Sage of Humanity

Chapter 2118: Chapter 2116: Yin Luo

Uncle Duan knew that when Qing Jun left years ago, he left some things with the young lady and entrusted her with certain tasks, even saying that this palace was forged and crafted by Qing Jun for her.

The image stone was clearly something left by Qing Jun.

"Miss, may this old man take a look?" Uncle Duan inquired.

The young girl promptly handed over the image stone to him. Uncle Duan concentrated his mind and saw indeed a young man’s image within. Comparing with what he saw now, he felt incredible: "It’s really him!"

"But... he shouldn’t be here. His stellar space is still intact! Could it be someone who looks similar?" The young girl was somewhat uncertain.

Uncle Duan pondered for a moment, then asked: "Miss, what did Qing Jun say back then?"

The young girl replied, "Not much, just that if the Star Abyss Gate opens, I should find this person immediately and protect his life."

That’s why Qing Jun left her the image stone; after all, she hadn’t met the man before. Without this image stone, how could she find him?

"I see!" Uncle Duan understood, "Then I shall bring him over. To know if he is truly the person, Miss can find out face to face with a single question."

"Alright!" The girl nodded. Anyway, those lost ones had to be captured eventually. If this was indeed the person Qing Jun instructed, he should be settled properly. If not, then Uncle Duan would deal with it.

At this time, Lu Ye and the others had already left that chaotic battlefield, a process smooth beyond expectation!

"Fellow Daoist Lu, something’s off. Did you notice those Star Abyss cultivators didn’t seem to want to entangle with us?" Chen Wulei transmitted audio over.

Aside from the initial few real combat exchanges, there wasn’t much obstruction in their journey afterward.

"They haven’t even mobilized strong forces against us!" Lu Ye felt it too. Although it was peculiar, it was undoubtedly beneficial for his side.

Also, there wasn’t much time to ponder then.

The turbid Void was right in front of them, as long as they reached it, they might return to the stellar space!

However, just when they were less than a hundred feet away from the destination, a figure suddenly appeared ahead, blocking their way.

It was an elderly man with white hair, hands folded within his sleeves, eyebrows lowered, eyes closed, yet possessing an indescribable aura.

"Be careful!" Lu Ye sensed keenly that this old guy was not easy to deal with, but at this point, there was no choice but to engage.

As he spoke, he took the lead in attacking, everyone followed suit, none held back in this burst. Lu Ye was confident that even if facing an 8th Dao strong practitioner, the sudden attack would lead to dire consequences; if not death, severe injury.

However, facing such overwhelming offenses, the old man remained motionless, allowing the attacks to fall upon him as if a breeze touched him, not only unharmed but without even a crease in his attire.

Everyone was dumbfounded!

This man... definitely surpassed the 9th Dao!

A horrifying thought flashed through Lu Ye’s mind, he shouted: "Run!"

No one was a fool. Recognizing the opponent’s strength, everyone knew this was an invincible force. Almost as Lu Ye’s words fell, eleven people split and fled in different directions.

Lu Ye, in particular, activated the Blood Escape Technique.

Yet before he even began moving, a figure flickered before him, instantly shattering his protective magic, as if a heavy object hit him, causing him to fly backward.

Hurriedly stabilizing his form, he found all eleven people, without exception, returned to their previous positions.

Each one was flushed with blood Qi, faces pale, yet showed no trace of injury. Clearly, the opponent had shown mercy; otherwise, he could kill eleven in the blink of an eye.

Eyes meeting, everyone was apprehensive and frightened.

"If you wish to try escaping, feel free, but next time I won’t be merciful."

Lu Ye steadied his heart, cupped his fists: "Sir, how should I address you? What teachings do you wish to impart?"

The fact that the opponent didn’t kill them meant there was still hope, though Lu Ye didn’t know why the elderly man acted so, he presumed a purpose was involved.

Also, the opponent seemed willing to communicate, which was good news.

The elder glanced at him, saying indifferently: "You may call me Uncle Duan!"

"Uncle Duan!" Lu Ye immediately addressed respectfully, knowing to yield.

Uncle Duan nodded, beckoning: "Follow me, all of you."

With those words, he first turned away and left.

Lu Ye stood there, his expression changing briefly, but eventually he sighed and motioned for the others to follow.

The strength of Uncle Duan was unfathomable, rash actions were inadvisable; being prudent was wiser.

Following behind Uncle Duan, Lu Ye saw he was heading towards the palace enveloped in hazy light, prompting unease in his heart.

Given the circumstances, the reason Uncle Duan refrained from killing them was likely due to orders from the palace owner, who they were likely being taken to meet.

How strong must the master of the palace be if Uncle Duan is so strong?

What is the opponent’s objective?

Just when Lu Ye was pondering this, Uncle Duan had already taken them to the front of the palace.

Everyone looked up to see a plaque above the main hall with the words "Qing Palace," the characters resembling two entwined dragons reflecting one another.

While observing, a shadow suddenly darted out from the hall, and immediately a delicate scream came from Water Fairy’s direction.

Startled, Lu Ye instinctively reached for the Boulder Mountain Saber, but at the same time, Uncle Duan’s gaze pierced over, sharp as lightning!

Lu Ye sensed it, slowly withdrew his hand, and focused to discover that somehow a little girl in black with twin braids had appeared in Water Fairy’s arms.

She burrowed completely into Water Fairy’s embrace, breathing greedily while squirming around, causing Water Fairy’s clothes to rise and fall.

Water Fairy appeared vulnerably as if she had been violated, yet under Uncle Duan’s intimidation, she dared not act recklessly, pitifully looking toward Lu Ye.

Lu Ye slowly shook his head, helpless.

"So fragrant!" The little girl suddenly jumped down from Water Fairy’s embrace, saying this, then darted into Su Wan’s arms nearby.

Su Wan was initially watching the scene unfold, unaware that she would be involved. Perhaps tickled by the little girl’s squirming, she giggled, unable to help twisting a bit.

"This one smells nice too..." The little girl then jumped into the embrace of Zi Ji nearby, and Zi Ji’s forehead veins almost popped out.

She sniffed one by one, until finally she came to Lu Ye.

Lu Ye closed his eyes, thinking out of sight, out of mind.

Suddenly feeling something wet on his chest, he couldn’t help but frown and look, seeing the little girl gazing at him with watery eyes, drooling like a waterfall from the corner of her mouth: "You’re the most fragrant!"

Her eyes were as dark as ink, but at this moment, they revealed an intensely longing expression.

Lu Ye felt a chill run down his spine, an inexplicable sense of extreme danger arose within him.

"Missy!" Uncle Duan also noticed something was amiss and rushed forward a few steps, pulling the little girl off Lu Ye’s embrace, whispering in her ear: "Qing Jun!"

As if awakening from a trance, the little girl’s expression snapped back to normal, and her eyes, nearly overtaken by instinct, regained some spiritual intelligence. She quickly wiped the drool from the corner of her mouth: "How rude of me."

Lu Ye steadied his mind, faintly realizing this little girl was abnormal. She appeared human but couldn’t possibly be, as her aura felt more like a star beast to him.

Yet, he had never heard of a star beast being able to shape-change, let alone possess such intelligence.

He cupped his fists and asked, "May I ask what to call Miss, and why you’ve brought us here?"

"Me?" The little girl paused, then hugged the tattered rag doll in her arms, giggling: "I’m Yin Luo!"

"Miss Yin Luo." Lu Ye nodded.

"As for why I brought you here..." Yin Luo looked at Lu Ye, lightly touching her red lips with a small hand, "What’s your name?"

Lu Ye pondered briefly, intending to make up a false name to fool her, but Uncle Duan’s voice sounded gently: "Answer honestly to whatever Miss asks."

The thought that had just formed was immediately suppressed, and he answered truthfully: "My name is Lu Ye."

Yin Luo’s eyes lit up upon hearing this: "Is your homeland a domain called Nine Provinces?"

Lu Ye was stunned: "How did Miss Yin Luo hear of the Nine Provinces?"

The name Nine Provinces might be known by many across the stellar space, but this was the Star Abyss, how could the name of Nine Provinces possibly have reached here?

He was baffled at how Yin Luo could know about Nine Provinces.

"It really is you?" Yin Luo looked surprised. She had initially thought it was merely a resemblance, only to find it truly was the person Qing Jun wanted her to keep an eye on, "But why are you here? Isn’t your stellar space still intact?"

Lu Ye, full of questions, couldn’t find answers, and wanted to ask further, yet seeing Uncle Duan staring at him behind Yin Luo, he could only respond honestly: "Does Miss Yin Luo know of the Spectral Sedan Chair? We were brought here by it."

"Spectral Sedan Chair..." A look of realization flashed across Yin Luo’s face, "No wonder, only it could move people through the Star Abyss so undetected."

As she spoke, she suddenly raised her head and looked toward the depths of the chaotic battlefield, a look of anger appearing on her little face: "Wait for me, I’ll be right back!"

With her words finished, her small figure suddenly vanished.

Moments later, from the depths of the chaotic battlefield, there arose an enormous rebound from the fierce combat.

Sensing the aftermath, Lu Ye was secretly alarmed. Although unsure of Yin Luo’s current cultivation, it undoubtedly far exceeded his and his companions’.

Soon after, the aftermath dissipated, though the battle between the Star Abyss cultivators had not yet ceased, Yin Luo had already returned. Her black dress was spotless, but she appeared a bit puffed up with anger: "Uncle Duan, he’s so annoying, obviously not a match but keeps coming to harass every now and then, isn’t there a way to beat him to death?"

Uncle Duan shook his head: "Although your strength surpasses his and it’s easy to beat him, killing him is difficult. Even with me, it’s not possible, that’s why he acts so fearlessly."

"One day I’ll finish him off!" Yin Luo gritted her teeth.