The identity of Li Taibai is recognized by the Ten Thousand Demons Ridge, making it convenient to act using the guard token.

Recognizing Lu Ye's identity, Ying Wuji's squad of three saluted again: "Thank you, sir, for your aid."

The fourth member of the squad was severely injured and unconscious, currently being carried by another member on their back. Although they were shocked by Li Taibai's rapid improvement in cultivation, they were fortunate to have encountered a Divine Sea Realm ally here; otherwise, their fates would have been uncertain.

Lu Ye neither affirmed nor denied. A Divine Sea Realm should have the demeanor of a Divine Sea Realm. He turned his head to look in a direction where a Divine Sea Realm's aura was rapidly approaching, and it was clear from the fluctuations that it was not an ordinary Divine Sea Realm.

There was a familiar feeling; Lu Ye roughly understood who was coming.

It seemed that Ying Wuji and the others had sent a message for help, which prompted the other party to rush here.

After a brief consideration, he did not avoid them but calmly stood his ground. Avoiding them now would seem like a guilty conscience.

The person quickly arrived nearby. As the brilliance dissipated, a graceful figure appeared; it was none other than Lin Yue, the Mountain Pass Chief of Dark Moon Forest Pass.

Not seen for a few years, her cultivation had advanced. She was now at the Divine Sea Level 7, yet her face was full of undisguisable fatigue, and even her hairpin was slightly disarrayed.

Landing, her eyes swept around, and she quickly understood what had happened; then she looked at Lu Ye in astonishment: "Li Taibai?"

She remembered this handsome young man clearly. Back then, she even considered bringing him into the sect, and if it weren't for some unexpected events that destroyed his future, she would have been pleased to facilitate a match with her disciple niece.

Unfortunately, in the battle where Jinglan Lake Pass overcame Dark Moon Forest Pass, Li Taibai narrowly survived, but his psyche was injured by Liew Yuemei, leaving him with no chance for further progress. After that battle, she hastily sent this young man away and announced externally that Li Taibai had died in battle, mainly to prevent her niece from getting entangled.

Every time she thought of him afterward, she felt great regret.

But that's how the cultivation world is. Since ancient times, many talented individuals have gained fame in their youth, but if they cannot reach the end, they are merely ephemeral.

The Nine Provinces are vast, with numerous geniuses, but those who cannot grow up will ultimately be useless.

She also never expected to see this young man again after a few years, and at this place too.

"Chief Lin, long time no see." Lu Ye smiled slightly. Back when he was a True Lake Level 3 facing Lin Yue, a Divine Sea Realm, the pressure was immense, but now, upon seeing her again, he was unfazed.

Lin Yue was dazed, looking at Lu Ye incredulously: "You... are in the Divine Sea Realm?"

"I happened upon an opportunity and had some gains, fortunately advanced," Lu Ye casually lied.

The Nine Provinces are full of opportunities; just because one cannot find them does not mean others cannot. Lin Yue had sent Li Taibai away because his psyche was wounded and his future bleak, but there is no real dead end in the world. Now it seems Li Taibai has survived through adversity and must have great fortune, or else how could a mere independent cultivator have such an opportunity?

"A small secret realm?" Lin Yue immediately speculated.

Not having seen Li Taibai for years and suddenly emerging as a Divine Sea cultivator, combined with mentioning an opportunity, only a small secret realm could explain it.

Lu Ye smiled without speaking.

Lin Yue also realized she had said too much; such matters are best left unasked. Even though her cultivation was higher than Lu Ye's, who doesn't have a few secrets? She was just too shocked, and recent overwork made her speak without thinking.

Li Taibai's silence was expected, and she didn't blame him.

"Where are you planning to go?" Lin Yue asked again.

Lu Ye replied, "I just left seclusion recently and intend to travel around. You know, having just advanced to Divine Sea, my mindset and cultivation haven't settled. I should broaden my horizons and experiences."

This was indeed true, but Lin Yue shook her head: "In the past, that wouldn't be a problem, but in the last two years, the Nine Provinces have undergone major changes, making it unsuitable for travel."

"Major changes?" Lu Ye looked puzzled, "Does it relate to the Insect Race? I saw desolation above Liyuan and Insects rampant; what's going on?"

Lin Yue sighed, "Disasters have descended, beyond human resistance." Her face was full of weariness, then she shifted topics, "Would you be willing to accompany me to Dark Moon Forest Pass?"

For the past two years, she had been stationed alone at Dark Moon Forest Pass, unable to support it alone. She repeatedly sent requests to Ten Thousand Demons City for reinforcements, but with insect disasters everywhere in the Nine Provinces, Ten Thousand Demons Ridge's Divine Sea cultivators were all occupied with tasks, leaving no excess manpower to dispatch to her.

Not only Ten Thousand Demons Ridge but Haotian Alliance was also in the same situation.

Otherwise, how could a Divine Sea Level 7 cultivator like her be so exhausted? If she could bring Li Taibai to Dark Moon Forest Pass, it would surely lighten her burden.

With Ten Thousand Demons City's reluctance to send reinforcements, she understood, but surely she could enlist one strong person herself?

And in any case, Li Taibai has some connection to Dark Moon Forest Pass, making it a convenient opportunity.

Lu Ye had no intention of going to Dark Moon Forest Pass with her; having just returned from the Blood Refinement World, he planned to go back to Haotian City and did not want to complicate matters.

Just as he was about to refuse, Lin Yue noticed his thoughts and raised her guard token from her waist, waving it: "Lin Yue, Mountain Pass Chief of Dark Moon Forest Pass, requisitions independent cultivator Li Taibai to the pass for cooperation in defense. The order is given, and defiance is not tolerated!"

This is trying to use military rank and position to pressure him.

Lu Ye couldn't help but laugh.

Disguised as Li Taibai, he just wanted to take advantage of this identity to easily carry out his tasks. As long as he passed through Liyuan and beyond the territory controlled by Ten Thousand Demons Ridge, he could return to his original appearance.

And now he's facing this issue.

Under the guard token, Li Taibai had no chance to refuse. Of course, Lu Ye could also try to kill all the people in front of him and end things once and for all.

Lately, there hasn't been any thoughts like this from Lu Ye, considering whether he can accomplish this or not. Just fight first, even if it exposes Li Taibai's identity and his method to disguise as a Ten Thousand Demons Ridge cultivator, there's no real loss.

But now, he has more to consider than before.

So after a brief contemplation, he cupped his fists and said, "Li Taibai accepts the order!"

The Dark Moon Forest Pass couldn't restrain him; if he really wanted to leave, there's no rush, so there was no need to stir up any trouble here.

Lin Yue smiled: "Very good, from now on, you will be the Mountain Pass Chief of Dark Moon Forest Pass!"

Just been recruited, given a significant role, which Lu Ye hadn't expected.

He wondered: "Wasn't the Mountain Pass Chief of Dark Moon Forest Pass you, Senior? Have you been promoted? What happened to the original Chief?"

He remembered the original Chief was named Zhang Kun, whose cultivation was slightly higher than Lin Yue's.

"You are now in the Divine Sea, so there's no need to call me Senior. Among cultivators, we judge our rank based on cultivation. If you don't mind, call me Senior Sister; makes me feel younger." Lin Yue clearly had high hopes for Lu Ye.

Imagine an independent cultivator without a sect or mentors, able to defeat a Level 7 cultivator when at True Lake Level 3, and quickly advancing to the Divine Sea within two years—such talent is unparalleled.

And now she needs people desperately, so she naturally wants to win over Lu Ye.

"Senior Sister Lin," Lu Ye went along with it smoothly.

"The current situation in Nine Provinces is something you might not understand; now every place needs a Divine Sea Realm to oversee. Brother Zhang Kun was transferred, and Dark Moon Forest Pass only has one Divine Sea overseer. It isn't really a promotion, just filling a position." Lin Yue explained.

Lu Ye understood.

"Let's head back to the mountain pass, I will explain everything thoroughly on the way," Lin Yue said.

While the two were talking, Ying Wuji's squad members stood quietly aside, except Ying Wuji himself, who removed the two mantis sabers of the Mantis Insect Race and carried them on his shoulder in a showy manner.

Seeing Lu Ye looking over, Ying Wuji explained a bit awkwardly, "This thing is tough and sharp, just perfect for refining artifacts."

Although the insect disaster in Nine Provinces caused quite a bit of damage, it also provided a bounty of precious materials. Take this mantis saber for example; it's extremely solid and sharp, making excellent materials for artifact refining.

Therefore, cultivators now gain battle merit by killing the insect race and collect various odd materials, which can be sold to the Heaven's Augury treasure vault for a good profit.

Lu Ye nodded.

Ying Wuji added, "Besides, I can't stand seeing knife-like things, and I loathe those who use knives. Mountain Pass Chief, since you are a sword cultivator, you must know whoever uses knives are not good—just a bunch of brutes. They lack the elegance and grace of sword cultivators."

In Nine Provinces, those who use knives look down on those who use swords, and vice versa. Their mutual disdain is no secret.

Li Taibai was a lifesaver, and Ying Wuji naturally wanted to say things he liked to hear, as he'd be working under the Mountain Pass Chief of Dark Moon Forest Pass in the future.

Lu Ye's eyes narrowed, nodding frequently: "You have a point. You're quite good, I have high hopes for you."

Though it was a compliment, Ying Wuji felt a bit uncomfortable hearing it, and goosebumps involuntarily appeared on his skin.

"Let's go." Lin Yue, in high spirits, realized that her rushed visit saved no one, yet she recruited Li Taibai to ease her troubles, allowing her not to be so burdened in the future.

In fact, if the squad didn't have Ying Wuji, she wouldn't have hastily run here. When cultivators are out, their fortunes and misfortunes are their own, and it's impossible to have elders guarding them all the time. Cultivators can't grow if such circumstances are true.

But Ying Wuji's background in Senluo Hall forced her to prioritize, so upon receiving his request for help, she rushed over.

Spirit force activated, the group, led by Lin Yue, flew towards Dark Moon Forest Pass.

Lu Ye and Lin Yue flew ahead, with Ying Wuji's team following closely behind.

On the way, Lin Yue explained the current situation in Nine Provinces, which was mostly consistent with the information Lu Ye got from Yiyi, but more detailed.