Patriarch You and his daughter led Lu Yin to a location in the Ziyou Realm that Lu Yin had never seen before. It appeared to be a mechanical research facility.
"Lord Lu, our You family began with the Bestowal Art, which our ancestor created in this very location. After many years of research, he succeeded in developing the Bestowal Art.”
"Of the various guests to visit our home, only the most distinguished are ever brought to this place." You Fang offered an introduction of the place to Lu Yin, looking very sincere as he spoke.
Lu Yin looked around. The place looked perfectly ordinary, though there were traces of extreme age. The You family’s ancestor’s abilities were truly impressive. After all, the Bestowal Art had laid the foundation for the Transcendent Universe’s current status.
You Lele stared at Lu Yin's back and then glanced over at You Fang.
You Fang was doing his best to act as though this visit was Lu Yin’s first time visiting the You family. As for cooperation, he had no thought of such a thing at all.
Lu Yin looked around. The place was not big, and he quickly saw everything. "Patriarch You."
You Fang immediately replied, "Yes?"
Lu Yin gave the man a strange look. "The last time we spoke, you mentioned future cooperation between us. What sort of cooperation were you thinking of?"
You Fang's heart skipped a beat, but he forced out a smile. "Lord Lu, you must be joking. How could my You family cooperate with you? Out of everyone in the Transcendent Universe, only Lord Wei could possibly cooperate with you."
Lu Yin stared at You Fang. "What are you worried about?"
You Fang's expression did not change, though he bowed low. "My You family was ignorant and offended Lord Lu in the past. Please forgive us, Lord Lu. From now on, the You family will be sure to never disturb Lord Lu in the slightest again. Please forgive us for all that occurred in the past and forget it.”
Lu Yin laughed. "How could I forget all that? I remember speaking to you after your attempt to rebel against Lord Wei failed and your You family’s status plummeted. You mentioned to me then that there were certain things that your family was incapable of doing in the past, but are now within your means. I don’t quite understand your meaning, so I wanted to address that matter in greater detail.”
As he spoke, Lu Yin casually sat down in a worn-out chair.
You Fang felt trapped, and he looked over at You Lele.
The girl spoke up in a respectful tone, "Lord Lu, please let my You family go."
You Fang quietly echoed his daughter. "Lord Lu, I beg you to let my You family go."
Lu Yin shook his head. "The You family is one of the greatest families of the Transcendent Universe, and I represent the Origin Universe. How could I let you go? Besides, the You family has never offended me."
He arched a brow as he looked at You Fang. "Besides, your You family still has Soveriegn Dou Sheng’s token, which should be enough to protect you."
You Fang stopped talking.
You Lele pursed her lips. "Lord Lu, you’ve made this visit to our home in a very open and public manner, and yet you want to speak of cooperation? Don't you find this a bit ridiculous?"
You Fang snapped, "Lele, don't be absurd!"
You Lele stubbornly stared at Lu Yin. "My You family rebelled against Lord Wei, but we were defeated. Everyone knows what the You family wants, and it is impossible to hide that from anyone. Lord Wei also knows this. But despite this, Lord Lu still wishes to speak of cooperation? It’s possible that our conversation right now is being monitored by the ruler of our universe. Lord Lu, are you not possibly worried about inciting an internal conflict within the Sixverse Association?"
"Lele, enough!" You Fang pulled You Lele back and quickly bowed to Lu Yin. "My daughter has been rude. Please forgive her, Lord Lu. Please forgive her."
Lu Yin rubbed his head. "The more open and forthright you behave, the less likely Lord Wei will suspect anything.
"Lord Wei cannot spy on me, rest assured of that."
You Fang's face turned pale. "My daughter’s words have offended Lord Lu, but she has truly spoken the thoughts of my You family. Since our rebellion failed, my You family no longer pursues such thoughts. If Lord Lu wishes to cooperate, you will need to seek out others. Forgive my You family for being unable to provide you with the help that you desire."
The two had been so frightened by Lu Yin that it greatly simplified their conversation going forward. In fact, they were practically done. "Alright, since you don't want to cooperate with me, then just forget it."
You Fang and You Lele both let out simultaneous sighs of relief.
It was not that they did not want to work with Lu Yin, but rather that they did not dare to do such a thing.
"However," Lu Yin paused as he looked up at the two. "I want to know about Lord Wei."
You Fang was taken aback. "What do you wish to know about Lord Wei?"
Lu Yin leaned forward as he stared at You Fang. "Are you unable to fulfill even this request?"
You Fang grew increasingly puzzled, "What do you wish to know about Lord Wei, Lord Lu?"
"Everything."
Despite his confusion, You Fang still replied, "Concerning Lord Wei, I can only tell Lord Lu what my You family knows. If this is not what you are seeking, then I ask Lord Lu not to embarrass us. You should clearly understand the relationship between my You family and Lord Wei. There are certain details that my You family could not possibly know.”
Lu Yin gestured for the man to proceed.
You Fang thought for a moment before starting to talk.
The You family had a deep understanding of Lord Wei, and Lu Yin wanted to learn everything that they knew of the ruler of the Transcendent Universe, as well as all of their speculations.
Lu Yin listened quietly, carefully paying attention to everything said about Lord Wei.
In the past, he had regarded Lord Wei as an imaginary enemy, though one who would be slain by Sovereign Shao Yin. Lu Yin had believed Lord Wei to be equal to the Three Sovereigns. A powerhouse, but not one of the most powerful cultivators in the Sixverse Association.
However, Lord Wei had helped Lu Yin on several different occasions at the Tea Ceremony, and he had even saved him, subverting all of Lu Yin’s expectations.
It was best to carefully investigate whether the man was an enemy or a friend.
It was possible that Lord Wei had hidden his true intentions deeply and was scheming some greater plot.
Some people would willingly abandon their principle, as long as it allowed them to achieve their goals.
A long time later, Lu Yin finally left the Ziyou Realm.
He had learned a great deal about Lord Wei, though it was all through You Fang’s rather subjective perspective. Even so, it had become clear that Lord Wei was, well, not a good person.
Lord Wei was very similar to an average cultivator, and he was willing to do whatever was necessary to achieve his goals.
The man was incredibly cunning, ambitious, and ruthless.
It was hard for Lu Yin to align that image with the person who had helped him during the Tea Ceremony.