Sage of Humanity-Chapter 1576 - 1574: I Really Was Fooled

"What happened?" Shui Yuan asked, amused and confused. Originally, she thought that after hiding here for a month, the two would be carefree and happy. But seeing her junior brother's demeanor, it seemed things weren't as she imagined?

"Misfortune never comes alone; it's hard to explain in a few words!" Lu Ye waved his hand in distress. He almost thought he would die here if not for the month-long deadline approaching, with many people urging him to hurry to the Nine Provinces Governor's Palace. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to leave.

"Lu Ye..." came Hua Ci's voice from the bamboo house, gentle as water, "Time to drink your medicine!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Ye's face changed. He immediately gathered his spirit force and awkwardly shot up into the sky, disappearing in an instant.

Inside the bamboo house, Hua Ci walked out with a large sea bowl. The bowl was filled to the brim with a lush green liquid, the steam rising from it was even green...

Shui Yuan looked up, astounded to find that, contrary to Lu Ye's emaciated state, Hua Ci appeared full of life and vigor. Her skin was rosy and glowing, so youthful it seemed to almost drip with freshness.

Though only a month had passed, Hua Ci seemed to have become a few years younger, and Shui Yuan even felt that Hua Ci's cultivation had grown more profound.

"Why did he run away," Hua Ci said, looking in the direction Lu Ye had fled, a faint smile on her lips. She looked down at the bowl of medicinal solution and drank it all.

This was a carefully concocted tonic of great nourishment and couldn't be wasted lightly.

Shui Yuan glanced at her, understanding dawning. Blushing, she said, "Even if young, one must have restraint."

Hua Ci nodded obediently, "Second Senior Sister, you're right. I'll talk to him next time."

In the sky, Lu Ye headed straight for the Nine Provinces Governor's Palace, wobbling for a while before finally steadying himself, feeling lucky to narrowly escape a tiger's den.

A month had given him a lot of insights, finally understanding why the old saying goes, 'There are only tired oxen, never worn-out fields.'

The female physique is a strange thing. Often, it seems soft like mud, pleading desperately, but in no time, it recovers.

Lu Ye felt deceived by Hua Ci, as she had shown signs of exhaustion countless times during the month, acting as if she was on the brink of death, but in the end, it was him who was near death!

This misled him into thinking that in such a unique battle, he just needed to try harder to win. However, the battle had always been under Hua Ci's control!

Indeed, he had been fooled!

The Nine Provinces Governor's Palace was located in Tianzhou, with Jian Guhong as its first governor. Lu Ye had also served as a governor for a while, making him the second. He was familiar with the place.

With his current speed, he reached the Governor's Palace in no time and sensed a large gathering of Constellations in the distance.

Someone with sharp eyes suddenly shouted, "Lu Yiye is here!"

In the next moment, numerous Constellations turned to look in this direction, indeed spotting Lu Ye.

Lu Ye landed in front of the Governor's Palace, raising his eyes to see many familiar and unfamiliar faces. Straining himself, he cupped his fists and saluted, "Apologies for keeping you waiting."

Pang Zhen laughed heartily, "You came at just the right time; we arrived early." Looking closely at Lu Ye, he asked puzzledly, "Yiye, are you hurt? You don't look too well."

Lu Ye coughed lightly, "A minor injury, nothing serious." He looked around and said, "There are quite a few people. Let's talk outside."

Gathered here were about seven hundred or so Nine Provinces Constellations, showing their high efficiency. Initially, they were scattered across the stellar space, but hearing the news, they rushed back. Many hadn't arrived yet, or the number would've been even larger.

There was certainly no way for all to enter the Governor's Palace, so it was best to talk outside. 𝙛𝒓𝓮𝙚𝔀𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝒐𝒎

No one had objections; everyone found a spot, either standing or sitting, eyes fixed in Lu Ye's direction.

Lu Ye took out a meditation mat and sat down, getting straight to the point. "I believe all of you have heard some information from different channels in recent days, which is why you're gathered here. I don't know what exactly everyone has heard, but if there's anything you wonder about or want to ask, feel free, and I'll answer as best as I can."

As soon as he finished speaking, the scene buzzed with a flurry of chatter, people speaking over one another, causing an instant uproar.

Lu Ye listened attentively. Despite the chaos, with focus, he could easily discern the voices.

Having a good grasp now, he smiled slightly once the commotion died down and said, "It seems everyone is quite interested in the All Phenomena Ocean. In that case, let me tell you. I inadvertently drifted there while being pursued by Moon Jade from the Qingli Dao World..."

Lu Ye had already spoken to many about the Vast Ocean; bringing it up again now was second nature. Soon, the grandeur of the Vast Ocean unfolded before everyone like a giant painting.

Lu Ye didn't speak only of the beauty of the Vast Ocean, but also described its chaos and danger.

He then mentioned obtaining a star map from the Reincarnation Tree and the many hardships faced on the journey back.

Those Constellations, who had not seen much of the world, listened with rapt attention...

After Lu Ye finished speaking, everyone had a general understanding of the Vast Ocean and the journey.

Lu Ye then spoke, "Although I intend to take some people to the Vast Ocean, whether to do so depends on the collective willingness of all Fellow Daoists present. Frankly, while our Nine Provinces is now just newly promoted to a large domain, ten thousand years ago, it was a renowned top-tier domain. But it declined due to unspecified attacks from all sides. So, aligning ourselves with mainstream entities like the Vast Ocean is beneficial to us, but it also has drawbacks. Should the existence of the Nine Provinces be exposed, it might attract trouble."

Ten thousand years is a long time, but not so long for the cultivation world, especially since hatred isn't easily erased.

The former strong figures of Nine Provinces like Ma Bin are still active. Who knows if there is a second or third Ma Bin? Ma Bin doesn't want Lu Ye involved with him and even refrains from seeking information about the Nine Provinces from the Reincarnation Tree for fear someone might investigate.

Once the name Nine Provinces is exposed, it will indeed invite significant trouble; aligning with mainstream entities like the Vast Ocean carries risks.

Everyone naturally understood this principle. Longbai said, "There is no such thing as gaining benefits without needing to pay a price in this world. While the Nine Provinces have just been promoted, we are all at the early cultivation stage. Relying solely on searching for spirit jade in the stellar space, who knows how long it will take to ascend to the Moon Jade Sun Blaze stage? The former Nine Provinces' glory was not born out of hiding. Such a rare opportunity should not be missed!"

Immediately, a large group of people nodded in agreement.

Those who didn't nod weren't unwilling to go to the Vast Ocean but were more concerned about weighing the pros and cons.

Pang Zhen also agreed, "Opportunities are rare and indeed shouldn't be missed. Some risks must be taken, and hiding won't help in some matters. You can't cower because of fear; only by becoming strong can you have the power to protect yourself when danger comes!"

Lu Ye said, "It seems that everyone agrees to go to the Vast Ocean."

Pang Zhen laughed, "If they didn't agree, why would they come here?"

Lu Ye nodded, "Alright then, let's come up with a plan. The Nine Provinces currently have fifteen hundred people among the Constellations, and I plan to take three hundred people to explore the way. Once we've established a foothold in the Vast Ocean and familiarized ourselves with the routes, those who still wish to go can do so on their own!"

Pang Zhen said, "Three hundred people… isn't that a bit too few?" Though knowing Lu Ye couldn't take everyone, three hundred out of fifteen hundred seemed only a fraction.

Lu Ye said, "We don't need too many in the first batch, and this action isn't solely about the Nine Provinces. The Jade Conch Star System, Qingli Dao World, and Jade Conch World all need to send people as well. I've already visited Qingli Dao World, but haven't contacted Jade Conch World yet. However, given the Nine Provinces' current foundation, standing firm in the Vast Ocean requires cooperation with the other two worlds because they have Moon Jade, and we don't."

Pang Zhen nodded, understanding.

After a moment of silence, Longbai cleared his throat and asked, "Fifteen hundred people selecting three hundred, how should we choose? Yiye, do you have any ideas?"

With about seven hundred people gathered here, many others not present also awaited eagerly. Choosing three hundred from them wouldn't be easy.

Lu Ye quickly said, "I'm only responsible for leading the way. You all can discuss the selection process among yourselves, just make sure it's harmonious! This opportunity isn't the only one!"

He had never intended to get involved in the selection process. He only needed to take his close friends to the Vast Ocean if they were willing. He wouldn't force anyone against their wishes.

As he spoke, Lu Ye took out a storage ring and handed it to Pang Zhen: "Senior Brother Pang, please take care of the contents and distribute them as you see fit later."

After saying this, Lu Ye stood up and soared into the sky.

What was left to Pang Zhen was, of course, the starships and battleships he had brought back from the Vast Ocean. He had left part of them at Unparalleled, and except for one kept as a spare, the rest were given to Pang Zhen.

Seeing Lu Ye leave, Pang Zhen and Longbai exchanged a look, both smiling wryly, realizing Lu Ye didn't want to offend anyone and had passed the hot potato to them.

Despite feeling helpless, they could only steel themselves to discuss with everyone.

Once Lu Ye left the Governor's Hall, he found a desolate place to call out, "Number Nine."

Beside him, a mysterious energy gathered, and soon Number Nine appeared, still in the form of a rabbit. After glancing at Lu Ye, he was suddenly furious, "That woman is too much, how could she torment you like this? Look at how you've been tormented, Lu Ye. Do you want me to teach her a lesson?"

Lu Ye couldn't help but laugh, "No need for teaching. Kids shouldn't speak carelessly, and I've already given her a good lesson."