Chapter 2090: Fierce Battle

The struggles between the Star Abyss outsiders often end with one party being consumed by the other. It seems that through this method, the victor gains some unknown benefits.

As for the exact nature of these benefits, even Thunder Fortress is unaware. However, there were past conjectures that the fallen warriors possessed unexhausted Dao power, and the victor could replenish their own Dao power through this means.

But after some cultivators at Thunder Fortress attempted to do the same, they found it completely ineffective and instead felt intensely nauseated.

Currently, this insectoid creature had triumphed. Its ferocious mandibles opened, and it bit off the head of its opponent's corpse in one go. As it chewed, blood flowed from the corners of its mouth, and its narrow compound eyes gleamed with a cruel light.

Jiuyan fiercely channeled her magical power. She raised her hand and gripped a silver spear from the void, transforming into a streak of light as she charged towards the insectoid.

Before she even arrived, a rain-like cascade of spear strikes enveloped the space in front of her.

She knew, of course, that she was no match for this insectoid. Judging from the aftershocks of the recent battle, the insectoid's strength surpassed even that of the Ox-Demon that had appeared on the Myriad Manifestation Sea.

Had this been a typical encounter, she would have had no chance of survival.

However, this was an opportunity because the insectoid had just fought a deadly battle with an enemy. Although it had killed another Star Abyss outsider, it had also sustained considerable injuries. Most importantly, such an intense battle must have severely depleted its Dao power; otherwise, it would not appear so disheveled.

Retreat was impossible, so her only option was to fight to the death, where a slim chance of survival might lie.

The insectoid, which had been feasting heartily, suddenly opened its mandibles. As it roared silently, visible ripples spread out, encompassing Jiuyan's body.

Upon entering the ripples, Jiuyan immediately felt as if she had run into an invisible barrier. Her speed drastically decreased, and even the force of her spear strikes weakened considerably.

She gritted her teeth, held her breath, and fiercely unleashed her magical power. Even her soul power erupted with ferocity at that moment.

After a momentary standoff, she finally broke through the obstruction in front of her, thrusting her long spear towards the open mandibles.

However, this attack did not succeed. Just as the blow was about to connect, the insectoid suddenly discarded the spoils in its hand and launched a punch, striking the spearhead directly!

Jiuyan's body lurched to a halt, nearly losing her grip on her magical spear. Her hands burned with pain, and she was sent flying backward.

The insectoid was about to give chase but suddenly turned its head to look towards Lu Ye.

Lu Ye, now with a solemn expression, had already summoned his Sword Gourd. Its opening faced the insectoid, and with a surge of magical power, a beam of sword light shot out from the gourd's mouth, striking like lightning.

What Jiuyan could realize, Lu Ye naturally wouldn't be unaware of. Thus, almost at the same moment she made her move, Lu Ye had already prepared himself.

To survive today, immediate escape was unrealistic. The only path was for both of them to join forces and confront the enemy, either by finding an opportunity to kill it or to find a chance to flee.

"An accessory treasure!" the insectoid's low voice rumbled. Its normal eyes stared at the Sword Gourd, filled with avarice, as if it had spotted something precious.

As the sword light approached, the insectoid dared not be negligent. It paid no mind to Lu Ye and Jiuyan because it could sense that neither possessed Dao power; they were merely ordinary stellar cultivators. Such cultivators, no matter how strong, were nothing but ants before it.

However, accessory treasures were different; their power could inflict damage upon it.

Furthermore, once the power of an accessory treasure was unleashed, it was impossible to evade without prior preparation; one could only endure it head-on.

In haste, the insectoid steadied itself, channeling its magical power to protect its body.

The sword light pierced its surface but was blocked by its magical power, just like when Lu Ye confronted the Ox-Demon on the Myriad Manifestation Sea.

At the time, Lu Ye had been incredibly astonished that the Ox-Demon could refine its magical power to such resilience. But now he understood that it wasn't a matter of magical power, but of Dao power.

The sword light grew increasingly brilliant, and the insectoid roared in resistance.

Jiuyan charged back into the fray. Although her qi and blood had been shaken by the previous blow, she was otherwise unharmed. Seeing the insectoid disturbed by the sword light, she naturally wouldn't miss this opportunity.

"Begone!" the insectoid snarled impatiently. While resisting the sword light, it unleashed a punch at Jiuyan from a distance. Jiuyan, who was charging forward, halted abruptly as her protective magical power shattered under the blow. Her heart was filled with terror; it was just a casual, distanced strike, yet it possessed such immense power. If she were hit by such a punch at close range, she would surely perish instantly.

The moment her protective magical power shattered, another light barrier appeared around Jiuyan, indicating that her protective artifact had activated.

Seizing the chance, Jiuyan pressed forward, channeling her formidable cultivation into her long spear and thrusting it fiercely towards the insectoid's vital point at its waist.

However, if even the Sword Gourd's light couldn't penetrate the opponent's defenses, how could her strike possibly succeed?

The long spear seemed to pierce an incredibly tough force field, quickly stopping its advance without even touching the insectoid's hide. Yet, Jiuyan did not give up, desperately channeling her strength, for she knew this was the best opportunity to deplete the opponent's Dao power.

However, after three breaths, Jiuyan had to retreat, because the enraged insectoid had developed a murderous intent and turned its head to look at her, clearly intending to deal with her first.

Almost as Jiuyan retreated, the brilliant sword light suddenly shattered, and the Sword Gourd's power could no longer be maintained.

Only then did the insectoid withdraw its gaze from Jiuyan. Compared to killing Jiuyan, it desired the accessory treasure in Lu Ye's hand more!

For all Star Abyss outsiders, accessory treasures were of great use. By leveraging their power, they could acquire additional Dao power and achieve faster growth.

Just as it took a step, the insectoid was astonished to see a burst of firelight erupting from Lu Ye's side, sweeping towards it. The terrifying power contained within that firelight was in no way inferior to the previous sword light!

Although the gourd in Lu Ye's hand looked no different from the previous one, the insectoid keenly realized something: "Another accessory treasure?"

Accessory treasures were not common goods. Although they were derivatives of ultimate treasures, their numbers were scarce in both the starry sky and the Star Abyss. For a cultivator to possess even one accessory treasure was an immense fortune, yet here was an individual with two!

It was overjoyed, almost bursting into laughter, with only one thought churning in its mind: "Mine, all mine!"

But it quickly realized something was wrong, as its Dao power was severely depleted, and it was uncertain whether it could withstand the power of this second accessory treasure.

However, Lu Ye had already activated the Fire Gourd's power, leaving the insectoid no room to retreat. It could only grit its teeth and frantically unleash its own strength.

A ball of firelight landed on the insectoid, instantly igniting it and transforming it into a furiously burning fireball.

Yet, even enveloped by the Fire Gourd's power, the insectoid lunged at Lu Ye. With two accessory treasures right before it, it vowed to secure them first. As for the Fire Gourd's power, as long as its Dao power was not exhausted, it would not sustain any significant harm.

It could sense that Lu Ye's cultivation was not high; at the very least, he shouldn't have been in this position with such cultivation.

But upon reaching Lu Ye, it discovered that while Lu Ye's cultivation was not high, he was incredibly agile. Despite several attempts, it failed to subdue him.

Lu Ye was filled with helplessness. After activating the Fire Gourd's power, he had originally planned to signal Jiuyan to retreat together. Regardless of whether the insectoid could withstand the Fire Gourd's might, the aftershocks of their battle had already spread, making it unsuitable for them to linger. Perhaps they could escape while the opponent was being harassed by the Fire Gourd's power.

Unexpectedly, the insectoid had fixated on him, making it impossible for him to leave. He could only rely on evasive maneuvers to dodge his opponent, daring not engage in direct contact.

After all, the furiously burning Fire Gourd's power did not distinguish between friend and foe. If he were to accidentally be contaminated, he would fare terribly, and currently, he had no talent tree to utilize.

Jiuyan, watching anxiously from nearby, had no better solution. She could only summon an artifact and attack from a distance, unleashing beams of profound light to impede the insectoid.

After about ten breaths, the firelight suddenly dissipated, and the insectoid's figure reappeared.

Almost simultaneously, a beam of profound light struck the insectoid's body directly—it was Jiuyan's attack.

The profound light hit the insectoid's chest, causing its body to stagger, and a large wound appeared on its chest, from which blood flowed.

Jiuyan was momentarily stunned, then suddenly realized, "His Dao power is exhausted!"

As she spoke, she charged forward with her spear.

Lu Ye also noticed this. In a flurry of movement, he appeared ghost-like at the insectoid's side. As his Mountain-Shattering Blade was drawn, he brought it down in a cleaving strike.

A faint roar of a beast echoed as a massive, spectral beast head appeared, opening its blood-soaked maw.

Its fangs were bared!

The disheveled insectoid, however, suddenly turned its head, fixing a cold stare on him. A strange arc formed at the corner of its mouth as it reached out a hand to grab him.

Lu Ye's heart clenched; he inwardly cursed, "Oh no, the insectoid's recent injury... it was feigning weakness!"

Its sharp claws passed through the spectral beast, which then dispersed. Subsequently, they easily broke through Lu Ye's protective magical power and viciously grabbed him.

Lu Ye felt a sharp pain in his chest. Not only that, but a peculiar force seemed to penetrate his chest and invade his body.

As he hastily retreated, cold sweat broke out all over him.

Fortunately, he realized the danger in time; otherwise, this attack would have caused severe injury if not death. As it was, only a chunk of flesh had been torn from his chest by the enemy, which wasn't too big of an issue.

But he had not escaped the danger. The insectoid, failing to land a decisive blow, immediately pursued him like a maggot on bone.

An unprecedented sense of crisis enveloped his mind and body. In that instant, even the flow of time around him seemed to slow down.

Lu Ye's gaze swept past the insectoid's form, seeing Jiuyan, who was rushing to support him with an anxious expression. But she was still some distance away and wouldn't make it in time.

In haste, Lu Ye flicked his fingers repeatedly, sending drops of precious blood flying towards the insectoid. In an instant, he had unleashed four drops of precious blood.

There wasn't even time for the precious blood to transform into clones; terrifying and potent energy exploded from within the blood.

Four bursts of blood-light detonated almost simultaneously, engulfing the insectoid's figure. The immense shockwave sent Lu Ye's body flying backward, and the injury on his chest worsened.