For conscients with fixed forms, when their form was injured, the damage would also be reflected upon the conscient themselves.
Hua Manyi stepped back in shock. How is this possible? "You are actually in the Universe realm. Why is someone from the Tianyuan Megaverse helping the Spirit Nidus?"
The Luminary had sensed Lu Yin’s presence the moment he entered the universe, but even that was already too late. Lu Yin had immediately disturbed the void, leaving Hua Manyi with no way to escape.
Even then, the conscient had been confident. After all, he was one of the Thirteen Luminaries.
Hua Manyi had already speculated about Lu Yin’s strength. There was no doubt that he possessed the strength of a Seraph, and he might even be as strong as Emperor Wu. However, unless one of the Thirteen Luminaries faced an opponent on the same level as the High Seraph, they would always be able to escape. That was the reason behind Hua Manyi’s confidence.
Unfortunately, he had been unaware of Lu Yin’s shocking battle with Emperor Wu. Before that battle, Lu Yin had devoured all the conscients hiding in a parallel universe, which had prevented the other hidden conscients from contacting the Spirit Nidus for a time. If not for that, Hua Manyi would have learned of Lu Yin’s true strength.
Lu Yin was indeed at the same level as the High Seraph.
A single palm strike allowed Hua Manyi to experience Lu Yin’s terrifying power. The Luminary tried to tear through the void with his consciousness and escape, but he was instantly and completely overpowered.
Lu Yin calmly observed Hua Manyi before reaching out to grab him. At the same time, Lu Yin released a powerful burst of consciousness.
Gritting his teeth, Hua Manyi swept out his hand with a flower seal. Petal-like images flickered into view, evoking the passage of time itself as space began to reverse.
Lu Yin was surprised. It resembled a technique from the Ce Secret Art.
Anchoring the Mirari Realm to the Tianyuan Megaverse had deprived both the Spirit Nidus and the Consciousness Megaverse of any real opportunity to comprehend the power of time. Without that limitation, countless experts in those two megaverses might have awakened to the powers of time and space, making them much more difficult to handle.
Even so, time remained ineffective against certain top-tier opponents.
Hua Manyi had used spatial reversal to mimic parallel timelines, simulating the power of time itself. In terms of finesse, his control over consciousness surpassed Wu Wei’s. But in terms of raw power, his consciousness was far beneath Wu Wei’s, and still further beneath Lu Yin’s.
However, using the powers of time or space against Lu Yin might as well be a joke.
Lu Yin raised a hand. Lightstream utilized the power of space to chase after time. With a flicker, Hua Manyi’s flower technique shattered. He stared in shock as Lu Yin grabbed him firmly. "A loss is a loss. If you can’t afford to lose, then don’t bother playing in the future."
With that, Lu Yin tore the void open and vanished from the universe.
He returned to the Ascendant Hall. Without even glancing at the Morrow Behemoth, he headed straight for the Apex Palace.
Lan stared at him in astonishment as Hua Manyi was thrown forward. "Let’s trade."
Hua Manyi glanced around. Lu Yin had not severely injured the conscient, but he also knew exactly where he was, so he had no intention of resisting.
No matter how independent conscients might appear to be, their instinctual desire to survive could not be denied.
They were in the Ascendant Hall. Even if Lu Yin did nothing at all, there was still the High Seraph and other Dukkhans. Forget Hua Manyi—even if all Thirteen Luminaries were present, it might still be impossible for them to escape.
The High Seraph seemed to perpetually stay within the Apex Palace, silently observing the masses from a far removed location.
"One of the Thirteen Luminaries, Hua Manyi."
Hua Manyi looked up at the Apex Palace, his misery readily seen on his face. "It’s been a long time, High Seraph."
The High Seraph’s eyes passed over the conscient to focus on Lu Yin. "Even if the Thirteen Luminaries are hiding within the Spirit Nidus, there’s no way you should have been able to find their locations. I’m very curious, how did you find this rat?"
Lu Yin answered in a confident tone, "I have my ways. If the price is right, I can find another one of the Thirteen Luminaries for you."
The High Seraph nodded. "Alright. What are your terms?"
"You already know."
"Two of the Thirteen Luminaries is enough to exempt Boundless."
Lu Yin sneered. "So much for 'orders cannot be altered or rescinded.' I just wasn’t offering you a high enough price."
The High Seraph stated, "Boundless has already done battle, but on a battlefield that is not in the Consciousness Megaverse."
"The Spirit Nidus is yours, so you can say whatever you want. What about Wu Wei?" Lu Yin pressed for the trade.
The High Seraph’s tone remained indifferent, "You can trade two of the Thirteen Luminaries for Boundless to be exempted from the expedition to the Consciousness Megaverse. What does that have to do with Wu Wei?"
Lu Yin’s expression grew cold. "Are you trying to go back on your word?"
The High Seraph casually waved a hand, and Wu Wei appeared beside him. To Lu Yin’s eyes, Wu Wei was a mass of dark clouds, though each person saw the conscient differently.
The sight of Wu Wei caused Hua Manyi to feel an inexplicable sense of relief. He was no longer the sole focus of attention; some of the attention was now diverted to Wu Wei.
Wu Wei had not expected to suddenly be treated as a bargaining chip. "Lord High Seraph, I have already pledged my loyalty to your Spirit Nidus. You promised me that no one would be allowed to enslave me. I am free."
The High Seraph looked at the conscient. "You are still free."
Wu Wei’s voice dropped low. "Then what is happening right now?"
"Your living arrangements are just being changed," the High Seraph carelessly replied.
Wu Wei was furious, yet they were also powerless to resist.
The High Seraph turned to Lu Yin. "Two of the Thirteen Luminaries can be exchanged for Boundless to be exempted from the upcoming war. Alternatively, you can trade Hua Manyi for Wu Wei. Choose."
Lu Yin understood. "If I capture another one of the Thirteen Luminaries, will I only be able to do a direct exchange?"
"Correct."
Lu Yin’s eyes flickered. He briefly considered the choice and then kicked Hua Manyi closer to the Apex Palace.
Caught off guard, Hua Manyi crashed into the building, thoroughly humiliating him. He felt completely powerless and wanted to curse, but he chose to restrain himself.
Since he had been traded once, he could be traded again. If he ended back up in that man's hands, he would be done for.
The High Seraph arched a brow. "You won’t reconsider?"
Lu Yin sneered. "I’m not confident that I can capture another one of the Thirteen Luminaries. If I agree to that deal, you might just decide to launch the invasion tomorrow, and then I wouldn’t be able to do a thing about it."