Chapter 1334: This Spirit Orb I Claim for the East

One is human-centric, the other is talisman-centric. The difference is obvious. However, formation talismans have their unique advantages: once activated, cultivators only need to take their respective positions to unleash maximum power. Furthermore, their scope and integration are far superior to formation plates.

Which of the three divisions participating in the martial arts demonstration hasn't prepared formation talismans? However, these are usually reserved for the final, most intense battles; it's not yet time to use them.

The Eastern Division naturally also had preparations. The sole formation talisman for the Nine Bends Interlocking Array was in Begonia's storage ring. However, the Eastern Division couldn't use this talisman casually, because if they deployed it and their opponents responded with their own talismans, the Eastern Division would only be defeated faster.

Regardless, this was considered the Eastern Division's trump card.

Now, Lu Ye had taken out a formation plate, allowing everyone to experience the profound mystery of fighting as one, undoubtedly giving the Eastern Division more tactical options.

Begonia asked, "Junior Brother Lu, if we use this formation plate, can our nine members split into three teams? This way, we can both ensure our combat strength and operate more flexibly."

Lu Ye nodded, "That's exactly what I was thinking."

It was unrealistic for all nine people to form an array using the formation plate, as its range wasn't that large. Even a minor mistake during combat would cause the formation to collapse. However, for a group of three, it could be barely serviceable. Of course, the prerequisite was that the three individuals could work together, with one leader and the other two assisting.

"Then we'll split into three teams!" Begonia decided. She swept her gaze across the group and pointed to two individuals: "Junior Sister Oriole and Junior Brother Xu Xinghe will follow Junior Brother Lu. Junior Brother Wan Jun and Junior Brother Zhang Chao will follow Junior Brother Han Molong. The remaining two will follow me."

These tactical plans should have been discussed and finalized long before they assembled. However, due to certain circumstances, the Eastern Division only had a chance to communicate after entering the Black Abyss, which made things seem rushed.

Fortunately, it wasn't too late now.

Lu Ye then took out two more formation plates and gave them to Begonia and Han Molong respectively. After a brief familiarization on the main camp platform, they split into three small teams, forming a wedge shape, and swept towards the depths of the Black Abyss.

The second wave of competition hadn't officially begun; this was considered a period of calm. However, it was evident that the Star Constellations from the Southern and Western Divisions were not content with the status quo. They were tacitly engaging in intense combat at the center of the Black Abyss. The ferocity of their battles surpassed even their previous scramble for spirit orbs.

Clearly, both sides shared the same idea: cripple the opposing team first. This way, if a new spirit orb appeared, the other side would gain an advantage.

In an environment with three competing factions, the stance of these two divisions seemed somewhat arrogant. Neither regarded the Eastern Division as a threat, believing they could easily handle them even if their own teams were weakened.

Such intense clashes inevitably led to casualties. In just half a day, three or four members from each side had already been defeated.

Of course, dying in the Black Abyss didn't mean true demise; individuals would simply reappear on their own camp platform and then rush back to the battlefield.

This unique rule allowed the Miniatures to fight without much concern for consequences, enabling them to unleash their full power. The nine members of the Eastern Division no longer moved as a single unit but split into three small teams, moving around the periphery of the fierce battlefield. This allowed them to expand their search range, ensuring that at least one team could quickly reach the location no matter where a new spirit orb appeared.

Having nothing else to do, Lu Ye brought Oriole and Xu Xinghe to observe the battle.

Oriole, a woman, was naturally timid despite having reached the Star Constellation realm. Seeing the fierce and brutal combat so close to them, she couldn't help but say, "Senior Brother Lu, shouldn't we keep our distance? It wouldn't be good if others misunderstood our presence."

"No worries, no worries," Lu Ye waved his hand. "Those two sides are practically fighting to the death right now; they won't pay any attention to us. We can just watch."

As they were speaking, a strong spiritual energy fluctuation rapidly approached from behind, followed by an aggressive voice declaring, "Those who block me shall die!"

Lu Ye turned to look and saw a figure charging towards them, glowing with a golden light. Even obstructing asteroids were forcefully shattered as he crashed through them, appearing utterly frenzied.

Lu Ye quickly led his two teammates to clear the path. The cultivator swept past them without even a glance, eagerly joining the battlefield.

This individual had clearly been defeated and resurrected, and his anger stemmed from that defeat.

"Sigh!" Xu Xinghe sighed softly. "The weak are always bullied!"

If their side had even one late-stage Star Constellation realm cultivator participating this time, they wouldn't be looked down upon so much. Now, the other two sides each had a late-stage Star Constellation realm cultivator overseeing them, and even two or three mid-stage cultivators. Their own side only had one mid-stage Star Constellation, making it hard to stand tall.

As they watched, all three felt a sudden stir in their minds and turned to look in a certain direction. The next instant, Lu Ye's body flickered as he flew towards it.

A new spirit orb had appeared!

Simultaneously, Begonia's and Han Molong's teams also rushed towards the location.

The remaining Southern and Western forces, who had been fiercely battling, simultaneously ceased fighting and moved swiftly. Even those cultivators who had been defeated and were now resurrecting rushed towards the spirit orb.

In an instant, all twenty-seven individuals in the Black Abyss focused on a single target.

In the first wave of competition, the Southern and Western Divisions allowed the Eastern Division to secure a spirit orb first. However, with the second wave beginning, they had no intention of yielding again. Ultimately, such competitions relied on strength, and they couldn't always concede.

Feeling the numerous presences rapidly approaching from behind, Oriole and Xu Xinghe looked helpless. If the situation continued to develop like this, once all twenty-seven individuals converged, the Eastern Division would undoubtedly have to retreat significantly.

Unexpectedly, Lu Ye suddenly shouted, his voice filled with determination: "This spirit orb belongs to our Eastern Division! Anyone who dares to snatch it will face our relentless pursuit until death!"

Oriole and Xu Xinghe, who had been secretly anxious, were stunned. They looked at Lu Ye in surprise.

In all previous martial arts demonstrations, the Eastern Division had always been weak, essentially always keeping a low profile. When had they ever dared to utter such arrogant boasts?

Where did he get the confidence to say such a thing? Wasn't he afraid of inciting public outrage?

Senior Sister Begonia's Dao companion seemed so refined and gentle, yet how could he be so foolish?

As the two were still in shock and doubt, Lu Ye's tone suddenly shifted: "However, if any division can help our Eastern Division acquire this spirit orb, our Eastern Division will certainly repay the favor. For the next spirit orb, our Eastern Division will provide full assistance!"

Three breaths later, the numerous presences pursuing them from behind suddenly became chaotic. The two divisions, which had previously ceased hostilities, clashed once more.

A deep voice echoed, "Fellow Daoist from the Eastern Division, remember your words. The Southern Division will help you this time!"

Another person angrily shouted, "Southerners, have your brains moved to your rear ends? Can't you see through such a simple trick? The Eastern Division clearly wants us to fight each other so they can reap the benefits of the conflict. You're so muddled!"

The deep voice retorted, "Enough nonsense! You showed no mercy when you killed our people just now. So what if they benefit from our conflict?"

Amidst the clamor, they descended into a chaotic brawl.

Lu Ye's three-person team quickly departed.

Oriole was clearly still reeling, unable to comprehend how Lu Ye's single sentence had caused the two divisions to start fighting fiercely again.

Xu Xinghe, however, was pensive, then both surprised and impressed: "Senior Brother Lu, what excellent tactics! A single statement divided the two divisions, allowing our Eastern Division to seize the initiative."

Lu Ye shook his head, "It's not that I have any clever tactics; it's simply that the two divisions were already wary of each other. I merely added fuel to the fire!"

Oriole asked, "But Senior Brother Lu, how could you be sure that someone would definitely be willing to help us?"

Lu Ye explained, "None of them genuinely want to help us, but they all fear the other side helping us. In this state of apprehension and indecision, it's highly probable that the relatively weaker side will be unable to hold back and agree to my proposal. Of course, even if no one agreed, what would be the loss in trying? Who can't boast a little?"

Oriole suddenly realized, "So the Southern Division agreed because they were indeed at a slight disadvantage during the previous fierce battle."

Xu Xinghe asked, "But Junior Brother Lu, aren't you afraid that these two divisions might join forces to deal with us first? With their combined strength, we wouldn't be able to resist."

"And what if they do?" Lu Ye paused, feeling the need to change their perspective. "Even if they wipe out our people, they'll still have to fight each other, and a winner won't be decided quickly. By the time we reassemble and return, it'll be another three-way free-for-all." He continued, "It's true that the Eastern Division is weak, but in this environment, weakness isn't necessarily a disadvantage; it's actually our strength. Because those two divisions are both afraid of us siding with the other, if we just leverage this point effectively, we don't need to fear them. On the contrary, they should be the ones seeking our favor."

Both Oriole and Xu Xinghe had never heard such a viewpoint before, and they felt their eyes were truly opened.

If they were Star Constellations from other realms, Lu Ye wouldn't need to say much at all. Cultivators reaching such a realm would undoubtedly possess extensive knowledge and experience. However, the situation at Fangcun Mountain was unique compared to all other realms. Even Star Constellations couldn't easily venture into the starry sky, which made their minds somewhat simpler.

As they spoke, Lu Ye had already led the two to the spirit orb's location. Begonia's team had already arrived, as this spot was closest to them, making their arrival the fastest. They were currently channeling their spiritual energy, grunting with effort as they transported the spirit orb towards the main camp.

However, judging by the expressions on their faces, all three were clearly somewhat nervous, fearing that powerful cultivators from the Southern and Western Divisions might suddenly appear to contest it.

When Lu Ye arrived and Oriole excitedly recounted what had just happened, Begonia and her two teammates all breathed a sigh of relief. They looked at Lu Ye with a mix of admiration and gratitude.

A moment later, Han Molong's team arrived. The nine members of the Eastern Division proceeded to transport the spirit orb according to their previous plan.

Without any obstruction, the Eastern Division successfully transported the second spirit orb to the main camp and secured it.

He took deep breaths of fresh air, his chest trembling.

Confusion, bewilderment, and various other emotions flooded his mind.

Where was this?

Then, Shi Yu subconsciously surveyed his surroundings, growing even more bewildered.

A single dormitory room?

Even if he had been successfully rescued, he should be in a hospital room now.

And his body... why was there not a single injury?

Filled with questions, Shi Yu's gaze quickly swept across the room, finally settling on a mirror by the bedside.

The mirror reflected his current appearance: around seventeen or eighteen years old, and quite handsome.

But the problem was, this wasn't him!

His former self was a handsome young man in his twenties with an extraordinary demeanor, who had been working for some time.

Now, however, this face looked no older than a high school student's...

This change left Shi Yu in a daze for a long time.

Don't tell him the surgery was a success...

His body and appearance had both changed; this was no longer a matter of surgery but rather divine art.

He had completely transformed into someone else!

Could it be... that he had transmigrated?

Besides the mirror by the bed, positioned in a clearly inauspicious feng shui spot, Shi Yu also discovered three books nearby.

Shi Yu picked them up and saw the titles, which instantly rendered him speechless.

"Essential Beast-Rearing Manual for Novice Breeders"

"Post-Natal Care for Pet Beasts"

"Guide to Appreciating Beast-Eared Girls of Different Races"

Shi Yu: ???

The first two book titles seemed normal, but what was up with the last one?

"Ahem."

Shi Yu's gaze sharpened, and he reached out, but his arm quickly stiffened.

Just as he was about to open the third book to see what it was, his brain suddenly throbbed with a sharp pain, and a flood of memories surged forth.

Icefield City.

Pet Beast Breeding Base.

Intern pet beast breeder.

Beast Tamer?