Chapter 2751: Calculations

The Wind Rises in the Nine Provinces

This strange feeling of familiarity was akin to a long-wandering traveler finally seeing their homeland, or a young swallow finding its nest.

Before he could fully process it, Lu Ye suddenly turned and struck, a surge of Dao power accompanying his blow.

A blinding flash of light shattered before him, revealing the grim face of Fei Huang. To Lu Ye's surprise, this Cosmic Realm City Lord had activated some secret technique, pursuing him in an incredibly short time. The burst of power in that instant even made Lu Ye feel a hint of pressure.

Under the violent collision of Dao power, Lu Ye's body was sent flying backward. Fei Huang, like an arrow released from a bow, spewed blood from his mouth, his face full of unwillingness as he watched Lu Ye's figure disappear into the Blood Source Sea.

Moments later, Yu Ting and Tai Kun arrived. They glanced at Fei Huang, who stood nearby wiping blood from the corner of his mouth, and both their expressions turned grave.

"My lord, what do we do now?" Yu Ting asked Tai Kun.

Now that Lu Ye had escaped into the Blood Source Sea, their interception plan had failed, and the situation had become difficult.

Tai Kun remained silent for over ten breaths before finally speaking: "Give the order: mobilize all Unity Realm cities of Celestial Rank and above. Enter the Blood Source Sea and search for his traces. No matter what, we must force him out of the Blood Source Sea!"

Both Yu Ting and Fei Huang were startled.

Yu Ting said, "He possesses Blood Race bloodline, so he's like a fish in water in this Blood Source Sea. If we do this, our losses will likely be severe. How will we explain this to the Blood Lord then?"

Many Unity Realm cities had been breached by Lu Ye before, causing them significant losses, and that was in a normal environment. The Blood Source Sea was rumored to be the birthplace of the Blood Race, so any Blood Race member within it would receive immense benefits. Especially someone like Lu Ye, who possessed a powerful Blood Race bloodline, confronting him in such an environment was clearly not a wise choice.

In Yu Ting's view, now that Lu Ye had escaped into the Blood Source Sea, finding his traces again would be very difficult. Rather than mobilizing forces to enter and pressure him, it would be better to wait for him to emerge on his own.

He couldn't possibly remain hidden in the Blood Source Sea indefinitely.

Tai Kun shook his head. "Just give the order."

The Blood Lord's previous instruction was to capture Lu Ye at all costs. Therefore, even knowing this decision might lead to significant losses, he couldn't back down. If he truly let the matter go, he wouldn't be able to account for it to the Blood Lord.

With his attitude so firm, Yu Ting and Fei Huang didn't say much more and immediately relayed the orders.

A moment later, countless Unity Realm cities across a vast area changed course and headed towards the Blood Source Sea. The territories of the Insect and Blood Races erupted into a complete frenzy, like salt scattered into a boiling pot of oil.

Meanwhile, Lu Ye was moving through the Blood Source Sea, his face full of surprise.

Ever since entering this marvel, he felt completely at ease, like a fish in water. His Blood Race bloodline became extremely active, and he had a faint feeling that any blood art he used in this place would be several times more powerful than under normal circumstances.

The thought arose, and he slightly activated his Blood Escape Art, finding that it was indeed true.

Under the enhancement of the Blood Escape Art, his escape speed was noticeably two to three tenths faster than usual. The same held true for other blood arts.

This Blood Source Sea was indeed so mysterious; he wondered what profound secrets were hidden here.

However, this made it even more convenient for him to carry out his next plan. The three Cosmic Realm City Lords outside would never give up chasing him, and as long as they dared to enter, he would have ample room to maneuver.

Lu Ye had originally just wanted to find an environment where his tracks wouldn't be easily discovered and where he could hide himself conveniently. This Blood Source Sea was simply the perfect location.

In a flash, time passed.

One after another, the mobilized Unity Realm cities advanced into the Blood Source Sea, searching everywhere for Lu Ye's traces.

This marvel was entirely composed of extremely dense blood mist. Therefore, anyone entering it, except for Blood Race members, would have their senses and divine perception greatly suppressed.

In such an environment, trying to find someone's traces was like searching for a needle in a haystack. Yet, despite this, under Tai Kun's command, the Unity Realm cities still spread out, especially the Celestial Rank Unity Realm cities, which were essentially isolated and unsupported.

These Unity Realm cities were all bait. Tai Kun's idea was simple: since finding Lu Ye's traces was difficult for them, they would use the Unity Realm cities to lure him out.

From Lu Ye's previous actions, this fellow seemed particularly keen on attacking cities, especially Celestial Rank Unity Realm cities. Whenever he encountered one, and if the conditions were right, Lu Ye would certainly not miss the opportunity.

Tai Kun's arrangements quickly showed results. Over the next half-day, they continuously lost three Celestial Rank Unity Realm cities.

All of them met the fate of breached cities and annihilated garrisons.

Unfortunately, each time they rushed to reinforce, it was already too late. Lu Ye's speed in breaching cities was extremely fast, and he specifically targeted Blood Race Unity Realm cities.

Two more days passed, and news of breached Unity Realm cities kept coming in. Yet, despite repeated pursuits, Tai Kun and the others didn't even catch a glimpse of Lu Ye.

Three days later, Tai Kun suddenly received a message: at that very moment, Lu Ye had targeted a Blood Race Desolate Rank city and was fiercely attacking it.

He raised an eyebrow, realizing an opportunity had arisen, and immediately issued an order.

In the Desolate Rank city being attacked by Lu Ye, the City Lord stood grim-faced in front of the central hall, watching the audacious figure outside. His fists were clenched, and his face was ashen.

He was also of the Blood Race; otherwise, he wouldn't be standing there watching helplessly, but would have long since led his Unity Realm subordinates in a counterattack.

But under the suppression of that potent holy aura, this City Lord dared not make any rash moves. He only hoped that reinforcements from all directions would arrive in time, otherwise, his Unity Realm city would eventually fall.

Because, judging by the power Lu Ye was currently displaying, he truly had the ability to breach the city.

"My lord, City Lord Tai Kun has an order!" Just then, another Blood Race Unity Realm cultivator quickly approached him, cupped his fist, and spoke.

"Has Lord Tai Kun arrived?" The City Lord rejoiced.

"Lord Tai Kun and the other two lords are en route and will arrive soon," the subordinate replied. "Lord Tai Kun has ordered our city to weaken the power of its protective array, so he sees hope of breaching the city."

The City Lord's breath hitched at these words.

That fellow outside was full of fierce power; he already had the ability to breach the city, it was only a matter of time. If he were to further weaken the power of the protective array, wouldn't that just be making things easier for him?

However, he quickly understood Tai Kun's intention. This was clearly meant to use his Desolate Rank city as bait to draw Lu Ye here.

The numerous Celestial Rank cities before had been breached too quickly; Tai Kun and the others simply didn't have time to reinforce them. His Desolate Rank city, however, had the potential to delay Lu Ye for a while.

He immediately issued the order.

Outside the city, Lu Ye, who was fiercely attacking, quickly noticed a change in the protective array. He frowned slightly, feeling that something was amiss.

The strength of this protective array was weakening too quickly, almost like a sudden drop.

Originally, he might have needed another hundred breaths to breach the city, but with this change, he would need less than half that time.

While he was pondering, he suddenly raised an eyebrow, because in his perception, Tai Kun and the other two Cosmic Realm City Lords were rapidly approaching from three different directions.

Lu Ye couldn't help but chuckle.

So that's how it is.

No wonder the protective array of this Desolate Rank city suddenly weakened so much; it had a hidden purpose.

However, while Tai Kun was scheming against him, wasn't he also scheming against Tai Kun and the others?

He hadn't had a suitable opportunity before, which was why he had been attacking Unity Realm cities everywhere. Now, the opportunity had finally arrived.

A few more breaths passed. Just as the protective array of the Desolate Rank city was on the verge of collapse, Lu Ye suddenly ceased his attack, turned, and swept away in one direction, his body erupting in a bloody light as he activated his Blood Escape Art.

Inside the city, the Desolate Rank City Lord was drenched in cold sweat. He had been wondering whether to fight to the death after the protective array was breached or to quickly escape into the Unity Realm to save his life. Who knew that Lu Ye would abandon the city and leave?

What just happened?

Filled with confusion, he quickly spoke: "Send a message to Lord Tai Kun and inform him of the situation here."

Two breaths later, Tai Kun, who was rapidly approaching, received the message. His expression subtly changed.

Throughout the pursuit over the past few days, he had never managed to confront Lu Ye. This was true not only for him but also for Fei Huang and Yu Ting.

Each time, they were one step behind Lu Ye.

Previously, this could be explained by Lu Ye's extremely fast city-breaching speed and his immediate retreat after success. But now, it was clearly abnormal; it was as if Lu Ye could predict the future, intentionally avoiding them.

This feeling was as if Lu Ye could clearly perceive their positions, which was why he had been able to consistently evade them. Yet Tai Kun had not detected any signs of being spied upon by Lu Ye.

For example, at this moment, his current position was actually very far from Lu Ye's. Even if Lu Ye possessed a strong Blood Race bloodline, he shouldn't have been able to detect his arrival.

"This is bad!" His heart suddenly leaped as he realized a possibility. He quickly sent a message back, asking about the direction Lu Ye had taken.

After receiving the reply, he further confirmed his suspicion. He quickly sent another message, and his burly figure steamed with surging blood energy, instantly accelerating to his maximum speed!

In that direction, Yu Ting was also rushing towards the Desolate Rank city that Lu Ye had just attacked. Suddenly, she received Tai Kun's message and quickly checked it.

"Be careful, that fellow is heading straight for you!"

Yu Ting's expression froze. Just as she was about to send a message to inquire, a killing intent suddenly surged from ahead. The sharpness of the killing intent made her skin prickle with pain.

She looked up. In the dense blood mist, a figure enveloped in bloody light was rapidly approaching.

Who else could it be but Lu Ye?

Yu Ting was startled, utterly baffled as to how Lu Ye had managed to find her location and attack with such precision.

However, with a formidable enemy before her, she had no time for further thought. With a soft shout, she summoned her treasured Dao weapon.

She had exchanged blows with Lu Ye more than once and knew she was no match for him. Moreover, being in the Blood Source Sea, even if she wanted to escape, she wouldn't have the chance. Although Lu Ye's speed wasn't particularly fast, his Void Displacement Art could compensate for this deficiency.

The only course of action now was to fight. She was indeed no match for Lu Ye, but it wouldn't be easy for him to kill her either. As long as she could delay him for a moment, Tai Kun and Fei Huang would be able to arrive as reinforcements.

This might be their chance to capture him.