Chapter 1439: Exclusive Scene

Exclusive scenarios can be understood as a special kind of secret realm. However, these secret realms are tied to the Star Host Palace's system and cannot be accessed without it.

Lu Ye observed the enemies Puke was fighting. At first glance, they resembled members of the Bone Clan, but there were notable differences from true Bone Clan. Although named after bone, the Bone Clan actually possesses flesh and blood. Many of their bones are exposed, forming an exoskeleton that encases their bodies. The enemies Puke faced were certainly not true Bone Clan, as they were entirely skeletal, devoid of any flesh or blood. Lu Ye couldn't comprehend what power sustained these skeletal figures, keeping them intact and granting them considerable mobility and combat prowess. He could only marvel at the boundless and unpredictable nature of the cosmos.

A large number of skeletons surged like a tide from the tomb passage ahead. Puke stood firm, his fishing rod spirit treasure swiftly striking, embodying the spirit of a lone warrior holding a pass against an army. These skeletal figures generally exhibited strength comparable to early-stage Star Host cultivators. Such power was, of course, insignificant before Puke. However, their overwhelming numbers and fearless aggression meant Puke couldn't hold out indefinitely.

Logically, this place should not have so many enemies, as Youling had already explored it once. However, as a ghost cultivator, she had remained completely hidden during her previous visit, avoiding detection by these skeletal figures. This time, it was different. With Lu Ye and Puke, she couldn't employ her previous stealth tactics; they had to fight their way through.

Lu Ye swiftly moved to Puke's side, keen to test the skeletons' strength. He targeted one, drawing his blade and striking. While he easily dispatched that enemy, Lu Ye realized that despite their appearance, these skeletal figures were remarkably tough. Lacking flesh and blood, their bone protection far surpassed that of typical early-stage Star Host cultivators, almost reaching the level of mid-stage Star Host. This was clearly not the most effective way to eliminate the skeletons. They had just begun and already faced such numbers; fighting their way through like this would only dull their blades.

Lu Ye immediately switched from slashing to thrusting. In each skeleton's eye sockets, faint ghost fires flickered. According to Youling, these were their weak points; extinguishing the ghost fires in their eye sockets would lead to their true demise. Puke was employing the same method to dispatch the skeletons. Lu Ye thrust his long blade forward, its glimmer like a falling meteor. As the ghost fires in the eye sockets of a skeleton before him were extinguished, the once animated figure immediately collapsed into inert bones. This method proved very effective. Youling also arrived, joining the two to press forward.

After dispatching several skeletons, Lu Ye retrieved the 'Conjoined Breath Array Disk' and activated its power. Instantly, both Puke and Youling felt a profound surge of vitality. Any cultivator experiencing the array disk's power for the first time would feel its incredible might. What both Puke and Youling perceived simultaneously was the terrifying and profound foundation within Fa Wuzun. Spectators of the chaotic battle were aware of Fa Wuzun's formidable individual strength, but most attributed his special team's impressive performance primarily to the power of the Black Tortoise Formation. They believed that without such a formation, even the strongest individual would struggle to perform effectively in that environment. However, only upon truly connecting their vital energy with Lu Ye did they clearly realize that while the Black Tortoise Formation was indeed important, the individual strength of the cultivator leading it was the decisive factor.

Youling found it perplexing: how could a mid-stage Star Host cultivator possess such an exceptionally powerful foundation? She hailed from a top-tier realm like the Northern Underworld Ghost Domain, and her personal strength, knowledge, and experience were considered top-tier among Star Host cultivators. Yet, she had never encountered anyone quite like Lu Ye. She secretly rejoiced, knowing that recruiting Fa Wuzun was the right decision. Had it been anyone else, even those also listed on the Accumulation Ranking, they wouldn't have instilled such an immediate sense of security.

Indeed, Youling herself couldn't explain it, but the moment their vital energies connected, a profound sense of tranquility settled within her. It felt as if with the three of them united, no enemy, no matter how formidable, could stand in their way! She had no objection to Fa Wuzun taking the initiative and leading the formation. Once the formation was established, they naturally couldn't operate covertly as she had alone. Formations demanded open, direct engagement with the enemy. As a ghost cultivator accustomed to lurking in shadows, she was skilled at ambushing, but inherently unsuited to leading a formation. As for Puke... his demeanor clearly indicated he wasn't a conventional military cultivator, and his personality seemed rather easygoing. Since Fa Wuzun intended to lead the formation, she deferred to him.

United, the three advanced effortlessly, cutting through the attacking skeletal figures as if they were nothing. Their path was strewn with shattered bones. They continued their slaughter for nearly half an hour, slaying an unknown number of skeletons, until the path ahead abruptly cleared. Through this nearly half-hour of coordinated effort, Puke and Youling became thoroughly acquainted with the array disk's power.

Ahead lay a pitch-black hall, its entrance yawning like a beast's maw. Leading the way, Lu Ye extended his divine sense inside but detected no signs of life. He turned to Youling. Youling said, "There's a large entity inside; killing it should suffice!"

She had reached this point during her previous visit, but her presence was detected before she could act. Realizing she couldn't succeed alone, she returned to the Star Host Palace to enlist aid. However, the emergence of the chaotic battle disrupted her original plans, compelling her to participate in it first. Her original choice for assistance had not been Lu Ye, but another late-stage Star Host cultivator ranked within the top hundred on the Accumulation Ranking. However, after witnessing Lu Ye's performance during the chaotic battle and seeing the Conjoined Breath Array Disk, she revised her decision. In fact, this was also why she had initially shadowed Lu Ye during the chaotic battle: primarily to observe him further. As for taking kills and loot... that was purely out of impulsive mischief. Fortunately, everything had proceeded smoothly.

"Let's recover," Puke suggested. Whatever lay within, if it could compel Youling to retreat, it was surely not to be trifled with. For them to enter, they needed to be in peak condition. They weren't concerned that the large entity inside would emerge. In fact, if it did, it would be beneficial for them, as rashly entering such an eerie hall also presented a risk.

Maintaining their formation, the three refined spirit jade to restore their energy. After a brief period, once Puke and Youling had fully recovered, Lu Ye signaled, "Let's go!" He stepped forward, leading the way into the hall.

The interior plunged into sudden darkness, but Lu Ye's divine sense revealed a vast and spacious hall. Still, there was no sign of the large entity Youling had described. The floor appeared littered with fragmented bones, producing crunching sounds with every step. The dark hall, the eerie atmosphere, and the crunching sounds all contributed to a somewhat sinister ambiance.

The three continued deeper into the hall without incident, until they reached its very center, where a sudden change occurred. Puff, puff, puff... a series of continuous sounds echoed as clusters of light suddenly illuminated the surroundings. These were clearly oil lamp-like objects densely arranged along the hall's walls. The string of oil lamps, like a winding serpent, gradually illuminated from the hall's base, spiraling upwards. As the oil lamps ignited, a chilling aura seemed to sweep through the air.

Youling's expression turned serious: "Be careful; I didn't encounter this situation last time. I don't know what's happening now." In a mere moment, the previously dim hall was illuminated in exquisite detail by countless oil lamps. With a resounding boom, a sound echoed from behind. All three were startled, turning to see the hall's massive door had indeed closed.

Lu Ye and Puke both turned to Youling. Youling looked innocent: "I didn't encounter this!" It wasn't that she deliberately withheld information; this encounter within the hall was entirely different from her previous solo visit. Lu Ye didn't believe Youling was lying, as if she had encountered this during her last visit, she would never have been able to exit. The hall's massive door, once sealed, was perfectly flush, and Lu Ye knew instantly that it couldn't be breached by brute force.

"Look over there!" Puke exclaimed suddenly. Lu Ye followed his gaze, observing a figure seated directly ahead in the hall, roughly a hundred zhang away from them. The figure was unusually tall; even seated, it appeared to be three zhang high. He couldn't imagine the imposing presence it would command when standing. This must be the large entity Youling mentioned earlier; it was certainly immense!

It appeared to be the same type of entity as the skeletal figures they encountered outside, devoid of any flesh or blood. However, unlike the common skeletons, this one was entirely encased in a layer of heavy armor. The armor, dull and rusty, clearly bore the marks of prolonged erosion. Many sections were damaged, and dark black stains, evidently dried blood, remained in places, lending it an awe-inspiring and fearsome appearance. It resembled a great general, skilled in warfare, who had endured an extremely brutal battle. The damaged armor and lingering dark bloodstains served as testament to its valiant exploits.

At this moment, its head was bowed, adorned with a horned helmet. Due to the angle and the helmet's concealment, its face was obscured. Before it, a massive sword stood upright, its hilt gripped by two bony hands, completely motionless. Lu Ye felt a slight bewilderment. How could such a lifeless skeleton, seemingly dead for countless years, have compelled Youling to retreat? However, recalling the skeletal figures they had encountered earlier, which also lacked signs of life, made it less difficult to comprehend.