Chapter 2236: Tossing the Table

The sea of blood churned, occasionally boiling, with echoes of fierce clashes and startled shouts emanating from within. For hundreds of thousands of miles in every direction, the space was deserted. Given the clashes between Path Integration realm cultivators, those at the Path Initiation realm dared not linger and had long since evacuated the area.

Half a 'tea' later, the sea of blood slowly receded. Lu Ye, his face expressionless, sheathed his Pan Shan Blade. A large wound on his body was still bleeding. That Zhong Pu was very powerful. Even with his human Path Integration realm ally and the use of a Blood Clan secret art, defeating the opponent still came at a cost. Not only was he injured, but his human Path Integration realm ally was also wounded, though neither injury was serious.

"Fellow Daoist Lu, you..." The human Path Integration realm cultivator looked at Lu Ye with a complex gaze, genuinely unable to comprehend the situation. The War Alliance had issued a notice declaring Lu Ye a suspected mole and had even given orders for his capture. Yet, observing his recent actions, how could he possibly be a mole? Only a few days prior, he had killed a Blood Clan Path Integration realm cultivator, and today he had cooperated to slay an Insect Clan Path Integration realm cultivator. He simply could not be a mole.

Lu Ye silently sensed his body; the moment he slayed Zhong Pu, he had received yet another Star Abyss Blessing. For others, such blessings were rare and highly sought after, but for him, they were as common and simple as eating and drinking. However, Lu Ye knew this was the benefit of overcoming a stronger opponent. His actual strength had indeed reached the Path Integration level, almost equivalent to a sixth-stage Path Integration cultivator, yet his cultivation realm remained that of Path Initiation. Killing a powerful sixth-stage Path Integration realm cultivator with Path Initiation cultivation naturally gave him a high probability of receiving a Star Abyss Blessing.

A flicker of joy crossed his face. While collecting the spoils of war, he turned to the human Path Integration realm cultivator who had spoken. "Zhong Pu is dead. This is an opportune moment to attack the star. If I were you, I would certainly not miss it!" Even if the Insect and Blood races were to dispatch Path Integration realm cultivators, it would take some time. This window of opportunity was undoubtedly the perfect moment to assault the star.

The other's expression flickered, then he immediately reacted, clasping his fist at Lu Ye. "Many thanks for your assistance, Fellow Daoist!" Lu Ye nodded slightly, then turned and swiftly departed. He couldn't remain in this cursed place any longer. Having already revealed himself here, the War Alliance would undoubtedly take action; perhaps individuals even stronger than him were already en route.

"Fellow Daoist Lu!" the human Path Integration realm cultivator's voice called out from behind him again. "If you are ever willing to return to the main star to explain the situation, I swear on my life that I will testify on your behalf that you are absolutely not a mole or a traitor!" Lu Ye's steps faltered briefly, but he did not turn back, merely raising a hand and waving it.

Several days later, Lu Ye was in hiding in another war zone. He was awaiting You Die's reaction, uncertain who would gain the upper hand in this remote battle of wits; the outcome was still undecided. But as long as he could persist, even if he couldn't completely escape You Die's control, he could at least seize significant initiative.

Just as several days prior, Lu Ye, hidden in this location, sensed the mental fluctuations of a Path Integration realm cultivator probing the area. "Here they come again!" Lu Ye sneered inwardly, knowing that You Die wouldn't give up so readily. With his prior experience, Lu Ye naturally understood that the human Path Integration realm cultivators would soon arrive, and then the previous scenario would most likely repeat, forcing him to reveal himself again. You Die intended to use this method to leave him nowhere to hide, forcing him back to the Worm Nest.

As he was thinking this, a voice entered his ears: "Lu Ye, Matriarch You Die said that if you return obediently now, she will let bygones be bygones. But if you remain stubborn, then don't blame her for taking drastic measures!"

Lu Ye paid no heed, dismissing it as idle talk. However, the next moment his face suddenly contorted, and intense pain permeated his entire body, as if he had been violently struck by something. His expression changed, and he immediately realized what had transpired. This was clearly You Die harming herself, and under the Life Chain, he was consequently forced to bear half of her injuries. His concealed aura also leaked out in that instant.

Having already received instructions, the Insect Clan Path Integration realm cultivator who had arrived immediately looked towards Lu Ye's hiding place. However, he did not approach. Instead, his divine sense surged, broadcasting in all directions: "Human traitor Lu Ye is here! Human traitor Lu Ye is here!" Lu Ye coughed up blood!

He had been trying to outwit You Die, unaware that she was about to overturn the table. In fact, You Die had used this method to try and force him back even before Lu Ye left Banlan. But with one inside Banlan and the other outside, the distance was simply too vast. At that time, when You Die harmed herself, Lu Ye was completely unaffected and naturally did not perceive it. Now, however, things were different. Both were within the Banlan starfield. While the distance remained significant, it was unlike the situation back then.

"This lunatic!" Lu Ye cursed inwardly. He had initially planned to wait for the human Path Integration realm cultivators to arrive, then cooperate with them to eliminate this individual who was searching for him. He had done just that a few days prior; killing one of You Die's creations wouldn't bother her, but killing several more would eventually break her resolve. But now that You Die was resorting to such a tactic, Lu Ye found himself unable to withstand it.

Another wave of intense pain surged through his body. Simultaneously, within the Yinshuo Battle Star, a stream of blood gushed from the bloated fleshy mountain, yet she remained perfectly composed. A mere superficial wound was nothing to someone at her Path Integration peak.

Having already been exposed, Lu Ye simply stopped hiding. Raising his Pan Shan Blade, he charged towards the Insect Clan Path Integration realm cultivator who had been broadcasting in all directions. Unexpectedly, as soon as he revealed himself, the Insect Clan Path Integration realm cultivator retreated, a wary expression on his face. Lu Ye pursued relentlessly, but the other party had no intention of engaging him. He merely fled, continuing to shout as he ran, acting as if he reveled in chaos. Lu Ye's face darkened; he couldn't catch up! No matter how formidable his strength, speed ultimately remained a significant shortcoming when compared to Path Integration realm cultivators. He needed to swiftly deduce the Wind Movement Dao Pattern; otherwise, facing Path Integration realm cultivators in the future would prove troublesome.

During the pursuit, he lost track of how far they had traveled. Lu Ye dared not pursue further. He didn't know the true extent of the opponent's strength, nor if there were any ambushes ahead, so he could only temporarily abandon the chase. However, the Insect Clan Path Integration realm cultivator was persistent. Seeing Lu Ye about to depart, he instead gave chase, his divine sense continuing to surge. Lu Ye secretly gritted his teeth, then condensed several Blood Treasure Avatars and dispersed them in all directions. The Insect Clan Path Integration realm cultivator merely scanned briefly and immediately confirmed Lu Ye's true location. He sneered inwardly, scoffing at such a petty trick being flaunted. What he didn't expect, however, was that after only the time it takes for an incense stick to burn, Lu Ye's true body mysteriously vanished from his sight. It wasn't until You Die continued to send him intelligence that he learned Lu Ye was already far away.

After this turn of events, Lu Ye knew that he had been defeated in his struggle against You Die. His plan to break free from You Die's control, secretly hone his abilities, and enhance his strength had completely fallen apart. Furthermore, he hadn't anticipated being exposed so swiftly by the Human War Alliance. Given the current circumstances, he could only return to You Die's side first and then make further plans.

Having made his decision, he no longer hesitated. Taking out his star map and examining it, Lu Ye pinpointed a location! Although he had decided to return to You Die's side, he had no intention of following any Insect Clan or Blood Clan Path Integration realm cultivator. Such a journey would be too vast and fraught with too many variables. Furthermore, You Die was not the only powerful figure among the Insect and Blood races. Other Insect Matriarchs and Blood Clan powerhouses would not share her same attitude toward him. After all, he had killed a Path Integration realm cultivator from each of the Insect and Blood races. If he were to fall into the hands of another Insect Matriarch or Blood Clan powerhouse, there was no telling what might transpire.

Two days later, Lu Ye arrived on a desolate star. This location was marked as a forbidden zone on the star map. There were several such markings, and while Lu Ye hadn't previously understood why these specific places were designated as forbidden, he now had a vague suspicion. Although You Die could sense his approximate location, there wouldn't be any significant issues as long as he didn't remain in one place for too long. Thus, the past two days had been calm and uneventful.

The desolate star was not large. As Lu Ye landed, his divine sense surged as he probed, and he quickly detected an anomaly. Moments later, he arrived at the anomaly's location. At first glance, there was nothing outwardly remarkable about the place, but Lu Ye immediately discerned that it was enveloped by a formation for concealment. It was exactly as he had suspected.

Just as Lu Ye was preparing to break the formation, the space ahead suddenly warped, and then its true form was revealed. A familiar altar came into view—it was indeed the entrance to the ruin! However, beside the altar sat a solitary, withered figure—a human. Anyone capable of guarding this location alone must undoubtedly be a Path Integration realm cultivator. The individual appeared quite elderly, with a frail and depleted aura, clearly indicating a dwindling lifespan. Only such a person would be dispatched to guard a ruin entrance, isolated and alone, having likely spent untold years there. The grand concealment formation covering this area had undoubtedly been dispelled by the old man himself. He was now observing Lu Ye with keen interest, a glint of shrewdness hidden within his cloudy eyes.

Lu Ye stepped forward. He didn't believe the Path Integration realm cultivator guarding this place could be exceptionally strong, and with his current power, he should be able to handle him.

"Lu Ye, Fellow Daoist Lu?" A dry, raspy voice reached Lu Ye's ears. Lu Ye paused slightly, touching his face. He had already used the Thousand Faces Spirit Mark to disguise himself, yet he was still immediately recognized. After a moment's thought, Lu Ye decided there was no need for further concealment. He nodded and said, "Sir, you have sharp eyes. How should I address you?" The other party's attitude struck him as somewhat peculiar; there was no hostility.

"My name... it's merely a designation, best left unsaid," the old man replied. "Fellow Daoist Lu, are you intending to enter this ruin?"

Lu Ye clasped his fist. "Please, Sir, grant me passage!"

The old man replied with interest, "I had heard some things about you before, and even more so recently. Since you've found your way here, Fellow Daoist, you should know that only Path Initiation realm cultivators can enter this ruin; Path Integration realm cultivators cannot."

Lu Ye didn't address that point, merely frowning slightly. "Sir, where did you hear about me previously?" He disregarded what he had heard recently; under the War Alliance's notice, any Path Integration realm cultivator could receive that information. Lu Ye's curiosity lay in the past.

A reminiscent expression appeared on the old man's face. "From a very exceptional young woman." He did not mention a name, but an image of a valiant and tall figure immediately materialized in Lu Ye's mind.