On the meteorite, Lu Yeās gaze passed over Nan Lianās figure to appraise the scene ahead. He found an elderly man with white hair and beard approaching. Although he appeared aged, his spirit was robust, and the faint mana fluctuations on his body surface resembled the gentle breath of a dormant dragon.
Sun Blaze! Lu Ye immediately sensed it.
"So itās Fellow Daoist Nan Lian," the old man recognized Nan Lianās identity and greeted her with a nod.
There were quite a few Sun Blaze cultivators in the Asura Field, though not an overwhelming number. Most knew each other, even if they hadnāt met before, they had heard of one another.
There was no doubt this old man knew Nan Lian.
"Fellow Daoist Charng Feng!" Nan Lian smiled and nodded. "You seem to be in a hurry, what urgent matter brings you here?"
Charng Feng... Lu Yeās heart stirred. Previously Ma Bin had called out this name. It seemed this old man was one of those who just participated in besieging Ma Bin.
As soon as Lu Ye thought of this, Charng Feng suddenly glanced at him, making Lu Yeās heart twinge with apprehension. Sun Blazeās perception was indeed sharp. With only a very subtle change in his expression, Charng Feng had sensed something. Lu Ye quickly lowered his eyelids.
Charng Fengās gaze swept over him, then looked at Walnut and Yuk Yaorao before he spoke, "Since youāre here, I wanted to ask, have you noticed anything or anyone of concern in this area?"
Nan Lian showed a puzzled expression, "In what regard?"
"In any regard," Charng Feng replied.
Nan Lian chuckled, "Saying it like that, Iām not sure how to answer. Iāve been standing here all along and havenāt noticed anything suspicious."
Charng Feng asked, "And the young friends behind you are..."
Nan Lian smiled, "Theyāre all younger generation from our home galaxy. We were together just before the Asura Field closed."
"I see." Charng Feng nodded slightly, "Then I apologize for the disturbance."
"Fellow Daoist!" Nan Lian raised her hand, and Charng Feng turned back to her as he was about to leave, "Anything else?"
Nan Lian asked, "May I inquire what youāre doing? Of course, if it involves secrets, just pretend I didnāt ask."
Charng Feng pondered for a moment, then said, "Thereās no secret, nothing unspeakable. Since youāve been standing here all along, you must be aware of the battle a moment ago. Green Demon King Ma Binās behavior was peculiar, so I wonder if thereās someone or something in this direction that concerns him, hence my investigation."
Nan Lian wasnāt slow, hearing his words, and after thinking it over, she showed a look of realization, "No wonder he suddenly turned back to attack."
Behind her, Lu Ye still kept his eyes lowered, his expression calm, though his heart was not as tranquil as it appeared.
Sun Blaze is still Sun Blaze. Being able to infer the reason for Ma Binās strange actions was because Ma Binās mental consciousness lingered on him for a moment. Even such a nearly imperceptible flaw was caught by Charng Feng.
He felt fortunate to have encountered Nan Lian. Otherwise, if he and Yuk Yaorao had been stopped by Charng Feng, who knew what attitude or means he might have adopted.
Under Sun Blazeās authority, any unusual behavior would have been amplified, and it might have indeed led Charng Feng to discover something.
Charng Feng left, continuing his investigation, and the other two Sun Blaze cultivators were also searching nearby. If there really was someone in this direction that mattered to Ma Bin, with their means, they would surely find out!
A moment later, Lu Ye sat in a basket-shaped starboat, speeding through the stellar space.
Sun Blazeās speed was indeed extraordinary. Yuk Yaorao sat on his left side, while Walnut was on the right, chatting with him.
Being fellow Moon Jade cultivators, she naturally shared many common topics with Lu Ye, especially curious about Lu Yeās incredible strength, often seeking guidance.
Though she had a Sun Blaze master to guide her, her master was sometimes unreliable. On the contrary, exchanging with Lu Ye repeatedly yielded new insights.
Lu Ye could feel Nan Lianās gaze passing over him a few times, perhaps out of suspicion.
Before encountering Charng Feng, Lu Ye tried to conceal his intentions, but ultimately he had asked Nan Lian for information about Ma Bin. If Charng Feng hadnāt shown up, Nan Lian wouldnāt have thought much about it. But once Charng Feng came and spoke, as long as Nan Lian wasnāt foolish, suspicions would arise.
But she should only be guessing...it was no big deal.
Especially in front of Charng Feng, she had explicitly stated that the people with her were the younger generation from her star system. Hence, she shouldnāt make any additional moves.
Following alongside Sun Blaze remained peaceful.
Several days later, Nan Lian suddenly beamed with joy, "Ah, Iāve found Wanxiaās position."
To think that a Sun Blaze cultivator like her would one day get lost in the vast stellar space, taking such a long time to locate her home, was a bittersweet tale.
"Master is truly amazing!" Walnut applauded beside her.
Nan Lian snorted with satisfaction, "That is only natural."
Lu Ye quickly asked, "Senior, where is Jiuxuan located?"
Previously, Nan Lian had mentioned that Wanxia is not too far from Jiuxuan, and they are generally in the same direction. Now that she has located Wanxiaās position, it should be easy to deduce the direction of Jiuxuan.
If not for the previous incidents, Lu Ye wouldnāt mind traveling a bit farther with Nan Lian. After all, Sun Blazeās speed is indeed swift, but right now he thinks itās better to part ways soon.
Nan Lian didnāt pose any direct threat to him; this woman appeared to be very approachable. However, Lu Ye harbors his own worries and prefers to withdraw early.
"As for Jiuxuan..." Nan Lian calculated with her pale fingers, then pointed in a direction. "It should be this way," she said before looking at Lu Ye, "What, leaving already?"
Lu Ye replied, "Yes, thank you for looking after me during these days, Senior."
Walnut showed a reluctant expression, "Senior Brother Lu, wouldnāt you like to travel together for a few more days? After all, weāre heading generally in the same direction." These days, she had gained a lot from exchanging combat experiences with Lu Ye. If the Asura Field were still active, she thought her ranking could improve by a few hundred places.
Just as she finished speaking, Nan Lian slapped her on the back of her head, "Thereās no banquet that doesnāt eventually end, so donāt disturb the budding affection between those young superior siblings!"
With an innocent expression, Yuk Yaorao was momentarily stunned, then blushed and bowed her head in silence.
Walnut rubbed her head in grievance, "Master, you hit me again, Iāll become stupid eventually!"
Nan Lian ignored her but smiled at Lu Ye, "Young friend, take care."
Lu Ye respectfully bowed, "Thank you, Senior!"
Yuk Yaorao also hurriedly curtsied.
The two leaped off the flower basket-like starboat, and moments later, Nan Lian and her discipleās figures disappeared from sight.
"Letās go." Lu Ye summoned his starboat, called out to Yuk Yaorao, and flew in the direction Nan Lian had pointed.
The Asura Field had been closed for almost half a month, and the hustle in the Asura Domain had quieted down a lot. After all, most people would, like Lu Ye, try to leave this stellar region as soon as possible. Consequently, as time went by, the number of cultivators here would decrease.
Only those with ulterior motives would continue to linger here or roam around, causing trouble.
After another period, while Lu Ye was maneuvering the starboat, Yuk Yaorao exclaimed in surprise, "Senior Brother, Iāve made contact with people from the home galaxy."
All this time she had been trying to communicate externally, but had received no response, until now!
"What did they say?" Lu Ye asked.
Yuk Yaorao sent another message over, then replied moments later, "Senior Nan Lian is indeed impressive; her deductions were correct. This direction indeed leads to Jiuxuan Star Cluster. The senior brother I contacted mentioned that many from the home galaxy are gathered there, led by a Sun Blaze senior uncle, who is trying to rally lost cultivators from the home galaxy along the journey back."
"Thatās good," Lu Ye nodded. Appointing Yuk Yaorao to that place eased his burden; he didnāt need to accompany her to Jiuxuan Star Cluster.
During this time, as Yuk Yaorao was contacting cultivators from the home galaxy, he was also attempting to communicate with the Soul Race ancestral land. Now there is some progress; in a certain direction, he senses an extremely faint reaction, which undoubtedly indicates a passage to the Soul Race ancestral land at that location.
After sending Yuk Yaorao over, he can set off towards that direction.
"Ask how we can meet up with them," Lu Ye suggested.
"Sure!" Yuk Yaorao nodded quickly and communicated with them.
Three days later, Lu Ye and Yuk Yaorao stood on a meteorite waiting. Shortly after, a giant tower ship loomed into view; the ship was six or seven levels high, decorated with grandeur, bearing a large āXuanā character on its hull.
"Thatās it, itās the tower ship from the home planet." Yuk Yaorao became excited; after wandering for many days, she would finally meet familiar faces.
In the next moment, she led the way, with Lu Ye following closely.
On the spacious deck, many people stood by the railing gazing out. Some waved toward them, and Lu Ye felt the Sun Blazeās mental consciousness sweep over him.
He couldnāt help but look up at the highest point of the tower ship; presumably, that was where the Sun Blaze senior uncle Yuk Yaorao mentioned was located.
"Sister Yaorao." A dignified-looking man on the deck greeted the arriving Yuk Yaorao with a smile, showing a relieved expression.
"Senior Brother Sun!" Yuk Yaorao returned the greeting, her face showing some grievance as if a stray cat finally returned home after being out for a long time.
"As long as youāre safe," Senior Brother Sun nodded, then turned his gaze to Lu Ye. At first, he wasnāt too concerned, even though Yuk Yaorao had mentioned being with a Moon Jade friend while communicating with him. However, upon asking about Lu Yeās name and background, he hadnāt paid much attention because he hadnāt heard of him.
But at this moment, seeing him, Senior Brother Sun was suddenly taken aback and then respectfully said, "So, itās the top of the Moon Jade Ranking face to face, forgive my impudence."
The deck filled with cultivators, mostly Constellations, with a few Moon Jade ranking among them. Upon hearing Senior Brother Sunās words, they couldnāt help but widen their eyes, collectively gazing at Lu Ye.