Chapter 2379: Come at Me

At the Gate of the Star Abyss, numerous creatures of the Star Abyss were gathered.

Not long ago, Haichen had left with a human soldier-cultivator, only to return shortly thereafter. For some reason, Haichen's attitude towards the human had noticeably changed; it was less polite and more like fawning.

They then watched as Haichen personally escorted the human soldier-cultivator through the Gate of the Star Abyss.

All the Star Abyss creatures were bewildered, unsure of the situation and completely ignorant of the human soldier-cultivator's origins.

Many Dao Fusion cultivators gathered around Haichen, seeking an explanation.

Haichen, with the integrated offensive and defensive artifact in mind for ten years hence, carefully explained: "There's another Gate of the Star Abyss in that Starry Sky, and this Daoist entered from there. He's here to collaborate with me on a grand plan. We've already settled everything and have our own arrangements for the Starry Sky."

His explanation lacked any concrete basis, naturally raising suspicions. Immediately, a Dao Fusion cultivator inquired, "My lord, that Daoist seems extraordinary. Surely he's more than just an Initial Dao cultivator? How can he freely enter and exit the Gate of the Star Abyss?"

Haichen replied calmly, "I don't know what wondrous method he employed, but he is indeed more than an Initial Dao cultivator; he's at the peak of Dao Fusion."

"My lord," another Dao Fusion cultivator asked, "was it this person who slaughtered our forces that entered previously?"

Previously, several thousand creatures had invaded from this side, but it seemed they were all completely wiped out. Initially, no information reached this side; it was only later that scattered individuals returned with reports.

"No, it wasn't him. The Starry Sky on the other side employed some cunning schemes, but this Daoist has already cleared away their methods. There's no need to worry about that anymore."

"Does this mean the invasion can continue?" The first Dao Fusion cultivator who had spoken felt a surge of hope.

Haichen shook his head. "Put it on hold for now. That Daoist and I have agreed on certain matters, and there will be subsequent plans that require our mutual cooperation."

With that explanation, the Dao Fusion cultivators didn't press for details. Instead, their interest was piqued by the wondrous method of freely passing through the Gate of the Star Abyss, as mastering such a technique would mean they too could invade the Starry Sky.

When a Dao Fusion cultivator casually brought it up, Haichen replied with a look of regret, "That wondrous method isn't something that can be cultivated at will. It's an innate divine ability unique to them, and they are not human."

In just a few words, he managed to quash his subordinates' hopes and, at the same time, laid the groundwork for future plans.

Haichen felt no qualms about sacrificing tens of thousands of his creatures in exchange for an artifact integrating cultivation techniques. In fact, he eagerly awaited the ten years to pass so that the human, Lu Ye, would fulfill his promise.

While it was true that this meant he couldn't use the shortcut of invading the Starry Sky to advance to Dao Conjunction, he wasn't solely reliant on that path; he still had hope of achieving it through his own efforts.

Acquiring the artifact and subsequently advancing to Dao Conjunction would give him an even stronger foundation. For him, it was a very worthwhile transaction.

In the temporary palace near the Gate of the Star Abyss in the Myriad Manifestations Sea, Lu Ye returned and immediately sought out Elder Tree to explain the details of his negotiation with Haichen.

Elder Tree listened, utterly dumbfounded.

He had never imagined that the crisis here could be resolved by Lu Ye in such a manner. In fact, what seemed like a crisis had transformed into a profound opportunity.

The group of Initial Dao cultivators sitting nearby also listened, astounded.

"Elder Tree," Lu Ye said, "later, please find a suitable person to liaise with Haichen's side. As long as we manage things well here and prevent any information from reaching the other side, with Haichen's cooperation, we can eliminate those tens of thousands of enemies within ten years."

Elder Tree replied, "You've worked incredibly hard; only you could have achieved this!"

Before Lu Ye's return, Elder Tree had been deeply concerned. No matter how he looked at it, the Starry Sky's crisis seemed insurmountable. It wouldn't be long before the entire Starry Sky would be overrun by creatures of the Star Abyss, leading to widespread devastation, instability, and eventual collapse.

However, upon Lu Ye's return, he first stabilized the situation in Illusion Extinction, and the crisis in the Myriad Manifestations Sea was also quickly resolved. Given this trend, the remaining four war zones should not pose significant problems either.

As long as the invasion of Star Abyss creatures could be hindered, the Starry Sky's stability would be maintained.

"With the Myriad Manifestations Sea situation handled, I intend to apply the same method to the Heavenly Gang star system. I'll need your considerable attention for that as well, Elder Tree."

Elder Tree replied, "If you believe it's feasible, then proceed. You've cleared the greatest difficulties; leave the remaining minor issues to us."

Numerous Initial Dao cultivators also nodded in agreement.

Previously, everyone felt anxious and uneasy. They worried about the slow pace of their power advancement and were uncertain when the enemy might launch a large-scale invasion.

Heavenly Gang was somewhat better, with Blue Bird overseeing it, but the Dancer in Myriad Manifestations Sea was quite unreliable.

Now, things were different. Lu Ye's presence was like a stabilizing anchor, dispelling all their anxiety and unease.

"Oh, and one more thing," Elder Tree began again. "We captured a large quantity of Dao Bones this time. I've already had a portion sent to the other five war zones, but there's still a substantial amount remaining. How should we best handle this surplus?"

The number of Initial Dao cultivators in the Starry Sky was simply too low. Excluding the variegated humans who had arrived as reinforcements, there were only about five hundred Initial Dao cultivators in the main Starry Sky. Even including the variegated humans, the total was only around two thousand. Yet, in this battle, an enormous quantity of Dao Bones was captured. Even after Elder Tree distributed a portion to the other five war zones, a significant amount still remained.

There simply wasn't enough time to refine them all.

This was, undoubtedly, a welcome problem.

In the past, Initial Dao cultivators in the Starry Sky only worried about insufficient cultivation resources. They never imagined a day when they would be concerned about having too many. If these captured Dao Bones weren't refined promptly, the Dao power within them would slowly dissipate, leading to significant waste.

"Leave them all to me," Lu Ye said. He could rapidly refine not only the remaining Dao Bones but also every single Dao Bone captured in this battle within a short period.

Elder Tree naturally had no objection, nor did the other Initial Dao cultivators offer any comments, as these were spoils earned by Lu Ye himself.

After an astonishing battle, the Myriad Manifestations Sea returned to tranquility, with no trace of invading enemies remaining.

The Starry Sky's Initial Dao cultivators also seized this opportunity to swiftly refine the Dao Bones and strive for self-improvement.

Lu Ye returned to Three Realms Island, which was now deserted and silent.

Due to the previous grand battle, all cultivators from Three Realms Island had evacuated to the Merfolk territory. The passage was currently closed, preventing their return, and would only reopen in a few days.

He had originally intended to return here to refine the Dao Bones, but just as he stepped onto Three Realms Island, a figure suddenly darted out from the side, seized his hand, and pulled him swiftly in one direction.

The delicate hand was soft as if boneless, yet chillingly cold.

Lu Ye wasn't sure what Hua Ci intended. She was clearly waiting for him here, gripping his hand with intense force.

She pulled him directly into a bamboo building. As the formation activated, Hua Ci turned to face Lu Ye, then embraced him like an octopus.

Lu Ye paused, then seemed to understand what was happening. He responded with heartfelt earnestness, gradually losing himself in the moment.

Later, as tranquility settled, Hua Ci curled up in Lu Ye's arms on the bed, her hands still tightly clasped around his waist, as if she feared he might vanish if she let go.

"It's alright," Lu Ye whispered, gently patting her back.

"What exactly happened?" The woman, usually gentle on the surface but sharp-witted within, was now as docile as a kitten. She looked up at Lu Ye, her eyes sparkling, yet revealing endless worry and lingering fear.

What she wanted to know was, undoubtedly, why Lu Ye had suddenly suffered that strange attack during the recent battle, which had caused him to fall unconscious.

She had been terrified. Lu Ye had seemed so invincible, yet something unexpected had suddenly gone wrong.

The situation then had been highly abnormal, but the intensity of the battle prevented Hua Ci from asking many questions until now.

"This won't happen again," Lu Ye said softly.

Hua Ci gazed at him intently. Lu Ye responded calmly; he hadn't wanted to reveal too much and cause her more worry, but her persistence was clear.

"I am the Son of the Star Abyss!" Lu Ye sighed. There was truly no reason to conceal it.

Hua Ci frowned. "What is the Son of the Star Abyss? It sounds strange. Is it a title?"

"Sort of, but it's recognized by the Will of the Star Abyss..." Lu Ye held her close, slowly recounting the full story.

Hua Ci listened attentively, finally understanding the constraints Lu Ye was under.

"Does this mean that from now on, you can't kill enemies in areas covered by the Star Abyss aura within the Starry Sky?" Hua Ci asked.

"Strictly speaking, yes. That's why I later visited the Star Abyss, found the person in charge on the other side named Haichen, and negotiated a deal with him." Lu Ye felt a chuckle rising as he recalled it.

Haichen was probably now fixated on that integrated cultivation technique artifact, due in ten years, completely unaware of how he would feel when Lu Ye's promised benefits never materialized.

"Business?" Hua Ci asked, puzzled. What kind of business could one possibly conduct with a Star Abyss cultivator?

Lu Ye briefly explained, then cautioned, "In the future, if you enter the Star Abyss—no, whenever you are in any place enveloped by the Star Abyss aura—never easily swear an oath in the name of the Will of the Star Abyss. Violating such an oath will incur the punishment of the Will of the Star Abyss."

Hua Ci blinked her bright, wide eyes. "But you have a way to resolve it, don't you?"

"Indeed."

"Can this method be used on others?" Hua Ci asked again.

"Yes!"

Hua Ci nodded. "In the future, if I'm ever forced to make an oath, I'll come to you."

As she spoke, she suddenly flipped over, straddling Lu Ye.

Lu Ye's expression turned playful. "Oh? You were just talking about Sister Jiuyan, but now you've completely forgotten her? Your sisterly bond doesn't seem to be all that strong after all!"

"Sister Jiuyan is currently in the Merfolk territory, beyond your reach, and I won't bother her."

Hua Ci smirked, then traced circles on Lu Ye's chest with a delicate finger. "Don't think I don't know where you plan to go next! Go ahead, but once you're there, I'd like to see if you have the energy for it!"

Her words stirred a long-buried apprehension within Lu Ye. His expression stiffened for a moment, then he suddenly remembered the numerous Star Abyss blessings he had received. His physical strength was now far beyond what it once was. What was there to fear from a mere Hua Ci?

He then scoffed, "Bring it on!"

Hua Ci gave him a provocatively alluring glance, then leaned in, slowly lowering herself...

Lu Ye gasped.