Chapter 2205: Great Lord's Noble Righteousness

During his arduous cultivation, Lu Ye could obtain a wisp of Dao power almost every day. This efficiency was incredible for someone at the Dao Enlightenment level, but given his own needs, what he gained from this rigorous training was barely better than nothing. As things stood, refining even one Dao bone would require four to five thousand units of Dao power. Relying solely on arduous cultivation, it would likely take him over a decade to advance his Dao power by even a single level.

A few days later, Du Quan arrived once more. He went straight to Lu Ye and casually cupped his fist, announcing, "Commander Lu, the Garrison Master requests your presence!" A few days prior, Du Quan had been humiliated at the Crane Wing Camp. After returning, he had greatly exaggerated the story to Du Feng, claiming Lu Ye and the others were arrogant, disrespectful, and self-important about their achievements. Du Feng had shown no reaction at the time, but Du Quan knew his temperament; he certainly wouldn't let it go. As expected, today Du Feng was summoning Lu Ye alone.

Lu Ye slowly opened his eyes. After a brief moment of thought, he nodded and said, "Lead the way." He stood up and followed Du Quan forward. Wang Xun and the others nearby all frowned, their faces etched with unease. However, since Du Feng had summoned him, Lu Ye could not refuse to go. Even if they worried, it would be useless.

Within the stronghold was a simple garrison mansion, where Du Feng and his trusted followers usually resided. Du Quan led Lu Ye to the mansion and ushered him into a large hall.

"My Lord, Commander Lu has arrived," Du Quan announced, cupping his fist.

Du Feng was seated, sipping tea. Hearing this, he looked up, burst into laughter, and quickly stood up to greet Lu Ye. "Our great hero is here! Please, have a seat!"

Du Quan was taken aback by this sight. He knew his Garrison Master's temperament better than anyone and had expected Du Feng to give Lu Ye a hard time during this summons. But what was happening now? He was thoroughly confused.

"Greetings, My Lord!" Lu Ye said, cupping his fist in salute from behind Du Quan.

In just a few days, Du Feng's condition had clearly improved significantly. This was likely because his depleted Dao power had been replenished; after all, he had claimed 20% of the stronghold's spoils of war, which was enough for his recovery, even though his Path Integration required a large amount. Even his severed arm had regrown. Du Feng no longer appeared as haggard and miserable as he had a few days ago. He now finally looked like a Garrison Master at the Path Integration level should.

His enthusiasm not only baffled Du Quan but also slightly surprised Lu Ye. After they were seated, tea was immediately served.

Du Feng gazed at Lu Ye with a smile. "In the past few days, I've been recovering from my injuries, so I haven't had time to see you," he said. "Now that I see you today, Commander Lu, you are indeed extraordinary."

Lu Ye remained composed. "You flatter me, Garrison Master," he replied.

Du Feng waved his hand. "No, those are words from the heart!" he said, sighing. "It's truly shameful to admit, but during the last battle, even though I fought valiantly, bathed in blood, I was still no match for that Path Integration insectoid. I even lost an arm and suffered severe injuries, almost causing the stronghold to fall." As he spoke, he subtly observed Lu Ye's expression. To his disappointment, Lu Ye remained impassive, his expression as still as stagnant water. He immediately understood that it would be better to speak directly; beating around the bush was pointless.

"I've already reported the battle report from the previous engagement to the Underworld," Du Feng continued. "I expect someone will arrive in two days to verify the details. I've also reported your Crane Wing Camp's achievement in slaying the Path Integration combatant. The Underworld will definitely grant rewards then."

Lu Ye blinked. He cupped his fist and said, "Thank you for your kind words, My Lord." He understood that even if Du Feng wanted to falsely report the battle situation, it would only be a minor fabrication. There were some facts he couldn't distort, such as the Path Integration insectoid being killed by the Crane Wing Camp. He couldn't claim this achievement for himself, especially since so many cultivators had personally participated in that day's battle.

"It's only proper," Du Feng declared, adopting a righteous pose. "I, the Garrison Master, never steal credit." The main reason was that it was difficult to claim the credit. If Lu Ye and the others had no powerful backing, claiming credit would be a simple matter for him. However, he had made some inquiries in the past few days and learned that the Crane Wing Camp was considered a direct subordinate of Ziying. He hadn't had much direct contact with Ziying, but he had at least heard of her reputation. With the Crane Wing Camp backed by Ziying, many things would be difficult to manipulate. Furthermore, Lu Ye himself seemed to have some connection with the Yan family, essentially a Yan family retainer—and the kind that didn't follow orders! Also, the Military Affairs Office seemed to hold Lu Ye in high regard. All these factors made Du Feng realize that this Commander of the Crane Wing Camp, who only had Dao Enlightenment cultivation, was not a soft target that could be easily manipulated. That's why he had specifically summoned Lu Ye today. He didn't even mention the previous matter of collecting Dao bones.

Suddenly, he lowered his voice. "It's just that there are some things I hope Commander Lu understands," he said. "As the Garrison Master of this stronghold, I, Du Feng, have the responsibility to protect it. In the previous battle, temporarily leaving the battlefield was not an act of fleeing, but a necessity."

Lu Ye finally understood what he meant. Du Feng was probably afraid that the incident from that day would be verified by the people from the Underworld. Regardless, a stronghold's Garrison Master fleeing in battle was not something to be proud of. Although there were many cultivators in the stronghold, they certainly wouldn't dare offend Du Feng. However, the Crane Wing Camp was different, which was why Du Feng had called Lu Ye over to "have a chat."

A thought flashed through Lu Ye's mind. Lu Ye looked at him and said, "On that day, My Lord fought desperately against the enemy, not only suffering severe injuries but also completely depleting your Dao power. Yet, you still cared for your subordinate soldiers, risking your life to draw away that Path Integration insectoid, creating an opportunity for us to escape. We naturally know that you did not flee, My Lord. Your noble righteousness is something we deeply admire."

Du Feng was stunned for a moment after hearing these words. Then he burst into laughter, raised a hand, and patted Lu Ye's shoulder. "Indeed," he said, "only Commander Lu truly understands my painstaking efforts."

"Naturally," Lu Ye nodded. "Before you withdrew, My Lord, you already sent a message to my Crane Wing Camp, informing us that the enemy's Path Integration combatant was at the end of its tether. Thanks to your valiant fight, bathed in blood, my Crane Wing Camp had the chance to slay the Path Integration combatant. To be honest, my Crane Wing Camp took advantage of your efforts, My Lord. In that battle, My Lord, you deserve the foremost credit!" There was no benefit in offending a Path Integration master. If that was the case, why not do him a favor? There was no loss anyway.

These words made Du Feng even more overjoyed. He had originally worried that Lu Ye might be ignorant, but now it seemed he had completely overthought it. So the Crane Wing Camp also knew that killing the Path Integration combatant was due to taking advantage of his efforts. Indeed, Commander Lu's mind was as clear as a mirror; how could he not see the truth? When Du Quan had returned and exaggerated the situation a few days ago, Du Feng had indeed harbored many grievances against the Crane Wing Camp and Lu Ye. However, after today's conversation, those slight dissatisfactions had long since vanished. He now found Commander Lu increasingly pleasing to the eye.

"What a pity!"

"What do you find regrettable, My Lord?" Lu Ye asked, puzzled.

Du Feng sighed. "It's a pity that Commander Lu belongs to Daoist Ziying," he said. "Otherwise, I, Du, would have certainly brought you under my command, no matter what. Commander Lu, you are a true talent!"

"I am deeply grateful for your profound kindness, My Lord!" Lu Ye said, cupping his fist.

The conversation left both host and guest thoroughly pleased. When Du Feng, beaming with smiles, escorted Lu Ye out, Du Quan, who was waiting outside, nearly had his eyes pop out. He couldn't for the life of him understand what was going on. Why did the Garrison Master look as if he was about to become sworn brothers with Lu Ye?

A moment later, Lu Ye returned to the Crane Wing Camp's station. A group of people immediately gathered around him, gazing at him with concern, afraid that their Commander had suffered at Du Feng's hands. A warmth flowed through Lu Ye's heart. "It's nothing," he said. "The Garrison Master just called me over for a casual chat." He waved his hand. "Wang Xun, come here."

Wang Xun quickly stepped forward. Lu Ye pulled him aside and gave him detailed instructions. Wang Xun's expression became quite remarkable. Since they didn't want to offend Du Feng, they could only cooperate with him. After all, the credit for slaying the Path Integration combatant would certainly be attributed to the Crane Wing Camp. All their cooperation would merely help Du Feng avoid some punishment, and the Crane Wing Camp would incur no actual losses.

Meanwhile, deep within the core of the Silver Shuo Battle Star, the swollen body of the Insect Mother lay like a mountain of flesh, with pure divine soul fluctuations emanating from her entire being. Within her sea of consciousness, a scene repeatedly played out. It was the scene the Path Integration insectoid had witnessed just before its death, showing its direct combat with the Crane Wing Camp. The scene was not long, lasting less than five breaths. Before this scene, a full and alluring figure stood unclothed. It was the manifested soul form of the Insect Mother. Compared to the ugliness of her true physical body, this soul form was truly a beauty of the mortal world, exuding boundless charm. Anyone who saw her would be drawn in by her seductive aura.

This scene, lasting less than five breaths, the Insect Mother had observed no less than a thousand times in recent days. But she still couldn't quite understand: how a group of Dao Enlightenment cultivators had managed to slay a Path Integration master!

"Could it be... that he truly exhausted all his power?" she murmured to herself, touching her red lips with a delicate finger. Although the Path Integration insectoid slain by the Crane Wing Camp was slightly stronger than Du Feng, its advantage was limited. In a battle between two such Path Integration masters, it would certainly be an evenly matched situation in the short term. While Du Feng had ultimately been forced to flee and was severely injured, the Path Integration insectoid likely didn't fare much better. If it had fought until its energy was completely depleted, then the Crane Wing Camp taking advantage of the situation was plausible. Although she could see the brief scene before the insectoid Path Integration master's death, she could only observe it; she couldn't experience it directly. After days of research, she could only reach this conclusion. The Insect Mother felt a bit helpless.

However, it was undeniable that the Crane Wing Camp had played an enormous role on the battlefield. At the Dao Enlightenment level, they were practically invincible. This was not good news for the Insect and Blood races. Over half a year ago, news had come from the Blood Cloud Battle Star that a human camp of a hundred people had formed a battle array, wreaking havoc on the battlefield. The defeat at the Blood Cloud Battle Star was directly linked to this battle array. In that battle, the Insect Race even lost an Insect Mother. Although Feilian of the Blood Race survived, he also sustained significant injuries. Ultimately, the Blood Cloud Battle Star was breached, and that battlefield has not been reclaimed to this day. For many years, fierce conflicts had raged within the Variegated Starry Sky. However, it was rare for a battle star to be breached. It could be said that the breach of the Blood Cloud Battle Star was a huge loss for both the Insect and Blood races.