Chapter 2695: Striving for Time

"You underestimate me!" Eight-tails hissed, "Do you think I'm the kind of person who would sell out a friend for personal gain?"

In truth, she had struggled deeply within herself.

When she was cooperating with Lu Ye to approach the entrance of that level, she had considered whether to reveal Lu Ye's identity and tip off the Sun Clan Unity Realm cultivator.

But she didn't dare.

Because the power of the Fangs still lingered in her wound.

She also sensed that Lu Ye had been wary of her; at such close proximity, any treacherous attempt on her part would surely be met with Lu Ye's lightning strike.

While most demon races excelled in physical combat, the Fox Clan was an exception. She wasn't confident she could withstand Lu Ye's sharp blade while under the influence of the Fangs' power.

Now it was settled; there was no longer any need to hesitate. She had cooperated with Lu Ye to break through the previous level and had even helped him kill the Sun Clan Unity Realm cultivator. They truly had to face adversity together, with no other way out.

She spoke indignantly, but Lu Ye remained noncommittal. As for her elevating their relationship to that of friends... he just listened and let it be.

However, Lu Ye still had a thought and dispersed the power of the Fangs from her wound.

Regardless, the two of them were indeed in the same boat now. With Eight-tails' injuries healed, a bit more strength was ultimately beneficial.

They continued forward.

Downwards.

Downwards.

Continuously downwards!

Several days later, the two had returned to the fifty-first level, where they had first met. During this time, Lu Ye made no stops whatsoever.

"What exactly are you trying to do?" Eight-tails asked.

She had asked this question many times along the way, but unfortunately, she had never received an answer from Lu Ye.

As she had said before, even if they kept retreating downwards, as long as they couldn't leave the Tower of Time, they would eventually reach a dead end.

Their enemies only needed to spread out a search net and sweep through each level; eventually, they would find their whereabouts.

"Buy some time." This time, Lu Ye finally answered her question.

"Buy time for what?" Eight-tails frowned.

"No need to ask further."

As he spoke, Lu Ye had already led her to the entrance leading to the fiftieth level, and after that, it would be the forty-ninth.

He had entered the Tower of Time on this very level, so he remembered the route. However, he wouldn't know the way further down and would need to ask for directions.

Fortunately, from the forty-ninth level downwards, Fusion Realm cultivators were prevalent, and even if there were occasional Unity Realm cultivators, their numbers were very few, posing no match for him.

A casual inquiry would reveal the location of the next entrance downwards.

While he and Eight-tails were retreating downwards, currents of activity surged through the various levels of the Tower of Time. Figures, summoned by the Insect and Blood Clans, rushed downwards from above.

Starting from the level where Lu Ye disappeared, many cultivators swept through the area, searching downwards layer by layer.

However, comparatively, their search speed was very slow, because no one knew where Lu Ye was currently. This was also what troubled Green Mantis the most.

His greatest mistake in his previous arrangements was failing to trap Lu Ye on that level, which allowed Lu Ye to break out of the predicament. Now, finding his trace required a painstaking search.

Mainly, he hadn't expected that even the Sun Clan Unity Realm cultivator would be killed by Lu Ye.

Just how strong was this human?

At present, he didn't know when they would find the opponent's whereabouts.

He was secretly anxious. Even though he had previously ordered that the news be confined below the ninety-ninth level, such a blockade might not be effective.

If any of the Dragon and Phoenix Clan members on the ninety-ninth level learned of this matter, they would never let it rest. Therefore, his actions needed to be expedited.

On the ninety-ninth level, a sparsely haired old man strolled along. He appeared to be walking aimlessly, but he was clearly searching for something.

Until a certain moment, when he suddenly heard a clear phoenix cry, his expression stirred, and he darted towards that direction.

He quickly arrived at the location.

A fierce battle was currently raging there.

On a white jade platform, a defiant figure stood tall. A fiery red phoenix soared around the platform, spewing true phoenix fire that scorched the surroundings.

Below the ninetieth level of the Tower of Time, there was nothing particularly special, except for the different flow of time compared to the outside world.

However, starting from the ninetieth level, such white jade platforms would appear, and the higher the tower level, the more such platforms there would be.

These white jade platforms offered only one significant advantage: the Star Abyss aura within them was several times denser than elsewhere. Therefore, cultivating on these platforms greatly enhanced efficiency.

This was also the coveted objective for powerful cultivators on every level of the tower.

Clearly, a battle for control was erupting over this particular white jade platform.

However, the old man merely glanced and knew that the Phoenix Clan member was no match for the other. The defiant figure's strength was unfathomable; simply standing there and acting casually, he prevented the Phoenix Clan member from getting close, and remained completely unaffected by the scorching true phoenix fire.

The reason he hadn't struck a heavy blow was undoubtedly due to the Phoenix Clan member's identity.

"Enough!" the defiant figure suddenly bellowed, clearly having lost patience, and struck out with a hand.

A massive palm print descended from the sky, striking the Phoenix Clan member heavily. The seemingly majestic Phoenix Clan member was instantly swatted down like a sparrow.

Mid-air, he transformed into his human form, quickly fled into the distance, and shouted, "I'll be back!"

The defiant figure slowly shook his head.

Entering the Tower of Time presented this particular trouble: one simply couldn't act against cultivators from the Dragon and Phoenix Clans. What's more, this young Phoenix Clan member was troublesome and unreasonable, seemingly treating him as a sparring partner. Over the years, he had come to pester him many times, always fleeing in disarray after being beaten, yet he would defiantly return next time, showing no shame whatsoever.

Now that he had driven him off, it probably wouldn't be long before he returned.

The defiant figure felt rather helpless, wondering why he had been targeted by this fellow. However, he would never concede this precious cultivation spot merely because of the other's Phoenix Clan identity.

He slowly turned his head, looking towards the old man's direction. Their eyes met, and the old man smiled slightly, cupped his hands in a gesture of respect, indicating he had no intention of contending, and retreated into the shadows.

A short while later, the repelled Phoenix Clan member arrived at a pit. He didn't bother setting up any concealment arrays, as there was no need; his Phoenix Clan identity served as a life-preserving charm here, ensuring that no one would actively attack him upon encountering him.

He silently healed his injuries...

In fact, his injuries weren't serious at all; the other party had acted with great restraint.

Suddenly, he looked up and out, seeing the sparsely haired old man standing at the entrance of the pit, smiling as he watched him.

"Something you need?" the young Phoenix Clan member asked, looking at the old man with his nose in the air, a picture of arrogance that clearly showed his disregard for the elder.

"Are you Fellow Daoist Su Yun of the Phoenix Clan?" the old man asked, his expression amiable.

Su Yun was startled: "Have we met?"

The old man slowly shook his head: "We haven't met. It's just that there are only a few pure-blooded Phoenix Clan members. I observed that you seem to have just advanced to the Unity Realm, and are so full of vigor; I imagine there's no one else but the Phoenix Clan member named Su Yun."

Su Yun smiled, pointing a finger at him: "You old man, you speak so nicely, what do you want?"

Indeed, he had only recently advanced to the Unity Realm, and it had happened within the Tower of Time.

Lu Ye and Zhu Yin had stayed in the lower levels of the Tower of Time for several decades, and he had also been here for over ten years; it was indeed time for his advancement.

"This old man doesn't want anything," the elder replied, "It's just that Fellow Daoist has just advanced and wishes to temper himself through actual combat to solidify your foundation. While the idea is good, you've ultimately chosen the wrong opponent. The Unity Realm cultivators on this level are too strong, and the gap is too significant for you. If you truly wish to temper yourself through actual combat, this old man believes going to around the seventieth level would be best."

Su Yun stiffened his neck: "I like it here. I want to stay on this level." Suddenly, he frowned and seriously examined the old man: "Are you a Dragonkin?"

The old man nodded: "Fellow Daoist's eyes are like torches; this old man indeed possesses a trace of dragon bloodline. I didn't expect you to notice."

Su Yun's expression immediately softened: "I knew you had the scent of the Dragon Clan about you. It's just a pity your bloodline is too thin; it'll be difficult for you to achieve greatness with such a faint dragon lineage."

The old man shook his head: "This old man no longer harbors other thoughts about his own dragon bloodline, unless I can enter the Dragon Pool."

"That would be difficult," Su Yun said regretfully. "The Dragon Pool probably won't open anytime soon, and even if it does, someone with your bloodline likely wouldn't have a chance to enter."

The old man said, "That might not be entirely true. If one could render great service to the Dragon Clan, there might be a slim chance." As he spoke, he suddenly slapped his head: "Almost forgot! This old man specifically came to find Fellow Daoist to ask about something."

"Go ahead and ask, though I don't know much about your Dragonkin matters," Su Yun said, looking at him.

"It's about a human," the old man said unhurriedly. "A human named Lu Ye. I heard..."

"Who?" Su Yun was startled, interrupting him. "Lu Ye? You've seen him?"

Before entering the Tower of Time, he had received a mission from Su Yan: to find Lu Ye and bring him to the ninety-ninth level.

Since both he and Lu Ye had entered as Fusion Realm cultivators, and their strength was top-tier among those in the Fusion Realm, they would most likely be assigned to the forty-ninth level.

Given Lu Ye's human identity and current strength, reaching the top levels on his own was not realistic. However, if Su Yun accompanied him, he could proceed unimpeded.

Unfortunately, Su Yun had searched the forty-ninth level countless times before, but he hadn't been able to find any trace of Lu Ye.

He thought Lu Ye had entered the fiftieth level, so he pursued him there and conducted another search.

Still no clues.

It wasn't until he arrived here and found Su Yan that he learned not only was Lu Ye still missing, but Zhu Yin, who was supposed to meet them here, was also nowhere to be found.

These two had not reappeared since being taken away by the Dragon Venerable that day.

Some time ago, Zhu Yin had indeed come here. According to her, Lu Ye was still on a lower level, but she didn't know which one.

Thus, when Su Yun heard Lu Ye's name from this Dragonkin old man, he was quite surprised.

"This old man hasn't met him," the elder explained, "but he seems to be in a bit of trouble now. I heard he might have the status of an external agent for the Phoenix Clan, so I specifically came to inform Fellow Daoist about this matter."

"Trouble..." Su Yun frowned. "What kind of trouble has he encountered?"