Star Odyssey

Chapter 1473: Unknown Informant

As he looked at his Champions’ Stage, Lu Yin suddenly understood why the Lu family had been the original masters of the Perennial World. If all the members of this family had possessed this particular innate gift, then they would have been terrifying beyond belief. A single family member would have been able to stand against an entire force.

The scenery changed around Lu Yin, and he returned to reality. He let out a long breath. After this session in the Timestop Space, he had gained a much better understanding of his current strength.

It appeared that it was no longer reasonable for him to compete with his peers.

Two days passed by in relative peace, though people continued to apply to join Huaiyuan Gate. Naturally, this led to an improvement of Humility’s Gate’s forces.

After these two days, Cai Shu went to go find Lu Yin. "My master has asked that you return to Qing Chen Mountain to assist in the investigation regarding Yun Mubai's status as a Redback."

Lu Yin asked, "The Supervisor’s returned?"action

Cai Shuen just snorted before taking out a piece of white paper that he began to fold. Just like when Lu Yin had traveled to Huaiyuan, Cai Shu escorted Lu Yin back to Qing Chen Mountain.

It might have been because of the level of urgency, but the return trip was noticeably faster than their previous journey.

Ahead of him, Lu Yin saw the tall mountain. There were countless people trying their best to climb the mountain, hoping to be able to enter Qing Chen’s door.

Lu Yin had been in a similar situation when he had first left the Great Yu Empire to participate in Astral-10’s entrance exam. Upon arriving at the location of the exam, Lu Yin had been amazed by the number of participants who had come from the Vastdearth Sect, local filaments, and even nearby weaves. Countless talented youths had gathered there, and at the time, Lu Yin had seen the best that the Outerverse had to offer.

It had been a beautiful moment, as no one hated standing at the top.

"Is the entrance exam for Qing Chen Mountain difficult?" Lu Yin asked, feeling quite curious. This was because not only were there many youths participating, but also quite a few older cultivators.

Cai Shu smiled. "It all depends on the person. For you, the exam couldn’t be easier, but for others, they’ll never be able to pass the test throughout their entire lives."

Lu Yin looked down in time just to see an old man vomit blood and fall. His failure was quite tragic.

"Actually, most of the people you see here are from the Middle Realm’s Nine Gates. The best way to enter Master’s forces is by obtaining merit points within Humility’s Gate. The other option is to gain Master’s attention through nothing but raw talent. However, those with sufficient talent are usually more interested in joining one of the four ruling powers," Cai Shu said.

Before long, Lu Yin again saw Qing Chen, to whom he hurriedly bowed. "Your subordinate, Long Qi, Huaiyuan Gate Master, greets Lord Supervisor."

Qing Chen turned around and smiled at Lu Yin. "Long Qi, you’ve had a breakthrough and become an Enlighter. Very good. Your strength has taken a new leap forward."

Lu Yin solemnly replied, "Thank you for your praise."

Qing Chen nodded. "I went to go visit the four ruling powers."

Lu Yin's expression remained the same as he waited for Qing Chen's next words.

"Regarding your actions during this recent incident, while the results played out well and no one will cause trouble for you because of them, you were still too reckless in this matter. If word of stellular fluid being transported were to be leaked, there would be disastrous consequences. Did you ever consider how to deal with such a situation? If people had not listened to you and had tried to strike you down immediately, I might not have been able to stop them," Qing Chen explained in a low voice.

Lu Yin's eyes remained firm. "Your subordinate did not think about such things. After learning that Yun Mubai was a Redback, all I thought about was how to catch him. Every Redback is a terrible threat to mankind."

Qing Chen smiled gently. "I know your thoughts, as without such motivations, I would have never made an exception to allow you to become the Huaiyuan Gate Master. However, this incident still needs to be explained to the four ruling powers. It’s not that your actions were wrong, but rather the process you took. That was the reason why I needed to give an explanation. Without it, someone might have eventually dragged out this incident to create a fuss.”

Lu Yin understood what Qing Chen meant. It also was possible that the four ruling powers had not even requested an explanation, but rather that Qing Chen had wanted to offer one.

A mere Hunter had comprehended secret techniques and also possessed power vessels that were dangerous to Envoys, and more than one at that, a youth who had the courage to make threats with stellular liquid to scheme against the sect master of the Smokecloud Sect—ordinary cultivators were not capable of such things. In addition to all that, the question in most people’s minds was about how Long Qi had even known that Yun Mubai was a Redback.

Previously, Lu Yin had come up with multiple possible answers, but he had never been able to frame a reasonable response. Since Qing Chen had called Lu Yin to Qing Chen Mountain, Lu Yin could not afford to make a mistake with this matter. An unknown source of information was no longer enough to justify his information.

In the end, Lu Yin had no choice but to trust the old man. That Semi-Progenitor had no reason to harm a youth like Lu Yin. Yun Mubai being a Redback had been an extremely close-kept secret, but the old man had been willing to reveal such a secret to protect Lu Yin from the four ruling powers. If this matter continued to be a problem, then hopefully, the jade pendant that Lu Yin had would be enough to save him.

Qing Chen stared at Lu Yin. He had to get a clear answer from this child.

The Supervisor would not have cared if Lu Yin’s source of information had only helped him to capture a few traitors or some unimportant Redbacks, or even the occasional important Redback. However, the Sect Master of the Smokecloud Sect had been exposed this time. This changed everything. This person was a Redback who had been hidden even more deeply than the three Guan brothers, especially since the Smokecloud Sect was backed by the four ruling powers.

It could even be said that Yun Mubai had enjoyed a higher status in the universe than the Guan brothers, but the critical point was that he had been much more important than the Guan brothers. Yun Yun Mubai had definitely been one of the most important Redbacks in the Perennial World.

Qing Chen had to find out what information source could gather information that was this well hidden so that he could give an explanation to others within Humility’s Gate, and also to the four ruling powers.

Lu Yin felt helpless. This was a difficult matter.

Qing Chen asked softly, “Is it so difficult to explain?"

Lu Yin sighed. "The Supervisor has given an order, so this subordinate must obey."

After speaking, he took out the jade pendant and nervously handed it over to Qing Chen.

Qing Chen took the piece of jade and examined it. Suddenly, the pendant cracked and opened up a path to the true universe. The image of an old man and an emblem appeared, and Qing Chen's expression drastically changed in an instant. "A token from Semi-Progenitor Kui Luo?"

Lu Yin was shocked. What? This pendant was from Semi-Progenitor Kui Luo? Wait, could that old man actually be Semi-Progenitor Kui Luo?

No, wasn’t Kui Luo already dead? Could that old man actually be a disciple or descendant of Semi-Progenitor Kui Luo? But that still did not seem quite right. After all, the old man was a Semi-Progenitor.

Lu Yin was quite confused for a while.

On the other hand, Qing Chen was not confused at all. He stared as the jade pendant broke apart, entered the true universe, and revealed the emblem. That emblem represented Realmless.

"You’ve been getting your information from Realmless?" Qing Chen said in surprise.

Lu Yin stayed silent, as he did not know how to answer. Was there a connection between Semi-Progenitor Kui Luo and Realmless?

"Was Semi-Progenitor Kui Luo a part of Realmless?" Qing Chen asked again.

Lu Yin still had no idea how to answer, and he secretly cursed that old man for not saying anything.

However, Qing Chen did not press Lu Yin any further. He saw how the youth hung his head, and the Supervisor assumed that the young man did not dare to admit anything. Qing Chen’s tone of voice grew softer as he said, "Don't worry. While Realmless is an assassination organization and there is hatred between us and them, we are not mortal enemies. Thus, co-existence is not impossible. You used a token of Semi-Progenitor Kui Luo to extract information from Realmless, which is no crime."

Lu Yin let out a sigh of relief. "Your subordinate understands."

Qing Chen sighed. "I never even considered the possibility that Semi-Progenitor Kui Luo might be connected to Realmless, but you were able to get information from them with his token. It would appear that he does not lead Realmless, so it makes sense that you were not able to get too much information from them in the beginning. Redbacks actually usually hire Realmless to assassinate members of my Humility’s Gate, and there are signs of Redbacks within Realmless as well, but we’re lucky to get any information at all about those matters. You are truly fortunate to have gained Semi-Progenitor Kui Luo’s inheritance, though it will also bring you much trouble."

Lu Yin had no desire to continue talking about Semi-Progenitor Kui Luo, as Lu Yin was afraid of having his secrets revealed. "Supervisor, if Realmless is able to find Redbacks, then why don’t we just investigate Realmless?"

Qing Chen felt helpless. "This is something that we have tried to do several times, but Realmless is too secretive. Investigating Realmless is just as difficult as uncovering a Redback. Even after so many years of going over things again and again, it is impossible for us to completely eliminate Realmless. Also, the relationship between Realmless and the four ruling powers is a bit murky, but the takeaway is that you don’t need to worry much about this.”

Lu Yin spoke up in an angry voice, "Instead of helping humanity work together to defend ourselves, are there actually people in the four ruling powers who work with Realmless? That’s shameful! Those people should be eliminated."

"Careful," Qing Chen solemnly warned. He looked at Lu Yin's face that was filled with anger and sadness. "I understand that you’re angry, but there are certain matters that I cannot deal with, so just don’t dwell on it."

Qing Chen then gave the jade pendant back to Lu Yin while saying, “All you need to do is continue harvesting information from Realmless and expose more Redbacks and traitors for Humility's Gate. That is enough."

Lu Yin replied respectfully, "Your subordinate hears his orders."

Qing Chen let out a sigh of thanks. "While many people will hate you for receiving Semi-Progenitor Kui Luo’s inheritance, and even though you’ve also created a lot of trouble yourself, you have actually gained much from these difficulties, and you have removed many problems for me. I will report this matter to Lord Commander. Long Qi, continue to do well and gain merit, but don’t do anything too outrageous. I cannot help you with the four ruling powers, but you can call me directly if anything happens in the future."

Lu Yin felt encouraged. "Yes, Supervisor."

Qing Chen was satisfied. The longer he observed Long Qi, the more satisfied he was with the youth. Everyone who joined Humility’s Gate desired to serve mankind, but often, there were many schemes, and many people were not able to resist certain temptations. Not everyone had Long Qi’s fearlessness.

Most people, even if they discovered that Yun Mubai was a Redback, would lack the courage to expose him? Many might even convince themselves that the truth was a lie instead of risking the wrath of the four ruling powers.

Long Qi was a rare person who was fearless. Qing Chen did not want anything untoward to happen to this child, if possible, but he was also the best option to lure out Shaman God.

"Long Qi, you must remember to always be careful and to not leave Cai Shu's protection. I hope that you will not always just be an acting Gate Master, but a true Gate Master in the future. In fact, I even hope for you to take over for me and become the Nine Gates’ Supervisor. Do you understand?”

Qing Chen was speaking from the heart. Lu Yin felt the old man’s sincerity and bowed low. "Your subordinate understands."

"Very well. Return and get some rest for the time being. Remember, call me directly if anything comes up." Qing Chen patted Lu Yin on the shoulder, which was a very intimate gesture towards a youth. Qing Chen had already come to regard Long Qi as one of his own. Qing Chen was actually struggling to endure, as he wanted to accept Long Qi as his own disciple, but he had to wait. After all, Long Qi was still the White Dragon Clan’s son-in-law, which made this a very delicate situation.

As they returned to Huaiyuan Gate, Lu Yin noticed that Cai Shu's attitude towards him had changed.

The Envoy had always been kind to Lu Yin while maintaining a certain distance. This was normal behavior, as they two had not known each other for very long. However, Lu Yin found that this natural distance had now disappeared.

The most obvious example was that Cai Shu was expressing his personal feelings regarding how the four ruling powers harvested and used stellular liquid.