Chapter 2608: The Source of Surprise

"Despicable! What exactly have you done?" Blackblood glared furiously at Yuan Xi from the right side of the Star Chessboard.

In the most recent round, that woman managed to move two additional squares.

It was simply outrageous!

She had already gained two extra moves, and now she had even more. Didn't this mean that from now on, his opponent would be able to move four more squares than him in every round?

The crucial thing was that he couldn't figure out why this was happening!

He vaguely sensed it was related to the "unexpected surprises" described in the rules, but he couldn't pinpoint the source.

In response to his impotent roar, Yuan Xi merely let out a soft scoff. Her contemptuous demeanor only fueled Blackblood's anger.

The next moment, his gaze shifted to Yuan Xi City. As a player, he naturally had a complete overview of the board. There was no way he could have missed the anomaly of Lu Ye using the Dao紋 to suddenly move so many people back.

However, he didn't attribute it to Lu Ye and his companions' ability. Instead, he subconsciously believed that Yuan Xi had once again found a loophole in the supreme treasure's rules.

With a thought, he vaguely realized, "Is that your city?"

Otherwise, why would his opponent specifically dispatch a large number of cultivators back to defend it? He immediately chuckled, "You just wait!"

It seemed his opponent greatly valued her Dao Integration City; otherwise, she wouldn't have gone to such lengths. If that were the case, he simply needed to target it to disrupt her plans.

Yuan Xi's gaze darkened. She knew full well what Blackblood was thinking, but there was nothing she could do about it. Unless she abandoned Yuan Xi City, but it was her hope, her pursuit; how could she neglect it? As things stood, she could only meet challenges as they came.

If Blackblood intended to target Yuan Xi City, he would inevitably have to mobilize nearby cultivators, and she could do the same to strengthen her defenses.

Within the square where Yuan Xi City was located, Lu Ye led a group of cultivators out with ease, immediately terrifying the enemy Dao Integration cultivator.

He had clearly sensed earlier that the small city nearby was empty, with only a basic defensive formation running. That's why he hadn't paid much attention to it and hadn't even considered attacking it. Breaking through the opponent's grand formation by himself would consume some of his Dao power, and at such a critical moment, he was unwilling to waste it on something he considered meaningless.

But now, suddenly, so many people had charged out.

Why was this happening?

The approaching enemies were numerous and aggressive. He knew that to survive, he would have to stall for at least twenty breaths.

This was because there was a time interval between the moves of the two players. It wasn't as if Blackblood could immediately make his move once Yuan Xi had made hers; there were several tens of breaths of interval in between.

Only when Blackblood could make his move would he have a chance to escape this square, provided Blackblood was willing to move him. If Blackblood didn't move him, then he would simply have to wait for death.

Twenty breaths... perhaps there was a chance.

This Dao Integration cultivator was from the Demon Race, with clear demonic features and a powerful physique. He felt that as long as he wasn't targeted by too many concentrated attacks, he should be fine.

Moreover... he excelled in speed!

In an instant, a pair of fleshy wings, resembling those of a bat, unfurled behind him. As demonic power surged, his demonic features became even more pronounced: a pointed snout, sharp fangs, and a face that resembled a rat.

He transformed into a streak of grey light and darted to the side, determined not to engage the approaching enemies head-on, focusing solely on stalling for time.

Lu Ye unleashed a blade aura, but it sliced through empty air. Watching the demonic Dao Integration cultivator slip away from his side, Lu Ye frowned instantly.

As he attacked, the numerous Dao Fusion cultivators behind him also launched their assaults simultaneously. Colorful lights burst forth, but none of their efforts found their mark.

Lu Ye turned and gave chase, but the disparity in their cultivation realms meant he was simply no match for his opponent's speed.

Crucially, not only was this fellow fast, but his movements were also incredibly agile.

In just a few breaths, the demonic Dao Integration cultivator had already darted to the other side of Yuan Xi City. He even had time to glance back at Lu Ye and the others, a strange glint in his eyes.

Earlier, seeing so many enemies charge at him had indeed startled him. But now, it seemed it was only a group of Dao Fusion cultivators?

He hadn't detected any signs of borrowed power from these cultivators.

This made him feel a bit restless. As a Dao Integration cultivator, when had he ever been so humiliated as to be provoked by a group of Dao Fusion cultivators?

This was an absolute disgrace.

After a brief ponder, he scoffed coldly and gave Lu Ye, who was at the front, a sinister look. "Consider yourselves lucky!" he sneered.

In any other situation, he certainly wouldn't have let it go and would have made these Dao Fusion cultivators pay. But this was a chess game, and it was genuinely difficult to maneuver effectively within this square.

The number of pursuing Dao Fusion cultivators was considerable, and he could still get injured if he wasn't careful. So, he suppressed his killing intent, just waiting for Blackblood to move him later, believing that out of sight would be out of mind.

As a result, the scene became comical.

Lu Ye led a group of Dao Fusion cultivators in relentless pursuit from behind, while the demonic Dao Integration cultivator leisurely fled in front. Both sides circled Yuan Xi City, like a game of 'eagle catching chicks'.

Lu Ye was so annoyed his teeth practically hitched...

He felt that this demonic cultivator was far too timid. In such a situation, he only knew how to flee. If only he dared to turn around and counterattack, Lu Ye could make him suffer dearly.

Furthermore, Yuan Xi City was an obstacle for Lu Ye. With such an obstruction, it was even easier for the enemy to circle around and escape.

He secretly regretted it. If he had known, he would have charged out alone; the situation would certainly have been different then.

More than ten breaths quickly passed. Lu Ye slowed his pursuit, knowing there was likely no good way to deal with this demonic Dao Integration cultivator. It would soon be Blackblood's turn, and given the demon's Dao Integration cultivation, it would surely be moved away.

Just as his thoughts turned, a burst of light suddenly erupted from Yuan Xi City, followed by the abrupt appearance of a large net that enveloped the demonic Dao Integration cultivator's head.

Lu Ye's spirit jolted as he watched, and he immediately understood who was acting.

It was Yu Nian from Wind Spirit City!

Although Lu Ye had helped him resolve the corpse poison earlier, Yu Nian was still injured. So, when Lu Ye led his group out, he had told Yu Nian to stay in the city and recuperate.

He hadn't expected Yu Nian to suddenly launch an attack at that moment.

But... wasn't this guy a body cultivator?

This seemingly straightforward, brawny fellow turned out to be quite cunning. Who would have thought a body cultivator would actually deploy such a treasure?

The demonic Dao Integration cultivator was greatly startled as well. He hastily tried to dodge, but he was a step too late, and the large net covered half of his body.

His speed instantly dropped significantly!

He panicked, furiously channeling his Dao power, desperate to break free.

Lu Ye had already charged forward with his blade, roaring, "Anyone with restraining abilities, use them quickly!"

At his command, the many Dao Fusion cultivators behind him all made their moves. At least twenty beams of light from secret arts and treasures surged forward.

The demonic Dao Integration cultivator hadn't yet managed to break free from Yu Nian's entanglement and was now further restricted by the various methods of the Dao Fusion cultivators. He was like an ox stuck in mud, finding every step incredibly difficult.

A chilling killing intent swept over him. As he looked up, he saw Lu Ye charging towards him, blade raised.

He gritted his teeth. "A mere Dao Fusion cultivator," he snarled, "Die!"

His bat-like fleshy wings flapped violently, creating a sudden gust of wind that spun towards Lu Ye, enveloping him. The wind's force was like blades and swords; although it was a hasty attack, it was certainly not something an ordinary Dao Fusion cultivator could withstand.

The Mountain-Shattering Blade in Lu Ye's hand merely trembled slightly, and the violent wind was dispersed.

Under the demonic Dao Integration cultivator's disbelieving gaze, Lu Ye charged closer, his long blade spinning like a crescent moon, and heavily cleaved down.

The demonic Dao Integration cultivator, like a cornered beast, still struggled, raising his Dao weapon to parry, but he couldn't block any of the attacks at all.

Illusory Blade!

It wasn't until a sharp pain flared in his neck that the illusion before his eyes suddenly shattered, and he realized where Lu Ye's blade had truly struck.

It was already too late. His head flew off, and his life force dissipated.

Lu Ye reached out and collected the Star Abyss coins left behind after the enemy's death, then excitedly looked at the glowing mass in front of him.

Another surprise awaited him.

The Star Chessboard's surprise rule was, to some extent, similar to the Star Abyss blessing.

Killing a Dao Integration cultivator while only at the Dao Fusion realm would undoubtedly trigger this rule.

He just didn't know what this particular surprise would entail.

With that thought, Lu Ye reached out his hand towards the glowing mass.

"What's the deal with this person?" To the right of the chessboard, Blackblood looked down with a puzzled expression, Lu Ye's figure reflected in his eyes.

The slain demonic Dao Integration cultivator could clearly discern that Lu Ye was a Dao Fusion cultivator, and as a player, Blackblood could naturally detect it as well.

But could a Dao Fusion cultivator actually kill a Dao Integration cultivator?

Wasn't this a joke?

Yet, it had just happened right before his eyes.

In a flash, a name came to his mind.

Nameless Guest!

A while ago, in the battle arena of the Hehe Realm, there was a person named Nameless Guest who, despite being only a Dao Fusion cultivator, had slain a Dao Integration cultivator named Spirit Eye. This had caused a great sensation at the time and brought a significant fortune to the battle arena.

He hadn't personally watched that death match, but he had heard his subordinates mention it.

Many were interested in Nameless Guest, wondering how he could achieve something so incredible. Even without the Star Abyss aura in the Hehe Realm, where Dao Integration cultivators couldn't borrow external power, their inherent foundations were still far superior to those of Dao Fusion cultivators.

Unfortunately, after that battle, Nameless Guest had vanished, and no one had been able to find him since.

He heard that Nameless Guest was also a blade cultivator...

"So it's him!" At that moment, Blackblood suddenly understood.

He didn't know if this human blade cultivator was Nameless Guest, nor did he care. But he finally understood the source of Yuan Xi being able to move a few more squares than him.

This surprise was clearly a result of this human blade cultivator killing an enemy of a higher realm, thus benefiting his own player!

In an instant, Blackblood's gaze, fixed on Lu Ye, was filled with killing intent. This individual... must be eliminated as soon as possible!

How long had this chess game been going on? His opponent already had the advantage of moving four more squares. If he didn't quickly eliminate the source, the surprises this person could bring to the player would only increase.

His own side had no such source of surprises!

He had originally planned to make deployments against Yuan Xi City to disrupt Yuan Xi's rhythm. Now, he could kill two birds with one stone. Targeting Yuan Xi City was secondary; slaying this human blade cultivator was paramount.