Although the Worldscript was not a large event at the scale of the entire Nine Odysseys Megaverse, it still drew in many people from all organizations. At the very least, it was regarded as more important than the contest to determine the Grand Swordmaster of the Four Commands Sword Sect.
There were even rare occasions when people saw the Greater Sancti’s disciples attending the Worldscript.
Lu Yin had learned about the event from Elder Le during their journey to the Everchange Valley. After all, the Everchange Valley constantly kept an eye on the Autumnspring Slip.
“How long until the Worldscript ends?” Lu Yin asked.
Ming Xiaolong answered, “Half a year.”
“That long?”
“Do you think that it’s easy to find those characters? The Autumnspring Slip isn’t foolish. People show up, find the characters, and then leave. Why would they hand out such opportunities for free? Of course they want things to last for as long as possible. Dragging their Worldscript out not only allows the Autumnspring Slip to build a good relationship with various factions, but it also allows their disciples to make a profit.”
Lu Yin was caught off guard. “Make a profit?”
Ming Xiaolong scoffed. “In addition to the hidden characters, there are ones written by disciples of the Autumnspring Slip. How will anyone know if the character is real or fake before using them? The Autumnspring Slip’s disciples also search for the hidden characters, but while doing so, they use the opportunity to sell off the characters that they wrote themselves. Those with discerning eyes are able to tell the difference, but most people aren’t able to do that, so they buy the characters as a gamble. Selling even just a few real characters can make someone quite rich.”
“Don’t the buyers worry about getting fakes?”
“That’s the clever bit with the Autumnspring Slip—they don’t allow fakes. Every character needs to be shown before it is sold, and the prices are uniform. If you buy a real one, then it’s real, and if you buy a fake one, then it’s no one’s fault but your own. You can’t complain. That’s why, during every Worldscript, even though the Autumnspring Slip loses a great many characters that they’ve written, they also gain a great deal in return, in both goodwill and resources. They don’t suffer any real losses, especially since their reputation also improves. When the characters are used, more and more people want to buy them.”
Lu Yin was impressed. “They really know how to peddle their products, huh? In fact, they’re just like the Everchange Valley. You rely on the Heaven and Earth Aura to gain resources and build connections. Speaking of which...” Lu Yin paused and looked at Ming Xiaolong. “Is that why the Autumnspring Slip wants to create a second Everchange Valley?”
Ming Xiaolong gave Lu Yin a pointed look. You’d only know that if you’d done it yourself. “You can only appreciate how wonderful it is by experiencing it for yourself. The Autumnspring Slip has been envious of us for far too long. The Everchange Valley’s greatest external connection is with Lesser Sancte Xing Fan, while the Autumnspring Slip has no ties to any of the Lesser Sancti. It’s extremely difficult to make such a connection, and that’s why they envy us.”
Lu Yin nodded. Wan Lou had only spoken superficially, while Ming Xiaolong was going into a great deal more detail, making things clear.
In the crudest terms: if enough daughters were married off to form close alliances, then everyone would become part of an extended network. With that, a person could take control, as they would be the father-in-law of the world.
“I can’t wait half a year.”
Ming Xiaolong frowned. “I don’t care what your situation is, as my request is more important. Otherwise, you can forget about completing it.”
Lu Yin’s voice turned cold. “Do you really believe that you can threaten me? Your request will never change. Fine. I’ll go do something else, and we can talk again in a hundred years. When your request is completed means nothing to me.”
Ming Xiaolong became frustrated. When her request was completed might not matter to Lu Yin, but it was completely different for Ming Xiaochou. The longer it took to rescue him, the more likely it was that he would be corrupted by the Autumnspring Slip. By the time he returned, there might no longer be a place for him in the Everchange Valley.
With that in mind, the woman’s tone softened considerably. “You don’t need to wait half a year. Even just a month will be enough.”
“Why?”
“Someone should be leaving in about a month.”
Lu Yin was surprised. “Is it someone you’re afraid of?”
Ming Xiaolong’s voice dropped low. “Who isn’t afraid of that woman?”
“Tell me.”
Ming Xiaolong said, “There’s nothing more to say. We’ll both compromise: one month. In one month, you can head to Ridgeplain. If you refuse, don’t expect to receive any requests from my sisters, and you’ll never be able to justify yourself to Master.”
Lu Yin thought for a moment. “Fine, but I have a condition of my own.”
Ming Xiaolong frowned. “Don’t push things. We both have to agree to compromise. Don’t try to make it so that I’m the one losing out.”
Lu Yin stared at Ming Xiaolong. “Xing Fan once went into seclusion here in the Everchange Valley, right? I want to go see that place.”
Ming Xiaolong was taken aback. “What did you say?”
“Take me to where Xing Fan went into seclusion.”
Ming Xiaolong’s expression instantly turned strange. “You want to visit Lesser Sancte Xing Fan’s place of seclusion?”
“That’s right.” Lu Yin had not forgotten that Xing Fan had cooperated with Yue Ya and almost “fished” Lu Yin into the Nine Odysseys Megaverse. While Yue Ya could be considered half-broken now, Xing Fan was still a very real threat.
Ming Xiaolong studied Lu Yin for a moment. He expected her to say a great deal more, but surprisingly, she immediately agreed. “A'zuo, escort this man to where Lesser Sancte Xing Fan was in seclusion.”
Someone abruptly appeared. There was no question that he was one of the experts who had recently tried to attack Lu Yin.
The man had to be someone who had received a Seed Transfusion to reach the level of a peak Dukkhan.
Lu Yin had encountered many peak Dukkhans since arriving in the Nine Odysseys Megaverse, but even at that level, there could be an immense disparity between people. For example, Lu Yin had no doubt that the High Seraph could easily deal with A'zuo.
Cultivation was one aspect, while combat strength was something else entirely.
Only those like the High Seraph or Yue Ya could represent the true power of a peak Dukkhan. Even if someone else matched their cultivation level, their strength would lag far behind. Even peak Dukkhans who had not accepted Seed Transfusions would struggle to match the Lesser Sancti in strength.
Within the same cultivation realm, Lu Yin was invincible. That alone proved the difference. What was the point in having the same cultivation as everyone else?
The number of peak Dukkhans in the Nine Odysseys Megaverse was not indicative of a greater level of talent. Instead, it was instead proof that the Nine Odysseys Megaverse harvested the Spirit Nidus for resources. Having a second life granted infinite possibilities. With the protection of Immortals, the megaverse had infinite opportunities, which none of the other three megaverses could compare to.
As for Seed Transfusion, that was even more special. Each spirit seed that could be used for Seed Transfusion added to the foundation of an organization. The ability to suddenly create experts was the strongest foundation of the Nine Odysseys Megaverse.
Even if a sect lost an entire generation, their power would not simply vanish. How terrifying was that?
This was the level of a cosmic civilization that could truly confront a terrifying invasive species like the Nest civilization, which could infinitely spawn adaptive insects.
A'zuo said nothing as he led the way out of the valley with Lu Yin close behind.
Shui Su did not leave the Everchange Valley, and she was instead offered a place to stay. Elder Le was quite generous to the woman.
A'zuo soon led Lu Yin to where Xing Fan had trained in seclusion.
At that moment, Lu Yin finally understood the reason for Ming Xiaolong’s strange look after hearing Lu Yin’s request.
He found himself in a tranquil ravine that had a small river flowing through it. The water was surrounded by trees that were covered with pink blossoms. Just the sight alone made the ravine noteworthy.
A single courtyard had been built along the riverbank. Inside, the courtyard was decorated with pink ribbons that hung everywhere. The floor was carpeted with layers of pink petals, and the rooms themselves had been painted pink. From the dressing table to the silk curtains—even the individual pieces of lace were all pink.