Chapter 2232: Exposed

**Novel**

For cultivators newly arriving in Banyan, obtaining an Alliance Guard Token was not difficult, as cultivators from outside often found themselves trapped there. Back then, Lu Ye had easily completed the registration process and obtained his own Alliance Guard Token, guided by Kang Xing and his two companions.

"Name?"

"Li Taibai!"

"Cultivation Level?"

"Nine Paths."

After verifying his human origin and answering a few simple questions, the cultivator in charge took a drop of Lu Ye's essence blood and a wisp of his soul power.

By the time Lu Ye left the Merit Hall, a new waist token was already hanging from his belt. However, since he hadn't yet exchanged marks with anyone, this token was merely a symbol of an Alliance Guard and could not be used to contact others.

After leaving the Merit Hall, Lu Ye fell into deep thought. Now that he was back in human territory, what should he do next?

The combat zone where Shao Chong Combat Star was located was small, far inferior even to the former Azure Water. Staying here would certainly not yield many benefits. Therefore, it would be best to move to another combat zone.

Yellow Spring was a good option, or he could seek out Ziying. That Fusion cultivator had always thought highly of him, but Lu Ye wasn't sure if he could gain her trust. Given his past experiences, it wouldn't be easy to gain anyone's trust again. If Ziying didn't believe him, Lu Ye knew he was no match for her. If that were the case, going to Ziying would be walking right into a trap. Things were proving difficult.

After pondering for a long time, Lu Ye found himself unable to decide. He finally decided to head to Yellow Spring Combat Star. Ziying was the only Fusion cultivator he could currently contact, and once there, he could find an opportunity to cautiously reveal some information to her while ensuring his own safety.

Having made up his mind, Lu Ye soared into the sky.

Meanwhile, just as Lu Ye was still hesitating, on the Human Combat Alliance's home star...

In a hidden location, a colossal orb of light, resembling a small sun, hung suspended in mid-air, slowly rotating. Inside the orb, countless tiny specks of light flickered densely. Each of those tiny specks of light corresponded to a cultivator within the Combat Alliance.

Both humans and giant races had repeatedly suffered losses due to the insidious arrangements of the Bug and Blood races' hidden operatives. To counter this, a powerful Fusion cultivator of the human race had made some special and secret arrangements almost a thousand years ago. This orb of light was the core of those arrangements. It was closely connected to the Alliance Guard Tokens of all Human Combat Alliance cultivators. This was a secret known only to a select few top Fusion cultivators. The creation of Alliance Guard Tokens, which required the collection of fresh blood and soul power, was precisely for this purpose. It could be said that any cultivator with an Alliance Guard Token would have a corresponding record within this orb, and even if they died, this record would remain.

Beside the orb, two venerable elders sat cross-legged: an old man and an old woman, both with white hair and beards, clearly ancient beings who had lived for countless years. They were like statues, making no sound.

Until a certain moment, a tiny speck of light within the orb suddenly flickered.

The old man slowly opened his eyes, his divine sense surging as he carefully probed, and his brows slightly lifted.

"Lu Ye?" The old woman also noticed, a little puzzled. "He's just an Incarnation Realm cultivator; why is he specially marked?"

It was precisely because of the special marking that the record corresponding to Lu Ye within the orb was showing an anomaly; otherwise, an Incarnation Realm cultivator wouldn't require their attention.

The old man said, "This Incarnation Realm cultivator is special. He obtained the 'Myrmidon' of the Yan family's young master, and the 'Same Breath, Connected Branches' dao pattern also originated from him." He clearly knew more about Lu Ye.

"Oh?" The old woman had evidently heard about the human race gaining another 'Myrmidon' and a 'Same Breath, Connected Branches' dao pattern, but she genuinely didn't know that both matters were connected to Lu Ye.

"Previously, he was targeted," the old man continued. "The Bug and Blood races were willing to expose a Fusion cultivator hidden operative just to abduct him, clearly because they coveted that dao pattern. But…" The old man frowned, somewhat puzzled. The Bug and Blood races must have greatly valued Lu Ye. If so, why would they easily let him escape their control? And this young man actually returned to human territory and re-obtained a waist token. A Fusion cultivator of the Bug and Blood races couldn't be so foolish. They openly abducted an Incarnation Realm cultivator; why would they then release him?

The old woman's voice was sharp. "That dao pattern is said to be extremely formidable," she stated. "The Military Intelligence Department has been secretly researching it and has already achieved some results. For such information to be leaked, it seems there are also hidden operatives on the home star."

"I already have a lead," the old man stated. Information transmission always had a source; the culprit thought they had acted discreetly, but the old man had already been tracking them. The reason he hadn't immediately moved to eliminate them was intentional.

As the old man and woman spoke, a command had already been silently conveyed.

Lu Ye could not have imagined that his second time obtaining an Alliance Guard Token would expose his whereabouts.

On Shao Chong Combat Star, almost the instant Lu Ye made up his mind to leave, a tremendous pressure descended from the sky, followed by a majestic voice: "Everyone, stay where you are! Do not move! Supervise your surroundings, and should anyone disobey, report immediately!"

A Fusion cultivator!

This was a small combat zone, far inferior even to Azure Water, so only one Fusion cultivator was stationed here. He normally remained in the Garrison Manor, but today, for some unknown reason, he suddenly appeared and was so meticulously prepared.

Lu Ye paused. In such circumstances, it was unwise for him to leave. Thinking that something unusual had occurred, he calmly stood still and waited. Many other cultivators near him were also frozen in place, as if under a stasis spell.

A figure suddenly landed in front of the Merit Hall. It was a short, stout man, none other than Yan Hai, the Fusion cultivator garrison commander of Shao Chong Combat Star. He looked around, his brows slightly furrowed. Finding no abnormalities, he then stepped into the Merit Hall. Just moments ago, he had received a command and had rushed here non-stop from the Garrison Manor.

A few breaths later, he walked out of the Merit Hall again, accompanied by the manager who had just helped Lu Ye register. He glanced left and right, then suddenly looked in Lu Ye's direction, raised a hand, and pointed, "My Lord, it's him!"

Lu Ye, who had been idly bored, saw this and immediately sensed that something was amiss. Was he exposed? How could that be! He had specifically disguised his appearance; even an acquaintance standing before him wouldn't recognize him. How could he be so easily exposed? This made no sense at all.

Little did he know that on the home star, there were records he had left previously. The essence blood and soul power collected from him today perfectly matched those records and were immediately detected. Simply disguising his appearance and changing his name could not hide him at all. But as the Fusion cultivator garrison commander suddenly looked at him with sharp eyes, even Lu Ye, slow as he was, realized he was truly exposed.

Where had things gone wrong? Even then, he still clung to a sliver of hope.

However, the Fusion cultivator garrison commander barked at him, "Lu Ye, surrender! Considering your contributions to the Combat Alliance, I won't make things difficult for you. Just obediently return to the home star with me." The order he had received was to capture him alive. Lu Ye had demonstrated his value a long time ago, and such a person, even if they had become a hidden operative for the Bug and Blood races, was not to be killed unnecessarily. Keeping his life might still prove useful.

Various thoughts raced through Lu Ye's mind. He then chuckled, "My Lord, have you mistaken me for someone else?"

Yan Hai slowly shook his head, walked towards Lu Ye, and calmly said, "Why bother?"

Seeing this, Lu Ye couldn't help but sigh before soaring into the sky. There was no way he could return to the home star with Yan Hai. Powerful cultivators were countless there, and if he really went, he would likely be a prisoner for life.

"How dare you!" Yan Hai scoffed coldly. He stood still without moving, simply making a grabbing motion towards Lu Ye. With his strength, an Incarnation Realm cultivator simply couldn't resist!

He thought so, but the next moment his expression changed because Lu Ye was completely unaffected by his interference and sprang away like a nimble rabbit. How could this be? Yan Hai was extremely surprised. He hadn't used much strength, but that was not something an Incarnation Realm cultivator could shake off. This Lu Ye… indeed, something was amiss!

In his anger, he quickly gave chase. The two figures, one after the other, shot out of Shao Chong Combat Star, leaving behind a group of Combat Alliance cultivators who exchanged bewildered glances, completely unaware of what had happened.

After a period of pursuit in space, Yan Hai's expression grew increasingly grim because he found Lu Ye's speed incredibly fast; he couldn't catch up in a short while. One must know that he had a timid and cautious nature, so when he chose to temper his dao patterns, he specifically tempered two layers that could increase his speed. Under the premise of similar strength, his speed, if not the absolute best, was definitely among the top. Yet, now an Incarnation Realm cultivator could actually match his speed.

His speed was indeed slightly faster, but he could only slowly close the distance with Lu Ye. To catch up, it would be impossible without one or two hours. This was truly incredible and made it difficult for him to comprehend. But in an instant, he realized something. What if this Lu Ye wasn't an Incarnation Realm cultivator, but a Fusion cultivator of comparable strength to himself?

Upon careful perception, he found that the situation was not as he had thought, because Lu Ye's dao power was very diffuse, lacking the characteristics of a Fusion cultivator. This diffuseness could not be faked. Yan Hai's thoughts became somewhat muddled.

He had thought he could easily capture him, but now the situation was a bit awkward. In a flash, Yan Hai sent a voice transmission: "Lu Ye, don't resist stubbornly! Return to the home star with me. If your conscience is clear, you will be safe and sound!"

Lu Ye simply ignored him. He could indeed have a clear conscience, but the Fusion cultivators on the home star would still need to believe him. To him, Yan Hai's plea for surrender was meaningless!

He had originally planned to go to Yellow Spring Combat Star to find an opportunity to contact Ziying, but now that plan was ruined. With his identity exposed and a Fusion cultivator pursuing him, shaking them off wouldn't be easy. Could he only return to You Die's side? Lu Ye didn't really want to go back. He had finally managed to get rid of that fellow, and if he returned, You Die probably wouldn't be so easy to deal with. She would definitely keep a tight watch on him to prevent him from jumping around everywhere.