove such enemies.

Both Lan Meng and the Immortal Lord were extremely difficult opponents due to their combat power. And if they attacked Kang Tian, the other two would appear. This placed humanity in a deadlock that would clamp down no matter what they attempted.

It was already a tremendous stroke of fortune that they had managed to eliminate the droplet-shaped Verdant Sage and disable the humanoid Verdant Sage, but if the Immortal Lord took direct action, the pressure would increase beyond anything before.

“If only we could cause Lan Meng and the Immortal Lord to go all-out against each other,” Lu Yin muttered to himself.

Greater Sancte Green Lotus had the same desire, but both of those two Immortals were absolute masters. He could not use karma to pit them against each other. That would only become possible if Lu Yin broke through to the Immortal realm.

“If that won’t work, then we should first investigate the Tricolor Kang Tians and see if we can learn which civilization they’re drawing towards us and prepare in advance,” said Lu Yin.

Greater Sancte Green Lotus replied, “Do you want to read Kang Tian’s karma? That will most likely fail. Lan Meng will always be nearby, and he will not allow us to succeed.”

“Then forget karma. We’ll try something else.”

“Something else?” Greater Sancte Green Lotus was left puzzled.

Lu Yin’s expression hardened. “We’ll bluff.

“Senior, don’t forget about Astral Anura.”

Greater Sancte Green Lotus immediately understood. “Of course, how could I have forgotten about that toad? It sensed a familiar aura, which led me to find the Tricolor Kang Tians. If not for that toad, who could say how long those snails would have remained hidden outside of the Heavenly Karmic Macrocosm for? Another civilization might have been lured here without us ever learning about them.”

“Since Astral Anura managed to sense the Tricolor Kang Tians when they were beyond the bounds of the Heavenly Karmic Macrocosm, his bloodline must have a close connection to those snails. We should use him to test the Tricolor Kang Tians and see if we can bluff something out of them.”

“Agreed.”

...

Months later, Lu Yin returned to the Tianyuan. By that time, the karmic wall had already dispersed, and everyone was waiting for him.

For Lu Yuan and the others, the wait had been torturous. They had known that Lu Yin was still alive, as the karmic wall would not have dissipated if he had died. Also, they would have received a warning from the Nine Odysseys Megaverse’s Greater Sancte Green Lotus. Even so, until Lu Yin returned in person, people had not been able to rest easy.

They had watched Lu Yin fight a battle outside of their megaverse while they had only been able to stay inside and be protected. It was an unbearable feeling.

Fortunately, Lu Yin had returned and even announced that he had slain an Immortal, which set the entire Tianyuan ablaze with excitement.

No one had expected Lu Yin to actually kill an Immortal, let alone the very same droplet-shaped creature that had nearly destroyed the Tianyuan. Learning of his victory boosted the entire megaverse’s morale.

There had been a time when the Tianyuan’s cultivators had fought against other people or Aeternus. But now, they were being confronted by foreign civilizations from other parts of the Aevum Inch. In a war between civilizations, a single misstep could mean total annihilation. The pressure that countless people were feeling was immense.

Learning that Lu Yin was capable of slaying even an Immortal helped alleviate a great deal of that pressure, and many suddenly felt lighter.

It did not take long for Astral Anura to arrive on the mountain behind the Heavens Sect.

Upon seeing Lu Yin, Astral Anura immediately started fawning over him. “Greetings, Lord Lu. You are truly unparalleled across the cosmos, standing equal to Immortals while safeguarding the Tianyuan. Your achievements are unmatched! Please accept this humble one’s homage and allow me to follow in your footsteps. I ask for nothing more, merely to be able to glimpse at your back.”

Lu Yin gave the toad a strange look. “Did you take the wrong medicine?”

To the side, Long Xi could not suppress a laugh.

Astral Anura grinned, which caused the coins hanging from his neck to clink together. “Lord Lu, you are simply too magnificent. To kill even an Immortal? I just couldn’t help myself, I truly couldn’t.”

At just that moment, the Second Nightking’s voice called out, “Reporting to Lord Lu, Ku Wei is requesting an audience.”

Lu Yin did not know why Ku Wei had decided to visit. “Show him in.”

Ku Wei quickly arrived, and the moment he laid eyes on Lu Yin, the man dropped to his knees. “Master, you are incredible! You are truly unparalleled across the cosmos, standing equal to Immortals while safeguarding the Tianyuan. Your achievements are unmatched! Please accept this humble one’s homage and allow me to follow in your footsteps. I ask for nothing more, merely to be able to glimpse at your back.”

Lu Yin stared at Ku Wei, dazed.

Long Xi was similarly stunned and unable to react.

Astral Anura’s face contorted. He looked constipated, and his cheek would not stop twitching.

Ku Wei prostrated himself on the ground and waited.

Why isn’t anyone saying anything? This can’t be. I worked so hard to come up with that line!

He looked up at Lu Yin. “Master?”

Lu Yin coughed. “You two just said exactly the same thing to me. What? Did you two work on it together?”

Ku Wei froze for a moment and then shot a vicious glare at Astral Anura. “You copied my words!”

“You copied mine!” Astral Anura snapped back.

Ku Wei trembled with anger and pointed at Astral Anura. “You- you’re despicable! You stole my line!”

The coins hanging from Astral Anura’s neck clinked. He was clearly incensed. “You think that you could come up with something like that? Dream on! Only someone who reveres Lord Lu beyond all else could compose such praise! What qualifications do you have?”

Ku Wei fumed. “The qualifications that I’m Master’s disciple, yo- you wretched toad!”

He then turned to Lu Yin and complained, “Master, I practiced saying that outside for a long time before I finally got it right! That damned toad just happened to pass by and overhear me, and now he’s lying to you! Master, please get justice for your disciple!”

Astral Anura’s lips peeled back. “I was praising Lord Lu’s accomplishments the entire way here! You shameless eavesdropper, how dare you use my words!

“Lord Lu, I beg you to offer fair judgment! I know that he is your disciple, and I would not offend him lightly, but I fear you are being deceived. Someone who is despicable enough to dare to lie to you today could very well betray you tomorrow, Lord Lu.”

“You damned toad! What did you just say? You- you’re despicable.”

“What a fraud! You’re a scammer!.”

“Bastard toad!”

“Scammer...”

Lu Yin rubbed his temples. “Enough! You’re both giving me a headache.”

Ku Wei simmered with resentment, still glaring viciously at Astral Anura. There was no doubt that he had come up with that speech on his own.

Damn it! I even practiced the right expressions and pauses outside, only for that damned toad to use it first

.

Astral Anura felt guilty and did not dare to meet Ku Wei’s eyes.

While the toad was far stronger than Ku Wei, Ku Wei was Lu Yin’s disciple, and that alone granted him a nearly unmatched status.

“Ku Wei, what brings you here?” Lu Yin asked.

Ku Wei shot yet another glare at Astral Anura before turning to reverently answer Lu Yin, still making sure to look offended. “Your disciple came here to congratulate you, Master, on slaying an Immortal. I also wanted to ask you to teach me one or two battle techniques so that I won’t bring you shame.”

Lu Yin nodded. “Alright, I understand. You can go for now. I’ll teach you later.”

Ku Wei glanced at Astral Anura before turning back to Lu Yin. “Master, you must be careful of this damned toad. It’s despicable, shameless, deceitful, and dishonest!”

This time, Astral Anura was truly enraged. “Boy, you can say whatever else you want, but don’t ever accuse me of being dishonest! I’m a businessman.”

“You’re a crooked businessman!”

“You’re the crooked one! Your whole family’s crooked!”

“Master is part of my family! You dare to insult Master? I’ll fight you!”

“You’re twisting my words...”

Long Xi covered her mouth to hide her laughter.

Lu Yin shook his head. “Enough. Ku Wei, go on.”

Ku Wei glared fiercely at Astral Anura before very reluctantly leaving.

Watching Ku Wei leave while muttering angrily, Astral Anura felt even more guilty. The man looked genuinely offended.

Ku Wei truly did feel wronged. At no point in his entire life had he ever felt so humiliated. Even before becoming Lu Yin’s disciple, as long as he avoided the Neoverse, he had always been able to roam freely, fearing no one.

After he became Lu Yin’s disciple, no one dared to provoke him. He had always been the one to deceive others, as no one had ever taken advantage of him.

He never expected to be so infuriated by that damned toad.

On the mountain behind the Heavens Sect, Long Xi gracefully sat down at the stone table, curiously observing Astral Anura. Anyone could tell that the toad had been lying.

Astral Anura coughed and adjusted the coins hanging around his neck before looking at Lu Yin. He was trying to look pitiful. “Lord Lu, about just now-”

Lu Yin interrupted, “Have some tea.”

Astral Anura stared at Lu Yin for a long moment, and then glanced at Long Xi who was beside the table. “Tea?”

Lu Yin nodded. “What, do toads not drink tea?”

Do toads not drink tea? Bah! I’m not a toad!

Astral Anura grinned awkwardly. “That’s not necessary. I’m, uh, not thirsty.”

“Drinking tea isn’t about thirst. Don’t be shy. Long Xi brewed this herself.”

Astral Anura glanced at Long Xi again. She responded with a gentle smile. She was stunningly beautiful.

Astral Anura could not distinguish human beauty from ugliness, but he did find Long Xi’s smile to be soft and soothing. His frazzled nerves calmed as he sat at the table. He picked up the teacup and smiled ingratiatingly at Lu Yin.

Long Xi giggled.

The toad is too funny, sitting there all proper like he’s a person.

Astral Anura laughed along with her. At times like this, smiling was the safest route to take, regardless of who was laughing.

Just as he was about to sip some tea, Lu Yin casually mentioned, “Lately, there have been quite a few people making reports about you.”

Astral Anura froze and then subconsciously set his cup down. He suddenly felt nervous. “Reports? Who?”

“How could I tell you that? You might retaliate against them,” Lu Yin replied.

That caused the toad to panic.

Retaliate? That clearly means that someone’s tattled!

He quickly tried to explain, “Lord Lu, I haven’t done anything! It has nothing to do with me! It’s not my fault!”

“Oh? So what did you do?”

“I- I don’t know...”

“Drink your tea.”

Astral Anura pursed his lips, feeling even more on edge as he carefully lifted the cup to take a drink.

“Even though many have complained about you, I believe you,” Lu Yin announced with a smile. Astral Anura almost threw his teacup in the young man’s face out of fright. People who knew Lu Yin did not fear his sternness, but his smile. There had been many who had suffered before learning that Lu Yin’s smile meant that they were in deep trouble.

Astral Anura immediately set his cup down and stood up. “Lord Lu, I truly haven’t done anything! Ever since I returned to the Tianyuan Megaverse...”

The toad proceeded to share everything that he had done since returning to the Tianyuan, from opening his store in Millions City to his actions during the war against the Nest civilization. He continued without stopping until Lu Yin finally interrupted, “I’m aware of your character. People have falsely accused you. Don’t worry, I understand.”

Astral Anura’s panic spiked, and he started trembling all over.

“I also believe that what you said earlier were your own words. Ku Wei’s mind isn’t capable of such things,” Lu Yin continued.

Astral Anura stared at Lu Yin in a daze. If he was defending Astral Anura, the situation had to be even worse than the toad had feared, even if he had no idea how.

“Sit and enjoy your tea.”

Astral Anura nervously swallowed. He wanted to run away, but with Lu Yin’s focus on him, the toad could only sit back down and pick his cup back up.

“I remember once, when we were still fighting against Yong Heng,” Lu Yin calmly recalled. “I tried to examine karma and was countered so badly that I was gravely injured. It happened in the Consciousness Megaverse; if I had not happened to fall into that specific Broken Realm, none of you might be seeing me now.”

The smile had vanished from Long Xi’s face. She was staring blankly at Lu Yin.

Lu Yin kept his attention on Astral Anura. “What happened back then was the same as the last time you came to find me, the time when it left me injured.”

Astral Anura was so shocked that he nearly dropped his teacup while leaping to his feet. “Lord Lu, I swear that I never schemed against you! I truly didn’t know! I only-”

Lu Yin smiled. “I believe you. You’re not that stupid. Even if you wanted to scheme against me, you wouldn’t do it right here inside of the Heavens Sect.”

Astral Anura finally let out a breath of relief.