Star Odyssey

Chapter 2586: Not Real

Lu Yin held a star energy orb in his hand as he considered how long he should take to neutralize the contained energy and “officially” meet the Cyclic School’s new graduation requirements for the Harmonious Heavens Technique.

Xu Ji approached Lu Yin and said, "I want to test your speed."

Lu Yin turned to face the man. "Is this for revenge?"

"That’s unnecessary," Xu Ji answered calmly.

Lu Yin looked away. "Then there’s no need."

Xu Ji frowned. "So stubborn. I just want to get a feel for your speed."

"That’s a waste of my time."

"Then I want to get revenge," Xu Ji simply stated.

Lu Yin gave the man an odd look. "Do you really want to test my speed that badly?"

Xu Ji's expression instantly grew sharp. "Yes."

Lu Yin rose to his feet. "I’m not going to give you a demonstration for free."

"What do you suggest?" Xu Ji asked.

Lu Yin responded, "I heard you've obtained the Wu Tian Stone Disk, right?"

The Wu Tian Stone Disk had been revealed in a video featuring the Voidforce Universe when the students had first arrived at the Sixverse Academy. Each of the academy’s schools had recruitment videos, and Lu Yin had seen a recording of the previous master of the Wu Tian Stone Disk wielding it in battle. Unfortunately, that person had died during that same battle. Since then, Xu Ji had become the master of the Wu Tian Stone Disk.

After learning of this, Lu Yin had hoped to find a chance to determine the connection between Wu Tian's stone disk and the ancient powerhouse from Xu Ji.

The question did not surprise Xu Ji in the least, as many people were interested in his Wu Tian Stone Disk. "You want to see it?"

"Of course."

"I’ll allow it, provided that you can withstand the voidforce energy that shrouds it."

"You don’t need to worry about that." A smirk tugged at Lu Yin’s lips as he replied, "How do you want to test my speed?"

Xu Ji extended a hand, and voidforce energy radiated from it to form a barrier between him and Lu Yin. The amount of energy that he used was equal to what an Envoy was capable of using. "Pass through it."

Under normal circumstances, it would be impossible for Xuan Qi to penetrate such a strong barrier of voidforce energy. What Xu Ji was asking was no different from asking an Enlighter to push an Envoy away. Only the most talented individuals were capable of being Realmbreakers at that level, which made it an extremely challenging task.

Lu Yin looked at the dense barrier of voidforce energy. "You're certainly trying to challenge me."

"Since you were able to get past the blue phoenix, you can pass through this," Xu Ji stated.

Lu Yin grinned, took a single step forward, and shot right past Xu Ji.

Xu Ji felt a light breeze caress his face, but by the time his mind registered the sensation, Lu Yin was already standing behind him.

Turning around, Xu Ji stared intently at Xuan Qi. "You didn't even touch the voidforce energy."

"You just said that I needed to get past it—you never said that I needed to touch it," Lu Yin retorted.

Xu Ji's eyes flickered, "Back in the Arboreal Sanctuary, you mentioned that you were struck by a very fast moving tree. I'd like to see the image of that tree again."

Lu Yin did not refuse the request. What he had just used was not speed, but rather spatial manipulation. He intended to draw the Arboreal Realm's attention.

The competition for Sage Hua's seat would be fierce, and even if Lu Yin revealed an unbelievable level of talent, it could not guarantee that he would be a top contender, let alone win the seat; it was just like the situation with Stone Sage's seat. Lu Yin could secure a better position in the contest by dragging the Arboreal Realm into the mix. He was determined to not give Xu Xiangyin ay opportunity to arrange a meeting with Xu Wuwei. If he could just stall for a bit longer, Lu Yin was confident that he could find a way to remove himself from the Sixverse Academy while still being able to delve deeper into the Sixverse Association’s secrets. He was quite determined to prevent his identity of Xuan Qi from being compromised.

After considering the situation for some time, Lu Yin decided that the only way to buy himself enough time was to pull the Arboreal Realm in and have them fight with Xu Xiangyin over Xuan Qi.

Lu Yin was confident that revealing his innate gift of spatial manipulation would be enough to attract Shi Jiao and Mu Sanye’s attention, but unexpectedly, Xu Ji had also noticed.

Mu Sanye had not recognized the large tree that had escaped from Lu Yin and given him an innate gift, and he did not expect Xu Ji to fare any better. Even so, judging by Xu Ji's interest, there seemed to be a small chance.

Lu Yin drew the image of the big tree once again.

Xu Ji frowned. No matter how he looked at the image, it appeared to be a completely normal tree. There was nothing strange about it whatsoever. Could it really be that legendary tree?

"Your turn. I want to see the Wu Tian Stone Disk," Lu Yin said.

A void nest appeared above Xu Ji's head, and from it, a stone disk appeared. It flew over to Lu Yin, eventually stopping in front of him.

Lu Yin examined the stone disk before him. At first glance, it seemed perfectly ordinary, but the sheer power that it held blew him away. This Wu Tian Stone Disk was unquestionably one of the greatest voidforce puppets in existence, and it had enough power to elevate Xu Ji until he became a peak powerhouse.

"How is it able to change size?" Lu Yin asked.

Xu Ji explained, "It's also a power vessel."

"A power vessel?" Lu Yin was surprised. "Did your Voidforce Universe make it?"

Xu Ji calmly replied, "It came from the Origin Universe."

Lu Yin was even more astonished. "It’s a power vessel from the Origin Universe? So why does your Voidforce Universe have it?"

Xu Ji answered, "That involves an ancient story that you don't need to know about."

"Does your universe have many of these power vessels?" Lu Yin asked, his eyes blazing with desire.

Xu Ji frowned. "We used to have quite a few, but after the Voidchaos Territory was attacked, I can’t say how many might be left."

"What a pity," Lu Yin sighed regretfully.

"What changed after you went through your arboreal transformation and obtained your innate gift?" Xu Ji probed.

Lu Yin answered somewhat distractedly as he continued to examine the stone disk, "Nothing special. It’s just that I’ve grown much, much faster."

"What about your sensitivity regarding space?" Xu Ji pressed.

Lu Yin's expression hardened. It was clear that Xu Ji had already figured things out. There must be some record of the big tree in the Arboreal Sanctuary, but if not even Mu Sanye had been able to recognize it, then how had Xu Ji? Wasn’t he from the Voidforce Universe?

"I haven’t felt anything," Lu Yin replied.

Xu Ji moved away, though he was filled with doubts and speculations.

Lu Yin had not been able to discern anything from the Wu Tian Stone Disk, but he was more certain than ever that it was related to Wu Tian. Xu Xiangyin had already admitted as much, and Xu Ji had even gone so far as to admit that the disk was from the Origin Universe.

What sort of connection could there be between Wu Tian and the Voidforce Universe?

Lu Yin had revealed his arboreal transformation’s innate gift, but it would take a while for any results to appear. In the meantime, it was time for him to show off a bit. He stretched out a hand and brought out the star energy orb once again. The more parties there were competing for Xuan Qi, the smaller the chances of him meeting Xu Wuwei.

Three days passed, and Lu Yin’s star energy orb was fully neutralized. Everyone was stunned.

Luo Zang, He Shu, Xu Yue, Xu Ji, and even Shao Qingfeng were all taken aback.

Reaching an initial level of mastery in the Harmonious Heavens Technique in just three days was something that none of them could accept.

Shi Jiao instantly appeared once again, and she stared at Xuan Qi in amazement.

Upon seeing the woman’s reaction, Lu Yin knew that something was wrong. He must have overdone things. He quickly mentioned, "This junior has learned this before."

Shi Jiao was shocked, "You've studied this before?"

Lu Yin replied, "One of the Transcendent Universe’s foundational cultivation technologies is related to the breakdown and analysis of matter and energy. This junior once studied that cultivation technology with Zi Jing by employing methods from my own universe to try to break down and analyze things. This is why gaining an initial mastery of the Harmonious Heavens Technique was not difficult for me."

A strange light glittered in Shi Jiao's eyes. "It appears that you are fated to learn the Harmonious Heavens Technique. It’s true that the Transcendent Universe is proficient in analyzing matter and energy with their cultivation technology, but you relied on your own cultivation to do so. That’s as good as practicing the Harmonious Heavens Technique before you came here. Xuan Qi, it’s possible that you are destined to be the next Sage Hua."

"Shut up, Shi Jiao!" Xu Xiangyin suddenly arrived, clearly irate. "Stone Sage’s seat has already been taken, and yet you're still trying to lure Xuan Qi over to your Cyclic Universe with Sage Hua’s seat. What does that seat even have to do with you?"

Shi Jiao replied, "There's no need to rush ahead. I am not trying to persuade him to join my Cyclic Universe. Rather, I’m merely laying out some pros and cons for him."

"Whoever inherits Sage Hua's seat has nothing to do with you!" Xu Xiangyin stated again, clearly annoyed. He shot a glance at Xuan Qi, uncertain of what to say to the youth. The young man's talent was simply too overwhelming. The Stone Gate had wanted him before, and with this latest achievement, word of his proclivity for the Harmonious Heavens Technique would likely soon reach the Cyclic Universe.

"Xu Xiangyin, Xuan Qi is trying to learn the Harmonious Heavens Technique in order to grow as strong as possible, as soon as possible. That way, he can help you when you return to the Endless Frontier," Shi Jiao said.

Lu Yin quickly interjected, "Senior-"

Shi Jiao cut him off with a raised hand. "There's no need to hide it."

Xu Xiangyin turned to stare at Lu Yin, stunned. "Xuan Qi, is this true?"

Lu Yin sighed, "Even if I do join the Voidforce Universe, there’s only a remote chance of me ever becoming a peak powerhouse, and even then, it would take too long. On the other hand, if I can quickly become the next Sage Hua, it’s possible that I might be able to assist you when you return to the Endless Frontier, Senior."

Xu Xiangyin was touched. He had never been so moved by a junior before. He felt a surge of familial affection for the young man before him. It was a feeling that he had not experienced in a very long time.

Lu Yin felt rather helpless; how had things gotten to this point?

Xu Xiangyin drew a deep breath. "Xuan Qi, if you truly believe that you can succeed, then go for it. Take Sage Hua's seat. It’s possible that doing so is the best possible future for you. However..."

The man’s voice trailed off as he glanced at Shi Jiao. The woman’s brow furrowed deeply, and she turned to leave.

Xu Xiangyin leaned in closer to Lu Yin and spoke in a hushed tone. "While this is indeed the fastest path to becoming a peak powerhouse, the power that you would obtain is not real."

Lu Yin looked at the older man in confusion. "What do you mean?"

Xu Xiangyin shook his head. "I'm not entirely sure myself. This is something that I once heard from Senior Xu Wuwei. He told me that, if ever given a choice, to never accept a seat for any of the Three Sovereigns and Nine Sages. They do not possess true power. As soon as he shared this, he made me swear to never share this with anyone, even if it cost me my life."

Lu Yin sank into deep thought. Never accept a seat to become one of the Three Sovereigns and Nine Sages? They did not possess real power?

It was true that, when he had first heard that people could be granted the positions of Sovereigns or Sages, he had felt the same thing. After all, power that was granted could also be taken back, and what was happening with Sage Hua was a clear example of this being true.

"Senior, what if Senior Xu Wuwei learns that you've shared this with me?" Lu Yin asked with concern.

Xu Xiangyin replied, "Surviving a stint on the Endless Frontier is uncertain enough as it is. I’m running out of time, so I’m not particularly concerned. Besides, Senior Xu Wuwei will surely approve of you, and if he accepts you as his disciple, the fact that I shared this information with you won't be any issue at all."

That's impossible, Lu Yin thought to himself.

Xu Xiangyin clapped a hand onto Lu Yin’s shoulder. "Xuan Qi, of all the people I've met, you possess the greatest talent. Only that perfect Junior Sovereign can compare to you. Strive for the pinnacle. No matter if you end up in my Voidforce Universe or the Cyclic Universe, as long as you can obtain strength, go for it. Don't let me be an obstacle on your path."

Lu Yin clenched his fists. "I understand, Senior."

At this same time, Mu Mu was speaking to Mu Sanye about what had happened between Xu Yue and Xuan Qi.

"He moved at a speed so fast that not even you could keep up?" Mu Sanye commented in surprise.

Mu Mu shared everything that she had witnessed, and Mu Sanye thought for a moment. Something was off, very off, about this matter. Such speed was simply not possible. Even if Xuan Qi’s cultivation level would allow him to move at such a velocity, his body would not be able to handle it. Well, unless he had been hiding his true strength all along. However, how could anyone hide their strength within the Sixverse Academy? It was impossible.

As the man’s mind spun, a sudden thought occurred to him. "I need to leave for a while. Keep an eye on Xuan Qi for me, and do your best to prevent him from leaving with Xu Xiangyin."

Mu Mu felt troubled. "How am I supposed to stop Senior Xu Xiangyin?"

Mu Sanye hesitated for a moment. "You're right. I'll find someone else. Speak to no one else of today's events."

Mu Mu nodded as she watched Mu Sanye disappear.