Chapter 2461: The Universe Behind The Scenes  

Specter Progenitor hesitated. He stared at Lu Yin and then instinctively glanced at Mu Xie and Arch-Elder Zen. Lu Xiaoxuan had agreed to give an explanation, but there seemed to be a hidden threat within his words. If he visited Specter Abyss to offer an explanation for his actions, would all three of them travel together?

Specter Progenitor then looked at Nutjob Lu. Even this man was barely clinging to life, so who in Specter Abyss could possibly hope to stop these three from causing trouble?

The man coughed. "We’ll discuss this later. I hope that you'll take Specter Abyss into greater consideration in the future. After all, we have so many people who rely on death energy, and once you deplete that death energy, all of them will struggle to ever make further progress," Specter Progenitor said grumpily.

Progenitor Smoke sneered disdainfully.

Nong Yi shook his head.

Specter Progenitor was unhappy, but what could he do? No one present was capable of facing the three men together. They had just seen how badly Nutjob Lu had been beaten. Moreover, if Specter Abyss was the battlefield, then Specter Progenitor could not even imagine the power that Lu Xiaoxuan would be capable of wielding there.

At this thought, a fervent glint appeared in the man’s eyes as he looked at Lu Yin's cosmic ring. For Lu Yin to be able to manipulate Specter Abyss’s death energy, he clearly possessed a weapon that had once belonged to the God of Death. Also, there was that arm that Lu Yin had taken out. Could that have belonged to the God of Death as well? If Specter Progenitor could obtain that, then who in the Perennial World would dare move against Specter Abyss?

Nutjob Lu suddenly erupted with laughter. For a moment, Specter Progenitor thought that the madman was mocking him. "You're unwilling to leave things here, huh?"

Lu Yin stared at Nutjob Lu.

Nutjob Lu’s eyes met Lu Yin’s. "You worked hard to set up an opportunity to kill me, but it all ended up being for nothing. How frustrating that must be for you, brat? Hahaha!"

Lu Yin took a deep breath and relaxed his face. "You might have escaped once, but you won't escape a second time. I will kill you."

Something strange flickered through Nutjob Lu's eyes as the corners of his mouth curled upwards. He did not mention the change in Lu Yin's eyes that he had witnessed, just as Lu Yin made no mention of the fact that Nutjob Lu had used the corpse king transformation. Without evidence, there was no point for either man to say anything. "Will you get another chance? No, not at all. I'm done playing around. Without the Lu family here, nothing in this universe is worth my time."

As the man spoke, he pulled out a seal.

The seal was identical to the one that Lu Yin had obtained from Aeternus Nation; it was a seal that recorded the coordinates of a parallel universe.

Lu Yin found this strange. From what he had seen, only Aeternus was capable of creating these seals that could pinpoint a place in time and space. For example, Gu Yue had used a similar seal to travel to the Three Monarchs Universe, and he had also obtained that one from Aeternus.

"Nutjob Lu, you…?" Bai Wangyuan hesitated.

Everyone was transfixed as Nutjob Lu opened a spatial rift with the seal he held. A voice called out through the rift, "Is this… the Origin Universe?"

The voice came from the other side of the rift.

As soon as Bai Wangyuan and the others heard the voice, their expressions grew solemn.

Nutjob Lu grinned. "I want to travel to the Main Universe."

"We welcome your visit," the voice echoed from the void. Then, someone stepped out and arrived beside Nutjob Lu.

This newcomer was wearing a gray robe and holding a staff. He had an elderly appearance and a long beard. There was a kind smile on his face, but his entire demeanor radiated an air of superiority. When he appeared, ripples spread through the void in all directions, as though there was some kind of weight pressing down on space. The pressure was suffocating.

"It’s been a very long time, old friend." The gray-robed old man smiled as he looked at Nutjob Lu and Bai Wangyuan.

Bai Wangyuan commented, "I didn't think that this madman had the means to contact you directly."

The gray-robed old man chuckled. "Master Sovereign thinks well of him. Long ago, he gave this man a choice. Although it’s taken a long time, he’s finally made his decision."

The man suddenly frowned. "It looks like he just went through a terrible battle."

His eyes moved over where Lu Yin and the others stood.

The moment the old man’s gaze fell upon Lu Yin, his eyes narrowed, and his expression slowly fell as he examined Lu Yin's features. "A member of the Lu family?"

Ever since the gray-robed old man had appeared, Lu Yin’s eyes had never once left the old man. Lu Yin knew that the hidden hand behind the Lu family's exile had finally been revealed. Even with the White Dragon Rolls Over, it was impossible for the four ruling powers to exile a family with several Progenitors, as well as one who could summon the masters of the Nine Mountains and Eight Seas. The only reason for their success was the people who had supported them from the shadows.Not only had these people helped exile the Lu family, but they had also reduced Aeternus's strength in the Perennial World by stepping up to handle a portion of the battle that the Lu family had once been responsible for. Without that, Aeternus would have been unstoppable in the Perennial World.

Undying God had been able to enter the Perennial World despite the Tree Realm’s presence, which meant that Ancient God should also be able to come through.

Back when the Lu family had still been around, Aeternus had undoubtedly kept enough power in the Perennial World to hold back the strength of the Lu family, which meant that their forces here had to have been as powerful as a second Lu family. If the forces that Aeternus had sent three years ago were combined with something as strong as the former Lu family, then how could the four ruling powers even hope to survive?

However, Aeternus had not fielded that additional force, which meant that those forces had to have been kept occupied by other parallel universes.

If Lu Yin was not mistaken, then the parallel universe that this gray-robed old man had come from was precisely that place.

As soon as the man recognized Lu Yin as a member of the Lu family, his expression had changed abnormally, causing Lu Yin to immediately grow vigilant. "Who are you?"

Killing intent filled the gray-robed old man's eyes, and he addressed Nutjob Lu, "Did you call me here to deal with this child?"

The madman answered, "That would be difficult. The brat is a direct descendant of the Lu family, and he’s already conferred a Progenitor as well as obtained Lu Jian's power. His strength is equivalent to two or three Progenitors. The man beside him is his senior brother, Mu Xie, who is as strong as one of the masters of the Nine Mountains and Eight Seas, while the old man just passed his breakthrough and became a Progenitor. However, he cultivates the Tri-Yang Ancestral Qi Technique, which means that all of them are extremely difficult to deal with."

The gray-robed old man was taken aback, and he turned to stare at the three men. "No wonder you were beaten to such a pathetic state."

The man then turned to Bai Wangyuan and the two others. "Why didn't you help him?"

Bai Wangyuan answered, "This fight was an internal dispute of the Lu family."

The gray-robed old man's eyes flickered.

At this moment, Progenitor Smoke stepped forward while staring at the old man. "Who are you?"

The man turned to look at her. "And who are you?"

Progenitor Smoke arrogantly raised her chin. "Progenitor Smoke of the Nine Mountains and Eight Seas: Xi Wei."

The gray-robed man was stunned. "Progenitor Smoke of the Nine Mountains and Eight Seas?"

"It seems that you've heard of me."

"I've heard your name be mentioned more than just once. Aren't you supposed to be dead?"

"That was just a minor issue. Let me ask you again, who are you? Where did you come from? What's your relationship with Nutjob Lu and Bai Wangyuan?"

The gray-robed old man took another glance at Progenitor Smoke before looking back at Lu Yin and the two men with him. "My name is Sage Yuan. As for the rest, you will learn more in the future."

After speaking, the man turned to look at the jiao off in the distance. "Not a bad pet. Sovereign Master would be happy to accept it. It’s a worthy gift for when that day arrives."

With that, he beckoned to Nutjob Lu. "Let's go. Sovereign Master is waiting for you."

Lu Yin cocked an eyebrow. "Hold up, you're not leaving just yet. Which universe do you represent?"

The gray-robed old man turned back to look at Lu Yin. "Descendant of the Lu family, if you want to live, then don't ask too many questions. The Lu family deserved to be wiped out. Learn your lesson and don't be as arrogant as they were, or else you will meet the same fate."

Out of nowhere, Lu Yin attacked, and Progenitor-level runes enveloped the gray-robed old man.

Bai Wangyuan and the other two instantly moved in front of the man. "Lu Xiaoxuan, you must not attack him!"

Lu Yin immediately summoned E Chi and invoked his Investiture of the Gods. "Move."

Mu Xie and Arch-Elder Zen both stepped forward as well.

The gray-robed old man just sneered. "Bai Wangyuan, discipline your universe’s dogs, or else Sovereign Master won't mind making a personal trip to this place."

With that, he entered the spatial rift, quickly followed by Nutjob Lu.Lu Yin watched as the tear in the void closed, his eyes never once leaving Nutjob Lu until the rift completely disappeared.

Once space had returned back to normal, Lu Yin turned to stare at Bai Wangyuan and the other two. "Explain."

Progenitor Smoke added, "I need one too."

Nong Yi and Specter Progenitor were similarly curious about what had just transpired.

Some distance away, the jiao bared its fangs and claws. With Nutjob Lu gone, it was no longer afraid.

"Bai Wangyuan, start talking! What's the deal with that old guy?" Progenitor Smoke pressed.

Bai Wangyuan and the other two exchanged glances, and then he started to slowly explain. "There are many parallel universes in existence. This is one, but Aeternus is waging war across numerous parallel universes with the goal of conquering all of reality. That man just now, Sage Yuan, is a representative of one of those parallel universes."

The man then looked at Lu Yin before continuing, "When we exiled the Lu family, they assisted us."

Lu Yin's finger twitched. "Why?"

Wang Fan's voice turned cold. "Because the Lu family was too arrogant. It's no wonder that there were people who couldn't stand them."

"Stop dancing around the answers," Lu Yin shouted sternly.

Wang Fan grew furious and opened his mouth to chide Lu Yin, but Mu Xie spoke up. "Is that parallel universe very powerful?"

Progenitor Long nodded. "Extremely. Our universe can’t even begin to compare to them. I strongly advise that you do not provoke them."

He glanced at the jiao before continuing, "The strongest individual in that universe is known as the Great Sovereign. He’s a terrifying being who’s on par with the Origin Progenitor."

Lu Yin and the others felt their scalps tingle. Someone on the same level as the Origin Progenitor? That was beyond horrifying.

So far, the strongest opponent that any of them had ever encountered was Ancient God, who had once been one of the Three Realms Six Dao. The most powerful attack that Lu Yin could use also came from one of the Three Realms Six Dao: the God of Death. As for the Origin Progenitor, he had been a powerhouse above even the Three Realms Six Dao.

"Is Aeternus’s True God being held back by them?" Progenitor Smoke asked.

Bai Wangyuan did not answer the question. "In regards to that universe, it is best to not provoke them. They refer to their universe as the Main Universe, and they are the greatest human force fighting against Aeternus. They have been keeping the Seven Skygods occupied for many years, and they have even spread across more than one parallel universe. Lu Xiaoxuan, do not provoke them, as doing so will invite a disaster upon us all.”

"Of course, provoking them is also easier said than done, as you can’t even reach their universe."

Lu Yin silently started thinking. Main Universe? A powerhouse equal to the Origin Progenitor? It’s no wonder why my family was banished.

"Where is Xia Shenji?" Wang Fan suddenly asked.

Everyone turned to look at Lu Yin. In the Fifth Mainland, Lu Yin alone possessed the strength of a Progenitor. Absolutely no one else could have possibly dealt with Xia Shenji, but Lu Yin had stayed in the Perennial World while there had been no word at all from Xia Shenji in the Fifth Mainland. It was very odd.

Lu Yin casually replied, "I don't know."

Bai Wangyuan frowned. "Lu Xiaoxuan, Xia Shenji is one of our most powerful combatants against Aeternus. You…"

Lu Yin looked up. "Are you really about to lecture me about righteousness?"

Bai Wangyuan stiffened. Righteousness? Lecture Lu Yin? What use would that serve?

Nong Yi sighed. "While we may have forced Aeternus out in recent years, our power has also weakened significantly. If Aeternus returns, we no longer even have seven Progenitors to protect the Outer Realm with."

Progenitor Smoke said, "Lu Xiaoxuan, since you drove Nutjob Lu away, you will take over Planet Ominion in his stead. Mu Xie can guard Broken Star."

She then looked at Arch-Elder Zen. "You can take Xia Shenji’s place.

"If we’ve lost three Progenitors, then we just need to replace them."

Nong Yi thought about this suggestion. The loss of Nutjob Lu, Liu Yue, and Xia Shenji was indeed compensated for with the addition of Lu Yin, Mu Xie, and Arch-Elder Zen. Their strength would more or less remain the same.

No one mentioned the matter of the Lu Sanctum’s treasury again, as they had all reached an unspoken understanding.

As for Xia Shenji, the four ruling powers would definitely send someone to investigate Shenwu Continent, and Lu Yin was already prepared for them. He intended to ask Arch-Elder Zen to watch over Shenwu Continent, not because of the four ruling powers’ investigation, but rather because of the Three Monarchs Universe.