Chapter 2535: Entering the City as a Hostage

Lu Ye turned his head and saw the approaching man clearly; he was a middle-aged man dressed in a green robe.

"What is your esteemed surname?" Lu Ye asked.

The middle-aged man looked utterly shocked, as if he had discovered something incredible. He instinctively replied, "Wu!" then immediately asked, "What grade is your city...?"

Before entering Yuanxi City, he hadn't paid much attention to the small city. From its outward appearance, Yuanxi City truly seemed unremarkable.

However, once inside, he immediately realized the extraordinary nature of this Dao Fusion City.

The Star Abyss aura within the city was actually denser than that of their own Dao Fusion City.

He was greatly astonished. He knew his city was a Barren-grade city. If this city's Star Abyss aura was even denser than a Barren-grade city, didn't that mean it was at least a Flood-grade city?

But looking across this realm, where could such a small Flood-grade Dao Fusion City exist? It was simply unprecedented and unheard of.

"Friend, instead of worrying about our city, you'd be better off going to assist in the battle," Lu Ye said, looking at him calmly. "I've observed the situation on both battlefields. If things continue like this, I fear the enemy will break through first. When they free up their forces to reinforce, your city's efforts might amount to nothing."

The cultivator named Wu looked hesitant upon hearing this. Even without Lu Ye saying it, he had already realized this himself. After all, the enemy had a numerical advantage, with more Dao Fusion cultivators, naturally leading to higher siege efficiency.

He had originally intended to go assist in the battle, but due to City Lord Zhao's actions, he had come over to Yuanxi City to prevent it from escaping.

"Don't worry," Lu Ye said, "our city is small and sparsely populated, so we never abandon our companions. Moreover, if we don't break through the enemy city, it will be detrimental to our own situation."

If not for this reason, Lu Ye wouldn't have bothered saying any of this to him.

The cultivator named Wu still looked hesitant.

"I can enter your city as a hostage!" Lu Ye offered.

The cultivator named Wu raised an eyebrow. "I'll need to place a restriction on you!"

"Agreed!" A strange glint flashed deep within Lu Ye's eyes.

"Then, please excuse me!" As the cultivator named Wu spoke, he advanced, his hands forming various incantations, and then lightly placed a palm on Lu Ye's chest.

There was no force behind the palm strike, yet Lu Ye slid backward. At the same time, it felt as if a binding power had been added to his body, causing his Dao power circulation to stagnate.

"You're actually a Dao Integration cultivator?" The cultivator named Wu looked at Lu Ye with a stunned expression.

Just now, he had seen Lu Ye cooperate with Huan Qing to kill the supervisor and thought Lu Ye was quite strong, but with this direct contact, he realized something was off.

"I am this city's Grand Protector!" Lu Ye stated calmly, looking at him. His implication was that while his cultivation might not be high, his status was not low.

"Never mind!" The cultivator named Wu didn't bother to pursue the matter. In any case, You Die had been severely injured and definitely couldn't escape. With Lu Ye captured as well, Yuanxi City would surely not dare to make any further rash moves.

Once their side broke through the Heaven-grade city, their City Lord would then deal with this strange small city.

The cultivator named Wu lifted Lu Ye with one hand and turned to fly towards his own Dao Fusion City. A moment later, he directly threw Lu Ye into the city, then turned and rushed to reinforce the battlefield.

As Lu Ye landed in the city, many gazes immediately fell upon him from all directions—some showing shock and admiration, others disdain and contempt. However, no one approached him.

He turned his head to look towards Yuanxi City, meeting Huan Qing's gaze across the distance.

Huan Qing immediately darted into the central hall, telling Fan Wu and the others who remained to assist in defense, "Prepare to leave!"

Fan Wu was startled. "But Vice City Lord You Die and the Grand Protector are in their hands!"

"Listen to me, prepare to leave!"

"No, we can't just leave like this! Vice City Lord and the Grand Protector will surely suffer a terrible fate. If you want to go, go by yourself!"

"This is what the Grand Protector intended," Huan Qing said, looking calmly at Fan Wu.

"When did the Grand Protector give such an order?" Fan Wu was confused. He had seen everything that happened outside and hadn't heard Lu Ye give any command, nor had he sensed any signs of a spiritual message from Lu Ye.

Huan Qing said no more. She flashed to the core of the great array. "Just cooperate with me. I will bear all consequences!"

"But..." Fan Wu still wanted to say something.

Huan Qing let out a sharp cry, "The City Lord is absent, and the Vice City Lord and Grand Protector are hostages. Right now, everyone in the city must obey my orders. Disobey, and you will be executed!"

Fan Wu immediately fell silent.

Although Huan Qing had been recuperating and never interacted with anyone, always appearing listless, she was still a Dao Fusion cultivator. If she truly intended to act, Fan Wu would be no match for her.

In the Barren-grade city, when Lu Ye saw Huan Qing enter the central hall, he knew this situation was under control.

This woman was intelligent. Lu Ye had truly been worried she wouldn't grasp his intentions, but fortunately, even with a simple exchange of glances, Huan Qing had understood.

It was fortunate that Yuanxi had previously granted Huan Qing the right and authority to control a Dao Fusion City; otherwise, no one in Yuanxi City would be able to control it now.

Turning his head, he looked at the two battlefields, which were still raging fiercely, but the fighting was clearly nearing its end.

A moment later, their side's Heaven-grade city's protective grand array was breached. Numerous enemy Dao Fusion cultivators swarmed in, and the life force within the city vanished in large swathes. Amidst roars, the Heaven-grade city's Dao Fusion cultivators, led by their City Lord, desperately attempted to break out.

They did not choose to retreat into the Dao Realm, but instead rushed towards the other battlefield, clearly intending to drag an enemy down with them, even if it meant their own demise.

Thanks to their entanglement, the enemy Dao Fusion cultivators could not quickly reinforce the second battlefield.

City Lord Zhao, leading his own Dao Fusion City, also breached the enemy Heaven-grade city's array and advanced unimpeded.

It was at this moment that Lu Ye immersed himself, checking his own condition.

On his Talent Tree, the anomaly that had only lasted for a moment had disappeared, and the sensation of being bound and having his Dao power stagnate had also vanished.

A Dao Fusion cultivator's sealing method was nothing to him; his Talent Tree could effortlessly burn it away.

He no longer observed the battlefield. Instead, he turned around and walked towards the central hall of the Barren-grade city.

In Yuanxi City, Huan Qing, who had been constantly monitoring Lu Ye's movements, immediately let out a low cry, "Now!"

As her words fell, all the cultivators in the city simultaneously activated their Dao power, pouring it into the grand array. Huan Qing immediately piloted Yuanxi City, fleeing in a direction away from this chaotic place.

In this chaotic moment, Yuanxi City's movement went largely unnoticed. Even the sole remaining Dao Fusion cultivator guarding their Barren-grade city didn't notice.

This was because his attention had been drawn by Lu Ye's unusual actions.

"Friend, you'd best stay put," came the voice of the Dao Fusion cultivator from within the central hall. Given the progression of the battle, this individual was likely the only Dao Fusion cultivator remaining to guard this city.

Previously, two had remained, but with the cultivator named Wu joining the battle, only he was left.

He didn't take Lu Ye seriously at all. Not only was Lu Ye merely a Dao Integration cultivator, but he had also been restricted by the cultivator named Wu and sent here as a hostage. Naturally, he couldn't cause any trouble.

Lu Ye, however, ignored him. As he walked, his head was slightly bowed, and the shadow cast by his bangs obscured his eyes.

Although they were allies with this Barren-grade city, when Yuanxi City was initially being pursued, the other party stood by idly. That was their choice, and Lu Ye wouldn't criticize it. With no blood ties or personal connection, what did being allies matter? It was merely a coincidence that they chose the same faction, and no one had the right to demand anything of others.

Later, City Lord Zhao was swayed by Lu Ye's words and sent Dao Fusion cultivators to attack the enemy Heaven-grade city. That, too, was their choice. Without a compelling reason, no matter how eloquently Lu Ye spoke, it would have been useless.

Nevertheless, Yuanxi City ultimately managed to turn the tide and escape danger by leveraging their power.

Both Lu Ye and Yuanxi City owed them gratitude for this.

You Die joined City Lord Zhao in battle, and Yuanxi City could be said to have done its part.

However, City Lord Zhao suddenly injuring You Die was unacceptable. Bullying the weaker and launching a sneak attack—what kind of ally was that?

Thus, Lu Ye had been considering how to break the stalemate, and if he could help You Die get some revenge, all the better.

This matter couldn't end well today. As the situation stood, unless Yuanxi returned in time, if she arrived late, even she would be powerless.

Because once the battle stabilized, Yuanxi would have to face a Barren-grade Dao Fusion City directly. No matter how strong she was, she couldn't single-handedly contend with a Barren-grade city.

His suggestion to come to this city as a hostage had been an impromptu idea, but it actually worked out.

This gave Lu Ye ample room to maneuver.

Not far away, Yuanxi City was accelerating. Huan Qing's expression was calm. In that brief moment of eye contact, she hadn't understood much, but she had discerned one meaning from Lu Ye's eyes.

He was about to cause trouble!

Huan Qing didn't know what he intended to do, but since he was about to cause trouble, Yuanxi City naturally couldn't remain there and hinder him. That's why she decisively took control of Yuanxi City.

But in such a situation, what exactly was this Grand Protector planning to do?

"Friend, don't be stubborn. Killing a Dao Integration cultivator like you, I imagine your City Lord wouldn't care much," the sole remaining Dao Fusion cultivator warned again, seeing Lu Ye's unceasing steps.

City Lord Zhao didn't kill You Die because she was a Dao Fusion cultivator. If he had, it would mean creating a deadly feud with Yuanxi City, and even the Governor's City would intervene. Therefore, he only injured her, which he had sufficient grounds to do.

But Lu Ye was merely a Dao Integration cultivator; if he died, likely no one would truly stick up for him.

"Nonsense," the Dao Fusion cultivator's voice turned angry as he sharply commanded, "Stop him!"

As his words fell, two cultivators immediately blocked Lu Ye's path not far ahead, staring at him coldly and warning, "Stop!"

"Get lost!" Lu Ye didn't even lift an eyelid.

"You dare to be so arrogant even after Lord Wu placed a restriction on you!" one broad-shouldered cultivator sneered. He took a step forward and reached out to grab Lu Ye.

With a clang, the long blade was unsheathed, and an arm flew off. The cultivator remained in the posture of reaching for Lu Ye, not even realizing he had been injured.

It wasn't until the pain registered that he stared blankly at his severed arm, his vision filled with rapidly spreading red.