Chapter 2345: Two Armies Confronting Each Other

The Winged Clan’s actions of subjugating Dao Immersion cultivators in this area were very obvious, naturally allowing the Dao Integration cultivators they had abandoned to see everything clearly.

Immediately, one Dao Integration cultivator reported this situation to the clone.

How could the clone not know? All of this was part of the plan. Even if the remaining Dao Integration cultivators hadn't noticed, he would have found an opportunity to point it out. After feigning observation for a moment, he immediately issued an order: "You all do the same thing!" After speaking, he coldly stared at the Dao Integration cultivators: "Don't even think about defecting to that hateful Blood Clan. If I discover anyone plotting anything untoward, I will do nothing else but hunt them down and kill them, understand?"

The Dao Integration cultivators felt a chill in their hearts and nodded repeatedly.

This act completely extinguished their thoughts of defecting to the Blood Clan. If such a madman truly fixated on them, they might not be safe even with the Blood Clan's protection.

Their hatred for the Winged Clan intensified. If not for the Winged Clan, how could their current situation have become so dire?

Obeying the clone's command, these Dao Integration cultivators also quickly took action.

As a result, within this vast area, the scene became somewhat peculiar.

Powerful cultivators above the sixth stage of Dao Integration rushed about in all directions, subjugating scattered Dao Immersion cultivators. All subjugated Dao Immersion cultivators were directed to specific gathering points.

In this way, the figures chaotically fighting on the vast battlefield diminished day by day.

Those Dao Immersion cultivators were not fools. After gradually understanding the situation, they no longer needed Dao Integration cultivators to subjugate them; they voluntarily gravitated towards one of the two sides.

Just as Lu Ye had predicted, swept up by the surging tide, every Dao Immersion cultivator was forced to make their choice.

In just a few days, the initial chaos completely dissipated. All living beings gathered here were divided into two camps.

One side was led by a Human Sword Cultivator, and the other by a Blood Clan Soldier Cultivator. Each had a varying number of Dao Integration cultivators under their command, along with immense armies of Dao Immersion cultivators.

The two armies confronted each other, and a great battle erupted!

The two great armies, led by numerous Dao Integration cultivators, charged towards each other like two torrents colliding head-on. Slaughter and death never ceased for a moment. Yet at this very moment, enveloped within a sea of blood, serving as the central hub for both armies, Lu Ye's true form and his clone stood quietly together, occasionally creating some disturbance, leading the cultivators outside to mistakenly believe that a monumental battle was also raging there.

"Senior Brother, thank you," Su Yan quietly said. Even though her cultivation was not high, she could clearly sense the ebb and flow of lives being extinguished on the battlefield outside, which showed the ferocity of this battle.

This was no longer just a battle; this was true warfare!

She knew that if not for her earlier request, Lu Ye would not have gone to such great lengths. Lu Ye shook his head: "Once, when I learned my own Starry Sky was about to be invaded, I wondered if any powerful being would come to save us. But no one did. Fortunately, our luck was not bad. Now, with the heavy rain pouring down, I've held an umbrella for others. I hope that one day, these beneficiaries can also become umbrella holders. Facing the invasion of the Star Abyss, the Starry Sky is too weak. Lending a hand is nothing significant."

Su Yan nodded: "After I go in, I will teach them well. Your efforts today, Senior Brother, will not be in vain. In the future, there will certainly be more 'umbrella holders' in the Star Abyss!"

"I hope so!" Lu Ye smiled faintly.

After waiting for a long time, Lu Ye finally spoke: "That's enough. This great battle can end now."

With two armies confronting each other and so many Dao Immersion cultivators, it was impossible for them all to die in one battle. Therefore, this process would have to continue several more times until they were unable to proceed.

Initially, he had planned to slaughter all the Star Abyss beings gathered here by himself, but upon careful consideration, he realized it was unrealistic.

If he actually did that, it wouldn't be long before he became a public enemy to all cultivators. And once such a public enemy appeared, it would invisibly strengthen the cohesion of these otherwise unconnected Star Abyss cultivators.

At that point, if a Dao Integration cultivator like the Winged Clan simply raised a call, he would be thoroughly restrained.

Therefore, relying on himself alone to solve the troubles here was unrealistic.

Since that was the case, he could only devise another plan.

The true form and the clone each formed their own faction. First, they found a way to divide the Dao Integration cultivators, then used these Dao Integration cultivators as a network to divide the Dao Immersion cultivators, creating a situation where two armies confronted each other.

After such a great battle, the number of deceased cultivators was significantly higher than if he had fought alone, and there was little risk involved.

In short, the plan was executed very smoothly.

When the sea of blood dispersed, the true form and the clone each withdrew from the battle.

Witnessing this scene, the two armies fiercely fighting below also retreated and reorganized.

In this battle, none of the cultivators above the sixth stage of Dao Integration died, but the casualties among Dao Immersion cultivators were severe.

In terms of overall numbers, at least about twenty percent were lost.

And this was only the first battle!

In the following month, several more battles like this erupted successively. Each time, both sides suffered heavy casualties, and there were even instances of cultivators above the sixth stage of Dao Integration dying in battle.

The true form and the clone had been continuously monitoring the situation. Although it was inconvenient for them to directly intervene, simple remote control was still possible.

Thus, after so many battles, both the Dao Integration cultivators and the Dao Immersion cultivators had only one feeling: that the enemy was extremely tenacious, and their overall strength surprisingly remained evenly matched with their own.

But it was precisely this evenly matched strength that caused enormous casualties on both sides.

"Greetings, fellow Daoist."

A great battle had just concluded, and Lu Ye was "healing." The Winged Clan and other Dao Integration cultivators rushed over eagerly, appearing quite urgent.

"Is something wrong?" Lu Ye looked up at him.

"Fellow Daoist, something is wrong with the situation; we cannot continue fighting like this," the Winged Clan member said. Having spent this time together, Lu Ye had treated the Dao Integration cultivators under his command very well. Thus, they held no great fear towards him, only respect for a powerful individual.

"What's wrong?" Lu Ye displayed a puzzled expression.

"The casualties are too great," the Winged Clan member said, looking worried.

"Our casualties are indeed significant, but the enemy's casualties are also considerable. What's the problem?"

The Winged Clan member shook his head: "It's precisely because of this that there's a problem! Fellow Daoist, the Star Abyss Gate should open soon. At that time, all the cultivators here will be vital assistance for invading the Starry Sky. If the casualties are too great, the invasion won't proceed smoothly, and it will be detrimental to your great cause." He spoke earnestly, as if giving heartfelt advice: "In fact, the current casualties are already greatly affecting the future invasion. Fellow Daoist must know that the cultivators here have slowly gathered over several years. Although more cultivators from nearby will be drawn here in the future, their numbers will definitely not be this large. Those are just passing by. If you wish to successfully invade the Starry Sky, these helpers are indispensable."

"Hmm, you have a point," Lu Ye nodded. "But as you can see, resolving the current situation won't be easy."

After so many battles, both sides had suffered countless casualties and had fought with true fury. Unless the Star Abyss Gate opened at this moment, the fighting would not subside.

"There's only one way," the Winged Clan member said, looking at Lu Ye.

"Speak!"

"Fellow Daoist should challenge that Human Soldier Cultivator to battle. We will ambush him covertly and cooperate with you to take him down in one swift move!" As the Winged Clan member spoke, he made a gesture. "Capture the bandit chief to capture the bandits. As long as that Human Sword Cultivator is dealt with, all cultivators here will revere you, Fellow Daoist!"

Lu Ye appeared pensive, and only after a while did he nod: "Good idea. Do you all agree?"

Around the Winged Clan member, the Dao Integration cultivators all nodded.

"Come, come!" Lu Ye warmly beckoned. "Come closer, and let's discuss the detailed plan!"

The Winged Clan and the others suspected nothing, and all moved closer to Lu Ye.

However, the next instant, a point of bloody light suddenly burst forth, and a sea of blood enveloped the surroundings.

Before the Winged Clan member could react to what was happening, he suddenly felt a pain in his neck, and then lost consciousness.

The dissipation of the Winged Clan member's life force made the remaining Dao Integration cultivators realize something was wrong, and they all began to stir their powers.

The sea of blood twisted and writhed for a moment.

Moments later, the sea of blood dissipated, and Lu Ye's figure was revealed.

"Hmm?"

Near the unopened Star Abyss Gate, one Dao Integration cultivator accompanying the clone suddenly felt a sensation and looked up towards the place where the Winged Clan and others had died.

The annihilation of the powerful life forces of the Dao Integration cultivators, though not very obvious in its disturbance, still made those on this side aware.

Not only did he perceive it, but other Dao Integration cultivators also noticed. For a moment, they were confused, unable to understand what had happened over there.

"Danger! Everyone, move closer to me!" the clone suddenly shouted sternly with a solemn expression. At this critical moment, it gave the Dao Integration cultivators a strange sense of security.

These Dao Integration cultivators reacted almost instinctively. No one knew what had happened, but since the strongest Sword Cultivator said there was danger, there must be danger.

As soon as they gathered around him, the sea of blood unfurled.

"Enemy attack!" a Dao Integration cultivator roared, thinking that the Blood Clan Soldier Cultivator had secretly attacked.

The other Dao Integration cultivators looked panicked.

Just then, from within the sea of blood, Lu Ye's true form, aided by the clone, arrived, stepping through the air.

Another slaughter ensued!

And this time was even simpler and easier than before.

Before, only the true form had acted alone, relying on the element of surprise. This time, it wasn't just a surprise attack; the clone was also involved.

In a short moment, the commotion within the sea of blood vanished without a trace.

The vast sea of blood suddenly split in two, sweeping off in two different directions. The directions they headed were precisely the densely populated encampments of the two armies.

The first to suffer misfortune was the army that had followed the clone. Being closer, the clone, carrying the sea of blood, spread out and arrived, enveloping a vast area and commencing a great slaughter.

At the same time, the true form also controlled the sea of blood, sweeping towards the army under his own command.

This slaughter was earth-shattering.

Without those Dao Integration cultivators as restraints, and after several battles, the Dao Immersion armies, already suffering heavy casualties, were suddenly attacked and instantly fell into disarray!