Chapter 1981: Chapter 1979: Defecting at the Last Moment

The Blood Race member brought up was evidently subjected to some torture, with a withered aura and a pale complexion.

The Insect and Blood Races are shunned and attacked across the stellar space. On ordinary days, they stay hidden, but in this situation, he knows he’s certain to die. Thus, his face is set in a deathly resolve, with no thoughts or intentions of resistance. The All Phenomena Ocean spared his life for obvious reasons; later, he just needs a little cooperation to earn a swift death.

In the presence of everyone, Yuan Cheng pointed at the Blood Race member, smiling as he explained, "This barghest has been hiding in All Phenomena Ocean for years, harboring malicious intentions. Just a few days ago, Lord Governor noticed some clues and captured him..."

In reality, this Blood Race member was caught by Black Cloud from a Blood Race domain, but outsiders are unaware, so Yuan Cheng’s narration is taken as truth.

"Upon Lord Governor’s inquiry, it was revealed that our All Phenomena Ocean isn’t harboring just one Blood Race member, but several more. However, these Blood Race members excel at concealment and transformation, making it hard for ordinary people to detect them."

Many nodded silently in agreement; this was known yet unsurprising.

With a stern expression, Yuan Cheng stated, "In the chaos of the stellar space, the Insect and Blood Races are the worst. The All Phenomena Ocean, being a convergence point of star systems and the center of stellar space, will not tolerate the Blood Race’s chaotic behavior here! Unfortunately, ordinary methods can’t find these hidden Blood Race members, but... just because ordinary methods can’t find them, doesn’t mean the Blood Race themselves can’t be found!"

At this, he turned to look at the Blood Race member with cold eyes, "Isn’t that right?"

The Blood Race member, caught by his gaze, understood it was time to cooperate, so he offered no resistance, replying in a wooden tone, "Correct, our race has a secret technique called Blood Resonance Technique, which allows one to sense the presence of nearby kin when performed!"

Now, he only sought a swift death with no other thoughts, so he was willing to cooperate with Yuan Du’s side. In the end, he would point out individuals as agreed; their death would be of a human race individual, causing no harm to him or the Blood Race. In fact, he was quite pleased to see such internal strife within the human race, feeling that dragging someone down with him meant he wouldn’t die in vain.

There was an uproar among the cultivators around.

Yuan Du’s group arrived mightily at the Three Worlds Island, having brought a Blood Race member who confessed such information, intensifying the speculations and suspicions.

This recently rising-in-fame Three Worlds Island, could it really be...

"Island Master Lu." Yuan Cheng smiled at Lu Ye, "I wonder if Island Master Lu has anything to say?"

Lu Ye remained calm, "What do you want me to say?"

Yuan Cheng was slightly disappointed; he had expected to see Lu Ye panicked, but never imagined his demeanor to be so composed, even at this point, still so calm.

At this point, the purpose of Yuan Du bringing a Blood Race member was clear — to accuse Lu Ye of being a Blood Race member! But both Yuan Du and Yuan Cheng knew this was an obvious accusation. Yet, even so, what could be done? As long as the Blood Race member pointed out Lu Ye, they had a pretext to act. At that time, the Three Worlds Island wouldn’t compromise. If the Three Worlds Island dared to resist, it would prove their guilt, allowing Yuan Du to act without opposition.

This was an open conspiracy, one impossible to counter due to the absolute power gap.

Sun Blaze’s governor indeed wouldn’t intervene in disputes between the Spirit Islands, but eliminating Blood Race members would not be an issue.

Thus, Yuan Du schemed to remove Jiu Yan; as long as she remained on the Three Worlds Island, the plan couldn’t unfold. If it came to that, and Jiu Yan personally confronted him, how would he craft an argument?

Jiu Yan had quite a temper, and might even resort to fighting him into submission if things didn’t go her way.

With Jiu Yan absent and no other governors stepping in, Yuan Du stood unrivaled on the All Phenomena Ocean!

"Since Island Master Lu has nothing to say, I’ll speak then." Yuan Cheng continued smiling, "I’ve seen Island Master Lu from a distance using his skills. I’m curious about one thing: Island Master Lu hails from combat cultivation, so how did you master such exquisite Blood Path Techniques?"

Not giving Lu Ye a chance to speak, he raised his voice, "Whether it was against Baiyue or the attack on Zixuan years back, Island Master Lu’s Blood Sea Technique was astonishing. That level of Blood Sea Technique doesn’t resemble typical Blood Path Secret Techniques and shouldn’t be achievable by a combat cultivator!"

If he hadn’t mentioned it, it might have been fine, but as soon as he did, many onlookers frowned in thought.

Many had witnessed the battles against Baiyue and Zixuan, and Lu Ye’s Blood Sea Technique indeed left a deep impression. Thinking back, something didn’t add up.

Lu Yiye of Three Worlds Island, acclaimed as the top under the Sun Blaze, had fought his way up with combat cultivation skills. A person’s energy is finite; those who specifically cultivate Blood Path Secret Techniques may not be able to exhibit such a level of Blood Sea Technique, yet a combat cultivator managed it, which indeed was abnormal.

Lu Ye blinked, "Yes, I come from combat cultivation, but I also cultivate in magic, physique, sword... Is there a problem?"

Yuan Cheng was at a loss, "Who knew Fellow Daoist was so shameless!"

"No more chatter!" Yuan Du impatiently urged. If he didn’t need to uphold a righteous stance, he wouldn’t bother with these trivial matters. However, if Sun Blaze’s governor personally acted, it had to be justified, so some procedures had to be followed.

Quickly composing himself, Yuan Cheng glared at Lu Ye, "You are a combat cultivator, yet can use Blood Path Secret Techniques of such caliber; there’s only one true reason! Island Master Lu, do we have to be explicit?"

Lu Ye replied, "If you can make it explicit, go ahead, I’m all ears!"

While arguing with Yuan Cheng, Lu Ye’s Mental Consciousness was also stirring.

Within the Three Worlds Island, at the pill-making room, his Second Senior Sister had already blown the green sea conch, prompting the Three Worlds Island cultivators to retreat towards the merfolk territory.

Since a few days ago, when Lu Ye felt uneasy, he sensed something would occur, and thus made arrangements early on.

Currently, the most precious asset of the Three Worlds Island was its local island cultivators. As long as they were evacuated, losing the island itself would not be a significant loss.

Yuan Du’s visit clearly won’t end peacefully. Lu Ye, whose fists aren’t bigger than others’, doesn’t intend to confront him head-on, waiting for this turmoil to pass, and Jiu Yan to return, then requesting her to take the lead in solving the trouble.

Yuan Cheng babbled on the side, and Lu Ye was happy to stall for time.

Yuan Cheng looked deeply at him, "Then as you wish!" Then, he turned to the Blood Race cultivator nearby and ordered, "Find your kin!"

Without a word, the Blood Race cultivator immediately activated the Blood Resonance Technique.

The genuine Blood Resonance Technique, when activated, is actually silent, and the practitioner can easily sense the presence of their kin nearby.

However, before coming here, Yuan Du had given instructions, so the Blood Resonance Technique activated now was rather unusual.

Under the gazes of everyone, the Blood Race cultivator’s blood Qi surged, and soon, a bloodline extended from his body, twisting and wriggling like a living thing, slowly stretching towards Lu Ye.

This bloodline is completely useless; it’s mainly for outsiders to observe, directly allowing them to identify Lu Ye as a member of the Blood Race.

As the bloodline pointed straight at Lu Ye, the ignorant cultivators watching around suddenly exclaimed.

Yuan Cheng’s face showed an expression of triumph.

After today, there will be no more Three Worlds Island and no more Lu Yiye in All Phenomena Ocean!

According to the plan, the next scene would be the Blood Race identifying Lu Ye.

But just when Yuan Cheng was looking forward to it, the Blood Race cultivator suddenly showed an extremely astonished expression, staring blankly at Lu Ye, then turned to Ma Shangsi beside Lu Ye...

He indeed followed Yuan Du’s previous instructions, using a despicable method to frame this young man in front of him, but he also quietly activated the genuine Blood Resonance Technique.

To his astonishment, he found that this young man he planned to frame was indeed one of his own kind, possessing the Blood Race bloodline, seemingly quite pure!

Not only him, but the other person standing behind him too...

Furthermore, inside the island, there seemed to be traces of a third Blood Race presence!

Could this Three Worlds Island be a Spirit Island occupied by strong members of this race?

The captured Blood Race cultivator’s heart quivered, never expecting such an improbable event to occur.

He met Lu Ye’s eyes, and the other person’s gaze was leisurely, as if hiding deep meaning.

The captured Blood Race cultivator’s mind raced with thoughts... Their race had endured hardship like the Insect Race, vilified throughout the stellar space. Amidst the vast and bustling All Phenomena Ocean, any race could vie for a share, except for the Insect and Blood Races.

Even if the Blood Race did come, they had to find ways to conceal themselves, hiding their true selves in the shadows.

Who would have thought that here a top-class Spirit Island had been seized by powerful members of their race!

If his actions led to exposing the others, wouldn’t he become the traitor of his entire race? He was prepared to die, death was inconsequential, but he couldn’t harm his kin.

Given that their race now occupied a top-class Spirit Island in All Phenomena Ocean, there would be opportunities to spark a far-reaching blaze!

Thus, he decisively caused the bloodline originally meant to extend towards Lu Ye to make a sharp turn in front of Lu Ye, landing directly on the expectant and triumphant Yuan Cheng.

Yuan Cheng was stunned, turning to the captured Blood Race cultivator.

The Blood Race cultivator wore an excited expression, shouting, "So Yuan Cheng, Fellow Daoist, is actually one of our kin. You’ve hidden well!"

Cultivators around erupted in awe, exclamations rising continuously.

Yuan Cheng was dumbfounded, staring incredulously at the captured Blood Race cultivator, "What nonsense are you spouting?"

The situation shouldn’t have developed this way, according to the original plan, this should have been the stage where the Blood Race identifies Lu Ye, and he steps forward to question.

And once the Blood Race identifies, whether Lu Ye admits it or not, it wouldn’t matter.

But what is the Blood Race cultivator doing now, spouting nonsense, even turning against him!

Whether he is of the Blood Race, he knows himself, and he couldn’t possibly be of the Blood Race, right?

And clearly, it was all agreed upon before...

Inside the protective array, Lu Ye watched the farce unfold before him, his heart stirred; so this is the true meaning of irony? Indeed, it was a scare with no danger, no big deal.