Chapter 1098, A Different Kind of Image Stone

Translator: Jon

Translation Checker: Silavin

 

Chao Ye said bitterly, “I’ll go back and urge them.”

 

In reality, the Grand Sky Coalition in Bing Zhou wasn’t the only place where many Medical Cultivators and Pill Cultivators gathered to study the insectoid blood’s effect to block out the influence of Yuan Metal Force Field. It was the same for the other Zhous. Moreover, they wouldn’t hide the results from each other. Once they discovered something important, they would immediately share the information. Still, they hadn’t made any meaningful progress.

 

This made Chao Ye feel helpless. It was true that he was the Commander of the Ministry of Military Supplies, and he was adept at ensuring the smooth running of the logistics. However, he wasn’t a researcher or an inventor, so he had been put in a tight spot when he was asked to create something based on insectoid blood.

 

In the past, they didn’t even know what the deepest part of the insectoid passageways looked like. Now, they had a lot of information regarding the Insectoid Great Hidden Realm. As long as they could solve the problem of Yuan Metal Force Field’s influence on them, they could launch an attack against the insectoids and destroy them.

 

As such, Chao Ye could only hope that his subordinates could work harder to achieve something.

 

After giving an order to Chao Ye, Pang Zhen knocked on the table again. “According to the convention, since we’ve discovered such an important matter, we’re supposed to share the information with those from Thousand Demon Ridge. What do all of you say?”

 

No one objected to that. Although the information was valuable, they shouldn’t hide it from the other party at this point. All of them understood that, so they agreed to share the information with Thousand Demon Ridge. They believed those from Thousand Demon Ridge wouldn’t think they were lying.

 

Anyway, the images in the Image Stones couldn’t be forged. When those from Thousand Demon Ridge saw the images, they would understand the severity of the matter and the most pressing issue they had to solve.

 

After the decision was made, the images in the stones were copied. Then, someone would bring the copies to Thousand Demon City.

 

The great conference ended just as quickly as it had started.

 

That was how cultivators usually discussed things. They wouldn’t waste too much time on any issue, especially when all the places lacked manpower. Efficiency was most valued.

 

When Tang Yi Feng left the Hall of Harmony, he saw Qian Wudang waiting for him. He glanced at Qian Wudang and asked, “What’s the matter, Commander Qian?”

 

Qian Wudang let out a hollow laugh. “Nothing. It’s just that I have some questions for you. Well, it’s about the Insectoid Great Hidden Realm. I have some doubts about the images I’ve seen.”

 

“Go ahead.”

 

Qian Wudang then asked several questions, and Tang Yi Feng answered all of them. Then, he sighed. “Just be straightforward with me, Commander Qian. What’s the point of you beating around the bush in front of me?”

 

He could tell that Qian Wudang wasn’t there to ask him any questions. It was apparent that Qian Wudang had a different intention.

 

He laughed and looked around to ensure no one else was around before talking to Tang Yi Feng using his Divine Ego. “Did Lu Yi Ye come to Grand Sky City yesterday?”

 

“Yes.” Tang Yi Feng remained unperturbed, but deep down, he couldn’t help but think that as the Commander of the Ministry of Laws, Qian Wudang had a sensitive intuition. Naturally, it also had something to do with the fact that he was Lu Ye’s leader. Others wouldn’t pay close attention to what Lu Ye had been doing.

 

“He’s so impudent!” Qian Wudang was vexed. “Regardless, I’m his leader. Since he was in Grand Sky City, he should’ve come to see me! Anyway, Elder Tang, you’ve explored the chasms for years but discovered nothing. However, you could show us such an important discovery after Lu Yi Ye came to Grand Sky City. I’m worried some people might make an association between the two incidents. If they ask around, they’ll know that Lu Yi Ye had entered the chasm a month ago and only returned the day before.”

 

Tang Yi Feng replied dispassionately, “So what if they make any association?”

“He can achieve what others can’t. Despite his young age, he’s already a Divine Ocean Realm Master. What’s even more amazing is that given his power, he’s still able to kill stronger enemies with ease. Elder Tang, you’ve indeed accepted a wonderful disciple, but there are things you have to be wary of.”

 

“Like what?”

 

“For example, some old woman has no more family members left. She’s dejected but full of resentment. She might take the risk and do something horrible.”

 

A glint flashed across Tang Yi Feng’s eyes. “How do you think we should deal with it, then?”

 

Qian Wudang chuckled. “How would I know? You’re putting me into a tight spot, Elder Tang. All of us at the Ministry of Law will only deal with a matter after it happens. We have to produce evidence that no one can deny. As such, I’m afraid I can’t provide any help when it comes to this matter.”

 

Then, he sighed and said, “Elder Tang, I’m not trying to be a scaremonger. It’s just that an old person with no hope and no one to rely on can be radical. She might do something unreasonable.”

 

Tang Yi Feng recalled what he had gone through in the past and said in agreement, “You have a point.”

 

He was crestfallen back then. Certainly, it wasn’t as serious as what Qian Wudang had described. After all, he had Shui Yuan to keep him company and take care of him.

 

However, if even Shui Yuan was no longer around at that time, he didn’t even know if he would go mad. He wasn’t certain and wouldn’t dare to think about it.

 

“Well, you’re pretty young, but you understand very well what old people like us think.”

 

A laugh escaped Qian Wudang. “I naturally can’t be considered old in front of you, but if I were a commoner, I would’ve been a Grandfather.”

 

Qian Wudang went on to talk for a while longer before leaving. Tang Yi Feng remained in the same spot and fell deep in thought. Then, he sent someone a message.

 

…

 

Lu Ye returned to Surging Waves Lake Pass as the Teleportation Ward in the Sanctum of Providence brightened.

 

He went to the chasm after he left Grand Sky City the day before.

 

There wasn’t a need for him to stay there, though. With the Soul Clone around, cultivators of both Passes would be well cared for. Also, the Passes and the chasm were connected by Teleportation Wards. Even if the cultivators fell into danger, Lu Ye and Lin Yue could go over to help at any moment.

 

The Pass was no longer bustling with noise because very few people were left. Only around fifty people were there, and they took turns to guard the place.

 

Everyone knew that guarding the Pass was an easy job. They would only earn some battle points at the chasm. It was only natural that they wanted to stay at the chasm.

 

However, some people had to stay back to look after the Pass, so they could only take turns.

 

After Lu Ye stepped out of the Sanctum of Providence, Yu Huang approached him. It was his turn to stay in the Pass for the past half a month.

 

“Sir.” Yu Huang saluted him.

 

“Alright,” Lu Ye replied, then asked, “Has anything happened at the Pass recently?”

 

“Nothing much,” Yu Huang said. Ever since Lu Ye placed most of the defences at the chasm, they had rarely seen any insectoids within a radius of 500 kilometres around the Pass.

 

Now, this way of defence was imitated by the other Passes in Bing Zhou as the two sides collaborated. It was even spreading across the other eight Zhous.

 

It was believed that it wouldn’t take long before all the Passes at the front line would do the same.

 

However, they couldn’t do that for the inner parts of their respective Zhous. Many chasms were left unguarded.

 

Lu Ye gave Yu Huang some encouragement before returning to his bedroom.

 

It had taken him around a month to explore the chasm, which delayed his cultivation progress.

 

That said, compared with what he had gained, the sacrifice was worth it. At the very least, he had figured out what it was like in the Insectoid Great Hidden Realm.

 

Standing in front of the door, he wasn’t in a hurry to open it. Instead, he looked at the Storage Bag that was hung from the doorknob.

 

This was odd. He looked around but saw no one. He scanned the item with his Divine Ego and discovered it was just an ordinary Storage Bag. There was nothing special about it.

 

He took it and opened the door.

 

Yi Yi and Amber were still focused on cultivating their powers. Lu Ye had previously left behind many Golden Amulets for her which were enough for her to use for a long time.

 

Although all the items purchased from the Hall of Battle Points could only be used by Lu Ye himself, Yi Yi was Amber’s accompanying Ghost Spirit, and Amber was Lu Ye’s Fated Beast. As such, Yi Yi could use the items that Lu Ye had brought from the Hall of Battle Points.

 

Upon hearing the noise, Yi Yi opened her eyes and said joyfully, “You’re back, Lu Ye.”

 

Lu Ye nodded and asked, “Have you noticed anyone staying outside the room recently?”

 

Yi Yi shook her head. “No. What’s wrong?”

 

“Nothing.”

 

If someone was there to leave behind a Storage Bag specifically for him, the person naturally wouldn’t let anyone detect their presence. Now, to save some energy, the Grand Defensive Ward wasn’t always turned on. Coupled with the fact that there was a lack of manpower, any powerful person could sneak into the Pass. However, the current situation showed that the person wasn’t ill-intentioned.

 

Certainly, the Storage Bag at the door might be a gift for him by a soldier from the Pass.

 

At the thought of this, Lu Ye activated his Spiritual Power to have a look, but he discovered that the Storage Bag was equipped with a Restraining Lock.

 

Now, he could confirm that it wasn’t a gift by a soldier from the Pass. Otherwise, the person wouldn’t have left behind a Restraining Lock.

 

In other words, when Lu Ye wasn’t around, someone snuck into this place and hung the Storage Bag from the doorknob.

 

[What’s inside the bag?] It wasn’t difficult for Lu Ye to unlock a Restraining Lock. A moment later, he undid the Restraining Lock and extended his Divine Ego. He discovered that there wasn’t any strange item in the bag. Instead, there was only one Image Stone.

 

He had just given several Image Stones to Tang Yi Feng the day before, but he was also given one now. This was such a coincidence.

 

He took out the Image Stone and sank his Divine Soul into it. Soon enough, the video within the stone was shown in his mind.

 

Instantly, he recognised that the video was taken inside the Insectoid Great Hidden Realm.

 

[Has someone discovered that I went into the Insectoid Great Hidden Realm?]

 

Soon, Lu Ye realised something was off. Although the video was taken in the Insectoid Great Hidden Realm, it was different from what he had captured. At the very least, the angle was different.

 

At that time, he was hiding on a scarab’s back, so he could capture images from a high position. Nevertheless, the video in the stone showed that the person was on the ground.

 

In other words, Lu Ye wasn’t the only one who had entered the Insectoid Great Hidden Realm before. The revelation astonished him.

 

Only then did he realise he couldn’t underestimate other brilliant cultivators in this world. He initially thought he was the only one who had snuck into the Insectoid Great Hidden Realm, but now, it seemed that someone else might have already done that before him.

 

In that case, why wasn’t Tang Yi Feng aware of it? Supposedly, such an important discovery would have immediately become known to the higher-ups of the two sides.

 

What was the person who had sent him the Image Stone trying to achieve?

 

The video in the Image Stone only lasted for ten breaths of time. Lu Ye watched it repeatedly but couldn’t find any useful information.