As Hu Guang's words fell, many of the guests frowned. Though the Moon Jade who attended this invitation came from various races, none had truly attempted such a thing as eating people.

Even the Moon Jade who had earlier expressed anticipation for the Blood Food Ritual showed discomfort at this moment.

If Zixuan Island had presented a spirit beast, he would have delighted in it, but instead, they presented a Moon Jade human!

Just as Lu Ye had never used the Talent Tree's power to refine the energy within cultivators' bodies—not because he could not do it, but because there was a natural psychological repulsion against it.

The lively atmosphere suddenly became a bit awkward.

Seeing this, Hu Guang smiled slightly: "What, do you all eat spirit beasts but not others? Not to hide anything, in our Zixuan Demon Planet, such quality of Blood Food Ritual is the true Blood Food Ritual; the previous ones don't count. Please trust me, Hu, today will definitely be an unforgettable experience for you all."

Saying this, he turned to look at Lion Heart: "Senior Brother."

Lion Heart remained seated and unmoving, only nodding slightly: "Begin!" 𝒇𝒓𝒆𝒆𝙬𝒆𝒃𝓷𝒐𝓿𝙚𝙡.𝒄𝓸𝒎

"Yes!" Hu Guang responded, walking toward the bamboo bed, and in a few steps, stood before it. He flipped his wrist, grasping a slender dirk, and spoke: "Worry not, I am skilled with the blade and will ensure you taste the freshest Blood Food. The Blood Food will not die before today's feast ends."

The dirk waved, poised to stab.

At that moment, a wine cup suddenly flew out, attacking Hu Guang and blocking the path of the dirk's strike. A crisp sound rang out as the wine cup shattered into powder.

Hu Guang looked up at Lu Ye.

Simultaneously, Lu Ye was enveloped in several powerful presences. Almost the moment he intervened, these presences descended, emanating from the Moon Jade cultivators of Zixuan Island, their expressions unfriendly. Clearly prepared, else their reaction could not have been so swift.

"What is the meaning of this, Fellow Daoist?" Hu Guang squinted at Lu Ye.

Shrouded by many Moon Jade auras, Lu Ye could not make any rash moves. As he pondered how to save Wey Po, Hu Guang's aura grew incredibly dangerous, glaring at Lu Ye and saying: "Fellow Daoist, you may not be aware, but the Blood Food Ritual is a sacred and supreme ceremony for our Demon Race. If anyone dares interrupt during this ceremony, our Demon Race will fight to the death with them. Though you are a guest, you'd best have a suitable reason."

This fellow acted ignorant while understanding perfectly. Lu Ye could not expose him and could only say: "Fellow Daoist, calm your anger. The person on the bamboo bed is my Three Worlds Island cultivator, who mysteriously disappeared a year ago. We have been searching for his whereabouts without any news, and now he has been captured by your island and is about to be made a sacrifice for the Blood Food Ritual?"

Hu Guang had a face of feigned surprise: "This is your Three Worlds Island cultivator?"

His surprise was an act, but the surprise of many guests was genuine. However, they quickly speculated and finally understood why Zixuan Island suddenly invited them here.

Today's feast was clearly a scheme targeting Three Worlds Island by Zixuan Island. The guests were just spectators. They naturally didn't bother with such matters to avoid getting involved, merely staying in their seats, observing the developments.

Before Lu Ye could respond, Hu Guang pursued another question: "Are you certain this is your Three Worlds Island cultivator?"

Lu Ye nodded: "I'm certain!"

"Very good!" Hu Guang sneered coldly, turning to Lion Heart and cupping his fists: "Senior Brother, we have found the culprit who killed our Zixuan Island cultivator!"

Lion Heart snorted coldly, looking down at Lu Ye with an overbearing gaze: "Your Three Worlds Island is truly bold!"

Lu Ye frowned: "What does the First Island Master mean by this?"

Lion Heart said nothing, but Hu Guang angrily interjected: "Didn't Fellow Daoist want to know why our Zixuan Island captured this person and even planned to use him as a Blood Food Ritual sacrifice? Let me tell you, a year ago, this person passed near our Zixuan Island and unreasonably killed several of our Zixuan Constellation. Hence, we captured him. In this year's time, we have been investigating his background but found nothing. Turns out he is from Three Worlds Island! Heh..."

With a cold laugh, he continued to fix his gaze on Lu Ye: "Fellow Daoist, our Zixuan and Three Worlds Island have no past grievances. Why then would your Moon Jade kill our Zixuan cultivators? Is it because you think our Zixuan is easy to bully?"

Lu Ye looked at him saying: "Three Worlds Island has not stood long in the All Phenomena Ocean. Our foundation is still shallow, and our island's cultivators always act with caution, never enmity without cause. Fellow Daoist claims our local island cultivator killed your Constellation; is there not some misunderstanding?"

The claim that Wey Po killed Zixuan cultivators near Zixuan Island was something Lu Ye absolutely did not believe. However, this was the argument they presented, and countering it would be futile. For now, he could only think of how to protect Wey Po's life.

A soft voice suddenly came from directly in front of Lu Ye: "Indeed, Three Worlds Island has not stood long in the All Phenomena Ocean, but its battle achievements are remarkable. It quickly occupied a high-class Spirit Island, a speed and efficiency considered unprecedented in the All Phenomena Ocean. It commands our admiration. Fellow Daoist Lu, is this not the very lack of enmity you mentioned? And truly, those in enmity with Three Worlds Island soon meet their end. From such a perspective, Fellow Daoist Lu's words are not entirely incorrect."

Lu Ye looked at the smiling Yuan Cheng and said flatly: "The war with Baiyue, was Three Worlds Island's self-defensive counterattack, not proactively instigated by us. The reasons within, Fellow Daoist Yuan should know best. Why speak in such an insidious manner here?"

"I don't know," Yuan Cheng shook his head. "I only know that Baiyue has been taken over by you, and all the Moon Jade on Baiyue Island have been completely slain. If those numerous Constellations hadn't run fast, they probably wouldn't have survived. Your actions, Fellow Daoist, are decisive and ruthless. I truly admire you. Here, let me toast to you, borrowing flowers to offer Buddha."

Saying this, he drank on his own.

Lu Ye ignored him. Yuan Cheng was intentionally adding fuel to the fire here, and paying attention to him was meaningless. He turned to Hu Guang and said, "Fellow Daoist says my Three Worlds Island cultivator killed a Zixuan Constellation. This matter should be a misunderstanding. Could you lift the restriction and let me inquire about it?"

Hu Guang said coldly, "There is no misunderstanding. I saw it with my own eyes that day. This person was indeed captured by me."

Lu Ye couldn't help but frown.

Hu Guang's words left him no room for negotiation.

While contemplating, Hu Guang changed his tone and said, "Previously, our Zixuan has been investigating this person's background. Now that we know he is a cultivator from Three Worlds Island, and Fellow Daoist Lu is the Third Island Master of Three Worlds Island, in this case, could Fellow Daoist provide an explanation to our Zixuan?"

Lu Ye asked, "What kind of explanation do you want?"

Without thinking, Hu Guang raised two fingers, "Two billion spirit jade as compensation for each slain Zixuan cultivator. Those deceased cultivators were the pillars of their families. Their death is a fatal blow to each of their families' development."

Lu Ye hadn't expected Hu Guang to propose such a condition and couldn't help asking, "What is the total amount?"

Hu Guang said, "He killed five of our Zixuan cultivators, making it a total of ten billion!"

Lu Ye looked at him, "Ten billion spirit jade to buy his life?"

Hu Guang smiled faintly, "If you think it's too expensive, you can refuse!"

Lu Ye pressed further, "Can you assure me that if I hand over ten billion spirit jade, I can take him safely from Zixuan Island?"

Hu Guang nodded, "Of course."

Lu Ye nodded, "Wait a moment!" Saying this, he took out an audio talisman and pretended to send a message.

Hu Guang was taken aback, obviously not expecting Lu Ye to agree so readily. Ten billion spirit jade to buy the life of a Moon Jade was a decisiveness not everyone possessed. He had set the price at ten billion as a strategy to force Lu Ye into agreeing to other demands. After all, it was an extremely unbeneficial deal. If Wey Po truly had boundless talent with great potential in the future, that would be acceptable. The key is that although Wey Po has aptitude, who can say what the future holds?

Meanwhile, on Three Worlds Island, Lu Ye's true self opened his eyes and looked at Luan Xiao'e, who had been waiting there, "Senior Sister, hurry and prepare ten billion spirit jade."

"What do you need so much spirit jade for?" Luan Xiao'e was shocked.

"To buy Wey Po's life!" Lu Ye briefly explained the situation on the side of his doppelganger.

Luan Xiao'e's expression was extremely conflicted, and after a while, she gritted her teeth and said, "Junior Brother, given the current situation, even if you really take ten billion spirit jade there, the Zixuan Island side is unlikely to simply let it go. Wey Po... probably won't survive."

Zixuan Island has been planning for a year before reaching the current setup. How could they easily reconcile with the Three Worlds Island side? The ten billion spirit jade compensation is just a pretext. Zixuan Island never thought Lu Ye would agree to this proposal. Their goal is not the ten billion spirit jade. Therefore, in Luan Xiao'e's view, sending ten billion spirit jade over is entirely futile.

It's not that she's unwilling to part with ten billion spirit jade. Although the sum is large, given the current resources of Three Worlds Island, they can still scrape it together. It's just that such an expense is of little significance.

She can see this point, so can Lu Ye on Zixuan Island. But since they made this proposal, he has no choice but to agree.

Lu Ye nodded, "I certainly know, but with Wey Po captured, we cannot stand by idly. As long as there is a slim chance, we must try our best. Rest assured, Senior Sister, if they really dare to double-cross, today we take ten billion over, tomorrow we will demand tenfold compensation!"

Naturally, Luan Xiao'e had unconditional trust in Lu Ye and nodded immediately, "Okay!"

Saying this, she turned and left.

After a short moment, Luan Xiao'e returned with a large pile of storage rings and handed them to Lu Ye, "There isn't enough spirit jade to make ten billion. I've gathered some materials to make up for it, and the total value definitely exceeds ten billion."

Lu Ye nodded, took these storage rings, and immediately left Three Worlds Island, heading in the direction of Zixuan.

After half a day, on the Zixuan Island side, Lu Ye's doppelganger looked at Hu Guang, "The spirit jade has been gathered. Please open the big array. I need to go out and fetch it."