Chapter 2537: Self-Selected

"Ah?" The cultivator cried out in surprise, truly unable to understand why this was happening. The person in front of him had clearly been marked with a restriction by Senior Wu, so how could he still unleash such a fast and powerful strike?

Lu Ye had already kicked out. The cultivator grunted, flying backward like a kite with a broken string, spitting blood in mid-air before crashing into a building and falling unconscious.

"How dare you!" Another cultivator, seeing this, flew into a rage and immediately prepared to summon his Dao weapon to stop Lu Ye. However, with another kick from Lu Ye, this person also followed in his companion's footsteps.

*Whoosh...* Many figures around them stirred, each filled with righteous indignation. Their companions had been injured right in their own city; how could they tolerate this? In an instant, figures rushed from all directions, attacking Lu Ye.

Lu Ye's steps didn't falter. As one foot landed, a bloody light bloomed beneath him, and a sea of blood spread out. Immediately, screams and shouts of agony erupted from within the sea of blood. Figures, like ragged sacks, were thrown out of the blood sea, crashing in various directions.

The cultivators who hadn't yet managed to rush into the sea of blood were stunned. They all halted, warily staring at the writhing, churning expanse, as if a monstrous beast lay hidden within.

Suddenly, the sea of blood receded, revealing Lu Ye's figure within. Just as before, his steps were light, one hand gripping his saber, the other holding an unconscious cultivator.

He walked directly to the front of the Central Hall, glanced up, and casually tossed the cultivator he was holding aside.

"Presumptuous!" Inside the hall, the Hedaao realm cultivator on guard was a mix of shock and fury.

Honestly, he didn't quite understand why Lu Ye's Dao power could still operate freely. He was familiar with the methods of the cultivator named Wu; even a true Hedaao realm practitioner, let alone a Rongdao realm cultivator, would be greatly restricted once a prohibition was placed upon them, provided their cultivation wasn't superior. Under normal circumstances, a Rongdao realm cultivator like Lu Ye shouldn't be able to activate his Dao power at all right now. Yet, in fact, not only could he smoothly and freely use his Dao power, but he also possessed such formidable strength. Their group of Rongdao realm cultivators couldn't stop him in the slightest; over twenty of them had already been injured in this short time.

He had never seen such a powerful Rongdao realm cultivator, and for a moment, he wondered if the cultivator named Wu had made a mistake and that Lu Ye was actually a Hedaao realm practitioner.

Whether he was or not, a test would reveal the truth!

With an angry shout, he raised his hand and pushed a palm outward. As Dao power condensed, a colossal palm shadow surged towards Lu Ye.

At the front of the Central Hall, Lu Ye raised an eyebrow. He twirled his long saber, unleashing his Dao power without reservation. Gripping the hilt with both hands, he lowered his stance and fiercely slashed out! A brilliant light burst from the saber, converging into a dazzling blade beam that swept forward.

The palm shadow shattered, but the blade beam's momentum didn't diminish, crashing into the hall.

"How dare you, junior!" A sharp cry came out as a figure rushed to meet the blade light in a panic. It was indeed the Hedaao realm cultivator on guard. He dared not let the blade beam truly strike the hall. Not only were there many Rongdao realm cultivators arrayed inside who might be accidentally harmed, but more importantly, if the crucial Hedaao Bead were even grazed by this blade beam, it would likely shatter instantly. Therefore, facing this blade beam, the only thing he could do was block it head-on and neutralize it.

As his Dao power became chaotic and the blade beam dissipated, the aftershocks scattered, instantly turning the hall into a mess and causing many Rongdao realm cultivators to lose their balance.

"Get out!" the Hedaao realm cultivator roared furiously, attacking Lu Ye fiercely.

Lu Ye met the attack with his long saber. It had to be said that Hedaao realm cultivators from a Desolate-grade city were indeed different, especially those tasked with guarding it. Among the many Hedaao realm cultivators in this city, their strength was certainly not weak. In this exchange, he found himself somewhat outmatched. While not to the point of being crushed, he estimated he could only last for about half a cup of tea before being defeated, and perhaps even face mortal danger.

However, after only a moment, the Hedaao realm cultivator suddenly retreated, looking at Lu Ye with a grave expression.

Lu Ye stood before the collapsed entrance of the Central Hall, his expression calm and unbothered: "Still want to fight?"

The Hedaao realm cultivator's face was filled with anger, looking as if he wanted to tear Lu Ye apart. Yet, even though he was stronger, he dared not make another move. This was because the aftershocks of their battle were too fierce and could very likely affect the Hedaao Bead inside the hall! While he was confident he could take Lu Ye's life, the Hedaao Bead would probably be shattered before that, and this was something he absolutely could not accept.

"You are very good!" His expression was fierce.

"Thank you for the compliment." Lu Ye held his long saber, his power poised for action. Against such an opponent who was clearly stronger than himself, he dared not be careless in the slightest, as a single mistake could lead to complete failure.

"You came into the city alone; you shouldn't be here to make enemies."

Lu Ye calmly stated, "Of course not. We are allies; there's no enmity between us." If he truly intended to make enemies, the Rongdao realm cultivators he had just injured would already be dead. Before achieving his goal, Lu Ye didn't want to kill. Compared to You Die, he didn't care about the lives of the Rongdao cultivators in this city.

"Then tell me, what exactly do you want?" the Hedaao realm cultivator asked in a deep voice.

Lu Ye raised a hand and pointed to the side: "Send a message to your City Lord. Let my friend go, or I will shatter your Hedaao Bead even if it costs me my life!" You Die was still restrained over there, unable to make a move, so Lu Ye had to ensure her safety before discussing anything else.

Their city had already departed under Huan Qing's control. Although it hadn't gone far, no one currently had time to pursue it. As long as they stalled for a bit longer, once the city was far enough away, it could go into hiding again. However, the prerequisite was that You Die return to Yuanxi City immediately. Although Huan Qing now had the right to control the city, the secret technique of the蜃 required You Die to activate it. Once their city was safe, Lu Ye could act without restraint.

The Hedaao realm cultivator turned to glance in You Die's direction and slowly shook his head: "You killed the Inspector from the Governor's City. If our city hadn't witnessed this, it would be one thing, but since we have, we cannot simply disengage..." Before he could finish, Lu Ye unleashed a blade beam towards him.

The opponent hastily neutralized it, his face turning ashen.

"Let my friend go, or I shatter your Hedaao Bead. Choose!"

The Hedaao realm cultivator's chest heaved with suppressed anger. He secretly cursed the cultivator named Wu for being incompetent, wondering how such a person had been allowed into the city, leaving him utterly constrained now.

"Detaining your friend was the City Lord's decision. I can only relay your message. As for the choice, that is up to the City Lord."

Lu Ye said calmly, "I believe he will make a wise choice."

The words were light, yet the threat was incredibly potent. As a Hedaao realm cultivator, how could the one on guard not understand the implied meaning in Lu Ye's words? If their City Lord dared to refuse, the Hedaao Bead would surely not be safe. This was unacceptable to any City Lord. Their City Lord would probably have to make a truly wise choice.