Chapter 2115: This Young Man Looks Familiar

Lu Ye never imagined that the Cycle Tree's sensing would lead to such a situation.

At this moment, at least tens of thousands of Abyssal creatures were gathered ahead, while a large number of pursuers, drawn by the previous commotion, were closing in from behind. It was truly a perilous situation, like being caught between a tiger and a wolf.

"Stay close to me!" Lu Ye whispered, turning to dart sideways.

There was no way to return to the starry sky now; their only option was to break through and survive at all costs.

Even on their flank, Abyssal cultivators had arrived, drawn by the commotion. Fortunately, their numbers weren't overwhelming, making it a potential breakthrough point.

What gave Lu Ye some small comfort was that the numerous Abyssal creatures ahead hadn't made any rash moves. They remained entrenched in their area, especially the ten figures in the center, who merely watched with cold indifference.

Even from a great distance, Lu Ye felt a prickling sensation on his back. He knew that the strength of those ten figures was far beyond his current ability to contend with. These ten were very likely the powerful cultivators who had surpassed the Ninth Dao.

Their immense power was why they didn't even bother to acknowledge Lu Ye's group.

Dazzling blade light and rampant sword qi erupted. The team unleashed their attacks without reservation, following closely behind Lu Ye and Chen Wulei, bravely carving a bloody path.

Lu Ye's tension eased slightly. If things continued this way, breaking through shouldn't be difficult.

The moment this thought arose, Lu Ye's pupils contracted.

Looking up, he saw a sea of meteorites approaching from the distant front. Figures of varying numbers stood on each of the large and small meteorites.

A quick estimation revealed that their numbers were only equal to or greater than those he had seen before.

Lu Ye's heart sank. He racked his brain but couldn't understand why there were so many Abyssal cultivators in this direction as well.

Why would an unactivated Abyssal Gate possess such immense drawing power?

Another long howl came from behind. Lu Ye quickly turned to look, seeing ten figures rapidly approaching from the rear – precisely the ten powerful cultivators he had seen earlier.

Behind these ten, tens of thousands of Abyssal creatures roared and shouted, following closely as if a grand feast awaited them, each one energized like they'd been injected with stimulants.

"We certainly have a big reputation," Chen Wulei couldn't help but chuckle. With over a hundred thousand enemies in total surrounding them, and only eleven of them, these Abyssal creatures truly held them in high regard.

If there had been a glimmer of hope before, now, being caught between so many Abyssal creatures from both sides, there was simply no way to survive.

"Wait!" Lu Ye suddenly realized. "They are two separate factions!"

This was because the ten powerful cultivators approaching from behind weren't paying attention to them. Their powerful auras were directed towards the sea of meteorites flying in front, and from within that sea of meteorites, a comparable number of auras rose to challenge them.

Everyone suddenly understood. They had wondered how their mere eleven members could cause such a massive disturbance. It turned out they had stumbled upon a clash between two major factions.

Though they now understood, their spirits remained heavy. Compared to these two behemoth factions, the combined strength of their eleven-person team was utterly insignificant. The mere aftershocks of a collision between two such powers could easily wipe out their group.

"This way!" Lu Ye called out, changing direction once more.

Almost simultaneously, the ten figures swept past them without even a glance.

However, the fierce aura emanating from them caused Lu Ye and the others' skin to prickle, and their protective spiritual energy to waver. Each of them was horrified; if even the residual power was so terrifying, they feared that in a direct confrontation, their eleven members wouldn't be able to withstand a casual strike from any one of them.

Lu Ye had intended to lead everyone out of the battlefield before the two factions clashed, but ultimately, it was too late. Just a few breaths later, the two great powers collided like surging torrents.

The vast void trembled.

Lu Ye and his team found themselves in an awkward predicament. Their current position was still within the battlefield, and some Abyssal cultivators had already targeted them.

The ten powerful cultivators didn't pay them any mind, too preoccupied with their main enemies to bother, but other Abyssal cultivators didn't share that sentiment.

Almost entirely unprepared, the eleven-person team was swept into the massive war.

Lu Ye and his team didn't even know why such a large-scale conflict had erupted, nor could they discern which faction the mixed Abyssal cultivators belonged to. They could only passively defend themselves and kill enemies; anyone who dared to target them was an adversary.

In such a chaotic situation, even Lu Ye could only protect himself, at most dedicating a portion of his attention to Jiu Yan's situation. As for the others, he was powerless to help.

However, he soon realized something.

The Abyssal creatures originally gathered here were now preoccupied with an unknown group of enemies. Wouldn't that mean the location of the sensed destination was now unguarded?

Amidst the chaos, he glanced in that direction and indeed found it deserted.

Lu Ye's mind settled. He finally knew what to do. His divine sense surged as he transmitted instructions to everyone, urging them to constantly move towards that direction while surviving in the cracks of the battlefield.

Inside a magnificent, opulent palace.

A petite figure sat at a table several yards long.

It was a little girl who appeared to be around ten years old, with two pigtails and wearing a long black dress. She sat on a tall chair, her feet not even reaching the ground, her two small legs swinging leisurely.

At that moment, she held a rag doll in one hand and rubbed her small stomach with the other, whining plaintively, "Uncle Duan, isn't it ready yet? I'm so hungry!"

The rag doll in her hand was tattered and patched in many places, a testament to how long it had been with her.

As her voice faded, a white-haired old man walked in, smiling as he said, "It's ready, it's ready."

As he spoke, he approached her and set down the items in his hands: a plate and a bowl.

The little girl immediately sat up straight, took a delicate sniff, and showed an eager expression. "It smells so good, Uncle Duan! Your cooking has improved again."

Uncle Duan smiled kindly. "The ingredients were excellent this time, very fresh. It has nothing to do with my cooking skills, young lady. Please, have a taste."

"Then I won't stand on ceremony," the little girl said. She carefully placed the tattered rag doll in her lap, then reached out and took something from the plate.

It was, horrifyingly, a humanoid creature, still alive. She held it in her small hand, with only its head visible, its face contorted in terror. It struggled continuously, pleading, but no matter how it squirmed or begged, the little girl paid no attention.

She opened her mouth and bit down. With a crunch, its life force dissipated.

The little girl chewed, her mouth covered in blood, her face alight with delight. "Delicious! The Lost Ones not tainted by the Abyssal aura still taste better."

Uncle Duan chuckled. "There was a star field that collapsed recently. I personally went there to catch these for you."

"Mmm-hmm!" The little girl nodded repeatedly, reaching into the plate again.

After a few quick bites, she finished everything. She then picked up the small bowl, which contained green liquid still bubbling continuously. As each bubble burst, it seemed to form a human face, and wretched wails emanated from within.

She took a sip, a look of satisfaction on her face. "This soup is delicious too!"

Uncle Duan stood by. "If it's good, drink more."

The little girl hugged the bowl, gulping down the contents. In a short while, she had finished it all, then slumped contentedly in her chair, patting her small stomach. "I'm full!"

Uncle Duan began clearing the dishes. As he did, he said, "If you like it, young lady, I'll make it for you again later. Coincidentally, a group of Lost Ones has just arrived here. I've already ordered that their lives must not be harmed."

"Oh, good, good!" The little girl's eyes immediately lit up with anticipation. Suddenly, she tilted her head to listen, her small brows furrowing. "Why is it so noisy outside? Is Blood Owl causing trouble again?"

Uncle Duan nodded. "The Abyssal Gate will open in a few years, so of course he wants to occupy this place. But don't worry, young lady, our people will handle it."

The little girl nodded, but then waved her hand, and immediately, various scenes appeared before her, showing the situation across the battlefield outside.

She evidently wanted to see how the battle was progressing. Guarding this place for so many years was truly boring; watching the commotion could also pass the time.

As for the Abyssal cultivators who died in the battle under her command, she didn't care at all. As long as she controlled this soon-to-open Abyssal Gate, people would continuously flock to pledge allegiance to her.

Furthermore, even the Abyssal creatures under her own command had never lived in peace. Even without Blood Owl causing trouble, they were constantly fighting among themselves.

After watching for a while, the little girl found it uninteresting.

She suddenly recalled Uncle Duan's earlier words: "What about those Lost Ones who broke in?"

Since they had intruded, they were destined to become her ingredients. It would be good to first see what kind of quality they were.

Uncle Duan glanced over and pointed at one of the scenes. "This location..."

The little girl followed his gaze and immediately spotted over a dozen figures gathered in one place. Leading them were a young man wielding a saber and a person wearing a mech-suit.

"So many!" The little girl couldn't help but laugh. As she laughed, her expression suddenly froze, and she began to seriously examine the young man at the forefront, her face filled with surprise and uncertainty. "Uncle Duan, don't you think this young man looks familiar?"

Uncle Duan asked curiously, "Where has the young lady seen this person before?"

Otherwise, why would he seem familiar?

The little girl thought hard but couldn't recall where she had seen him. She immediately became distressed. "Where did I see him? I definitely have!"

Uncle Duan remained silent, so as not to disturb the young lady's thoughts.

A moment later, the little girl suddenly seemed to remember something. She let out a sharp cry, then rummaged through her storage ring, pulling out something resembling a record-stone. Immersing her mind in it, she exclaimed, "It's him! But how did he get out? This isn't right, he should be inside. Why is he here?"

Uncle Duan looked at the record-stone, his expression turning solemn. "Was this left by Lord Azure?"