Star Odyssey

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Ling Mu left Broken Cliff again, feeling that it was a pity to leave so quickly after her last visit.

Cheng Feng regretted Ling Mu’s first departure even more, of course, though he did not reveal that to Little Lian. He maintained his untainted appearance, just like the strands of smoke that rose from the village below. It gave him an ethereal mien, as if he was detached from the world of cultivation and lived in harmony with the beauty of nature.

It was not long before a melodious voice started to sing. It echoed out, immediately captivating Little Lian and everyone else who was fortunate enough to hear it.

The voice even reached Lu Yin, prompting him to immediately turn back to look at Broken Cliff. The voice he heard possessed the remarkable ability to sway the emotions of those who heard it. A captivating essence seemed to unfurl like an intricately painted scroll. In the presence of this voice, even the stars seemed to intensify, and Lu Yin felt an indescribable surge of passion bubble up within him.

This song could stir emotions.

Lu Yin was immediately reminded of Luo Shen, and how her dance could also evoke people’s emotions. If she performed with Cheng Feng, it would lead to an unimaginably beautiful performance. What a pity it was that Cheng Feng was a spy.

As the song continued, Lu Yin entered the village. The ordinary people living there could not see him at all.

When he first visited the village while disguised as Tu Shuangshuang, he had felt that there was something wrong with the place, but had not been able to pinpoint what it was. He wanted more time to observe.

"Auntie, help me hold the ladder. There's a hole somewhere in the roof, and it leaks every time it rains."

"Alright, just wait a moment. I'm cleaning my hands."

"Old man, go water the crops when you can. We still need to harvest them for next year."

"Cough, cough. This cold won’t leave this old man. I don't have the strength."

"Just get out. It’s not like you’re going to die anyways."

"It'd be better if I were dead."

"Hush-"

As Lu Yin listened to the villagers chatting with each other, he gradually came to realize what was amiss.

The people of the village were ordinary humans who had been given long lives and unchanging appearances. They were able to live out their days and years in a leisurely and uneventful manner. While this was something that many people might yearn for, as the idea of living forever was very appealing, was it truly what normal people desired?

If one lived in a world full of new mysteries that could offer a fascinating life, then immortality would be delightful. This was reflected in the lives of cultivators who could casually spend centuries in seclusion while striving for the pinnacle of cultivation, constantly climbing from one peak to another while pursuing the necessary resources. But what about ordinary people? They fetched water, irrigated their fields, mended their clothes, repaired their houses, and carried out other similar mundane tasks. They repeated the exact same actions every single day. What joy could such tasks offer? They were confined to their small village for eternity. Even if they had been granted immortality, their world remained the same small village. What was the purpose of such a life?

For these people, aging was just another part of life, but the people that Lu Yin was observing had nothing, and yet were forced to live on. This was not life, but torture.

Their eyes were numb. Not even Cheng Feng's bewitching songs could stir the slightest emotions from within these people. Even Lu Yin, a cultivator close to becoming a Semi-Progenitor, was affected by the music, but these ordinary humans were completely uninterested. They had become numb to the point of losing all zest for life.

These people would rather die than continue to live such lives!

Death, that was such a simple event for most normal humans, but it had become nothing more than a distant dream for these villagers.

What people referred to as living in harmony with nature and caring for his hometown was actually nothing more than Cheng Feng's fantasy. He was exploiting the villagers to carry out his own selfish desires. How were others unable to see this?

Lu Yin turned to stare into outer space. Could an exalted figure like Sovereign Ninth Lotus not see the truth?

The song ended, but the villagers carried on in the exact same manner as ever as they numbly engaged in their various tasks.

Cheng Feng returned. "Uncle, let me hold that ladder for you."

A middle-aged man offered his gratitude, though his eyes remained indifferent.

"Auntie, why haven't you replaced your clothes yet? These ones are all torn," Cheng Feng observed.

An old woman quickly wiped her hands dry. "I’ll do that right away. I’ll go right now."

Cheng Feng laughed, filled with satisfaction. He relished the scene playing out before him as he reminisced in his childhood. These villagers had treated him well, so he wanted to grant them lives as long as possible. After all, that was what people hoped for, was it not?

Cheng Feng soon returned to his own cabin. The building had been damaged when he attacked Tu Shuangshuang, but with help from the villagers, it was slowly restored. Cheng Feng found joy in such simple tasks.

After several days, the cabin was fully repaired. Cheng Feng moved back in, and he found that it was perfectly identical to its previous state.

As darkness fell, a strange doll appeared, and it let out an eerie cackle.

It was Shaman God's signature, uncanny laughter. When Cheng Feng heard it, he also saw the nearby floating doll, and he hastily rose to his feet to offer a bow. "Lord."

In addition to Shaman God’s doll, there was another figure that could be seen, though this one was lying on the ground. It was Tu Shuangshuang.

Cheng Feng's eyes lit up. "Lord, you've captured Tu Shuangshuang?"

Shaman God’s doll replied in a low voice, "The Bureau is on its way."

"They are coming for Tu Shuangshuang. How do you want to handle this, Lord?" asked Cheng Feng.

"What do you suggest?" the doll replied.

Cheng Feng's eyes flickered, and he gritted his teeth before solemnly pleading, "I ask that you give me an opportunity to serve Aeternus further, Lord."

"You've already done quite well," the doll said with a laugh, "What more do you wish to accomplish?"

Cheng Feng knelt, having already made an important decision. "This small one asks that I be allowed to deliver Tu Shuangshuang to Sovereign Ninth Lotus, and then to ask for her support to become the next Sage Hua."

"You want to become Sage Hua?" Shaman God’s doll asked calmly.

Cheng Feng was unable to discern any emotions from the doll, though he knew that he should not have made such a request because of the task that Shaman God had already assigned him. Still, Cheng Feng could not let go of such a rare opportunity. He believed in his own worth, so even if Shaman God was irritated by the request, Cheng Feng was certain that he would not be harmed. "If I become Sage Hua, I will be able to serve Aeternus even better."

"How would you serve us if you became Sage Hua?" Shaman God asked with a smirk.

Cheng Feng was stunned. Even the thought of becoming Sage Hua was beyond anything he could comprehend. He had no idea what he would be able to do. If he misspoke out of his ignorance, he would only lower his chances of success.

For a moment, Cheng Feng had no idea how to respond.

"I’ve given you a chance. If you choose not to reply, then don't blame me," Shaman God said with a chuckle.

Cheng Feng clenched his teeth and prostrated on the floor. "I beg for your mercy. I may not understand the abilities of the powerful, but I can promise you that once I become Sage Hua, I will do anything for Aeternus, even if it costs me my life."

He possessed an unquenchable thirst for power.

"I ask that you consider the many deeds I've already accomplished. Please allow me one more chance. With my current influence and abilities, I've already managed to kill Sage Stone. If I become Sage Hua, it’s possible that I might even be able to help Aeternus in eliminating Sovereign Ninth Lotus."

Shaman God remained silent, his thoughts churning like a raging sea beneath the calm facade that the disguised Lu Yin was keeping up.

This conversation with Cheng Feng had actually revealed the truth behind Sage Stone's death to Lu Yin. Shi Jiao had mentioned that Sage Stone had died in battle, but how had Cheng Feng been involved?

"The merit that you’ve earned with Sage Stone's death is not enough for me to help you become Sage Hua," Shaman God answered indifferently.

"But Senior, you mentioned that it was an incredible achievement! Had I not learned of Sage Stone's plea for help from one of Sovereign Ninth Lotus's disciples, Cheng Kong would have never been able to kill Sage Stone before Sovereign Ninth Lotus arrived. You once said that eliminating an enemy powerhouse-”

Cheng Feng suddenly cut off and stared at Shaman God. Finally, the man rose to his feet. "You are not Shaman God."

Lu Yin's eyes narrowed. Cheng Feng had figured out what was happening. This man was truly cautious. If Lu Yin had not tried to impersonate Shaman God and tempt Cheng Feng with the possibility of becoming the next Sage Hua, Cheng Feng would have never revealed so much.

Outside Broken Cliff, Old Dian and the others from the Bureau soon approached Jiang Xiaodao, Little Lian, and Ling Mu.

They had only just arrived, so Lu Yin had already started his conversation while disguised as Shaman God. The whole thing had been recorded with a communication crystal, but the video had only been shared with the Bureau officials. As soon as they saw Cheng Feng kneel to Shaman God, they knew that they were on the right track. When they arrived at the edge of Broken Cliff, they shared the video with Ling Mu and the others.

Ling Mu and the others were dumbfounded as they watched the video show Cheng Feng kneeling to Shaman God, and they listened as Cheng Feng confessed to killing Sage Stone.

Jiang Xiaodao was completely stunned. "Shaman God is here? We need to call for help."

"That is the acting Bureau Director disguised as Shaman God," Boss Guan explained.

Old Dian and the others from the Bureau were also rather perplexed; how had the acting Bureau Director known that impersonating Shaman God would be enough to deceive Cheng Feng? Xuan Qi was becoming more and more mysterious to them.

There was a loud bang, and a lotus bloomed. Cheng Feng tried to make his escape, but his legs had already been pierced by the bone pike, and he collapsed. Lu Yin restored his appearance as Xuan Qi. "Now that you've been caught, the other spies in this universe will start to behave themselves."

Cheng Feng glared at Lu Yin. "You are Xuan Qi! You impersonated Shaman God!"

At this moment, the Bureau officials and Little Lian quickly moved onto Broken Cliff.

At the same time, people emerged from the village, all of them looking confused.

Lu Yin looked down at Cheng Feng. "I have a question for you: do you think that these villagers want to live long lives?"

Cheng Feng had not expected this particular question, as it seemed completely random. After all, this had nothing to do with him being a spy. "Of course. Who doesn't wish for longevity?"

Lu Yin turned to the villagers. "Starting today, you are free. Whether you live or die, no one will bother you."

The villagers stared at Lu Yin with blank faces.

Cheng Feng had expected the villagers to scramble over to save him, but that did not occur. Instead, the villagers numbly stared on, revealing no reaction to the sight of Cheng Feng being captured by Lu Yin. Their complete lack of emotion sent chills down Cheng Feng’s spine.

"What have you done to them?" Cheng Feng roared as he started to struggle.

It was at this moment that Little Lian and the others arrived.

"Bureau Director." Old Dian and his team quickly grabbed Cheng Feng.

Lu Yin looked at Little Lian. "Little Lian, it's been quite a while."

Little Lian was surprised to see him. "Brother Xuan Qi?"

"Xuan Qi? What are you doing here?" Jiang Xiaodao shouted.

Ling Mu also appeared, and she stared at Lu Yin. "Are you also part of the Bureau?"

"I am the acting Bureau Director of the Voidforce Universe’s Bureau, Xuan Qi," Lu Yin introduced himself. fr(e)ewebn(o)vel

Ling Mu ignored the introduction. "Give me Cheng Feng."

Lu Yin arched a brow. "Cheng Feng is a spy, and it's already been proven. Naturally, my Bureau will now interrogate him. Why should I give him to you?"

"He is also one of Sovereign Ninth Lotus’s disciples. Regardless of his possible crimes, Sovereign Ninth Lotus will be the one to deal with him," Ling Mu replied. As she spoke, more people started to arrive. All of them were Sovereign Ninth Lotus’s disciples. Eventually, five people surrounded Lu Yin and the others from the Bureau. Battle techniques and lotus flowers started to appear in the void.

Jiang Xiaodao was thrilled to see Xuan Qi’s misfortune. Going against Sovereign Ninth Lotus’s disciples? Was Xuan Qi not afraid of death? How many disciples did Sovereign Ninth Lotus have that were part of the Sixverse Association? Her disciples were not people who could be reasoned with.

Old Dian and the others from the Bureau glanced at each other. Things had just gotten very troublesome. With Sovereign Ninth Lotus’s disciples forcing their way in, it would not be easy for them to arrest Cheng Feng. Of course, Sovereign Ninth Lotus’s disciples also would not protect Cheng Feng, and his fate would be just as miserable with them as with the Bureau. However, the Bureau could not allow Sovereign Ninth Lotus’s disciples to take the spy away before he was even interrogated.