The offensive and defensive capabilities of a Tiger Shark battleship were roughly equivalent to an early-stage Moonblossom cultivator, but this did not mean that a single Tiger Shark battleship was a Moonblossom cultivator itself.
Ultimately, it was just a battleship. In terms of maneuverability and reaction speed, cultivators themselves were naturally faster. The attacks unleashed by a cultivator piloting a Tiger Shark required a short charging period.
As Tiger Shark battleships were systematically destroyed, the demon cultivators realized that passively waiting would only lead to their demise. With their Moonblossom cultivators needing time to return and defend, they had to adapt their tactics to ensure their survival.
Immediately, numerous demon cultivators leaped from their Tiger Shark battleships. Wielding "Same Spirit, Connected Branches" formation plates, they channeled their demonic energy and formed battle arrays.
While this meant losing the protection of the Tiger Shark battleships, their collective power when arrayed would not be significantly diminished, and their reaction speed would be enhanced.
In the blink of an eye, at least several dozen arrays had formed, completely encircling Lu Ye from all sides.
Lu Ye observed with a cold gaze. He then withdrew his Mountain-Crushing Saber from a Tiger Shark battleship beneath his feet, eliciting a spray of hot blood. With a quick flick, he lunged towards the nearest array.
That particular array comprised five demon cultivators. Due to their varying cultivation levels, their theoretical strength was inferior to that of a Moonblossom cultivator.
How could such an array possibly withstand Lu Ye's relentless charge?
Not even a true early-stage Moonblossom cultivator could have stopped him.
The instant their forms collided, five splashes of blood erupted in the air. Yet, this brutal sight did not intimidate the other Star Constellation demon cultivators; instead, it ignited their innate ferocity.
The Purple Jade Demon Star was the sole top-tier realm in the starry expanse ruled by demons. However, the growth environment for demon cultivators within this realm was far from peaceful; it was fraught with slaughter and the brutal realities of survival of the fittest. Those who rose from the Purple Jade Demon Star and cultivated to the Star Constellation realm had all endured countless life-or-death struggles.
Even without Moonblossom cultivators present, these Star Constellation demon cultivators proved incredibly fierce. As the first array shattered, the surrounding formations, rather than retreating, surged forward, swarming around Lu Ye and unleashing a barrage of attacks.
Lu Ye's figure weaved and darted, his long saber striking, every blow finding its mark.
With each burst of crimson light and every falling corpse, the vast battlefield erupted into a frenzied chaos, akin to salt cast into a boiling cauldron of oil.
Even more demon cultivators formed arrays and charged into the fiercest parts of the battle. Cultivators observing from a distance were captivated by the shocking spectacle, all marveling at the tenacity and fearless resolve of the Purple Jade demon cultivators.
Lu Ye gradually began to feel some pressure...
This was quite astonishing and profoundly taught him the meaning of "ants can kill an elephant."
His evasive techniques could no longer be deployed at will, as he was now hermetically sealed by the surrounding Purple Jade demon cultivators. He could no longer even discern external light, a testament to the immense number of enemies converging upon him.
In such a predicament, his evasive maneuvers were severely limited.
Had it not been for his protective Guardian Spirit Mark, he would surely have been wounded. Even with its frequent activation, there would eventually be a moment when his defenses might falter, given the constant barrage of attacks from all directions.
Faced with this situation, the most prudent course of action would undoubtedly be to identify a direction, carve a bloody path, and break free from the enemy's encirclement, thereby creating space for himself.
Lu Ye was well aware of this, yet he chose not to act immediately; he was waiting!
Purple Jade Island had made him wait a year for their grand spectacle.
Now, he intended to repay them in kind.
In the blink of an eye, half an incense stick of time had passed. Over a hundred Purple Jade demon cultivators had fallen to Lu Ye's saber, yet the number of demon cultivators surrounding him had not diminished; it had increased. Seeing Lu Ye seemingly overwhelmed and unable to escape, many demon cultivators became greatly emboldened, their spirits soaring, as if determined to slay him on the spot.
Hu Guang, Bao Youyou, and Yuan Che finally returned. Spotting the astonishing scene from afar, Yuan Che couldn't help but grin, "The little ones have done quite well!"
The three Moonblossom cultivators had pursued Lu Ye without success, only to find him now surrounded by a group of Star Constellation cultivators. This was undoubtedly due to his arrogance, believing himself superior with his newfound strength and underestimating the Purple Jade demon cultivators, a miscalculation that was now costing him dearly.
Hu Guang also felt a measure of calm. Their campaign against Purple Jade had started poorly, suffering losses from Lu Ye's ambush, but if they could eliminate him here, those minor losses would be acceptable.
"Follow me and kill the enemy!" Hu Guang commanded, his eyes gleaming with chilling intent. Bao Youyou and Yuan Che each unleashed their power, swiftly closing in on the tightly packed battle group.
At the core of the battle group, which resembled a black sphere teeming with demon cultivators, Lu Ye keenly detected Hu Guang's aura. Based on his calculations, Hu Guang's return was indeed timely.
The main act... was about to begin!
He only hoped the Purple Jade demon cultivators wouldn't be disappointed.
As he raised his hand, a bone saber suddenly materialized in his left. Unlike the Mountain-Crushing Saber, which he gripped in his right hand, this new bone saber was held in a reverse grip.
Lu Ye's expression became serene. In that instant, his vital energy surged, and even the flesh beneath his garments began to vibrate with intense energy.
The Mountain-Crushing Saber descended; its momentum still lingering as his body spun, the bone saber was already in motion...
The initial few slashes were still discernible, but in the blink of an eye, the two long sabers in Lu Ye's hands transformed into a swirling storm as he rotated.
Saber light raged, saber qi crisscrossed, and a tangible murderous aura boiled over, filling the heavens.
Hu Guang, rapidly closing in on the battle group, suddenly felt a jolt in his heart. He keenly sensed an unusual shift, but before he could discern its nature, he witnessed a sight that chilled him to the bone.
From within the dense black sphere, enveloped by Purple Jade demon cultivators, a violent storm of blades suddenly erupted. The storm's scale rapidly expanded in all directions at a visibly increasing speed.
The enormous black sphere, formed by the converging demon cultivators, shattered in less than a single breath. Blood poured like a waterfall, and countless severed limbs flew through the air.
In that instant, countless lives were extinguished. As the storm of blades continued to expand, more demon cultivators were ensnared, and more life forces withered away!
Only the demon cultivators further from the battle's epicenter, perceiving the dire situation, managed to escape quickly enough to preserve their lives.
Feeling the terrifying might of the raging blade storm, Hu Guang dared not approach an inch closer. He merely stared blankly ahead, his lips trembling, utterly drained of color.
Bao Youyou and Yuan Che's eyes also quivered. Faced with such a ferocious assault, even late-stage Moonblossom cultivators like themselves, let alone the Star Constellation cultivators, would likely find it difficult to escape death if caught within its grasp!
Gradually, the blade storm subsided. On the vast battlefield, only one figure remained standing, radiating immense power, vital energy surging around him. All around lay severed limbs and shattered flesh, raining down into the Myriad Manifestation Sea, yet that figure remained completely unblemished by blood.
Among all the saber techniques Lu Ye had mastered, the "Great Windmill" was undoubtedly the most suitable for facing encirclement by numerous enemies. This technique was originally developed precisely for such scenarios, though Lu Ye had previously employed it primarily to forcefully slay Sunlit cultivators.
This time, its effect proved truly extraordinary.
Tilting his head slightly, Lu Ye met Hu Guang's stunned gaze. He flicked the blood from his two long sabers and asked, "Was that splendid? Was it a good show?"
Hu Guang snapped back to reality, gritting his teeth and roaring, blood seeping from the corners of his mouth, "Lu Ye! My Purple Jade will have no peace until you are dead!"
In that brief moment, at least three hundred demon cultivators had perished! Including those who had already fallen, roughly four hundred Star Constellation demon cultivators had been slain by Lu Ye since Purple Jade launched its forces against Three Realms Island!
This figure didn't even include the two hundred he had killed earlier on Purple Jade Island; if those were counted, the total would be six hundred!
Lu Ye said coldly, "What foolish words are those? From the moment your Purple Jade cultivators slew a Moonblossom from my Three Realms, our conflict became irreconcilable!"
"Fine, fine, fine!" Hu Guang, almost losing his sanity from rage, instantly lunged towards Lu Ye.
Bao Youyou and Yuan Che moved in quick succession, the three Moonblossom cultivators forming a pincer attack.
Lu Ye, who had just been so dominant, showed no inclination to engage the three of them. Seeing their approach, he immediately dodged away, his voice echoing from a distance: "Four thousand Purple Jade demon cultivators. Let's see how long you can hold out!"
He had slain four hundred in a single wave. With such terrifying efficiency, a few more such attacks would likely incapacitate the Purple Jade fleet before it even reached Three Realms Island.
The moment these words were spoken, Hu Guang paused, as if struck by a sudden realization.
Just moments ago, the three Moonblossom cultivators had been drawn away by Lu Ye, only for him to double back and slaughter four hundred Purple Jade demon cultivators. This time, Hu Guang was determined not to repeat that error. Halting his movement, he transmitted a message to Bao Youyou and Yuan Che: "Don't give him any breathing room; just keep him occupied!"
Concurrently, he turned and commanded, "Continue forward!"
The pace of the war could not fall into enemy hands. The Purple Jade fleet was already deployed. Although the recent losses were significant, they did not compromise the overall situation. Once the Purple Jade fleet reached Three Realms Island, they would dictate the pace, and Lu Ye would no longer be able to freely wreak havoc.
By remaining with the fleet, he could prevent Lu Ye from making another sudden, devastating return attack.
The fleet continued its advance, albeit with a slightly reduced scale.
Standing on the central battleship, Hu Guang coldly observed Lu Ye. It seemed Lu Ye knew he couldn't repeat his previous trick, as he hadn't moved far away. Under the relentless pursuit of Bao Youyou and Yuan Che, Lu Ye's figure constantly shifted, his intentions unclear.
Moments later, Hu Guang was surprised to see Lu Ye suddenly turn and actively move towards Yuan Che. His posture suggested exasperation from the chase and an acknowledgment that escape was impossible, indicating he was preparing for an all-out fight.
Hu Guang's heart settled with resolve. He merely needed Yuan Che to entangle Lu Ye, and once Bao Youyou joined the assault, he could seize the opportunity to enter the fray. With three against one, they would surely exact their vengeance!
Meanwhile, Yuan Che, seeing Lu Ye charging towards him, let out a loud shout: "Excellent!"
Just as Lu Ye was irritated by the chase, Yuan Che was equally frustrated because Lu Ye had refused to engage them directly, leaving Yuan Che's full power untapped.
(End of Chapter)
9601 · 0 · 25
