Chapter 1949: Always Waiting Sky Asura Clan

Ancient texts record that the Asura race is born with unique advantages; almost every member possesses cultivation aptitude, and peerless geniuses, rare even in a millennium or ten millennia, often emerge from their ranks.

It is precisely for this reason that this race could be so powerful during its prosperous periods. Otherwise, relying solely on a cosmic treasure would not suffice for strength if the race's inherent potential were lacking. The foundation of a race's power lies in its members.

Achiduo, being from the Asura race, naturally possesses such aptitude.

"Is this where your clan lives in seclusion?" Lu Ye asked.

Since there was an Achiduo from the Asura clan, there must be other clan members, though he hadn't seen them yet.

Lu Ye's mind stirred, and he roughly understood the reason.

The Asura clan is afflicted by a bloodline curse that limits their lifespan to less than two hundred years. This means there are likely no exceptionally powerful cultivators among them; a Moon Glimmer cultivator like Achiduo is certainly one of their best.

For a clan possessing a significant treasure, any amount of caution is warranted when facing a top-tier Moon Glimmer expert like himself.

Furthermore, combining his previous cultivation experiences, Lu Ye vaguely understood many things that had puzzled him.

"So, why did you bring me here?" Lu Ye asked, already having a conjecture in mind.

Achiduo did not answer directly but instead asked, "You must be the current successor of the Dao Tree lineage, Senior Brother, aren't you?"

"How can you tell?" Lu Ye's expression remained unchanged.

Achiduo replied, "Our clan's last powerful expert left a dying wish, stating that only the Dao Tree lineage could resolve our bloodline curse. That is why we have lived in seclusion here for so many years: first, to avoid disaster, and second, to await your arrival, Senior Brother!"

Lu Ye mused, "So many years have passed, and there have been more than one generation of Dao Tree successors. Have you not waited for any other successors?"

Asura Field is such a renowned place that any cultivator who has heard of it would likely come to experience it. Therefore, Lu Ye did not believe he was the sole Dao Tree successor to have arrived here.

Why then did previous Dao Tree successors not help the Asura clan resolve their bloodline curse?

Although Achiduo had left a favorable impression on him, some matters still required caution. Even if the Asura clan was in decline, they still possessed a cosmic treasure! Underestimating them due to their weakened state would lead to dire consequences.

Hearing Lu Ye's question, Achiduo let out a bitter laugh. "According to our ancient records, including you, Senior Brother, three Dao Tree successors have entered Asura Field since our clan went into seclusion. The first was approximately fifty thousand years ago, but that individual was already at the Sun Glimmer cultivation level when they arrived, and our clan dared not approach them rashly."

It was understandable. The Asura clan lacked powerful experts; how could they casually approach someone at the Sun Glimmer level? Especially given the connection to a cosmic treasure like Asura Field, even a Sun Glimmer expert would be tempted.

"What about the second one?" Lu Ye asked.

"The second was more recent, about ten thousand years ago. However, according to records, that individual had an evil disposition and and failed the test set by our clan, making them untrustworthy."

Ten thousand years ago... Lu Ye's heart stirred. Wasn't that Chaonian from the former Nine Provinces? He had caused calamity in the former Nine Provinces, and his disposition was indeed evil, as he had used the Talent Tree to devour many geniuses from various top-tier realms.

It was normal for the Asura clan to be wary of approaching such a person.

Lu Ye keenly noticed another point: "A test? Did I pass it?"

Since Achiduo had brought him here and told him so much, it was clear that he had passed the Asura clan's test.

He couldn't help but recall the various peculiarities of his last cultivation experience... He could see Asura Marks above people's heads, and ordinary citizens had more Asura Marks than mountain bandits. In such an environment, one could acquire Asura Marks by killing anyone, which could trigger many hidden evils.

Yet, from beginning to end, he only killed mountain bandits and rogue soldiers. He never troubled innocent ordinary people and was even willing to offer them aid.

So... that was the test!

"You've been secretly observing me?" Lu Ye frowned, instantly grasping the crucial point.

"Please forgive us, Senior Brother. This concerns the future of our clan, so we dared not be negligent," Achiduo said apologetically.

"So the numbers representing Asura Marks that I saw were all orchestrated by you in secret?"

Achiduo nodded. "With the power of Asura Field, our clan can achieve such things. The immediate acquisition of Asura Marks after killing an enemy was also accomplished with Asura Field's power, because only in this way can one truly discern a person's nature."

Lu Ye asked, "And what about suppressing my cultivation to the Fourth Aperture?"

Achiduo looked embarrassed. "The clan leader said that true nature is revealed in weakness; the weaker one's strength, the more their true disposition is exposed."

Everything became clear.

No wonder the last cultivation experience was so peculiar. Lu Ye had initially felt targeted by Asura Field in various ways, but now it seemed it wasn't Asura Field targeting him; everything was orchestrated by the Asura clan.

"However..." Achiduo looked at Lu Ye with a strange expression. "Asura Field seemed unable to suppress the power of the Dao Tree, which allowed your cultivation to improve during the experience, subsequently triggering some adjustments in Asura Field."

"Adjustments?" Lu Ye looked at her, puzzled.

"Yes, Senior Brother, didn't you notice? The enemies you encountered later became progressively stronger. This was the result of Asura Field's adjustments." However, it seemed not to have caused Lu Ye much trouble from beginning to end.

Lu Ye suddenly understood. At the time, he had a vague feeling that the enemies he encountered seemed to grow stronger as his own strength increased, and he had thought it was normal. Now, it turned out to be the result of Asura Field's self-correction.

Honestly, without the Talent Tree, it would have been truly difficult for Lu Ye to contend with the Black Scarves in that scenario, given his cultivation level.

But precisely because he had the Talent Tree, which allowed him to create the rudimentary "Shared Qi" formation disk, everything proceeded smoothly.

"You've been watching me from the very beginning?" Lu Ye asked slowly. Although he knew the Asura clan bore him no ill will, the feeling of being secretly observed was still unpleasant.

"Not at all," Achiduo shook her head. "In fact, when you first arrived, Senior Brother, we didn't know you were the Dao Tree successor. However, we have dedicated personnel who constantly monitor the Bounty Hall."

"The Bounty Hall..." Lu Ye pondered for a moment and then realized. After completing the Moon Glimmer rankings, he went to the Bounty Hall and accepted several tasks to help people with detoxification. It must have been from that point that he came into the Asura clan's notice.

That's why the subsequent experience in the Ultimate Nether Realm became somewhat peculiar. Achiduo, using unknown methods, entered the realm to get close to Lu Ye and secretly gather information. It wasn't until she was injured and Lu Ye was healing her that he noticed the strangeness of her bloodline and, while he was at it, helped her resolve the bloodline curse...

Thus, Achiduo finally confirmed that Lu Ye was indeed the savior their clan had been waiting for!

The experience in the Ultimate Nether Realm allowed the Asura clan to identify their target, and the subsequent experience of eradicating the Black Scarf Army was the test the Asura clan set for Lu Ye.

He passed the test, leading the Asura clan to deem him trustworthy. Therefore, they brought him here this time, with Achiduo explaining the full story to him.

As for the incorrect number of Asura Mark rewards at the final settlement of the Ultimate Nether Realm experience, it was entirely due to the Asura clan's interference with Asura Field's operation. Even Lu Ye's prolonged wait when entering the experience scenario was for this reason.

It was evident that the Asura clan was very cautious. After all, they were currently very vulnerable, while Lu Ye stood at the peak of Moon Glimmer cultivation. If they weren't careful enough, they might face utter disaster at any moment!

"Then... where is your esteemed clan leader?" Lu Ye asked.

Knowing the Asura clan's objective, Lu Ye's mind immediately became active. What had he toiled for to come here? His initial plan was to exchange for Asura Field's auxiliary treasures, but they were too expensive, so Lu Ye had resorted to earning Asura Marks to refine his Law Source.

However, the Asura clan now had a request of him, a matter concerning the future of their entire race. Therefore, it shouldn't be unreasonable for him to make a modest demand.

The Asura clan controls Asura Field, so everything within it belongs to them. Whether it's treasures that can enhance the quality of his Law Source or the auxiliary treasures of Asura Field, wouldn't he be free to take whatever he desired?

This was a mutually beneficial transaction!

Achiduo was not a suitable person for negotiations, nor was she necessarily qualified. Thus, he could only discuss the matter directly with the current clan leader of the Asura clan.

Just as Lu Ye finished speaking, a figure abruptly appeared not far in front of them. It was an extremely ancient old man, his vitality profoundly dispersed. Honestly, among all the cultivators Lu Ye had ever seen, none were as aged as this one.

The old man's hair was completely white. Lu Ye could tell at a glance that he didn't have long to live. The Asura clan, afflicted by the bloodline curse, had a lifespan of no more than two hundred years, no matter how high their cultivation.

They were indeed extraordinarily talented, but in two hundred years, cultivating to the Moon Glimmer stage was already their limit.

What concerned Lu Ye was the manner of the old man's appearance... It was as if he had been standing there all along, yet Lu Ye hadn't sensed him at all.

It must be the power of Asura Field! Lu Ye concluded mentally.

"This old man, Mishu, humbly serves as the clan leader of the Asura clan. Greetings, young friend. Please forgive us for all the preceding matters." As he spoke, he bowed deeply.

Given that the elderly man adopted such a humble posture, Lu Ye could only rise and return the bow.

Achiduo helped Mishu to a seat and then dutifully stood behind him.

It was evident that Mishu was in good spirits; his clouded eyes were now exceptionally vibrant. He nodded repeatedly as he appraised Lu Ye from head to toe. "Excellent, excellent. Our clan has endured years of arduous waiting and has finally awaited your arrival, young friend. This is truly our clan's great fortune."

Lu Ye smiled. "Is the clan leader so certain that I am willing to help?"

Mishu replied, "You were unwilling to abandon those dozens of defenseless victimized women in Great Wind Mountain; instead, you went to great lengths to escort them to Ding'an City. This shows the benevolence in your heart, young friend. Someone like you, if without the ability, would be excused. But if you possess the ability, you would not willingly stand by and watch others suffer. The saying 'when poor, cultivate oneself; when prominent, benefit the world' describes you perfectly."