Star Odyssey

Chapter 3808: Are You Serious?

“I only guessed that this could be the case many years after the fact. Luck is such an elusive concept. Honestly, no one would ever normally consider it a possibility. However, it’s the only explanation how I could lose to an ordinary cultivator, or even a normal human.” Wan Lou sighed. “That woman, Ying Mei, is just as despicable as her mother. Their clan’s been depraved for multiple generations. They used every means available to seize control of the Autumnspring Slip, the mirebound artifact, and found their sect.

“Many people despise the Autumnspring Slip, but nothing can be done about them. Instead, the Autumnspring Slip grows ever more impressive, and they even produced a prodigy who was frozen in the Scion Spire.”

As his words trailed off, Wan Lou turned to look at Lu Yin. “When I bet against Ying Mei, I wagered that I would never attempt to retrieve Ming Xiaochou in the name of the Everchange Valley. That’s why, when I learned that you agreed to bring Xiaochou back for Xiaolong’s sake, I needed to meet you.

“In terms of strength, no matter how powerful you may be, how could you possibly overwhelm the Autumnspring Slip? Even a Lesser Sancte would find that difficult. If you decide to make a bet with them, luck will support the Autumnspring Slip, making it impossible to win that way. Furthermore, if you take action on behalf of my Everchange Valley, I will be considered a liar, which would completely disgrace me among cultivators.

“Xiaolong knows none of this, and I have no intention of informing her. All I can do is ask you to step back.”

Lu Yin was puzzled about something. “Is Ming Xiaochou alone really worth exposing their ability to use luck?”

Wan Lou replied, “At first, I also could not understand that, which is why I did not initially suspect them of tampering with luck. How could just Ming Xiaochou be enough for the Autumnspring Slip to reveal their trump card of manipulating luck? Everyone would be tempted by such an ability, and as soon as it is exposed, countless people would target the Autumnspring Slip.

“It was only later that we discovered that the Autumnspring Slip wants to use Xiaochou to create a second Everchange Valley. With their unique ability to manifest power by writing characters, they can pull off their plan. If by revealing their ability to alter luck they are able to create a second Everchange Valley, then it would be more than worth the risk.

“Mr. Lu, do you know how much respect my Everchange Valley has earned over all these years by cultivating the Heaven and Earth Aura?

“The Autumnspring Slip has offended too many people, especially the Fifth Night Pillar, which sees the Autumnspring Slip as their mortal enemy. They cannot stagnate or decline, which forces them to resort to any means possible to further strengthen themselves.”

Lu Yin understood. This was exactly the same as Yue Ya, as the Autumnspring Slip was risking absolutely everything on this gamble. If even a single generation grew weaker, their entire sect would be annihilated. After Qian Shu entered the Scion Spire, the Autumnspring Slip had exposed their ability to alter luck, which had been a hidden trump card. They sought to create a new Everchange Valley, which would allow their sect to soar to new heights.

It was certainly possible that everything that they had attempted was linked to luck.

Luck could not always favor the Autumnspring Slip, but by leveraging luck, they were aiming to surpass every other major power in one fell swoop.

Did Wan Lou not realize this? That was not necessarily the case. To begin with, he refused to break his word, as doing so would also ruin the Everchange Valley’s reputation. Secondly, Ming Xiaolong was also a member of the Everchange Valley. That meant that no matter what happened, their sect was backed by both Greater Sancte Green Lotus and Lesser Sancte Xing Fan; the Autumnspring Slip could not touch the Everchange Valley.

As for the other factions, they were not the Everchange Valley’s concern.

Wan Lou grew solemn as he faced Lu Yin. “I am asking you to withdraw, Mr. Lu. My Everchange Valley will reward you handsomely.”

Lu Yin observed Wan Lou. “Has she mentioned to you why I’m helping her?”

“Not really. She merely said that you owe her a favor and promised to help.”

Lu Yin nodded. “A promise. So you are saying that your promise matters, but mine doesn’t?”

Wan Lou stared at Lu Yin with growing intensity. “That’s why my Everchange Valley can offer you compensation, as well as promise that this matter won’t be made public.”

Lu Yin felt growing sympathy for Wan Lou. Lu Siyu had at least shared most of the details with Lu Sizhan, which had allowed the man to piece together the overall picture. In contrast, Ming Xiaolong had shared nothing with Wan Lou. The Valley Master was completely ignorant.

By speaking with the man, Lu Yin had come to understand what kind of person Wan Lou was. He was rather self-serving and was willing to prioritize his own reputation over others’. Still, that was merely human nature, and it was not worth criticizing. At the very least, the man had made a bet with the Autumnspring Slip in an attempt to recover Ming Xiaochou. Xiaolong likely understood the man’s character as well, which was why she had not told him anything.

Given the situation, Lu Yin had no intention of saying anything either.

At that moment, Ming Xiaolong returned, having clearly grown impatient. “Are you done yet? How much long do you plan to make me wait?”

Wan Lou let out a helpless sigh and gave Lu Yin an apologetic look. “I’ll leave this to you, Mr. Lu.”

He then left the valley. While passing Ming Xiaolong, Wan Lou tried to say something, but the glare that she gave him prompted him to leave without another word.

Ming Xiaolong let out a contemptuous snort and then looked over at Lu Yin as she slowly walked over to him.

Lu Yin calmly remained in his seat, watching her approach.

She mocked him, “You little thief, do you never take a break? It’s such a short trip between the Four Commands Sword Sect and the Everchange Valley, and yet you still managed to find a beauty. Clearly, you have a great deal of experience in such things.”

Lu Yin pursed his lips. “Didn’t Elder Le tell you what happened?”

“That merely proves your experience. Elder Le was unable to tell that anything was off.”

Lu Yin was speechless. He simply had no response to such an accusation.

Ming Xiaolong sat down and stared at Lu Yin. “What did Wan Lou tell you?”

“He told me to stay out of this.”

Ming Xiaolong became angry. “I knew it! That bastard only cares about himself!”

Lu Yin smiled, but Ming Xiaolong’s glare turned to him. “You’re not any better—you instantly turned around and sold him out.”

Lu Yin was taken aback. “I don’t have any agreement with him, and I’m here to fulfill your request. How is there any problem?”

Ming Xiaolong just mocked him, “Then why don’t you just admit that you were peeking?”

Lu Yin was stumped. He suddenly found himself understanding Wan Lou better than ever. How was anyone supposed to deal with this woman? No matter what a person said, everything was wrong. Lu Yin suddenly found himself missing Lu Siyu. That girl was much easier to deal with.

“Wan Lou miscalculated. It wouldn’t matter what he promised you, you wouldn’t agree. Even if he offered you the Everchange Valley itself, you still would have refused. Hmph, I knew that he would try to intervene, which is why I said nothing to him. Look at him, thinking that he would succeed, yet he managed to achieve nothing at all. What a joke!” Ming Xiaolong declared triumphantly.

Lu Yin shook his head. “All I need to do is bring Ming Xiaochou back for you, right?”

Ming Xiaolong looked at Lu Yin. “Can you bring him back?”

“What do you think?”

“I’m asking you.”

“Alright, then yes.”

“How do you plan to do it?”

“I don’t know.”

Ming Xiaolong glared at him. “Then why did you just say you can bring him back?”

Lu Yin started to get annoyed. “Your attitude towards me has been a problem since the moment you started talking to me.”

Ming Xiaolong snapped back, “I’ve been very friendly to you! What sort of attitude is one supposed to show a thief and a Peeping Tom?”

Lu Yin abruptly lashed out and ripped off the veil covering Ming Xiaolong’s face.

The veil fell, startling Ming Xiaolong. Still, her breathtakingly beautiful face was on full display. Her expression was a flower that had been startled by raindrops. She quickly took a step back, and as she did so, a figure appeared out of nowhere, moving unbelievably quickly.

The shadowy figure lunged, trying to grab Lu Yin. He just arched a brow and gently flicked a finger, striking the back of the figure’s hand. The man felt his arm go numb, and he was beyond horrified that his speed had been seen through. He instantly moved to shield Ming Xiaolong.

As that happened, another shadowy figure appeared behind Lu Yin.

“Stop!” Ming Xiaolong quickly shouted.

The person behind Lu Yin stopped moving and gave Ming Xiaolong a look of complete confusion.

She picked up her veil and put it back on while glaring at Lu Yin. “You!”

Lu Yin just smirked. “Watch your tone when speaking to me. I am not Wan Lou.”

Ming Xiaolong opened her mouth to snap back again, but a quiet whisper first reached her ear. “Miss, this man is difficult. He saw through my speed, and I can’t even lift my arm anymore.”

Ming Xiaolong’s eyes flickered, and she gritted her teeth. “Stand down.”

The two concealed individuals did not hesitate to withdraw.

Lu Yin smiled. “Lu Siyu should have already told you what happened in the Four Commands Sword Sect. They weren’t able to stop me there, and your Everchange Valley certainly can’t do any better. Do you really want to try to cause trouble?”

Ming Xiaolong glared at Lu Yin with open hatred. “No one has ever removed my veil!”

Lu Yin arched a brow. “And no one has ever treated me like a thief.”

“Are you strong enough to confront the Autumnspring Slip directly?”

“Of course.”

“But the Autumnspring Slip is not simple. If you simply bring him back by overpowering them, it will be nearly impossible to actually have him returned. Even if you do that, in order to preserve his reputation, Wan Lou will send my brother back again.”

“That’s not my concern,” Lu Yin replied indifferently.

Ming Xiaolong said, “Then you won’t have completed my request.”

Lu Yin stared at Ming Xiaolong, but she did not bat an eye. “On that paper, I merely wrote the name ‘Ming Xiaochou.’ I never mentioned the specifics of my request. That means that I can set any condition I want, even if it’s demanding that you destroy the Autumnspring Slip. I can simply do that.”

Lu Yin smiled. “Alright, I’ll destroy the Autumnspring Slip.”

Ming Xiaolong was taken aback, and she stared at Lu Yin as though seeing an idiot. “Are you serious?”

“As long as that’s your request.” Lu Yin was completely serious. He already wanted to make a bit of trouble with the Autumnspring Slip, so if he could do it while acting under Greater Sancte Green Lotus, then all the better.

If someone had a problem, he could say that Greater Sancte Green Lotus had ordered Lu Yin’s actions, which would have nothing to do with him. It was a truly perfect excuse.

Ming Xiaolong did not believe Lu Yin for a second. She simply could not take his claim seriously.

You want to destroy the Autumnspring Slip? Dream on!

“Anyway, stay here in the Everchange Valley for now. Once the Worldscript ends, you can go to Lingyuan. By then, most of the Autumnspring Slip’s support will have left, which means that you’ll face much less resistance when you take action,” Ming Xiaolong ordered. This was not the time to argue. All that mattered was having her brother returned.

Lu Yin found the woman’s reaction rather pitiful. She gave the impression of being domineering and enjoying challenging others, but her perspective was too narrow. She lacked true boldness.

Both Lu Siyu and Ming Xiaolong left Lu Yin a little disappointed in the Seven Fairies. Greater Sancte Green Lotus was a peerless expert, an Immortal, and yet his disciples were not that impressive. Was it possible that Green Lotus really did accept disciples based solely on the idea of “fate”? Or could there be some other purpose?

Still, while the women were not incredible geniuses or particularly cunning, they did have kind hearts. As they were all each supported by a powerful faction, that simply made them rather naive in their understanding of how the world worked.

Alternatively, Lu Yin also realized that the two women whom he had interacted with were both quite young. It was possible that their simplicity was a natural characteristic and that Lu Yin was the one who had become too jaded.

He wondered if the rest of the Seven Fairies were like the two that he had met so far.

Currently, Lingyuan was hosting a grand event known as the Worldscript, which was organized by the Autumnspring Slip.

While there were many who despised the Autumnspring Slip, there were also a great many who had benefited from the sect, both openly and secretly. The Worldscript was an event that served as a major reason for that support.

The Worldscript: to write the world itself as a book. Only the Autumnspring Slip had the arrogance to make such a claim.

During the festival, the Autumnspring Slip would write a number of characters that had been imbued with powers. Those characters would then be hidden throughout an entire region, and the major factions would be invited to search for them. Whoever found a character became its owner.

Those characters were no joke; each one possessed significant power. There was also no doubt that some of the hidden characters had been written by Ying Mei, the Autumnspring Slip’s Master Scribe, as well as a peak Dukkhan. Anyone who acquired one of her characters would win the jackpot. This was why it was not only those invited by the Autumnspring Slip who attended the event, but also a flood of uninvited individuals. While the uninvited guests were unable to keep the characters that they found, they could always sell them to the invitees, which meant that a number of independent cultivators always participated.