Chapter 2607: Return Defense

Before they even made contact, Lu Ye sensed that the charcoal-like Harmonization Realm cultivator was much weaker than him. After their clash, this was confirmed.

The opponent had roughly 800 Daos of power.

Previously, it would have taken Lu Ye two strikes to kill him, and that's only if he used his Illusory Blade.

But with the external enhancement from the chess game, he managed to slay the opponent with just one strike. The power gap between them was immense, and his Immovable Mountain Blade was exceedingly sharp; how could the opponent possibly block it?

Bypassing the Harmonization Realm corpse, Lu Ye charged towards another enemy Harmonization Realm cultivator. This one was from the Corpse Race, a zombie with a blue face, tusks, and a terrifying appearance.

Originally, he and his ally had been fighting the Body Cultivator, holding a clear advantage and expecting to dispatch their opponent quickly. However, in an instant, the situation dramatically reversed. In front of the new enemy, his companion proved utterly vulnerable, and now it was his turn to face two opponents alone.

In his horror, his mind became chaotic, and then his body stiffened.

The Body Cultivator, seizing the opportunity, disregarded everything and wrapped his arms around the zombie, holding him in a tight embrace. The zombie, a Harmonization Realm cultivator, struggled fiercely but could not break free. Immediately, he formed his hands into claws and aimed for the Body Cultivator's head.

Golden light erupted from the Body Cultivator. At that instant, he unleashed some unknown secret art, forming a solid protective layer over his skin.

The sharp talons clawed at the golden light, like striking unyielding stone, sending sparks flying and emitting a grating, screeching sound, yet they failed to penetrate it.

The zombie, a Harmonization Realm cultivator, was terrified, his soul almost fleeing his body. Sensing the murderous intent approaching from behind, he no longer hesitated. He opened his mouth and spat out a ball of emerald green light, engulfing both himself and the Body Cultivator.

The emerald light was clearly a highly potent poison and corrosive force, acting as a direct counter to the solid golden light. In just one breath, the golden light rapidly dimmed, then shattered.

The zombie, a Harmonization Realm cultivator, exerted his hands fiercely. If he could only deal with this Body Cultivator before Lu Ye arrived, he would still have a chance to fight.

His sharp fingernails had already cut into the Body Cultivator's skull. The Body Cultivator's eyes widened in fury, knowing he was beyond saving.

Immediately after, he saw a streak of dazzling white blade light burst into his vision, slicing through the zombie Harmonization Realm cultivator's neck.

The immense power gripping his skull suddenly loosened. The Body Cultivator stumbled backward. In his vision, the enemy's head flew high into the air, yet not a drop of blood flowed from the neck. The headless corpse merely twitched silently.

He let out a soft chuckle, then sat cross-legged. Looking up at Lu Ye, who stood before him, he spoke with difficulty, "You arrived a step too late, fellow Daoist!"

Although not yet dead, he was already severely wounded, and with the corpse poison having entered his body, he no longer had the ability to neutralize it.

At this moment, he felt his internal organs rapidly melting. He feared he would turn into a puddle of blood in less than a dozen breaths.

Lu Ye instantly discerned his predicament. Stepping forward, he grasped the Body Cultivator's shoulder, saying, "It shouldn't be too late!"

The power of his Talent Tree rapidly activated, sending invisible roots into the Body Cultivator's body to incinerate the virulent corpse poison.

The Body Cultivator's expression immediately contorted in agony. The sensation of being incinerated from the inside out, every inch of his body burning, was incredibly painful. Yet, he made not a sound, instead gradually revealing a look of astonishment.

This was because, amidst the incineration, he clearly felt the corpse poison within him rapidly disappearing. Most notably, his melting internal organs were gradually becoming whole again.

A moment later, Lu Ye withdrew his hand.

The Body Cultivator looked at him with a mix of admiration and gratitude. "What excellent methods, fellow Daoist!"

Although he didn't know exactly what Lu Ye had done to resolve the corpse poison so quickly, it was a true life-saving grace, one he would remember for a lifetime.

"We can discuss this later!" Lu Ye flashed into the battle among the Integration Realm cultivators. Wherever his blade light went, enemy Integration Realm cultivators fell in droves.

Killing an Integration Realm cultivator granted him an increase of one Dao's worth of power. Naturally, he didn't want to miss such an opportunity. In this situation, even small gains added up; accumulating little by little to achieve a grand objective was a feasible goal.

The battle quickly subsided. Many gazes turned towards Lu Ye, filled with awe. Not to mention the thirty-odd Integration Realm cultivators who had followed Lu Ye to this location, even the Integration Realm cultivators who had originally been fighting here had thought this battle would end in disaster.

Now, with a sudden turn of events for the better, they were naturally relieved.

Lu Ye looked at a cluster of faint light nearby.

After he had just slain those two enemy Harmonization Realm cultivators, his own power had increased by several dozen Daos each, but only one cluster of faint light remained.

He looked up towards Yuan Xi and transmitted his voice, "My Lady, did you receive anything?"

He estimated that there must have been a "surprise" for the chess player.

Sure enough, Yuan Xi's joyful voice replied, "I can now mobilize two more chess squares."

Lu Ye nodded. This was undoubtedly an excellent surprise. The more chess squares Yuan Xi could mobilize each round, the greater advantage she could gain.

As he spoke, he reached into the cluster of light. Lu Ye suddenly felt something hard and square, which made him pause slightly. From previous experiences, he realized that the "surprises" he received after slaying Harmonization Realm cultivators beyond his rank were not fixed, but he hadn't expected to receive a physical item as a reward.

He reached in and took the object from the glowing cluster. A quick glance revealed it appeared to be a fist-sized die with different numbers engraved on its six faces.

Lu Ye suddenly felt a slight psychological aversion. This was due to the Fate Die artifact from years ago; seeing such an object always made him uncomfortable.

However, this object was clearly not a Fate Die, nor did Lu Ye sense the aura of an artifact from it.

Furthermore, the numbers on the die's six faces were not fixed but constantly changing, ranging from zero to ten.

What was this? What was its purpose?

Just as he pondered, a piece of information inexplicably appeared in his mind, just as the Starry Sky Chessboard had previously imprinted the Gathering rules there.

This was undoubtedly the power of the ultimate treasure.

Lu Ye instantly understood the die's function. This thing... seemed quite useful!

"Grand Commander, we have trouble," Yuan Xi's voice suddenly echoed in his ears.

"Is our city about to be attacked?" Lu Ye asked, tucking the die into his pocket.

He had previously informed Yuan Xi that the Void Dao Patterns could be used, so Yuan Xi knew he could return to Yuan Xi City at any time during their turn.

Yuan Xi saying this now clearly meant she wanted him to return and defend the city temporarily.

"An enemy has already entered the chess square where our city is located," Yuan Xi replied. "Although they don't seem to have any intention of attacking, we must be prepared."

Their city was too small. Even if the enemy was in the same chess square, they might not be interested in attacking. However, Yuan Xi couldn't just stand by; it was her city. What if the enemy decided to attack on a whim?

"Understood, I'll return immediately," Lu Ye nodded. He couldn't leave yet because it wasn't Yuan Xi's turn.

After confirming, he turned to look at the Body Cultivator sitting cross-legged nearby. The man had already swallowed a medicinal pill and was healing. Although his injuries had been horrifying, he possessed a tough physique, and as a Harmonization Realm cultivator, his recovery ability was incredibly strong. Thus, his injuries were already more than half healed.

Sensing Lu Ye's gaze, the Body Cultivator cupped his fist and said, "Yu Nian of Wind Spirit City greets fellow Daoist."

Lu Ye returned the gesture. "Lu Ye of Yuan Xi City!" He paused, then continued, "It's like this, Fellow Daoist Yu, I need a little help from you."

Yu Nian quickly nodded. "Brother Lu, just tell me what you need; I will not refuse." Had Lu Ye not intervened, he would surely have lost his life. For such a life-saving grace, he would not refuse any request from Lu Ye.

"I need you, fellow Daoist, and everyone else to return with me to defend the city," Lu Ye said, looking at the many Integration Realm cultivators nearby. "Additionally, you all might need to remain stationed there indefinitely."

The number of these Integration Realm cultivators wasn't too large, only a little over fifty, but they were perfectly capable of defending the city temporarily alongside Yu Nian.

"Defend a city?" Yu Nian was confused. At a time like this, what city was there to defend? And which city would they be defending? He looked around; apart from the Harmonization Realm city Lu Ye and his people had just breached, there were no other signs of Harmonization Realm cities in the surrounding chess squares.

"You'll know soon enough!" As Lu Ye spoke, he began to construct the Void Dao Patterns.

He had already sensed Yuan Xi mobilizing the chess square he was in. Since it was their side's turn, he now had the right to leave this place.

As Dao power surged, immense Dao Patterns spread outwards from beneath his feet, a sight that left Yu Nian and the many Integration Realm cultivators utterly astounded.

A moment later, the Dao Patterns formed. Lu Ye let out a low shout, "Relax, all of you. Don't activate your powers."

As he finished speaking, a bright light erupted!

Numerous figures simultaneously vanished.

In front of the Central Great Hall of Yuan Xi City, the vanished individuals suddenly reappeared out of thin air, all completely bewildered.

Lu Ye's expression, however, was grave. Just now, as he used the Void Dao Patterns to teleport back, he suddenly felt as though he was being watched. In the depths of the ethereal realm, a vast will seemed to have noticed his unusual movement. In that instant, a shiver ran down his spine.

He realized with clarity that his method of teleporting using Void Dao Patterns was considered a form of cheating within the chess game!

This was different from what he had initially thought. When he first realized that Void Dao Patterns could be used, he merely assumed the chessboard's rules did not prohibit cultivators from utilizing their own abilities.

But now, it was clear he had been mistaken.

The chess pieces could only move square by square according to the chess player's will. For him to suddenly traverse half the chessboard and return like this was undoubtedly against the rules.

That attention originated from the ultimate treasure's will. However, because it was Lu Ye's first time using it, the ultimate treasure's rules did not prevent him.

But he was certain he couldn't use it a second time. If he tried the same trick again, there would undoubtedly be dire consequences.

This was a loophole in the rules, and since the ultimate treasure's will had detected it, it would naturally close it.

In an instant, Lu Ye understood the situation and couldn't help but grimace.

However, at this moment, it was more important to quickly resolve the immediate trouble.

Outside Yuan Xi City, an enemy Harmonization Realm cultivator was currently stationed.

This was a Harmonization Realm cultivator mobilized by Black Blood, merely passing through. Although he had discovered Yuan Xi City, he had no intention of attacking, as he wouldn't be staying here. In the next round, Black Blood would move him away.

Yet, at that very instant, he suddenly detected many additional presences within the Harmonization Realm city behind him. He quickly turned his head to look and saw Lu Ye leading a large group of cultivators charging out, immediately taken aback!