Star Odyssey

Chapter 997: People Of Affection

The Cosmic Five did not seem to be all from just one power, as they represented the entire Fifth Mainland’s human race. Thus, reaching such a position would instantly elevate one to universal success. 

However, it would not be easy for Lu Yin to shake off Little Arrow Saint, as the Realmling was hellbent on killing Lu Yin. Little Arrow Saint did not believe that his allies would lose the battle for the Champions’ Stage, as neither of the two Daosource Three Skies present could be defeated by anyone from the Fifth Mainland—their presence alone was the greatest safeguard.

Unknowingly, while Lu Yin was leading Little Arrow Saint in a circle around the central part of the miniature mainland, many members of the older generation’s experts were battling in that place. As he approached, Lu Yin saw a familiar face: Nightking Yuanjing. 

Honestly, Lu Yin had interacted far too much with the Daynight clan. When the miniature mainland was crossing the Cosmic Sea, it had coincidentally passed through a battlefield where the Daynight clan was fighting against some Sixth Mainland cultivators. Nightking Yuanjing was coincidentally one of the numerous Daynight clan experts there. 

Lu Yin had assumed that the old man was an Enlighter with a power level of somewhere around or a bit higher than 200,000. After all, when the Outerverse was first isolated from the Innerverse, Lu Yin had only been a Limiteer, and every Enlighter had been an incredible existence to him. Only at this moment was he able to see that the old man’s strength far surpassed his previous assumptions. 

During Lu Yin’s visit to Northline Flowzone, an ancient centipede’s body had suddenly appeared, and in there, he had obtained three ancient pikes. To avoid the disaster of having too much treasure, he had used Nightking Yuanjing. At that time, Northgate Taisui had also been present, and Nightking Yuanjing had treated the Northgate elder very politely, as if he were a junior speaking to a senior. Even if there had been a bit of pride in Nightking Yuanjing’s tone, it had felt like the pride of the Daynight clan, not his own personal pride. 

At that time, Lu Yin had interpreted the situation as Nightking Yuanjing not possessing the same strength as Northgate Taisui. However, at this moment, Lu Yin realized that he had underestimated the old man. If Nightking Yuanjing could participate on this battlefield in the central region of the miniature mainland, then his original power level, before the suppression of the cosmic phenomenon, had to be around 400,000. 

Strangely, Lu Yin felt some affection towards the old man. Though, of course, this was not any sort of true affection. 

Before the Innerverse and Outerverse had been separated, Lu Yin had sought out Nightking Yuanjing for many matters to avert various disasters. Although Lu Yin had also paid the corresponding price, he had still used his wits to battle against the old man multiple times, and Lu Yin had finally succeeded in the end. He simply hoped this time would not be an exception. As he thought about it, Lu Yin called out, “Grandpa Yuanjing!” 

Off in the distance, Nightking Yuanjing was busy fighting with a Sixth Mainland expert. Ever since the Outerverse had been cut off from the Innerverse and the Sixth Mainland had invaded them, everyone had been sent to the battlefield, and the old Nightking was no exception. Even more powerful powerhouses from the Daynight clan had died on these battlefields, but his luck had been a bit better. He had managed to survive until the cosmic phenomenon appeared, and he had continued to survive since then as well. 

Recently, the cosmic phenomenon had changed, and the Sixth Mainland had begun to slowly withdraw from the Innerverse. Nightking Yuanjing was aware that the war was going to enter a lull in the near future, but he had never expected this miniature mainland to suddenly appear. He had not originally intended to make a move, and neither had the rest of the Daynight clan. However, they had received orders from the Hall of Honor’s Chief Justice to do exactly that, so they had no choice but to try to take back the Champions’ Stage. 

Nightking Yuanjing did not want to die right when the war was about to end, so he had randomly found a Sixth Mainland cultivator to fight as soon as he had arrived on the miniature mainland. Of course, the Nightking’s opponent could not be someone too weak, as these orders had been personally given by the Hall of Honor’s Chief Justice. If it was discovered that Nightking Yuanjing was slacking, then the consequences would be severe. 

In fact, the Sixth Mainland cultivator fighting against the Nightking was very powerful in his own right with a power level that was originally near 300,000. This meant that he was quite outstanding even though his power level had been suppressed to under 200,000. However, the battle was quite unforgiving, and this man was at the limits of his endurance. 

Nightking Yuanjing had been planning on extending the fight with this opponent so that he could muddle through this final part of the invasion. Then, he would retreat once the miniature mainland drew to the cosmic phenomenon’s border. For the old man, this was a surefire way to survive this catastrophe. 

However, things often did not go according to plan. When Lu Yin called out the words “Grandpa Yuanjing,” the old man’s entire body trembled, and he was nearly struck by his opponent. He quickly blocked one attack after another as he turned around to see a familiar figure dashing towards him. Since they had been separated for several years now, the Nightking was a bit lost, and he blinked in shock as he stared at the approaching youth.

With a final leap, Lu Yin arrived close to Nightking Yuanjing, and he very happily greeted the old man. “Grandpa Yuanjing, it’s been a long time! Do you still remember Little Yin?”         

Nightking Yuanjing was taken aback, but before he could even react, an arrow shot out of the void and across the sky. He had already been on guard, and he raised a hand to forcefully divert the arrow’s path. After all, he was an Enlighter with a high power level, and the Realmling’s attacks were still within the Nightking’s ability to endure.

“Grandpa Yuanjing, there’s an enemy pursuing Little Yin! You have to help me!” Lu Yin wailed as he pointed behind at Little Arrow Saint.

Nightking Yuanjing then noticed Little Arrow Saint, who was exceptionally young, but the might of the arrow just now was proof that this youth was almost definitely a Realmling-level expert from the Sixth Mainland. Lu Yin was using the Nightking to avoid a disaster, but this was not the first time Lu Yin had done such a thing. The Nightking had not particularly cared before, as the prestige of the Daynight clan had been enough to shake the entire universe, and everyone had to show them proper respect. However, they were currently on a battlefield between two mainlands, and this was even a crucial battle. Despite that, this stupid kid still wanted to use the Nightking to save his butt. 

Recently, Nightking Yuanjing had seen the bounty that Zhi Yi had posted on Lu Yin, and the old man had realized that the kid had greatly improved during the recent years. But even then, the old man could never have guessed that Lu Yin had already climbed to the stage where he could fight against a Realmling-level expert. Also, wasn’t this kid supposed to be stuck in the Outerverse? The Nightking had many questions about Lu Yin himself as well as some related to the Third Nightking, but Little Arrow Saint did not give the old man any time to think as more arrows flew over. 

The Sixth Mainland expert who had been fighting against Nightking Yuanjing this entire time also took this moment to launch a fierce attack. 

Lu Yin shrieked, “Grandpa Yuanjing, be careful!”

Nightking Yuanjing glared at Lu Yin, this bastard. He would have to settle scores after this battle was over. This kid actually wanted to use him, a Nightking, as a shield during such a dangerous battle.

Little Arrow Saint did not care about what sort of relationship Nightking Yuanjing might have with Lu Yin. To the Realmling, since this old man was standing in the way, he would have to die.

Before long, all four people were embroiled in a messy battle. Lu Yin was quite adept at evading Little Arrow Saint’s attacks. Thus, when Little Arrow Saint and the other expert from the Sixth Mainland focused their attacks on both Nightking Yuanjing and Lu Yin, the youth simply dodged everything while Nightking Yuanjing was struck several times. In his mounting rage, he quickly raised his power level to the highest possible level, and a giant face formed in the sky that opened its mouth with an angry expression: Nightking Howl. 

The Daynight clan’s attacks all contained spiritual force elements, as it was the most adept Innerverse clan at using spiritual force. This one Nightking Howl sent out a pulse of spiritual force that swept through the entire area, and even Little Arrow Saint was forced to retreat 10,000 meters.

Lu Yin also ended up trembling because of the Nightking Howl, but fortunately, it had not been aimed at him. Also, his spiritual force was not weak. Otherwise, he would have been forced back just like Little Arrow Saint. 

Nightking Yuanjing angrily glared over at Lu Yin. “What is a rascal like you doing in the Innerverse?”

Lu Yin quickly put on a smiling face. “The Sixth Mainland tore through the Astral River in an attempt to invade the Outerverse. The Hall of Honor’s Senior Yuan Shi forced the enemy to retreat, and he then sent me to the battlefield in the Cosmic Sea to gather information.”

Nightking Yuanjing was stumped. “Yuan Shi? You’re talking about the Hall of Honor’s Yuan Shi? That incredibly ancient senior?”

Lu Yin nodded and replied in a respectful tone, saying, “That’s right. Senior Yuan Shi is very kind and he treats this junior too well. Not only did he give me many life-preserving objects, he even personally sent me to the Cosmic Sea’s battlefield to gain military achievements. He’s truly a respectable elder.”

Nightking Yuanjing had originally been used as a shield, and his belly had been full of fire that was about to erupt, but he no longer could do so. Yuan Shi’s reputation was well known across the entire universe, and the Nightking did not know if what Lu Yin was saying was true or false. This kid could do too many unexpected things, and he also ended up encountering far too many lucky opportunities. Everything about Lu Yin made people feel that he was unfathomable.

“What’s your relationship with Yuan Shi?” Nightking Yuanjing asked doubtfully.

Lu Yin suddenly pointed behind the old man and shouted, “The enemy is coming! Grandpa Yuanjing, you have to stop him! Senior Yuan Shi has entrusted an important mission to this junior, but the battle is about to end. As long as I finish this mission, I will definitely put in a good word for Grandpa Yuanjing with Senior Yuan Shi.”

And with that, Lu Yin raced away. 

Nightking Yuanjing opened his mouth, but he could not say a thing. He truly did not know if what Lu Yin had said was true or false. however, if it was a lie, then just how had the kid made it into the Innerverse from the Outerverse? Also, how had he gotten to the Cosmic Sea? The distance was simply too vast without a powerhouse like Yuan Shi helping him traverse it. But why would Yuan Shi entrust this kid with any sort of mission? 

The Nightking was well aware that Lu Yin’s story was not very logical. However, the old man simply could not stop himself from believing some of it. During Lu Yin’s time cultivating, the youth had encountered too many lucky chances, and he was even able to fight against a Realmling despite his tender age. It actually would not be unreasonable for this youth to have received some kind of mission. 

Little Arrow Saint fiercely charged out again, chasing after Lu Yin and not giving the old man any time to think. 

Lu Yin shouted from the distance, “Grandpa Yuanjing!” 

Nightking Yuanjing reflexively attacked Little Arrow Saint, striking out with a punch that was imbued with an eruption of spiritual force.

Little Arrow Saint’s face grew solemn as he evaded the attack. He then stared at Nightking Yuanjing. “Old man, my battle with that kid has nothing to do with you.”

Nightking Yuanjing gritted his teeth as he looked over at Lu Yin, who was just about to vanish from sight. The Nightking truly did not know if Lu Yin’s words were true or not, as he could not verify anything at this time. However, it would not take him much effort at all to block Little Arrow Saint. If Lu Yin’s words were lies, then Nightking Yuanjing would have at most ended up serving as a shield that helped Lu Yin avoid a disaster. In that case, the Nightking could simply find that kid and give him some trouble in the future. However, if everything that Lu Yin had said was true, then the Nightking might strike it rich, especially if he was able to meet Yuan Shi. No matter what price he paid, that would be worth the cost. 

Nightking Yuanjing could not be blamed for taking the bait. If Lu Yin had used someone else’s name, then he definitely would not have made any sort of move to help the youth. However, Yuan Shi was different. 

Of all of the Hall of Honor’s powerhouses, Yuan Shi’s reputation was unmatched. He had taught countless disciples throughout his life, and the outside world’s opinion of the ancient powerhouse was very high. It was well known that Yuan Shi enjoyed guiding juniors, as otherwise, he would not have been called Yuan Shi.1

Nightking Yuanjing knew of Yuan Shi, and after thinking through Lu Yin’s story, the old man believed that it was possible that Lu Yin might have told the truth. As long as Yuan Shi was willing to guide the Nightking, then his position in the Daynight clan would change drastically.

For even the trace of such a possibility, there was no need to consider the effort of simply raising one hand. 

Little Arrow Saint was left with no choice, as he had actually been stopped by someone.

Off in the distance, Lu Yin heaved a sigh of relief. He was lucky to have run into Nightking Yuanjing.

“Seventh Bro, that old man helped you escape a disaster. What an idiot!” The Ghost Monkey started sniggering.

Lu Yin turned back around. Foolish? No, not at all. If he hadn’t used Yuan Shi’s name, then the old man would have never helped him. Fortunately, Yuan Shi was too famous, and Lu Yin understood Nightking Yuanjing too well. Without the possibility of any benefits to be had, the old man would toss Lu Yin aside like a bit of trash. However, if there were good benefits dangling above his head, the Nightking would leap forward like a hungry wolf. 

No matter what, Lu Yin had finally shaken off Little Arrow Saint, who had chased him around for more than ten days. 

Lu Yin first looked around for a place to rest. The miniature mainland was incredibly large, and although there were battlefields all over it, there were also many regions still unaffected by the fighting. 

Lu Yin hid in a corner and concentrated on recovering. Occasionally, he would look at the stars and try to determine his position. 

At this time, he suddenly remembered something, and he took out his gadget from his cosmic ring to see if there was any signal in this place. 

In the end, he was left disappointed, as there was no signal. The war between the two mainlands had been too intense. Once the Sixth Mainland had occupied the majority of the Innerverse, they had cut off any and all signals in order to leave the Fifth Mainland blind. Besides, the Sixth Mainland had their own means of communication.

Without any signal, Lu Yin did not know how he could determine his location, but a rough estimation of how long they had been traveling, with the information that they were headed west, meant that they were moving in the direction of the Starfall Sea. That was also where the Astral River bank could be found as well as the fissure in the Astral River that connected the Innerverse and Outerverse. The Mara River also lay in that direction, which was the Sixth Mainland’s destination. To retreat, they needed to reach the Mara River and then travel upwards. Thus, they could not be too far away from the Mara River at the moment.

1 As a reminder from Chapter 831, Yuan Shi means Teacher/Leader of many since ancient times.