Chapter 2258: Meeting

"Who?" You Die asked, a look of confusion on her face.

"No need to ask," Lu Ye replied without explaining. "You'll know when the time comes."

You Die's eyes flickered. She vaguely suspected that the person Lu Ye was referring to was likely a powerful human cultivator. After all, Lu Ye himself was human, and since he could now bring people out of the Kaleidoscopic Realm, it was only natural for him to prioritize his own kind.

As for herself... she must have been chosen by Lu Ye thanks to the Life Chain.

Otherwise, in this Kaleidoscopic Starry Sky, with so many peak Integration Stage cultivators, why would it be her turn?

As she pondered this, it seemed Lu Ye held the person in high regard. She wondered if she should try to establish a good relationship with them.

"Let's go!" Lu Ye called out, his gaze fixed on the direction of the altar leading to the ruins. The space beside him began to distort.

Thirty breaths later, he suddenly vanished from the spot.

"Wow!" You Die exclaimed from within the spiritual sea. "Brother Ye, is this how you appear on all the battlefields?"

She had never understood why Lu Ye's movements were so elusive and unpredictable. Now, she finally witnessed it firsthand.

Was this the convenience of being the Master of the Kaleidoscopic Realm? It truly was very convenient.

A sudden pang of resentment struck her. This power should have been hers, but Nine Infant's schemes had ironically benefited Lu Ye instead.

"Aren't we going in?" You Die asked, seeing Lu Ye standing on the altar without moving.

"Wait a moment," Lu Ye replied. He was waiting for a message from Zi Ying.

A short while later, his waist token vibrated. He checked it and, sure enough, it was a message from Zi Ying.

She had reached another entrance to the ruins, but because the layout of the ruins hadn't changed, she couldn't get in.

Lu Ye sent a message back, telling her to try again in a moment, before stepping into the ruins himself.

Unable to stand the silence, You Die's soul body materialized. She walked ahead, hands clasped behind her back, skipping and hopping like a carefree child.

It wasn't her first time entering the ruins, so she was quite familiar with the way.

In a short time, they reached the depths of the ruins.

You Die instantly spotted the fist-sized Kaleidoscopic Core in the pit beneath the shattered Nine Infant statue. Her eyes gleamed with undisguised greed.

If she were to suddenly act now, restrain Lu Ye, and then refine the core herself... she wondered if she could reclaim the Kaleidoscopic Realm!

But she quickly averted her gaze, as if she hadn't seen the core, casually looking around.

Lu Ye, of course, noticed the shift in her thoughts. He secretly nodded, acknowledging that You Die wasn't entirely foolish. If she had truly harbored any inappropriate intentions, he could easily expel her from the ruins, just as he had done before.

It was natural to feel greed when faced with the Kaleidoscopic Core; suppressing it was the wise choice.

If You Die had actually made a move, she would have discovered that this core was merely a lifelike projection; the true core had long been hidden by Lu Ye.

"Brother Ye, where's the person you mentioned?" You Die asked, puzzled by the absence of anyone else.

"They'll be here soon," Lu Ye replied casually, waiting in silence.

After refining the Kaleidoscopic Core, adjusting the layout or restrictions within the ruins was no longer so troublesome; Lu Ye could accomplish it with a single thought.

No sooner had he spoken than footsteps echoed from deep within a passage, neither hurried nor slow.

You Die blinked, then suddenly moved closer to Lu Ye, wrapping her arms around his. Her smile was sweet, and she adopted the posture of a hostess awaiting guests.

Lu Ye tilted his head to glance at her, clearly aware of what she was thinking.

A familiar, heroic figure emerged from the passage, looking around.

It was Zi Ying's first time entering the ruins. Although she had learned a lot about them through various channels, it was nothing compared to seeing them in person, so she was quite curious.

Her gaze shifted, and she smiled upon seeing Lu Ye standing ahead, waiting for her.

But the next moment, an expression of surprise crossed her face. Beside Lu Ye stood an extremely enchanting and alluring woman, who appeared quite intimate with him.

"Who is that?" Zi Ying observed carefully, unable to recognize You Die.

"Sister Ying!" Lu Ye withdrew his arm from You Die's grasp and stepped forward to greet her.

Zi Ying smiled and nodded. "You actually made it in. Have you been waiting long?"

"We just arrived ourselves."

You Die darted out from behind Lu Ye and bowed gracefully to Zi Ying, mimicking Lu Ye's address: "Greetings, Sister Zi Ying!"

Zi Ying looked at her, her brows furrowing again. "You are..."

Although she had never met this woman before, Zi Ying felt a strange sense of familiarity. After speaking, she was surprised to realize that the other party was actually a soul body!

Her expression showed a hint of alarm. Such a solidified soul body, and she hadn't been able to discern any flaw at first glance. This undoubtedly meant the other party's cultivation in soul power surpassed her own.

This was a peak Integration Stage cultivator!

But there was no such person in the War Alliance. Where had Lu Ye found her?

You Die pursed her lips and smiled. "My name is You Die. Although you haven't seen me before, I've seen you many times, Sister."

Though she didn't know why Lu Ye and Zi Ying were so close, she figured calling her "Sister" like Lu Ye did couldn't be wrong! She had called Lu Ye "husband" countless times; naturally, her husband's sister was also her sister.

Zi Ying froze for a moment, then her expression gradually turned cold. "You Die... The Insect Queen stationed in the Yellow Spring War Zone seems to have that name too."

A peak Integration Stage powerhouse she had never seen before, appearing here as a soul body, and claiming to have seen her many times...

Zi Ying had already realized You Die's identity.

The reason she had seen Zi Ying was through the vision of the insect race or the stone insects.

And the reason Zi Ying herself had that strange sense of familiarity was also because of this.

Utterly perplexed, she wondered how Lu Ye could be here with You Die, and looking so intimate.

Could this younger brother she had only recently acknowledged have long fallen under the Insect Queen's sway?

Come to think of it, Lu Ye was indeed taken to the insect nest after he was captured.

If that were the case, she vowed she would help him break free today.

You Die continued to smile sweetly, seemingly oblivious to the murderous intent subtly emanating from Zi Ying. "You're very discerning, Sister. That You Die is indeed me!"

*What a brazen hussy! She just admitted it!*

"Sister Ying," Lu Ye quickly interjected, calling out to Zi Ying. He could tell that if he didn't speak up, Zi Ying would genuinely make a move. He couldn't help but glare at You Die, subtly telling her to behave, then gestured to Zi Ying, "Let's talk over here. It's a bit complicated."

Zi Ying glanced at You Die, seeing her act all demure and gentle, and her murderous intent surged even more. She wished she could kill the vixen right then and there, to prevent Lu Ye from being further enchanted by her.

Nevertheless, Lu Ye pulled her aside.

With his divine sense flowing, Lu Ye calmly recounted all the circumstances between him and You Die.

Even with Zi Ying's extensive experience, she listened with growing astonishment.

She had never imagined that Lu Ye would have such a tumultuous experience after being captured.

"So, under the effect of that Life Chain Dao pattern, you and this wretch... her life and death are intertwined. If she dies, you die with her?"

"That's correct."

Zi Ying felt a bit dizzy, never having conceived of such a miraculous Dao pattern in the world. However, after listening to Lu Ye's earlier explanation, she understood that his survival was largely due to this pattern's restraint on You Die.

Otherwise, You Die certainly wouldn't have spared his life after extracting his secrets.

"That makes things a bit troublesome," Zi Ying frowned.

She had originally planned to deal with You Die here; opportunities to face the Insect Queen alone were rare, and this was an excellent chance. But if she did that, Lu Ye would suffer the same fate.

No wonder the hussy looked so fearless and even dared to call her "Sister." It was all because of this.

Zi Ying was utterly disgusted.

"Is there no way to undo this Dao pattern?"

"Don't worry, Sister Ying. We've discussed it. It will be undone naturally when the time comes. Besides, the Life Chain isn't without its benefits for me."

"Benefits?" Zi Ying was astonished.

Lu Ye gave a brief explanation, and Zi Ying listened quietly.

"In that case, be extra careful," Zi Ying admonished Lu Ye. "Even with the Life Chain as a restraint, the Insect Queen cannot be easily trusted."

"I understand, Sister Ying, rest assured," Lu Ye nodded.

"So she's coming out with us this time too?"

"There's some trouble outside," Lu Ye explained. "I was ambushed a few days ago by someone, likely a peak Integration Stage cultivator. I'm afraid that person might still be waiting for me outside, so this time, I might need you and her to work together to deal with the problem."

Zi Ying raised an eyebrow. "Are you sure it's a peak Integration Stage cultivator?"

"More or less!"

Zi Ying glanced at You Die, who was standing quietly nearby. "Does she know?"

"I've already told her."

"Interesting," Zi Ying smiled. "I never thought I'd one day have to join forces with an Insect Queen."

If anyone had told her before today that such a situation would arise, she would have scoffed.

For so many years, as a human Integration Stage cultivator, she had killed countless cultivators from the Insect and Blood races and personally witnessed them slaughter human cultivators. Her hatred for these two races was fundamentally irreconcilable.

Yet now, because of Lu Ye, there was a possibility of allying with a top-tier Insect Queen like You Die against an enemy.

After a few more words, Lu Ye waved his hand. "Come here!"

You Die obediently replied, "Coming."

Zi Ying scrutinized her from head to toe, observing her gentle and dignified demeanor and her smiling face. She silently thought "hypocrite" and averted her gaze.

A moment later, Lu Ye opened the gate connecting to the outside world, leading Zi Ying and You Die forward to stand before the exit.

"Are we going out together?" Zi Ying was eager to try. She had been in the Kaleidoscopic Realm since birth and truly didn't know what the outside world was like.

"No, I'll go first," Lu Ye said. "Sister Ying, wait three breaths before you go out."

"No!" Zi Ying and You Die, as if in telepathic agreement, spoke simultaneously. Their eyes met, and Zi Ying said, "It's too dangerous. I'll go!"

If the opponent truly was a peak Integration Stage cultivator, it would certainly be unsafe for Lu Ye to lead the charge. Zi Ying was naturally unwilling to let him take such a risk.