Chapter 1335: 提前完成任务？

The development of the martial arts tournament had been under the close scrutiny of the three Sun-Glow divisions. By observing the changing positions of the light points, the Sun-Glows could easily deduce the precise situation within the Black Abyss.

Seeing the East Division smoothly acquire its second spirit orb, Chen Xuanhai and the others were greatly astonished.

In all previous tournaments, the East Division's process of competing for spirit orbs had never been so smooth. Typically, the East Division would seize opportunities while the other two divisions were preoccupied with transporting spirit orbs, allowing them to pick up strays. Many times, they only managed to secure two orbs after the final spirit orb appeared. This was because by then, the other two divisions had already secured three and four orbs respectively and could not contend for more. With the overall situation already decided, the last spirit orb would inevitably fall to the East Division.

But this time, the development of the situation was puzzling. The first spirit orb was understandable; it was yielded by the South and West Divisions. But what about this second spirit orb?

Clearly, cultivators from both the South and West Divisions were moving towards the spirit orb's location, yet somehow they started fighting midway. This allowed the East Division to claim this second orb without any risk.

This situation astonished not only Chen Xuanhai and the others, but also left the Sun-Glows from the South and West Divisions utterly perplexed, unsure what their 'little brats' were up to.

Before the tournament, they had indeed instructed not to suppress the East Division too harshly, as the East Division was already struggling enough. Although divided into three divisions, they were ultimately one family and would have to unite against external enemies. However, not suppressing them didn't mean they had to be so deferential.

Although they could deduce the situation in the Black Abyss, they were unclear about what exactly happened inside, and even less able to interfere.

In the silence, Chen Xuanhai grumbled, "If you have something to say, just spit it out; don't hold it in and harm yourself!"

A Sun-Glow from the West Division chuckled, "Brother Chen, what you said... Regardless, I must congratulate you. The East Division has completed its task early. This generation's Constellations from the East... are quite impressive!"

The implication was that two spirit orbs were enough for the East Division, and they should not interfere with the rest.

Old Zhu, the second one from the South, understood perfectly and let out a low chuckle.

Chen Xuanhai snorted coldly, regretting having spoken. With their juniors performing poorly, they, as elders, couldn't retort when mocked by others, and he felt a temporary tightness in his chest.

Not only did the Sun-Glows believe the East Division had completed its task early, but even the Constellations from the East Division participating in the event within the Black Abyss thought the same.

When the second spirit orb was safely secured, everyone showed joyful expressions, and some even burst into laughter.

Even Haitang let out a long sigh of relief.

With two orbs in hand now, even if they gained nothing more, they wouldn't suffer too humiliating a defeat.

Seeing this, Lu Ye had initially intended to persuade them not to be so easily satisfied. After all, he still bore the mission of securing second place. If everyone was satisfied, what would he do? He couldn't possibly fight alone.

However, before he could speak, Haitang spoke first: "We have such a perfect start now; we should press on and contend for more. If we can secure three spirit orbs, we can avenge our past humiliation and restore the glory of our East Division. What do you all think?"

Everyone, already in a joyful mood, was greatly encouraged by Haitang's words. The number of spirit orbs would determine the strength of their division's foundation for the next fifty years. They now bore such a sacred mission, having the opportunity to complete a feat their ancestors could not. If achieved, it would surely earn them the admiration of future generations.

So they said one after another, "We will follow Senior Sister's arrangements!"

Haitang turned to Lu Ye: "Didn't Junior Brother Lu also promise the South Division to lend them a hand? Those two divisions are currently fighting over a spirit orb; it's time to fulfill our promise."

Just now, when the East Division was transporting the spirit orb, the fifth spirit orb had already appeared, and the South and West Divisions must be contending for it.

If the East Division rushed over now to assist the South Division, the West Division would surely be defeated!

Lu Ye nodded. "Since it's a promise, we naturally must adhere to it, lest others say our East Division doesn't keep its word." His tone then shifted. "However, I suggest we don't go to their fighting location, nor do we need to directly participate in their conflict."

Haitang asked, "Then what should we do?"

Lu Ye turned and looked in a certain direction: "We're going over there!"

Everyone followed his gaze and was momentarily stunned. Then they looked at Lu Ye, their faces filled with shock; they had never imagined he would have such a proposal.

If such a thing were done, it would truly mean an endless conflict with the West Division!

After all, that direction was where the West Division's main camp was located!

They were going to raid the camp.

Such things had happened in history, but they generally failed because the opposing cultivators, upon noticing the movement of the spirit orb, would immediately realize what was happening. With quick reinforcements, they could easily snatch the spirit orb back.

Lu Ye saw the expressions on their faces and knew what they were thinking. He shook his head and said, "Not raiding the camp; we're intercepting people!"

If they truly raided the camp, the West Division would surely react immediately. They would most likely abandon their entanglement with the South Division and return to defend their camp. While this would indeed fulfill their previous agreement with the South Division, what Lu Ye wanted to achieve was not just that agreement.

What he wanted to do more was to buy time!

To make the South and West Divisions fight longer; this would facilitate his subsequent plan. If these two divisions stopped fighting, his strategy couldn't be implemented.

Haitang reacted: "Junior Brother Lu means to intercept the cultivators from the West Division who have died in battle and are regenerating to return to the battlefield."

"Precisely!"

Haitang nodded. "That's good too. Not directly interfering in the two divisions' conflict won't completely offend them."

Lu Ye knew Haitang's thoughts were still too naive. She believed this wouldn't completely offend them, but in reality, if the East Division truly started intercepting people, it would have the same effect as raiding the camp. The West Division would inevitably resent the East Division and would likely resort to various forms of targeting and suppression afterwards.

Between the South and West Divisions, one would eventually have to be offended. Since the South Division had previously agreed to Lu Ye's conditions, the only division he could choose to offend was the West.

With the plan decided, everyone immediately headed in that direction.

Upon reaching a central position between the West Division's main camp and the contested spirit orb, Lu Ye and his nine companions immediately dispersed. They hid among nearby asteroids, concealing their forms while also suppressing their aura.

Before long, a streak of light hurriedly approached from the direction of the West Division's main camp. It was clearly a West Division cultivator who had regenerated after dying in battle and was rushing to the battlefield.

Judging only from the opponent's spiritual energy fluctuations, it was merely an early-stage Constellation. This was normal; in such a large-scale battle, those with lower cultivation would inevitably be at a disadvantage and face greater danger.

This person was only focused on hurrying on their way, never imagining that a group of ill-intentioned individuals would be ambushing them in such a place.

When he entered the ambush zone, Han Molong was the first to jump out and block him. Only then did he realize something was wrong, but it was already too late to flee. Han Molong's three-person team easily entangled him.

They didn't kill him, mainly because Lu Ye had specifically instructed Han Molong beforehand to just keep him entangled.

In this situation, the person cried out loudly in anger, uttering continuous harsh threats and vowing that the East Division would pay the price later. However, this couldn't shake Han Molong and the others' resolve in the slightest.

Since they had decided to do this, they would no longer hesitate.

While the fighting was lively here, another streak of light arrived from the direction of the West Division's main camp. From afar, Lu Ye sensed this person's mid-stage Constellation cultivation.

From this, it seemed the conflict between the two divisions was clearly very brutal, as even a mid-stage Constellation had actually died in battle.

With a nine-person lineup, a mid-stage Constellation could play a significant role. He was naturally eager to return to the battlefield. However, from a distance, he saw Han Molong and others encircling his comrade, so he immediately stopped, his expression grave.

The presence of East Division cultivators at this location was undoubtedly intriguing. He didn't rashly step forward to rescue, primarily because he didn't spot any other East Division members.

However, just then, three figures suddenly emerged from an angle; it was Haitang's team.

This person was greatly alarmed and instantly grasped the East Division's intention. Just as he was about to flee from the side, Lu Ye, leading Huang Li and Xu Xinghe, leisurely approached to meet him.

He almost didn't hesitate, rushing directly towards Lu Ye's team to attack.

The situation was clear: of the two teams sandwiching him, one had a mid-stage Constellation leader and one did not. He naturally chose the one without a mid-stage Constellation, as it would be easier to break through.

At the same time, he shouted, "East Division cultivators, are you going to collude with the South Division and conspire together?"

Lu Ye ignored him and charged directly towards him.

The moment their spiritual energies collided, Lu Ye's long saber was drawn from his waist. In an instant, a chilling aura flashed through the void.

This mid-stage Constellation cried out in alarm, his body uncontrollably recoiling backward. On his waist and abdomen, a deep, bone-exposing wound was gushing blood, with flesh torn open.

Before he could stabilize himself, Haitang's team had already arrived, bringing him into their attack range.

Like Han Molong's team, Haitang's team also only entangled, without delivering a killing blow. Originally, even with two clansmen assisting Haitang, it would not have been easy to entangle the opponent. After all, in terms of accumulated experience at the mid-stage Constellation realm, the opponent had many more years than Haitang, and in terms of individual strength, he was much stronger than Haitang.

But after being wounded by Lu Ye's saber strike, it became impossible for this person to escape.

Moreover, Lu Ye's gaze was always on him, intentionally or unintentionally, which truly made him hesitant to act.

Behind Lu Ye, Huang Li and Xu Xinghe were both shocked. They had not known Lu Ye's strength before, only assuming that since their cultivation levels were similar, their strengths were probably comparable. It was only after that saber strike was unleashed that they realized Lu Ye's strength was simply beyond their comparison.

A mid-stage Constellation was actually wounded by his single saber strike. Even with the assistance of their combined power, if his own foundation wasn't strong enough, he wouldn't be able to achieve this extent.

The foreign aid invited by their division this time seemed quite extraordinary!