Of course, Lu Ye wasn't entirely sure if this was the true situation; it was merely his own deduction.
Perhaps Heaven's Augury of the Nine Provinces had somehow detected the fragmented Unparalleled Continent.
"What exactly have you done?"
Pang Huanyin pressed on. Not understanding this matter left her truly uneasy.
Being responsible for the entire Ziwei Dao Palace, how could she not be wary of developing an inexplicable trust toward a stranger?
From what had just transpired, it was clear that the man before her even possessed some inexplicable means to enhance her trust!
This was hard to comprehend.
Lu Ye pondered in silence, weighing whether to reveal the truth to her. Despite her youth, it was evident she wasn't easily deceived.
Since he intended to borrow the power of Ziwei Dao Palace, honesty might be better than hiding things.
Of course, if she wasn't suspicious, no need to say much; but Pang Huanyin was already doubtful, so it wouldn't be wise to keep hiding.
Besides, if things went smoothly, their identities would be known to her sooner or later...
"What if I say I'm not from this world, would you believe it, Palace Master?" Lu Ye gazed calmly at Pang Huanyin. From her eyes, he saw a fleeting surprise, quickly replaced by understanding. "Palace Master seems to have guessed already?"
Pang Huanyin said, "I did consider the possibility. Ancient records in our Dao Palace mention that long ago, this world had visitors from beyond. Your prowess is so formidable, not hailing from other secret realms or any other place outside. Only one possibility remains—you aren't from this Unparalleled Continent!"
She had thought it, but the notion had quickly passed, seeming too improbable.
Even with old records of such events, who could tell truth from myth in those ages?
Moreover, even if true, how could Lu Ye and his group's cultivation enable them to cross realms?
But now, incredulous as it seemed, it was the truth!
"We come from a domain called the Nine Provinces..."
With the decision to be forthright, no point in hiding anything. Lu Ye's brief account clarified their origins to Pang Huanyin.
She listened quietly without interruption.
One had to admit her composure; no matter how incredible, she could accept it calmly. Whatever her inner thoughts or analyses, Lu Ye could not know.
"In the Nine Provinces, there are many domains that have been destroyed or shattered, forming several large and small secret realms. If Nine Provinces cultivators have the opportunity, they may enter for training."
Pang Huanyin frowned: "So, our Unparalleled Continent is just a training ground for Nine Provinces cultivators?"
Hard for her to accept. After generations of fighting the Corpse Race to clear the skies, it was disheartening to know their home world was merely a practice ground. It made her feel their struggles and sacrifices were a joke.
Lu Ye shook his head: "Unparalleled Continent is different from those secret realms. I've not experienced many, but others have experienced more. Still, for all of us, Unparalleled Continent is special since your domain hasn't perished yet!"
"If those domains you mentioned have perished, what can Nine Provinces cultivators do upon entering?"
"Heaven's Augury of the Nine Provinces has incredible methods. Even if a domain has perished, it can recreate everything and everyone at some point in time—we call it a time-space snapshot. During that snapshot, the domain hasn't perished, allowing Nine Provinces cultivators to act, trying to save that domain," he turned to look at Pang Huanyin, "This is why Heaven's Augury sent us nine here!"
Before Pang Huanyin could speak, Lu Ye continued, "Recently, I entered a time-space snapshot of a domain called the Soaring Dragon World, where I did some things and gained the approval of its Heaven-Earth Origin."
"Heaven-Earth Origin?" Pang Huanyin's brows arched slightly.
"This world also has a Heaven-Earth Origin, perhaps already harboring some faint consciousness. It chose you as the savior of this world; you are this world's Destined One. Surely, you've sensed some things yourself."
Pang Huanyin touched her chest thoughtfully.
After a long pause, she spoke, "So, my trust in you isn't my own but influenced by the will of Unparalleled Continent's consciousness!"
"Exactly!" Lu Ye nodded, "Even with a nascent consciousness, a domain's will can recognize who can help it and who will harm it. So, does the Palace Master understand now?"
Pang Huanyin chuckled and shook her head, "Surreal!"
Had someone else said this, she'd think them mad. But hearing it from Lu Ye, she believed it seventy percent, the remaining thirty percent due to her own cautious nature.
"As for why I insist on entering the Mount Sumeru Secret Realm..."
Lu Ye paused, asking, "If the Palace Master persuades them personally, can you convince Mount Sumeru to join forces against the Corpse Race?"
Pang Huanyin shook her head, "Of the three secret realms, only Ziwei Dao Palace has been actively resolving the Corpse Race scourge for millennia. Silver Snake Valley hides like a turtle, only coveting power. Mount Sumeru superficially claims they'll act if Silver Snake Valley moves, but truly they stay aloof, unwilling to offend our Dao Palace. It's impossible to rely on those two. Were they committed, our Dao Palace wouldn't struggle so much."
Discussing this filled Pang Huanyin with anger and sorrow over their indifference and complacency.
"So, it's nearly impossible to ally with them?"
"Absolutely impossible!"
"Then a visit to Mount Sumeru is necessary." Lu Ye nodded, "If Palace Master can arrange for me to enter Mount Sumeru, I have a way to make them confront the Corpse Race willingly."
"How?" Pang Huanyin's interest peaked, her eyebrows dancing.
"Not convenient to say now." Lu Ye shook his head slowly.
Pang Huanyin stared at Lu Ye until he remained unmoved, then snorted, "Staging a mystery!"
Suddenly feeling off, she quickly adjusted her expression.
Remembering something, Pang Huanyin said, "Fellow Daoist already visited Silver Snake Valley, doesn't that mean..."
"When the time comes, Silver Snake Valley won't focus on power struggles; even unwilling, they'll have to confront the Corpse Race."
"And my Dao Palace? Did Fellow Daoist employ any methods?" Pang Huanyin's eyes narrowed slightly.
"The Dao Palace's situation differs from the other two, no need for such methods."
"I feel you're deceiving me!" Pang Huanyin frowned.
"How could that be!" Lu Ye, righteous-faced, "Already confided sincerely with Palace Master, no reason to deceive you."
Pang Huanyin scrutinized him for a moment, then nodded, "Let's hope so."
A gentle mountain breeze stirred their clothes.
"Tomorrow, join me. I'll take you to Mount Sumeru!" Pang Huanyin suddenly decided.
Lu Ye wasn't surprised by the Dao Palace's means, "Then I must thank the Palace Master."
"If things are as you say, I'm merely saving myself; you should thank us Unparalleled Continent cultivators." Pang Huanyin clasped her hands behind her, tilting her head at Lu Ye, "I agreed to your first two conditions, isn't it time to discuss the third?"
Curiosity drives even the Dao Palace Master!
Lu Ye had tantalized them at the banquet, leaving them wanting more.
"After success, I'll detail it to the Palace Master. I believe you won't refuse."
Pang Huanyin showed disdain, "I despise tedious people like you—so slow and hesitant!
One step took her far away, her voice trailing on the wind: "For this trip to Mount Sumeru, only one companion is allowed."
Watching her departure, Lu Ye smiled.
Things... are sorted!
Returning to his quarters, he gathered Lui Qing and the others, getting straight to the point: "Pang Huanyin agreed to take me to Mount Sumeru tomorrow. Who among you will accompany me?"
"They can enter Mount Sumeru?" Fong Rulie was astonished; at the banquet today, they had said otherwise. Indeed, one couldn't easily trust others, but in hindsight, the Dao Palace had no need to detail everything to them. Who knew what method Lu Yiye used?
Lui Qing frowned slightly, "To reach Mount Sumeru, special means might be required?"
"Unclear, didn't ask." Lu Ye shook his head, "Pang Huanyin said only one companion is allowed."
Ying Wuji shrunk back, trying to be less noticeable.
Lui Qing said, "If so, I recommend Brother Ying."
Sharing a tacit understanding, Lui Qing and Fong Rulie stepped aside, revealing Ying Wuji's sneaky retreat.
Lu Ye's gaze turned to him.
Ying Wuji mentally cursed Lui Qing's ancestors thoroughly.
"We might need to scout; Brother Ying, being a Ghost Cultivator, is more suited for this," Lui Qing justified earnestly.
"Ying Wuji, your thoughts?" Lu Ye asked, "Of course, if unwilling, there's no compulsion. I can go alone."
What could he think? What dared he think?
Stepping forward slightly, Ying Wuji said, "Heaven's Augury sent nine of us here; as the sole Ghost Cultivator, information gathering falls on me. I'll go with you."
A refusal now would certainly earn Lu Yiye's grudge, making life harder later.