Chapter 2255: Severely Wounded

The Winds of Jiuzhou

“Sister Ying,” Lu Ye asked another question, “do you think it would be appropriate for me to ask for some Dao Bones as compensation from the noble families on this star, using the condition of bringing people out of Splendor?”

He was currently in urgent need of Dao Bones, partly to prevent Splendor from continuing its adrift journey, and partly to enhance his own strength, hoping to advance to the Harmonization Realm sooner.

Although he could travel through various battlefields to acquire Dao Bones, collaborating with the noble families on this star would undoubtedly be far more efficient.

He also believed that if this news got out, those at the peak of the Harmonization Realm on this star would certainly flock to it, sparing no expense.

Zi Ying did not answer directly. Instead, she asked, “What is your current level of strength?”

“One hundred and sixty Daos!” Zi Ying nodded, noting it was close to her own estimate. “I suggest you don’t do this until your strength is comparable to a Harmonization Realm peak cultivator. Leaving Splendor holds too great a temptation for some. No one can guarantee what they might do under such a lure. Acts of repaying kindness with enmity and burning bridges are commonplace in the cultivation world. Furthermore, since this method is in your hands, some people might not feel comfortable. For certain individuals, they prefer to be in control, not to be controlled. Do you understand?”

“I understand,” Lu Ye nodded.

It was precisely because of these concerns that he had chosen Zi Ying as a partner. Now that even she had voiced such advice, Lu Ye decided not to dwell on the matter further.

He still needed to focus on enhancing his own strength; it would not be too late to consider these matters once he became powerful.

After exchanging communication marks with Zi Ying and agreeing that she would contact him anytime she had news, Lu Ye departed unhurriedly.

For a period thereafter, Lu Ye traversed the battlefields erupting across Splendor, slaying innumerable enemies.

After accumulating a substantial amount of Dao power, he returned to the ruins and departed Splendor through them.

This time, he intended to bring Splendor's adrift journey to a complete halt.

As soon as his figure appeared, Lu Ye suddenly sensed numerous gazes converging on him from all directions.

He turned his head to see that for some reason, quite a number of figures had gathered there, at least twenty or thirty of them. They were from various races, some with strange and grotesque appearances.

Splendor was now drifting very slowly, which might have been why these cultivators had come to investigate.

They clearly didn't know Splendor's true nature. Earlier, they had successively dispatched several companions inside to investigate, but those individuals never returned and completely lost contact.

Unaware of Splendor's perils, they didn't dare to act rashly and had been waiting there.

However, they hadn't waited for their companions to reappear; instead, they witnessed Lu Ye suddenly emerging.

“A human!” The leading cultivator of the Flame Clan was ablaze with fire, like a burning torch, his very hair shaped like flames. His eyes lit up upon seeing Lu Ye. “Are you from inside there?”

Lu Ye swept them with his divine sense, not answering directly but asking instead, “Is there something you need?”

Next to the Flame Clan cultivator, a burly man from the Two-Headed Clan roared angrily, “Impudent! You're just a mere human! Answer what you're asked! Where do you get off with such nonsense?”

The Flame Clan cultivator also grew impatient, waving his hand and saying, “Subdue him first!”

The Two-Headed Clan man immediately lunged at Lu Ye, the faces on his two heads looking utterly ferocious and intimidating.

He casually reached out to grab Lu Ye.

However, the very next moment, he turned into a mist of blood, leaving behind only a few Dao Bones.

Lu Ye frowned, unable to comprehend why this Two-Headed Clan cultivator, who was merely at the Dao Initiation Realm, had been so arrogant. He hadn't even been able to withstand a single blow from Lu Ye.

“Harmonization Realm!” The Flame Clan cultivator's face darkened. That Two-Headed Clan individual was a Nine-Dao cultivator; anyone who could kill him with a single blow must undoubtedly be in the Harmonization Realm. He had initially dismissed Lu Ye as merely human, completely underestimating him, but now realized he had greatly misjudged.

Flames surged as the Flame Clan cultivator lunged towards Lu Ye, his Dao power erupting.

Not only that, but numerous cultivators around them simultaneously launched their attacks, sending streaks of offensives toward Lu Ye.

Lu Ye sighed. The previous two times he had left Splendor, he had encountered no trouble, but this time, he unexpectedly ran into such an unpleasant situation.

Since the others had already taken the initiative to attack, he naturally wouldn't hold back.

After just a few breaths, the commotion subsided.

Near the slowly drifting Splendor, only Lu Ye stood alone. As for the cultivators from various races who had just been gathered there, they had all vanished without a trace.

Although the Flame Clan cultivator was also in the Harmonization Realm, he was only at the second level and was no match for Lu Ye.

After dealing with them, Lu Ye then focused on his main task.

As Dao power was continuously consumed in large quantities, Splendor, already moving very slowly, drifted at an even more sluggish pace.

Until, at a certain point, it came to a complete stop.

Lu Ye let out a slight breath. From refining Splendor's core to finally halting its drift, the total Dao power he had invested amounted to at least over three hundred thousand.

The cost was significant, but it was ultimately worthwhile.

From now on, even if he left Splendor to venture out, this location would serve as a clear point of reference. As long as he could return here, he could follow the path back to Green Palace.

For him, this Dao artifact's significance as a reliable marker far outweighed any other use.

As for when he could truly subdue this Dao artifact, Lu Ye estimated it was unthinkable before reaching the Dao Confluence Realm, and even then, it might not be possible.

It was a long road ahead...

With Splendor's matters settled, Lu Ye had no intention of lingering and was about to return immediately.

However, just then, a strong premonition of danger suddenly arose in his heart. He raised his hand and rested it on the scabbard at his waist.

Just as he was about to draw his blade, his mind thrummed as if struck hard by something, instantly making him dizzy and disoriented.

A soul attack!

Lu Ye realized the gravity of the situation and frantically urged his Dao power to protect himself.

The next moment, a sharp pain shot through his body as the aura of death enveloped him.

He didn't know who was ambushing him, but the attacker's stealth methods were exceedingly sophisticated, as he hadn't detected anything at all before their sudden assault.

What's more... the opponent's strength far surpassed his own.

Already more powerful and resorting to a sneak attack, this was truly troublesome.

In the nick of time, he used the rebound force of the opponent's attack, his body tilting as he crashed towards Splendor. The turmoil in his divine soul had not yet subsided, and a tall, slender figure was reflected in his blurry vision. Before he could see clearly, his surroundings shifted.

Intense pain swept through his entire body. Only then did Lu Ye realize his injuries were extremely severe; not to mention the impact his divine soul had suffered, half of his body had been almost reduced to bare bone, and he had multiple internal wounds.

Lu Ye's heart chilled. Only two breaths had passed from the moment he was ambushed until he returned to Splendor, yet in those two breaths, he had almost walked through the gates of hell.

If he hadn't been able to return to Splendor, this time he would surely have met a tragic end.

The one who ambushed him was very likely a Harmonization Realm peak cultivator! It had been many years since he had suffered such a heavy loss. Even when he ventured alone through the Star Abyss, he hadn't encountered such a dire crisis. But this incident served as a stark reminder: although his strength had vastly improved, there were ultimately still those far more powerful than him.

His injuries were horrific; he had been severely wounded, and his divine soul was still in turmoil.

He needed to find a place to rest and recover.

Enduring the pain in his body and mind, Lu Ye took out his star map to check and sadly discovered that his current location was within the territory of the Insect and Blood Clans.

If this were Human Clan territory, he could find a place to hide.

But in the Insect and Blood Clans' territory, that was impossible. His human characteristics were too distinctive, and it would be disastrous if he were discovered, especially when he couldn't afford to be disturbed while healing.

Should he go to Zi Ying's? That was an option.

But soon, Lu Ye had another plan.

His gaze shifted to a certain direction, and he secretly urged his Dao power.

On Silver Shuo Battle Star, within the Insect Nest Core, You Die's mood had been very troubled recently. The Insect and Blood Clans had already placed Lu Ye on their kill list, and because of his previous actions, she had been implicated significantly.

None of that mattered; what gnawed at her heart was that she couldn't even control Lu Ye now, let alone contact him.

Yet, the Life Chain was still active...

She truly worried about Lu Ye encountering danger outside; if he died, she would have to perish with him.

This little scoundrel, what was he doing now? Just moments ago, that sensation of extreme distance between them had resurfaced!

However, not long after, the sensation vanished again.

What on earth was this guy doing? How could he be so elusive?

Just as You Die was secretly fuming, space beside her suddenly rippled.

You Die was startled, her divine sense surging to investigate. At the same time, Lu Ye's weak voice came from beside her ear: “It's me!”

You Die was even more startled because Lu Ye's voice sounded somewhat off.

“What happened to you?” You Die asked anxiously.

Lu Ye didn't reply. Instead, the ripples in the space beside You Die grew more intense.

After a full thirty breaths, the distorted space suddenly stabilized, and Lu Ye's figure abruptly appeared beside You Die.

He was covered in blood, half of his body reduced to bare bones, his life force weak.

“How did you get so badly injured?” You Die exclaimed. In her worry, she even forgot to ask how Lu Ye had suddenly appeared beside her.

“Help me heal.” Lu Ye walked over to You Die and sat down. He had returned here because, under the effect of the Life Chain, You Die could assist him in recovering from his injuries. Moreover, this was the Insect Nest Core; besides Zi Ying's location, it was the only place he could go. In fact, in terms of concealment and safety, this place was even superior.

You Die fell silent for a moment, then activated her power to envelop him.

She had many questions in her heart, along with much dissatisfaction and resentment. She had long planned to make Lu Ye pay when she next saw him, but seeing him in such a miserable state, You Die couldn't bring herself to do it.

Indeed, she couldn't allow him to leave so freely anymore. This time he was only severely injured; next time, he might die out there, taking her down with him.

Time flowed by. Lu Ye's aura slowly grew stronger, and his injuries gradually recovered. Although such injuries looked horrific, their impact on Lu Ye was only temporary, and recovery was not difficult. What's more, You Die was assisting him at this moment. The Insect Mother indeed didn't cultivate her physical body, but being in the Insect Nest, her vast life force was unmatched among those at the Harmonization Realm level.