Chapter 2430: Reentering the Hehe World

"I'll be busy for a while. You can practice on your own, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask me at any time," Yuan Xi instructed before rushing off again.

Lu Ye, for his part, was unconcerned. He had reaped considerable rewards from the recent battle. Over fifty Integration-level cultivators from Flowing Light City were involved, and thirty of them died by his hand. Only those who remained behind and guarded the city managed to escape, primarily because Yuan Xi chose not to pursue them. Otherwise, Flowing Light City would have been utterly wiped out.

These slain Integration-level cultivators provided him with a significant number of Dao Bones and Dao Soldiers. After refining them, he could not only replenish his Dao Power consumption but also accumulate a surplus.

This was unique to him; for any other Integration-level cultivator, even in a one-on-one battle, Dao Power consumption could certainly not be fully replenished by spoils of war.

Lu Ye returned to his Grand Commander's Mansion, first refining the numerous Dao Bones and Dao Soldiers he had acquired, then examining the storage rings of the Integration-level cultivators.

He had hoped to find items like Dao Fish among them, but despite the large number of storage rings, he didn't find a single Dao Fish.

Upon reflection, it made sense: Integration-level cultivators would likely refine Dao Fish immediately to enhance their strength rather than storing them. Thus, since entering the Inner Realm, Lu Ye had never obtained a Dao Fish, despite acquiring many storage rings.

After these quick tasks, Lu Ye re-entered a state of arduous cultivation.

This time, he immediately felt a difference.

Yuan Xi City was now at the Earth-rank level, which meant cultivators' efficiency in practicing within the city would be higher. Such arduous cultivation could see an efficiency increase of about 30%.

For example, if Lu Ye were not in a Hegemony City, his daily arduous cultivation would yield approximately 300 Dao Power, as he had previously verified.

When Yuan Xi City was at the Yellow-rank, he could gain 330 Dao Power.

Currently, he could gain nearly 400 Dao Power, perhaps slightly less, but the difference was negligible.

This demonstrated the significant impact joining a Hegemony City had on a cultivator's journey.

Even he could benefit so much. For Yuan Xi, the city lord, the increase in cultivation efficiency was secondary; the primary benefit was the boost in her power provided by Hegemony City.

Compared to before, Yuan Xi City now offered a greater power increase and a wider coverage area for her. If both Yuan Xi City and Flowing Light City had been Earth-rank on that day, Yuan Xi would certainly have had much less trouble dealing with the Lord and Deputy Lord of Flowing Light City.

Arduous cultivation was solitary, but cultivators themselves were a group accustomed to solitude.

Yuan Xi was busy with something unknown; Lu Ye just felt that she had been particularly occupied recently, active throughout the city. But since she didn't ask for his help, Lu Ye decided not to bother her.

A month passed in a flash.

Lu Ye left the Grand Commander's Mansion. The appointed time for his battle at the Coliseum had arrived, and he was quite looking forward to it.

This battle was crucial for whether Liao could be promoted to a subordinate treasure, which would significantly impact his future cultivation journey.

However, just as he entered the Central Hall, preparing to access the Hegemony Realm, Yuan Xi stepped in.

"Is the Grand Commander heading to the Hegemony Realm?" Yuan Xi asked, gliding towards him.

"Are you going as well, Your Excellency?" Lu Ye inquired.

He wondered if it was his imagination, but Yuan Xi seemed somewhat fatigued.

"Just some matters," Yuan Xi replied without elaborating, and Lu Ye naturally didn't press further.

Standing side-by-side on the high platform, Yuan Xi asked again, "How long will the Grand Commander be gone?"

"It shouldn't take too long," Lu Ye replied. "It's just a fight; I can return once it's over."

"Alright then."

"Do you have any instructions, Your Excellency?"

Yuan Xi looked at him with surprise. "Did you forget? We need to verify that matter; we have to go attack another Hegemony City."

"Of course I haven't forgotten. I'll be back in time."

With a few brief words, Yuan Xi activated the power of the Hegemony Orb, and both figures vanished from the spot.

They reappeared in the grand hall of the Hegemony Realm, which was as bustling as ever, with cultivators constantly materializing and mysteriously disappearing.

"Let's go," Yuan Xi called out, leading the way forward.

Lu Ye followed closely.

After exiting the hall, Yuan Xi reminded him, "Return early," then turned and flew off.

Lu Ye, meanwhile, flew unhurriedly towards the Coliseum. However, he had only flown a short distance when he suddenly stopped, turning his head to look aside.

In that direction, above a tall building, a shimmering light screen flowed continuously.

Crucially, on this light screen were two figures. One was extremely blurry, with a completely dark face and a hazy form; only a long saber at his waist stood out clearly.

The other figure, in contrast, was much more striking: exceptionally handsome, with sword-like eyebrows and star-bright eyes, a keen gaze, and holding a ruler-shaped Dao Soldier. His entire being exuded an astonishing aura.

The two figures stood in opposition. The blurry figure, in particular, had one hand on the hilt of his saber, as if ready to draw it at any moment, creating a tense atmosphere, as if a great battle could erupt at any second.

The scene on the light screen was clearly the result of some magical technique.

The key was... no matter how Lu Ye looked at that blurry figure, he found it familiar.

The light screen not only displayed images but also included text.

Lu Ye fixed his gaze on it, reading: "Integration Stage Six against Stage Nine! The Nameless Guest battles Wan Yue! Who will claim victory? Who will walk out of the Coliseum alive? Gentlemen, please wait and see."

His eye twitched as he read, finally understanding why the blurry figure looked so familiar.

It was clearly himself!

He knew that within these three months, the Coliseum would heavily publicize the upcoming battle, but he truly hadn't expected them to go to such lengths.

This building was not far from the grand hall for entering and exiting the Hegemony Realm; practically anyone going to or from the Hegemony Realm would pass by it.

Thus, almost everyone entering or exiting the Hegemony Realm could see this promotion!

Every Hegemony City had the ability to access the Hegemony Realm, so this news had likely spread throughout the entire Inner Realm over the past three months.

An Integration Stage Six battling a Stage Nine — such a massive gimmick was enough to capture everyone's attention and interest.

From another perspective, if Lu Ye weren't directly involved, he would certainly want to see the outcome after seeing such an advertisement.

The Coliseum wouldn't bother with such extensive promotion for a battle with no suspense. Since they did, it indicated that this Nameless Guest, despite being only Integration Stage Six, possessed the qualifications to contend with an Integration Stage Nine cultivator.

Such battles, where the weak challenge the strong, were rare. Missing this one meant not knowing when the next opportunity would arise.

Wan Yue must be his opponent this time, Lu Ye realized. He had a clear understanding because the opponent was holding the Heaven-Measuring Ruler, the subordinate treasure Lu Ye had previously given to Gong Mao.

"Let's go on a rampage! I'm sure to be promoted to a subordinate treasure this time!" Liao's excited and anticipating voice echoed in Lu Ye's ears.

Lu Ye remained noncommittal. While he had expectations, he didn't hold complete hope. For some things, the higher the expectation, the greater the disappointment. Therefore, it was best to do his utmost and prepare for the worst.

As the saying goes, "Do your utmost and leave the rest to fate."

After another glance at the striking promotion, Lu Ye continued onward. He then noticed that such advertisements weren't limited to one spot; they seemed to be visible everywhere throughout the Hegemony Realm.

This time, the news truly would reach every corner of the Inner Realm.

Upon arriving at the Coliseum, Lu Ye immediately spotted a familiar figure: the maid who had seen him off when he left last time.

While she was called a maid, Lu Ye felt she didn't quite fit the part; her demeanor was different. Furthermore, Lu Ye could faintly sense that her cultivation was not low, at least at the Integration level.

Although the Coliseum was a large and wealthy establishment, it made no sense to have an Integration-level cultivator greeting guests outside. The maids who had previously received him had much lower cultivation levels.

As he walked past, the woman immediately noticed him and stepped forward to greet him, bowing gracefully when he drew near. "Greetings, esteemed guest," she said.

Lu Ye nodded.

The woman then added, "Lord Gong Mao has instructed me to ask the esteemed guest to follow me!"

"Lead the way."

A moment later, inside a lavishly decorated private room, Gong Mao hurried in. Upon seeing Lu Ye, he felt a surge of warmth. "Brother Lu, you're finally here!"

Lu Ye calmly replied, "Of course I would come; it was an agreed-upon matter."

Gong Mao admired Lu Ye's composure. He genuinely couldn't understand where an Integration Stage Six cultivator found such confidence to face an Integration Stage Nine, especially after voluntarily offering a subordinate treasure.

He had been somewhat worried before, but upon seeing Lu Ye's expression now, he knew he had overthought things.

This human had complete confidence in the upcoming battle.

And that was exactly what the Coliseum needed.

"Brother, you must have seen our promotion before you came, right?" Gong Mao asked, sitting down with a cordial attitude. Their conversation three months ago had made him realize this was an opportunity for himself, because if Lu Ye won, Gong Mao's standing in the Coliseum would undoubtedly rise. Thus, Gong Mao now treated Lu Ye not merely as a guest, but as a collaborator.

Just then, the woman from earlier walked in, served tea, and then stood quietly to the side.

Lu Ye nodded. "I saw it."

"Since we weren't sure when you'd arrive, we didn't announce a specific time. I wanted to ask, Brother, when would be convenient for you? I'll then spread the word."

"The sooner, the better!"

Yuan Xi had told him not to stay in the Hegemony Realm for too long, as he still needed to join her to verify that matter. Naturally, he wanted to finish quickly.

"How about three days from now?" Gong Mao asked. "The news needs some time to spread and ferment. The upcoming battle might draw attention from nearly half of the Inner Realm's cultivators."

"Two days!" Lu Ye stated.

Gong Mao pondered briefly. "Alright, two days it is!"

Those who wanted to come would surely make it within two days. For those who didn't, an extra day wouldn't make a difference.

"Then I'll go make the arrangements. Please rest here for these two days, fellow Daoist, and feel free to mention any needs you may have."

Gong Mao stood up, a constant smile on his face. "I won't disturb you any further, then."

He turned and left.

For two days, Lu Ye hadn't planned on doing anything other than waiting there. But he soon realized something was amiss: although Gong Mao had left, the woman who had greeted him earlier hadn't. Instead, she stood there, looking somewhat uneasy.