Chapter 2395: Roll Back, Or Die

There are more than ten Starry Sky Supreme Artifacts, and any other artifact is more suitable for repairing the Star Abyss Gate than the Heavenly Jade Sword. Therefore, Old Tree didn't understand why Yun Shiwang was fixated on the Heavenly Jade Sword. He only vaguely sensed that Yun Shiwang had his own plans, which was why he didn't reveal anything in front of Lu Ye until now, when he finally asked.

Yun Shiwang slowly asked, "Old Tree, what do you think are my chances of refining a supreme artifact?"

That single sentence reminded Old Tree of the tragic scene countless millennia ago, when many peak Dao Integration cultivators in the Starry Sky sacrificed themselves to merge with the Dao. It was no exaggeration to describe it as moths flying into a flame.

Old Tree's heart tightened. "Yun Sheng, you..."

Yun Shiwang said, "While Dao Integration indeed grants one the qualification to refine a supreme artifact, it's not a qualification everyone possesses. Not only must one's foundation be strong enough, but the most crucial point is compatibility with the artifact! Old Tree, although there are many Starry Sky Supreme Artifacts, none of them are compatible with my nature."

"Then why do you still insist on refining the Heavenly Jade Sword?" Old Tree vaguely understood Yun Shiwang's intention, and this realization filled him with unease.

Yun Shiwang smiled. "Precisely because there isn't one, I must choose the one most suitable for slaying enemies!"

"But..."

"Don't worry, Old Tree. My whole life, I, Yun Shiwang, have always prepared for the worst while exerting my utmost effort. Perhaps this time, with luck on my side, I might truly refine the Heavenly Jade Sword."

Old Tree remained silent. He knew Yun Shiwang was trying to comfort him. Being a supreme artifact himself, he naturally understood the immense difficulty of refining one. But given the current situation in the Starry Sky, there was no other choice.

Yun Shiwang departed. Lu Ye didn't know if his journey would be successful, offering only his most sincere blessings and hopes.

The Star Abyss Gate opened and closed repeatedly, with enemies constantly invading. Lu Ye's main body and his Talent Tree clone joined forces, managing to cope for the time being. He found that the situation in the inner realm was indeed as Yun Shiwang described: not all invaders were Dao Integration cultivators; there were also some formidable Dao Fusion cultivators. These Dao Fusion cultivators, of course, were no match for him. Let alone Dao Fusion cultivators, even ordinary Dao Integration cultivators who entered the Starry Sky would often be slaughtered by him and his clone within a few breaths.

Under the continuous and rapid consumption of his Dao power, the Panshant Blade, a Dao weapon, was finally nurtured to forty-nine Dao marks! Unfortunately, the Panshant Blade was ultimately only considered an ordinary Dao weapon, so forty-nine Dao marks were its limit, with no further room for improvement.

Lu Ye had never considered replacing his Dao weapon. He had used this long blade since he began cultivating, gradually enhancing its quality. Later, he encountered Liao, who devoured the original Panshant Blade and transformed into its current form. It could be said that this blade was a part of his body, an inseparable existence. Although it wasn't a subordinate artifact and had reached its limit, it remained Lu Ye's most reliable companion. No other subordinate artifact would suffice.

However, not intending to replace his Dao weapon didn't mean Lu Ye couldn't nurture subordinate artifacts. He began nurturing the Sword Gourd. This item was a subordinate artifact that his clone could use. If he could nurture it, it would certainly surpass the forty-nine Dao mark limit. It was even possible that his clone's strength might one day exceed his main body's. If that happened, the clone would become the main force in future encounters with enemies. Lu Ye eagerly awaited that day.

Days passed. To Lu Ye's relief, the strongest invading enemies during this period were still slightly weaker than him, allowing him to easily dispatch them through surprise attacks. But the situation continued to deteriorate...

Approximately one month after Yun Shiwang's departure, the Star Abyss Gate opened once more and then remained open! This flaw in the Starry Sky was now fully exposed. Star Abyss aura flowed into the Starry Sky from the breach. Lu Ye frowned deeply and retreated slightly.

Not long after, an enemy invaded. It was a long-eared cultivator who, upon entering the Starry Sky, suddenly sensed the aura of numerous supreme artifacts in all directions and was instantly overjoyed. He randomly chose a direction to investigate. However, not long after he left the area covered by the Star Abyss aura, a figure radiating killing intent suddenly charged out from an angle. Moreover, another figure converged from his side and behind, enveloping him.

The long-eared cultivator was slightly startled, but after a quick assessment, he sneered, because the two who ambushed him were clearly only Dao Fusion cultivators. He wasn't afraid of Dao Fusion cultivators; what he feared was an ambush by Dao Integration cultivators who might have entered before him. Although his strength was not weak, it wasn't exceptionally strong, and he wouldn't fare well if ambushed by a stronger Dao Integration cultivator. However, mere Dao Fusion cultivators could be easily dealt with!

However, he soon paid a heavy price for his carelessness, because these two Dao Fusion cultivators were incredibly powerful. He wasn't afraid of them one-on-one, but against two, he found himself overwhelmed. The battle's outcome was decided in merely half a tea's time. The long-eared Dao Integration cultivator spat blood profusely, his expression panicked, while Lu Ye's main body and clone, united, radiated boiling killing intent.

After another fierce clash, the long-eared Dao Integration cultivator realized his predicament and instantly flashed back the way he came. He dared not flee into the Starry Sky, as he hadn't yet figured out what exactly the Starry Sky was. Therefore, he only wanted to escape back to the Star Abyss! Seeing this, Lu Ye attacked with even greater ferocity, determined to cut down the invading enemy with his blade.

Until a certain moment, a violent sense of dread swept over him. Lu Ye hastily halted his advance, only then realizing he had pursued the enemy into the area covered by the Star Abyss aura. With his blade in hand, his face was filled with unwillingness. He wanted to continue the pursuit but dared not rashly challenge the authority of that will. His eyes were wide with fury.

The long-eared Dao Integration cultivator, fleeing in panic ahead, seemed to sense something. Upon reaching the Star Abyss Gate, he didn't rush to leave but turned back to look at Lu Ye. He saw Lu Ye's main body and clone standing only at a distance, their gazes cold as they watched him, their eyes clearly holding undisguised killing intent.

Though covered in wounds, the long-eared cultivator's eyes darted around, and he couldn't help but chuckle. He then sat directly in front of the Star Abyss Gate and provocatively crooked a finger at Lu Ye, saying, "Come here!" By now, he had realized that as a Dao Integration cultivator, he could exert strength beyond his own cultivation level within the area covered by the Star Abyss aura. Lu Ye, being a Dao Fusion cultivator, could not; Dao Fusion cultivators couldn't draw upon the surrounding external forces! He thought Lu Ye hadn't pursued him because of this reason, unaware that Lu Ye had a deeper apprehension.

Lu Ye remained silent, merely gazing at him with indifference. The situation had worsened. When the Star Abyss Gate fully opened, this was the scenario he feared most, but what was destined to come, inevitably came.

"Yun Shiwang... what's the situation on his side?"

"Kid, you came from the inner realm too, didn't you?" The long-eared cultivator, no longer flustered, was now in the mood to chat with Lu Ye. His deduction stemmed from his conviction that such a powerful cultivator couldn't have originated in the Starry Sky; this human must have been a Dao Fusion cultivator from the inner realm who entered before him. "Since that's the case, why waste each other's time? There are quite a few Starry Sky Supreme Artifacts here; you can't claim them all yourself. How about we each find a spot for our own fortune?"

Seeing Lu Ye ignore him, the long-eared Dao Integration cultivator said unhappily, "Kid, other Dao Integration cultivators must have entered before us. They might have already found suitable supreme artifacts and begun refining them. What are you staring at me for? We have no past grudges or recent enmity. As the saying goes, 'from a brawl comes friendship.' Name your price; what will it take for you to leave me alone?"

"Get back to the Star Abyss!" Lu Ye said coldly.

The long-eared Dao Integration cultivator was slightly stunned, then frowned and said, "You can't possibly be a cultivator from this Starry Sky, can you?" Otherwise, why would he act like a hen protecting its chicks, insisting on driving him back into the Star Abyss? Then he dismissed his own conjecture. How could such a powerful cultivator be born in the Starry Sky?

"Get back, or die!" Lu Ye's expression grew even colder.

The long-eared Dao Integration cultivator's face also darkened. "It's pointless for you to keep staring at me here. The Star Abyss Gate is open, and more Dao Integration cultivators will keep coming. Can you keep watch over one, two, or three, let alone eight or ten?"

Lu Ye had closed his eyes, saying nothing more. The long-eared Dao Integration cultivator was immediately exasperated. He truly couldn't understand what Lu Ye was thinking. Here he was, a dignified Dao Integration cultivator, having already taken the initiative to yield, yet the other party wouldn't even give him a way out.

The situation reached a stalemate. He dared not casually leave the area covered by the Star Abyss aura, and Lu Ye couldn't step inside. The two of them were thus holding each other in check from a distance.

"Old Tree, how are things on Senior Yun's side?" Lu Ye transmitted his inquiry. The situation here was gradually worsening. Unless the invading enemies left the area covered by the Star Abyss aura, he would have no way to kill them. Forcibly entering, no one knew what consequences it would trigger. The Star Abyss Will's previous punishment on him had exceeded three hundred Dao power. And that was merely Star Abyss aura escaping from the outer realm. Now, the Star Abyss aura here was escaping from the inner realm. The first time was likely just a warning. If it happened again, Lu Ye didn't know if he could endure it.

"Everything is going smoothly!" Old Tree quickly replied. "Hold on a bit longer. Yun Sheng will come to support you after he succeeds."

"That's good!" Lu Ye felt a weight lift from his heart.

Meanwhile, at the very center of the Starry Sky, in a desolate starfield where dozens of star systems were almost completely silent, lay the supreme artifact Heavenly Jade Sword. The original Unfettered Palace was established here. A long sword hung suspended in the void.

Yun Shiwang grasped the sword hilt with both hands. Only white bone remained of his arms, and terrifying sword energy freely swirled around him, cutting his body and making him bleed profusely. He trembled violently, his face exceedingly pale. In places invisible to the naked eye, countless tiny sword energies coursed through his body. Yun Shiwang was enduring an unbearable torture almost every moment.

This scene was clearly not "everything going smoothly" as Old Tree had claimed. The process of Yun Shiwang refining the Heavenly Jade Sword was, one could say, extremely difficult from the very beginning. There was not a trace of compatibility between him and the Heavenly Jade Sword, and he had been forcefully refining it from the start. The price he had to pay was enormous.