Chapter 2489: Return

Ba Qiu piloted Yi Fu City, gradually moving further and further away, while countless Dao Integrators quietly watched them depart.

It wasn't until the small, dilapidated city vanished from sight that Kun Li raised a hand to wipe his mouth. "Things are about to change!" he declared.

The Dao Integrators around him all wore solemn expressions. Brother Hai nodded slightly, "That old monster is likely trying to take that next step!"

"It'll be hard. He's ultimately all alone, with no one to help him. Most importantly... he's human!"

"Indeed, human, heh heh..."

"Everyone, I'll take my leave first. Chaos is coming, and I need to hurry back."

"Let's go together! We've only had a few years of peace, and now it's like this again, sigh!"

"Brother Kun Li, farewell for now. I hope we'll have a chance to meet again!"

The Dao Integrators successively bid farewell to Kun Li. After everyone had left, Kun Li activated his power, enveloping Lu Ye and Fu Wei. "Let's go too," he said.

Turning around, they sped towards where Kun Li City was located. Lu Ye glanced at Kun Li, observing his extremely solemn expression, as if something major was about to happen. Recalling the conversation among the Dao Integrators earlier, Lu Ye asked, puzzled, "Brother Li, why did those people say chaos was coming just now?"

Kun Li replied while flying, "Because Ba Qiu survived."

Lu Ye was even more confused. "What does his survival have to do with it?"

Kun Li sighed. "Although I greatly admire that old monster, I actually didn't wish for him to survive this time. It's not just me; almost everyone shared this sentiment. He has many enemies. Before, when he was unharmed and powerful, no one dared to cross him. But now? You've seen his condition. In this situation, how many do you think will try to target him?"

Lu Ye immediately understood. Ba Qiu, severely injured, had walked out of the Anomaly without any concealment. So many Dao Integrators had witnessed it personally, and it wouldn't take long for this news to spread far and wide.

"Even a severely injured formidable figure like Ba Qiu is not easily killed. So, once someone decides to act against him, one of the Ten Great Dao Integration Cities will inevitably lead the charge. With such a massive scale, who knows how many Dao Integration Cities will be dragged into it!"

"And in such a chaotic situation, how could the Dao Integration Cities below them remain quiet? Therefore, if Ba Qiu doesn't die this time, he will inevitably bring a catastrophe to the Inner Realm."

It dawned on Lu Ye.

Before, he had only seen Ba Qiu's imposing might, never realizing how much this powerful figure's life or death was intertwined with such widespread implications. Of course, this also had to do with his current insufficient cultivation; his vantage point wasn't high enough, so he couldn't see much.

"My friend," Kun Li advised, "after we go back this time, try not to wander around. Just diligently cultivate in the Dao Integration City. For a long time to come, the Inner Realm will be very chaotic. Your most important task now is to advance to Dao Integration. In the Inner Realm, the cultivation of Dao Mergers is ultimately still insufficient."

Lu Ye nodded. "I understand, Brother Li."

They traveled in silence, returning to Kun Li City.

"Brother Li, I'll head back then." Lu Ye bid him farewell. Although this trip to the Anomaly didn't result in acquiring the Moonlight Wheel Treasure, it still yielded considerable gains, and he also learned some things about Su Yan. It was not a wasted trip.

As for Fu Wei... he had already proven his abilities, and Lu Ye was still very much looking forward to him helping find the direction for his Talent Tree's transformation.

"No need to rush back. Old Qin asked me to tell you to go to the Arena. It seems he has almost finished arranging your matters and wants to discuss the next steps with you."

Lu Ye raised an eyebrow, thinking to himself that Qin Feng was truly efficient.

However, this suited him perfectly. Currently, the Dao power he needed for cultivation almost entirely relied on the Arena's provision. He was now at the Dao Merger seventh stage, with two more minor stages to break through before he would be qualified to advance to Dao Integration.

He naturally hoped to acquire more Dao power faster.

Leading Fu Wei into Kun Li City's central hall, they soon arrived at the He He Realm.

Taking two steps forward, he couldn't help but turn his head. He saw Fu Wei standing still, looking like a country bumpkin entering a city, constantly looking around with eyes full of wonder.

Noticing Lu Ye's gaze, he hurriedly caught up, an embarrassed expression on his face. "You must be amused, Senior Brother," he said. "I've long heard about the grandeur of the He He Realm, but only today have I had the fortune to witness it."

Lu Ye was surprised. "You've never been here before?"

Fu Wei scratched his bald head. "To tell you the truth, Senior Brother, I've always cultivated in my clan's territory. This is actually my first time venturing out."

Lu Ye was at a loss for words. His first time leaving his clan's territory, and he dared to rush into the Anomaly to compete with others? Was he truly testing his luck?

However, while Fu Wei had no other special abilities, his defensive capabilities were second to none among Dao Mergers. Two or three ordinary Dao Mergers truly couldn't do anything to him.

Perhaps it was precisely because of this confidence that he dared to venture into the Anomaly.

"Let's go," Lu Ye called out, leading the way forward.

Fu Wei quickly followed.

Upon exiting the grand hall, Lu Ye froze in place as soon as he looked up. A very familiar scene had appeared before his eyes again: on the huge building ahead, a projection of light and shadow came into view.

For a moment, Lu Ye thought the Arena hadn't removed its previous display, but upon closer inspection, he realized it wasn't the case.

The projection clearly showed two figures confronting each other. One was completely black, with only a blurry outline, while the other was handsome and elegant, holding a long spear and striking a very dashing pose. It was truly eye-catching.

Below this image, a line of large characters flashed continuously.

Nameless Guest versus Yun Qianliu! Who is stronger, who is weaker, who will emerge victorious? Ladies and gentlemen, please stay tuned!

The same style, the same routine – it made Lu Ye's eye twitch and his face feel a little hot. He wondered what kind of people Qin Feng had working for him, unable to come up with anything new.

However, one had to admit that with such a projection displayed here, all cultivators entering and exiting the He He Realm could see it, so the effect was quite good.

Fu Wei also saw it, standing beside Lu Ye with his eyes gleaming. "Senior Brother, what is this?" he asked.

"It's the Arena's promotion," Lu Ye said casually as he flew forward.

"The Arena!" Fu Wei's eyes lit up even more. "I heard my ancestor say that it's a great place to earn Dao Fish! My ancestor made a fortune in the Arena back then!"

Lu Ye tilted his head and looked at him. "Your ancestor just used his abilities for this?"

Fu Wei chuckled. "Senior Brother misunderstands. Our Divination Clan can calculate the heavens and the earth, the past and the present, but we cannot calculate for ourselves. The reason my ancestor could get rich was due to his personal insight, not because he used secret techniques."

Lu Ye nodded slightly.

Fu Wei asked again, "Senior Brother, when do you plan to return to the Dao Integration City?"

"Probably a few days."

Since he was already here, and since Qin Feng had already made arrangements, Lu Ye naturally wanted to finish this upcoming deathmatch, after which he could earn a large sum of Dao Fish.

Anyway, it shouldn't take too long. After the match, he could return to Yuan Xi City to cultivate and break through.

"Senior Brother, I'd like to look around," Fu Wei said timidly.

Lu Ye paused, rummaged through his belongings, and handed him a storage ring. "Go ahead," he said, "I'll call you when I leave."

The ring contained some Dao Fish. Although the amount wasn't large, it should be enough for Fu Wei's expenses, provided he didn't cause trouble.

"Thank you, Senior Brother." Fu Wei took the storage ring and happily ran off.

At the Arena, with Gong Mao's assistance, Lu Ye, wearing the trench coat Qin Feng had given him earlier to conceal his appearance and build, entered through a side door.

A moment later, he arrived at Qin Feng's private room.

He was clearly waiting for Lu Ye and had even brewed fragrant tea. As they met, Qin Feng enthusiastically gestured, "Come, sit, and try the good tea I just acquired."

Lu Ye sat opposite him, and Qin Feng handed him a cup of tea.

Compared to their previous two meetings, Qin Feng was undoubtedly much more cordial this time.

Bobo was also there. All the tentacles that had been cut off before had grown back. One tentacle was coiled around a teacup, and it raised another tentacle to greet Lu Ye.

Lu Ye took the tea, glanced at Bobo, and asked, "How's your recovery?"

Bobo said proudly, "A mere minor injury. I recovered in just two or three days."

"That's good." Lu Ye nodded, then looked up at Qin Feng. "Is everything arranged on your end, Pavilion Master?"

Qin Feng feigned anger. "What, you call Kun Li 'Brother Li', but you call me 'Pavilion Master'? Do you still think I was just joking with you before?"

Kun Li, that big mouth, how could he tell Qin Feng everything?

Lu Ye was momentarily at a loss for words.

Qin Feng suddenly smiled again. "I've thought about it. I can decide to give you twenty percent of the profits from the next deathmatch. This is the maximum I can give. The Arena is nominally mine, but in reality, some profits need to be distributed, so I don't actually earn as much as people outside think."

Lu Ye immediately raised the teacup in his hand. "Brother Feng, I toast you! Thank you for your care!"

Qin Feng laughed heartily. "You're quite the realist, you kid."

He picked up his teacup and clinked it with Lu Ye's.

Bobo also brought its teacup closer.

*Slurp...* The two men and one pet drank together.

"I heard about what happened this time from Kun Li," Qin Feng said, setting down his teacup. "It doesn't matter if you didn't get it. If you have that identity, acquiring a Treasure isn't actually difficult; it just takes some time."

Lu Ye nodded. "I thought the same."

He knew that Qin Feng had indeed guessed his identity as a Child of the Star Abyss, and with Qin Feng's status and experience, he naturally knew that a Child of the Star Abyss could connect with the Star Abyss Treasury.

"Brother Feng, when is the next deathmatch scheduled?" Lu Ye asked the crucial question.

"Anytime is fine. This time's promotion is the same as last time; it conceals the information that Yun Qianliu possesses a Treasure, so you don't need to have any concerns."

If it weren't for the fact that the Soldier Clan's ability to shatter Treasures was too astonishing, this information could have been completely revealed. In that case, both the Arena and Lu Ye would have profited more.

But the matter of the Soldier Clan shattering Treasures should ultimately not be exposed, so it had to be kept hidden.

"Okay, then arrange it as soon as possible," Lu Ye nodded.

"Three days later!" Qin Feng advised. "You should use these three days to rest well." He wasn't worried whether Lu Ye would be no match for Yun Qianliu. When he had asked Lu Ye for help before, he could faintly sense that Lu Ye's power, when unleashed, was around four hundred Dao – a level unreachable by Dao Mergers.