Chapter 191: Two Treasures

Perhaps the Myriad Demon Ridge had made similar preparations for previous defense battles, but since the terrain wasn't a Chess Sea, those bone fragments had never been effective.

The bone fragments were not spiritual materials. Even if cultivators from the Haotian Alliance had previously captured them, they wouldn't have paid them much mind.

This time, however, the defense battle was taking place within the Chess Sea. The Myriad Demon Ridge, having prepared in advance, naturally held a significant advantage.

If the situation was indeed as described, then Fourth Senior Brother's group was surely in grave danger. The Myriad Demon Ridge had arrived with a clear premeditation and would not be content with merely eliminating junior cultivators at the seventh or eighth level. Their true targets were likely the core defense envoys and their deputies.

These individuals were the future pillars of their respective sects. If they all perished here, it wouldn't necessarily create a complete void in the Spirit Stream Realm, but it would certainly lead to a severe shortage of prominent figures for decades to come.

The Myriad Demon Ridge was playing a massive game!

Even if the function of the bone fragments was now exposed, the Myriad Demon Ridge showed no fear. In the Chess Sea, the merging and attachment of the islands were not subject to human control. Everyone who entered this realm could only passively await their island's merger with others, and then engage in battles.

Before all the chess islands merged into a single vast continent, even powerful cultivators like Li Baxian could not simply fly across the sea to escape to another island when faced with danger. Flying over the ocean consumed an exorbitant amount of spiritual energy, a fact Lu Ye understood intimately.

Thus, the Myriad Demon Ridge, armed with the bone fragments, naturally held a significant upper hand.

When Lu Ye relayed the information he had received from Li Baxian, everyone was astonished. No one had imagined that the bone fragments possessed such an extraordinary ability.

“My Fourth Senior Brother advised me to immediately discard these bone fragments,” Lu Ye explained, “otherwise, they will lead us directly to the Myriad Demon Ridge cultivators who possess them.” As he spoke, he produced the fragments, idly rubbing them in his hand, clearly showing no inclination to discard them.

“What are your thoughts, Junior Brother?” Lan Yudie asked, looking at him.

“What do *you* all think?” Lu Ye countered.

One of the two recently arrived Haotian Alliance cultivators spoke up: “Senior Brother Li is unaware of our current situation, so his suggestion is understandably born from concern for Junior Brother Yi Ye’s safety. There’s nothing wrong with that. However, we now have six people, and Junior Sister Hua Ci has prepared countermeasures. Even if we truly encounter cultivators from the Myriad Demon Ridge, as long as they are not more than ten in number, we can engage them. If these bone fragments really possess such a function, I believe we shouldn’t discard them. On the contrary, we should utilize them, allowing them to lead us directly to the Myriad Demon Ridge members!”

After speaking, he turned to glance at the others.

His companion naturally nodded in agreement.

Lan Yudie and Gao Tai exchanged a look, then both nodded in assent.

Everyone turned to Lu Ye, who smiled faintly and said, “Since no one has any objections, then each of us will carry one. I wonder if possessing multiple fragments will amplify their effect.”

With that, he distributed three of the four bone fragments he held, ensuring that each sect’s representative received one.

His expression turned solemn. “Many Myriad Demon Ridge cultivators have undoubtedly already converged, and the Haotian Alliance has likely sustained significant casualties. If we can eliminate more enemies, we can mitigate our own losses. Only then, once all the islands merge, will we possess the capital to effectively resist the Myriad Demon Ridge!”

Lan Yudie nodded. “Junior Brother’s words are indeed timely.”

Gao Tai suddenly felt a surge of honor and purpose. “So, the heavy responsibility of saving the Haotian Alliance now rests upon our shoulders?”

At his words, the other two also grew solemn.

Lu Ye chuckled. “It’s not quite that dramatic. There will always be fortunate individuals within the Haotian Alliance who manage to converge. Regardless, let’s all put in our best efforts together!”

Everyone nodded, feeling a palpable weight settle on their shoulders.

“Everyone, rest. I’ll keep watch,” Lu Ye announced, then swiftly moved to the highest point of the island.

An hour later, an island appeared on the horizon within Lu Ye’s sight. He immediately issued a warning, prompting everyone who had been recovering from their injuries to stand up simultaneously. They gazed intently into the distance, unable to discern the situation on the approaching island or which faction it belonged to.

Regardless of the approaching faction, everyone was fully prepared for battle.

After a brief discussion, a new strategy to lure the enemy into a trap was devised.

Lan Yudie and Gao Tai were tasked with openly luring any potential enemies, while Lu Ye and the others retreated to the rear of the island.

If the incoming cultivators belonged to the Haotian Alliance, they would be warmly welcomed. However, if they were from the Myriad Demon Ridge, Lan Yudie and Gao Tai would lead them here. If they dared to pursue, they would inevitably pass through the mushroom-laden area Hua Ci had prepared, and from there, they would adapt to the circumstances.

Lan Yudie and Gao Tai were chosen for the decoy role primarily because Gao Tai was a body cultivator, with a tough constitution that could withstand several attacks without being fatal. With Hua Ci providing support from the rear, as long as he wasn't killed instantly or critically wounded, there would be an opportunity for healing afterward.

In short, Gao Tai was the one designated to absorb damage.

Lan Yudie, on the other hand, was meant to present a tempting target with her delicate appearance.

A delicate and slender female cultivator fleeing ahead, especially one with visible bloodstains, would easily ignite the Myriad Demon Ridge cultivators' desire for pursuit.

This plan, proposed and formulated by Lu Ye, received everyone’s unanimous approval, though Lan Yudie regarded Lu Ye with a somewhat displeased expression.

With the plan settled, everyone immediately began to put it into action.

Lu Ye, Hua Ci, and their two companions retreated to the rear of the island, while Lan Yudie and Gao Tai remained at the vantage point to observe.

While they waited, a resounding boom shook the ground as two islands collided.

Lu Ye focused his senses intently. Soon, spiritual energy fluctuations and the whistling sounds of flying magic arts emanated from that direction.

A moment later, Lu Ye checked his battlefield mark and relayed the information received from Lan Yudie: “Five people, from the Myriad Demon Ridge!”

Five individuals meant at least three sects were involved, and it was possible one had already fallen in battle. Even with their meticulous planning, numerical superiority didn't guarantee the Myriad Demon Ridge a clean escape in true combat. When faced with certain death, cultivators from both the Myriad Demon Ridge and the Haotian Alliance could unleash a potent resolve to take their enemies with them.

Of course, such fierce resolve posed far less of a threat once weakened by Hua Ci’s mushrooms.

Loud rumbling sounds continuously emanated from the front. Lu Ye soon spotted the disheveled figures of Lan Yudie and Gao Tai fleeing towards them. The two had not remained together but had split into two separate paths.

The pursuing Myriad Demon Ridge cultivators were also extremely cautious, constantly surveying their surroundings during the chase, wary of any ambush.

However, the moment they dared to step foot on this island, all their caution would prove futile.

While Hua Ci’s arrangements didn’t cover the entire island, she had planted her mushrooms at all critical locations. Unless the cultivators could maintain constant flight, they would inevitably inhale some of the spore powder.

Upon seeing Lu Ye and his companions, the pursuing Myriad Demon Ridge cultivators showed an “as expected” expression. However, their apprehension eased considerably once they realized that both Lu Ye and Hua Ci were merely at the sixth level of cultivation.

With six against five, it was difficult to determine who held the advantage. However, on Lu Ye’s side, while his and Hua Ci’s clothing remained pristine, the other four were covered in bloodstains, clearly indicating they had sustained injuries.

Just as the five hesitated whether to initiate an attack, Lu Ye and his group boldly charged forward, compelling the five to engage in battle.

Spiritual artifacts flew forth, clashing in mid-air with clanging sounds, as bursts of spiritual energy created successive halos of light.

Given that one person from Lu Ye’s group was dedicated to protecting Hua Ci, and Lu Ye himself, being only at the sixth level, couldn't wield a spiritual artifact yet, the Myriad Demon Ridge held a clear advantage in this initial exchange.

Just as the five Myriad Demon Ridge cultivators were feeling assured, the situation sharply deteriorated. A sudden obfuscation of the spiritual energy within their bodies made their spiritual artifacts difficult to control, significantly diminishing their power. In an instant, Lan Yudie and her companions struck down three spiritual lights. By the time Lu Ye charged forward to face one of the Myriad Demon Ridge cultivators, the man retreated in horror, but was powerless to block the incoming flash of the blade.

Blood splattered, and screams echoed one after another.

Twenty breaths later, the battle concluded. Lu Ye shook the blood from his long saber, sheathed it, and called out to Gao Tai, “Senior Brother Gao, come with me to check the island opposite.”

“Alright!” Gao Tai readily agreed, and the two proceeded together to investigate.

Although they doubted the enemy would have left anyone behind on the other island, it was always wise to exercise caution. Any oversight leading to their own casualties would be the least cost-effective outcome.

Lan Yudie and the others remained to clear the battlefield. As usual, all the spoils of war were handed over to Hua Ci, leaving her amused and exasperated. She wondered how many storage bags she would accumulate after this Spirit Stream Realm defense battle.

She intended to share some of the spoils, but to her chagrin, no one would accept them. Everyone knew that such an effortless victory was entirely due to Hua Ci’s contributions. Without her unique methods, even a six-on-five engagement could have resulted in casualties.

Now, however, no one was injured, nor had they expended much spiritual energy. Who wouldn't appreciate such a battle? This outcome only further solidified their resolve to protect Hua Ci.

Meanwhile, Lu Ye and Gao Tai meticulously searched the opposite island, confirming that no Myriad Demon Ridge cultivators were hidden there before returning to their own.

Subsequently, Lan Yudie accompanied Hua Ci to the newly merged island to make the necessary arrangements.

As the island expanded, the areas Hua Ci needed to arrange increased, making it impossible to cover the entire island. She could only select suitable locations. This task was highly demanding of spiritual energy. Fortunately, the Spirit Gathering Array Lu Ye had previously constructed was functioning effectively. After each arrangement, she merely needed to meditate there to quickly recover her spiritual energy.

Notably, with the island’s expansion, the ambient spiritual energy grew increasingly dense. The spiritual energy on the island now was nearly double that of the Bloodfall Sect’s stronghold.

While Hua Ci was busy, Lu Ye mused for a moment, then proceeded to construct a larger Spirit Gathering Array at their resting spot. This new array alone consumed a full sixty percent of his own spiritual energy.

Witnessing Lu Ye’s capabilities, Gao Tai and the others were utterly astonished, regarding him as a prodigy.

It was only then that they truly realized both individuals from the Bloodfall Sect were invaluable assets.

Hua Ci could save and heal, and even plant mushrooms to debilitate enemies—which was impressive enough. But Lu Ye’s ability to effortlessly construct Spirit Gathering Arrays was astounding. This skill undoubtedly simplified and eased everyone’s recovery, allowing them to engage in future battles without concerns about spiritual energy depletion.

For a moment, they couldn’t help but marvel: What kind of extraordinary sect was the Bloodfall Sect, after all?