Over the following days, every Human Universe Exalt aboard the Feiyuan Divine Boat could clearly sense the complex gazes cast their way by the alien Exalts of the Great Alliance—envy, jealousy, and thinly veiled resentment interwoven together.
For the Human Race Exalts, this only heightened their sense of pride.
Soon, secondary effects began to surface.
One alien Universe Exalt from the Great Alliance privately approached a long-time Human friend, asking whether he could help borrow, or even exchange, a domain-type treasure in his name. This Human Exalt already possessed a domain treasure himself and had not borrowed one from Bai Yue. After some hesitation—and out of years of friendship—he agreed to temporarily lend the treasure under his own name, but firmly refused to help with an exchange.
Borrowing was one thing.
Exchanging at half-price using Bai Yue's authority was another matter entirely.
That would clearly harm Human Race interests.
Afterward, this Human Exalt took the initiative to report the matter to Gui Yi Venerable. Since Lord of Hunyuan had granted them such unprecedented benefits, they also bore the responsibility of safeguarding Human interests.
Gui Yi Venerable treated the matter seriously and immediately passed it on to Bai Yue.
The issue could be viewed as trivial—or as significant. On the surface, it was merely mutual assistance between friends. Looked at more broadly, it involved the outflow of Human assets.
Bai Yue's response was calm and decisive.
"Don't worry about it. Each person can only borrow or exchange one set of treasures from me anyway. If they use that opportunity for someone else, they lose the chance themselves. Let them decide."
After a pause, he added lightly, "That said—my treasures shouldn't be sold too cheaply. At least eighty to ninety percent of the original value."
To Bai Yue, these treasures were insignificant. Within his Original Universe, he could mass-produce items of similar level with ease.
But to others, this "small profit" was a staggering fortune.
Once this clarification spread among the Human Universe Exalts, uncertainty vanished. Lord of Hunyuan had opened a path—whether one could seize it was a matter of personal capability.
When the news reached Human territory, those Universe Exalts who had declined participation were filled with regret.
An opportunity to amass wealth had been placed right before them—and they had let it slip away.
If given another chance, they would surely say:
"For the sake of the Human Race, we are duty-bound!"
Unwilling to accept this loss, they sought alternative routes. Some reported the situation to the Universe Lords they served; others escalated it to the leaders of their respective factions.
As a result, on the second day of Bai Yue's three-day preparation window, a message reached him—
He was requested to attend a Great Axe Conference.
Before the Great Axe Temple, floating within endless darkness, a square illuminated by scattered starlight once again gathered the highest echelons of the Human Race.
"Haha, Chaos," Great Axe Founder laughed heartily, "since Bai Yue broke through to Universe Lord, we've been holding Great Axe Conferences more and more frequently!"
"But they're all good matters," someone added.
"That's true," Great Axe nodded. "By the way—what exactly is the relationship between Zuo Shanke and Beiqiu Prison Master? He actually went personally to rescue him."
"Bai Yue explained it to me," Primordial Chaos City Lord replied. "Beiqiu Prison Master is Yan Emperor—Zuo Shanke's second disciple."
The moment those words fell, the surrounding Universe Lords froze.
"So it was that traitor…"
"No wonder Beiqiu Prison Master always targeted us."
"If Zuo Shanke hadn't protected him, he would've been killed long ago!"
"This time, no one is protecting him anymore."
The final sentence came from Bai Yue, who had just arrived and taken his seat.
Great Axe Founder turned to him. "Lord of Hunyuan, what do you mean?"
Bai Yue spoke plainly.
"Zuo Shanke never truly cared about Yan Emperor. He cultivated that lineage only to search for a suitable successor—not a reckless fool who provokes enemies everywhere."
He continued coldly, "After this incident, their master-disciple relationship is effectively over. From now on, if you encounter Yan Emperor—kill him. All his treasures are already in my hands. His current strength is probably not even on par with Youhou."
Youhou Lord coughed. "Hey—no need to use me as the benchmark. Even if I might be the weakest here…"
Laughter rippled through the hall.
Bai Yue smiled faintly. "Don't worry. In a few years, you won't be."
The topic soon shifted.
"Then who do you think will become the nineteenth Universe Lord of our Human Race?" Lan Cang Lord asked. "Celestial Eclipse? Xingyu Demon Master?"
Interest surged instantly. Names were thrown around—Zu Shu Venerable, other peak Universe Overlords, even dark horses.
Primordial Chaos City Lord and Great Axe watched with smiles.
"Enough," Lan Cang said. "Let Hun Yuan answer."
All eyes turned to Bai Yue.
"If I had to choose," Bai Yue said calmly, "I'm very confident."
"Oh?" Primordial Chaos City Lord leaned forward. "Then who?"
"My former teacher—Gan Wu Country Lord."
Shock rippled outward.
"How is that possible?" Dragon Walker Master blurted out. "He's been a high-level Universe Exalt forever!"
"I'm certain," Bai Yue replied evenly.
He did not explain further. But in truth, within the Original Universe, Gan Wu Country Lord had already fully mastered the Time Law. The only reason he had not yet broken through was to perfect a true Universe Lord–level ultimate technique—not a borrowed one, but one he fully comprehended.
Under extreme time acceleration, that final step was nearly complete.
At most, ten more years of Primordial Universe time.
Seeing Bai Yue's unwavering expression, even skeptics began to hesitate.
"Alright," Great Axe Founder concluded. "Let's move on to today's main issue."
The matter of the meeting was soon laid bare.
A large number of Universe Exalts—upon hearing about the treasure-borrowing arrangement—now wished to join the secret realm operation.
Since the initiative was Bai Yue's, they wanted his decision.
Opinions were voiced, but the stance was unanimous:
It was Bai Yue's choice.
Bai Yue nodded.
"They may join—but the conditions must differ. Those who join late may exchange treasures at seventy percent of the Human treasure vault price, and only for personal use."
Primordial Chaos City Lord nodded. "Fair and stable."
No objections followed.
Finally, Bai Yue revealed the core of his plan.
"I intend to fully occupy the G547 Secret Realm."
Silence fell.
"As a newly promoted Universe Lord, I can block the other races' Universe Lords alone. Our Universe Exalts—strengthened by the Inheritance Land and equipped with borrowed treasures—can expel their Exalts entirely."
Excitement surged.
Joint development could never compare to sole ownership.
"Well said!"
"This agreement was never meant to face a monster like Hun Yuan!"
"Our Human Race will truly show its edge!"
With that, the course was set.