Chapter 315

Chapter 315: His Own Decision

Lou Yun’s mind went completely blank, for he had grasped the meaning of Gui You Quan’s words. The person who could create such violently turbulent seas through human effort was merely slightly weaker in cultivation than Gui You Quan, yet like Gui You Quan, they hailed from that world!

Lou Yun had heard countless tales about that world from Chang Xiang. Although he’d never seen it personally, as he encountered more events and people intricately linked to that place, he’d gained a basic understanding of it.

The inhabitants of that world were true cultivators, masters of genuine cultivation methods whose strength far surpassed those on the Spirit Weapon Star. However, since it was another world entirely, Lou Yun had always believed prior to this day, no matter how extraordinary it was, it held no connection to the Spirit Weapon Star.

But now, his view had shifted. First, he encountered Gui You Quan from that world, and now another individual from the same origin appeared. This meant the two separate worlds, which Lou Yun had imagined as having no intersection or connection whatsoever, had seemingly formed an invisible passageway. More precisely, an unseen door hidden somewhere had opened, formally linking both worlds together.

That mysterious world was officially intervening in the Spirit Weapon Star!

"Why is this happening?" Lou Yun voiced the question echoing in his mind.

Gui You Quan gave a sinister smile. "Young Master, if I could come from there to here, then naturally others could find ways to do the same. There’s nothing strange about it."

Chang Xiang also answered Lou Yun’s query. "Kid, there’s actually something I never told you before. Of course, because I wasn’t sure earlier. But now I can confirm it — regardless of others, there likely exists an unknown connection between the Nine Clans of that world and the Nine Clans here on the Spirit Weapon Star. They might even possess a method to freely travel between both worlds!"

"The underwater individual Gui You Quan encountered was most probably a descendant of the Huangfu Family from that world." Though Chang Xiang spoke with conviction, Lou Yun still found it hard to believe.

"Why would the Nine Clans of that world send anyone to the Spirit Weapon Star? Just to deal with our Lou Family? That’s totally unnecessary. If they truly wished to destroy us, the Nine Clans of this world could easily eradicate the Lou Family if they united. Wouldn’t that be much simpler?"

Chang Xiang recognized Lou Yun’s heightened emotions and deliberately softened his tone. "Lou Yun, remember this: while the Nine Clans do seek your family’s downfall, their true goal, what would bring them lasting peace, is to find the Divine Weapon Emperor through your family. You must also find confidence, for the Lou Family now has you — a genius descendant, and even more, behind you stand powerful allies like your elder brother, super experts of the Spirit Weapon Star. Even if the Nine Clans managed to unite temporarily by setting aside their grudges, eradicating your Lou Family would still be difficult. Each of the Nine Clans harbors their own selfish desires, preventing true unity. Hence, dispatching clan members from that world becomes their only option against your family."

Chang Xiang paused briefly before continuing. "I suspect your teacher, Mr. Commoner, foresaw such a scenario unfolding today. That’s likely why he arranged long ago for Gui You Quan, an expert, to come protect you."

Instantaneously, Lou Yun’s thoughts exploded into chaos. A torrent of conflicting ideas crashed through his mind, rendering him utterly incapable of responding to Chang Xiang.

His initial goal had merely been to prove to his family he wasn’t a failure. Yet, in a largely passive manner, he’d been propelled step by step to this critical point. Not only did he now shoulder the heavy responsibility of safeguarding his family’s survival, he was also entangled in affairs spanning two entirely different worlds. This constituted an immense trial for a young man barely twenty years old.

Chang Xiang stayed silent. He knew Lou Yun needed time most of all — time to process everything and reach his own decision. After all, he was no longer that ignorant boy of long ago.

Though Gui You Quan had no insight into Lou Yun’s thoughts, conversation wasn’t his forte. Seeing Lou Yun fix his stare blankly into the distance while his facial expression shifted dramatically was clear evidence of deep contemplation. Therefore, Gui You Quan remained mute, allowing the silence to stretch unbroken across the sea surface.

Lou Yun held this trance-like state for an entire day and night. Only the next dawn, as the sun leaped from the horizon to bathe his face in the first rays of morning light, did he startle awake. Drawing a long, deep breath facing the rising sun, clarity finally returned.

Slowly squinting against the low sun’s faint glare, Lou Yun spoke in an utterly flat tone. "Once I reach the Huangfu Family, if everything turns out as you say… then I will see the Nine Clans face utter annihilation. Both the clans from that world, and those from this one."

After a full day and night of soul-searching, Lou Yun had made his choice. And this choice perfectly resonated with an ancient adage passed down through the Lou Family lineage: Fire rises over the Fusang, Nine Clans meet their doom!

Chang Xiang felt a flicker of pity within him, seeing such heavy burdens loaded upon one so young, yet he knew the decision Lou Yun had made was his inescapable destiny. Remaining silent was his only option now.

The awakened Lou Yun seemed like a changed man. His delicate features hardened visibly under the sunlight. Hands clasped behind his back, he walked slowly to the prow of the boat. Gazing out upon the boundless sea, he uttered slowly, clearly, "Set sail. To Ghost Sea."

Gui You Quan, who had also risen from his meditative state, watched Lou Yun’s silhouette. For a fleeting instant, a flash of glimmering gold seemed to emanate from Lou Yun and vanish.

Blinking his eyes in disbelief, Gui You Quan saw only Lou Yun’s back. Though the golden light was gone, he could sense the profound psychological shift within the young man. It was a change Gui You Quan admired deeply — a tangible transformation from reactive passivity to resolute proactivity, from perceived weakness to undeniable strength.

"As you command, Young Master!"

At Gui You Quan’s exertion, the little boat surged forward with breathtaking speed once more, skimming the vast expanse of water toward Ghost Sea.

In truth, normal energy fluctuations were restored throughout the surrounding sea — its surface, its depths, and in the sky above. With their current strength, Lou Yun and Gui You Quan could easily abandon the boat, flying directly to Ghost Sea using their magical weapons.

Lou Yun, however, dismissed that option. Since they were traveling via the sea and Ghost Sea was itself a part of the ocean realm, he would arrive aboard ship. It served as a gesture, displaying resolve toward the Huangfu Family.

Standing at the prow, feeling the sea breeze carrying its lightly salty tang brush his face, Lou Yun’s expression was one of unwavering determination. Though his decision was now clear, he fully grasped how his current level of cultivation rendered its achievement, for now, but an impossible dream. Rapidly enhancing his power by every conceivable means was paramount.

A peculiar thought unexpectedly took root in his heart: he secretly wished the Huangfu Family had truly summoned a master from that other world. He almost wanted them to be hell-bent on exterminating his family. Because then, when he reclaimed the Divine Heavenly Weapons rightfully belonging to the Huangfu Family, he wouldn’t have to feel a shred of guilt.

The small vessel cleaved through wind and waves, forging relentlessly onward across the ocean. The thousand-plus kilometer distance vanished in half a day, until the deep blue waters ahead gave way to a stark, stark black.

This blackness stretched unwaveringly towards the south, broadening into a horizonless mass. Within its borders, jagged, grotesque boulders stood sentinel like an army of repulsive soldiers, guarding that foreboding dark domain.

This black region was indeed the fearsome place known as Ghost Sea.

Legend states that upon Ghost Sea, not even a feather can float. To test this lore, a feather materialized in Lou Yun’s hand — a sparrow feather, a feather-light forging material called "Que Ling."

Lou Yun tossed the sparrow feather. It drifted lazily downward to alight upon the ink-black sea surface.

Abruptly, a tiny whirlpool churned the otherwise unnaturally calm water. The hovering feather whirled briefly, caught in the vortex’s pull, before spinning helplessly down into the depths.

True indeed: upon Ghost Sea, a feather does not float.

Aware of his limited spiritual senses and seeing little purpose in futile struggle, Lou Yun spoke directly to Gui You Quan. "Uncle Ghost, could you discern if there are any anomalies beneath these waters?"

Gui You Quan’s response was swift. "Young Master, nothing unusual detected. The water composition here simply differs from elsewhere."

"Understood."

Lou Yun nodded and started to speak, only to pause as the distinct whistle of something slicing rapidly through air reached his ears — the sound grew louder, drawing nearer. Someone was certainly approaching.

Confirming his suspicion, a figure materialized before Lou Yun bathed in yellow light — a plainly dressed middle-aged man. Lou Yun merely glanced at the man, his focus instantly riveted on what lay beneath his feet.

The man stood upon a zither, an ancient yellowed one. And it was not a magical weapon, but rather a common weapon.

"Hailian Sword, Huangfu Qin, Sword Courage, Qin Tones Dispatch Life."

Recalling Chang Xiang’s verse, Lou Yun couldn’t suppress a faint smile from touching his lips. It seemed he was soon to witness firsthand how the melodies of the Huangfu Family could indeed dispatch life directly.