Chapter 1826: Seal

The chaotic battlefield trembled incessantly.

The death of a Sun-Gazing realm expert sent a massive shockwave through both sides. The Blood Clan had not anticipated one of their Sun-Gazing cultivators falling so quickly. It seemed truly unbelievable to them, as they believed that once their Blood Sea Art took shape, they would gain an absolute geographical advantage, making death impossible unless there was an overwhelming difference in strength.

Yet, what they deemed impossible had truly occurred, leaving the Blood Clan’s Sun-Gazing cultivators utterly bewildered as to what had transpired.

The unknown breeds the greatest fear, so after a brief hesitation, the Blood Clan’s Sun-Gazing cultivators began to retreat!

As arrogant and unreasonable as the Blood Clan had been during their attack, they were now equally swift and decisive in their retreat. Until they understood why one of their Sun-Gazing cultivators had suddenly perished, they absolutely dared not linger.

Especially since the Blood Clan no longer held an advantage in the Sun-Gazing realm comparison between the two sides, retreating was undoubtedly the safest option.

Though they were reluctant to admit it, this forceful assault on Fangcun Mountain had undoubtedly failed. They could only withdraw for now, preserve their strength, and plan for future endeavors.

With the Sun-Gazing cultivators retreating, the Blood Clan members of other cultivation levels dared not stay any longer. They all activated their blood-light techniques and fled towards the realm’s boundary.

Lu Ye, who was transforming into a ball of blood-light to support the nearest Sun-Gazing battlefield, suddenly witnessed this scene. How could he tolerate it?

He was now the rightful master of Fangcun Mountain, which was like another home to him. These Blood Clan members had suddenly come to flaunt their power for a while, and even though they had paid the price of a Sun-Gazing cultivator’s life, they couldn’t just leave without his permission.

He stabilized his figure in mid-air, the blood-light dissipated, and Lu Ye’s form was revealed.

The next moment, he slowly raised his hands and brought them together in front of his chest.

Though there was nothing there, Lu Ye’s movements were incredibly arduous, as if he were trying to lift an entire world.

Southern Fangcun Mountain suddenly began to hum and vibrate. Everyone clearly felt an invisible, intangible, and indescribable power emanating from every corner of the world, converging in one place.

The Blood Clan’s Sun-Gazing cultivators had no idea what was happening, but they knew disaster was imminent. Their blood-light flared, and they fled even faster.

After a full dozen breaths, Lu Ye’s hands finally slammed together, and he let out a sharp cry: “Seal!”

As his words became law, many Blood Clan cultivators who were about to escape Fangcun Mountain seemed to collide with an invisible barrier. Their path was blocked, and they looked horrified, realizing they could no longer leave Fangcun Mountain.

It was as if the entire world had been sealed.

Lu Ye, however, showed a look of disappointment. The Blood Clan’s Sun-Gazing cultivators were incredibly fast; after a dozen breaths, only two remained. These two were held back because the Little People’s Sun-Gazing cultivators fought desperately to entangle them. The others had already escaped Fangcun Mountain’s territory and vanished into the starry sky.

There was nothing he could do about it. While he could indeed mobilize the foundational energy of Southern Fangcun Mountain, sealing an entire realm to trap enemies like "closing the door to beat a dog" was not something that could be accomplished instantly. Ultimately, his own strength was still too weak to bear the burden of mobilizing the power of an entire realm. If he were also in the Sun-Gazing realm, the effect would likely have been much better.

Fortunately, a large number of Blood Clan members below the Sun-Gazing realm were still intercepted.

At this moment, although the trapped Blood Clan cultivators didn't know what had happened, they instinctively began to attack the seal.

Lu Ye clearly felt that Southern Fangcun Mountain's foundational energy was draining away at an alarming rate...

If it continued at this rate, the South’s foundational energy would likely be depleted within a few days. This reminded him of the time he suppressed a Bug Clan Sun-Gazing cultivator in the core world; although that battle wasn't long, it caused significant loss to the core world’s foundational energy.

From this perspective, it's best not to easily mobilize a realm's foundational energy unless absolutely necessary, as it depletes quickly but recovers slowly.

The previously intense battlefield had now become completely one-sided.

The escape of the Blood Clan’s Sun-Gazing cultivators utterly demoralized the remaining Blood Clan cultivators. Trapped in this realm with no escape, they could only fight like cornered beasts.

The Xiangyin sisters, working together, were formidable. Wherever they moved, they unleashed a storm of blood and gore. Many Moon-Gazing cultivators of the Little People, seeing their prowess, followed closely behind, quickly forming a killing squad led by the Xiangyin sisters.

In the Sun-Gazing realm, the two trapped Blood Clan Sun-Gazing cultivators found themselves in dire straits.

Currently, there were eight Sun-Gazing cultivators from the Little People’s side—four from the South, and two from both the East and West—pitting themselves against the two Blood Clan cultivators. Even with the advantage of their blood sea, the Blood Clan cultivators were being beaten senseless.

In just a moment, the vast blood sea was battered and stripped away by countless attacks, leaving only a skeletal resemblance.

All the Blood Clan cultivators who had been assisting them within the blood sea were killed, leaving only the two of them fighting like cornered beasts, destined to die sooner or later!

With the situation settled, Lu Ye finally released the realm's seal. Sensing the depletion of foundational energy, he felt a pang of sorrow.

Just then, a shrill scream rang out, and with it, the aura of a Sun-Gazing cultivator weakened. A Blood Clan Sun-Gazing cultivator had been besieged and killed.

The two clans were ancient enemies, so the Little People’s Sun-Gazing cultivators naturally showed no mercy.

The remaining one was not far from death.

Currently, this Sun-Gazing cultivator was being attacked by two from the East, along with Senior Brother Yu and another Little People’s Sun-Gazing cultivator whom Lu Ye didn’t know. Four against one was an absolute suppression.

Seeing the Blood Clan Sun-Gazing cultivator, who was fighting desperately despite being at an absolute disadvantage, Lu Ye’s heart stirred. He quickly shouted, “Spare his life!”

As he spoke, he flashed towards the battlefield.

Moments later, the disheveled Blood Clan Sun-Gazing cultivator lay gasping on the ground, completely at their mercy. Around him, a full eight Little People’s Sun-Gazing cultivators formed a circle, surrounding him in the center, glaring at him menacingly.

This Sun-Gazing cultivator had completely lost the power to resist. Not only was his own strength almost depleted, but he had also been hit by several of the Little People’s sealing talismans, meaning his life and death were entirely in their control.

He was filled with unwillingness, yet helpless, and also somewhat puzzled, as he didn’t understand why the Little People would spare his life.

Although he didn’t know the reason, it was always better to live a wretched life than to die well. As long as his life was spared, there was always a glimmer of hope.

“This must be Junior Brother Lu Ye, correct?” Senior Brother Yu, the eldest and with white hair and beard, looked at Lu Ye and nodded with satisfaction.

None of the Sun-Gazing cultivators present were unfamiliar with Lu Ye, as he had been the subject of discussion during their previous soul projection communications between the various departments.

Everyone knew that Lu Ye had already refined the core essence and was the rightful master of Fangcun Mountain, as well as the successor of the Dao Tree lineage.

Senior Brother Yu recognized Lu Ye, but Lu Ye did not recognize him.

Su Yuqing timely introduced him, “This is Senior Brother Yu from Yuqing Tower in the South.”

“Greetings, Senior Brother Yu!” Lu Ye quickly bowed.

Beside Yuqing Tower, a burly man nodded slightly at Lu Ye and introduced himself, “Southern, Wu Ji!”

“Senior Brother Wu,” Lu Ye bowed again.

Next, Lu Ye greeted several other Sun-Gazing cultivators he hadn’t met before. From the South, besides Yuqing Tower and Wu Ji, there were also Xu Pu and Xia Yingyue. Of the two from the West, Lu Ye recognized one, Zhang Kun, who had taken him to the Illusionary Blood Devil Eye spectacle, and the other was Weng Xiong.

Whether they knew him or not, the Sun-Gazing cultivators' attitudes towards Lu Ye were all very friendly. Firstly, Lu Ye had indeed rendered great service to Fangcun Mountain and was a meritorious figure. Secondly, it was also because of Su Yuqing. In the eyes of the Sun-Gazing cultivators, no matter how young Lu Ye was, he was still their junior brother, and they would inevitably have much contact in the future, especially after the three parts of Fangcun Mountain merged, when they would see each other constantly.

His youth was irrelevant. As a successor of the Dao Tree lineage, as long as he didn’t stray onto a crooked or evil path, his future achievements would be significant.

“Junior Brother, did you just mobilize the realm’s power from the South?” After they had all introduced themselves, Yuqing Tower asked.

Although he was not the master of the realm and couldn’t freely mobilize its power to obstruct enemies, the Little People were born from Fangcun Mountain and naturally had some perception of it.

“Yes,” Lu Ye nodded.

“Well done,” Yuqing Tower praised. “It’s a pity the Blood Clan fled too quickly, and we couldn’t keep them all.”

The Blood Clan Sun-Gazing cultivator, who had lost the ability to resist, finally understood what had happened upon hearing these words, and he gazed at Lu Ye in astonishment.

With his considerable experience, he naturally knew what it meant to be able to mobilize the power of an entire realm. For a moment, his heart bled...

What difference was there between invading a realm for battle when it had a sitting master and simply seeking death? He only felt fortunate that Lu Ye’s cultivation was not high; otherwise, every single Blood Clan cultivator who had come earlier would not have been able to escape!

“Junior Brother, why do you want to spare his life?” Xia Yingyue, who appeared to have a short temper, seemed to have a fierce aura between her brows from the recent conflict. She glared at the Blood Clan Sun-Gazing cultivator with disgust. “The Blood Clan is treacherous and evil; just kill him!”

Lu Ye looked at her. “Senior Sister Xia, please calm down. I want to spare his life to make an attempt. If it succeeds, it will greatly benefit Fangcun Mountain. Even if it fails, there will be no loss, and then this Blood Clan member will be left to your disposal.”

Xia Yingyue looked at him curiously. “What kind of attempt?”

Su Yuqing had a vague idea and immediately transmitted a divine thought, explaining the reason to the numerous Sun-Gazing cultivators present. Upon learning the cause, the Sun-Gazing cultivators all looked at Lu Ye with astonishment and some curiosity.

Under everyone’s gaze, Lu Ye slowly walked up to the Blood Clan Sun-Gazing cultivator, raised a hand, and with a flick of his finger, a drop of precious blood appeared. He looked at him calmly and said, “Refine it!”

The Blood Clan Sun-Gazing cultivator initially looked at Lu Ye indifferently. Having fallen into such a state, with his life and death in another’s hands, he had nothing to worry about. He only regretted that he couldn’t transmit the news of Fangcun Mountain already having a realm master to his clansmen.

But upon seeing the drop of precious blood and sensing the powerful sacred aura contained within it, the Blood Clan Sun-Gazing cultivator’s eyes widened. He looked at the precious blood in disbelief, then raised his head to look at Lu Ye: “Are you a Saint Venerable of our clan?”