Chapter 2235: The Claws of the Phantom Butterfly

Lu Ye didn't know who Zhong Pu was, but since the opponent was a Fusion Dao master, he was certainly a powerful enemy stationed in this war zone. The one able to converse with him was undoubtedly a Human Race Battle Alliance Fusion Dao guardian.

"None of your business!" a sinister voice rang out, likely Zhong Pu's, tinged with disdain. "I'll give you three breaths to get lost, or I'll kill you today!"

The voice from before immediately burst into laughter. "Want to kill me? You'll need the skill for that!" His strength was indeed slightly inferior to Zhong Pu's, but only by a small margin, a fact proven by countless clashes over the years.

"Seeking death!" Zhong Pu snorted coldly.

The next moment, Lu Ye, hidden in the shadows, felt the repercussions of a fierce battle. He immediately looked troubled. He didn't think this was a matter of luck. He vaguely felt that Zhong Pu had come specifically to find him, but didn't know his exact location, which was why he was in this area. As a Fusion Dao master stationed in this war zone, any unusual movement by Zhong Pu would certainly alert the corresponding Human Race Fusion Dao guardian. When the two met here, anger flared up between them after a few words, leading to a full-blown fight. At such a critical moment, Lu Ye naturally couldn't reveal himself and could only wait quietly.

However, what he didn't expect was that the battle between these two Fusion Dao masters was not only incredibly fierce but also covered a vast area. He could clearly sense their auras moving rapidly during the intense fight, yet they stubbornly refused to leave this particular area. Something was clearly amiss. Not only did Lu Ye notice this, but the Human Race Fusion Dao master who came to intercept Zhong Pu also did. In previous encounters with Zhong Pu, there had been no such anomaly; this time, for some reason, he seemed to be intentionally influencing the movement of the battle. But amidst the fierce battle, he dared not be distracted for a moment and could only desperately clash with Zhong Pu.

In the starry sky, floating landmasses shattered, stars were annihilated, and a vast area was almost reduced to a vacuum.

Just as a shattered star was completely pulverized, a figure suddenly darted out from within it. Zhong Pu, who had been observing all around, brightened. The information from You Die Worm Mother was indeed correct; that human was hidden in this area. He hadn't found him before, mainly because the area was vast, and he couldn't pinpoint the exact location, and the opponent's stealth techniques were also excellent. But now, swept up by the aftermath of the fierce battle, he could no longer remain hidden. Mission accomplished!

The reason he had suddenly come to this place was, naturally, due to You Die Worm Mother's command. He came here to find someone. If he found them, he was to bring them back. If he couldn't find them, he was to find a way to force them out! The arrival of the Human Race Fusion Dao guardian was expected, and fighting him was merely going with the flow. Now it seemed You Die Worm Mother had indeed accounted for everything; this person was truly hidden here!

Compared to Zhong Pu, the Human Race Fusion Dao master's reaction was much more surprised. When Lu Ye was forced to rush out of his hiding place, he couldn't help but be startled. Both he and Zhong Pu were at Fusion Dao Sixth Level, and the repercussions of their clash were fierce, not something an ordinary Inception Dao cultivator could withstand. The sudden appearance of someone completely unharmed naturally confused him. To be unscathed amidst such aftershocks, this person must undoubtedly be a Fusion Dao cultivator. But when did an additional Human Race Fusion Dao master appear in the war zone he was guarding? What puzzled him even more was that after this person appeared, they actually soared towards the battlefield with strong killing intent.

Lu Ye was fuming. By now, how could he not know that this Insect Race Fusion Dao named Zhong Pu was sent by You Die to find him? Only You Die could vaguely sense his approximate location from such a distance. He had been hiding so well!

As Lu Ye flew closer to the battle between the two Fusion Dao masters, he solemnly declared, "Zhong Pu, pin him down, I'll kill him!"

Zhong Pu frowned slightly. Since he had received You Die's command to find Lu Ye, he had naturally also obtained other intelligence, such as the fact that a Blood Race Fusion Dao master had previously died at Lu Ye's hands. Daring to kill a Blood Race Fusion Dao master certainly made him an enemy, yet You Die Worm Mother claimed this human was "her person." Furthermore, You Die had specifically warned Zhong Pu not to underestimate Lu Ye, stating that his strength was far from what it seemed. Due to some personal motives, You Die had not revealed Lu Ye's Inception Dao cultivation and the information about his Hundred Dao power to anyone, knowing that no one would believe it and it would be impossible to explain. She had only subtly hinted to Zhong Pu. So Zhong Pu was very confused. Lu Ye clearly seemed to be on their side, but why had he killed a Blood Race Fusion Dao master before?

While Zhong Pu's thoughts were shifting, the Human Race Fusion Dao master's face was filled with surprise. Because he had recognized Lu Ye's identity! Events in the Shao Chong War Star's war zone a few days prior had already spread throughout the entire Human Race territory, with even the Giant Race receiving notification: "Lu Ye of the Human Race, captured more than half a year ago, is suspected to have become a dark pawn. He appeared on Shao Chong War Star, killed a Fifth Level Blood Race Fusion Dao master, and is now on the run."

When this announcement was made, many found it perplexing. One was Lu Ye's stance: if he was truly a dark pawn, why would he kill a Blood Race member? If he wasn't, why would he flee? The other was Lu Ye's strength. Few people knew him well, but there were some. Before his capture, Lu Ye was merely at the Inception Dao realm; even with the boost of Dao artifacts, he could only wield the power of a dozen Daos. But in such a short time, he could actually kill a Fifth Level Blood Race Fusion Dao master. Such a massive increase in strength in such a short period was simply unheard of. What Lu Ye's true stance and strength were now, probably only he himself knew.

The Human Race Fusion Dao master facing Zhong Pu had, of course, received the Battle Alliance's notification. Furthermore, the war zone where Shao Chong War Star was located was only separated from this one by a single wormhole. So even though Lu Ye's appearance he saw at this moment didn't match the one in the notification, he immediately identified him. Evidently, Lu Ye had hidden here after leaving the Shao Chong war zone, and by sheer coincidence, was forced out by the clash between him and Zhong Pu. And Lu Ye's words made him even more alarmed. He was already somewhat outmatched by Zhong Pu; if Lu Ye joined in, how could he possibly survive this? He immediately became extremely cautious, while also looking for an opportunity to escape.

Zhong Pu was also not entirely at ease with Lu Ye. Even though You Die Worm Mother had said Lu Ye was "her person," the death of the Blood Race Fusion Dao master was a precedent, so he naturally had to be careful. Thus, after Lu Ye's single sentence, both Fusion Dao masters who were clashing became very tense.

Lu Ye, however, paid no mind. He was filled with pent-up anger. Since You Die dared to extend her hand, he would chop off that claw; otherwise, there would be no end to it in the future! He wanted You Die to realize that he was not her subordinate; under the life chain, they were equals. He would do as he pleased, and You Die should not expect to control him. Before his body arrived, the Pan Mountain Blade had already descended, Dao power surged fiercely, and a ferocious offensive struck towards Zhong Pu.

Zhong Pu's expression changed instantly. "You said you'd pin down the Human Race Fusion Dao master, and *you* would kill him?" He secretly congratulated himself for not believing Lu Ye's nonsense; otherwise, this attack would surely have caught him off guard. He quickly channeled his power and parried with his own Dao artifact. A surge of violent power swept through, and both Zhong Pu's and Lu Ye's bodies trembled. This exchange, unexpectedly, was an evenly matched one.

Zhong Pu's eyes almost popped out, his face filled with an unparalleled shock. With You Die's warning, he naturally knew Lu Ye's strength was not weak, but it was only at the moment of their clash that he truly felt it firsthand. What shocked him was not just Lu Ye's formidable strength, but also... his realm! The instant their powers collided, he immediately noticed that Lu Ye's Dao power was very diffused; this was the sign of an Inception Dao cultivator, not a Fusion Dao master! How was this possible? Zhong Pu couldn't believe it, yet the fact was right before his eyes.

With no time to think, Lu Ye's long blade transformed into a cascade of blades, completely enveloping him. Zhong Pu roared, resisting with all his might, each clash like two stars violently colliding. In a one-on-one fight, Zhong Pu wouldn't fear anything, but now his opponent wasn't just Lu Ye; there was also his old rival, whose strength was only slightly inferior to his own! When Lu Ye aggressively attacked, the Human Race Fusion Dao master was initially cautious, appearing ready to flee at any moment. But seeing Lu Ye's increasingly furious assault, his expression immediately brightened. Without hesitation, he unleashed his full strength and cooperated with Lu Ye in a pincer attack.

In an instant, Zhong Pu was flailing helplessly, utterly discomfited. He realized things were bad; if he didn't escape now, he would likely die. Just then, a divine message entered his mind. He immediately shouted, "Lu Ye, You Die Worm Mother said if you don't stop, she'll die for you to see!" As these words came out, Zhong Pu's expression became exceedingly strange. How did the Worm Mother's words sound somewhat like a spoiled plea? And spoken in such circumstances, it only added to the strangeness. But these were You Die Worm Mother's exact words, transmitted through several intermediaries. As an Insectoid, even if he wasn't born from You Die's hive, he could not disobey this command to relay the message.

"Then let her die!" Lu Ye's expression remained unchanged, his offensive becoming even more violent. The Human Race Fusion Dao master cooperating with him also changed expression. What was going on? One sounded like they were pouting, and the other like a heartless man abandoning his love. In all his years, he had never witnessed such bizarre events as today!

Suddenly, blood splattered. Although the clash was brief, amidst such fierce combat, Zhong Pu ultimately failed to protect himself. Lu Ye found an opening and slashed him with his blade, cutting through his thick carapace and drawing blood. He remained silent, but realized he had to escape. If he didn't flee now, he would likely follow in the footsteps of the Blood Race Fusion Dao master from a few days prior. Wielding his Dao artifact, he unleashed a full-power strike that forced Lu Ye back. Enduring a fierce attack from the Human Race Fusion Dao master, Zhong Pu spat out a mouthful of blood mist and turned to flee!

Under normal circumstances, if he were intent on escaping, Lu Ye and the Human Race Fusion Dao master would truly have no good way to stop him. However, almost the instant he attempted to flee, a point of blood-red light bloomed like a firefly, then explosively spread, transforming into a sea of blood! Three figures sank into it, disappearing from sight.