Star Odyssey

Chapter 2577: Mission Accomplished

Time flowed by, and half a month passed before any of the Sixverse Academy students managed to reach the Outerverse’s western weaves, which was where Ancestor Lingtong stayed. The student confirmed Xu San’s presence and then ambushed him.

There was hardly any resistance at all before Xu San was captured.

Lu Yin stopped Ancestor Lingtong from taking action, as it was necessary for Xu San to be taken away.

Xu San had been targeted by more than just one person, as there were three. Each of the three had targeted Xu San, which had led to internal fighting among the students. Just as the students had originally predicted, their greatest obstacle was not the Origin Universe, but each other.

Xu San's capture almost seemed to be a signal. After his capture, Yōu Ye'er was soon kidnapped, followed closely by both Coco and Zhuo Daynight. All three women were attacked and successfully captured.

Four targets in a row were attacked and captured by the Sixverse Academy students. All the while, Lu Yin closely monitored everything.

He had actually intervened when Zhuo Daynight had been attacked, but only because the attacker had been about to immediately leave upon capturing her, which was unacceptable.

Lu Yin had allowed Xu San and the others to be captured so that he could launch his own attacks after the Sixverse Academy’s students were exposed. This way, Lu Yin could steal more Lotus Artifacts. The people who had captured Xu San and the others had all been eager to capture more targets, which was why they had not tried to immediately leave the Origin Universe. This worked to Lu Yin’s benefit, as the captured individuals were not the ones whom he intended to allow to be taken away.

Zhuo Daynight was not supposed to be among the captured people.

The person who had targeted Zhuo Daynight carried no ambition, and naturally, Lu Yin would not allow things to proceed.

"I need to go," Zhuo Daynight told Lu Yin, her voice determined.

"The situation right now is complicated, and I can't ensure your safety if you leave," Lu Yin warned.

"As long as I stay in this universe, no matter how much I cultivate, I will only ever be able to reach the same level as my ancestor, the first Dayking. However, even he was weak when compared to peak powerhouses," Zhuo Daynight explained.

Lu Yin stared at her for a moment. "Are you sure?"

"Absolutely."

Lu Yin nodded. "Alright."

After Lu Yin left, Zhuo Daynight glanced over at the unconscious woman. She was the student who had tried to capture Zhuo Daynight, and the student had used a green energy converter to do so. Zhuo Daynight had only been captured because she had been training outdoors without her smoke or microarray weapons.

Upon sensing that the woman would soon awaken, Zhuo Daynight quickly feigned being unconscious and laid down beside the woman.

As soon as the student woke up, she looked around, quickly finding the unconscious form of Zhuo Daynight. What had happened? The woman could only remember that she had been just about to leave, so why had she unexpectedly fainted?

The woman felt that there was something wrong with the situation, so she quickly grabbed Zhuo Daynight and fled.

That woman became the first student to successfully capture someone and return to the Sixverse Academy.

A full month passed. One day, Leon's Armada was attacked. The resulting battle was so shockingly large that it affected the entire Cosmic Sea.

Shao Qingfeng had attacked Highsage Leon. Shao Qingfeng had an impressive combat strength that allowed him to challenge an expert with a power level of about 700,000. With Shao Qingfeng’s recent integration of techniques and abilities from the other universes in the Sixverse Association, he managed to fight Highsage Leon to a draw. In the end, he even left a wound on the pirate king after taking advantage of a blue energy converter.

Fortunately, Big Sis appeared in time, and she easily defeated Shao Qingfeng. In fact, Shao Qingfeng was even forced to use his Lotus Artifact to escape.

Sage Yuan had provided a bit of information regarding the Fifth Mainland, and some of it was even quite detailed, but the man knew almost nothing about Big Sis.

Big Sis was no longer the same person that she had once been. She had become a formidable powerhouse after unsealing a portion of Progenitor Yōu Ming’s power. When she visited the Perennial World, Big Sis had even managed to fight against Semi-Progenitors, such as one of Xia Shenji's clones. Shao Qingfeng was absolutely no match for Big Sis.

Big Sis's interference also revealed the truth behind the trial.

Lu Yin then took swift action, saving Xu San and others who had been captured but were still in the Fifth Mainland. In doing so, Lu Yin picked up five Lotus Artifacts. Combined with the three that he had previously taken, as well as his own, he now possessed nine Lotus Artifacts.

He Shu and the others quickly learned of Shao Qingfeng's defeat and escape to the Sixverse Academy. From that moment on, the rest of the students abandoned any thought of trying to capture Highsage Leon or Big Sis. As for Wendy Yushan, they found her to be just as difficult to capture. She resided in Frostwave Weave, which was within the Heavens Sect’s territory. Even entering the region would be seeking death. With no other option, the students moved on to other targets.

Even if they were unable to obtain the most valuable reward, they absolutely could not return empty-handed. Total failure was not an option.

...

While shrouded in smoke, Wen Sansi fought against a figure who was clad in a blue and white coat. The former Arbiter was facing off against He Shu. "Are you from the Sixverse Association?"

He Shu replied, "Come with me. Your resistance is fruitless and will only bring disaster down upon your Wen family."

Wen Sansi retorted, "That depends on how capable you are."

He Shu had no desire to waste time, so he quickly activated his red energy converter, which caused his power level to spike to over one million. The sudden increase in strength left Wen Sansi helpless, and he was instantly captured.

Ling Gong was also captured, though it took the combined efforts of Xu Ji and Xu Yue; one of the two attacked openly, while the other attacked from the shadows.

With two targets captured, Lu Yin exposed his strength. He used the Cosmic Art to access Progenitor Chen’s power, and with Star Stomp, Lu Yin had control of the entire Fifth Mainland. The revelation of Lu Yin’s true capabilities scared the remaining Sixverse Academy students so badly that they all fled.

Jiang Xiaodao immediately tore through the void in order to escape. Was this Lu Yin's true power? How terrifying! That man was an absolute monster!

Jiang Xiaodao felt incredibly frustrated. He had maintained a low profile the moment the trial had been announced, and he had intended to take advantage of Shao Qingfeng. Jiang Xiaodao had prepared himself, expecting to see Shao Qingfeng capture Highsage Leon during their fight in the Cosmic Sea. However, when Big Sis had exposed her terrifying strength, Jiang Xiaodao had been scared into hiding, and Shao Qingfeng had been forced to flee.

After that, Jiang Xiaodao had decided to target Ku Wei, who was still in the Astral Beast Domain. Since he needed to cross the Heavens Sect and enter the Astral Beast Domain, Jiang Xiaodao had assumed that he would not face any trouble. However, he had not anticipated Lu Yin's horrifying abilities. Discovering Lu Yin’s strength had made Jiang Xiaodao instantly decide to return, just to be safe.

In the Sixverse Academy, Shi Jiao and the universe representatives were staring at Wen Sansi, Ling Gong, and Zhuo Daynight. After some time, they exchanged glances. "This is worse than what we expected."

"At least they’ve managed to capture a few targets," Zhi Bing said.

Xu Xiangyin glanced over at Shao Qingfeng and the other students who had already returned. "We're still missing some."

"Lu Yin took action. He must have captured the rest of the students. The Lotus Artifacts are able to defend against an attack from a Progenitor, but for that to happen, the students need to be able to respond. How could any of them possibly react in time if they faced a Progenitor?" Mu Sanye commented.

Xu Xiangyin noted the absence of Xuan Qi, and his brow furrowed. Had Xuan Qi simply not returned, or was he unable to do so?

Shi Jiao also noticed, and she quickly asked, "Does anyone know where Xuan Qi went?"

Not one student responded.

You Teng suggested, "It’s possible that he simply hasn't returned yet. Provided that he doesn't expose himself, not even a Progenitor would be able to locate him."

Out of everyone in the Sixverse Academy, You Teng alone knew that Xuan Qi was someone from the Origin Universe. This was also why he was the only person who carried some expectations for Xuan Qi. It was even possible that the youth would return with a pleasant surprise for them.

Several days later, Xuan Qi suddenly arrived in the Sixverse Academy, a frantic expression and a Lotus Artifact protecting him.

As soon as they saw Xuan Qi, Shi Jiao and the representatives heaved a collective sigh of relief. They had all been waiting for him.

Xu Xiangyin walked over, looking at Lu Yin with concern. "Are you alright?"

Lu Yin looked up at Xu Xiangyin. "This junior has successfully completed my mission."

He then pulled a person out from behind him: Wendy Yushan.

As the glow of the Lotus Artifact slowly faded, everyone in the area was stunned silent. Only Wen Sansi, Ling Gong, and Zhuo Daynight, the three captives, had strange expressions on their faces as they watched.

All of them had been captured because Lu Yin had made arrangements with them.

Ling Gong stared at Lu Yin with an odd expression. How could someone so high and mighty act like such a loser? If she were in his place, she would have ordered all of these useless people away.

Lu Yin licked his dry lips. "Senior?"

Only then did Xu Xiangyin regain his senses. Xuan Qi’s achievement had given the old man a considerable shock. Wendy Yushan lived under the close watch of the Heavens Sect. She was someone whom the Origin Universe’s Dao Monarch, Lu Yin, was very close to, and whom he almost considered a member of his own family. She had been listed as one of the three most important targets on the list. Capturing this woman meant securing a seat at the Great Sovereign's tea ceremony.

It was the prize that Xuan Qi had just won that left everyone stunned in silence.

Not one of the people present had ever been granted a seat at a tea ceremony. As for the 9,990,000 spots for people to listen in on the Great Sovereign’s teachings, only a very select number of people in the Sixverse Academy had been granted that privilege.

Shi Jiao stared at Xuan Qi with a bit of confusion as she approached him, her eyes heated. "How did you manage to capture her?"

Wendy Yushan looked around. “Are all of you from the so-called Sixverse Association?”

Shi Jiao turned to Wendy Yushan. “Indeed. Welcome to the Sixverse Association. You are currently our guest.”

Wendy Yushan's eyes grew cold, and they swept past Shi Jiao to settle on Ling Gong.

Ling Gong scoffed. “Just eat and drink as much as you please. There’s no need to overthink things. Just wait for your Dao Monarch to come rescue you.”

A scornful laugh erupted from the representative of the Three Monarchs Universe. His name was Suo Xian. “Do you really think that anyone can save you now that you’re inside the Sixverse Association? Do you really believe that your Origin Universe is still home to the glorious Heavens Sect of the past? That era is long gone! Your so-called ‘Heavens Sect’ is nothing more than a pathetic remnant that’s living in self-deception.”

Wen Sansi looked at the man and cautioned, “Consider your actions thrice before acting, lest they bring disaster upon yourself.”

Suo Xian suddenly struck at Wen Sansi with a blast of monarch essence that sent Wen Sansi flying back. The man was a Demi-Monarch, and even a casual strike was enough to leave Wen Sansi severely wounded.

The young man coughed up blood, his face deathly pale as he lay on the ground.

“You should watch your attitude,” Suo Xian coldly retorted.

No one stepped in. No matter if it was because of events from the ancient past, or from the recent trial, no one held any particularly good feelings toward the Origin Universe.

Wen Sansi struggled to his feet before looking at Suo Xian with a frighteningly calm expression.

“Hey, old geezer, why don't you just kill us and see if you can capture some more hostages from the Fifth Mainland?” Ling Gong mocked.

Suo Xian directed a cold glare at Ling Gong.

To the side, Zhuo Daynight chimed in, “Given your strength, going there would be nothing less than suicide.”

Enraged, Suo Xian was just about to lash out again, but Shi Jiao interjected in a harsh tone, "Enough! These people were personally requested by Senior Sage Yuan. If you kill them, you'll have to explain things to him yourself."

Suo Xian's expression shifted at the thought of Sage Yuan's terrifying might. Finally, the Demi-Monarch had no choice but to back down.

"Xuan Qi, how did you manage to capture Wendy Yushan?" Xu Xiangyin asked in a gentle voice. The question drew everyone’s attention back to the main commotion.

Shao Qingfeng was missing, as he had entered seclusion to recover from his injuries. However, He Shu and the top students had all stayed and waited, as all of them were curious to see the final results of the trial. They were also all aware of just how difficult it must have been to capture Wendy Yushan, as even a single misstep would have meant death. None of the students dared to underestimate the Origin Universe any longer.

After personally experiencing the strength of the Fifth Mainland’s cultivators, all the students had completely given up on capturing someone from under the Heavens Sect’s nose. So how had Xuan Qi, given his rather modest strength, pulled it off?

You Teng's eyes flickered as he stared at Lu Yin.

As everyone stared at him, Lu Yin coughed once and then looked at Xu Ji and Xu Yue. "Actually, I should be thanking the Xu siblings. Without them, I wouldn't have been able to capture her at all."

Everyone turned to look at the brother and sister. How were those two involved?

The siblings exchanged baffled glances. "We're involved?"