Sage of Humanity

This trip to Mount Sumeru Secret Realm, Pang Huanyin did not merely come to fulfill the second condition promised to Lu Ye but also wanted to sit down and have a thorough discussion about forming an alliance with Mount Sumeru.

Although the chances are slim, effort makes things possible. If you do not strive to try, many things will never be accomplished.

Beside the portal, Pang Huanyin stood silently, Veteran Siao quietly recuperated, and Lu Ye changed into new clothes.

In the distance, near the Mount Sumeru range, several figures rushed forward. The leading one was a burly figure with broad shoulders and a thick waist, his face covered with a full beard, exuding an innate heroic aura.

This person was precisely the current master of the Mount Sumeru Secret Realm, Liu Zhenguan.

At this moment, his face was as calm as water, obviously, he was not in a good mood.

It's no wonder that someone trespassed into his territory without permission, forcing their way in, who could be in a good mood in such a situation?

Turns out the elders' old warnings were true!

The Ziwei Dao Palace indeed had methods to deduce the portals' locations of other secret realms, and even possess means to forcibly open portals.

He had previously found it implausible, but today's events left him no choice but to believe it, no matter how much he didn't want to.

What does that woman intend to do?

Compared to the anger in his heart, he was more puzzled.

That woman must know that such actions would offend others. Yet, despite knowing this, she exposed herself. What is her purpose?

Is she planning to completely tear face with Mount Sumeru?

Not quite. Although he had only interacted with Pang Huanyin once, he knew she was not someone who would act recklessly. On the contrary, despite her youth, she was more rational than most elders.

"Mountain Lord, shall we bring more people?" A Mount Sumeru cultivator tightly followed behind and asked.

"What use would bringing so many people serve?" Liu Zhenguan snorted coldly.

"In case a fight breaks out..." the speaker showed an apprehensive expression, "I heard that the woman is very strong, bringing more people might be convenient."

Liu Zhenguan's voice was like thunder, muttering angrily, "Damn it, this is Mount Sumeru, I am the Mountain Lord. Since she has entered, she shall not stir up any trouble. Bringing that many people would only undermine my own momentum!"

"Mountain Lord means… to take her by force?"

Liu Zhenguan turned his head, looking at the speaker like an idiot, "And then? Wait for the retaliation from Ziwei Dao Palace? You've been with me for so many years and you are still this stupid?"

He may appear rough and straightforward, but his mind was exceptionally meticulous. He knew that although Ziwei Dao Palace had crossed their taboo, Mount Sumeru couldn't afford to do much unless they were willing to tear face with Ziwei Dao Palace.

This was likely Pang Huanyin's confidence in daring to take such a risk.

If Pang Huanyin were harmed, Ziwei Dao Palace would inevitably come seeking retribution, and Mount Sumeru might not be able to withstand it.

Knowing this, he found it difficult to dissipate the pent-up frustration in his heart.

From afar, he saw the group of vigilant cultivators and the quietly standing figure.

The many displeased and angry expressions on Liu Zhenguan's face instantly collected, replaced with a cheerful smile. As he approached, he began to laugh loudly: "I had a hunch this morning, feeling that something good would happen. It turns out it's the esteemed Palace Master Pang visiting. Liu is here to welcome you!"

When he finished speaking, he had already come near Pang Huanyin, his face full of a warm smile, as if extremely delighted by her arrival.

With a sidelong glance, he saw Veteran Siao and Lu Ye.

He recognized Veteran Siao, knowing him as Pang Huanyin's protector, having seen him before.

But he had no impression of Lu Ye, though he paid a bit more attention. Anyone brought by Pang Huanyin at such a time couldn't be ordinary.

"Mountain Lord Liu, long time no see. Apologies for the unannounced visit; I hope you won't mind." Pang Huanyin slightly nodded, smiling lightly.

"Not at all, not at all. Liu invites esteemed guests like Palace Master Pang all the time but cannot get them to come. Your visit today is Mount Sumeru's honor. If you are willing, why not stay for a few days and share a cup of my wedding wine?"

Pang Huanyin was astonished: "Mountain Lord Liu… is getting married?"

This guy had previously boasted that no woman in the world but herself could catch his eye, and that he would take no wife unless she deigned to marry him.

His standard was evident, and his side was never short of women. He had no plans to marry for years, so how could he suddenly decide to marry?

It was indeed an odd occurrence.

Pang Huanyin was inevitably curious, wondering what kind of woman had made Liu Zhenguan have such thoughts.

But it was merely a slight curiosity. Whether Liu Zhenguan married or not, or whom he married had nothing to do with her. She had her own agenda for coming here.

Liu Zhenguan scratched his head and laughed loudly: "Sorry for making you laugh, Palace Master."

A group of vigilant cultivators watched from the side, astonished. They thought given their Mountain Lord's temperament, knowing that the portal had been forced open, he would surely be furious and might bring a batch of strong cultivators, intending to fight. Who knew he wouldn't even bring up the forced entry and would converse happily with Pang Huanyin as if they were old friends not seen for many years.

"Then the wedding wine is a must-drink."

"This is not a place to talk. Please enter the mountain first, Palace Master Pang." Liu Zhenguan said this, extending his hand courteously, eyes smiling.

Pang Huanyin nodded: "Well then, I will respect your invitation!"

Liu Zhenguan's expression remained unchanged, but his eyelids twitched slightly. Pang Huanyin's forthright acceptance of his invitation, acting as if undeterred by any potential dangers ahead, clearly indicated her confidence that Mount Sumeru wouldn't do anything to her.

This woman… has quite some guts!

Pang Huanyin and Liu Zhenguan led the way, while Lu Ye and others followed behind, flying onward. The two in front chatted happily, while those in the rear remained silent and wary of each other, creating a strange atmosphere.

After entering the Mount Sumeru range, Liu Zhenguan said, "The Palace Master has come from afar and should first rest for half a day. I will arrange a banquet, and we can have a joyous time in the evening!"

"Very well!" Pang Huanyin agreed, adhering to the host's customs.

Immediately, Liu Zhenguan commanded to have Pang Huanyin, Lu Ye, and others directed to a nearby spirit mountaintop to settle.

The spirit mountaintop was not large, with only three to five halls, seemingly uninhabited regularly. Upon arriving, Lu Ye and the others were arranged to rest by the Mount Sumeru cultivators.

In the side room, Lu Ye sat cross-legged, his injuries not fully healed but not serious, only some flesh wounds. Considering the powerful vitality within him, such injuries needed no special attention and would heal within two to three days.

His mind opened, sensing the hidden presence of cultivators nearby, evidently left by Mount Sumeru to monitor them.

This was within expectation, so Lu Ye did not mind.

Meanwhile, in a secluded valley somewhere in the Mount Sumeru range, a shadowy figure emerged like a specter—it was Ying Wuji, who had been missing since entering the secret realm.

With his skills as a ghost cultivator and Pang Huanyin providing cover, the on-duty cultivators by the portal had no chance of detecting his presence.

For him, entering the secret realm was akin to a tiger entering the forest or a dragon swimming in the sea; unless he chose, no one from Mount Sumeru could find him.

Confirmed being alone, he took out a wooden box from his bosom.

This item was handed to him by Lu Ye; its contents were unknown to him. Lu Ye had instructed him along the way to open the box only after entering Mount Sumeru, and subsequently to place its contents in some hidden spot.

"What mischief is Lu Yiye up to?" Ying Wuji was full of doubt.

He opened the wooden box lightly, and its contents came into view.

It was an object resembling a crystal stone, with something seemingly sealed inside.

Ying Wuji fixed his gaze, his pupils contracting sharply: "This is…"

It seemed he had seen something utterly incredible, his eyes and face filled with astonishment.

He quickly gathered his composure.

Turns out that Lui Qing was right; Lu Yiye indeed possessed intelligence unknown to others, surely having received special guidance from Heaven's Augury. Otherwise, how could he have such an improbable item?

If not for his inconvenience in acting this time, he would likely not have entrusted this to him!

Thinking of his days spent serving Lu Yiye diligently yet receiving little trust, Ying Wuji felt disheartened.

...

"Yiye." The knock on the door was accompanied by Pang Huanyin's voice.

Sitting cross-legged in the room, Lu Ye opened his eyes and responded softly: "Come in by yourself."

Pang Huanyin then pushed the door and entered.

"What's the matter?" Lu Ye asked.

"Our timing is not ideal. With Liu Zhenguan's grand occasion, we should present a congratulatory gift. But you know, Veteran Siao and I traveled light and didn't carry presents of worth. Could you lend me something?"

Lu Ye thought for a moment and casually took out a bottle of high-quality healing pills.

Pang Huanyin quickly raised her hand to stop him: "Not elixir pills. Your side's alchemical skills far surpass ours. If such items are presented, Liu Zhenguan might entertain untoward thoughts."

Lu Ye then took out some Spiritual Artifacts.

"These won't do either…"

"Then what do you want?" Lu Ye looked up at her.

Pang Huanyin was at a loss: "I don't know either."

She had never given congratulatory gifts before, having no experience in this matter. She felt it was indeed a profound knowledge; if the gift was too expensive, it would be heart-wrenching, but if too light, it would seem stingy. Balancing this seemed more difficult than cultivation itself.

"Do you have anything suitable for a woman?" She suddenly had a spark of inspiration.

Someone like Liu Zhenguan having thoughts of marriage indicated the woman held significant weight in his heart. So if they were to present a gift, aiming at the woman might be more effective than targeting Liu Zhenguan himself.

If Liu Zhenguan's resentment could be eased, then she could discuss the alliance with him.

Lu Ye casually pulled out a delicate handkerchief.

This item naturally was a war trophy, not of high quality, just a mid-grade spirit artifact, also a flying spirit artifact of sorts. Where it came from was unclear.

He had many such items he found useless, piled up in his storage space.