Chapter 2805: Dueling a Half-Saint

Wind Rises in Kyushu

Xue Jiu had just escaped the crisis and regained his footing when Xue Tianxing's next blow landed. Xue Tianxing undoubtedly harbored deep hatred for Xue Jiu and knew well that in a major battle, it was better to cripple one opponent than merely wound many.

A colossal sword energy came hurtling, but it was the Talent Tree clone seizing the opportunity to launch an offensive. Streaks of sword energy rained down like a curtain, enveloping Xue Tianxing.

Lu Ye's true self, his expression grim, charged forward, saber in hand.

Xue Tianxing frowned slightly. If Lu Ye and his clone had merely shown the strength of ordinary Upper Integration cultivators, he wouldn't have been concerned.

However, in reality, both Lu Ye's true self and his clone significantly surpassed the power of typical Upper Integration cultivators. Moreover, Xue Tianxing was not at his peak, so he could not afford to underestimate their combined force.

The blow directed at Xue Jiu was ultimately forced to retract some of its power. He activated a blood art, enveloping himself in Dao energy for protection.

Sword energy and blade light struck simultaneously, yet they only caused a slight ripple in Xue Tianxing's vital energy, failing to inflict any damage.

Fortunately, Xue Jiu seized this chance, finally breaking free from the danger. He wasted no time, turning back to rejoin the fight.

In such a confrontation, victory belonged to the brave, and not a single opportune moment could be missed. Furthermore, he was meant to be the main force in this battle; even with his sacred bloodline suppressed, the amplification from the Grand-tier Integration Orb allowed him to exert slightly more power than Lu Ye currently could.

In an instant, deep within the abyss, amidst the vast sea of blood, four figures crisscrossed, each unleashing their techniques in an extremely intense battle.

The more Lu Ye fought, the more his heart was shaken.

With his current strength, he was virtually unrivaled among Integration cultivators. Yet, now, even with his clone and Xue Jiu, they were still slightly at a disadvantage against a poisoned Blood Race Half-Saint.

The might of a Half-Saint proved to be beyond anticipation.

He had previously consulted Si Shengya about the nature of a Saint. Si Shengya had explained a great deal to him and later personally demonstrated the power of a Half-Saint.

The power wielded by Half-Saints was fundamentally no different from that of Integration cultivators; both were Dao energy.

However, for some reason, the same Dao energy, when unleashed by Half-Saints, possessed significantly greater destructive or defensive capabilities.

The root of this disparity lay in a profound mystery that Si Shengya called the Dao Fruit.

From the moment a cultivator enters the Dao, they temper Dao bones within their bodies. Upon reaching Fusion with the Dao, they inscribe Dao patterns. Only when nine layers of Dao patterns merge into one can they achieve Integration and evolve their own Dao intent.

Should a cultivator reach the pinnacle of the Integration realm, they can, by means of the unified nine Dao patterns, perceive profound mysteries and nurture their own Dao Fruit.

Only then can one become a Saint!

With their own Dao Fruit, the might of their Dao energy becomes significantly amplified.

Half-Saints are so named because they are all in the nurturing stage, their Dao Fruits on the verge of emerging but not yet fully formed. Should they fully actualize their Dao Fruits, they would cease to be Half-Saints and become true Saints.

Even so, the power they can wield is incomparable to that of the Integration stage.

Taking the current situation as an example, the feedback from the fierce battle allowed Lu Ye to clearly assess that Xue Tianxing's power was comparable to Xue Jiu's—the latter amplified by a Grand-tier Integration Orb and not suppressed—but Xue Tianxing's Dao energy possessed greater potency. This was the primary reason he held the upper hand against three adversaries.

Xue Jiu's decision to act at this moment was correct. If Xue Tianxing had refined the supreme treasure, he would undoubtedly have advanced further, even if not to a true Saint. His strength would have seen a massive boost, potentially rendering him unbeatable even by their combined efforts.

Of course, in a few decades or a century, Lu Ye's Inner World secret art might be perfected, but neither Xue Jiu nor Lu Ye could afford to wait that long.

Throughout the battle, both Lu Ye and Xue Jiu were covered in injuries, yet only the clone remained unscathed. This was because the clone, wielding the Sword Gourd, attacked with sword energy from a distance, requiring no close-quarters combat. Thus, by remaining at a safe range, it incurred virtually no damage.

Xue Tianxing was certainly not having an easy time either. While he held the advantage in this battle, both of his opponents were formidable, and their current combined assault was causing him a significant amount of trouble.

This infuriated the Blood Race Half-Saint.

He had initially believed that even with the potent poison in his system, he could easily dispatch Xue Jiu, that despicable wretch. To his surprise, he found himself somewhat powerless, which only made his attacks more vicious and relentless.

As time wore on, the poison within his body seemed to subtly intensify.

This was no illusion. Every one of Lu Ye's attacks was imbued with the power of poison; whenever there was an opening to wound him, the venom from the blade would seep into his system.

"Lu Ye!" During another fierce exchange, Xue Jiu coughed up blood and was sent flying backward, his voice a low, agitated cry.

In the current circumstances, Xue Tianxing could not afford to prolong the fight, for the longer it lasted, the more toxins would accumulate in his body, eventually reaching a point where he could no longer suppress them.

However, Xue Jiu and Lu Ye were equally unable to prolong the confrontation.

The frenzied expenditure of a Half-Saint's power created an immense disturbance, which could very well draw unwanted attention.

Even deep within the abyss, they couldn't afford to be careless!

A sharp glint flashed in Lu Ye's eyes. Seizing the moment while Xue Tianxing relentlessly pursued Xue Jiu, he darted forward to attack him.

Xue Tianxing turned his head, his gaze chilling and his face etched with grim murderous intent.

Although he detested Xue Jiu for his underhanded poisoning, Xue Jiu was, after all, of his own kin. For Lu Ye, a mere human, to dare act so arrogantly and without restraint in his presence was simply suicidal.

With a shift in thought, he immediately decided to eliminate this human first, before turning his attention to Xue Jiu.

But just then, Lu Ye softly uttered a single word: "Explode!"

Xue Tianxing's body immediately stiffened, his vital energy falling into chaos. The suppressed poison within him had surged once more, this time undoubtedly more violently than its initial outbreak. Had he not swiftly diverted more of his power, he would have barely contained it.

This sudden turn of events caused Xue Tianxing to break out in a cold sweat. Had he not reacted swiftly in that fleeting moment, he would have truly stumbled into an unexpected disaster.

He was secretly astonished, "What kind of poison is this? Even my Half-Saint body can't withstand it."

Before he could ponder further, he swiftly detected an anomaly. In the very instant his concentration wavered, two figures had silently approached him.

They were Xue Tong and Xue Xiao, both already dead!

Yet, these figures, which should have been lifeless, were now enveloped in a murky, greenish-black aura, their faces contorted into menacing snarls as they lunged forward, clawing and snarling.

The aura emanating from them instantly turned incredibly perilous!

Blood Explosion Art!

Xue Tianxing was aghast!

During the recent fierce battle, the corpses of his two trusted lieutenants had drifted aimlessly in the sea of blood amidst the aftershocks, and he hadn't given them much thought.

Who could have foreseen such an unforeseen development?

He suddenly recalled rumors he had heard previously: during the Feather Race's assault on Changyun Island, they had suffered immense casualties, and a large number of Feather Race and Blood Race cultivators had inexplicably transformed into poisoned corpses, seemingly controlled, turning to attack their own forces.

After the hunt concluded, the Blood Race had already begun preparations to investigate this matter, though it wasn't his specific responsibility.

Now, it was clear this technique originated from the human before him, and his two deceased subordinates had been turned into his tools.

Under normal circumstances, Xue Tianxing wouldn't have given it a second thought.

However, he was currently not at his peak and was preoccupied with suppressing the re-erupting poison within him. The surprise attacks from Xue Tong and Xue Xiao left him no room to dodge, forcing him to frantically channel Dao energy to protect himself.

In the next instant, Xue Tong and Xue Xiao lunged at Xue Tianxing from both sides, their bodies swelling as raw, violent power surged forth.

The power of two mighty Blood Race cultivators, only marginally weaker than Xue Jiu, unleashing the Blood Explosion Art was immense. With this detonation, the entire abyss shuddered, and the surrounding space nearly shattered.

Yet, when the crimson haze dissipated, Xue Tianxing still stood firm. However, the Blood Race Half-Saint no longer held his previous arrogant demeanor; his hair was disheveled, and he appeared utterly battered.

Through the lingering haze, he glimpsed a figure hurtling towards him. Upon closer inspection, it was unmistakably Lu Ye.

"Die!" he snarled through gritted teeth, slamming his Dao-imbued short staff forward.

A tiger retains its fearsome prestige; no matter how battered he appeared, he was not someone a few mere Integration cultivators could trample upon. This despicable human attempting to ambush him was utterly delusional.

But as his strike fell, he abruptly realized something was amiss.

The one assailing him was not the human blade wielder, but the Sword Gourd-wielding sword cultivator who had been hovering at the edge of the battlefield.

What astonished him even more was that this sword cultivator's vital energy was boiling, his body swelling, and an extremely dangerous aura radiated from within him. He, too, had employed the Blood Explosion Art, just like Xue Tong and Xue Xiao!

Even with countless years of life experience, Xue Tianxing couldn't immediately comprehend what was happening.

Xue Tong and Xue Xiao were long dead and had likely been controlled by that human blade wielder through some method. But what was this sword cultivator doing?

What deep-seated animosity could he possibly have towards me that he would sacrifice himself to kill me?

Numerous thoughts flashed through his mind. Almost simultaneous with his short staff descending, the Talent Tree clone self-destructed.

This self-detonation was even more terrifying than those of Xue Tong and Xue Xiao. In terms of raw power, Lu Ye was indeed stronger than those two Blood Race Integration cultivators.

Moreover, after being transformed into poisoned corpses, their strength was somewhat diminished from when they were alive. Thus, the clone's self-detonation far surpassed the power of Xue Tong and Xue Xiao's.

A blinding crimson light, almost like a brilliant sun, utterly enveloped Xue Tianxing.

Amidst the crimson glow, Lu Ye, saber in hand, followed directly behind the clone, having already charged forward.

The aftermath of the clone's self-detonation swept over him like a tidal wave. Had Lu Ye not activated spatial energy to shield himself, he would have been utterly unable to advance through such repercussions.

In an instant, he reached Xue Tianxing. The Blood Race Half-Saint, having endured the Blood Explosion Arts of three powerful Integration cultivators in quick succession, now appeared far more battered than before.

Though his protective Dao energy had shattered under the impact of the three Blood Explosion Arts, with his power, he could reform it instantly.

In fact, he had already begun doing so the moment he discerned Lu Ye charging through the pervasive crimson light.

Lu Ye delivered a seemingly weightless saber strike, devoid of any apparent destructive force.

Yet, this strike was imbued with potent temporal power!

Earlier, during his battle with Xue Tianxing, Lu Ye had indeed activated temporal power, but against a Half-Saint, its effects were negligible.

This time, however, was different.

As Lu Ye's saber descended, Xue Tianxing's gaze momentarily froze.