Chapter 2151: Dao Soldier

A single session of cultivation had seen his strength soar from nine Dao to fifteen Dao—such growth was truly astonishing.

Suppressing the excitement in his heart, Lu Ye turned his gaze to the Pan Shan Saber resting on his knee.

This breakthrough into the Dao Realm had not only led to immense personal growth for him, but Liao had also benefited. It had even been startled awake, and from the results, it seemed Liao, a member of the Weapon Clan, had also achieved a breakthrough.

Previously preoccupied with his own affairs, Lu Ye now finally had the time to investigate.

Upon closer inspection, the Pan Shan Saber's exterior showed little change; it remained a pitch-black long saber. However, when his divine sense probed its interior, Lu Ye keenly sensed a monumental transformation within the entire blade.

It no longer felt like a saber, but rather a section of Dao Bone.

—a Dao Bone, yet one seemingly without any Dao Force reserves.

"A Dao Weapon?" Lu Ye couldn't help but raise an eyebrow.

"Dao Weapon" was a collective term for implements used by Dao Realm cultivators for offense or defense, existing at a level above ordinary magic treasures. Strictly speaking, affiliated treasures were considered Dao Weapons.

He had gleaned this information during casual conversations with Uncle Duan in the Green Palace.

Dao Weapons could not be forged; they had to be nurtured. Furthermore, only cultivators at the Dao Integration level were qualified to nurture such implements.

The tattered rag doll in Yin Luo's hand looked insignificant, yet it was, in fact, her Dao Weapon. That doll functioned like a clone, capable of manifesting eighty percent of Yin Luo's power.

The most natural Dao Weapons were the affiliated treasures of various supreme artifacts. Therefore, affiliated treasures were not merely simple objects that enhanced one's Dao power. In the Star Abyss, any affiliated treasure was a coveted item among Dao Integration experts, who could nurture them with their own Dao Force, continuously enhancing their power.

Uncle Duan was aware that Lu Ye and his companions possessed affiliated treasures. Were it not for their connection to Yin Luo, he would likely have long harbored intentions of murder and robbery, as affiliated treasures held immense appeal even for powerful individuals like him.

Liao had actually become a Dao Weapon!

This outcome was simultaneously anticipated and unforeseen.

Although the Weapon Clan possessed no flesh and blood, they were indeed a race—albeit one so exceedingly rare that ordinary people had never even heard of them, let alone seen one.

The growth of this race was entirely dependent on their master's advancement.

Lu Ye had used the power of his Three Flowers to ignite the Dao Fire, transforming his body into a furnace to refine himself. Liao had also been refined alongside him. Consequently, Lu Ye had ascended to the Dao Realm, and Liao had ascended to the rank of a Dao Weapon.

From the outcome, both the man and the saber had broken through their original limitations. For Liao, the Dao Weapon tier was equivalent to the Dao Realm.

Verifying whether Liao had indeed transformed into a Dao Weapon was simple...

Lu Ye briefly channeled a wisp of Dao Force into the Pan Shan Saber. Previously, doing so would merely cause the Dao Force to coil around the saber, enhancing its ability to strike down foes. But now, the moment the Dao Force touched the Pan Shan Saber, it instantly vanished without a trace, like a stone dropped into the ocean.

It truly was a Dao Weapon!

The most distinct characteristic of a Dao Weapon was its ability to consume Dao Force. This was also the method for nurturing them: by continuously allowing the Dao Weapon to absorb one's own Dao Force, it would gradually grow stronger. Through this nurturing process, the bond between the master and the Dao Weapon would progressively strengthen, eventually leading to a state of complete unity.

Therefore, even if a Dao Integration cultivator possessing a Dao Weapon were killed in the Star Abyss, and their Dao Weapon seized, it could not be refined. In fact, one might even risk injury from it if careless.

While the Pan Shan Saber transforming into a Dao Weapon was inherently a good thing, Lu Ye felt no joy; instead, a sense of apprehension settled in his heart.

How would he face enemies in the future with this development? His Dao Force was instantly absorbed by the Pan Shan Saber the moment he activated it. What would he use to strike opponents?

He mused that he couldn't be the only one facing this issue. How did those at the Dao Integration level wield their Dao Weapons?

He tried several more times and confirmed the situation was indeed as he suspected: any Dao Force he channeled into the Pan Shan Saber was immediately and completely consumed. Even after dozens of units of Dao Force were swallowed, the Pan Shan Saber showed no external change.

In his helplessness, Lu Ye used the blade to cut his finger, letting three drops of fresh blood fall onto the saber's surface.

Liao's voice immediately rang out, "What's going on? Is there another good thing happening?" Having woken up once before to immense benefits, it had developed a taste for such gains.

Lu Ye sighed and explained the current predicament.

After listening, Liao also seemed conflicted. "What should we do then? I'm usually in slumber, and devouring Dao Force is an instinct I can't control."

Lu Ye asked, "Do you really have to remain in slumber all the time?"

"Heh heh," Liao chuckled. "It's simple to get me to wake up. If you die, I'll stay awake forever. That's a trait of my Weapon Clan."

Lu Ye calmly stated, "If this problem isn't resolved, I'll have no choice but to switch to a different saber." Wielding a blade that would constantly absorb his Dao Force in combat was tantamount to seeking death. Although reluctant, Lu Ye would have no option but to find a replacement until a solution was found.

Liao was instantly speechless. It had finally chosen a good master and didn't want to be replaced. After a moment's thought, it said, "You don't just channel Dao Force when fighting enemies, do you?"

"Of course," Lu Ye replied. "Dao Force typically integrates with spiritual power..."

As he finished speaking, Lu Ye's eyes lit up. He immediately acted on his realization, and this time, the Pan Shan Saber did not consume the Dao Force that had been integrated with his spiritual power.

Understanding dawned on him instantly. He finally knew why Dao Integration cultivators in the Star Abyss didn't worry about their Dao Force being consumed by their Dao Weapons during combat.

Spiritual power was the key.

"Look at how stupid you are, kid, still needing me to point things out," Liao grumbled. "I'm going back to sleep. Don't call me again unless it's absolutely necessary; this last awakening has left me feeling quite fragile."

After grumbling for a bit, Liao fell silent.

Lu Ye experimented several more times and finally confirmed that while channeling pure Dao Force would indeed result in its absorption by the Pan Shan Saber, integrating Dao Force into his spiritual power resolved the issue.

With the problem resolved, a sense of relief washed over him.

He wouldn't have wanted to switch sabers unless absolutely necessary.

The gains from this cultivation session were unimaginably vast. Not only had his own strength dramatically increased, but he had also acquired a Dao Weapon.

However, Lu Ye had no immediate intention of nurturing the Dao Weapon. From what he understood, the resources required to nurture a Dao Weapon far surpassed those needed for a cultivator's personal cultivation advancement. This was precisely why only those at the Dao Integration level could nurture Dao Weapons; the sheer consumption was simply too great for those at the Dao Entry level to bear.

Without nurturing the Dao Weapon, his current objective should be to refine his own Dao Bones. As long as he could refine more Dao Bones, Lu Ye would be able to wield greater amounts of Dao Force. Perhaps one day, he could even surpass Dao Integration cultivators while still at the Dao Entry level.

Ultimately, the goal remained to acquire more Dao Force!

That wouldn't be feasible in the starry sky. Even if he were to guard the Star Abyss Gate and eliminate every invading enemy, the Dao Force he could acquire would be limited, as the foes currently intruding from the Star Abyss were not particularly strong.

In that case, he had only one destination!

Bidding farewell to Jiu Yan, Lu Ye returned to Three Realms Island and asked Old Tang to help him find an artifact refiner to forge a suitable scabbard for the Pan Shan Saber.

Given his current standing, arranging for a scabbard to be crafted was a simple matter.

While waiting, Lu Ye ventured alone beneath the Myriad Manifestations Sea, locating Hua Ci, who was in secluded cultivation within the mermaid territory.

Hua Ci looked at him with a puzzled expression. "Why are you here?" she asked.

She had assumed some unexpected event had occurred on the Myriad Manifestations Sea.

Lu Ye strode forward and, amidst her startled gasp, scooped her up into his arms. He let out a cold huff. "I've come for revenge!"

Hua Ci was momentarily stunned, then promptly wrapped her arms around his neck, a faint, sweet smile gracing her lips. "Are you up to it?" she teased.

Lu Ye roared in indignation, "This time, if you don't call me 'Daddy,' I'll take your surname!"

Half a month later.

By the bed, Hua Ci helped Lu Ye get dressed and comb his hair. She then patted his chest, brushing away a slight wrinkle. "There, you're ready. Go on."

Though Lu Ye had said nothing for the past half-month, Hua Ci had subtly sensed his intentions.

She didn't know where Lu Ye was headed, only that it would be a long journey, and that they might not see each other for a long time after today.

Lu Ye nodded and walked out in silence, his strides swift and purposeful.

Some things were better left unsaid, so as not to merely amplify the sorrow of parting. Moreover, such farewells were no longer a novelty to them.

Suddenly, Hua Ci's soft, sweet voice drifted from behind him. "Daddy, come back soon!"

Lu Ye's heart skipped a beat. He paused, suppressing the impulse to turn back and engage in another "conquest," and simply raised a hand in a wave before quickly departing.

From a distance, he heard Hua Ci's triumphant, playful laughter.

Ten days later, in the Mirage Galaxy, Lu Ye headed directly towards the colossal battle city.

He didn't enter the city but instead went directly towards the Star Abyss Gate, knowing that the person he sought would certainly not be within the city at this time.

He soon entered the area enveloped by the Star Abyss's aura.

In terms of scale and density, the Star Abyss Gate in the Mirage Galaxy had expanded to a similar degree as the one at Myriad Manifestations Sea, which was hardly surprising given that the two gates had opened only a few months apart.

Along the way, he occasionally sensed skirmishes between native cultivators and invading Star Abyss cultivators.

Lu Ye paid them no mind.

It wasn't until he reached the vicinity of the Star Abyss Gate that he saw a familiar Mechanical Construct standing like a towering mountain. It stood guard, just as Jiu Yan protected Myriad Manifestations Sea, steadfastly holding this position for over a decade.

It was Chen Wulei's Mechanical Construct.

Not far from it, another familiar figure sat cross-legged in cultivation: Chang Yu.

These two Dao Realm experts from the Mechanical Construct Starry Sky bore the last wishes of hundreds of millions of cultivators from their realm, steadfastly guarding this area and eliminating formidable invading enemies on behalf of their starry sky.

As for Du Qingsha, she was currently in the Profound Frost Galaxy, monitoring and guarding alongside members of the Formless Palace.

Lu Ye landed directly a short distance from Chang Yu.

Chang Yu opened his eyes, a hint of surprise in them, and stood up. "Brother Lu, what brings you here?" he asked.

"There are some matters I wish to consult Senior Brother Chen about," Lu Ye replied.

Chang Yu understood. "Then I'll go relieve Senior Brother!" he said.

With that, he flashed towards the Star Abyss Gate and soon relieved Chen Wulei.

Meeting Lu Ye, Chen Wulei asked, "Has something happened at Myriad Manifestations Sea? Do you require assistance?" He evidently believed Lu Ye had come to request aid.

Lu Ye shook his head. "It's not about Myriad Manifestations Sea," he clarified. "I have some questions I'd like to ask."

Chen Wulei understood. "What is it?" he inquired.

"I recall that when I was with Sister Sha, she mentioned that an eight-Dao expert from your starry sky once ventured into the Star Abyss and was never heard from again," Lu Ye began. "Is that truly the case?"