Outside of the Three Worlds Island, after more than a month, Jiu Yan returned.
Lu Ye personally stepped forward to welcome her, accompanied by Chu Shen, feeling anxious.
In mid-air, Jiu Yan stood quietly, her expression somewhat complex, but more than anything, she was furious.
She wasnât angry with Lu Ye. She had already understood the causes and consequences of the previous turmoil clearly. What Lu Ye did was indeed a forced rebellion; anyone in his position would not stand idly by and let others dictate their fate.
She was angry with Yuan Du.
Yuan Du went to great lengths to transfer her away from the Three Worlds Island, finally fulfilling his wish. Moreover, Yuan Du actually allied with Zixuanâs Demon Venerable, completely disregarding the rules set by their home galaxy, bullying the small with the big.
And what was the result? The result was that he ended up dead, and his home galaxyâs strength suffered a great loss, his prestige was in ruins!
Being from the same galaxy as such a person, Jiu Yan felt suffocated.
When she first received the news, she found it hard to believe. She hurried back and confirmed with Yuan Se and others that the rumors she heard were indeed true.
Within less than two months of her departure from her home galaxy, the whole All Phenomena Ocean changed drastically, and the home galaxy completely lost its dominion over the All Phenomena Ocean.
Recalling how Yuan Se and others had earnestly tried to persuade her before she came here, she now found it amusing.
Now, the news that Lu Ye holds a stellar space supreme treasure is spreading everywhere, leaving Yuan Se and others in constant fear, worried that Lu Ye would come with the treasureâs power to attack their domain. If so, they would be unable to resist. Previously, Yuan Se almost died at Lu Yeâs hands, and he was deeply concerned about this.
Therefore, recently, they have all gathered in the Yiyuan World, seeking warmth from each other.
Those people no longer hope to regain dominion over the All Phenomena Ocean; they just wish that the enmity with the Three Worlds Island ends here. In the future, they will dwell peacefully in their domain, and the Three Worlds Island will hopefully not come looking for trouble.
Jiu Yan came here for two reasons: firstly, because Three Worlds Island nominally paid respects to her, and such a significant change in the All Phenomena Ocean requires her appearance; secondly, Yuan Se and others hoped she could come as a mediator.
"Now that youâve become Sun Blaze, you need not address me as a senior. We can interact as peers," Jiu Yan spoke slowly, suppressing her inner thoughts.
Thinking back, she even considered taking Lu Ye under her wing for guidance, but who would have thought he has already progressed this far.
The speed is truly astonishing.
Lu Ye blinked and amicably responded: "Senior Sis must be weary from your journey, please come inside for a chat." As he said this, he gestured invitingly.
Jiu Yan nodded slightly and walked forward.
Upon entering the Three Worlds Island, she inadvertently glanced in the direction of the Spirit Jade Vein, where Ma Bin was recuperating.
Since the battle, he had stayed at the Three Worlds Island and hadnât returned to the Merfolk Territory. It didnât matter to him where he healed; previously inconvenient, now it didnât matter anymore.
After a while, in the visitors hall, the host and guests took their seats.
Jiu Yan glanced at Chu Shen: "You, go out. I have something to discuss with your brother."
Chu Shen twitched slightly at the corner of his eyes, feeling a whirlwind of emotions. Lu Ye was his big brother, the speaker was his mother, and the mother wanted to interact with his brother as peersâit was confusing.
Yet, with Jiu Yanâs command, he dared not disobey. Plus, he realized that his mother didnât seem to want to trouble his brother, felt much relieved, paid his respects, and winked at Lu Ye before retreating.
The hall fell into a brief silence.
After a good while, Jiu Yan suddenly spoke: "You have quite the nerve; without the supreme treasure here, arenât you afraid I might strike and kill you?"
"Would Senior Sis do such a thing?" Lu Ye looked at Jiu Yan.
"Do you think I wouldnât?"
Lu Ye smiled, "If Senior Sis harbored murder, she wouldnât have come so openly. Moreover, what good would killing me do? To be honest, the supreme treasure doesnât belong to me. So even if someone kills me, the treasure will still guard the Three Worlds Island."
Jiu Yan was somewhat surprised: "The treasure is not yours?"
Lu Ye shook his head, "It belongs to...one of my relativesâ beast pet. I only borrowed it temporarily."
"Relative..." Observing his expression and tone, Jiu Yan suddenly spoke with a hint of sarcasm, "Isnât it more likely your woman?"
"Weâre not married, not married yet." Lu Ye felt a little embarrassed.
"Hmph." Jiu Yan snorted softly, "I was wondering why I never encountered a supreme treasure back on Three Worlds Island, so thatâs how it is."
"Senior should know of the Merfolk Race; she had an accident in the past and has been in secluded cultivation over there. It was only during this turmoil that she emerged."
The cultivators of Cheling World stationed on Three Worlds Island have also been to the Merfolk Territory. Some of them even benefited from the Divine Conch Hall, so Jiu Yan isnât entirely ignorant about the Merfolk Race.
Jiu Yan clearly didnât want to dwell on this matter and instead asked, "Now that your Three Worlds Island rules the All Phenomena Ocean, what plans do you have for the future?"
Lu Ye followed her lead and asked, "Do you have any good suggestions, Senior Sister?"
Jiu Yanâs tone was inexplicable: "Donât push your luck. Iâm the All Phenomena Sun Blaze! This turmoil caused the greatest loss to this home galaxy. Iâm not opposing you because of Shenâer, and here you are asking for my opinion? Do you really think you can manipulate All Phenomena as you please?"
Lu Yeâs expression was bitter: "Please donât blame me, Senior Sister. Iâve suddenly ascended to a high position and feel lost. You know that the cultivators of our Three Worlds Island come from remote places, places where not even a Sun Blaze has been born. This time, we were fortunate to gain the recognition of many fellow Daoists and were able to govern the treasure of All Phenomena Ocean. However, our Three Worlds Island lacks heritage. As of now, we barely have three Sun Blazes who have just ascended and lack experience with significant events. So when you ask about my plans, I genuinely donât know what to say."
He appeared miserable, and if someone unaware of the truth heard this, they might even believe him.
But upon careful thought, there was nothing wrong with each of his statements, yet combined, they felt somewhat odd.
"Isnât Ma Bin still there?" Jiu Yan slowly spoke, and when she mentioned Ma Bin, she suddenly became angry, snorting coldly: "The Green Demon Kingâs fame is renowned across the stellar space. With such a mainstay, what are you worried about?"
She had previously been on Three Worlds Island without realizing its connection to Ma Bin, even hiding him within the Merfolk Territory.
"Senior Ma Binâs injuries have not healed; he is recuperating now. Also, the Green Demon King is infamous. Having him kill is fine, but managing a treasure like All Phenomena Ocean is not suitable." Lu Ye appeared troubled but suddenly had a thought and looked up at Jiu Yan: "Senior Sister, why not help me?"
Jiu Yan was stunned, staring fixedly at Lu Ye for a long time before saying, "Do you hear yourself?"
She had come this time partly to see the changes in All Phenomena Ocean firsthand and also because she was entrusted by Yuan Se and others. After all, she was a Sun Blaze of this star system and couldnât ignore their requests, even though she was very reluctant.
Never did she expect Lu Ye to make such a proposal!
Her identity as an All Phenomena Sun Blaze was well established, and she was unlikely to have any close ties with Three Worlds Island in the future, let alone help Lu Ye manage All Phenomena Ocean.
Lu Yeâs proposal seemed utterly unrealistic to her.
Yet Lu Ye acted oblivious, taking a sip from his teacup before slowly saying, "All Phenomena Oceanâs largest top-class Spirit Island is All Phenomena Island, also its hallmark. After the previous battle, All Phenomena Island was devastated, now in disrepair â a loss for All Phenomena Ocean and the entire stellar space. Although there are a few commercial Spirit Islands like our Three Worlds Island on All Phenomena Ocean, without All Phenomena Island, the circulation of many resources is sluggish, hindering All Phenomena Oceanâs development. Should Senior Sister be willing, I could entrust All Phenomena Island to you. With your status, you could completely rebuild the All Phenomena Merchants Guild."
"Rebuilding the All Phenomena Merchants Guild?" Jiu Yan seemed intrigued.
"Yes." Lu Ye nodded, "The All Phenomena Merchants Guild has existed for so many years and has many unique channels and connections that no other force can match. Because of previous events, the Merchants Guild is nominally defunct, but if Senior Sister steps forward now, given your background and strength, the Merchants Guild can be easily rebuilt."
Jiu Yan fell silent in contemplation; Lu Yeâs proposal was indeed tempting.
For someone as powerful as her, mundane possessions held little interest, nor did she care about a merchant guildâs survival, but reclaiming All Phenomena Island would benefit her.
First, All Phenomena Island has the largest Spirit Jade Vein in the entire All Phenomena Ocean, where she can cultivate.
Secondly, reclaiming All Phenomena Island would somewhat restore the All Phenomena Star Systemâs reputation. Though they lost control over the entire All Phenomena Ocean, at least they could still hold All Phenomena Island.
Thirdly, the Merchants Guild brought substantial annual profits, crucial for the future development of this home galaxyâs cultivators.
This turmoil indeed cost the Merchants Guild significant resources and personnel, yet its foundation remained. As long as her message spread, this home galaxyâs major domains would undoubtedly support the Merchants Guildâs reconstruction without any hassle.
This was her unique advantage; it wouldnât work for anyone else.
Looking at Lu Ye, recalling his earlier act, Jiu Yan suddenly realized: "You planned this all along?"
Lu Ye looked solemn: "Senior Sister misunderstands me. This was a spur-of-the-moment idea."
"Heh..." Jiu Yan chuckled lightly, obviously not believing his nonsense.
How could something like this be a spur-of-the-moment decision? Surely, he had this in mind all along, maybe even waiting for her arrival.
"Are you willing?" Jiu Yan looked at Lu Ye and asked.
That was All Phenomena Island, the hallmark of All Phenomena Ocean. It was incredible that Lu Ye would be willing to entrust it to her.
Lu Ye spoke up: "All Phenomena Island is indeed valuable, but it depends on whose hands it is in. If itâs in our Three Worlds Islandâs hands, itâs just a top-class Spirit Island, nothing more. But in Senior Sisterâs hands, it becomes the symbol of All Phenomena Ocean."
Rebuilding the All Phenomena Merchants Guild isnât something that can be solved with force; too many things are involved. Only someone like Jiu Yan, a Sun Blaze native to this star system, can quickly regain the channels and connections left by the All Phenomena Merchants Guild.