Chapter 1350: Death Without Knowing How It Happened

Wind Rises in the Nine Provinces

The augmentation of the Divine Edge Spirit-mark compensated for their offensive shortcomings, bringing a new dynamic to the battle.

The brutal clash between the two giants was exceptionally fierce; neither could gain a clear advantage, a clear stalemate. Their bodies were mottled with fresh and old wounds, and large chunks of their flesh were missing.

Lu Ye was immensely grateful he had retrieved his clone in time. Otherwise, such a high-intensity, protracted battle would have been more than even he could endure.

Since the South and West divisions launched their joint attack, his spiritual energy consumption had been at an alarming rate, far more intense than anyone else's. This was especially true during the period when he activated the Blood Art to protect their main camp, as all the power consumed was his own.

Thus, even with his unique advantage in spiritual energy recovery, it was difficult to avoid the continuous depletion of his spiritual energy.

Now, repeatedly augmenting the Divine Edge Spirit-mark in clash after clash also consumed a tremendous amount of energy. Each of those fangs was a full two *zhang* long; compared to augmenting the Immovable Mountain Blade on a regular basis, constructing these spirit-marks undoubtedly consumed significantly more spiritual energy.

If he hadn't retrieved his clone earlier and replenished his energy, he might have already been unable to continue.

The cultivators from both divisions currently had their own strengths and weaknesses. The Southern division had always boasted superior overall strength and a deeper foundation. While the Eastern division was weaker overall, due to Lu Ye's various assistance prior to this battle, their spiritual energy reserves were quite ample before the battle erupted; they were almost fighting at full strength.

The Southern division was different. Their spiritual energy recovery speed was ultimately limited. Furthermore, in the previous skirmishes, many in the Southern division had experienced rebirth multiple times; some, due to ill luck, had already died in battle several times over. Consequently, their spiritual energy had depleted to varying degrees.

This was also one of the reasons the Eastern division could now contend with the Southern division on equal terms.

The augmentation of the Divine Edge Spirit-mark merely boosted the attack power of the Eastern division's formation talismans. However, without sufficient spiritual energy reserves, the Eastern cultivators would still find it difficult to persist for long.

The fierce battle raged on.

Until a certain moment, Haitang, who had been persistently seeking an opening, finally found her chance. The nine-headed serpent's massive body tightly coiled around the giant wolf, leaving it no room to maneuver.

The giant wolf struggled, its massive maw and claws ceaselessly inflicting damage upon the nine-headed serpent, yet it remained unable to break free. Instead, the nine serpent heads aggressively attacked, forming a suppressive force against the giant wolf.

This scene clearly signaled the Eastern division's impending victory. This invigorated everyone in the Eastern division, causing them to redouble their efforts.

However, how could the Southern division allow the Eastern division to have its way?

Upon realizing it was truly impossible to break free from the Eastern division's restraint, the Southern division ceased its futile struggles. The single horn on the giant wolf's forehead began to glow, crackling with arcs of lightning.

Witnessing this, the Eastern division immediately understood the Southern division's intention.

They had previously suffered from this very move during the initial clashes of their formation talismans.

This was a ferocious attack that the nine-headed serpent, manifested by their formation talismans, simply could not withstand. Their defenses simply weren't strong enough!

In such a situation, the Eastern division had no choice but to redouble their efforts to restrain the giant wolf's movements. Simultaneously, the nine serpent heads intensified their attacks.

However, their suppressive force ultimately proved insufficient. After five full breaths of accumulating power, a column of light, like molten lightning, fiercely erupted. It struck directly at the junction of the serpent's head and body.

Without a sound, a massive gaping hole appeared.

The spiritual energy of the nine Eastern cultivators swiftly flowed towards that spot, attempting to mend the wound.

However, the Southern division's assault was not yet over. Before the column of molten lightning dissipated, the giant wolf's head swayed slightly from side to side.

Like cutting tofu, the nine-headed serpent's body was severed into two halves...

As the formation talisman shattered, nine figures were flung from the nine serpent heads, each appearing panicked.

In a contest of formation talismans, whichever side's talisman shattered first would undoubtedly be at a huge disadvantage. After all, the colossal beings manifested by these talismans were simply not something cultivators of this level could contend with.

No one in the Eastern division had anticipated that, in this clash, they would ultimately fall short by a single move. For a moment, they were at a loss.

Only Lu Ye, even as he was flung backward, had already drawn his Immovable Mountain Blade. From a distance, he thrust his blade directly at the heavily wounded giant wolf.

Like falling stars, specks of starlight blossomed. Each speck was a manifestation of blade light.

Noticing Lu Ye's decisive action, the Eastern cultivators swiftly rallied. They simultaneously unleashed their own techniques, and the power of numerous spiritual talismans was unleashed, transforming into an incessant barrage that hammered the giant wolf's body.

After activating the column of molten lightning, the giant wolf's body had become incredibly translucent. Even the Southern cultivators within it were visibly pale.

At this point, as the Eastern division's myriad attacks landed, the giant wolf suddenly disintegrated. The nine Southern cultivators met the same fate as the Eastern division...

The Eastern cultivators, initially in a state of panic, suddenly lit up upon witnessing this. They instantly realized that the Southern division was also at the end of its tether!

While the column of molten lightning was powerful, its energy consumption was equally immense. The remaining spiritual energy of the Southern cultivators was clearly insufficient to maintain the formation talisman's operation, which was why it had shattered under their combined assault!

The clash of their respective formation talismans ultimately ended in a draw! Duan Xiuchen gritted his teeth and roared, "Kill!"

He had originally believed they could defeat the Eastern division using their formation talismans, but who would have thought the opponent was so tenacious and resilient? Now that the talismans were gone, they would have to rely on their individual strengths.

Almost simultaneously with Duan Xiuchen's order to attack, another voice echoed from nearby: "Brother Duan, I'm here to assist you!" The Eastern cultivators looked in that direction, their expressions grim. They saw a single streak of light leading, followed by eight others, all rushing menacingly towards them.

It was clearly the nine cultivators from the Western division!

Originally, all these individuals, with the exception of Ye Chaoqun, had regenerated back to their main camp. However, during the clash of the Southeast divisions' formation talismans, the eight regenerated cultivators had already rushed over, arriving just in time for this final confrontation.

Seeing that the formation talismans of both the Southeast divisions had shattered, Ye Chaoqun took the lead, charging forward with his subordinates. However, no sooner had he spoken than his expression changed. A figure had, at some unknown moment, swept past the Southern division's position and was now charging aggressively, head-on.

It was none other than Lu Ye!

Ye Chaoqun was utterly speechless. He couldn't understand what madness had possessed Lu Ye; Lu Ye should have been contending with the Southern division, yet here he was, charging towards the Western division.

Under normal circumstances, Ye Chaoqun would never shy away from battle. He would have even relished a direct confrontation with Lu Ye, eager to test his true capabilities.

However, he had previously activated a Grand Teleportation Talisman on his own to bring the nine Southern cultivators over. This had nearly drained him completely. While he had managed a slight recovery during the clash of the Southeast divisions' formation talismans, it wasn't substantial.

Now, his spiritual energy was only thirty percent of its usual level. He couldn't unleash much of his true power, and facing Lu Ye, who was charging with such ferocity, he dared not meet him head-on.

So he made a decisive choice: he turned and fled. He intended to rendezvous with his own forces first.

A surge of energy assailed him from behind. Under Ye Chaoqun's divine sense perception, he realized it was a controlled artifact. He didn't pay it much mind; he merely dodged slightly, easily evading it.

A flicker of confusion crossed his mind: at the Constellation realm, why would one still use a controlled artifact? However, in the next instant, a brilliant flash of blade light sliced through his peripheral vision!

He didn't even have time to slap a Golden Body Talisman on himself before he was instantly cut down by a single strike. He regenerated back in his own main camp, his face blank with confusion.

He truly died without knowing how!

Ye Chaoqun had been observing the battle from a distance, and Lu Ye was well aware of it. He also knew that the eight Western cultivators were hurrying towards their position. Therefore, even before Ye Chaoqun called out, Lu Ye had already discerned the Western division's movements.

He absolutely could not allow the Southern and Western divisions to unite!

Especially with two late-stage Constellation cultivators. If they were allowed to join forces, their own side would be in grave trouble.

Therefore, Lu Ye directly targeted Ye Chaoqun. The reason he didn't go after Duan Xiuchen was naturally to target the weaker opponent. Comparatively, Ye Chaoqun was in a worse state, making him an easier target.

In such a conflict, swiftly choosing the right opponent is also crucial for victory! The eight Western cultivators watched helplessly as Ye Chaoqun was cut down by a single strike, astonished and furious.

A late-stage Constellation cultivator was their leader, their symbol. Previously, no matter how fierce the conflicts between the three divisions had been, there was no precedent of a late-stage Constellation cultivator dying in battle.

Duan Xiuchen's death didn't count, as that was merely self-destruction.

Now, in front of all three divisions, Ye Chaoqun, the symbol of the Western division, was killed like a helpless chick. How could the Western cultivators not be enraged?

Especially one of the three mid-stage Constellation cultivators shouted, "Kill him! Avenge Senior Brother Ye!"

They didn't need to search for him. After slaying Ye Chaoqun, Lu Ye had already boldly charged towards the Western cultivators. As he rushed forward, his long saber swept and slashed, each massive blade light tearing through the void.

His body followed the blade light. He forcibly endured the Western cultivators' frenzied attacks and crashed into their ranks.

Immediately after, a colossal lotus slowly bloomed. Its dazzling light, like an exploding sun, engulfed a vast area.

Amidst this resplendent power, several auras were extinguished almost simultaneously.

When the light receded, the surviving cultivators from the Western division looked towards the battlefield with lingering apprehension. Lu Ye's figure was no longer there; along with him, four of their own had vanished, including two mid-stage Constellation cultivators!

Speechless, their hearts pounded. Despite all the previous conflicts, everyone knew that Lu Ye of the Eastern division was an exceedingly enigmatic individual, whose strength could not be simply measured by his realm. But only after truly encountering him did they comprehend his terror!

Of the nine Western cultivators, Ye Chaoqun was killed first, followed by four more instantaneous battle deaths. Now only four remained: one mid-stage and three early-stage!

Their losses could be described as catastrophic.

On the platform of the Eastern division's main camp, Lu Ye's figure reappeared.

The sensation of rebirth was entirely without discomfort. Moreover, the entire process was so swift that he felt absolutely nothing. This left him somewhat disappointed; he had hoped to experience the various mysteries of rebirth in this place, but it seemed he had been overthinking things. The Black Abyss was an extremely peculiar place, and his presence here was merely a projection, not his true body.