Star Odyssey

Xu Xiangyin and Mu Sanye stood at the base of the beam of light that shot upwards. They stared at each other for a moment before turning back to look at the light. Who could have successfully crossed the Void Pass? Could it have possibly been Xuan Qi? They had not yet seen him, which meant that he had either left long ago, or...

Xu Xiangyin felt his pulse quicken as he thought of something impossible.

Mu Sanye's face grew pale. It can’t be Xuan Qi, can it? There’s no way we would be so unlucky.

Then, Lu Yin emerged from the beam of light, revealing himself to the few people who had already gathered there.

Xu Xiangyin let out a burst of laughter and ecstatically shouted, "It really was Xuan Qi!"

Mu Sanye's face turned ashen. Was this even possible? He had never even imagined the possibility of Xuan Qi successfully crossing the Void Pass. It was supposed to be an impossible challenge. Just how terrifying was this child’s talent for him to have overcome the Void Pass?

Xu Heng and Xu Leng both cheered, "Congratulations, Junior Brother!" freew(e)bnove(l)

Their cheers caused the man in sunglasses, Xu Wuji, to be surprised. Junior Brother?

Xu Xiangyin was also rather startled. He recognized both Xu Heng and Xu Leng, as their Void Yang and Void Yin clans were famous throughout the entire Voidforce Universe. Individually, each clan had a powerhouse with the strength of a Void Morphora, but if they joined forces, they could give rise to a Void Suprema. Both of the clans were the descendents of Venerable Xuyi.

How did Xuan Qi know them?

Lu Yin first offered a bow to Xu Wuji and proceeded to greet Xu Heng and Xu Leng with a smile. Only after that did he turn to face Xu Xiangyin. "Senior, this junior has completed his task."

Xu Xiangyin released another burst of laughter. There was only one thought on his mind at this moment: Xuan Qi belonged to the Voidforce Universe, and no one could steal him away.

Lu Yin turned to Mu Sanye, "I apologize, Senior."

There was a bitter expression on Mu San's face. What could he even say? The young man had successfully crossed the Void Pass, proving his determination to join the Voidforce Universe. Even if Mu San forcibly dragged Xuan Qi back to the Arboreal Realm, it would be pointless. "Congratulations."

Xu Wuji lifted his sunglasses. "All of you know him?"

Xu Xiangyin answered, "Senior, his name is Xuan Qi, and he is here from the Sixverse Academy."

Xu Wuji was surprised by the news. "Is he the exceptionally talented child from a foreign universe?"

Xu Xiangyin beamed with pride. "Exactly so!"

After that, Xu Xiangyin glanced curiously at Xu Heng and Xu Leng. "How did you two come to know Xuan Qi?"

Xu Heng chuckled. "Our paths happened to cross just a short while ago in the Void Pass. Brother Xuan Qi helped the two of us, and we've already embraced him as our junior brother."

Xu Leng smiled. "Xuan Qi is a younger brother to both our Void Yin and Void Yang clans."

Both Xu Wuji and Xu Xiangyin reacted with shock, as they were both aware of the tumultuous relationship between Xu Heng and Xu Leng. Were the two actually getting along with each other now? And on top of that, they seemed to be hinting that their clans would start working together. Could this be a sign of the two clans merging? That would be earth-shattering news.

Lu Yin humbly commented, "I merely played a small part. It’s often that the players in a game are blind to the broader picture. Senior Brother, Senior Sister, please don't praise me too lavishly."

Xu Leng just laughed. "Junior brother, there's no need for such modesty. Now that you've crossed the Void Pass, do you have any requests?"

That question caused all eyes to once again turn to Lu Yin. Anyone who managed to cross the Void Pass would be granted the opportunity to become Lord Xu's disciple, or accept any other powerhouse from the Voidforce Universe as their master.

Everyone was eager to hear Xuan Qi’s intentions.

Normally, there would not even be a question, as everyone would undoubtedly decide to become Lord Xu's disciple.

No one considered any other option, as becoming Lord Xu's disciple was no different from instantly ascending to the heavens in a single step. It was the opportunity of a lifetime, as Lord Xu had already stated that not even he could decline a request from the person to overcome the Void Pass.

More people started to arrive. They each first paid their respects to Xu Wuji before directing curious gazes onto Lu Yin from a distance. All of them were wondering who the youth was.

Lu Yin drew a deep breath. Crossing the Void Pass did indeed allow him the opportunity to become Lord Xu’s disciple, but Lu Yin already had Mister Mu as his master, which made accepting Lord Xu as his master completely out of the question. With this in mind, determination filled Lu Yin’s eyes. "I wish to ask Senior Xu Wuwei to act as my guide in cultivating voidforce energy."

A ripple of confusion swept the crowd. What did the young man mean by his guide? Could they have misheard? It seemed quite clear that "Lord Xu" had not been mentioned, but rather "Xu Wuwei" instead.

Xu Xiangyin immediately asked, "Xuan Qi, what did you just say? Can you repeat it?"

Lu Yin respectfully replied, "I wish to ask Senior Xu Wuwei to be my guide in cultivating voidforce energy."

Xu Xiangyin was baffled. What did Xuan Qi even mean? What was a cultivation guide?

"Are you not going to ask Lord Xu to be your master?" Xu Wuji asked in surprise.

Xu Heng grew anxious. "Junior Brother, don't be reckless! You only have one chance!"

"Think carefully before you speak," Xu Leng warned Lu Yin as well.

The people who were listening from further away were also bewildered by Lu Yin’s request. Had the boy lost his mind after crossing the Void Pass? Why had he not asked Lord Xu to become his master?

Lu Yin solemnly repeated, "I wish to ask Senior Xu Wuwei to be my guide in cultivating voidforce energy."

"Xuan Qi!" Xu Xiangyin barked, glaring at the young man, "What is this nonsense that you’re spouting? Do you understand that you are able to ask Lord Xu to be your master?"

Lu Yin solemnly replied, "Lord Xu is too great a figure and is beyond this junior’s reach."

Xu Xiangyin’s body trembled from rage as he pointed a finger at Lu Yin.

Xu Wuji waved a hand, and a surge of voidforce energy swept over Xu Xiangyin, calming him down. Xu Wuji then redirected his attention to Lu Yin, giving the youth a strange look. "Too great a figure? Do you understand what you just said?"

Lu Yin respectfully answered, "I do. Lord Xu is the creator of this Voidforce Universe and an unprecedentedly great individual. Having the opportunity to ask Lord Xu to become my master is an opportunity that others can only dream of, but..." He hesitated and glanced at Xu Wuji before glancing back at the beam of light that was starting to finally fade. "I still wish to ask for Senior Xu Wuwei's guidance in my cultivation."

Xu Wuji's eyes flickered, as he immediately understood. Something must have happened after Xuan Qi had crossed the Void Pass, and that prevented him from asking Lord Xu to be his master.

Xu Wuji was aware of just how important the Void Pass was. Xuan Qi had successfully crossed it, but had Lord Xu appeared or not? It seemed very likely that he had. With this possibility in mind, Xu Wuji asked, "Very well, but even if you don't want to ask Lord Xu to be your master, why would you not at least ask Senior Xu Wuwei to be your master? Why merely ask him to guide your cultivation?"

This was something that Xu Wuji simply could not understand at all.

Lu Yin explained in a resigned tone, "This junior has met Senior Xu Wuwei before, but due to certain circumstances, he did not accept me as his disciple. While I may be entitled to ask for it anyways after crossing the Void Pass, I have no desire to place him in an awkward position. All I ask is for him to guide me and help me cultivate the power of the Voidforce Universe."

Xu Wuji turned to look at Xu Xiangyin. "Is this true?"

Xu Xiangyin heaved a sigh. "Yes."

He had already considered that Xuan Qi might have undisclosed reasons for not being able to accept Lord Xu as his master, but Xu Xiangyin did not dare to speculate on anything concerning Lord Xu.

Xu Wuji shook his head in regret. The young man had amply demonstrated his worth by crossing the Void Pass, which made it quite unfortunate that he could not become Lord Xu's disciple, or even Senior Xu Wuwei’s disciple.

There had been a time when Xu Wuji himself had dreamed of becoming Xu Wuwei's disciple.

"Junior Brother, there are many peak powerhouses in our Voidforce Universe. Why not ask one of them to be your master?" Xu Leng suggested.

Lu Yin arched a brow. This senior sister was setting a trap. Was she not subtly suggesting that he ask the Progenitor-level powerhouse in front of him to become his master? How could he possibly agree to that?

"I wish to cultivate under Senior Xu Wuwei’s guidance, even if he holds no affection for me," Lu Yin quickly replied.

Xu Leng seemed about to say something further, but Xu Heng stepped in and stopped her from saying anything more.

It was clear to everyone that Xuan Qi wished to cultivate under Xu Wuwei’s guidance. Any further discussion would only embarrass Xu Wuji.

Xu Wuji wistfully remarked, "Having the chance to learn from Senior Xu Wuwei is indeed a stroke of luck. I also longed for that opportunity once, but he did not accept me." After a moment, the Progenitor turned to Lu Yin. "Your name is Xuan Qi, isn’t it?"

"Yes, Senior," Lu Yin replied respectfully.

Xu Wuji nodded approvingly. "Treasure this opportunity and be diligent in your pursuits under Xu Wuwei’s guidance. In the future, you might still have the chance to be accepted as his disciple. You have chosen to forfeit the privilege that you are entitled to for crossing the Void Pass rather than inconvenience him, which could change his impression of you."

After speaking, Xu Wuji left. With the Void Pass gone, he had lost his favorite place to relax, and he needed to find a replacement.

A collective sigh of relief filled the area after Xu Wuji was gone.

Xu Xiangyin looked disappointed. "What can I say?"

Xu Heng replied, "Everyone has their own aspirations."

Lu Yin said, "No matter what, I now have the opportunity to receive Senior Xu Wuwei’s guidance. Given his character, he will surely guide me to the best of his abilities."

"You’re not wrong." One of the more distant figures approached. He was another expert with a level of strength equal to a Semi-Progenitor, which made him a peer of Xu Xiangyin and the others with Lu Yin. "I once sought to be accepted as Senior Xu Wuwei's disciple, and I traveled far and wide while searching for fine cuisine to please him. While I never succeeded, I still learned much from him, and that has led to my current strength. It’s your great fortune to be able to receive Senior Xu Wuwei’s guidance. That will be no less of an advantage to you than becoming the disciple of some other peak powerhouse in the Voidforce Universe."

Lu Yin expressed his gratitude, "Thank you for your advice, Senior."

The man nodded in approval before also leaving, noticeably impressed by Lu Yin's behavior.

"Xuan Qi, are you really certain that you want to stay here in the Voidforce Universe?" Mu San asked again.

Xu Xiangyin grew annoyed. "Enough, Mu San! With things already reaching this point, what else is there to be said? It was only because Xu Wuwei was opposed to Xuan Qi joining the Voidforce Universe that I agreed to let him join the Arboreal Realm. Now that he has the chance to follow Senior Xu Wuwei, there is no way I will willingly allow him to leave."

Lu Yin replied, "I am grateful for your gracious favor, Senior, but I really do wish to stay in the Voidforce Universe."

Mu Sanye sighed. "Senior Mu Ke is no worse than Senior Xu Wuwei. If you can't become Xu Wuwei's disciple, why not become Senior Mu Ke's?”

Mu San saw that Xu Xiangyin was ready to argue again, and he let out a sigh. "Forget it. You’ve already come this far, and further insistence is pointless. Xuan Qi, the doors of my Arboreal Realm will always remain open to you. If you ever regret your decision, you are welcome to come to my Arboreal Realm, and I will find a way to free you from the Voidforce Universe."

Mu San then quickly left before Xu Xiangyin could start cursing him again.

"Bah, hypocrite!" Xu Xiangyin fumed.

Lu Yin felt helpless. Because of the innate gift that he had obtained from his arboreal transformation, the Arboreal Realm had become overly persistent in getting him to join their universe.

Suddenly, a thought dawned upon Lu Yin: could the Arboreal Realm be related to Mister Mu? He had never considered the possibility before. If there truly was a connection, then he could only be humiliated. Still, if that connection did exist, Mister Mu had never mentioned it, so Lu Yin could not be faulted for his ignorance.

"Junior Brother, would you like to visit our clans?" Xu Leng offered.

Xu Heng stopped her. "This isn’t the time. Our junior brother just crossed the Void Pass and has requested Senior Xu Wuwei to guide him. Senior should have learned of this by now, and he may even already be on his way."

Xu Leng realized that there was some truth to these words.

Lu Yin smiled at the two. "I'll be sure to pay you both a visit in the future."

"We'll be waiting for you," Xu Leng replied.

It was not long before the two also left.

Xu Xiangyin said, "I never thought that you would have such a good relationship with those two, especially since you’ve only known them for a short time. How did you manage it?"

Lu Yin smiled as he shared what had happened. It was not a complicated story, so he finished with just a few sentences explaining everything. Xu Xiangyin stared at the youth in disbelief. "That’s it? That’s all?"

"That’s all," Lu Yin confirmed.