"How should I address you then?" Lu Ye suddenly realized this issue. A sonorous voice issued from the pure spirit light: "You can call me whatever you wish." In shape, the Heavenly Machine Disk indeed resembles a hat atop the Nine Provinces, but it's imperceptible to the naked eye; even from the starry sky outside the Nine Provinces, its actual existence cannot be perceived. Lu Ye clearly sensed the Heavenly Machine seemed somewhat displeased with this nickname; although it was an artifact spirit, with no particular need for names, having sheltered the Nine Provinces human race for so long, it knew what makes a name appealing or otherwise. Lu Ye smiled; it seemed that the Heavenly Machine wasn't the usual cold, emotionless artifact spirit, differing from those he'd known before. It's a good thing—having emotions and needs means it won't be too rigid. His current experiences certainly attested to that; were it a truly stiff artifact spirit, it probably wouldn't concern itself with so many matters, nor lead him here to show the various changes within the Nine Provinces. "Since you are a part of the spirit birthed by the integration of the Nine Provinces' will, let's call you Number Nine." "Fine!" The Heavenly Machine quickly affirmed this name; simple as it is, it's far better than 'hat'. Through the portal opened by Number Nine, Lu Ye left Xianyuan City. He appeared over a wild, barren land. The insect plague had swept through the Nine Provinces for years, leaving desolation everywhere. However, thanks to nature's spiritual energy, recovering the past environment wouldn't take just a year or two. Hardly had Lu Ye investigated his surroundings when he distinctly sensed several strong presences nearby. Simultaneously, a familiar voice reached his ears, "Yiye!" Lu Ye turned his head and saw the sect master. Not only was the sect master present, but also Qian Wudang, Pang Zhen, and several Department Chiefs whom Lu Ye had seen at the grand council before. Nian Yuexian, who had set out with him from the Insect Race's Great Secret Realm, was also there. Lu Ye pondered briefly and roughly understood the situation. He and Nian Yuexian had stepped into the fog vortex from the Insect Race's Great Secret Realm; Lu Ye ended up inside Xianyuan City, yet Nian Yuexian appeared directly here. Unseeing Lu Ye and unable to contact him, Nian Yuexian was worried about his plight, and likely summoned sect master and the others through messaging. As Lu Ye appeared, they were clearly attempting to enter through the portal but were blocked by the Heavenly Machine; how could they manage to go in? Now seeing Lu Ye safely return, they all breathed sighs of relief. Being the most noteworthy contributor to the Nine Provinces army's counterattack in the Insect Race's Great Secret Realm, the name Lu Yiye resonates loudly not only in Bingzhou but throughout the entire Nine Provinces as a renowned signifier—it's unthinkable for misfortune to befall the hero before the celebration feast. Before the crowd inquired further, Lu Ye first performed a respectful salute, "Honored ones, I have a matter to request of you." It's been two months since the Nine Provinces army's counteroffensive into the Insect Race's Great Secret Realm. The army retreated from the Insect Race's Great Secret Realm, taking about a month due to the sheer number of people, making passage inconvenient. The month following their return witnessed Nine Provinces cultivators scurrying about to eliminate the remaining Insect Race, and now the insect plague in the Nine Provinces is virtually resolved; perhaps a few scattered survivors might remain but pose little challenge. This marks the first large-scale cooperative defense against invaders by the two major factions in human history, achieving such splendid success that it is destined for a prominent chapter in the annals, and naturally worth celebrating. Before Lu Ye's return, the Nine Provinces had been preparing the celebration feast, though just in preparation stages because the greatest contributor hadn't yet appeared. Following Lu Ye's return, the preparations rapidly accelerated and soon the celebration feast location was finalized. It's set in Haotian City of Bingzhou—Ten Thousand Demons Ridge anticipated this, given Lu Ye's affiliation with the Haotian Alliance in Bingzhou, his request would hardly face rejection. This grand banquet is not only a celebration but an opportunity for discourse among the high-ranking members of both factions. Having overcome the insect plague, how should the two factions interact henceforward? It's a question worthy of contemplation. Peaceful coexistence seems unrealistic, yet to regain their formerly adversarial stance appears hasty—and this situation is somewhat awkward. Thus, both parties' leaders intend, through this celebration feast, to determine future interactions—otherwise, amid the post-battle rejuvenation of the Nine Provinces, even after a win, an extravaganza is hardly necessary. The date is set for ten days from now, and those invited are the top-tier Divine Sea Realm experts from each provincial state, yet, aside from them, Haotian City in Bingzhou has specially sent invites to several dozen sects. This action left many people slightly puzzled, because among these dozens of sects, there were both Haotian Alliance and Ten Thousand Demons Ridge members. Most were sects of the 3rd grade and above, with a few being 5th-6th grade, lacking any obvious pattern. This move not only puzzled those from Ten Thousand Demons Ridge but also left a member of the Haotian Alliance's Elder Council from Bingzhou utterly confused. But since it was Lu Ye's request, he could only comply. After all, Lu Ye was the greatest hero of the recent great battle, and being so young, naturally, he had the right to make some demands. The number of cultivators receiving the grand banquet invitation was vast, almost encompassing the top echelon of Nine Provinces cultivators. As for how many could actually attend, that would depend on the cultivators' own arrangements. The preparations in Haotian City of Bingzhou were also hectic, with numerous cultivators busy organizing the details of the celebratory feast. It was foreseeable that at that time, Haotian City would surely be thronged with cultivators from the Divine Sea Realm, creating a grand scene. Qian Wudang found a moment to spare and went to the sect master to complain, "Veteran Thang, what is this Lu Yiye up to, inviting this many people this time? Even if only half show up, it's going to be an astonishing number. With so many from the Divine Sea Realm gathered in Haotian City, if anything unexpected happens, we can't afford the risk." After Lu Ye returned that day, he asked them for one thing, which was to widely invite the heroes of the Nine Provinces to gather in Haotian City, where he would announce something significant related to the future of the Nine Provinces. Had anyone else said this, it might not be taken seriously, but with Lu Ye's valor from the recent battle shining bright, they couldn't help but pay attention. Subsequently, it was Pang Zhen and others who insisted on holding the celebratory feast in Haotian City, using this opportunity to widely invite heroes from various quarters. But as things continued to develop this way, even Qian Wudang was becoming anxious, for the number of invitees was truly too high, inevitably leading to a situation where cultivators from the Divine Sea Realm all over Nine Provinces would gather in Haotian City. Yet, he still didn't know what Lu Ye was up to, so he could only come to seek the sect master's advice. The sect master knew a bit more than he did, and upon hearing his concerns, said, "Don't worry, nothing unexpected will happen." Compared to what Lu Ye was about to announce, the internal strife within Nine Provinces was insignificant. Take this insect disaster for instance; while internal conflicts persisted, against an external enemy, unity and sincerity still prevailed. Qian Wudang slyly leaned in, "Veteran Thang, any insider information? Just a little hint so I can be mentally prepared." The sect master sighed and then whispered to him for a while. After all, this matter couldn't be hidden for long. Lu Ye would publicly announce it soon, so knowing in advance wasn't a big deal. Qian Wudang listened, dumbfounded, "Something ... can even happen?" The sect master replied, "To be honest, even I can scarcely believe it, but since Yiye demands it, surely there's a definite outcome." "Such a matter, mere words can't be relied upon," Qian Wudang's expression was solemn. "Yiye says he has means to prove it, and it will be evident at the celebratory feast." "Where is he currently?" Qian Wudang planned to ask Lu Ye in person. The sect master said, "It seems he's gone to the Loyal Heart Sect." Qian Wudang was helpless. He couldn't possibly chase him to the Loyal Heart Sect, so he could only send messages for news. At this moment, Lu Ye was on a spirit mountaintop of the Loyal Heart Sect, accompanied by Nian Yuexian, visiting Senior Sister-in-law Qiu Min. Presently across various parts of the Nine Provinces, only within internal big sects could such lush and verdant peaks be found, as each sect had its own cultivators guarding them. Should any Insect Race appear, they would be immediately slain, preventing the Insect Race from damaging the sect's foundation. Lu Ye had been aware of Senior Sister-in-law's existence for a long time. However, because of past grievances between the Loyal Heart Sect and the Righteous Blood Sect, he had never had the chance to visit. There were some things Senior Sister-in-law needed to be mentally prepared for in advance. He had previously informed the sect master about Senior Brother being alive, and later told Mount Tai and, on the way to the Loyal Heart Sect, had also informed Nian Yuexian. There was no reason not to notify Senior Sister-in-law, as she was the person closest to Senior Brother. When Nian Yuexian first heard this news, she almost couldn't stabilize her spirit force and faltered in mid-air. At the moment, Senior Sister-in-law's reaction wasn't much better than Nian Yuexian's. She repeatedly confirmed with Lu Ye that he wasn't deceiving her, and as she spoke, her eyes turned red, and tears started to fall. Lu Ye didn't know how to comfort her, so he could only let her vent her emotions. Anyone would react differently if told a companion presumed dead for years was actually alive and would soon be reunited with them. Replying briefly to Qian Wudang's message. A moment later, finishing his transmission with Qian Wudang, Lu Ye then turned to Qiu Min, "Originally, separated by two realms, we didn't know if we'd have another chance to meet, so when I returned, Senior Brother advised me not to reveal that he was still alive, so as not to disturb the hearts of his kin." Qiu Min wiped her tears gently and softly asked, "Then why are you willing to tell me now?" Lu Ye said, "The situation has changed slightly, and soon, you will be able to reunite with Senior Brother." Qiu Min was startled, her eyes gleaming, "Do you mean... I can go to that Blood Refinement World? Or perhaps he can return?"