Sage of Humanity

The Ziwei Dao Palace is the only place they can rely on. If even Ziwei Dao Palace does not make up its mind, then the situation on the Unparalleled Continent truly cannot be resolved.

There's no way to expect the nine of them to slowly cut away the strength of the Corpse Race. Who knows how long that would take.

Upon returning to the spirit mountaintop at Ziwei Dao Palace, Lu Ye sensed something unusual as soon as he set foot on it.

As expected!

Descending from mid-air, he looked ahead and saw that with Lu Qing in the lead, Lan Ziyi, Fong Rulie, and Ying Wuji stood together, seemingly waiting for his return.

On the other side, stood Muk Qingyun and Hua Ci.

Two camps, clearly distinct.

"Is something the matter?" Lu Ye swept his gaze across the four from Ten Thousand Demons Ridge.

Lu Qing took a step forward and said, "Lu Yiye, now that things have come to this, isn't it time you told us everything in detail?"

Lu Ye glanced at Ying Wuji and said flatly, "Don't you already know?"

He had never intended to deliberately conceal the matter of the Heaven's Augury Pillar. If he had, he wouldn't have brought Ying Wuji along, nor entrusted him with the task.

He had just been reluctant to say too much to others, only revealing everything to Muk Qingyun upon returning.

Ying Wuji, having accompanied him, would surely be questioned by Lu Qing and Fong Rulie upon return. Being from Ten Thousand Demons Ridge, he wouldn't withhold information from them.

So this scene was something Lu Ye had anticipated.

Ying Wuji couldn't help but shrink back under his gaze.

Lu Qing shook his head, "While we do know a few things, it's still quite unclear! Lu Yiye, no matter the intention behind Nine Provinces Heaven's Augury sending us nine here, we should set aside our camp differences. In this domain, there is no Haotian Alliance, no Ten Thousand Demons Ridge. It doesn't matter whether it's you or me, we are all Nine Provinces cultivators!"

Fong Rulie nodded vigorously beside him, "Yes, indeed!"

Lu Qing continued, "You are the strongest and assume the role of senior brother, we have no objection. But as senior brother, shouldn't you take care of your junior brothers and sisters? Let's not even talk about other things, in terms of intelligence sharing, you as senior brother are quite unqualified."

In fact, even today, they only knew they came to the Unparalleled Continent to solve the corpse crisis. But as to how to solve it, they had no clue.

But through what Ying Wuji had experienced with Lu Ye, it was evident that Lu Ye was systematically and strategically working on many things.

All present were prodigies within their respective sects and top of the Cloud River Realm within the Nine Provinces. Usually, they were the decision-makers among their own junior brothers and sisters. But here, they were completely kept in the dark, and that feeling of having no direction was rather unpleasant.

So before Lu Ye returned, they agreed that they had to probe some information from him tonight, no matter what.

They didn't press too hard, only appealing to emotions and reason, mainly because Lu Yiye was too strong and rupturing their relationship wouldn't benefit them at all.

"I intended to tell you anyway. No need to put up this show."

Lu Ye replied calmly.

The plan had reached its final stage. Regardless of what decision Ziwei Dao Palace made, they had to break into the Huntian Holy Temple, and the participation of all nine was indispensable. Facing these core disciples from top sects, concealing too much would only breed distrust.

So in any case, he should explain everything clearly to them.

Lu Qing's expression softened, and he smiled slightly, "That would be best, we were too rude."

Lu Ye then repeated what he had explained to Muk Qingyun on their way back.

Everyone listened quietly, with no one interrupting.

"That is all I know. Now, the Huntian Holy Temple Secret Realm must be breached, and the last Heaven's Augury Pillar must be placed there. Who agrees, and who disagrees?"

Lu Ye grasped the hilt of his sword at his waist with one hand and swept his gaze across everyone present.

No one spoke.

"So no one disagrees!"

Lu Qing said, "I have something to say."

Lu Ye looked at him.

Lu Qing continued, "Fellow Daoist has deduced that the Four Great Secret Realms correspond to the four Heaven's Augury Pillars. I agree with that. Now, three Heaven's Augury Pillars have been set up, only the Huntian Holy Temple remains!"

In his heart, he grumbled. Earlier, he had asked Lu Ye if he had received any special guidance from Heaven's Augury. Lu Ye had clearly said he hadn't.

But now, it seemed this guy not only received such guidance but even had the crucial four Heaven's Augury Pillars before setting off, and no one else knew about it.

Nine Provinces Heaven's Augury…is just too biased.

"Indeed!"

"Fellow Daoist has personally investigated the Huntian Secret Realm. Do you think we have the strength to succeed?"

"No!"

Lu Qing understood, "So no matter what, we need the strength of Ziwei Dao Palace! Fellow Daoist, was this what you discussed with Pang Huanyin just now?"

Lu Ye remained silent, tacitly acknowledging it.

"What is Ziwei Dao Palace's stance? Has Pang Huanyin given any response?"

"This is of great importance. She needs a night to decide. She'll give a response tomorrow." Lu Ye replied.

"If they agree, it's best for both sides to join forces. But if not?" Lu Qing frowned, "Things have developed to this point, we can't place all our hope on someone else."

"Do you have a solution?"

Lu Qing shook his head, "What solution could I have? Perhaps when the time comes, Fellow Daoist can speak with Palace Master Pang…properly?"

The last four words became cold and meaningful, suggesting his intent very clearly.

Lu Ye gave him a glance before stepping towards his room, voice drifting softly, "Don't worry, she'll agree!"

Despite being a woman, Pang Huanyin wasn't weak. Shouldering the responsibility of the entire Ziwei Dao Palace meant she wasn't someone to act indecisively. Though their interactions had been few, Lu Ye could sense her willingness to cooperate with him and the others.

As the Palace Master, her considerations naturally extended far beyond that.

Meanwhile, on another spirit mountaintop, in the Palace Master's sleeping quarters, Pang Huanyin stood with her hands behind her back. Veteran Siao quietly stood nearby, though his expression was evidently unsettled.

All of Pang Huanyin's words earlier seemed somewhat unbelievable to him.

"Nine Provinces… Is it true that there are other domains in this world?"

"If they weren't from another domain, how could these people have been so obscure before, and then suddenly appear together? The other two secret realms couldn't cultivate such people, let alone the outposts outside."

"So the Palace Master believes what Young Friend Lu said?" Veteran Siao asked.

"Not daring to believe, but have to believe! You saw that slash he used to kill Liu Zhenguan, didn't you? He's just in Cloud River Level 8, yet with such power, it's impossible for someone like him to be born in today's Unparalleled Continent. And each of them has their strengths; although they look similar to our Unparalleled Continent cultivators on the surface, there are significant differences."

"So what's the Palace Master's decision…"

"I don't know." Pang Huanyin smiled bitterly.

As Lu Ye thought, she wasn't an indecisive person—always being swift and decisive. But this decision was too momentous, almost relating to the life and death of Ziwei Dao Palace, so she had to consider it carefully.

Veteran Siao couldn't help but sigh.

He was Pang Huanyin's protector and had watched her grow since childhood. How could he not know what was on her mind now?

"For a thousand years, generations of Ziwei Dao Palace have adhered to the predecessors' will to resist the Corpse Race. However, to this day, the human race's situation hasn't improved much." Veteran Siao sighed softly, "If we continue this way, what will change even if another thousand years pass? The situation could just get worse."

Pang Huanyin's eyes brightened, "So you mean…we should seek change now?"

"If what Young Friend Lu said is true, then they are the variables for this domain! The Dao Palace hasn't had such an opportunity before, but now we do. Why not try?"

"But…"

"Palace Master, no Dao Palace cultivator fears death! The question is whether the death has value! So many disciples have died at the hands of the Corpse Race over the years. You, as Palace Master, should consider their lives, but even if you asked them to choose, they wouldn't let you down. You've always been wise. Why can't you see this?"

Veteran Siao stroked his beard and continued, "Even if the Dao Palace is wiped out, so what? At least we die a worthy death. But what if we succeed?"

"If we succeed…" Pang Huanyin fell into deep thought, her eyes growing brighter.

"I'm old and don't have long to live. I haven't pursued much in my life, but my final wish is to achieve the predecessors' ambition before I die! Since they are from Nine Provinces and have such courage, as native Unparalleled Continent cultivators, how can we lag behind? Palace Master, when outsiders are risking their lives, we can't just watch. That would be shameful!"

Pang Huanyin took a deep breath and bowed deeply to Veteran Siao, "Thank you for your guidance!"

She stood up, her eyes filled with determination, clearly having made up her mind.

Veteran Siao brushed his beard and smiled, "Good!"

As dawn broke, Pang Huanyin descended directly into the Spirit Mountaintop Courtyard without concealing her presence.

From the cabins, cultivators from Nine Provinces emerged one by one.

Meeting their eyes, Lu Ye nodded slightly.

Pang Huanyin bowed deeply to each of them, then spoke solemnly, "I, Pang Huanyin of Ziwei Dao Palace, humbly request your help in eliminating the Corpse Race calamity!"

Lu Ye replied, "Palace Master Pang, rest assured. That is precisely why we are here!"

Pang Huanyin smiled, "Then we should sit down and discuss properly."

"Let's discuss here." Lu Ye stepped forward and instructed casually, "Seventh Junior Brother, bring some chairs."

Ying Wuji almost couldn't hold back his cursing. Seriously, every task had to fall on him? Where's the justice?

Let's resolve these matters quickly and return to Nine Provinces. He had enough of this Seventh Junior Brother nonsense!