Chapter 1967: Chapter 1965: Farewell, Ma Bin

The stellar space was boundless, and as he journeyed alone, Lu Ye’s eyes gleamed with a flicker of light.

Initially, he planned to hand over Yuk Yaorao to Jiuxuan and then set out for the passage that led to the Soul Race ancestral land, but the recent battle had led to some unexpected discoveries.

This piqued his interest, prompting him to make a quick decision to bid farewell to Yuk Yaorao and proceed alone.

By harnessing the barghest’s power left on those Moon Jade cultivators from Brahman Valley with his Boulder Mountain Saber, Lu Ye could easily track their exact location, so even though there were Sun Blaze experts in the enemy ranks, exercised caution should keep him safe.

The only concern now was the speed of the Sun Blaze; if that Brahman Valley Sun Blaze were to pilot a starboat, he might not be able to catch up.

Fortunately, his fears were unfounded as the other party’s movements were leisurely, not exceeding the speed range of Moon Jade cultivators.

Lu Ye kept a steady distance behind the cultivators from Brahman Valley.

After several days, Lu Ye suddenly felt that the barghest’s power remaining on one of the Moon Jade cultivators from Brahman Valley vanished completely; he understood in his heart that the Sun Blaze had intervened to dispel the invading barghest’s power.

As for which one specifically, Lu Ye remained unsure. Of the dozen or so Moon Jade cultivators who attacked earlier, all but a few had been wounded by him, leaving residual barghest power.

This left him somewhat helpless, but there was little he could do to stop it.

If all the residual barghest power on those Moon Jade cultivators were dispelled, he wouldn’t be able to continue tracking them. Given the previous battle, if he got too close and the Brahman Valley cultivators detected his presence, it wouldn’t end well for him.

All he could do was hope that the Sun Blaze didn’t act too quickly.

In the following days, the residual barghest power on another Moon Jade cultivator would vanish every few days. In less than a month, Lu Ye completely lost track of the Brahman Valley cultivators.

He grew increasingly cautious, even refraining from using his starboat, relying solely on crossing the stellar space with his body while maintaining the protection of Concealment and Breath-concealing Spirit Runes at all times.

Over this long period, he had roughly deduced the direction the Brahman Valley cultivators were heading. If his guess was correct, that direction should lead to the location of the Brahman Valley Galaxy.

Unable to pinpoint their exact location, he had no choice but to infiltrate the Brahman Valley Galaxy and then improvise.

One day, while Lu Ye was proceeding stealthily, he felt a sudden premonition and swiftly darted to a nearby piece of shattered floating land, finding a secluded spot to hide.

A moment later, a starboat sped from that direction, and atop it stood a solitary figure.

Initially, Lu Ye paid it little heed, but upon closer inspection, he immediately brightened up and slightly activated his Mental Consciousness.

The approaching starboat halted abruptly, and the cultivator aboard glanced around before quickly spotting Lu Ye’s hiding place on the floating land and darting over.

The individual had barely stabilized their stance before Lu Ye emerged from his hiding spot.

As their eyes met, the newcomer’s expression turned complex, while Lu Ye felt a sense of relief.

If Sun Zheng were here, he would be baffled, as this person was one of the Brahman Valley Moon Jade cultivators who had previously attacked them. Their cultivation level wasn’t high, merely at the Moon Jade Early Stage, an unremarkable figure among the dozen or so Moon Jade cultivators.

Yet now, the expressions exchanged between Lu Ye and this person unmistakably indicated a mutual recognition.

"Fellow Daoist Zhu, long time no see," Lu Ye greeted with a hand gesture.

Zhu Yuan—back when Lu Ye had just arrived at the All Phenomena Ocean, he had been struggling to make a living. He had accepted a task to transport supplies on Zhaolai Island, hoping to earn some spirit jade for sustenance. Zhu Yuan was among those on that mission.

Lu Ye had thought it would be a simple task, but unexpected changes arose midway. Zhu Yuan had lured them to a desolate planet, where the other cultivators met their demise, leaving only Lu Ye alive.

It was on this desolate planet that Lu Ye encountered the injured Ma Bin!

That incident occurred shortly after Ma Bin attacked and killed a Sun Blaze from All Phenomena Island. Having escaped All Phenomena Island, Ma Bin had noticed Lu Ye’s presence and thus had Zhu Yuan lure him to that desolate planet to ascertain Lu Ye’s origins.

Lu Ye had not seen Ma Bin or Zhu Yuan since.

He never expected that he would encounter Zhu Yuan among the team of Moon Jade cultivators attacking Jiuxuan!

When their eyes met back then, they were both momentarily stunned, clearly not anticipating such an encounter. However, both acted discreetly, with not a hint of secret communication, as Sun Blazes were fighting nearby, prompting cautious behavior all around.

Back then, in the All Phenomena Ocean, Ma Bin could use Zhu Yuan to carry out tasks, showing that Zhu Yuan was someone Ma Bin trusted.

Evidently, Zhu Yuan was a cultivator from the Brahman Valley Galaxy. What about Ma Bin? Could it be that he’s also in the Brahman Valley Galaxy?

Nan Lian had mentioned that Ma Bin was likely seriously injured this time, and he chose to counterattack to avoid implicating Lu Ye, a junior from the Nine Provinces.

Essentially, Ma Bin was injured because of him. If there were truly no leads on Ma Bin, that would be the end of it, as Lu Ye couldn’t interfere in Sun Blaze affairs. However, upon discovering some clues, Lu Ye was determined not to ignore them.

This realization was what prompted Lu Ye to hastily leave the Jiuxuan team and secretly track the Brahman Valley cultivators.

At this time, Zhu Yuan suddenly returned alone... which was quite intriguing.

The injury he previously received from me has disappeared, and the residual barghest’s power has undoubtedly been resolved, likely with the intervention of that Sun Blaze from Brahman Valley.

"Indeed, it’s been a long time. Fellow Daoist, your cultivation has advanced incredibly fast. No wonder our master favors you," Zhu Yuan sighed, recalling their past meeting at All Phenomena Ocean when everyone was just a Constellation; his cultivation was much higher than Lu Ye’s. But now, Lu Ye is at Moon Jade Late Stage, while he is at Moon Jade Early Stage. During their recent battle, Zhu Yuan experienced firsthand the stark difference in their strength.

"Master..." Lu Ye’s heart moved. "That is..."

After a brief hesitation, Zhu Yuan said, "If it’s you, it shouldn’t be a problem. Come with me."

Speaking so, he turned to lead the way, and Lu Ye leapt onto his starboat.

Sensing Lu Ye’s desire to ask something, Zhu Yuan took the initiative to say, "No need to ask more. Once we arrive, Fellow Daoist, you will naturally understand."

Lu Ye silently nodded.

They continued silently for over ten days before Zhu Yuan suddenly turned toward a direction leading to a dead, desolate planet.

Moments later, amidst dust storms, at a lifeless spot on the desolate planet, Zhu Yuan and Lu Ye descended from the starboat.

Zhu Yuan put away the starboat and conducted a search nearby until he found an entrance leading deep underground, and the two entered in succession.

Lu Ye sharply sensed residual blood scent here, causing his heart to tense.

Deeper they went, spending about one hour before reaching a very deep underground spot, where there is a natural cave adorned with several Bright Pearls all around and soft light suffusing the small space.

At the cave’s center, a person sat cross-legged like an ancient pine tree.

Upon hearing them, the person slightly opened his eyes, and the sharp gleam in his stare was akin to lightning suddenly illuminating the darkness.

"You..." the person slowly began, looking at Lu Ye, "Why have you come?"

Lu Ye quickly stepped forward, respectfully greeted, "Lu Ye, paying respects to Senior!"

In front was Ma Bin, and clearly, Zhu Yuan returned alone from Brahman Valley’s group just to see him.

Zhu Yuan, kneeling behind him, said, "Your subordinate is late, please forgive me, Master!"

Ma Bin was indifferent, understanding his subordinate’s situation. Publicly, Zhu Yuan is a Moon Jade in the Brahman Valley Galaxy, overseen by Sun Blaze, bound often by circumstances. Previously, Zhu Yuan had secretly informed him that Sun Blaze in the home galaxy had gathered forces to attack Jiuxuan’s group.

"How did you two end up together?" Ma Bin relaxed his posture, though his burly frame and slightly aged appearance sitting here still rendered a feeling to Lu Ye of an insurmountable mountain.

In the Asura Domain, Lu Ye naturally knew; he had felt Zhu Yuan’s presence from afar before, making their encounter theoretically possible. But such chances were slim, indicating something occurred to connect the two.

"It’s like this..." Zhu Yuan explained the situation succinctly.

Ma Bin understood, looking at Lu Ye, nodding slightly, "You are attentive."

This Nine Provinces junior apparently discovered Zhu Yuan and tracked him, seeking Ma Bin’s trail. Coincidentally, Zhu Yuan parted ways with the Brahman Valley’s team and encountered Lu Ye on the return path.

"How is Senior’s injury?" Lu Ye asked concernedly. Nan Lian had expressed his injuries were severe, but specifics she might not know. Seeing Ma Bin now seemingly fine, Lu Ye still felt his aura was somewhat unstable.

An apex Sun Blaze cultivator’s fluctuating aura undoubtedly indicates a serious issue.

"Won’t die," Ma Bin laughed heartily, "Just a minor wound..."

As soon as he spoke, blood gurgled from his mouth, and his body swayed precariously.

"Master!" Zhu Yuan exclaimed in shock, rushing forward to support him.

Lu Ye’s expression turned tense, noticing now numerous patches of dried blood on the ground; Ma Bin’s injuries seemed quite severe!

He quickly rummaged through his storage ring, taking out all healing elixir pills and placing them before Ma Bin, saying, "Senior, see if any of these can help you."

The healing elixir pills he had were from Three Worlds Island, crafted by Pill Gourd, all of supreme-grade quality, with effectiveness far superior to those sold outside.

Ma Bin caught his breath, nodded, picked up a jade vial to inspect briefly, then raised his brow, "Good stuff."

Unfortunately, none seemed helpful yet; he picked another vial, slightly astounded, set it down, and examined the next.

After a while, Ma Bin curiously looked at Lu Ye, "Where did you get so many good things?" These elixir pills were all supreme-grade quality, suggesting this Nine Provinces junior thrived traveling in All Phenomena Sea; notably, ordinary individuals wouldn’t possess such wealth— even if they did, without the right channels, they couldn’t acquire such varieties of supreme-grade elixir pills.