Chapter 659: A Small Matter (4)

"Immortal Ancestor, please feel free to speak. If it's within my power to help, I'll do my utmost. However, if it's beyond my capabilities, I hope you'll understand."

"Of course, of course. I completely understand." Astral Lord Long Xing nodded repeatedly. "If you can't help, I won't hold it against you.

My mana body is currently trapped on Black Devil Planet in the Ivory Realm Boundary. I was hoping that you might be able to persuade an Astral Monarch to rescue me.

I won't expect an Astral Monarch to assist me without compensation. I'm willing to offer ten million divine crystals as payment." Astral Lord Long Xing said earnestly.

Ten million divine crystals. Astral Lord Long Xing's heart bled at the thought, but he knew all too well that this was the minimum price for an Astral Monarch's intervention. The person he had contacted earlier had demanded an even more outrageous sum.

"Ten million divine crystals?" Wu Yuan nodded slightly, pondering for a moment. "Time is of the essence, with only six days remaining. I'll help you inquire. Please wait a moment, Immortal Ancestor."

"Certainly." Astral Lord Long Xing nodded.

With that, Wu Yuan's avatar dissipated, clearly off to consult with other super powerhouses.

...

The Eternal Sun Immortal Voidrealm was a separate world unto itself, vast and teeming with countless floating realms.

As a third-generation disciple of the Bei You lineage, Wu Yuan's authority granted him nearly unrestricted access. He strode forward unimpeded, his steps echoing through the empty halls.

It wasn't until he reached the central divine temple that his path was finally barred.

"Halt, Earth Immortal Ming Jian," a voice called out. "This is the hall of Astral Monarch Huo Cang. Your entry is not authorized." The two armored guards spoke politely but firmly as they blocked Wu Yuan's path.

They had heard whispers of Wu Yuan's name and knew his status far exceeded that of an ordinary third-generation disciple. Had it been any other Earth Immortal daring to trespass so boldly, they would have been harshly rebuked long ago.

"Please help me inform the Astral Monarch that Ming Jian seeks an urgent audience with him," Wu Yuan requested.

The two guards exchanged a glance.

"Ming Jian, it's not that we're unwilling," one guard explained, his voice low and gravelly. "But the Astral Monarch is in the midst of secluded cultivation. We cannot disturb him without cause."

Wu Yuan's brow furrowed, deep in thought.

Aside from Astral Monarch Gu Lai, Astral Monarch Huo Cang was the Astral Monarch of the Bei You lineage with whom he had the closest relationship. He was also the most likely to lend his aid.

Astral Monarch Gu Lai? He had already granted many favors, and Wu Yuan didn’t wish to trouble him further. As for the other Astral Monarchs of the Bei You lineage? Though they had some interactions, Wu Yuan hardly knew them well.

I'll have to find a way to petition the other Astral Monarchs.

Wu Yuan thought to himself, turning to leave.

Whoosh!

A streak of light suddenly blazed across the sky, rapidly descending towards Wu Yuan.

"Ha! It really is Junior Brother Ming Jian! I thought my eyes were playing tricks on me." The boisterous voice rang out before its owner had even touched down.

A figure clad in purple battle armor alighted on the ground, a broad smile spreading across his face as he gazed at Wu Yuan.

"Senior Brother Hao Chi," Wu Yuan greeted, momentarily taken aback.

"Astral Lord Hao Chi."

"Astral Lord." The two guards bowed respectfully.

"Were you turned away? My master is in secluded cultivation and isn't seeing anyone. How about you tell me what business you have with him? Perhaps I can help," Astral Lord Hao Chi said with an easy grin.

Wu Yuan's mind raced. Astral Lord Hao Chi was a disciple of Astral Monarch Huo Cang, and an Astral Lord of immense power in his own right.

Among the third-generation disciples of the Bei You lineage, his reputation was legendary. In terms of raw strength, he likely surpassed even Astral Lord Redmoon.

Over the past few centuries, besides his Astral Monarch senior uncles, Astral Lord Hao Chi was the one with whom Wu Yuan had interacted most frequently in the voidrealm. He had personally visited Wu Yuan to congratulate him in the past, and they had met several times since.

"Senior Brother Hao Chi, it's not a major issue," Wu Yuan began, hesitating only briefly before continuing. "One of my master's close friends has encountered trouble. He's trapped in Black Devil Planet of the Ivory Realm Boundary. So, I hoped to request Senior Uncle Huo Cang's assistance."

Within the Bei You lineage, apart from the few dozen fellow Astral Monarchs, no one else knew the true identity of Wu Yuan's master. It was a closely guarded secret.

However, Astral Monarch Huo Cang was the closest senior brother to Sword Immortal Dong Yang, and Senior Brother Hao Chi was his most valued direct disciple.

So, Wu Yuan understood that he likely knew a little about these matters. There was no need for excessive secrecy.

"I see. Black Devil Planet? That is indeed a dangerous place," Astral Lord Hao Chi nodded, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth. "But Junior Brother Ming Jian, you've come to the right person. Leave this matter to me."

"Oh?" Wu Yuan's eyes widened in surprise.

"Junior Brother, you seem to have forgotten what our Bei You lineage excels at – Space!" Astral Lord Hao Chi grinned. "That Black Devil Planet may be a death trap for ordinary Astral Lords, with extremely low survival rates. But I'm only a step away from fully mastering the Qiankun Dao.

Entering and exiting will be child's play for me. As long as he’s not in the innermost region that can trap even Astral Monarchs, I have nothing to fear there," Astral Lord Hao Chi declared confidently.

"He’s in the outer region," Wu Yuan's eyes lit up with hope.

Of course! Among the three Intermediate Laws of the Space Dao, the Qiankun Dao was most adept at spatial traversal.

"Send me the spatial coordinates of your senior, and I'll head there immediately," Astral Lord Hao Chi said with a smile.

Wu Yuan quickly relayed the information.

"Got it. My mana body has already set out," Astral Lord Hao Chi informed him. "I should arrive within two days. Tell him to hold on a little longer."

"Alright."

...

"Two days?" Astral Lord Long Xing exclaimed upon receiving Wu Yuan's message, both shocked and elated. "You truly found an Astral Monarch willing to help? For just ten million divine crystals?"

He was astounded by Wu Yuan's connections. To secure an Astral Monarch's aid so swiftly?

"Please be patient, Immortal Ancestor," Wu Yuan replied, not clarifying. Though he had great confidence in Astral Lord Hao Chi, an Astral Lord was not an Astral Monarch, so he dared not make any guarantees.

Two days passed in the blink of an eye. Wu Yuan, who had been anxiously monitoring the situation, suddenly received a message from Astral Lord Long Xing: "I've been rescued."

In Astral Lord Long Xing's personal hall within the immortal voidrealm.

"You've been rescued? That's wonderful," Wu Yuan said, a smile of relief spreading across his face. "Immortal Ancestor, please be more cautious in the future."

"This time, I owe my thanks to Astral Lord Hao Chi," Astral Lord Long Xing said, his amazement growing by the moment.

Special individuals like Astral Lord Hao Chi, while easier to petition than Astral Monarchs, were far more difficult to befriend.

In terms of status, Astral Lord Hao Chi far outstripped ordinary Astral Lords by at least a hundredfold, and he even had a powerful Astral Monarch as his backer.

In the past, Astral Lord Long Xing would never have had the qualifications to associate with someone of Astral Lord Hao Chi's caliber.

Moreover, Astral Lord Long Xing clearly remembered Astral Lord Hao Chi's parting words after the rescue: "If you wish to express gratitude, thank Ming Jian. Were it not for him, I wouldn't have come."

Clearly, he had acted solely out of consideration for Wu Yuan.

"Ten million divine crystals," Astral Lord Long Xing said. "Li Xia, I've already transferred them to your account."

"That's unnecessary," Wu Yuan shook his head.

"No!" Astral Lord Long Xing insisted. "Perhaps Astral Lord Hao Chi doesn't mind, but I must show my appreciation."

"Very well," Wu Yuan nodded, no longer refusing.

After conversing with Astral Lord Long Xing for a while longer, Wu Yuan's voidrealm avatar left his personal hall.

Ming Jian's status within the Bei You lineage is truly high.

Astral Lord Long Xing marveled inwardly.

His thoughts continued to wander. If Wu Yuan's position was already this high, then how high must the status of his master, Sword Immortal Dong Yang, be?

Yet, for the past several hundred thousand years, Sword Immortal Dong Yang had never shown any indication of his immense backing.

How strange.

Astral Lord Long Xing mused to himself.

What he didn't know was that for the past several hundred thousand years, Sword Immortal Dong Yang had essentially been in a state of exile from his sect.

Under the orders of Immortal Sovereign Bei You, the Astral Monarchs and Astral Lords of the Bei You lineage had not dared to interact much with Sword Immortal Dong Yang.

From now on, I must cultivate a good relationship with Li Xia.

Astral Lord Long Xing realized this was an opportunity.

When Wu Yuan rose to prominence, he would have a chance to become an outer member of the Bei You lineage through Wu Yuan and Dong Yang.

Then, he too would have a powerful backer.

...

Meanwhile, in Astral Lord Hao Chi's personal hall in the immortal voidrealm.

"Haha, Junior Brother, it was just a small matter, why the formalities?" Astral Lord Hao Chi laughed. "I can't accept these ten million divine crystals."

"Senior Brother, you must accept them!" Wu Yuan said earnestly. "You went out of your way to help. If you don't accept, I'll feel indebted."

Seeing Wu Yuan's sincerity, Astral Lord Hao Chi nodded. "Very well, Junior Brother. I'll accept these ten million divine crystals.

However, following the common practice among Astral Lords, ten percent of this sum will go to you as the intermediary," Astral Lord Hao Chi said with a smile.

What he didn't mention was that the typical intermediary's cut ranged from one to ten percent. He had given Wu Yuan the highest possible share.

"I won't refuse you, so you can't refuse me either," Astral Lord Hao Chi said, his eyes twinkling.

Swiftly, Wu Yuan received a notification that one million divine crystals had been credited into his account.

...

After chatting with Astral Lord Hao Chi, Wu Yuan returned to his personal hall. Gazing at the figures in his account, he couldn't help but feel a mix of emotions.

Who would have thought that an unintentional act could yield such a substantial profit?

Wu Yuan mused.

Sometimes, lifting a finger is all it takes to make money.

This was the power of connections and status.