Sage of Humanity

Atop Heavenly Sword Peak, Yun Qingyue still wanted to persuade further, but Lu Ye interrupted with a raised hand, "I've laid out the terms; whether you accept them or not is your affair, no need to discuss anything with me."

Wu Jun stepped forward, his voice grave, "And if we don't agree? Do you truly have the guts to storm the strongholds of all the sects in Ten Thousand Demons Ridge?"

"Do you think I don't dare?" Lu Ye turned his gaze to Wu Jun.

"I believe Fellow Daoist Lu is indeed capable of that!" Wu Jun met his gaze unflinchingly.

Considering what had happened a few months ago, with so many strongholds in the Core Circle of Ten Thousand Demons Ridge being breached, and so many Ten Thousand Demons Ridge cultivators killed, Lu Ye certainly did have the capability. However, just because he was capable, that did not mean he would actually do it. If he did, the Haotian Alliance would definitely not fare well, and the entire Spirit Stream battlefield would fall into complete chaos. Any sensible person, including Lu Yiye, would refrain from such a brainless act.

"You have a point; to conquer all the sect strongholds in Ten Thousand Demons Ridge is indeed unrealistic," Lu Ye shifted his tone, his expression leisurely, "But there are so many Core Circle Ten Thousand Demons Ridge sects; picking off thirty or fifty doesn't seem like it would affect the grand scheme of things. Let's start with the Snow Feather Sect and Fengyun Manor. What do you two think of that?"

What have we done to you?

Yun Qingyue and Wu Jun's expressions changed slightly. If Lu Ye truly acted in such a manner, the Ten Thousand Demons Ridge side would indeed have no good countermeasures. Compared to the number of sects in the Core Circle of Ten Thousand Demons Ridge, thirty or fifty wasn't many, and just as Lu Ye had said, even if taken over, it wouldn't affect the grand scheme of things.

He had already done it once a few months ago, when he had taken nearly thirty strongholds.

If he did it again, who knew which stronghold he would take next? As long as this matter remained unresolved, every Core Circle sect felt a pressing sense of impending doom as if a sword hung overhead—no one dared bet that their strongholds would remain untouched.

When that time came, Lu Yiye would surely be willing to pay some price in exchange for the safety of the strongholds.

As for Lu Ye saying he would start with the Snow Feather Sect and Fengyun Manor, that was a blatant threat. How could Yun Qingyue and Wu Jun not understand?

Feeling helpless, Yun Qingyue realized that her own efforts were in vain. Although this youth had taken an extra glance at her the first time they met, he didn't show her any particular favor as a result.

So young, yet so difficult to deal with.

She promptly said, "Fellow Daoist Lu, hold your anger. Senior Brother Wu and I have come to discuss a satisfactory solution for all parties. How about this? Ten Thousand Demons Ridge is willing to offer materials worth a total of three million merit, and if you agree, I can have it delivered immediately."

Materials worth three million merit, even if calculated at the purchase price from the Heaven's Augury treasure vault, was a substantial amount of resources.

Enough for any cultivator to enjoy for a lifetime.

Though cultivators in the Cloud River Realm earn significantly more merit than those in the Spirit Stream Realm, the majority of Cloud River Realm cultivators only manage to accumulate a few thousand to ten thousand merit. A terrifying figure like three million was enough to make any Cloud River Realm cultivator breathless with desire.

Lu Ye, however, remained expressionless.

He had already received materials worth twenty to thirty million merit from Ten Thousand Demons Ridge the last time. What was a mere three million in comparison? That was nearly a tenfold difference. For Ten Thousand Demons Ridge, this gesture was as meager as giving alms to a beggar.

Despite his aggressive demands, which might seem somewhat underhanded, since time immemorial, the two opposing factions have been at odds with each other. To weaken the enemy's assets while strengthening one's own has always been a universally welcomed strategy.

Not to mention, there was just cause this time.

Lu Ye remained silent, and so did Yun Qingyue, waiting quietly.

On the contrary, Wu Jun continued to play bad cop, his voice low, "Fellow Daoist Lu, materials worth three million merit is the greatest sincerity Ten Thousand Demons Ridge can express. One shouldn't be too greedy."

"Fellow Daoist Yun."

Lu Ye called out to Yun Qingyue without paying attention to Wu Jun.

Yun Qingyue immediately assumed a posture of attentive listening, "Please speak, Fellow Daoist Lu."

"If Ten Thousand Demons Ridge really finds it troublesome, I can withdraw my previous proposal. Materials worth thirty thousand merit will suffice."

Not only did Yun Qingyue's expression not brighten, it grew more solemn, "Does Fellow Daoist Lu have other conditions?"

Such a sudden shift from her opponent clearly meant he had something else up his sleeve waiting for her.

"Give me one more Golden Body Token, and this matter will be laid to rest!"

Golden Body Tokens aren't things that one can find just anywhere in the world. If Lu Ye was able to obtain one in the hunting grounds, Ten Thousand Demons Ridge surely had them in reserve, although their numbers were definitely not plentiful.

For any cultivator, it was a life-saving trump card. Having experienced the power of the Golden Body Token, Lu Ye naturally coveted it.

Compared to the loss of a Golden Body Token, the hundred thousand merit he spent requesting aid from Heaven's Augury Pillar in the hunting grounds seemed negligible.

Merit can be slowly accumulated with effort, but Golden Body Tokens were not something one could come by upon demand.

"Fellow Daoist Lu must be jesting. I have never seen a Golden Body Token in my life, where am I to find one for you?" Wu Jun's expression darkened.

And even if there were any, Ten Thousand Demons Ridge would not possibly hand them over to Lu Ye. These tokens were useful even to Divine Sea Realm cultivators, for they were protections granted by Heaven's Augury, impervious to attack until the time limit expired.

"No need for further words, then. Choose one of the two options!"

Wu Jun growled, "Lu Yiye, we have come in good faith to negotiate. Do not overstep!"

Lu Ye's fingers brushed against the Boulder Mountain Saber, his eyelids slightly lowered, as he spoke quietly, "Do you two think, if I killed you here, whether Ten Thousand Demons Ridge would seek revenge for you? Or perhaps, the two of you would like to test whether I'm capable of killing you!"

Wu Jun and Yun Qingyue both changed complexion and prepared to defend themselves in unison.

They felt relieved that Lu Ye showed no signs of initiating combat, but it was clear that he was growing impatient. If they kept entangling themselves here, the youth might actually make a move.

If they truly died here, it would be for nothing. Lu Yiye's hands were already stained with the blood of Ten Thousand Demons Ridge cultivators, adding two more would make little difference.

With this thought, Yun Qingyue spoke up, "We will report Fellow Daoist Lu's discussion to our superiors as soon as possible. If there is a result, I will come to notify Fellow Daoist Lu."

With these words, she gave Wu Jun a look, and the two soared away from Heavenly Sword Peak together.

It was only after they had flown tens of miles away that Yun Qingyue took a long breath, her chest rising and falling sharply. She had truly felt the breath of death in that instance.

She never thought that she, a True Lake Realm cultivator, would feel so powerless in front of a Cloud River Realm cultivator.

Not far from her, Wu Jun looked calm, but there was obviously a trace of lingering fear in his eyes.

"Send a message back and see how the Divine Sea Realm seniors will decide," Yun Qingyue said.

Wu Jun silently nodded.

Immediately, the two began transmitting the message of their negotiation to the cultivators of their own camps, who would then relay it back to the Nine Provinces.

However, both of them knew that Ten Thousand Demons Ridge would probably have to pay dearly this time unless they dared to ignore Lu Yiye's threats.

But who dared to ignore Lu Yiye's threats?

Just as he said, he indeed would not break through all the camps, only selecting thirty to fifty of them. Who would dare to bet their own station wouldn't be among the unlucky ones?

This was not something they could gamble on!

The most pragmatic issue was, if Lu Yiye now directly went to a Ten Thousand Demons Ridge station and demanded protection money, refusing to provide it meant having their station broken through. How were they to decide?

They would definitely pay! There was no need to even think about it. Compared to what they would lose at their own stations, what counted materials worth one hundred thousand, two hundred thousand, or three hundred thousand merits?

Thus, by spending only a little time, Lu Ye could visit each station in turn and achieve his goal without completely upsetting the balance of the Spirit Stream battlefield.

The two didn't have to wait long, receiving a message in less than half a day.

Upon examining it, they confirmed what they had suspected. The strong cultivators in the Divine Sea Realm had compromised. Though reluctant and shamed, they simply had no capital to refuse.

Correspondingly, Ten Thousand Demons Ridge also had some demands. The message was clear that if Lu Yiye could not meet these demands, the Ten Thousand Demons Ridge was prepared for mutual destruction. They would abandon all stations and consolidate their forces in the Core Circle, vowing to break through all Haotian Alliance stations as well.

This was a thorough scorched-earth policy, the last defiance of Ten Thousand Demons Ridge.

After reading the message, Yun Qingyue sighed. She did not know whether Lu Yiye would accept these demands. Strictly speaking, it was Ten Thousand Demons Ridge that was in a weaker position, and if he truly did not agree, no one could do anything to him.

After pondering for a moment, Yun Qingyue said, "Senior Brother Wu, I'll go by myself this time. You wait here for me."

With the final plan already in place, there was no need for the person playing the "bad cop" to show up, lest the atmosphere become tense again.

"How can that be? If Lu Yiye decides to strike at you, how will you defend yourself?" Wu Jun immediately shook his head.

Yun Qingyue said, "With his strength, if he really strikes, even if you and I join forces, we won't be his match."

Hearing this, Wu Jun's heart was filled with sorrow but he had no rebuttal...

"Senior Brother Wu, just wait here for me. I'll go and return quickly. Lu Yiye does not seem like someone who is unreasonable."

"Then Sister, be careful. We should keep in touch at all times," Wu Jun nodded.

Yun Qingyue brought out her flower basket spirit artifact and flew away through weapon control.

In a short time, she arrived again at Heavenly Sword Peak, where the youth was still sitting in the same spot, holding a scroll and studying it intently.

The sunlight broke through the clouds and struck the youth's profile, lending him a scholarly air.

Yet, this was the opponent who was causing an immense headache for the mighty Ten Thousand Demons Ridge, and he was ready to carve a piece of flesh from Ten Thousand Demons Ridge with a raised butcher's knife.

Once this knife fell, all the Core Circle sects of Ten Thousand Demons Ridge would not be able to escape.

"Fellow Daoist Lu," Yun Qingyue called out softly, even tucking some hair behind her ear. Her already stunning face took on an additional trace of bewitchment.

"Is there a result?" Lu Ye did not look up, only focusing on the content of the book, leaving Yun Qingyue feeling a sense of powerlessness as if punching into cotton.

"The seniors in the Divine Sea Realm have discussed it. Fellow Daoist Lu's demands can be met. However, there is one request they hope Fellow Daoist Lu can agree to. As long as Fellow Daoist Lu accepts this request, everything you want will be delivered within two days," she said.

"Speak!"

"Ten Thousand Demons Ridge hopes that Fellow Daoist Lu will not step foot in the Spirit Stream battlefield again!"