Star Odyssey

Chapter 2671: Driven Away

Naturally, Lu Yin had learned about the Energy Research Group’s former location from Chen Le. Only He Ran, Uncle Mo, and a few others in the Transcendent Universe were aware of that location, and from the Three Monarchs Universe, only the three Monarchs themselves and Chen Le knew. The secret was as secure as possible.

"Are you sure that they were there?" You Fang asked as he stared at Xuan Qi. The man was incredibly somber at this moment.

You Lele leaned over to take a closer look. She had never considered this location before.

Lu Yin replied, "I’m absolutely certain. You can investigate however you like, but Zi Jing isn’t there any longer, and I don’t know where they’ve taken her either. You’re telling me that, by working with you, you can help me take Zi Jing away, so show me what you can do. I’ve already given you the research group’s last location, so what you can find there is up to you."

You Fang quickly gave an order.

You Lele left, though Lu Yin was not certain what the girl was going to do.

He was in no hurry, and he simply waited.

A few days passed quickly, and when You Lele returned, there were dark circles under her eyes. "Sure enough, there are traces of the hyper-analysis mode there. It should have been there some time ago, though it’s gone now."

Lu Yin was puzzled, hyper-analysis mode?

The Transcendent Universe had developed cultivation technologies that they simply used. While energy converters and the Bestowal Art were the most well known, there was also the Battle Navigation System, research techniques, and many more. Apparently, there was also this hyper-analysis mode, but Lu Yin had never heard of it, and thus, he knew nothing about it.

"You should have heard the claims that the Transcendent Universe has completely analyzed all matter and energy in the universe, which is the reason why no one can hide in this universe," You Lele mentioned to Lu Yin.

He nodded. "I've heard those rumors, but they should only be that, rumors. While I do believe that it’s possible to analyze all the matter and energy here, there’s no way that everything in the Transcendent Universe can be monitored at once."

"That’s right. The hyper-analysis mode is what we used to analyze this universe. While it can’t be used on an entire universe, it does work on a specific region." You Lele stared at the location of the abandoned mine on the display.

Lu Yin also looked over. "So are you saying that this hyper-analysis mode was used in that area?"

You Fang stepped forward and stared at the area as well. "The hyper-analysis mode is massive, and not even that person can use it casually. However, the hyper-analysis mode was used in that place, which has convinced me that Zi Jing once worked there with the Energy Research Group."

The man then turned to look at Lu Yin. "How did you learn of that location? It couldn’t have been from Zi Jing."

Lu Yin calmly replied, "I have my own means."

You Fang stared at Xuan Qi for a long moment. "If you really did use your own means to find it, then you’re lucky that you didn’t try to go find Zi Jing there without permission. That would have unquestionably attracted the attention of that person. It is impossible for anyone to hide within the range of the hyper-analysis mode, as not even peak experts like the Nine Sages and Three Sovereigns are capable of doing that. I can’t believe that you found this location with your own methods, since not even my You family could find it."

As the You patriarch spoke, he and You Lele stared at Lu Yin with odd expressions.

How could a foreigner like Xuan Qi use his own means to uncover the location of the Energy Research Group? How had he done it? You Fang could not accept this, not unless there was a peak powerhouse behind Xuan Qi who had shared the location with the young man. You Fang could not accept this development. He could cooperate with a Xuan Qi who You Fang understood, but You Fang could not work with a Xuan Qi who was a complete mystery.

Lu Yin replied, "My means is a spy; Cheng Feng knew the location."

"Cheng Feng?" You Fang and You Lele were taken aback.

Lu Yin explained, "You should already understand just how important Cheng Feng was as a spy. For that, I was even willing to offend Sovereign Ninth Lotus’s disciples. Yao Lan, the sovereign’s first disciple, has even been punished and sent to the Endless Frontier because of that matter. Cheng Feng is simply too valuable a tool, and that’s because he was connected to spies in the Transcendent Universe, the Three Monarchs, and even the Arboreal Realm. These connections mean that he is aware of many, many secrets, which is why I had to get him to the Red Zone to interrogate him. How else do you think I could have learned such sensitive information?"

You Fang did not believe this story. "The Aeternals’ spies don’t usually interact widely with each other out of caution. I can’t believe that Cheng Feng knew anything about the Energy Research Group’s location."

"Cheng Feng was recruited by Shaman God," Lu Yin stated.

You Fang still remained unconvinced.

Lu Yin thought for a while. "In that case, if I kill He Shu, will you be able to trust me?"

You Fang's expression changed, and a hint of disbelief appeared in his eyes.

You Lele blinked and stared at Xuan Qi in a daze.

Lu Yin smiled. "If even that’s not enough to convince you to trust me, then there's nothing more that I can do."

You Fang nodded. "Alright, if you can kill He Shu, I will trust you."

"After you announce your support for Bai Qian, I’ll find an opportunity to make a move, so make sure to pay attention so that you see it for yourself."

That said, Lu Yin left the Ziyou Realm.

He had spent a long time with the You family, but the results were absolutely worth the time. Everything was heading in a direction that was beneficial to Lu Yin, though the You family believed that they and Xuan Qi were mutually restraining each other.

The only hitch was that Lu Yin needed to kill He Shu, but He Shu could not die. So, Lu Yin intended to kill someone else.

...

The You family moved quickly, and their actions were extremely public.

After just a few days passed, while Lu Yin was still keeping an eye on Tu Ke in his home, news erupted that the You family had announced their support for Bai Qian. This announcement shook the entire Transcendent Universe, stunning countless people.

Bai Qian and He Ran had been competing with each other for years, but the You family had never expressed their position on the matter even once. This was not the first time they had stayed neutral; countless years had passed where similar competitions between other candidates took place, but the You family had never once thrown their support behind a candidate. No one had anticipated that the family would suddenly start supporting Bai Qian.

Even Bai Qian herself was confused. Why would the You family support her?

When He Ran received the news, she became furious. She shot to her feet and descended the stairs. "Why is You Fang supporting Bai Qian?"

There was no one more familiar with the You family’s power than He Ran. In the entire Transcendent Universe, only the You family could come close to standing on the same level as the ruler of the universe, and they had just announced their support for Bai Qian. This had instantly brought the woman from the brink of being eliminated to being a powerful contender once again. No, with this, Bai Qian had gained unprecedented backing in their competition.

The day the announcement was made, at least one-fifth of the Transcendent Universe switched to Bai Qian’s side.

He Ran knew that this was a massive problem for her.

Uncle Mo's expression was grim. "I can’t say. Our people are speculating that this might have something to do with Xuan Qi. You Lele took Xuan Qi away from Fortune Star, and after he left the Ziyou Realm, this announcement was released. You should ask Xuan Qi."

"Check with him now." He Ran was no longer calm and composed. Her indifferent and arrogant demeanor had always hinged on her assumed ability to control everything, but she was now realizing just how fragile her control really was.

Ke Jian suddenly arrived, and he appeared panicked. "Madam, an entire third of the Ruling Council have switched sides and are now supporting Bai Qian!"

He Ran was beyond furious, and she clenched her fists. This was a perfect demonstration of the You family’s power. They were a force that could truly sway the Transcendent Universe, whereas He Ran was nothing more than a candidate in a competition. She simply could not compare to the You family, and the Ruling Council was not made of fools. They all amply understood the difference between He Ran and the You family.

Elsewhere, at Tu Ke’s home, Lu Yin received a call from Uncle Mo, who asked about what he had said to You Fang and Xuan Qi.

Lu Yin replied that he had been forced to defend himself and had spent his time trying to convince You Fang that he had not been the one to instigate Monarch Luo into attacking the You family, but did not share any further details.

Uncle Mo repeated the question again and again, but Lu Yin always gave the same answer.

He Ran remained silent, but her eyes grew increasingly cold.

Uncle Mo ended the call and then turned to look at He Ran. After a moment’s hesitation, the man asked, "Could he be connected to what’s happened? As far as the You family is concerned, Xuan Qi is one of your people, and if they believe that he is responsible for Monarch Luo’s attack on the Ziyou Realm, that could only have happened under your order.”

At this moment, He Shu arrived, and he anxiously asked, "Sister, why did the You family suddenly announce their support for Bai Qian? Is this connected to Xuan Qi?"

Everyone was making their own guesses at this moment. It was impossible for Xuan Qi to have convinced the You family to support Bai Qian, but Xuan Qi was also publicly recognized as one of He Ran’s people. What’s more, there were rumors that Xuan Qi was responsible for an attack on the You family. As far as many people were concerned, this essentially meant that He Ran had attacked the You family, and it only made sense for the You family to retaliate. The best way for them to go after He Ran was to support Bai Qian.

He Ran had not expected this at all. She had targeted the You family on more than one occasion, but they had never cared before. She had spread the rumors as a way to keep Xuan Qi on a leash, and it was completely unexpected for the You family to respond so strongly.

"I miscalculated," He Ran admitted softly, "I didn't expect You Fang to react so strongly."

He Shu said, "Sister, that might not be what happened."

Uncle Mo immediately agreed, "That’s true. I'll go speak to You Fang."

He Ran’s head rose, and she said, "I'll go myself."

A short time later, He Ran arrived in the Ziyou Realm, asking to meet with You Fang. No one else knew what the two spoke about, and the only known result was that He Ran appeared far more upset when she left than.

Uncle Mo also appeared to be quite upset.

"Little Shu, ask Shao Qingfeng to restart our previous plan. We can’t allow Bai Qian to have any chance at all." He Ran sent a message to He Shu.

The young man knew what needed to be done.

He Ran looked back towards the Ziyou Realm. "Since the You family wants to support Bai Qian, I'll have Bai Qian go out on her own. Let’s see what they do."

The woman then left.

Outside Tu Ke’s home on Fortune Star, Lu Yin received a call from You Fang. "He Ran came to see me. She thinks that we are supporting Bai Qian because we were attacked by Monarch Luo and that I am supporting Bai Qian because I am angry with He Ran."

Lu Yin smiled. "Good. That saves me the trouble of needing to say anything."

"It’s clear that she’s angry, but not to the point of losing control. Whatever happens next is up to you. I hope to see a completely irrational and insane He Ran," You Fang replied.

A smile crept across Lu Yin's face. "I'm looking for the right opportunity, and one should appear soon. However, I still need you to push things along."

"Oh? What do you need?" You Fang felt quite curious.

A few days later, You Teng arrived at Fortune Star, and he announced the You family’s intention to send Xuan Qi back to the Voidforce Universe and to remove him from his current position as Acting Bureau Director for the Transcendent Universe.

Boss Guan roared, "What does this mean? You first invited us here to help you hunt down spies, but now you’re driving us away?"

You Teng calmly replied, "Don't say it so crudely. It’s simply that we no longer need any help uncovering spies, so please return to the Voidforce Universe."

Lu Yin and You Teng stared at each other. "Is this the You family’s decision?"

"It is the decision of the Transcendent Universe’s Bureau," You Teng replied.

Lu Yin pointed to the side. "And what of Tu Ke? He is suspected of being a spy."

"We will look into this. On behalf of the Bureau Director, I must ask you to please leave."

Tu Ke had been paying close attention to everything from within his home. Not only did this development not thrill him, but his expression also worsened. Regardless of why he had been targeted by Xuan Qi, at least the investigation had been headed by one of He Ran’s people. With Xuan Qi being publicly driven away, Tu Ke had lost He Ran’s protection.

The You family was making too many waves, and when they moved, there was no way out for Tu Ke.

The Transcendent Universe’s Bureau had publicly asked Xuan Qi and his people to leave, which meant that Lu Yin had to do just that.

When word of this incident reached He Ran's ears, she showed no reaction. This was nothing more than the first step. After this, the You family would make many more moves.

Given the You family’s intelligence and information, they could offer Bai Qian unprecedented support. Even so, He Ran's eyes remained steady. Would the You family’s efforts accomplish anything at all? After all, the final victor in this competition was entirely up to the ruler of the Transcendent Universe, and because of that, Bai Qian stood no chance.

The fact that Xuan Qi had been driven out of the Transcendent Universe was part of the plan that Lu Yin had agreed upon with You Fang. After all, Xuan Qi was the spark that had triggered everything leading up to the Transcendent Universe’s current state, and he was also receiving the most attention.

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