Chapter 2578: The Origin Universe's Resources
Lu Yin thought for a moment before speaking. "I am well aware of my own limitations. Rather than acting rashly, I looked into the various relationships between the people on the target list. It took a great deal of effort, but luckily, I finally managed to obtain a bit of valuable information. It turns out that Wendy Yushan and a person on the list named Ling Gong have a very close relationship. Ling Gong even acted as a guide, which allowed Wendy Yushan to join the Ten Arbiters Council. So, this junior simply waited at the Lingling clan. As long as someone managed to capture Ling Gong, it was certain that Wendy Yushan would leave the Heavens Sect’s territory and make her way to the Lingling clan.”
"As expected, not long after Ling Gong was captured, Wendy Yushan arrived. I took that opportunity to capture her, but she still had quite a few bodyguards around her. If not for some resourcefulness and my Lotus Artifact, I might not have been able to return."
Xu Xiangyin glanced at Lu Yin before turning to the Xu siblings. "I see now."
Xu Yue gritted her teeth. "Xuan Qi, you used us!"
Lu Yin gave a sheepish grin, "I wasn't using you. It was just a coincidence, nothing more."
Shi Jiao complimented, "Smart! So, you didn't believe the information that Senior Sage Yuan provided you with from the very beginning?"
Lu Yin answered sternly, "That’s not it. The information that we received from Senior Sage Yuan was very accurate, and the fact that these other people were captured is proof of that. However, as one of the Three Sovereigns and Nine Sages, he doesn’t have time to waste on the Origin Universe, and only the locals would know more about the situation there. That's why I investigated multiple sources."
"You’re despicable!" Wendy Yushan spat.
Ling Gong mocked, "Does everyone from the Sixverse Association have such lowly behavior? You even exploit your own people. You really are disgusting."
Xu Xiangyin shouted, "Shut up! As long as the goal is achieved without violating the association’s treaty, all methods are acceptable."
He looked at Lu Yin, and continued praising with open admiration, "It’s clear that you don't rely solely on your talent. You're also capable of assessing a situation and making accurate judgments. Xuan Qi, your future is limitless."
You Teng also expressed his admiration. "Impressive."
Mu Sanye added, "This is the kind of person who can survive on the battlefield. Someone without a brain won’t make it."
Mu Sanye’s words grated on Xu Yue's ears, as it sounded like the older man was implying that she and her brother were brainless. Wendy Yushan had indeed been captured, but Xu Yue and Xu Ji had essentially handed Xuan Qi the victory. If they had just waited a bit longer for Wendy Yushan to arrive, the siblings would have been the ones to secure a seat at the Great Sovereign's tea ceremony instead.
Xu Yue had not been fond of Xuan Qi from the very beginning. However, after the incident with the Lightning tree in the Arboreal Sanctuary, she had started to feel a hint of guilt toward him. After the trial, she found herself liking the man less than ever. He was nothing but a scoundrel.
"It seems that no one else will be returning. For this trial, twelve of the participants have disappeared without a trace. They either ran into trouble after activating their Lotus Artifacts or never had the chance to use them at all. The most likely explanation is that they’ve been captured by a peak powerhouse," Shi Jiao guessed as she looked around, "We'll leave this matter to Senior Sage Yuan. If those twelve are still alive, Senior will surely bring them back. However, don't hold out much hope. After all, death is only to be expected during any trial."
All the Sixverse Academy students bowed in unison. "Understood."
Xu Xiangyin left, gleefully returning to the Voidforce Universe to report Xuan Qi's success. The fact that the youth had secured a seat at the Great Sovereign's tea ceremony was more than enough to make anyone green with envy.
You Teng stared intently at Lu Yin for a long moment before also departing.
As for Zhuo Daynight and the other captives, Shi Jiao took them all to the Cyclic Universe. Before they left, Wen Sansi and the other three glanced at Lu Yin. He met their eyes. Not one of them knew if they were headed for fortune or disaster.
Initially, Lu Yin had only chosen Wen Sansi and Ling Gong to be captured, and the two had also been willing to go to the Sixverse Association in order to improve their strength. They felt that there were not enough opportunities left for them in the Fifth Mainland. As former members of the Ten Arbiters, they were unable to accept the gap that had appeared between themselves and Lu Yin. Later, Wendy Yushan and Zhuo Daynight had also eagerly volunteered to participate.
When Wendy Yushan learned of the trial and that she was a target, she had contacted Lu Yin and insisted on being captured. Her resolve had been so strong that Lu Yin had found himself unable to refuse her, and he had ultimately decided to include her in order to have Xuan Qi achieve something impressive.
He was confident that none of the captives would be in any sort of danger for the time being, as Sage Yuan needed them for negotiations.
You Teng returned to the Transcendent Universe and met with He Ran to report the results of the trial.
He Ran was taken aback by the news. "Xuan Qi captured someone important and won a seat at the Great Sovereign's tea ceremony?"
You Teng nodded. "That’s right."
He was not as servile to He Ran as Ke Jian. You Teng did not need to kneel in obeisance, as his You family held an important status within the Transcendent Universe.
He Ran was quite impressed. "Xuan Qi really is a prodigy. His talent is outstanding, and his intelligence is also commendable. Now that he has obtained a seat at the Great Sovereign's tea ceremony, his future has only become even more promising. If he joins the Stone Gate and inherits Sage Stone’s seat, then he will truly become someone extraordinary."
Lu Yin responded, "I don’t know."
He Ran felt puzzled. "You don't know?"
Lu Yin explained, "This list only contains the names of various materials, but names are bound to be different between the Origin Universe and Transcendent Universe. I’m not certain what these materials are just by their names, but I can search the Origin Universe for what you need, provided that I have a sample or a description."
He Ran turned to Zi Jing. "Give him some samples."
She then turned back to observe Xuan Qi. "Are you truly willing to search for these materials in the Origin Universe on my behalf?"
Lu Yin sounded completely sincere as he declared, "Madam has been taking good care of Zi Jing, so I'd be grateful for a chance to serve you."
The answer pleased He Ran. "Good. Ke Jian will accompany you. As long as you manage to find these materials in the Origin Universe, you can request anything you wish. You don't need to worry about Zi Jing. I'll make her the second most important person in the entire Transcendent Universe, after me."
"Thank you, Madam," Lu Yin expressed his gratitude.
Suddenly, He Ran asked, "Have you seen Bai Qian?"
Lu Yin looked puzzled. "Bai Qian?"
"The woman who was here the first time we reunited," Zi Jing reminded him.
Lu Yin thought for a moment before doubtfully clarifying, "The arrogant woman?"
A smirk tugged at He Ran's lips. She enjoyed hearing others belittle Bai Qian.
"I haven’t seen her, Madam," Lu Yin replied.
He Ran looked confused. "She was supposed to attend that secret auction with you. She was most likely captured by Tu Shuangshuang."
Lu Yin replied in a helpless tone, "I was captured by that madwoman Tu Shuangshuang as soon as I left the auction. I'm not sure what happened to the others."
He Ran nodded. "No matter. Even if she dies out there, it's nothing important. Xuan Qi, when can you return to the Origin Universe?"
Lu Yin replied, "Due to the recent trial, the Origin Universe is currently on high alert. Twelve of the academy’s students are still missing, and I don't know if they were captured or if something else happened to them. I think we should wait a bit."
Zi Jing spoke up in a respectful tone, "Madam, we can't wait too long. We need to have those materials in place within six months at most, or else our experiment will be delayed."
Lu Yin turned to look at Zi Jing. "Is it that urgent?"
Zi Jing nodded. "It’s very urgent. The Origin Universe is huge, so as long as we don't expose ourselves, returning there shouldn't be too dangerous."
After thinking for a short bit, Lu Yin replied, "Alright, I'll move out as soon as possible."
He Ran chuckled. "In that case, you may return to the academy for now. I'll be waiting for good news."
You Teng quickly took Lu Yin back to the Sixverse Academy.
When they arrived, You Teng seemed hesitant about something, but he eventually left without speaking a word.
Lu Yin immediately announced that Xuan Qi would be going into seclusion. He needed to return to the Heavens Sect. He had not expected to be summoned by He Ran, and her request to gather the various materials had also been a surprise to him, albeit a pleasant one.
After half a month, the Fifth Mainland’s Heavens Sect was yet again graced by Progenitor Long’s sixth visit. However, this time, Progenitor Long was accompanied by Sage Yuan.
Lu Yin stepped out, seeming relaxed and laid back as he looked at the two men. "Progenitor Long, you've got quite the nerve, knocking at my door all the time. Are you asking to be thrown out?"
Progenitor Long retorted indignantly, "Lu Xiaoxuan, you've become too conceited! Even your father needed to show respect when he spoke to me!"
"Bullshit." Lu Yin contemptuously dismissed the man’s complaints before turning to Sage Yuan. "It took you longer to show up than I had anticipated."