Chapter 2380: Tian Gang

A few days later, Lu Ye embarked on his journey to the Heavenly Stellar System.

He looked quite dispirited.

History always repeats itself in surprising ways.

He strongly suspected Hua Ci was not human; otherwise, how could she possess such unusual abilities? Despite being a Dao Integration cultivator, wielding the Mountain-Breaking Blade, and commanding a formidable 350 units of power, he repeatedly found himself outmaneuvered by Hua Ci, who only had eight units.

As they both resided in the Myriad Forms Sea, Hua Ci and Jiu Yan had frequent interactions and had truly become like sisters over the years. However, her relationship with Su Yuqing, who was far away in the Heavenly Stellar System, was more distant. Knowing that Lu Ye was heading to the Heavenly Stellar System this time, Hua Ci naturally showed no mercy!

Lu Ye was truly tormented beyond measure. Over these past few days, his eyes had been opened to a dizzying array of known and unknown techniques, leaving him drained of most of his vitality and spirit.

What frustrated him even more was that the more dispirited he became, the more energetic Hua Ci appeared. When they parted ways, she looked incredibly radiant and refreshed.

Recalling her half-smiling, half-mocking face at their departure, Lu Ye couldn't help but shiver.

During his journey, he frantically refined Dao Bones, causing his Dao power reserves on the Talent Tree to increase rapidly.

If traveling from the Myriad Forms Sea to the Heavenly Stellar System before the Great Calamity, it would have taken several months to arrive. However, with numerous wormholes now available, travel between any two points in the starry sky, regardless of distance, only requires a wormhole transfer, allowing arrival within a maximum of ten days – and that's based on the travel speed of a Sun-illuminated cultivator.

Lu Ye's travel speed was naturally much faster than that of a Sun-illuminated cultivator; he arrived in the Heavenly Stellar System from the Myriad Forms Sea in just three days.

From a distance, Lu Ye saw a colossal cauldron, appearing both ethereal and substantial, suppressing the entire system.

This was the renowned Starry Sky Supreme Treasure, the Qiankun Cauldron!

During the last Abyss invasion, a Gate of the Abyss appeared in the Heavenly Stellar System. Later, an ancient mighty cultivator sacrificed their body and integrated with the Dao, risking their entire cultivation and life to briefly wield the power of the Qiankun Cauldron, thereby sealing the Gate of the Abyss.

It's important to note that only cultivators at least at the peak of Dao Integration are qualified to integrate with the Dao. Yet, even by sacrificing everything, they could barely wield the Supreme Treasure's power for a single instant.

And success wasn't even guaranteed!

Lu Ye had once heard Old Tree recount this past event: back then, to harness the Supreme Treasure's might, several peak Dao Integration cultivators attempted to integrate with the Qiankun Cauldron for a moment, but only one succeeded.

However, it was precisely due to the sacrifices of these many predecessors that the starry sky enjoyed countless years of peace thereafter.

At that time, the starry sky as a whole undoubtedly possessed profound power, yet even so, it couldn't completely resolve the issue of the Abyss invasion. Now, countless millennia later, this generation of the starry sky has finally faced another calamity.

Gazing at the colossal cauldron, appearing both ethereal and substantial, Lu Ye's brows furrowed with deep worry.

He was already capable of temporarily resisting the invasion of Abyss creatures. In fact, under his planned arrangements, if all went smoothly, within a few more years, the cultivators of the starry sky would gradually gain the power to protect it themselves, without him needing to worry.

But this was merely a temporary solution, not a fundamental cure!

If the Gates of the Abyss weren't dealt with, the crisis in the starry sky would never truly be resolved.

But how exactly could the Gates of the Abyss be resolved?

Based on the information he currently possessed, the power of a Supreme Treasure could undoubtedly seal the Gates of the Abyss. As the master of Mount Fangcun, if he could unleash its might, he should be able to seal them.

However, there was only one Mount Fangcun.

Yet, the starry sky had six Gates of the Abyss!

Even if one could be sealed, five would remain.

Crucially, he still didn't know how to unleash Mount Fangcun's power, which was a major headache.

The reason he needed to come to the Heavenly Stellar System now was twofold: first, the situation here was similar to the Myriad Forms Sea and required priority resolution; second, he wanted to investigate Mount Fangcun.

When he left back then, he only possessed 15 units of power and couldn't wield Mount Fangcun, a Supreme Treasure. But now, his strength was incomparable to before; surely he could wield it?

Lu Ye flew forward, his gaze shifting to locate Mount Fangcun.

Just like Banyan, as the master of Mount Fangcun, he could clearly sense its exact location, even from a great distance.

Mount Fangcun itself was a natural fortress, more formidable than any man-made stronghold.

It remained in the same location where Lu Ye had brought it years ago, a place now enveloped by the aura of the Abyss.

Not far from Mount Fangcun, a colossal ancient creature lay resting: it was Azure Bird.

As Lu Ye approached, Azure Bird seemed to sense him, slowly raising its long, graceful head and looking in his direction.

Only after recognizing Lu Ye did it slowly rise to its feet.

"Lu Ye greets Senior!" Lu Ye said, flying before Azure Bird and bowing respectfully.

Though he had been absent from the starry sky for years, he knew Azure Bird had made immense sacrifices to protect the Heavenly Stellar System. Had Azure Bird not been stationed here, Mount Fangcun would not have remained unharmed; it would very likely have been overrun by Abyss creatures.

While this Supreme Treasure indeed couldn't be refined, the little human race within it would not have been able to survive.

Azure Bird lowered its head, gazing at Lu Ye and scrutinizing him intently. After a long moment, it spoke, "You've changed a lot; I can hardly see through you anymore. I heard you've ascended to Dao Integration?"

It had undoubtedly received some news.

Furthermore, a group of Banyan Dao Initiates had recently arrived here on orders, bringing with them much news about Lu Ye.

"By your grace, yes, I've reached Dao Integration," Lu Ye nodded. "Senior, you've worked hard these past years."

Azure Bird's voice was gentle. "It's nothing. This is the starry sky that gave me birth and nurtured me. I am willing to do whatever I can."

"Senior's noble spirit is admirable!"

"How is Little Butterfly doing in the Myriad Forms Sea?" Azure Bird asked, with a touch of concern.

To Lu Ye, of the two ancient colossal species, Azure Bird felt like an understanding elder sister, while Dancer was a mischievous and unreliable younger sister.

Over the years, both of them had been stationed in different star systems. Although they occasionally shared intelligence, Azure Bird's concern for Dancer remained evident. Since Lu Ye had come from the Myriad Forms Sea, it naturally wanted to inquire about the situation.

"Dancer is doing well, Senior, no need to worry. Perhaps in a few days, she can come to see you, or you could go find her yourself."

"Hmm?" Azure Bird tilted its head. "Do you have a solution for the Abyss invasion? Or are you planning to personally oversee things here?"

It couldn't easily leave until the issues here were resolved.

"I came this time precisely for that purpose."

Azure Bird pondered, not asking further. Since Lu Ye said so, it would simply wait and see. Then, it changed the subject: "What... is the Abyss like?"

Though it was a Dao Integration cultivator, it had never actually entered the Abyss. Back then, it had always remained within the starry sky to cultivate. When Lu Ye last communicated with it, it had also mentioned that it would take Dancer away once the Gates of the Abyss could be traversed.

Thus, it was still very curious about the Abyss.

"Would it be alright if I tell you about it later, Senior?" Lu Ye inquired. "I have something urgent to attend to right now."