Star Odyssey

Chapter 2077: Thinking About The Future

Lu Yin rubbed his head. Hen Xin was certainly ruthless enough. He was planning to use this competition to win over all the cultivators in the Fifth Mainland.

Given Team Resolution's staunch loyalty to Hen Xin, when they were teaching people these cultivation methods, they would definitely preach the glories of the Three Fatalities Heavenly Gate. Over time, the future generations of the Fifth Mainland’s cultivators would eventually all become a part of the Three Fatalities Heavenly Gate.

Truthfully, aside from the negative impact on the other Heavenly Gates, Hen Xin’s actions were actually a boon for the Fifth Mainland. At the least, they were raising the overall level of humanity’s strength.

However, things would be even better if there was another path that improved the strength of the Fifth Mainland while simultaneously curbing Hen Xin’s ambitions. People were innately selfish, as who would be willing to hand control of the entire future over to Hen Xin? Jue Yi, the Lu family, Destina, and the entire Sixth Mainland were unwilling to see this happen.

"Despite what I told you, it’s going to be very difficult to deal with Hen Xin. The Three Fatalities Heavenly Gate has several unique cultivation methods for both battle force and domains. They were famous even during the Heavens Sect era. I’ve come to understand more about your era, and people are unable to systematically train in either battle force or domains, which has led to more and more people joining the Three Fatalities Heavenly Gate. Their momentum is picking up more and more." Lu Buzheng sounded helpless.

"Since the Three Fatalities Heavenly Gate’s cultivation methods are so good, why haven’t you sent anyone over to steal them?" Lu Yin found this detail rather strange.

Lu Buzheng shrugged. "We sent some people to do that, but it didn't work. There hasn’t been enough time since Hen Xin proposed this competition, and given the short time frame we have before the competition is to be held, any real masters of battle force will definitely get caught. On top of that, Team Resolution only recruits people from within the Three Fatalities Heavenly Gate’s territory, and they have to have been there for more than ten years to qualify. That’s before we even started trying to send anyone to infiltrate the Three Fatalities Heavenly Gate."

"Are you sure? Go talk to Wang Wen and Wei Rong. You’ll probably find a few surprises," Lu Yin sent back.

Lu Buzheng felt a bit puzzled. The truth was that neither of the men had accomplished much of note over the last two decades. Almost all of the Lu Heavenly Gate’s affairs, both large and small, had been handed over to Lu Buzheng’s own people who had arrived with him.

Lu Buzheng had not deliberately pushed Wang Wen and Wei Rong out, but rather simply did things differently than the two men.

Lu Buzheng was a blunt and straightforward person, while Wei Rong was rather conniving. As for Wang Wen, he seemed quite lazy. These differences made it difficult for the two to work well with Lu Buzheng.

However, Lu Yin's comment had reminded Lu Buzheng that the two men were still around. "Alright, I’ll find them when I have a chance.”

"Also, where are you?" Lu Buzheng asked.

Lu Yin replied, "The Three Fatalities Heavenly Gate."

Lu Buzheng remained silent for some time. "What do you want to do next?"

Lu Yin smiled and turned to stare at Xia Sheng and Uncle Jiang. The two men had not dared to move this entire time, and they were still standing respectfully at the side.

"I’m going to learn how to cultivate battle force while I think about my future."

Lu Buzheng grinned. "Get back here as soon as you can. Setting up this Lu Heavenly Gate has been exhausting, and that old bastard Kui Luo’s been raising hell. That old man’s a bit arrogant. On top of that, a bunch of people came here to seek refuge with us from the Seven Courts, so there are still several pending things that need to be dealt with."

"The Seven Courts?" Lu Yin had not known anything about the Seven Courts being disbanded.

"We’ll talk more when you get back. Chu Yuan and the others have been preparing for this for a long time, so you need to do your best," Lu Buzheng replied.

Lu Yin put the wireless jincan away. Even though twenty years had passed, he felt lucky to learn that the situation had not spiraled out of control yet. The Lu Heavenly Gate was essentially the former Great Eastern Alliance, and the biggest change was that Lu Buzheng’s subordinates from the Heavens Sect era had likely taken many positions of authority.

With some matters settled, it was time for Lu Yin to meet with Team Resolution and spend some time with them. Lu Yin wanted to learn more about cultivating his battle force and domain.

"You saw my conversation just now." Lu Yin turned to look at Xia Sheng and Uncle Jiang. There was a smile on Lu Yin’s face and a sparkle in his eyes.

However, his smile felt unbelievably terrifying to the two men.

"A- Alliance Leader Lu!" Xia Sheng's heart trembled. He felt completely overwhelmed at this moment. He had clearly heard that Lu Yin was dead, so how could he still be alive? Not to mention, he had appeared right in front of Xia Sheng!

Lu Yin walked over to a nearby chair not far away and took a seat before turning around and calmly looking at the two men. "You’ve given me something of a headache. On the one hand, I need you to help me get closer to Hen Xin. On the other, I’m afraid that you’ll rat me out. So what do you think I should do?"

Xia Sheng and Uncle Jiang glanced at each other. They were still dazed by what they had just learned; they still had not fully processed that Old Hei was actually Lu Yin.

"If you don't say anything, my only option will be to get rid of you both and then assume your identity," Lu Yin casually commented.

This startled them, and Xia Sheng gritted his teeth and dropped his knees to the floor. "Alliance Leader Lu, please give me a chance to join your Great Eastern Alliance. I offer Alliance Leader Lu my undying loyalty."

At the same time, Uncle Jiang also knelt down. "Alliance Leader Lu, I also beg you to give this lowly one an opportunity.".com

Lu Yin’s lips curled up into a smile. "I remember you, Xia Sheng."

This comment made Xia Sheng nervous, and he suddenly wondered what Lu Yin was going to do to him.

"Twenty years ago, you tried to get closer to me and the Great Eastern Alliance. Back then, I was told by San Liang that you said a lot of good things about me in public and that you usually cooperated and supported him, right?" Lu Yin asked.

Xia Sheng heaved a sigh of relief. "That’s correct, Alliance Leader Lu, you were told the truth. This lowly one has always wished to follow you, both twenty years ago and right now."

"Still, twenty years have passed. I find it a bit hard to believe that." Lu Yin felt a little embarrassed.

Xia Sheng dropped his head, his mind racing, as he was desperate to win Lu Yin's trust. This was not only because Xia Sheng wanted to survive, but also because he wanted to escape from his current prison.

"Alliance Leader Lu, please believe me. I can tell you that I will never be able to rise any further higher within the Three Fatalities Heavenly Gate. Ancestor Xia Ji has always disliked Xia Yi, even before the rise of the Three Fatalities Heavenly Gate. That’s why someone like the Xia family’s patriarch was sent to oversee these tidal flats. I’m Xia Yi’s illegitimate son, and so I am considered trash who cannot be used for anything. If I don’t follow you, I won’t have a future," Xia Sheng explained in a very serious and sincere manner.

Lu Yin thought for a while. "How about this? Learn a few phrases from me, and I’ll believe you if you manage to repeat everything I say."

Xia Sheng and Uncle Jiang looked at each other before looking back at Lu Yin. "Alliance Leader Lu, please tell us."

Lu Yin bent forward and stared at Xia Sheng. "Hen Xin is a bastard."

Xia Sheng was dumbfounded.

Uncle Jiang was similarly stunned. What had they just heard?

"Repeat after me: Hen Xin is a bastard," Lu Yin said in a casual tone.

Xia Sheng blinked. What in the world was this?

Throughout his entire life and time as a cultivator, Xia Sheng had not once cursed a single person. He might be Xia Yi’s illegitimate child whose mere existence was frowned upon by others, but even after being sent to the tidal flats, he had always maintained a proper sense of decorum. Cursing? Impossible! “Swearing” was something that did not even exist in Xia Sheng’s understanding of the world. This was a result of being raised with manners within a powerful clan.

At this moment, Xia Sheng had no choice with Lu Yin’s eyes on him. His mouth was dry as he stuttered, "Hen Xin- Hen Xin is a bas- bastard."

"Speak up!"

"Hen Xin is a bastard." This time, Xia Sheng managed to say it right.

Lu Yin then looked over at Uncle Jiang.

Uncle Jiang also repeated Lu Yin’s words. "Hen Xin is a bastard."

Lu Yin looked satisfied. "Let’s keep going. Ni Huang is an earthworm."

""Ni Huang is an earthworm.""

"Very good. Wang Si is an old whore."

""Wang Si is an old whore.""

Words flowed from the two men in an increasingly smooth manner.

Lu Yin smiled. While this whole exchange sounded like a joke, if this matter was ever leaked, Xia Sheng would suffer terribly. Even if he did eventually betray Lu Yin and stop Lu Yin from seeking revenge, this matter would prevent Xia Sheng from ever being able to establish a foothold within the Three Fatalities Heavenly Gate. Semi-Progenitors could not be disrespected, and even if Hen Xin and Ni Huang were unbothered by these statements, there was no way that their subordinates would be willing to treat Xia Sheng well.

In particular, Team Resolution was famous for their loyalty to Hen Xin even during the Heavens Sect era. They would never allow anyone to insult Hen Xin, and Xia Sheng had just cursed Hen Xin. No matter how great of a contribution Xia Sheng could potentially have to the Three Fatalities Heavenly Gate, Team Resolution would never allow him to go free for these words, let alone allow him to climb the hierarchy within the Three Fatalities Heavenly Gate.

As for whether or not they would actively go after Xia Sheng, Team Resolution was notoriously unafraid of death, and they would avenge any insult their master suffered. As far as they were concerned, anyone who insulted Hen Xin was worse than a traitor.

This was Lu Yin’s greatest leverage on Xia Sheng.

"Let’s keep going. Alright, Bai Laogui is an asshole and a zombie."

""Bai Laogui is an asshole and a zombie.""

"Xia De is a big dog."

Xia Sheng and Uncle Jiang swallowed at this insult. ""Xia De is a big dog.""

A big smile appeared on Lu Yin’s face. "Xia Ji’s an ass."

Xia Sheng and Uncle Jiang’s pupils shrank sharply. There were still certain things that they did not dare say.

"What? You don’t want to talk?" Lu Yin arched a brow.

Xia Sheng twitched and gritted his teeth. "Xia Ji’s an ass."

Uncle Jiang's heart plummeted. If these words were ever leaked to anyone, even if the Semi-Progenitors did not care, the people of the Three Fatalities Heavenly Gate would absolutely come after him and Xia Sheng. Their time with the Three Fatalities Heavenly Gate had come to an end.

"Xia Ji’s an ass," Uncle Jiang said softly.

Lu Yin nodded and then pulled out his gadget. Even without the network connecting the Human Domain, there were still a few functions that gadgets could use. Not only had he recorded a video of the two men cursing and insulting the Semi-Progenitors, but he also had them write their words down.

While this sort of blackmail was an effective means of controlling people, it was also extremely crude. Lu Yin felt that he needed some other way to control people, specifically his enemies.

"Alright, get up," Lu Yin said lightly.

Xia Sheng and Uncle Jiang both rose to their feet. "Alliance Leader Lu, you will be meeting Team Resolution as Old Hei, and his four lined battle force won’t be enough. At best, you’ll be able to join one of their affiliate teams."

Lu Yin grew curious. "Tell me about Team Resolution."

Xia Sheng coughed before respectfully answering, "Hen Xin's Team Resolution originally had nine members, but after they were released from the sourcebox array, only five people were left, and they all have an average power level of over a million. On top of that, each of them has either mastered aurelian force, raised their domain to the void god realm, or mastered their spiritual force that can influence powerhouses with power levels of over a million. That is the criteria.”

"Team Resolution’s affiliate teams were created by the Three Fatalities Heavenly Gate after they woke up in this era. The entire purpose of the affiliate teams is to scout for cultivators who are talented at battle force or some other alternate cultivation method. There are several teams, and the captains are all either Enlighters or Envoys. You actually know one of the team captains."

Lu Yin looked at Xia Sheng with an expression that asked him to continue.

Xia Sheng solemnly stated, "Xing Kai, formerly known as the Ten Arbiters’ War King."

Lu Yin was surprised. "Xing Kai? He joined the Three Fatalities Heavenly Gate?"

"Xing Kai is extremely talented in battle force, and he even managed to draw Hen Xin's notice. In fact, Hen Xin intends to accept Xing Kai as his disciple. Right now, Xing Kai is a captain of one of Resolution's affiliate teams. If we recommend that you join an affiliate team, they will most likely assign you to Xing Kai’s team," Xia Sheng continued.

Lu Yin nodded, Xing Kai was an old acquaintance of Lu Yin’s, and it came as no surprise that the former Arbiter was well suited for battle force. He had always been a physically impressive and shockingly strong person at a full three meters tall. Just a glance would suggest that he was quite suited to battle force. Given his somewhat monstrous appearance, it was not even impossible for Xing Kai to have a bit of the giants’ bloodline running through his veins.

As one of the former Ten Arbiters, it was also not unexpected that Xing Kai had qualified to earn Hen Xin's attention. Lu Yin was curious as to how powerful Xing Kai had become over these past years.

During Lu Yin’s absence, the Fifth Mainland had lost stellular energy, which had essentially crippled the majority of their combat strength. It would not be easy for alternate methods like battle force to pick up the slack.

…