Chapter 700: Zhuang Bufan

Such efficient results could only be achieved if the attack struck precisely at a formation's node.

However, the nodes of any formation constantly shift as spiritual energy flows. Even for a formation master, it's not easy to deduce their exact location.

Striking at a node immediately after deducing its position is even more difficult.

Is this knife-wielding young man so lucky? Did his single strike just happen to hit a node?

As the man pondered this, Lu Ye unleashed his second strike.

A more violent impact resonated. The protective barrier around the spirit ship rippled intensely, and even the ship itself shook violently.

The few Heavenly Abyss Cult cultivators on deck had not taken Lu Ye seriously. Although they didn't have any formidable experts accompanying them on this trip, there were quite a few of them, seven or eight in total.

They were wary of the nine-level cultivator who was coughing blood. Even if he looked like he was at death's door, who knew if it was true? Besides, even if his injuries were severe, a dying camel was still bigger than a horse. So, when faced with the blood-coughing cultivator's provocation, they simply hid on the spirit ship, not daring to make a move.

To their surprise, a mere six-level cultivator had caused such a massive disturbance to the spirit ship's protective formation. For a moment, the cultivators on deck lost their footing. A fierce-looking male cultivator with a long scar on his face roared, "Where did you come from, boy? How dare you interfere with my Heavenly Abyss Cult's affairs in Snow Province! Leave at once, or you'll have no burial ground!"

Others joined in the shouting, "We've already contacted the cult elders! You're dead!"

Upon hearing this, Lu Ye remained unconcerned, but the blood-coughing man showed a look of worry. It wasn't fear, but rather concern that if they delayed too long and the Heavenly Abyss Cult's experts arrived, the kidnapped mortals would be beyond rescue.

He was even more worried that Lu Ye might become apprehensive and leave.

After all, the Heavenly Abyss Cult had a formidable reputation in Snow Province, and indeed, no one dared to provoke them.

He turned his head, only to see Lu Ye unleash his third strike...

*Crack*...

A sound like shattering echoed deep within his mind. A crack had appeared in the spirit ship's grand protective formation.

This sight terrified the shouting Heavenly Abyss Cult cultivators; their faces all changed.

In contrast, the blood-coughing man couldn't help but clap his hands and laugh aloud, "Excellent!"

By this point, he could clearly see that Lu Ye wasn't merely lucky; he had genuinely discerned the formation nodes, striking precisely at each one with every blade.

This person must be an incredibly skilled formation master; otherwise, there's no way he could possess such ability.

He racked his brains, comparing all the famous formation masters he knew to the man before him, but none matched. He couldn't fathom when such a figure, with a low cultivation level yet astonishingly high attainments in the art of formations, had emerged in the Dragon Ascension Realm.

Seeing Lu Ye about to deliver his fourth strike, the scarred man on the spirit ship gritted his teeth and roared, "You're truly seeking death, boy!"

The words had barely left his mouth when he lunged at Lu Ye.

The protective formation guarded against external attacks but not internal ones, so he could indeed charge out.

Witnessing Lu Ye's impressive skill, he could no longer sit still. He planned to kill Lu Ye and then retreat, emboldened by his own seven-level cultivation.

"This is bad!" The blood-coughing cultivator was pondering Lu Ye's identity when, unexpectedly, the Heavenly Abyss Cult reacted in such a way. He flashed forward to provide support, but his injuries were extremely severe. This sudden burst of movement made him feel as if his entire body was falling apart, and his vision went black, nearly causing him to plummet from the sky.

When he regained his senses and looked again, he was astonished.

The knife-wielding young man still stood alone in front of the spirit ship. Not far in front of him, blood splattered as a head flew off, and a headless corpse plummeted from the sky.

Huh? What happened?

The blood-coughing man had assumed Lu Ye would be defeated, but he never imagined that in the brief moment his vision went black, Lu Ye had actually killed the scarred cultivator.

How did he do that?

He hadn't seen the moment Lu Ye killed his opponent, but the other Heavenly Abyss Cult cultivators had seen it clearly.

With just one strike, their strongest cultivator, the scarred man, was decapitated.

This scene deeply shocked them, because even a ninth-level Cloud River Realm cultivator could never have achieved such a swift and clean kill.

What terrible luck.

They had been sent on this mission, and encountering the blood-coughing nine-level cultivator was one thing – he appeared strong but was weak, posing no real threat. But what was this knife-wielding young man?

Blade light flickered as another strike descended.

*Crackle, crackle*...

The protective formation's barrier instantly fractured into spiderweb-like cracks, then shattered with a crash. The Heavenly Abyss Cult disciples, previously shielded by the formation, were instantly exposed to the blade's edge.

The blood-coughing man had already darted forward, and Lu Ye also charged in with his blade.

With the two of them working together, how could the few Heavenly Abyss Cult cultivators resist? In mere moments, they were all cleanly dispatched.

The blood-coughing man slumped onto the deck, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth. He looked up at Lu Ye, his face filled with approval. "Well done, young brother. How should I address you?"

Lu Ye cupped his hands and replied, "Ye Liu, from Feng Province."

"Young Brother Ye." The blood-coughing man nodded slightly, returning the greeting with effort. "Zhuang Bufan, from Qi Province."

As he introduced himself, he observed Lu Ye's expression, but Lu Ye's face remained placid, as if he had never heard the name before.

He immediately concluded that this young man must be new to the world, otherwise he couldn't possibly have not heard of his renowned name.

Zhuang Bufan, the "Thief God," was a famous figure throughout the entire Dragon Ascension Realm. Anyone with a bit of knowledge would surely have heard of him.

"Brother Ye, I need to trouble you with one more thing," Zhuang Bufan said softly.

Lu Ye understood immediately. "Are you going to release those mortals?" He felt a certain respect for Zhuang Bufan; despite being severely injured, he was still willing to step forward and intervene upon seeing mortals suffering, which showed him to be a benevolent person.

Zhuang Bufan replied, "Precisely."

"A small matter," Lu Ye said. He then entered the ship's cabin, located the central formation controlling the spirit ship, and a moment later, under his activation, the spirit ship gently descended to the ground.

While Lu Ye was busy, Zhuang Bufan had already gone into the cargo hold, released the kidnapped mortals, and also gathered some information from them.

The information he gathered weighed heavily on Zhuang Bufan.

"Go on, all of you. Leave this place, stay far from Snow Province, and find somewhere else to live," Zhuang Bufan waved to the mortals who were bowing to him on the deck.

There were over four hundred people released, many of them young and strong. Though they had lost their homes, they could still leave Snow Province if they supported each other.

If it were possible, Zhuang Bufan would have preferred to escort them out of Snow Province, but doing so would likely bring about their complete destruction.

Watching the large group of old and young depart, Zhuang Bufan turned to Lu Ye. "Brother Ye, this is where we part ways."

Lu Ye nodded slightly.

After a moment, Zhuang Bufan was taken aback. "Why aren't you leaving yet?"

Lu Ye replied, "Aren't you also staying, Brother Zhuang?"

Zhuang Bufan coughed a few times. "My injuries are severe. I'll leave after I catch my breath."

Lu Ye let out a small laugh, finding the man somewhat amusing. He shook his head slightly, jumped off the deck, and began setting up a formation around them.

Zhuang Bufan's head popped over the deck. "Brother Ye, what are you busy with?" he asked, curious.

Without looking up, Lu Ye replied, "Brother Zhuang, your injuries are severe. It's best to rest and recuperate, lest you die from your wounds before facing the enemy."

Zhuang Bufan's expression became solemn. "Since you've realized that, young brother, you shouldn't linger. The Heavenly Abyss Cult elders are undoubtedly ninth-level cultivators, and you're no match for them." As he spoke, he looked towards a nearby direction where Yi Yi was with Ye Liuli. "There are still people waiting for you over there. Don't let them be sad."

"That's why... I'm setting up a formation!"

Zhuang Bufan was momentarily speechless. Although he had previously deduced Lu Ye's significant attainments in the art of formations, it was merely an inference. He hadn't personally witnessed Lu Ye's methods and didn't know the full extent of his mastery.

However, Lu Ye's calm demeanor at that moment instilled some confidence in him.

Perhaps things weren't as bad as he thought?

With this thought, Zhuang Bufan spoke, "I've already sent messages to a few friends about the Heavenly Abyss Cult's atrocities. They'll try to contact the Imperial Heaven Sect, Vajra Temple, and Haoran Academy. I expect the three great sects will take action within a few days. So, if we can just hold off the pursuing soldiers, those mortals will have a chance to escape. Brother Ye, tell me honestly, how confident are you?"

The reason he hadn't personally escorted the mortals out of Snow Province was because the Heavenly Abyss Cult cultivators who died earlier had already sent a message to one of their elders, meaning pursuers could arrive at any moment.

As an elder, they would undoubtedly be a ninth-level cultivator. If a fight broke out, even if the mortals hid in the cabin, countless casualties were likely.

But he couldn't just leave either; otherwise, the rescued people would quickly be recaptured.

He hadn't told Lu Ye any of this, intending to stay behind alone and hold off the Heavenly Abyss Cult's pursuers.

Since he had taken on this task, there was no reason to abandon it midway.

Unexpectedly, even though he said nothing, Lu Ye saw through him like a blazing fire, discerning his intentions.

What a kind and chivalrous young man!

Zhuang Bufan became even more reluctant to implicate Lu Ye.

"If I said ten-tenths, would you believe me, Brother Zhuang?" Lu Ye replied, continuing to set up the formation.

Zhuang Bufan slumped back onto the deck, leaning against the ship's wall. He pulled out a flask of wine, tilted his head back, took a swig, and burst into laughter. "I believe you!"

Lu Ye didn't necessarily need to set up a formation to deal with a single ninth-level cultivator, but without knowing how many enemies were coming, a formation was undoubtedly the safest approach.

Even if dozens of Heavenly Abyss Cult members arrived and entered the grand formation, Lu Ye could ensure they would not return.

In just over an hour, the formation was completed.

Lu Ye leaped onto the deck. Yi Yi, following his instructions, had already brought Ye Liuli over.

Zhuang Bufan looked at Lu Ye, then at Yi Yi and Ye Liuli, clearly misunderstanding something. He sighed, "It's good to be young!"

He tilted his head back for another drink. His era had passed, but thankfully, new talents always emerged to lead for centuries.

Unfortunately, he probably wouldn't live to see it.