Chapter 2343: Division

Winds Rise Across the Nine Provinces

As the Winged Race member retreated rapidly, a point of blood-red light spread out. His heart sank, and he inwardly cursed his bad luck.

Sure enough, the next moment he was engulfed by a sea of blood. Suddenly, an overwhelming force surged towards him from the front. Caught off guard, he cried out as he was already wounded. After realizing the opponent's true strength, the Winged Race member's expression became extremely grim.

He and many other Harmonization realm cultivators had been summoned to this place by the Star Abyss several years ago. For all that time, he had been the strongest among all the Harmonization realm cultivators. It was bad enough that a human sword cultivator, acting like a madman, had suddenly appeared over a month ago. Now, why had a Blood Clan soldier cultivator appeared? When did Harmonization Peak cultivators become so common?

He knew he was in big trouble this time. His own strength was inferior, and he was trapped in the sea of blood. Without help, he would surely die. In this situation, he could only hope that the human sword cultivator would notice something amiss and come to his rescue. After all, by name, he was tentatively considered his subordinate. However, remembering the sword cultivator's past behavior towards him, he felt this hope was a mere fantasy.

Amidst the surging sea of blood, the Winged Race member struggled to hold on. In the distance, before the unopened Star Abyss Gate, many Harmonization realm cultivators observed with varied expressions. Regardless of their strength, anyone could see the Winged Race member's dire situation. Those few Harmonization realm cultivators who usually stayed close to him were inclined to help, but with the sword cultivator standing by and saying nothing, they dared not act rashly and could only watch helplessly.

As expected, the sword cultivator cared nothing for the Winged Race member's life or death. He merely stood there, watching with keen interest, as if enjoying a good show. It wasn't until a certain moment that the Winged Race member, covered in wounds, broke out of the sea of blood and fled back in a panic, his face etched with lingering fear. The sea of blood receded, revealing the figure of the Blood Clan soldier cultivator again, along with the blonde girl who had been by his side.

“Useless!” The human sword cultivator glared coldly at the fleeing Winged Race member and cursed him unceremoniously. The Winged Race member lowered his eyes, filled with anger but daring not to retort.

“It seems I still have to act myself. Watch closely, you pieces of trash!” the sword cultivator declared. Then, transforming into a streak of sword light, he shot towards the Blood Clan soldier cultivator. The group of Harmonization realm cultivators immediately widened their eyes, watching intently.

Three breaths later, a chaotic and intense battle erupted there, finally confirming one thing for the many Harmonization realm cultivators: that Blood Clan soldier cultivator was indeed also a Harmonization Peak cultivator. Otherwise, he couldn't possibly be fighting the sword cultivator so evenly! The ferocity of this battle left the group of Harmonization realm cultivators in awe. Such an intense confrontation was beyond their ability to casually intervene. The Winged Race member, though full of suppressed frustration, showed a strange glint in his eyes.

Less than half a day later, the sword cultivator returned. He neither won nor lost that battle. After a fierce struggle with the soldier cultivator, it was a true clash of equals, a perfect match of talents. They had fought to a draw. However, this battle seemed to have ignited a spark between the two Harmonization Peak cultivators.

Just a few days later, after recuperating, the Blood Clan soldier cultivator surprisingly returned for another fight. The sword cultivator readily accepted the challenge, and another earth-shattering battle erupted, also ending in a draw. Upon his return, the sword cultivator was in a foul mood, lashing out with insults at the Winged Race member and a few Harmonization realm cultivators who were closer to him.

Several days later, as the third great battle between the two powerhouses erupted, the Winged Race member by the unopened Star Abyss Gate suddenly looked up and subtly gestured to the few Harmonization realm cultivators with whom he had a good relationship. Immediately, under his lead, these cultivators rose and shot off to the side. The remaining Harmonization realm cultivators exchanged confused glances, not understanding what the Winged Race member and his companions were going to do.

“Brother Dao, are we really going to defect to that Blood Clan soldier cultivator?” a demon race member who had followed him asked, standing beside the Winged Race member. The Winged Race member replied, “Of course! I know what you’re worried about, but to be frank, when I was trapped in the sea of blood against that Blood Clan member before, he could have killed me. But he didn’t; he spared my life. From that alone, he is far more suitable to be the leader than the sword cultivator.”

He had conceived this idea after miraculously surviving that day. The sword cultivator was indeed powerful, but that fellow was mentally unstable. If they remained under his command, who knows when he might go mad and kill them? And then, no one would speak up for them. However, the soldier cultivator's actions showed him that this Blood Clan member understood the rules. The reason he didn't kill him that day wasn't because he couldn't, but because he wanted to keep him alive to assist in invading the starry sky. In other words, the soldier cultivator was aiming for the position of leader for this Star Abyss Gate event. Compared to the sword cultivator, such a powerful individual was certainly more worthy of allegiance and defection, rather than staying with the sword cultivator and living in constant fear.

The sword cultivator's past actions had already split all Harmonization realm cultivators into two factions. He only drew in those few Harmonization realm cultivators who were closer to him; as for the rest, he didn't even mention them. At this moment, with the human sword cultivator and the Blood Clan soldier cultivator locked in fierce combat, it was the perfect opportunity for them to leave.

They took a wide detour. By the time the Winged Race member led a few Harmonization realm cultivators back from another direction, the great battle there had already concluded. The Winged Race member's divine sense spread out, and he quickly located the aura of the Blood Clan soldier cultivator nearby. A moment later, he led the few Harmonization realm cultivators to stand before the soldier cultivator and explained their intentions.

“Oh? You want to defect to me?” The Blood Clan soldier cultivator showed an interested expression, but inwardly, he was delighted. The plan... was halfway complete! This Blood Clan soldier cultivator was naturally Lu Ye. Disguising himself as a Blood Clan member was no difficulty for him. As for the human sword cultivator on the other side, that was naturally his clone.

“Yes, please don’t disdain us, Brother Dao,” the Winged Race member said, looking at him earnestly. He wasn't worried about any danger; if the other party truly intended to kill them, he wouldn't have let them go last time.

“That human sword cultivator's strength isn't bad either. Why do you wish to betray him?” Lu Ye asked, intentionally feigning confusion.

The Winged Race member sighed, “Although his strength is considerable, his mind seems somewhat disturbed. He frequently curses and strikes out, even killing. We truly feel no sense of security staying by his side.”

“I see!” Lu Ye nodded. Not far from him, Su Yan lowered her head, her golden hair concealing her suppressed smile.

“In that case, you can follow me from now on.” The Winged Race member was overjoyed and, along with the other Harmonization realm cultivators, quickly clasped his fists in a bow: “Thank you, Brother Dao.”

Meanwhile, on the other side, the clone was throwing a major tantrum, cursing incessantly. The Harmonization realm cultivators who had stayed behind were all silent, like cicadas in winter. They truly hadn't expected the Winged Race member to actually defect to that Blood Clan soldier cultivator. More importantly, the Winged Race member had been too unkind; he hadn't even explained the situation to them when he left. If he had, they would certainly have followed him. Even though the clone had treated them fairly well these past days, as the Winged Race member had said, that fellow was unstable. There was no real sense of security staying with him, so if there was a better alternative, they would naturally take it. But the Winged Race member hadn't tried to persuade them, which clearly meant he harbored resentment towards them. However, they couldn't be blamed for this. The sword cultivator had repeatedly shared Dao Bones with them; how could they have refused? They simply didn't have the courage to do so! Now, facing the sword cultivator's thunderous rage, no one dared to speak, fearing implication.

On the floating landmass, Lu Ye and the Winged Race member, along with the other Harmonization realm cultivators, sat discussing their grand plan. Su Yan stood motionless behind him, like a maidservant.

“That sword cultivator is very strong; I cannot take him down alone,” Lu Ye said, an expression of gravity on his face.

The Winged Race member said, “We can assist you. Furthermore, the remaining Harmonization realm cultivators who stayed with him may not be truly loyal. When Brother Dao makes a call, there will surely be those who surrender. Thus, great things can be achieved.”

Lu Ye shook his head, “If it were before today, perhaps that would be possible, but since you have already come over, it won’t work.”

The Winged Race member was puzzled: “Why is that?” Lu Ye smiled as he looked at him: “Those remaining Harmonization realm cultivators, your relationship with them probably isn’t very good, is it? You didn’t bring them with you, and regardless of the reason, they already resent you now. How could they possibly cooperate with you again? They’re probably eager to find an opportunity to kill you!”

Upon hearing this, the Winged Race member and the other Harmonization realm cultivators all fell into deep thought. A moment later, the Winged Race member nodded: “Brother Dao makes sense.” Putting everything else aside, they had abandoned those few Harmonization realm cultivators this time. Those cultivators were undoubtedly facing the sword cultivator’s wrath and feeling resentful. How could they not hate them? Moreover, the sword cultivator had indeed treated them fairly well these past days. He inwardly marveled, this Blood Clan soldier cultivator had a much more profound understanding of human nature than the sword cultivator.

“Go and subdue those Spirit Accumulation realm cultivators,” Lu Ye commanded. “Tell them: submit, or die!”

The Winged Race member pondered for a moment: “Brother Dao intends to overwhelm them with numerical superiority!”

“It’s the simplest method,” Lu Ye stated.

The Winged Race member nodded: “Leave it to us.”

Unlike the relatively few Harmonization realm cultivators, the number of Spirit Accumulation realm cultivators gathered here was enormous. Since there were no restraints on them normally, they had been continuously fighting chaotically. However, with Lu Ye leading and the Winged Race member and other Harmonization realm cultivators assisting, it would be possible to assemble a large army of Spirit Accumulation realm cultivators in a short time. This army wouldn't need to be too strong; it would only need a certain scale to naturally attract more Spirit Accumulation realm cultivators to join. Because in such a situation, not joining would mean a lack of competitiveness. Even for self-preservation, the unaligned Spirit Accumulation realm cultivators would be forced to make the correct choice. As long as the Spirit Accumulation realm cultivators could be unified, the sword cultivator would have no resistance left. While it seemed easy for him to kill Spirit Accumulation realm cultivators and he gained much during this period, that was because they were scattered and unorganized. If many Spirit Accumulation realm cultivators truly united and formed an army, no matter how strong the sword cultivator was, he would meet a tragic end. It's simply the principle of 'ants can kill an elephant'.

This was a very simple truth that the Winged Race member and other Harmonization realm cultivators could see. However, to achieve it, a top-tier Harmonization realm cultivator like Lu Ye was needed to take the lead. Even the Winged Race member, a Harmonization Ninth Stage cultivator, lacked the qualifications.

The Winged Race member and his group of Harmonization realm cultivators quickly sprang into action. With them taking the lead, things became simple: any Spirit Accumulation realm cultivator they approached had only two choices: join or die!