Chapter 1351: Despicable and Shameless

The Wind Rises in Kyushu

This was Lu Ye’s first time being killed and reborn in the Black Abyss.

In truth, he wouldn’t have had to go to such extremes if he weren't focused on killing quickly and efficiently. However, with time pressing, he had no extra leisure to slowly hunt down the western forces. Having completely abandoned his own defense and poured all his strength into offense, he was powerless to resist the western counterattack.

After all, they were eight Star-level cultivators, not eight small chicks, especially with three among them being at the mid-Star stage. In one confrontation, he managed to kill four of them.

Speaking of which, his ability to be reborn was thanks to Su Yuqing. According to Su Yuqing’s initial plan, Lu Ye would have entered the Black Abyss through a opportunistic method that would have prevented him from being reborn; if he died, he would be truly dead.

However, things didn't unfold according to her plan. Some minor mishaps occurred during the process, which allowed Lu Ye to gain the same regeneration ability as the other little humanoids.

A figure suddenly appeared beside him. Lu Ye turned his head and saw it was Han Molong. This guy had been killed too!

It wasn't surprising. When he abandoned his original battlefield to charge towards the west, he already knew that his remaining allies wouldn't fare well.

After all, it was too difficult for Haitang and her eight companions to face nine from the south.

After being reborn, Han Molong eagerly rushed to rejoin the battle, but Lu Ye slapped him on the shoulder, stopping him. “Wait!” Lu Ye commanded.

Han Molong nodded, popped a spirit pill into his mouth, and quietly began refining it while waiting. He understood Lu Ye's intention: fighting alone now was pointless. As he rushed to aid the battlefield, more allies would surely be killed and sent back. This would lead to a continuous cycle of being defeated individually. If that was the case, it was better to wait here until everyone had died once, and then regroup their strength.

People continuously returned after being reborn. After a while, all nine eastern cultivators gathered on the main camp platform, which clearly showed that the strength gap between the two sides was indeed significant.

Not far away, the nine southern cultivators and the four remaining western cultivators gathered, glaring menacingly at their location.

Lu Ye’s gaze met Duan Xiuchen’s, and he sensed the other’s unwillingness. He calmly said, “Still not giving up?”

Time was running out. Even if the southern side managed to seize the spirit orb, they probably wouldn’t have time to transport it back to their camp. The eastern cultivators weren't just decorative; they would continuously disrupt any attempt to transport the orb.

When the time limit expired, whichever camp the spirit orb was closest to would be considered its owner. Therefore, in Lu Ye’s view, there was no need for the south and west to struggle any further.

Moreover, fighting in this location gave the east a tremendous advantage. They could rejoin the battle immediately after being reborn, whereas the other two factions, once killed, couldn’t return at all.

It could be said that at this point, the outcome of the martial exercise was decided, and no one could change it.

Duan Xiuchen sighed as his eyes met Lu Ye’s, then grinned. “I'm a bit unconvinced, what should I do?” If Lu Ye were a little humanoid, Duan Xiuchen wouldn't have many reservations. The rise of the east would be a good thing, a joyous event for the little humanoids. But the key was that Lu Ye was a human!

The east could invite an external helper capable of turning the tide this time, but what about next time? Or the time after that?

As a late-Star stage little humanoid, being suppressed by an early-stage human in such a struggle naturally made him unwilling to accept it. Lu Ye nodded: “Then I’ll just have to beat you into submission!”

Duan Xiuchen said, “So, next it’s not about the spirit orb, it’s purely a battle!” No matter what, he wanted to directly kill Lu Ye once, to let him know that little humanoids were not useless!

As he finished speaking, his expression turned serious. His figure flickered, charging directly towards the eastern camp, yelling, “Kill!” Behind him, twelve figures followed closely!

With such an attitude from the opponent, the eastern cultivators naturally had no choice but to meet them in battle.

Duan Xiuchen's sole target was Lu Ye; he didn't even bother to look at the others. Furthermore, with the current lineup of the South and West, he didn't need to concern himself with anyone else. As long as he kept Lu Ye pinned, the remaining individuals were not a threat.

Lu Ye sensed his intention and shot forward, moving to meet him. Duan Xiuchen’s eyes blazed with fighting spirit and sharp killing intent.

It seemed an intense battle was about to erupt.

However, just as their figures were about to collide, Lu Ye suddenly turned and swept past from the side.

Duan Xiuchen was stunned, unable to react in time. When he looked back, Lu Ye had already reached an early-Star stage cultivator who stood dumbfounded.

With a swift cut, life was extinguished!

“Damn it!” Duan Xiuchen couldn't help but curse loudly, quickly turning to pursue him. However, a step late meant every step was late. Lu Ye was already like a tiger entering a flock of sheep, slaughtering without mercy.

“Golden Body Talismans, Golden Body Talismans!” Duan Xiuchen roared. He noticed something was off with Lu Ye's long saber; this unassuming black saber possessed unimaginable sharpness, completely unstoppable by the protective spiritual energy of early-Star stage cultivators.

Only a Golden Body Talisman could block it.

Alerted by him, everyone quickly conjured Golden Body Talismans to protect themselves.

Then Duan Xiuchen witnessed an unbelievable sight: an early-Star stage cultivator, who Lu Ye had approached, was clearly protected by a Golden Body Talisman, yet Lu Ye’s first strike still broke through the defense, and the second strike killed him!

The talismans of the little humanoids were fascinating items. The biggest difference between them and talismans refined by other races was that the little humanoids' talismans could be nurtured. By continuously nourishing them with one’s own vital energy or spiritual power over a long period, their power would increase, up to the talisman’s limit.

Talismans made by other races generally lacked this characteristic, which is why, throughout the starry sky, the little humanoids' talismans were highly sought after. However, generally speaking, little humanoids’ talismans were not easily leaked, and it was difficult for outsiders to obtain them.

Lu Ye had previously killed an early-Star stage cultivator protected by a Golden Body Talisman, which took three strikes because that talisman had been nurtured for thirty years.

This time was different. The opponent's Golden Body Talisman was not as powerful as the previous one, so its protection was naturally weaker.

Mainly, there had been too many battles. The powerful talismans of the three little humanoid factions were almost all used up, leaving them to rely on some secondary-grade spirit talismans.

This made Lu Ye’s slaughter even easier.

Taking advantage of this momentary delay, Duan Xiuchen finally caught up to Lu Ye, unleashing both fists to envelop him in his boxing onslaught. He shouted, “You’re despicable!”

He had just thought Lu Ye was going to have a decisive battle with him, but who knew this guy would feint and attack his subordinates instead? This was simply shameless.

At Lu Ye’s killing speed, if he didn’t tie him down, he might become a lone wolf in no time. Realizing this, Duan Xiuchen naturally held nothing back, giving it his all!

Although his spiritual power consumption was also significant, it hadn’t reached the limit where it would affect his strength. For a short period, his strength wouldn't decline. However, after engaging in combat, he was shocked to discover that Lu Ye’s strength was unexpectedly formidable; he felt he was subtly falling into a disadvantage.

He had never directly fought Lu Ye like this before. He had thought that even if this guy was impressive, he would at most barely possess late-Star stage strength, but now it seemed that was not the case at all.

After a brief exchange, Duan Xiuchen was forced back by a single strike. Lu Ye had no intention of getting entangled with him and turned to attack a mid-Star stage cultivator. Duan Xiuchen chased closely behind, shouting, “Stop killing my men!”

However, just as the words left his mouth, that mid-Star stage cultivator's blood dyed the void, and he was reborn! Not only those killed by Lu Ye were reborn, but also the Eastern forces.

But the greatest advantage of the East was fully showcased at this moment: they could rejoin the battle immediately after being killed, so looking around, the Eastern reinforcements seemed endless.

In that mysterious mist space, the three Sun-level cultivators had not communicated for a long time.

Ever since the East secured the fourth spirit orb, the Sun-level cultivators of the South and West seemed to have fallen silent, losing their previous cheerfulness. Chen Xuanhai and the others also kept quiet, mainly because no one expected Lu Ye to be so capable, not only snatching the third spirit orb but also the fourth. When they saw the South and West join forces to attack, they thought the East wouldn't be able to hold onto their gains, but then the South and West were successfully divided.

Afterward, the Western forces were almost completely wiped out. Ye Chaoqun used a great teleportation talisman to bring the nine Southern cultivators over, and the confrontation between the Eastern and Southern formation talismans was all within their observation.

The situation in the Black Abyss was unpredictable, even for them, the well-informed Sun-level cultivators, who watched in awe. Until this moment...

It was clear to see that the three factions were in a chaotic battle. Eastern light points continuously flickered out of existence, then reappeared, then flickered out again and reappeared, occasionally interspersed with the dimming light points of cultivators from the other two factions.

Although not present at the scene, one could imagine the ferocity of that battlefield.

The group watched with pounding hearts. Were these younglings fighting with true fury? How did it become so brutal? If so, that would not be conducive to internal unity among the little humanoids.

In the history of Black Abyss martial exercises, it seemed there had never been a struggle so savage.

Gradually, the situation became clear, as only one light point representing the cultivators from the South and West remained. Judging from the color of that yellow light point, it should be the Southern late-Star stage cultivator!

The East, relying on Lu Ye’s unreasonable hunting and their own ability to quickly reinforce, had relentlessly killed off the enemies until only Duan Xiuchen remained as a singular force.

Even at this moment, he was still filled with indignation, his expression towards Lu Ye incredibly complex, occasionally spewing words like "despicable" and "shameless."

Across from him, Lu Ye stood alone at the front, with Haitang and eight others behind him, all looking pale.

Such a prolonged battle, such repeated rebirths, had almost completely drained their strength. It could be said that everyone standing behind Lu Ye at this moment was as fragile as paper.

But everyone’s expression was exhilarated, because with the situation as it was, they had truly claimed first place! It was a first place they dared not even dream of before the martial exercise!