Chapter 653: Not Afraid to Die

The Butcher didn't answer many of Lu Ye's questions. Perhaps he didn't know the answers, or maybe some things were best left unsaid.

This, however, completely derailed Lu Ye's original plan. He had initially assumed that, given the catastrophe, Xian Yuan City would have been entirely overrun by insectoids, with the Xian Yuan Guards annihilated and even the seemingly powerful City Lord and the woman in red unlikely to have survived. His plan was simply to infiltrate the City Lord's mansion under the cover of his insectoid squad and then extensively search for Soul Cleansing Fluid.

However, reality was far from his expectations. Numerous Xian Yuan Guards were still active within the city, and the City Lord was most likely still alive. With the City Lord alive, obtaining Soul Cleansing Fluid, even if he managed to enter the mansion, would be impossible—a truly troubling prospect. It wasn't that Lu Ye wished the City Lord ill; it was just that his original strategy was no longer viable.

"When will you be heading to the City Lord's mansion?" Lu Ye inquired. Despite the slim chances, he was determined to try. After all, it was a rare opportunity to be here, and he prioritized acquiring Soul Cleansing Fluid over battle merits, as it was crucial for a subsequent plan of his. Furthermore, he also needed to speak with the City Lord about other matters, specifically how he could depart from this place. Having found himself inexplicably in Xian Yuan City, he knew he couldn't remain indefinitely. He had to leave eventually, but the exact method of departure remained unclear to him. Perhaps the City Lord of Xian Yuan City would have the answer.

The Butcher cast a glance at him and stated, "My mission is to clear the insectoids from this area and its outer reaches. I won't return until it's accomplished."

Lu Ye nodded in understanding. "I'll help too," he offered. If the Soul Cleansing Fluid was out of reach, he could at least accumulate more battle merits. The Butcher was a Divine Ocean Realm cultivator, and most Xian Yuan Guards were at the True Lake Realm, so it would be safer to act with them. Once the Butcher completed his mission, Lu Ye could then accompany him to the City Lord's mansion.

"As you wish!" the Butcher replied without objection. While Lu Ye alone might not offer significant assistance, his insectoid squad possessed surprisingly effective capabilities. With their limited intelligence, the insectoids likely never anticipated dying at the hands of their own kind.

"By the way, Senior," Lu Ye asked, "what are these buildings with lanterns hanging at their entrances? I recall that last time I was here, the Xian Yuan Guards couldn't enter them." This was a point of confusion for him. During his previous visit, these unique buildings had provided sanctuary to foreign cultivators, blocking the Xian Yuan Guards' pursuit. Lu Ye had assumed they were like forbidden zones for the Guards. However, it was now evident that this was not the case; the Xian Yuan Guards could indeed enter. Just as foreign cultivators previously sought refuge in these buildings to evade the Xian Yuan Guards, now the Xian Yuan Guards could utilize them for rest and to escape the insectoids' relentless pursuit.

"As I've said, it's merely a game," the Butcher explained. "What you perceive is only what you perceive. And... there's always a way out, understand?"

Lu Ye felt as if he understood, and yet didn't. He soon realized that the Butcher's emphasis lay in the final part of his statement. Indeed, divine Providence was ever-present. Whether during the previous mystic realm opening or this current insectoid siege, these buildings, imbued with absolute protection, consistently offered cultivators a space for refuge and recuperation.

Despite being a Divine Ocean Realm cultivator, the Butcher lacked the typical sternness of his rank. It seemed he hadn't spoken with a living person in a long time, as he conversed extensively with Lu Ye, particularly about the outside world. Lu Ye spoke casually, while the Butcher listened intently, asking questions periodically, which Lu Ye answered in turn. The Butcher also inquired about Lu Ye's method for controlling insectoids. Lu Ye, having nothing to hide, revealed that it was the power of a divine pattern, which greatly astonished the Butcher. He had initially assumed Lu Ye belonged to the beast-taming school of cultivators and that his ability to command insectoids was a form of beast taming.

After resting for less than an hour, a group of Xian Yuan Guards departed under the Butcher's leadership. They were all on a mission. Furthermore, there were many such Xian Yuan Guard squads throughout Xian Yuan City, each responsible for a specific area. Lu Ye hadn't encountered them earlier, primarily because he had been in the city's outer reaches. Most Xian Yuan Guards were currently positioned in the middle sections of the city, so naturally, Lu Ye hadn't crossed paths with them during his journey.

Led by a Divine Ocean Realm cultivator and comprising seven or eight True Lake Realm members, this was a formidable force. Any insectoids they encountered were largely defenseless. However, the sheer number of insectoids in Xian Yuan City was overwhelming; getting entangled in a prolonged battle and causing too much commotion would inevitably draw endless insectoid reinforcements. Therefore, despite the team's formidable overall strength, they did not act recklessly. Each time, the Butcher would first locate nearby special buildings to serve as a retreat. After eliminating a group of insectoids, he would lead the Xian Yuan Guards back to rest and recuperate. This cycle continued as they steadily pushed towards the city's outer perimeter. Lu Ye's insectoid squad proved invaluable on numerous occasions. In the midst of skirmishes, his seven insectoids seized many advantages, continuously increasing Lu Ye's battle merits while also reducing the pressure on the Xian Yuan Guard squad.

If the Butcher and his companions were ordinary cultivators, this would undoubtedly be a straightforward battle with little suspense. Unfortunately, the Butcher and his companions were all spirit bodies, and the energy they expended in battle could not be effectively replenished. Consequently, the longer the engagements lasted, the more visibly weakened they became. The Xian Yuan Guards whose cultivation was merely at the Cloud River Realm now appeared somewhat transparent. Despite this, they seemed oblivious to their condition, utterly unconcerned, and even chatted and laughed with Lu Ye during their periods of rest.

As it was rare for living individuals—especially those capable of communicating with them—to visit Xian Yuan City, the Xian Yuan Guards were exceptionally enthusiastic towards Lu Ye. Each one eagerly engaged him in conversation, casually chatting about a wide range of topics. One particularly spirited female Xian Yuan Guard even posed some rather challenging questions, leaving Lu Ye speechless and prompting chuckles from the other Guards.

After another fierce battle, the Butcher led the Xian Yuan Guards back to recuperate. As before, even though they appeared extremely weak and their bodies had become semi-transparent, the Xian Yuan Guards showed no concern whatsoever. They gave Lu Ye the distinct impression that they had long accepted their fate, exhibiting no fear even in the face of death. Lu Ye couldn't help but feel a profound sense of respect.

After much hesitation, he finally went upstairs alone to find the Butcher.

"Is something the matter?" the Butcher asked, looking at him with curiosity.

"There's Soul Cleansing Fluid in the Soul Cleansing Pool," Lu Ye stated. "Surely that could help you recover? Didn't you bring any with you?" He had assumed the Butcher and his companions would surely carry some Soul Cleansing Fluid to replenish their energy. However, it now appeared they had none, otherwise they wouldn't have progressively weakened to this state.

"What's in the Soul Pool is soul mist, not liquid," the Butcher explained. "It can't be condensed by ordinary means, so it's impossible to take out."

Lu Ye was taken aback; he hadn't realized this. On second thought, the Soul Cleansing Pool was indeed filled with soul mist. He had managed to condense it into Soul Cleansing Fluid only by constructing a massive spirit-gathering funnel. For others, even those at the Divine Ocean Realm, such a feat might be impossible. What Lu Ye didn't know was that for thousands of years, the spirit bodies of Xian Yuan City had lived this way, viewing death not as something to fear, but merely as the start of a new journey. The Soul Pool was vitally important, serving as the very foundation of Xian Yuan City and other Immeasurable Mirage realms. As long as its power remained unexhausted, Xian Yuan City would never fall. Consequently, throughout history, no one had ever considered condensing the Soul Pool's mist into liquid form to take it outside. Doing so might be acceptable once or twice, but repeated attempts would undoubtedly have detrimental effects on the Soul Pool. Thus, even a powerful figure like the City Lord, even if capable of condensing the soul mist into liquid, would refrain from doing so.

"You know about the Soul Pool?" the Butcher asked, surprised.

"Yes, I visited it last time," Lu Ye confirmed with a nod. During his previous visit, he had made a deal with the City Lord, gaining permission to bring his Amber Giant Armor into the Soul Pool for soul refinement. However, he ended up extracting some Soul Cleansing Fluid, much to the City Lord's considerable annoyance.

"I don't have much of this left, so use it sparingly," Lu Ye said, producing a jade bottle and handing it to the Butcher.

The Butcher took the bottle with a suspicious glance. Upon opening it, his eyes widened in instant surprise. "Where did you get this?" he exclaimed. As a spirit body from Xian Yuan City, he instantly recognized the contents of the bottle but was baffled as to how Lu Ye possessed such an item.

"What do you think?" Lu Ye retorted, casting a sidelong glance.

The Butcher quickly grasped the implication and burst into hearty laughter. "So, the City Lord didn't kill you after all!" Apparently not, otherwise Lu Ye wouldn't still be alive. The Butcher finally understood why the City Lord had been in such an irritable mood after the last mystic realm opening—it was all because of this.

"Kid, I owe you for this," the Butcher said, patting Lu Ye's shoulder. He then drew a single drop from the bottle with a flick of his finger and swallowed it. Instantly, the weakness that had enveloped him visibly dissipated. The Butcher then descended to the first floor and distributed the remaining Soul Cleansing Fluid from the bottle among the other Xian Yuan Guards. One by one, the weakened Xian Yuan Guards quickly regained their vitality.

Upon learning that the Soul Cleansing Fluid was a contribution from Lu Ye, the Xian Yuan Guards, who already held him in high regard, became even more warm and enthusiastic. Yu Qing, the spirited female spirit body, even acted as if she wanted to pledge herself to him, causing Lu Ye considerable embarrassment, much to the other Xian Yuan Guards' amusement and schadenfreude.

Resuming their campaign under the Butcher's leadership, they used the special buildings as strongholds, systematically clearing insectoids from street after street. Although their power had been replenished, the task of eradicating the insectoids from this area remained daunting. After successive battles, as their strength was depleted, the Xian Yuan Guards once again began to weaken. This time, however, there was no more Soul Cleansing Fluid to replenish them.

Lu Ye's battle merits had now surpassed a hundred thousand, yet he felt little joy. Gazing at the Xian Yuan Guards who, though weakened, still wore smiles, Lu Ye was filled with questions. Were these individuals truly unafraid of death? Even for spirit bodies, such composure in the face of death seemed unnatural.