Star Odyssey

Chapter 2612: Choking

Ning Ran was stunned. "Throughout countless years, no one has ever managed to cross the Void Pass. How did you manage to succeed?”

“Bureau Director, you're incredible!" Ghost Three praised.

Old Dian stared at Lu Yin, his expression shifting. "Tough guy."

Lu Yin spoke up, “All right, since it’s possible, then let's go meet her. I’m curious to see what kind of charm this Yi Jun has that entices so many people to line up to meet her.”

...

"There are two kinds of people who try to see Yi Jun. The first are her admirers who want to marry her. The others are curious about the situation on the Endless Frontier. Rumors claim that she has several comrades from her time on the battlefield who contact her from time to time. This is why many people hope to meet her, as they want to learn how their family or friends are doing on the Endless Frontier," an old man explained as he trailed behind Lu Yin.

It was Old Dian. Lu Yin had brought the old man along because of his unique skill, known as Smell Detection. This ability allowed the old man to determine if two people had ever made contact with each other by smell.

Lu Yin had also discovered that no one else in the Bureau knew that Old Dian had the strength of a Semi-Progenitor. It was assumed that the old man qualified to become a team captain because of his Smell Detection.

At the moment, Old Dian was well groomed, unlike his appearance in the Bureau’s headquarters. At this moment, the old man looked more like a kind schoolteacher.

The two men had arrived on Yi Jun Star. The planet had been named after Yi Jun as a reward from the Voidforce Universe for her meritorious services performed on the Endless Frontier.

“This Yi Jun sure is hospitable, agreeing to meet all these people. Does she charge them?” Lu Yin asked.

The question left Old Dian speechless. “No, she doesn’t charge people to meet with her, though not very many are able to actually see her. It’s impossible for her to meet with everyone.”

Yi Jun lived at the foot of a huge mountain. A waterfall tumbled down from the peak, and white mist filled the sky. It was incredibly beautiful to see, and the sound of a zither filled the air and cleansed the soul.

Periodically, people would shout something towards the base of the mountain, hoping to catch a glimpse of Yi Jun, but all such efforts failed.

"I possess an unrivaled appetite amongst my peers! I seek an audience with Yi Jun." A peculiar claim incited a wave of laughter.

"I excel in calligraphy and painting. I wish to paint a portrait for Yi Jun." This was also met with snickers and laughter.

"I..."

Lu Yin and Old Dian watched from the distance as various individuals loudly proclaimed their “exceptional” qualities. These people would most likely never be allowed to meet Yi Jun.

"I am Bo Qi, and I have an appointment. I seek an audience with Yi Jun," one young man called out as soon as he arrived.

The waterfall suddenly paused in its movements, and a stream of water broke free and extended toward the young man.

"Young Master Bo Qi, please come in," a voice called out from the stream.

Young Master Bo Qi stepped onto the stream of water and was carried to the peak of the mountain, which instantly sparked a wave of envy among the people left behind.

"That’s the young master of the Bo family. I’ve heard that the Bo family's patriarch is fighting on the Endless Frontier right now. Young Master Bo Qi probably wants to ask about his patriarch's condition," someone commented.

"Even if Yi Jun has some friends at the Endless Frontier, there’s no way she could possibly check on everyone's condition."

"You're wrong about that. News from the Endless Frontier is compiled and passed along to the Sixverse Association. The association then disseminates the news to the various parallel universes. Yi Jun is this popular because one of her friends has access to that news, which includes reports regarding the deaths and achievements of powerhouses. Patriarch Bo is a peak Void Brillium, which means that he deserves to be mentioned in those battle reports. Young Master Bo Qi has requested an audience with Yi Jun in hopes that she knows what happened to Patriarch Bo."

"That makes sense. There’s no way that Yi Jun can search for someone on the Endless Frontier, but she can pay attention to the reports. There might be some mention of Patriarch Bo."

Bo Qi soon returned, a grim expression on his face. When someone asked what had happened, the young man said nothing and simply left.

There was no announcement from the mountain. The information that people like Young Master Bo Qi sought could not be carelessly tossed about.

Lu Yin led Old Dian forward. "I am Xuan Qi. I crossed the Void Pass. May I meet with Yi Jun?"

The onlookers who were present for the entertainment available thought that they must have misheard.

"What did he just say? He crossed the Void Pass?"

"He crossed the Void Pass? Is he that man?"

"Was it really him?"

Murmurs and gasps echoed. It was clear just how shocking Lu Yin’s declaration was to everyone here.

At the peak of the mountain, the zither music suddenly cut off. A pleasant voice rang out, but not the one that had spoken earlier. This voice was softer and gentler. "Please wait, Mr. Xuan Qi."

Lu Yin stared at the mountain peak. There were no experts on this planet, as the most powerful individual was only a peak Void Brillium, and that person was not even on the mountaintop. Lu Yin was able to do whatever he wanted, and he could even take this woman away. He already knew that she was a spy.

Yi Jun had access to information from the Endless Frontier, which was extremely important for Aeternus.

So, Lu Yin silently waited.

Soon, a person emerged from the waterfall. She possessed an ethereal aura and skin like white jade, though her cheeks were flushed. After appearing, she arrived in front of Lu Yin and gave him a graceful bow. "Mr. Xuan Qi, I am Yi Jun. It is an honor to meet you."

The crowd stared on, many of them feeling conflicted. Despite however long they may have spent waiting, none of them had ever seen Yi Jun treat someone like this before.

Lu Yin laughed. "Miss Yi Jun, you are too kind. There's no need to personally welcome me."

Yi Jun replied with a smile, "How could I afford to be rude to Mr. Xuan Qi? The Void Pass was created by Lord Xu himself, and it was a symbol of our Voidforce Universe. Mr. Xuan Qi risked his life to cross the Void Pass to join our Voidforce Universe. It's only right that I personally welcome you."

Lu Yin's eyes flashed. Only a handful of people were aware of the real reason why he had crossed the Void Pass. There were many people in the Voidforce Universe—no, in the Sixverse Association, who challenged the Void Pass for no real reason, and yet Yi Jun was aware that Xuan Qi had challenged the Void Pass to join the Voidforce Universe. This woman clearly had some means.

"Mr. Xuan Qi, please." Yi Jun extended a hand, revealing a flawless, jade-white arm that dazzled the crowd's eyes.

Lu Yin nodded with a smile and then followed Yi Jun to the mountain peak, along with Old Dian.

After the three people left, the watching crowd finally regained their senses. They stared at the mountain with burning envy. They had just been shown the disparity between them. There were some who enjoyed the privilege of being personally welcomed by Yi Jun, while others did not even have the right to speak to the woman.

Yi Jun escorted Lu Yin to a pavilion that stood above the waterfall. The building bridged the waterfall, and it was completely surrounded by mist. Bits of verdant greenery hung from the structure. From this place, it was possible to see the anxious and expectant expressions on the faces of those watching from outside. Lu Yin turned to Yi Jun. "Do you like it here?"

Yi Jun replied, "I have no choice. Everyone out there wishes to meet me, but it's impossible for me to meet them all. I also can't leave my sister watching the Endless Frontier all the time, so I often stay here and play the zither for these people, in an attempt to soothe their emotions. While doing so, I watch for those who are most anxious, as I might be able to offer them a bit of help."

Lu Yin praised, "Miss Yi Jun is truly kind."

Yi Jun shook her head. "Mr. Xuan Qi, please don't tease me. I am just an ordinary woman, but since I enjoy more privileges than others, it’s only right that I use that status for the greater good."

As the two people took their seats, Old Dian moved to stand behind Lu Yin. Yi Jun curiously asked, "And who might this elder be?"

"A personal servant. Don't mind him," Lu Yin replied.

Yi Jun grew curious. "I haven't heard about you having a personal attendant, Mr. Xuan Qi. Did you acquire him recently, or was he perhaps a gift from Senior Xu Wuwei?"

Old Dian arched a brow. A gift? The question grated at his ears.

Without the slightest shift in his expression, Lu Yin responded, "It appears that you know a great deal about me, Miss Yi Jun."

Yi Jun smiled. "Quite a few people bring me interesting bits of news from the outside world. There has been much recently about you, Mr. Xuan Qi."

"Oh? Is any of it bad news?" Lu Yin teased.

Yi Jun laughed. "Oh, yes! Xu Yue complained about you quite a bit. She is quite upset with you."

Lu Yin looked surprised. "Xu Yue?"

"It sounds like you have quite the impression of her." Yi Jun chuckled.

Lu Yin quickly asked, "Has Xu Yue returned? What of Xu Ji?"

"All of them have returned, and they just paid me a visit yesterday. If you had arrived just one day earlier, it might have been possible to have a reunion. Your absence was rather felt distinctly." Yi Jun rose and then personally served Lu Yin a cup of tea. Her slender fingers, untouched or dirtied by the world, seemed like luminescent pearls. The woman also had an enchanting fragrance that somehow lifted one's spirits.

Lu Yin could not help but lean a bit closer so that he could take a deep breath. "What is that scent?”

Yi Jun quickly stepped back and gave Lu Yin an irritated look. "Sir, you're going too far!"

Realizing his unconscious actions, Lu Yin quickly apologized. "I'm truly sorry, Miss Yi Jun. I rarely interact with ladies. I offer you my sincerest apologies. As punishment, I'll finish the tea from this cup."

As he spoke, Lu Yin raised his teacup and finished it immediately, eliciting a laugh from Yi Jun. "Such punishments are meant to be done with wine, sir. Are you trying to substitute wine with tea?”

Lu Yin chuckled. "I’ve never touched wine, so I guess that I've embarrassed myself.”

"Abstaining from wine is a good thing, and drinking tea allows you to better experience what life has to offer."

"Miss, your sentiments are rather profound. It would seem that you’ve experienced quite a bit."

"On the Endless Frontier, there's only the finest line between life and death. Indeed, I've been through a lot.”

"It's very admirable that you stepped onto the battlefield to save your father. I, Xuan Qi, will salute you with a cup."

Yi Jun quickly spoke up, "I don’t dare to accept. Braving the Void Pass is a far more impressive and dazzling accomplishment. Compared to you, my minor achievements are small and insignificant."

Lu Yin burst out laughing.

Behind him, Old Dian remained calm. The acting Bureau Director seemed to be enjoying himself, and the old man had to admit that Yi Jun was truly beautiful, enough to stir anyone’s emotions. The acting Bureau Director was not smitten with the woman, was he?

At this thought, Old Dian coughed.

Yi Jun turned her attention back to Old Dian.

Lu Yin glanced at the old man. "Are you not feeling well?”

"Not at all. I merely choked a bit," Old Dian replied.

Lu Yin turned back to Yi Jun and laughed. "That fragrance is indeed rather strong. I'm nearly choking."

Yi Jun rolled her eyes at Lu Yin. "If you dislike it, I will go change my clothes."

She then bowed to Lu Yin and left the room.

Lu Yin watched the woman leave and then asked, "What do you think?"

Old Dian replied, "The two were definitely in contact with each other, and more than once at that."

Lu Yin grunted in acknowledgement. He was already aware of this, though he needed the confirmation and support of the Bureau before he could act against Yi Jun.

The woman soon returned, this time wearing a long black dress that accentuated her slim figure. "I've kept you waiting, Mr. Xuan Qi. By the way, might I ask why you came to see me?"

"I was hoping to hear about the Endless Frontier."

Yi Jun grew puzzled. "If you wish to know about the Endless Frontier, you could simply ask Senior Xu Wuwei, or even the Void Yang and Void Yin clans, all of whom are both quite close to you. Why ask me?"

The corners of Lu Yin's mouth curved upwards. "I'm the kind of person who doesn’t like to trouble those close to me."

Yi Jun chuckled. "You certainly are quite interesting. Very well, let me keep things simple for you.

"The Endless Frontier is the largest battlefield where the Sixverse Association holds back the forces of Aeternus. Also known as the Hundred Alliances Battlefield, it is composed of sixty-two parallel universes that the Sixverse Association has discovered...”