Star Odyssey

Chapter 2601: Two Clans

Lu Yin was astonished. A white energy converter right off the bat? It seemed that the dual-colored soil was extremely important.

"If you can help us acquire five tons of dual-colored soil, this white energy converter will be yours. You already understand what this is worth. By equipping this, you will be able to fight even me," Ke Jian stated passionately.

Lu Yin responded with a bitter smile. "Who knows when I will even be capable of using this white energy converter? I'm more than willing to help Madam He Ran with whatever she requests. There's no need for any compensation."

Ke Jian placed the white energy converter in Lu Yin's hand. "This is a demonstration of Madam He Ran's trust in you. You must accept this white energy converter."

Lu Yin knew that if he continued to refuse, it would make people nervous.

Of course, he was also more than happy to acquire an additional white energy converter. Even if he never used it himself, he could always give it to someone else. "In that case, thank you, Senior. Please share my thanks with Madam He Ran as well."

Ke Jian nodded. "When will you return to the Voidforce Universe?"

"Very soon."

Ke Jian gave a warning, "Don't forget that Lu Yin is in this universe, so try not to be too conspicuous."

Lu Yin nodded. "I understand, Senior. You don’t need to worry."

Ke Jian merely grunted in response, and then he patted Lu Yin’s shoulder. "Don’t worry. Madam He Ran has already said that, if there is a chance in the future, she will help you deal with Lu Yin and obtain everything that should belong to you. With the influence that you already have in the Voidforce Universe, plus Madam He Ran’s support, it is not impossible that this Origin Universe will one day belong to you."

Lu Yin was speechless; the Origin Universe had always belonged to him. "This junior understands. Please thank Madam He Ran for me."

Ke Jian left, believing that his words had left a deep impression on Xuan Qi.

God Taiyi was already eagerly anticipating the day that Ke Jian learned that Xuan Qi was actually Lu Yin. The reaction was guaranteed to be entertaining.

Lu Yin returned to the Heavens Sect. After receiving six months’ of updates, he quickly left to return to the Voidforce Universe.

There was longer any reason for him to return to the Sixverse Academy.

After arriving in the Voidforce Universe, Lu Yin asked someone for the location of the Void Yang and Void Yin clans, and then he headed straight there.

The Voidforce Universe was vast, but the Void Yang and Void Yin clans sat side by side. Despite their history of conflicts, they had insisted on remaining together. Their story was quite well known throughout the Voidforce Universe.

Interestingly, due to the differences in the two clans’ cultivation methods, the astrological phenomena of their territories were completely different.

The Void Yang clan's territory was blazing hot, with temperatures high enough to warp light. There were giant, red-hot planets scattered about, and just the sight of them would cause ordinary people’s eyes to sting.

On the other hand, the Void Yin clan’s territory was shrouded in darkness. Outer space was filled with a freezing power that resembled wind, though not quite. When the energy swept out, it was able to split the void.

From a distance, the two territories appeared to be polar opposites. There was also a line that split the two regions, neatly separating the blistering heat from the bitter cold.

Lu Yin stared at the line, as that was the most likely source of the dual-colored soil that the Transcendent Universe required.

After getting a bit closer, Lu Yin realized that the line in his vision was actually a vast mountain range that sat in outer space. The mountains were a strange, dark-red color, though they also contained a hint of a grayish-white. Lu Yin felt that the grayish-white color was the dual-colored soil.

As he drew closer, he was soon stopped. "This is the Void Yang clan’s territory! No one is allowed to approach without permission!"

A deep voice rumbled out from the red-hot planet that Lu Yin had gotten close to. The voice created ripples that spread out, warping the void.

Lu Yin stepped back. "Junior Xuan Qi requests to meet with Patriarch Xu Heng."

"Xuan Qi?" The man on the blazing planet opened his eyes and stepped forward to instantly arrive right in front of Lu Yin. Heat radiated from the man’s body. "Are you Xuan Qi?"

Lu Yin looked at the man. He was a Void Brillium and comparable to a six-tribulation Envoy from the Fifth Mainland. The fact that such a powerful cultivator was standing guard at the entrance to the clan’s territory indicated that the Void Yang clan was far from weak.

"This junior is indeed Xuan Qi," Lu Yin answered politely.

The man responded with a smile, "You are no junior. As the patriarch’s brother, you are an honored guest of my Void Yang clan. I am Xu Zhi. Mr. Xuan Qi, please."

Lu Yin was caught off guard by the man’s politeness. "Senior, please don't address me in such a way. This junior doesn’t dare to accept such treatment."

Xu Zhi answered, "Mr. Xuan Qi, there's no need for that kind of courtesy. Also, don't call me Senior. Just Xu Zhi will do."

Xu Zhi warmly welcomed Lu Yin to the Void Yang clan and escorted him in.

As Lu Yin entered the clan’s territory, the fiery red light from the blazing stars and planets became blinding.

Xu Zhi waved a hand, and a shield of voidforce energy blocked the heat. "Mr. Xuan Qi, the patriarch is currently on the dual-colored mountain range, discussing unification with the Void Yin clan. Please follow me."

Lu Yin asked curiously, "Unification?"

"Yes, our Void Yang clan and the Void Yin clan are both descendents of the ancient Venerable Xuyi, but for various reasons, our clans split apart. Half a year ago, our two patriarchs returned, and they suddenly announced their intentions to merge the Void Yang and Void Yin clans once more," Xu Zhi explained.

Lu Yin felt a bit intrigued. "I've heard a bit about your history. There are all kinds of rumors floating around the Voidforce Universe. Once your clans are combined, you will become very powerful."

Xu Zhi laughed. "It's not nearly that easy. While my Void Yang clan is willing to listen to our patriarch, there are some people in the Void Yin clan who are only pretending to agree to their matriarch while actually causing trouble behind the scenes. They’ve given us quite the headache."

As the two spoke, Lu Yin followed Xu Zhi up into the mountains that separated the Void Yang and Void Yin clans. The mountains were known as the dual-colored mountains, which was a straightforward name that was very easy to understand: dual-colored mountains, dual-colored soil.

Lu Yin soon saw a crowd gathered on the mountain range. There were people from both clans, though they appeared to be engaged in a fierce battle that might also be a spar. Regardless, the atmosphere was quite energetic.

"Haha, Brother Xuan Qi, you’re finally here!" Xu Heng laughed as he approached Lu Yin, instantly drawing the crowd's attention.

Lu Yin stepped forward with a smile. "Since Senior Brother invited me, how could I not come?"

"I'm glad you’re here. I've been looking forward to your visit since we parted, but since you were cultivating with Senior Xu Wuwei, I didn't want to disturb you. I can’t believe that I forgot to give you my contact information—I can be so muddleheaded.”

"Your Void Yang clan is famous in the Voidforce Universe, so I only had to ask around to find you."

Xu Leng also approached, but as she did, she started pouting. "Brother Xuan Qi, why didn’t you come to my Void Yin clan? You must prefer Brother Xu Heng over me..."

Lu Yin forced a smile. "Senior Sister, don't tease your junior brother. I just happened to approach from the direction of the Void Yang clan."

"It’s no problem that you arrived through the Void Yang clan, but that means that you must first tour my Void Yin clan, or else I’ll take it that you’re showing favoritism."

"Leng'er, are you really going to argue about this?"

"Of course."

"Haha, Junior Brother, your senior brother won't make things difficult for you. Go ahead and visit the Void Yin clan first."

Lu Yin laughed. "I'm happy with whatever arrangements you make. Regardless, your junior brother is already visiting, and I can't run away."

"Haha."

...

The nearby crowd was buzzing as the people started discussing what they were seeing. "Who is that young man? Both of the patriarchs greeted him personally the moment he arrived. I’ve never seen either of the patriarchs so excited to receive anyone."

"If I'm not wrong, the recent changes in the two patriarchs are likely connected to that boy."

"You mean, that’s the child who crossed the Void Pass?"

"Exactly."

Someone’s expression turned cold as they stared at Lu Yin. The ongoing conflict between the two clans had been detrimental to some but beneficial to others. With all of that changed because of Xuan Qi, some had naturally lost out and were upset with the direction that things were moving.

With Xu Leng acting as his guide, Lu Yin started his tour of the Void Yin clan’s territory, and then he immediately continued on with a tour of the Void Yang clan’s region. The entire tour took several days.

During this time, Lu Yin observed the overall atmosphere of the two clans.

The Void Yang clan was harmonious. While there were many ways in which Xu Heng’s actions and decisions were limited by his clan, the members of the clan were overall content with their patriarch’s management style. In contrast, Xu Leng was cold and ruthless to her clan, and she used force to oppress them into silent submission. She even gave away their voidforce puppets at whim, and her behavior had led to an undercurrent of unhappiness within the clan.

Lu Yin could sense many hostile eyes following him.

It seemed quite clear that many people from the Void Yin clan were not happy with him!

"Come, Junior Brother, try our clan’s unique delicacy." Xu Heng handed Lu Yin a three-meter-tall object that looked like corn. It had golden kernels, which was normal, but when Lu Yin looked closer, he noticed that the dark-red interior also held a hint of gray. The strange thing reflected the colors of the dual-colored mountains.

Surprised, Lu Yin plucked a kernel and popped it into his mouth. When he bit into it, a burst of rich flavor erupted. There was a smoky hint, a fiery flavor, and also a cool sensation when it slid down his throat. "Delicious!"

"Hahaha!" Xu Heng laughed heartily.

Xu Leng added, "This delicacy can only be grown here in the dual-colored mountains. You won't find it anywhere else, but if you like it, we can send you off with a batch big enough to last you a lifetime.”

Still munching on the corn kernel, Lu Yin replied, "Then I would be rude to refuse. I’ll take your entire stock!"

"Hahahaha, as long as you like it, brother," Xu Heng laughed. Lu Yin could tell that they were genuinely in good spirits.

In addition to the corn-like plant, the two clans also had other unique dishes, as well as certain drinks made from the same odd corn. There were also other ingredients mixed in, and each sip was thick and savory. Lu Yin immediately asked for some of that to take with him as well.

"Senior Brother, I’ve heard that things have not been going well with your efforts to unite your two clans?" His belly full, Lu Yin started asking some questions.

Xu Heng and Xu Leng glanced at each other before looking back at Lu Yin. "There's a bit of trouble, but it’s nothing that we can't solve. We just need a bit of time."

Lu Yin nodded and dropped the matter.

"If I'm not mistaken, you're here for some sort of task, aren’t you?" Xu Heng asked, his eyes fixed on Lu Yin.

Xu Leng chimed in, "Speak freely. Both our clans will lend you our full support. All you need to do is ask."

With a chuckle, Lu Yin asked, "Is your dual-colored soil for sale?"

Both people were surprised by the request. "What do you need dual-colored soil for?"

Lu Yin made no attempt to hide anything. "Aside from me, there should have been others trying to buy your dual-colored soil, right?"

Xu Heng's eyes briefly flickered. "That’s right, there was a group of people. They tried to keep their identities hidden, but we managed to find out that they were from the Transcendent Universe."

Lu Yin bluntly replied, "It's the Transcendent Universe that wishes to have me buy your dual-colored soil."

With a wave of his hand, Xu Heng gestured at the mountain range. "Help yourself."

Normally, they would have suspected the Transcendent Universe of sending Xuan Qi to get close to them in an attempt to gain access to the dual-colored soil, but Lu Yin had crossed the Void Pass. That proved his true motives for entering the Void Pass, and he clearly had not been there to get close to the two clans. After all, if it was easy to cross the Void Pass, it would not have taken so long for someone to do so. Even peak powerhouses had been stumped by the challenge.

Xu Leng spoke up, "We don’t usually sell much of the dual-colored soil, but if you want it, Junior Brother, then take as much as you want. It’s free."

Lu Yin laughed. "I can’t do that. This is a transaction where I'm merely playing the intermediary. The real buyer is the Transcendent Universe."

Lu Yin's face suddenly grew solemn. "Don't even consider our relationship when it comes to this deal. Sell it according to your normal methods."

Xu Heng and Xu Leng both felt a bit puzzled, as they could not be certain of Xuan Qi’s meaning.