Ba Yue suddenly turned around. “You are too insolent.”
As she spoke, she pressed a hand down. Her crimson robes stirred despite there being no wind, and Lifeforce and Immortal matter gathered in her palm. In a normal situation, even someone who had obtained the pinnacle of strength beneath the Immortal realm would be left in a sorry state after receiving such a strike. It should be more than enough for Ba Yue to establish her authority.
But Lu Yin did not move at all, and he simply allowed the hand to fall.
Ba Yue’s palm stopped less than half an inch away from Lu Yin’s forehead. She stared at him. “Are you not afraid of death?”
Lu Yin lifted his eyes. “Why not finish the blow?”
Ba Yue sneered. “You’re relying on the fact that you come from another human civilization. You know that I want to use you to find your civilization, so you believe that I won’t kill you. Not bad. Quite bold.”
Lu Yin gave a small smile. It was indeed possible to interpret his behavior in that way.
Ba Yue withdrew her hand and sat in the primary seat of the main hall. “State your origins, your coordinates, and your purpose. I can grant you the treatment you deserve. We are both human, so whatever you enjoyed in your own civilization, you can enjoy here as well.”
If Lu Yin had encountered someone with sufficient authority before seeing the truth of Crimson Starshade, he might have truly been tempted. Unfortunately, after seeing the Path of Dispassion, he had no interest in this civilization at all.
It was only because they were both human civilizations that it was possible for them to watch over and help one another, but he would never allow these two human civilizations to come into contact with each other.
The Path of Dispassion cared about nothing, but Lu Yin’s people were different. They could be easily influenced by this path.
“More importantly, tell me how you got in.” There was a profound depth to Ba Yue’s gaze as she stared at Lu Yin. This last point was crucial.
Four Immortal beings guarded their megaverse in four different directions. Not to mention someone who had reached the pinnacle of strength beneath the Immortal realm, it should be impossible for even an Immortal to silently slip past their watch. And yet, Lu Yin had done exactly that. This indicated the possibility of a hole in their civilization’s defenses, which was a serious matter.
Lu Yin shrugged. “If I said that I entered openly, would you believe me?”
Ba Yue frowned. “Your name is Lu Yin, yes?”
“Yes.”
“Don’t force my hand. Since you were able to reach this place, it means that your own civilization isn’t that far away. If I want to find it, I can.” Ba Yue’s voice turned cold. “Don’t risk your own life to joke with me. You can’t afford it.”
Lu Yin nodded. “Fair enough. There’s no point in talking to you. Have whoever really calls the shots behind you come out.”
“Insolent!” Ba Yue struck again. This time, she was genuinely enraged and showed no restraint. She slammed her hand down, yet she still failed to land a blow. The crimson umbrella behind Lu Yin’s chair opened on its own and blocked her attack.
Ba Yue looked to the side. At some point in time, an old man had appeared there. He was not wearing crimson, but instead a long robe that looked like a scholar’s. He held a wine gourd in one hand, and watched things play out with a slight smirk.
Lu Yin’s attention also shifted to the old man, entirely ignoring Ba Yue.
“Sect Master.” Ba Yue was puzzled. “This child is far too insolent.”
The old man smiled and shook his head, waving a hand. “I know, but this is enough. There’s no need to try to scare him. This kid has no intention of being frightened at all.”
Ba Yue looked at Lu Yin and saw his calm eyes. There was even a faint smile on his lips. She truly could not understand his reaction. How could anyone who had not stepped into the Immortal realm dare to be so insolent? Could this brat be an Aberrant?
“You’re standing too close to me. Men and women should maintain a bit of distance,” Lu Yin blandly commented.
Ba Yue glared, wishing that she could strike again.
Lu Yin looked at the old man. “Are you the sect master of the Sect of Dispassion?”
The old man smiled and nodded. “This old man is Jiu Wen.”[1]
Lu Yin glanced at the wine gourd. “Those who drink are people with feelings.”
Jiu Wen smiled. “There are dispassionate people too. You just haven’t seen them.”
He turned back to Ba Yue. “Girl, sit down. Don’t be so impulsive.”
Lu Yin looked at Ba Yue. “You haven’t cultivated the Path of Dispassion.”
He had deliberately provoked her, but she had flown into a rage much too easily. That did not match how someone who followed the Path of Dispassion should behave.
Ba Yue’s eyes narrowed. “You’d better confess honestly. If not, the suffering of the Path of Dispassion is something that you are unable to endure, even if you’re an Aberrant.”
“Oh? You guessed it. Not bad. I am indeed an Aberrant.” Lu Yin smiled.
Ba Yue said no more. An Aberrant was qualified to speak with her as an equal.
Jiu Wen sized Lu Yin up with interest. “Alright, kid, what’s your name?”
Lu Yin looked at Jiu Wen. “Lu Yin.”
“A good name. The word ‘yin’ speaks of countless cultivators’ entire lives. Many who cultivate ultimately only wish to hide themselves, just the same as entire civilizations.” Jiu Wen sighed.
Lu Yin said, “Your name is good too, Senior. Jiu Wen: inquiring the wine. Everything is in the wine.”
Jiu Wen burst out laughing. “Is that so? My master gave me this name. At the time, I didn’t want it. I even named myself Jiu Tian instead, but alas, Master didn’t agree.”
Lu Yin said nothing.
Ba Yue frowned. “Sect Master, this child is from another human civilization.”
Jiu Wen hummed. “I know. that’s quite obvious. In our civilization, someone who hasn’t walked the Path of Dispassion might as well be a rare beast. You only reached the Immortal realm by luck, but this child is different.”
He looked Lu Yin up and down. “Lu Yin, do you mind telling us about your human civilization?”
Lu Yin answered directly. “I do.”
Ba Yue’s gaze instantly grew sharp, and Jiu Wen showed puzzlement. “Why? We are both human civilizations, so we should support each other. Humanity as a whole is one family.”
Lu Yin countered, “Does Crimson Starshade truly treat humanity as one family?”
“Of course.”
“But you don’t even care about your own family.”