However, it was of no use. If the fat man continued standing there maintaining his spell rhythm, that would be one thing. But this retreat scattered his focus, and amidst the change in pace, errors appeared in the rhythm of the spell frenzy. Lu Ye, with his rich combat experience, managed to seize these fleeting errors precisely, and rapidly closed the distance to the fat man. The fat man's expression began to panic, and several times he made mistakes in casting his spells, making the situation increasingly dire. In less than ten breaths, the two were already just thirty feet apart! Lu Ye leapt high into the air, like an eagle soaring in the sky, and as he descended, his long saber spun like the moon. The fat man's face turned extremely pale, seeming terrified, feeling the fierce power of this strike, he cried out: "My life is over!" Despite saying this, he ferociously punched towards the direction where Lu Ye was positioned. With this punch, the Void trembled, and the fist thrown swiftly expanded to the size of a house, blocking out the light in the sky and concealing his own figure. The paleness on the fat man's face vanished, replaced by a sly smile unseen by Lu Ye. If encountering those familiar with him, his tactics would surely be ineffective. But having just faced Lu Ye for the first time today, Lu Ye knew nothing of his skills. Such a surprise attack, he was sure Lu Ye couldn't dodge. All previous actions were merely a façade for this punch's explosion. Who would have thought that a magic cultivator would throw a punch? Lu Ye did foresee this, facing the sudden incoming punch. He seemed to have anticipated it, his expression unchanged. A brilliant light burst forth from the simple Boulder Mountain Saber, boosted by Divine Sharp Edge, as his spirit force and blood Qi erupted vigorously. The blade slashed onto the enormous fist, only a fleeting moment of stalemate, but the fist, gigantic like a house, shrank rapidly like a deflated balloon. The immense power pressed down from above, the fat man's expression changed, his body involuntarily hunkered down, silently cursing what kind of monstrous strength it was that he couldn't resist. The punch's force shattered, seeing that the long saber's momentum remained strong, the fat man knew if he didn't do something soon, he truly would be done for... He hurriedly pulled out a purple talisman, slapping it onto his body, instantly, a brilliant golden light enveloped his corpulent figure. Lu Ye's strike was initially held back, but upon seeing the opponent's actions, he decided to unleash completely. The long saber cut down, its light as sharp as snow. "Aiya!" The fat man exclaimed, flying far off, the golden light on his body dimmed in an instant. He got up hurriedly, intending to battle again, but suddenly his hefty belly slackened, with faint sounds of tearing. Lowering his head showed his clothes split open, revealing his white, bare belly. He quickly covered up, looking at Lu Ye in shame and anger: "You bastard..." He genuinely couldn't understand how Lu Ye so perfectly countered his sudden punch. By all logic, that punch should have caught him off guard. Lu Ye quietly looked at him: "I have a friend, who on the surface is a magic cultivator, but actually is a physique cultivator, very shifty!" Moreover, this fat man's acting was truly clumsy. As a magic cultivator at Constellation stage, even in dire combat situations, he wouldn't continuously fail in spell casting. Such errors only happen to Spirit Stream Realm cultivators, even rarely with Cloud River Realm ones, not to mention Constellation. Thus, upon witnessing the fat man's actions, Lu Ye became certain this fellow was trying to lure him close to deliver a surprise. The fat man was speechless, thinking he had left no flaw, only to find he had been guarded against all along, losing deservedly. He cupped his hand towards Lu Ye, held up his ruined garment over his belly, and flew away. In the hall, Su Yuqing's eyes flashed with brilliance, Woo Qimo pondered silently, and Chen Xuanhai slightly nodded: "This guy's offense is very sharp, the Great Phenomenon Talisman isn't so easily broken, if he were an external aid, he'd surely be a great choice." Defeating a Peak Constellation Early Stage cultivator effortlessly undoubtedly shows his mid-stage Constellation combat strength. Such strength is precisely what's desperately needed in this realm, Hai Tang alone cannot achieve much, but with assistance, the situation changes. Woo Qimo frowned: "But after all, it's just our wishful thinking, whether he's willing to help is another matter." "It's all in the effort. Besides, isn't his senior sister still in this realm?" Su Yuqing smiled faintly. Chen Xuanhai said: "Fellow Daoist Su intends to manipulate his senior sister? That might be inappropriate. Besides, he has a life-saving grace towards Hai Tang and currently counts as Hai Tang's guest." Su Yuqing said: "Hai Tang is my disciple; naturally, I won't put her in a difficult position. Rest assured, I won't force him into anything. It all has to be voluntary in the end." Woo Qimo chuckled: "Back to the topic. To win a beauty's heart, a good thing , he likely wouldn't refuse it, right?" Turning to Su Yuqing: "But… Fellow Daoist Su, are you truly willing?" Su Yuqing stated: "If Hai Tang can find a good match, how could I be unwilling? Moreover, Hai Tang herself doesn't reject this matter. However serious it may be, the Black Abyss Martial Arts Meet is what's most important right now." "Then I'll leave it to you." Chen Xuanhai nodded and his form dissipated. Woo Qimo followed and left. In the hall, only Su Yuqing remained. Regarding the various things discussed with Woo Qimo and Chen Xuanhai, Su Yuqing did not deceive them. However, she didn't mention the powerful figure behind Lu Ye, not intentionally to hide anything, but because she felt it was unnecessary to say. That powerful figure not only could easily present a 9-star treasure, but also could seal a secret technique to help defeat enemies on the Ghost Ship. Such a high-ranking individual made Su Yuqing feel inferior. Lu Ye himself had great potential, backed by strong support. Such a rising star is well worth befriending. If this matter could indeed be facilitated, it certainly wouldn't mistreat her disciple. Of course, the main point is that her own disciple didn't reject this side. If Hai Tang had even slightly expressed negativity previously, she wouldn't have developed these thoughts. At the mountainside, Lu Ye waited for a while. Not seeing anyone, he started to step upward. Before long, he reached the top of Immortal Spirit Peak. As he looked up, he saw only a great hall standing there, with a hidden presence inside. Though the presence was ephemeral, it gave off a vast feeling, making it clear in his mind that inside the hall must be a Sun Blaze. And the one present here is undoubtedly Hai Tang's master. Straightening his attire, Lu Ye stepped in, seeing a woman seated cross-legged in the empty hall. At a glance, he couldn't discern her age. She seemed like a vibrant young woman, yet might be in her early thirties. Her temperament was pure, yet full of charm, possessing a beauty beyond compare, and was dressed in a snow-white palace outfit. Even seated, her graceful figure couldn't be concealed. Hai Tang was undoubtedly a beautiful woman, but compared to the woman in front of him, she lacked much charm. Lu Ye stepped forward respectfully: "Junior Lu Ye, pays respect to the Senior!" Su Yuqing smiled faintly, raising her hand: "No need for formalities, please sit." Lu Ye complied honestly and sat down. The hall was vast, with Su Yuqing examining Lu Ye from head to toe, remaining silent for a time. Lu Ye sat upright, his expression clear, watching back. Internally curious, he wondered why Hai Tang's master examined him with such a peculiar gaze. After a while, Su Yuqing smiled and said, "Hai Tang has already told me about her previous experiences. My dear nephew, to disregard countless treasures and bring Hai Tang out of the Ghost Ship, such grace is like a rebirth. I must thank you greatly." Lu Ye quickly replied, "Senior Sister Hai Tang greatly assisted me on the Ghost Ship. In the end, it was entirely due to her efforts that I could pass the trial. Without Senior Sister Hai Tang, I fear I'd also be trapped now. We merely helped each other, bringing her out was only right." Su Yuqing was undoubtedly satisfied with his attitude, her demeanor becoming even kinder: "That's true, but under such circumstances, how many could make the same choice as you? You made the choice, thus you are Hai Tang's savior." Lu Ye's heart skipped a beat, fearing she might say that being a savior meant he should propose something, which would be troublesome... Fortunately, Su Yuqing had no intention of saying such things. Lu Ye did want to ask about the plump man that blocked his way earlier, but as the topic wasn't broached, he chose to act as if that hadn't happened. Going straight to the point: "Senior, I came with Senior Sister Hai Tang actually to seek a favor!" Su Yuqing said: "Is it regarding your Senior Sister? Hai Tang has already talked to me about it." Lu Ye's expression became solemn: "May I ask, Senior, if my Senior Sister has ever come to Mount Fangcun?" Su Yuqing nodded slightly: "Three months ago, indeed there was a human race woman who trespassed into our realm and was captured by the Peak Master of Cloud Sea Peak, Chen Xuanhai. But rest assured, our realm has never been harsh to foreign cultivators, only making them do some labor. After Chen Xuanhai captured her, he arranged for her to mine spirit ore in a vein. I have already spoken to Chen Xuanhai to have her released and Hai Tang is currently picking her up." Thɪs chapter is updated by 𝕟𝕠𝕧𝕖𝕝✶𝕗𝕚𝕣𝕖✶𝕟𝕖𝕥 Lu Ye let out a long breath, the burden in his heart lightening, quickly standing up to bow deeply to Su Yuqing: "Thank you, Senior." Su Yuqing smiled: "You are Hai Tang's benefactor, thus a guest of Immortal Spirit Peak. The woman is your Senior Sister and naturally deserves different treatment, but..." Saying this, Su Yuqing showed a troubled expression. "Is there any issue?" Lu Ye asked. Su Yuqing said: "You may not be aware, among the three Sun Blazes of this realm, Chen Xuanhai is the most stubborn and unyielding. Any foreign cultivators who trespass must serve for a hundred years, a rule set by the ancestors, passed down for countless thousands of years. My intention was that since the woman is your Senior Sister, she should be treated as a guest of this realm, free to come and go. But Chen Xuanhai, that old fool, clings to the ancestral rules stubbornly. I can't do anything about it. After much persuasion, she finally avoids the servitude, and though she can reunite with you, she can't leave this realm right now. I must apologize to my dear nephew about this." The New Year is here, visiting relatives and friends in January might make me a bit busy. I'll try to keep up with two updates a day, please understand. If there's only one update that day, it means there are guests at my house.