Chapter 2457: Qinfeng's Invitation

Fusion Dao cultivators can significantly boost their power using external forces, a unique characteristic of theirs. However, for Lu Ye, this trait can sometimes be exploited as a weakness. A sudden drop in power during a life-or-death battle can be absolutely fatal.

Liao's recent advancement, seemingly just a promotion from an ordinary Dao Soldier to an affiliated treasure with a greater nurturing limit, was nonetheless a significant boost for Lu Ye, like adding wings to a tiger.

Dao power continuously flowed into the Pishan Blade for nurturing. While he had a general idea of Liao's new limit after this advancement, based on information provided by Qin Feng, he couldn't confirm it without testing.

He still had ample Dao power reserves remaining from his previous advancement. Furthermore, he had specifically set aside ten thousand Dao Fish for emergencies, so he could easily sustain this level of consumption.

Then, at a certain moment, Liao suddenly asked, "Keep going, why did you stop?"

Lu Ye frowned, took out his Battle Token, and immersed his mind in it to investigate.

When he had left the Battle Arena previously, Gong Mao had mentioned that there were no special requirements after joining, but Lu Ye was expected to cooperate as much as possible if the Battle Arena had any missions.

He always carried the Battle Token close to him, and it had remained inactive until now.

Evidently, the Battle Arena was sending him a message.

A moment later, Lu Ye put down the Battle Token. Ignoring Liao's incessant chatter, he connected his mind to the Star Abyss Treasury.

Even if the Battle Arena hadn't contacted him, he had already planned to go. After his battle with Shen Shuang, he had accumulated more than enough Star Abyss Coins, with some to spare. He could now finally exchange for the affiliated treasure he had been eyeing from the Star Abyss Treasury.

With the affiliated treasure, he could then hand it over to the Battle Arena to arrange the next fight, which was crucial for Liao's second hurdle.

There wasn't as much urgency with time as before, since Lu Ye still needed to nurture the Liao Blade to its current peak. Nevertheless, it was always better to make preparations as early as possible.

He exchanged for the affiliated treasure, and his Star Abyss Coins, accumulated over many years, instantly vanished.

Lu Ye rose and left the Grand Marshal's Residence. He soon found Yuan Xi, who was with Fan Wu and others, constructing a Dao Pond, and informed her that he was entering the Integration Realm.

Yuan Xi merely waved her hand, giving him permission.

Upon reaching the Central Grand Hall, he observed that the Integration Orb had indeed undergone significant changes. It was not only a full size larger but also significantly brighter in luster.

Although a Heaven-grade Integration Orb only provided a ten percent boost to Integration City's various aspects compared to an Earth-grade one, achieving such a leap in grade was extremely difficult.

Furthermore, the difficulty increased with each successive advancement.

He raised his hand and pressed it onto the Integration Orb. The next moment, Lu Ye's figure vanished.

A moment later, he arrived in the Battle Arena, where Gong Mao personally greeted him with effusive warmth. "Brother Lu," Gong Mao said, "long time no see."

He wore a triumphant expression, and the embellishments on his clothes seemed different from before. It was clear he had gained some status improvement thanks to Lu Ye's previous victory.

Lu Ye calculated the time, thinking it hadn't been that long. "Arena Master, what do you need me for?" he asked.

Gong Mao shook his head. "I don't know, Brother. You'll have to ask him yourself. Please follow me." It was unclear whether he genuinely didn't know or was merely pretending, but since he said so, Lu Ye didn't press for details.

It was the same private room as before. Qin Feng still had the same casual, somewhat slovenly appearance as when Lu Ye last saw him. On the table in front of him, a small pink octopus sat quietly, its two black, bean-like eyes fixed on Lu Ye as he entered.

Gong Mao did not enter; he withdrew after leading Lu Ye to the room.

"Arena Master!" Lu Ye said, cupping his fist in salute.

Qin Feng took his legs off the table, sat up straight, and smiled slightly. "I prefer my own people to call me Boss," he said. "They all call me that; it sounds more intimate!"

Lu Ye simply watched him silently.

"Have a seat and talk!" Qin Feng said, not pressing the matter, and gestured with his hand.

Lu Ye walked over and sat opposite him across the table. He then glanced at the pink octopus beside him. Although he had seen it once before, he still couldn't figure out what kind of creature it was. It didn't seem to have the aura of a Star Beast, and Lu Ye had no knowledge of any existing race that resembled it, though he admitted he might simply be ignorant.

Then, he saw the small, pink octopus smile at him, its black, bean-like eyes curving into crescent shapes.

"Bobo likes you," Qin Feng said. "It rarely takes to outsiders."

"Bobo..." Lu Ye's brows furrowed, his mood inexplicably strange for a moment. Changing the subject, he asked, "Arena Master, do you have a mission for me?"

"It's not exactly a mission," Qin Feng replied. "It's just a personal favor I'd like to ask of you."

Lu Ye was puzzled. "Someone of the Arena Master's stature still has problems they can't solve?" he asked. If it were a mission, he would naturally cooperate to the best of his ability. After all, he had joined the Battle Arena, and both Liao's needs and his own cultivation relied on the Arena's power, so he didn't want to strain their relationship. However, Qin Feng requesting a personal favor was intriguing.

Lu Ye didn't believe that he, a mere Fusion Dao cultivator, could genuinely assist someone like Qin Feng, except, of course, by helping him earn Dao Fish in the Battle Arena.

Qin Feng chuckled. "I'm not omniscient or omnipotent," he said. "Any living being, no matter who, has problems they can't solve. Let alone living beings, even the Dao Will itself—can it truly do whatever it pleases?"

His sudden mention of the Will made Lu Ye thoughtful.

That Will was indeed grand and vast, its presence felt wherever the Star Abyss's aura enveloped. However, years of experience showed Qin Feng was right: the Will could not do whatever it pleased. There were certain frameworks it could not bypass.

"Don't worry, there will be no danger," Qin Feng added. "And since I'm asking for your help, there will naturally be some benefits for you. I can guarantee that it will be a benefit that truly interests you!"

"What exactly do you need me to do?" Lu Ye asked. He wasn't swayed by the promised benefits; it was simply better to clarify things. It wasn't that he mistrusted Qin Feng, but rather that caution was always prudent.

"I need you to strike a blow in a specific location!"

"Strike a blow?" Lu Ye frowned.

"Before that," Qin Feng continued, "let me ask one more thing: when you unleash your full power, do you possess three hundred and fifty Dao strength? If not, then there's no need to discuss this further."

Lu Ye pondered silently. From Qin Feng's words, it seemed he needed Lu Ye's strength to break through something, an obstacle that would require at least three hundred and fifty Dao strength to overcome.

Three hundred and fifty Dao strength was unattainable for an ordinary Fusion Dao cultivator, as the natural limit for Fusion Dao was two hundred Dao, or two hundred and forty-nine even with a Dao Soldier—a full hundred Dao short of the requirement.

Even with an affiliated treasure, it would still be difficult to meet Qin Feng's requirement.

Qin Feng must have witnessed his previous contest with Que Yue and harbored some vague suspicions about his true strength, as Que Yue's displayed power at the time was considerable.

"I can try!" Lu Ye calmly responded.

Qin Feng looked at him deeply, nodded slightly, and flicked his finger. A jade box appeared out of thin air and flew towards Lu Ye.

Lu Ye raised his hand and caught it.

"This is a secret, burst-type medicine," Qin Feng explained. "If you take it, it should increase your strength by approximately fifty Dao. However, there are hidden dangers: you will be weakened for at least two months. During that period, you won't be able to fight anyone or even control your Dao power. Consider it carefully."

Only then did Lu Ye realize that Qin Feng's request wasn't just for three hundred and fifty Dao strength, but four hundred!

No wonder he had sought Lu Ye out; such power was simply unattainable for a Fusion Dao cultivator.

"Arena Master possesses immense power," Lu Ye said, still unable to comprehend. "Why do you need me to do this?"

While four hundred Dao strength was indeed unattainable for a Fusion Dao cultivator, it was nothing to someone like Qin Feng. So why did he need Lu Ye to act?

"Of course, it's because I can't do this myself," Qin Feng said with a faint smile. "If I could, why would I ask for help? As for the reason, you'll find out later."

Lu Ye nodded. "When?"

Qin Feng seemed a little surprised. "You're not even going to ask what benefits I'm offering you?"

"Regardless of the benefits," Lu Ye replied, "if the Arena Master asks for my help, it means you think highly of me. Of course, I won't refuse."

Qin Feng teased, "If you looked a bit happier when you said that, I might believe you. Alright, I'll tell you about the benefits later; I promise they won't disappoint you. As for the time... we'll depart whenever it's convenient for you."

"Anytime!" Lu Ye responded. Striking a blow in a specific place shouldn't take too long.

"Then now!" Qin Feng immediately stood up, seeming somewhat impatient.

"Arena Master, wait a moment!" Lu Ye said, simultaneously taking a long spear from his storage ring and placing it before Qin Feng.

Qin Feng glanced at it, initially unimpressed, but his expression quickly turned to surprise. He picked up the spear, examined it closely, and then looked at Lu Ye in astonishment. "The Primordial Chaos Spear, an affiliated treasure?" he exclaimed.

Lu Ye had no idea what supreme treasure this affiliated treasure was born from, so he naturally didn't know its name. Qin Feng, however, identified it instantly, revealing his extensive knowledge.

"Where did you get this from?" Qin Feng asked, suddenly finding Lu Ye perplexing. Just last time, Lu Ye had inquired if the Battle Arena sold affiliated treasures, and Qin Feng had even joked that no one in the entire inner realm would ever sell one.

Yet, in such a short time, Lu Ye had acquired one. Not only was Lu Ye just a Fusion Dao cultivator, but even top-tier ones couldn't casually obtain an affiliated treasure like this.

"You can arrange the next death match now," Lu Ye said, looking at Qin Feng. Once the affiliated treasure was handed over to the Battle Arena, they would need to find suitable candidates, and the chosen one would then have to nurture the treasure. All of this took time, so it was naturally better to initiate the process as early as possible.

Qin Feng naturally understood Lu Ye's intentions. He had obtained the information about the soldier race from the old monster and then passed it on to Lu Ye. Everything Lu Ye was doing now was to provide the means for that soldier race to advance.