Chapter 2580: Hope

Lu Ye initially thought this secret technique required some other cost, which was why Yuan Xi couldn't maintain it for long, or perhaps the technique itself wasn't stable enough.

However, after hearing Chang Ming's words just now, he suddenly had some conjectures.

Chang Ming had just asked Yuan Xi from afar if her Dao power was still sufficient. It also seemed that Lian had asked a similar question earlier, but Lu Ye hadn't paid much attention to it then.

Yuan Xi nodded, smiling wryly, "My Dao soldier is indeed powerful, but it consumes too much Dao power, making it impossible to maintain for long."

Lu Ye blinked, "What if there's enough Dao power replenishment?"

Yuan Xi misunderstood, "I know the Grand Marshal gained a lot of Dao Fish in the battle arena last time, and I have some myself. But refining Dao Fish is too slow for replenishment, and in the middle of a great battle, there's no time to refine them."

Lu Ye's eyes flickered, "Replenishing Dao power... doesn't necessarily require refining Dao Fish."

Yuan Xi was startled and was about to ask when Lu Ye raised his hand and placed it on her shoulder, his Dao power surging.

Yuan Xi turned to look at him, her face puzzled, unsure of Lu Ye's intention.

But soon, her eyes widened in surprise, and her face filled with astonishment.

As Lu Ye's Dao power surged, she clearly perceived a Dao pattern rapidly forming. This pattern was like an invisible link, connecting her tightly to Lu Ye.

If that were all, it would be one thing, but crucially, she also felt that she could actually draw power from Lu Ye through this invisible link.

Under suspicion, she gave it a slight try and confirmed that she could indeed draw power!

"Grand Marshal, your method of constructing Dao patterns is truly extraordinary!" Yuan Xi exclaimed, full of admiration.

She knew Lu Ye had the ability to quickly construct Void Dao patterns for rapid travel, but she hadn't realized he could construct other Dao patterns with such ease.

As she drew power, the white armor, which had been on the verge of dissipating, stopped changing, its speckled white remnants still clinging to her body.

"What a pity," Yuan Xi slowly shook her head again. "If it were Lian, perhaps she could assist me. Grand Marshal, please undo this Dao pattern."

Lu Ye was only at the Fusion Dao cultivation level; how much Dao power could he possibly have? Once her Dao soldier's second form was activated, even for a single breath, it would probably be enough to exhaust a Fusion Dao cultivator. Even she herself couldn't sustain it for very long.

After activating it multiple times, she now had very little Dao power left, certainly not enough to handle the upcoming battle.

Therefore, her current goal was singular: to return to their city with Lu Ye and the others, then escape to the Hehe Realm for refuge.

Once inside the Hehe Realm, that dog Chang Ming would be powerless against her.

As they spoke, Yuan Xi City was already visible in the distance.

Unfortunately, their city's current situation was dire. Ling Feng City had initially fled alongside Yuan Xi City, but after Zhao Lingfeng took action, the remaining Harmonious Dao cultivators received his instructions and parted ways with Yuan Xi City.

Currently, numerous Harmonious Dao cultivators were relentlessly pursuing Yuan Xi City. These were the cultivators from the two Harmonious Dao cities they had previously encountered head-on, numbering over a dozen. Their fierce attacks caused ripples to spread across Yuan Xi City's protective barrier. With such a powerful lineup, Yuan Xi City couldn't possibly hold out for long. Fortunately, their city was not slow, and the environment here was complex; otherwise, with so many powerful enemies relentlessly attacking, their city would already be in grave danger.

Yuan Xi now had little confidence in breaking through the enemy blockade and successfully returning to their city. But even with the difficulty, she was determined to carve a bloody path; under no circumstances would she allow Chang Ming to have his way.

"My lady, how will you know if you don't try? Just draw power!" Lu Ye's voice rang in Yuan Xi's ear.

Yuan Xi tilted her head and looked at him, meeting Lu Ye's bright gaze.

If any other Fusion Dao cultivator had said that, she wouldn't have bothered to listen, but it was Lu Ye who spoke...

"Then let's try? If your Dao power runs out, tell me immediately," Yuan Xi cautioned, still a little uneasy. She herself was nearing her limit, and she didn't want the Grand Marshal to be exhausted as well; that would be counterproductive.

Lu Ye focused his mind, glanced at the glittering golden talent tree within him, and mused that it would be quite difficult for his Dao power to be depleted. Yuan Xi was indeed powerful and consumed a lot of Dao power in battle, but with his million-Dao-power reserve, there was no way it could be entirely used up.

The next moment, he felt his own Dao power flow into Yuan Xi as if a floodgate had opened, causing him to secretly click his tongue. Was the City Lord's secret technique truly so terrifyingly demanding of Dao power?

As his Dao power flowed away, the speckled white on Yuan Xi's body not only stopped dissipating, but the fluttering black petals also reattached themselves to her, rapidly turning snowy white.

Yuan Xi initially didn't draw power too fiercely, fearing Lu Ye couldn't endure it. While drawing power, she also secretly monitored Lu Ye's condition, ready to stop at the slightest sign of trouble.

However, under her observation, Lu Ye showed no symptoms of distress whatsoever. His eyes remained as bright as a mirror, and his expression was completely at ease.

Seeing this, Yuan Xi couldn't help but increase the intensity of her power draw.

After only a few breaths, she was once again clad in the white armor.

She was astonished, wanting to ask Lu Ye what exactly was going on. How could a Fusion Dao cultivator possess such an enormous reserve of Dao power, enough to satisfy the transformation of her Dao soldier's second form?

But on second thought, her Grand Marshal had always been capable of doing what others could not. Many Harmonious Dao cultivators were no match for him, and he had slain countless Harmonious Dao powerhouses in numerous battles. Compared to his terrifying combat strength, this strangely vast Dao power reserve now seemed less surprising.

Perhaps only with such a Dao power reserve could the Grand Marshal defeat enemies above his cultivation level.

"With this level of Dao power consumption, how long can it last?" Yuan Xi asked.

Lu Ye silently sensed his internal state and had an answer in his mind: "A quarter of an hour!"

It had to be said, Yuan Xi in this state consumed Dao power at an astonishing rate. Even with his Dao power reserve, it couldn't be sustained for an excessively long time, but it would definitely last longer than a quarter of an hour.

Lu Ye estimated that he could probably sustain it for about half an hour or more.

However, if he replenished his Dao power promptly during battle, it should last even longer.

He didn't dare say too much, so as not to be too alarming. Furthermore, in his opinion, if Yuan Xi in this state couldn't resolve the current situation within a quarter of an hour, then more time would be useless.

"That's enough!" Yuan Xi's spirits lifted, and a smile appeared on her lips. "Grand Marshal, what is this Dao pattern called?"

"Twin Phoenixes Soaring."

"Very good! Then let's unleash some carnage!" Yuan Xi let out a low chuckle.

Nearby, Lian looked at Lu Ye with a face full of surprise. She had heard every word of Yuan Xi's conversation with him. She had originally thought her close friend would surely not escape this predicament, and she herself would probably have to return to the Hehe Realm, to continue her boring wait in the Golden Stamen Pavilion. Who knew that things would unexpectedly take such a positive turn?

Who could have imagined that at such a time, a Fusion Dao cultivator could play such a crucial role?

At this moment, she felt that Lu Ye was full of mysteries, truly unfathomable.

"First, kill those in front, then those behind. Lian, take Huan Qing back to the city to assist with defense!" Yuan Xi commanded, her gaze fixed on the group of Harmonious Dao cultivators fiercely attacking Yuan Xi City, like a wolf eyeing a flock of lambs.

"Alright!" Lian nodded in agreement. The disparity in their forces was too great. Even though she was quite powerful, charging forward would not make a significant difference. If the enemy sent three or more Harmonious Dao cultivators to surround her, she would have no choice but to avoid their attacks.

Instead of that, it was better to return to the city and help You Die protect their main formation. With the addition of her and Huan Qing, two Harmonious Dao cultivators, the city's defensive capabilities would surely improve considerably.

"Follow me!" Yuan Xi shouted again, and her body abruptly accelerated.

Lu Ye had one hand on her shoulder. When Yuan Xi suddenly accelerated, he felt as if he was almost thrown off. He quickly raised his other hand and grasped Yuan Xi's arm, steadying himself.

As they advanced with such momentum, the Harmonious Dao cultivators attacking Yuan Xi City naturally noticed their approach. They immediately dispatched some personnel to turn back and intercept them.

They had clearly received some intelligence from Chang Ming beforehand, so they were aware of Yuan Xi's power. Just like in the initial battle, the ones confronting Yuan Xi were a City Lord-level Harmonious Dao cultivator accompanied by two ordinary Harmonious Dao cultivators as helpers.

Under normal circumstances, this force could indeed keep Yuan Xi entangled.

But currently, Yuan Xi's strength could no longer be judged by ordinary standards, and she had no intention of directly clashing with them.

Lu Ye felt his vision blur and shift. Yuan Xi had already bypassed the enemy's interception, and the besieged Yuan Xi City was getting closer and closer!

"How are they so fast?" The City Lord looked bewildered. Having failed to intercept them, he turned his head to look behind him; Yuan Xi had already flown far ahead.

Not only was Yuan Xi fast, but Lian's speed was also no less impressive.

These few had no intention of engaging him head-on; they slipped away like loaches in the blink of an eye.

But this was useless, because there were still obstacles ahead. It wouldn't be so easy for them to return to the city.

Another City Lord-level powerhouse was leading the remaining forces in a furious assault on Yuan Xi City. At this moment, he suddenly turned around and saw Yuan Xi rapidly approaching.

He couldn't help but frown and inwardly cursed, "Zhou Daoxing, that good-for-nothing!"

Zhou Daoxing was the City Lord-level powerhouse who had previously confronted Yuan Xi.

Their side had received only one order: to breach Yuan Xi City and destroy the Harmonious Dao Pearl!

Therefore, strictly speaking, they didn't need to fight Yuan Xi to the death. A portion of their forces would intercept her, while another portion would attack the city. As long as they breached this small city and shattered the Harmonious Dao Pearl, their mission would be complete, and they could then retreat at their leisure, with the remaining matters no longer concerning them.

Yet, to his surprise, Zhou Daoxing was so useless that he couldn't even manage the interception properly.

However, the next moment, his expression turned stern, for he now understood why Zhou Daoxing was so useless: the opponents were simply too fast. If he had been the one to engage, his performance wouldn't have been much better than Zhou Daoxing's.

He inwardly developed a headache. In this situation, he could only engage them head-on and wait for Zhou Daoxing and the others to return as reinforcements.

Moreover, he had already sensed the aura of numerous Harmonious Dao cultivators approaching from a distance, likely another group of personnel involved in this plan.

What if there were only four of them, no matter how fast? A slight delay would guarantee their defeat!