Sage of Humanity-Chapter 1722 - 1720: Old Tang Is Ambushed
He Baichuan held his head with a look of grievance: "Senior Sister, we're Moon Jade after all, and there are others watching. Give me some face."
"What face do you want?" Luan Xiao'e seemed to be in a good mood because her junior brother had come over. She turned her head to look at Ma Shangsi standing behind Lu Ye: "This is..."
She could sense that this unfamiliar face was very powerful, perhaps on par with her own, at the Peak Moon Jade level.
Ma Shangsi stepped forward, cupped his fists and said: "Ma Shangsi greets Fellow Daoist."
Luan Xiao'e did not dare to neglect him and quickly returned the gesture, feeling slightly puzzled as she glanced at Lu Ye.
Lu Ye straightforwardly said: "One of our own."
Luan Xiao'e's eyes brightened.
This commotion caught attention, and soon two figures appeared, none other than the Merfolk Race's Great Elder Yan Miao and Fourth Elder Cherng Xin.
Lu Ye wasn't very familiar with this Fourth Elder, although he had seen her quite a few times. Moreover, she had been able to leave All Phenomena Ocean because he had burned away the Bloodline Curse Poison. They exchanged formal greetings.
Not seeing Tang Jun, Lu Ye asked: "Old Tang?"
Luan Xiao'e replied: "He went out on business and will be back soon." She did not elaborate on the details, planning to explain later when she found an opportunity.
Lu Ye nodded, assessing the situation on Three Worlds Island. He raised his eyebrows: "A high-class Spirit Island already?"
The energy on Three Worlds Island was far richer than when he left a year ago, clearly having ascended to the level of a high-class Spirit Island.
This speed was slower than Unparalleled Island back then, as Unparalleled Island was smaller than Three Worlds Island in scale, and Lu Ye had specifically made some adjustments when placing the Small Constellation Palace here to delay metamorphosis for Three Worlds Island.
In one year's time, Three Worlds Island had become a high-class Spirit Island, which was faster than he estimated, suggesting his previous adjustments weren't quite right.
"It metamorphosed a month ago," Luan Xiao'e explained.
"Not bad! A high-class Spirit Island is already qualified to attract merchants to settle." Lu Ye smiled, "Has anyone approached you to discuss this?"
Back then, Unparalleled Island's development was extremely fast. Under Chu Shen's management, it quickly became a renowned Spirit Island across All Phenomena Ocean, with merchants from various forces flocking in, generating vast profits quickly.
If it weren't for the Celestial Flames World's cunning assault on Unparalleled Island, Lu Ye wouldn't be worried about spirit jade for cultivation now. Just the annual dividends from Chu Shen would be enough for him to spend lavishly.
Luan Xiao'e shook her head: "Not yet."
Lu Ye was puzzled: "That's strange." In theory, the rise of a high-class Spirit Island would definitely attract various forces. Such opportunities are rare across All Phenomena Ocean, and the earlier one enters, the more benefits one can reap.
Not to mention, the commercial district on Three Worlds Island has store locations that differ in quality. Engaging earlier allows more room for choice.
Luan Xiao'e chuckled bitterly: "Wait until Tang Jun returns, and let him tell you."
Old Tang knows more about these unseen disputes and intrigues than she does.
Lu Ye glanced at Luan Xiao'e, faintly sensing something, but didn't ask further, saying: "I brought another five hundred Constellations back to Jade Conch this time, and I'll need you, Senior Sister, to take care of their placement."
Saying this, he opened the portal to Small Flower World, releasing the five hundred Constellations that had been residing there.
As the group emerged, feeling the surrounding environment's richness, they all showed expressions of excitement. In such surroundings, even without needing spirit jade, their cultivation could quickly advance. Indeed, All Phenomena Ocean is a treasure land!
Luan Xiao'e began organizing, calling over many of the first batch of Three Worlds cultivators who had arrived to help settle the new arrivals.
Everyone mingled with familiar faces, gathering in small groups of three to five.
Additionally, thanks to the first batch of cultivators' efforts, the new arrivals didn't need to build their dwellings themselves; there were already plenty of vacant houses on the island, each could simply find one to settle into.
Soon, Three Worlds Island became bustling with activity.
Seeing Luan Xiao'e happily chatting with He Baichuan, Lu Ye joined to greet them: "Have Old Tang find me when he returns; I'll rest for a while."
Luan Xiao'e understood: "Hua Ci and Shui Yuan are in the pill-making room," she reminded him.
Lu Ye immediately changed direction towards the pill-making room, Ma Shangsi trailing closely behind.
However, after taking just a few steps, Luan Xiao'e suddenly shouted: "Junior Brother!"
Lu Ye turned around to see Luan Xiao'e with a panicked expression: "Tang Jun has sent a message; he's been ambushed!"
Lu Ye's face darkened and he hurriedly asked: "Location!"
Luan Xiao'e was holding the audio talisman, seemingly inquiring Tang Jun for his whereabouts. Waiting for several breaths, there was no reply.
Lu Ye immediately understood that Tang Jun's situation wasn't good; otherwise, he wouldn't even have time to respond. He instantly asked: "Where did Old Tang go before?"
Luan Xiao'e replied urgently: "He went to All Phenomena Island!"
Lu Ye turned to give Ma Shangsi a look, his figure soaring into the sky, leaving only his voice trailing behind: "I'm going to support him!"
Luan Xiao'e also knew not to delay, hurriedly saying to He Baichuan: "Come with me!"
Then he looked at Yan Miao and Cherng Xin: "I trouble you two to guard Three Worlds Island!"
At this critical moment, Tang Jun was ambushed. This was clearly not a chance encounter; the person ambushing Tang Jun must have come prepared.
Luan Xiao'e found it somewhat perplexing. Although Old Tang's cultivation wasn't particularly high, he was shrewd with age. Moreover, he had some disguise techniques when he went to All Phenomena Island, so logically, he shouldn't have been exposed.
But just after Tang Jun finished communicating with her, he was ambushed. The thought made Luan Xiao'e shiver.
Immediately after Lu Ye and his servant left, Luan Xiao'e and He Baichuan also hurried away.
Several hundred miles outside Three Worlds Island, a figure lay in wait, sensing the presence of a few Moon Jade cultivators and furrowing his brows, unable to understand why there were suddenly more Moon Jades on Three Worlds Island.
But this clearly wasn't a good omen, so he quickly took out an audio talisman to send a message.
At this moment, Lu Ye wore a solemn expression, standing on Ma Shangsi's starboat, shaking his head: "Too slow. Burst treasure blood, Blood Escape Technique!"
Having been in contact with Ma Shangsi for so long, Lu Ye knew his capabilities well.
Both of them had treasure blood, and being at Peak Moon Jade, Ma Shangsi did too. However, unlike Lu Ye, Ma Shangsi's treasure blood couldn't directly form a doppelganger and wasn't as powerful.
If Ma Shangsi wanted to use his treasure blood to form a doppelganger, he needed to cultivate another Blood Race secret technique and refine a drop of treasure blood over time.
Lu Ye deduced that this was likely due to the large difference in saintliness between them. His treasure blood could transform directly into a doppelganger because of its intense saintliness, making his mastery of Blood Race secret techniques far surpass Ma Shangsi's.
Even though there was a difference in treasure blood, bursting treasure blood to assist in the Blood Escape Technique could still greatly amplify its power!
Tang Jun had been ambushed, and Lu Ye had no clue about his current state. But he was merely a mid-stage Moon Jade magic cultivator, and his foundation wasn't strong. Since the enemy had ambushed him, Tang Jun's situation was likely dire.
Lu Ye needed to head over to support him as quickly as possible, or he feared he would only be able to collect Tang Jun's body.
Upon returning, he felt distinctly that Luan Xiao'e hadn't told him some things, likely not to hide them from him, but to discuss them in detail later.
The ambush on Tang Jun was probably related to these matters.
When Lu Ye spoke, Ma Shangsi didn't hesitate at all, immediately stowing away the starboat. A drop of treasure blood burst open, turning into a blood mist that enveloped both him and Lu Ye, as they darted forward like lightning.
As Lu Ye and his servant dashed out of Three Worlds Island, Luan Xiao'e and He Baichuan lost sight of them instantly.
Luan Xiao'e was astonished: "What background does that Fellow Daoist Ma have?"
She could finally confirm that Ma Shangsi was indeed at Peak Moon Jade, with a foundation even stronger than hers.
He Baichuan's expression was grave: "You might not believe this, but that Fellow Daoist Ma claims to be Fellow Daoist Lu's servant!"
"Servant?" Luan Xiao'e's expression turned a bit bewildered. A Peak Moon Jade servant? Then what was Lu Ye's background?
Suddenly, she realized she didn't quite understand Lu Ye.
"Sigh, some time ago, the Jade Conch also went through a crisis. When there's time, I'll tell you," He Baichuan sighed. 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝒆𝙬𝙚𝒃𝙣𝙤𝒗𝓮𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢
Within the blood mist ahead, Lu Ye spread out his Mental Consciousness, searching for Tang Jun's whereabouts, while continuously trying to contact him via audio talisman.
Unfortunately, there was no response, so he couldn't determine Tang Jun's exact location, but since he was coming from the direction of All Phenomena Island, the search wasn't too difficult.
The only good news was that the audio talisman still transmitted his messages, which meant Tang Jun wasn't dead. If he were, his talisman would've become ineffective, unable to transmit messages.
Meanwhile, Lu Ye took out the star map of All Phenomena Ocean, trying to deduce Tang Jun's current location.
The one ambushing Tang Jun must be of Moon Jade level, quite possibly more than one. Although Tang Jun's foundation wasn't great, he was a mid-stage, and after the events of Unparalleled Island's occupation, he had grown cautious. He bought many protective magic treasures. Aware of his weaknesses, he tried to compensate after acquiring spirit jade, so unless he encountered too strong an enemy, he should be able to protect himself temporarily.
The noise from such a battle wouldn't be small. The ambusher likely avoided areas occupied by major forces on Spirit Islands to prevent misunderstandings.
As a result, the search area was narrowed down. Lu Ye's only fear now was that Tang Jun hadn't returned to Three Worlds Island in a straight line.
Fortunately, his worries were unfounded. After nearly two hours of pursuit, Lu Ye suddenly turned his head in a direction where distinct Moon Jade clashes could be sensed.
"Over there!" Lu Ye quickly spoke.
Ma Shangsi immediately changed direction.
Moments later, Lu Ye finally saw Tang Jun's figure, and his heart burned with anger at first sight!
At this moment, Tang Jun was protected by a dim light barrier, covered in blood, his face pale, clearly having sustained serious injuries. Beside him, two silhouettes were relentlessly attacking, one mid-stage Moon Jade, one late-stage, putting Tang Jun in critical danger.
.
With a sore throat, fever, and cough, it's often a sequence with colds. The worst is the coughing.
Yet, I've reached this stage. Last night I coughed so intensely it felt like my heart was being torn out, up until 3 AM, unable to sleep. Now I'm exhausted, coughing incessantly, feeling like my lungs might burst. I need to go to the hospital for some medication, so today there'll be only one chapter. Please understand.
I can endure the fever, but the cough is unbearable.
