Chapter 1964: Retreat the Enemy

Moonstone cultivators naturally possess excellent memories. Thus, with only a moment of thought, both Lu Ye and Jiang An recalled where they had previously encountered each other.

Lu Ye's expression was calm, while Jiang An's face was filled with horror.

At that moment, Lu Ye, who had been standing on the deck, suddenly seemed to blur and waver. Jiang An immediately felt a prickle of dread, as if an immense danger was descending upon him.

Without hesitation, he fiercely channeled his spiritual power to protect his body. At the same time, his vital energy surged, and his fists, like dragons, shot forward. The space in front of him had been empty, but the instant his fists struck out, a figure appeared—it was Lu Ye.

This strike unleashed Jiang An's full power. He was confident that no Moonstone cultivator could withstand it. His fierce, sudden attack landed directly on Lu Ye's body, and under its immense power, Lu Ye was instantly shattered into pieces.

Jiang An was stunned, realizing something was wrong. What he had shattered was merely a shadow! The opponent's speed was too great; he could barely make out the movements. And this exact scene had occurred before in the Moonstone Combat Arena! The experience from that day was precisely the same as today!

"Behind me!" Jiang An roared and swung his arm back to counter. However, just as he positioned himself, he realized that the spiritual power protecting his body had been breached. Immediately afterward, a sharp pain shot through him, and he froze in place!

His eye twitched violently as he clearly saw a figure standing beside him—a long blade in hand, piercing his body from his waist, through and through! The long blade pulsed with incredibly powerful and pure spiritual energy. Jiang An had no doubt that if the other party activated it, he would die instantly!

This was exactly how he had been defeated in the combat arena last time. Although he hadn't died due to the arena's protective rules, a strange power had lingered in his wound, forcing him to spend thirty thousand Asura Marks to post a bounty for help resolving it.

"The top-ranked Moonstone cultivator!" Only then did Jiang An grit his teeth and let out a low roar. This wasn't out of unwillingness, but to warn his companions who their enemy truly was.

He knew that no amount of reluctance would help now. The last time, the combat arena's rules had protected his life, but this time, he was certain to die! He just couldn't understand why this top-ranked Moonstone cultivator was on a Nine Profound starship. Could it be that he was originally from Nine Profound? If so, why had he never heard of him before?

As he finished speaking, Lu Ye kicked out, sending him flying. From the wound, blood gushed like a fountain.

Lu Ye stood his ground, gently shaking the blood from his Stone Mountain Blade, his gaze calmly sweeping over the attacking enemies.

At this moment, both the Brahma Valley Moonstone cultivators and Sun Zheng and his companions from Nine Profound stood frozen, motionless. Sun Zheng and the others hadn't expected Lu Ye to act so decisively. Jiang An, Brahma Valley's strongest cultivator, was no match for him in a single exchange! Such strength was truly astonishing.

His own strength was similar to Jiang An's, perhaps even slightly inferior. If this top-ranked Moonstone cultivator could so easily defeat Jiang An, didn't that mean he himself would be dealt with in just one encounter? How could there be such a vast difference in strength, even among those at the late Moonstone stage?

Even though Sun Zheng had personally witnessed Lu Ye's confrontation with Aboro and believed he understood the true might of a top-ranked Moonstone cultivator, it was only after this direct comparison that he realized how shallow and laughable his previous understanding had been.

After a brief moment of shock and astonishment, the Brahma Valley Moonstone cultivators let out an angry roar: "All together! Kill him!" They were enraged. Even though Jiang An had revealed Lu Ye's identity earlier, they didn't retreat, simply because their numbers far surpassed those of Nine Profound. If one person wasn't enough, what about two, three, or four? Even if this top-ranked Moonstone cultivator was incredibly strong, as fellow Moonstone cultivators, there would certainly be a point where two fists couldn't contend with four hands.

The moment the words fell, over ten Moonstone cultivators charged towards Lu Ye.

Seeing this, Sun Zheng quickly roared, "Engage the enemy!" The next instant, several Moonstone cultivators from Nine Profound flew out to meet the attackers. However, their strength was limited; each could only intercept one opponent, leaving them to watch helplessly as Lu Ye was besieged by nearly ten cultivators.

Sun Zheng couldn't help but worry. Although Lu Ye's terrifying displayed strength was impressive, human power had its limits. If he couldn't hold on, then all the cultivators on this ship would be in grave danger. Therefore, he had to quickly deal with his opponent and then help Lu Ye relieve some pressure. He was confident he could do this, as he had deliberately intercepted an opponent significantly weaker than himself, precisely to quickly reduce the numerical disparity between the two sides.

As soon as their engagement began, his opponent indeed steadily retreated. Seizing a moment, Sun Zheng glanced towards Lu Ye's position, and upon seeing it, he found it difficult to look away. For in the chaotic battle there, Lu Ye's figure darted back and forth ceaselessly, and with his constant movement and maneuvering, the gleam of his blade flashed and vanished. Groans and screams echoed one after another, and blood splattered…

Sun Zheng could hardly believe his eyes. He had thought that even with Lu Ye's immense strength, being surrounded by so many Moonstone cultivators would put him in a difficult position. But that wasn't the case at all. He had never seen such agile movement. Although the opponents were numerous, they couldn't form an effective encirclement. Instead, the enemies were being cut down one by one as Lu Ye moved and dodged.

Suddenly, a pain shot through him. He had been distracted and hit by his opponent. Fortunately, there was a difference in their strength, and with his spiritual power protecting him, the injury was superficial. Sun Zheng quickly refocused his mind and concentrated on dealing with his own opponent.

The screams continued. But after only a dozen breaths, a familiar roar entered his ears: "Retreat! Everyone retreat!"

Sun Zheng was startled and looked towards the source of the voice in surprise: "Jiang An?" He's not dead? Upon closer inspection, he realized that not only Jiang An but also all the other Brahma Valley Moonstone cultivators who had been injured by Lu Ye were still alive!

Seizing his moment of distraction, his opponent also hastily pulled back and quickly departed. Lu Ye remained standing, simply watching the Brahma Valley Moonstone cultivators retreat. Since he didn't move, the Nine Profound Moonstone cultivators naturally dared not pursue them rashly. This victory was entirely due to his immense effort; without his leadership, the Nine Profound Moonstone cultivators would be courting death by pursuing.

"Fellow Daoist Lu!" Sun Zheng stepped forward, clasping his fists in salute to Lu Ye. His attitude, compared to earlier, was noticeably more respectful. A late-stage Moonstone cultivator like him would only show such reverence when facing a Sunstone cultivator.

Lu Ye gazed pensively in the direction where the dozen or so Brahma Valley Moonstone cultivators had retreated, lost in thought. Sun Zheng didn't disturb him. After a moment, Lu Ye suddenly turned, clasped his fists, and said, "Fellow Daoist Sun, most of the Brahma Valley cultivators are injured, so they shouldn't bother you again. Your realm's Sunstone cultivator should be returning soon. I'll take my leave now."

As he spoke, he looked up towards the multi-deck vessel. There, Yu Yaorao rushed out of the cabin onto the deck, gazing at him from afar. Lu Ye smiled at her: "Junior Sister Yu, perhaps we'll meet again someday!" With that, he flickered and darted away in a certain direction.

"Senior Brother Lu!" Yu Yaorao reached out and called, but received no reply. She could only watch helplessly as Lu Ye's figure vanished from sight, her expression turning forlorn.

A short while later, the Nine Profound Sunstone cultivator named Cen Xin returned. She had engaged in a confrontation with Brahma Valley's Sunstone cultivator for a time. When the opponent actively retreated, she naturally wouldn't recklessly pursue. Concerned for the safety of the cultivators in her own star system, she hurried back to check. She found that although many of the multi-deck vessel's formations were damaged, there were surprisingly no casualties among the personnel, which struck her as incredible. She had already mentally prepared herself to collect the bodies of these younger cultivators, as Brahma Valley had caught them off guard this time, and the numerical disparity at the Moonstone level was too great.

A moment later, after Sun Zheng explained, she finally understood the situation. She also finally understood why Brahma Valley's Sunstone cultivator had retreated so quickly: clearly, he knew the operation had failed and didn't want to waste any more time. The reason their side was able to emerge unscathed was entirely thanks to the efforts of the top-ranked Moonstone cultivator, Lu Ye, who had provided protection. Otherwise, they would have suffered heavy casualties.

She then called over Yu Yaorao, who was most familiar with Lu Ye, and questioned her.

"Oh? Is he that Lu Yiye who helped you in the Primordial Realm all those years ago?" Cen Xin's expression showed keen interest. She had undoubtedly heard about this matter. Yu Yaorao possessed remarkable aptitude within the Nine Profound Realm; otherwise, she wouldn't have earned a spot to visit the Reincarnation Tree back then. And after gaining spiritual enlightenment in the Primordial Realm, Yu Yaorao's future prospects were undoubtedly even brighter. It could be said that Nine Profound was cultivating her as a top talent.

"You two are quite fated, encountering each other again in the Asura Arena," Cen Xin nodded slightly.

Yu Yaorao's expression was somewhat downcast, but she still said, "Yes, Senior Brother Lu and I met in a trial scenario. I was only able to complete the trial with his help." She was undoubtedly referring to their first meeting. As for later, when she used the Asura Summoning Token to call Lu Ye... she wasn't prepared to mention that to anyone, as it involved the death of a senior sister.

"In just a few short decades, he actually cultivated from the Divine Sea stage to the late Moonstone stage, and his strength is so outstanding!" Cen Xin was secretly amazed. Even with her extensive knowledge, she had never heard of anyone cultivating so rapidly. This was beyond what could be described as mere genius.

"Indeed, Fellow Daoist Lu's strength is truly beyond reach. Jiang An was severely wounded by a single strike from him," Sun Zheng recalled the earlier scene, still shaken. He also felt a touch of regret: "It's just a pity that Fellow Daoist Lu didn't go for the kill; none of those Brahma Valley Moonstone cultivators died!"

Cen Xin said, "After all, Brahma Valley has no real grudge with him. His involvement was simply coincidental. Properly demonstrating his strength to make the invaders retreat, without forming too deep an enmity—his actions were quite mature and the best way to handle it. Regardless, he is your savior."

"Yes," Sun Zheng respectfully nodded. Based on the strength Lu Ye had just displayed, he could have easily departed on his own; no one from Brahma Valley could have stopped him. Yet, he still chose to help, likely a large part of which was to protect Yu Yaorao.

Cen Xin looked at Yu Yaorao: "Such a person is sure to have boundless achievements in the future. If you are interested, you should seize the opportunity."

"Ah?" Yu Yaorao froze, then quickly waved her hands. "Aunt-Master, I don't..."

Cen Xin smiled faintly: "Whether you do or not, you know best in your heart." Then, as if recalling something, she sighed, "Ah, youth! One must dare to dream and dare to act, otherwise, when you grow old, many things will become regrets."