Chapter 7: Escape from Suffering (Thanks to the Alliance Leader's Reward from the Great Fire of Humanity)

Lu Ye didn't know Zhou Cheng's cultivation level, but he was certainly much stronger than Lu Ye.

Even with his injuries, Zhou Cheng was not someone a one-aperture cultivator like Lu Ye could easily handle. The intent to kill needed to be backed by a suitable method to succeed, and 'Sharpness' was Lu Ye's method!

When he had nothing else to do, he had experimented and found that the 'Sharpness' spirit pattern could be applied not only to his palm but also to weapons, where it was even more effective.

The light that burst forth in that instant caused Zhou Cheng to momentarily lose his composure; he had no idea when Lu Ye had become a cultivator!

When their swords clashed, there was a sharp *crack*, and to Zhou Cheng's astonishment, his longsword was severed in half.

This thoroughly startled him. Having his weapon break first during a fight was undoubtedly a huge blow.

As Zhou Cheng reeled in shock, Lu Ye's second strike arrived.

After severing Zhou Cheng's sword, Lu Ye immediately raised his own and chopped towards Zhou Cheng's neck.

He knew no complex sword arts or profound techniques, only this simplest of chops.

Zhou Cheng was terrified. They were too close for him to retreat, so he could only channel his remaining spiritual power to protect himself. By all accounts, his cultivation should have been enough to withstand an attack from a one-aperture cultivator like Lu Ye, even if Lu Ye had a weapon; it shouldn't have been able to penetrate his spiritual defense.

However, when the longsword descended, Zhou Cheng's protective spiritual energy failed to provide the expected defense. The sword first broke through the shield, then directly struck Zhou Cheng's neck.

The sound of sharp metal cutting into flesh rang out, and Lu Ye felt a few drops of warm blood splash onto his face.

"Scoundrel!" Zhou Cheng roared in fury. He couldn't believe he had been wounded so badly by a mere mine slave like Lu Ye. He raised his hand and slapped it towards Lu Ye.

However, Lu Ye had already let go of the longsword and ran deeper into the mine tunnel without looking back.

Hearing Zhou Cheng's pursuit from behind, Lu Ye ran even faster.

Gradually, he realized the sounds behind him had ceased, and only then did he stop.

After waiting a moment longer, he turned and went back. Midway, he saw Zhou Cheng's body sprawled on the ground. Unsure if the man was truly dead, Lu Ye picked up a few stones nearby and threw them at him, but Zhou Cheng showed no reaction.

Gathering his courage, he approached Zhou Cheng and looked down. A large pool of blood stained the ground beneath Zhou Cheng, and the longsword was still embedded in his neck. He was long dead.

Although Lu Ye's second strike hadn't instantly killed Zhou Cheng, it had severed most of his neck. With such severe injuries, Zhou Cheng couldn't possibly have survived.

The desperate struggle finally ended in Lu Ye's victory! He let out a long breath, gaining a deeper understanding of the world's perils.

He stepped forward, gripped the longsword's hilt, and was about to pull it out when he noticed something abnormal in his peripheral vision. He looked up, and a chill ran through him.

Another person had appeared before him, unnoticed by Lu Ye.

The cultivation gap between himself and the other person was huge! For some reason, this thought arose in Lu Ye's mind. If someone like that wanted to kill him, it would likely be as easy as lifting a finger, even with his 'Sharpness' enhancement.

Grit his teeth, he suppressed his panic, pulled out the longsword, and held it horizontally in front of him, adopting a defensive stance. His body trembled slightly from tension.

The newcomer sensed his hostility and couldn't help but chuckle. "I detected spiritual energy fluctuations here, so I came to investigate. No need to be nervous."

As he spoke, he stepped forward, approached Zhou Cheng, and looked down at him, nodding slightly. "A remnant of the Evil Moon Valley." Then he looked up at Lu Ye. "Whose disciple are you?"

They were only about ten feet apart, and Lu Ye could clearly see the newcomer's appearance: a robust, ruddy-faced elderly man of tall stature. His voice was slightly deep and hoarse, yet it held an indescribable sense of warmth and approachability.

Considering the elderly man's questions, Lu Ye immediately had a guess and replied, "Xuantian Sect!"

"Xuantian Sect?" The elderly man seemed surprised. "The Xuantian Sect that was wiped out a year ago?"

"Yes!" Lu Ye confirmed.

The old man couldn't help but eye him up and down. "So, you're a mine slave who was captured and brought here?"

"Mm-hm." Lu Ye nodded.

The old man was instantly astonished. A mine slave had actually killed a cultivator from Evil Moon Valley. No one would believe such a thing unless they witnessed it firsthand.

"What's your cultivation level?" the old man asked again.

"I've opened one aperture," Lu Ye replied. Realizing the implication of the old man's question, he proactively explained, "He was injured, and I ambushed him."

The old man smiled as he looked at him. "You certainly have some courage."

"Elder, are you from the Haotian Alliance?" Although Lu Ye had his suspicions, he still needed to confirm.

The old man stroked his beard. "Indeed, I am from the Haotian Alliance."

Lu Ye was overjoyed. It seemed that, just as Steward Yang had feared, the Haotian Alliance had launched an attack, and Evil Moon Valley couldn't defend this mine. This was evident from the old man having already advanced into the mine.

It was likely that the Haotian Alliance was now in charge of the mine.

As for whether the old man was deceiving him, there was no need. The power gap between them was too vast; if the old man truly wished him harm, he could kill him with a mere flick of his hand.

"Please, Elder, rescue me from this suffering!" Lu Ye quickly pleaded.

He wanted to leave this mine tunnel, unsure if he would encounter more dangers along the way. Having finally met such an esteemed senior, he naturally wanted to cling to him for safety, like a secure attachment.

The old man nodded. "Then come with me. I was just about to leave myself."

"Thank you, Elder!" Lu Ye was immensely grateful.

After speaking, the old man led the way, but Lu Ye didn't immediately follow. Instead, he crouched down and began searching Zhou Cheng's body.

He quickly found a storage bag.

Storage bags were common among cultivators and didn't seem to be particularly valuable items.

Lu Ye was delighted and jogged to catch up with the old man.

The old man glanced at him, then smilingly extended a hand. "Hand it over!"

Lu Ye instantly felt as though he had swallowed a fly, but considering his current situation, he dutifully handed over the storage bag.

The old man took the storage bag, swiped his hand over its opening, and a flash of light appeared.

Just as Lu Ye was grumbling inwardly, the old man tossed the storage bag back. "I'll accept this bottle of Dragon-Tiger Pills with thanks. They're very potent, too strong for you young man. Consider it a tribute to an elder!"

Lu Ye held the returned storage bag in both hands, finally realizing that the old man hadn't been trying to seize his spoils, but had known about his weak cultivation and inability to open the storage bag's sealed lock, so he had simply lent a hand.

"This old man is quite nice!"

Thinking this, Lu Ye thanked him aloud, "Thank you."

And he was delighted once more...