Chapter 2114: Desperate Situation

Lu Ye's understanding of how Dao Realm cultivators' strength was categorized came entirely from the Mecha Starry Sky. The Mecha Starry Sky, in turn, derived its information from years of exploration involving contact with Star Abyss cultivators, along with some of its own conjectures.

According to the intelligence gathered by the Mecha Starry Sky, Nine-Dao was considered the ultimate limit, as nine represented the extreme of numbers, making it unlikely for Ten-Dao or Eleven-Dao experts to exist.

However, it now appeared that this was not the case.

Furthermore, the Mecha Starry Sky's understanding of Star Abyss cultivators' realm divisions was actually quite limited, as the strongest enemies they had encountered over hundreds of years were only at the Seven-Dao or Eight-Dao level.

This, however, could explain why the Eight-Dao expert from the Mecha Starry Sky disappeared without a trace after venturing into the Star Abyss.

Evidently, there were beings stronger than Nine-Dao in the Star Abyss, and an Eight-Dao expert charging in would simply not be strong enough.

"In my opinion, the Star Abyss Gate actually has limitations," Chen Wulei explained. "When it first opens, because it isn't stable enough, only weaker individuals can pass through. But as time goes on and the gate becomes more stable, the strength of those able to traverse it will gradually increase. Then, once the Star Abyss Gate expands, even more powerful beings will be able to cross."

Chen Wulei's words reminded Lu Ye of the opening of the Star Abyss Gate in the Myriad Forms Sea, where three Star Abyss cultivators, none of whom had yet forged a Dao Realm, had come through.

In the Star Abyss, such strength, if not at the very bottom tier, was certainly close to it.

This undoubtedly provided indirect corroboration for Chen Wulei's conjecture.

"Looking at it this way," Ziji mused, "our current top priority is to figure out the realm divisions beyond the Dao Realm. Otherwise, if we encounter powerful enemies, we'll have no way to properly assess their strength."

Lu Ye shook his head. "It's not easy. I actually started trying to gather information on this a long time ago, but I haven't had much success. The impression I get from the Star Abyss cultivators is that even they don't seem to know much about it."

Previously, while the rest of the team was in secluded cultivation, he had hunted alone outside and inquired about these matters from more than one Star Abyss cultivator, but unfortunately, he hadn't gained much insight.

Of course, this could also be because the enemies he encountered weren't particularly strong. If he were to truly encounter powerful ones, perhaps he could gain some understanding.

After a brief rest, the team set off once more.

It had to be said that, as Lost Ones, moving around in the Star Abyss was quite troublesome, because the auras of Lu Ye and his companions were completely different from those of the native Star Abyss creatures.

If Star Abyss creatures encountered each other, they might still manage to coexist peacefully.

But upon encountering Lu Ye's group, they all became agitated, rushing to kill without any provocation.

This was normal, as newcomers to the Star Abyss, like Lu Ye and his companions, were generally not very strong and could easily become someone else's prey.

However, the current strength of the eleven-member team was clearly different from that of ordinary Lost Ones. With two Seven-Dao experts leading, five Six-Dao experts cooperating, and even the weakest member at the Five-Dao level, such a force had the capability to fight even an Eight-Dao expert.

Nevertheless, operating in the Star Abyss still demanded utmost caution, especially during long journeys. Unnecessary battles should be avoided whenever possible to prevent any unforeseen mishaps.

Lu Ye's greatest wish now was to safely lead everyone to the destination sensed by the Samsara Tree Mark. They had spent several years traveling this far, and they could not afford to fail at this crucial final juncture.

Adhering to this principle, they indeed avoided many troubles.

As time passed, the sensation from the Samsara Tree Mark grew increasingly clear and distinct.

Approximately ten months after reuniting with Chen Wulei and the others, they were finally nearing their destination.

Even with Lu Ye's composure, he couldn't help but feel a little anxious and nervous. Returning to their original Starry Sky with the help of the Samsara Tree Mark was his idea, but whether it would actually succeed was something he couldn't predict.

If it succeeded, everything would be well. But if it didn't, they would likely have to wait until the Star Abyss Gate opened before they could return.

Because regardless, the location he sensed was most likely a vulnerable point in the Starry Sky—the inevitable starting point of the Star Abyss invasion. When the time came, a Star Abyss Gate would certainly open at that very spot.

At that very moment, all eleven members of the team were concealed on a meteorite, doing their utmost to suppress their auras. Using the meteorite's movement, they gradually approached their final destination.

The reason for such extreme caution was that something felt off about the area.

Lu Ye had noticed several days prior that the number of Star Abyss creatures gathered in this region was immense—far greater than anywhere they had previously passed through!

This led to battles erupting very frequently in the area.

Just then, Lu Ye clearly perceived battles erupting in three different locations within a hundred thousand li radius.

This was unavoidable; in such a densely populated area of Star Abyss creatures, it was common for them to clash due to mutual dislike.

Moments later, the fighting at one battlefield subsided, indicating a clear winner had emerged. The other two, however, grew more intense, evidently due to more Star Abyss creatures being drawn by the commotion.

Some Star Abyss cultivators even swept past the meteorite where the group was hidden, rushing towards the battlefields. They were undoubtedly the type who enjoyed a spectacle and thrived on chaos.

In such circumstances, the group didn't even dare to use divine sense transmission for fear of revealing their presence. All they wanted was to pass through quickly.

Yet, what they feared most came to pass. Abruptly, a figure landed on the meteorite. With a surge of spiritual power, the meteorite, which had been drifting forward, immediately came to a halt.

This individual hadn't sensed anything amiss; they had clearly just used the meteorite as a convenient landing spot.

After steadying themselves, they looked up towards the nearest battlefield, wanting to see what was happening there.

But at that very moment, he suddenly felt something was amiss. He turned his head to look to the side, only to see several concealed figures staring back at him with cold expressions.

The Star Abyss cultivator turned pale with fright, having never imagined that others were hidden on the meteorite. He immediately tried to flee.

A figure, fluid as flowing water, had already risen behind him. In a flash, it pounced. The Star Abyss cultivator didn't even let out a gasp before collapsing.

Although Meiying was only at the Five-Dao cultivation level, a surprise attack when the opponent was caught off guard was something they couldn't resist, even if their strength surpassed Meiying's.

Crisis averted! Everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

However, a bright light suddenly struck from the side, clearly an attack launched by a passing Star Abyss cultivator who had noticed something.

As the meteorite shattered, all eleven figures were simultaneously revealed.

The attacking Star Abyss cultivator was momentarily stunned, then immediately turned and fled. He had only casually launched an attack, never expecting to stir up a hornet's nest.

However, after only a few steps, he suddenly realized something. He turned back to look at Lu Ye and the others, his eyes gleaming. "Lost Ones!" he exclaimed.

No wonder they were hiding so much! They were Lost Ones who had just entered the Star Abyss, and he had stumbled upon eleven of them at once!

He had encountered Lost Ones before, and their strength was never impressive. He immediately had an idea, turning around and charging back.

His vision suddenly blurred as a figure flashed before him, a brilliant blade light slashing towards him.

"Mere Lost Ones!" he roared, unleashing a punch with a fierce expression.

The punch landed squarely on Lu Ye's chest but failed to budge him in the slightest. Instead, as the Panshain Blade descended, the Star Abyss cultivator's protective spiritual power shattered instantly, and his body was cleaved in two.

Lu Ye reached out, extracted a section of Dao bone from the opponent's body, and commanded in a low voice, "Go!"

They were already exposed, so there was no need to hide anymore. This location was not far from their final destination; they could reach it in half an hour if they rushed at full speed.

As he finished speaking, Lu Ye flew out first, with the others following closely. Before leaving, Meiying didn't forget to extract the Dao bone from the cultivator he had ambushed.

As soon as the commotion erupted, it immediately drew the attention of Star Abyss cultivators from all directions. After sensing the auras of Lu Ye and his companions, they swarmed after them like cats drawn to the scent of fish.

Their worst fear had materialized. The very reason they had been hiding earlier was because Lu Ye knew that exposure would inevitably lead to this outcome.

But such was fate; sometimes, the more one feared something, the more likely it was to occur.

In this situation, there was only one choice.

To cut a bloody path!

Chen Wulei had already donned his war-automaton, swiftly moving to the front of the team to walk alongside Lu Ye. As they were the only two Seven-Dao experts in the group, it naturally fell to them to clear the path.

Ziji and Chongyue guarded the rear, while the others spread out in the middle section, each vigilant against enemies from all directions.

The entire eleven-member team instantly became a tightly unified unit, like an arrow, charging forward relentlessly.

Wherever they passed, any who dared to block their way were swiftly cut down by the combined might of Lu Ye and Chen Wulei, rendering them invincible along their path.

As time passed, the team drew closer to their final destination, and the sensation from the Samsara Tree Mark on Lu Ye's hand became increasingly distinct.

"How much further?" Chen Wulei shouted, asking.

"Just ahead!" Lu Ye responded, looking up.

The sight that met his eyes instantly startled him. In the distant void, he saw an area that was distinctly different from its surroundings, appearing somewhat murky.

Around this area, no fewer than ten figures were seated, each exuding profound composure and formidable strength.

With these ten figures acting as a central point, a large number of Star Abyss creatures had gathered around them.

This was the largest gathering of Star Abyss creatures Lu Ye had ever witnessed. They were assembled there, as if waiting for something.

What made him even more incredulous was that not far from this immense gathering of Star Abyss creatures, a magnificent palace stood. The palace was enveloped in a layer of hazy light, making it difficult to see clearly, yet anyone who laid eyes on it would immediately realize that an extremely powerful expert resided within.

Lu Ye's blood ran cold, and he immediately halted his advance.

He had considered various scenarios they might face upon reaching this place with his group, but he had never anticipated such a situation.

At least tens of thousands of Star Abyss creatures were gathered near that murky area, clearly waiting for something.

What else could they be waiting for besides the Star Abyss Gate to open?

Evidently, the Star Abyss's erosion of the Myriad Forms Sea Starry Sky had already begun to show signs, which was why so many Star Abyss creatures had been drawn to gather here.

Let alone that he could only display Seven-Dao strength at the moment; even if he were a Nine-Dao expert, forcing his way through in such a situation would be a dead end!