Chapter 702: Another Tianhe Sect

Medicine Valley, true to its name, is nestled in a valley. From high above, with mountains encircling it on three sides, Lu Ye was inevitably reminded of Revival Valley.

In terms of scenic beauty, Revival Valley was undoubtedly one of the most picturesque places in the entire Cloud River Battlefield.

However, Medicine Valley appeared even more beautiful than Revival Valley.

The entire Medicine Valley was divided into medicinal fields, cultivating numerous spiritual flowers and exotic herbs. Young medicine apprentices could be seen busily working among them.

At the very heart of the valley, over a dozen scattered thatched huts served as the living quarters for the valley's owner and the young apprentices.

"Something isn't right," Zhuang Bufan suddenly remarked from behind Lu Ye.

Lu Ye had also noticed something amiss.

At the entrance to Medicine Valley, a number of cultivators appeared to be in a standoff. It seemed a battle had occurred, with bloodstains on the ground and two corpses lying nearby.

This sight greatly astonished Zhuang Bufan.

This was because anyone seeking treatment at Medicine Valley was either gravely injured or afflicted with a rare illness. Moreover, the Little Immortal Doctor had an unwritten rule: absolutely no fighting was permitted within the valley's confines. Anyone who violated this rule, regardless of their identity, would be refused treatment.

Consequently, for many years, no one had dared to engage in conflict outside Medicine Valley. Every cultivator who arrived here, from notorious bandits to heinous rogue cultivators, strictly adhered to the Little Immortal Doctor's rules, forced to sheath their aggression.

Medicine Valley itself wasn't a major power. While the Little Immortal Doctor's strength was considerable, she was a solitary figure, and few of her young apprentices possessed advanced cultivation.

Nevertheless, over the years, she had saved countless cultivators, and many, even from the most prominent sects, were indebted to her for saving their lives.

In essence, the Little Immortal Doctor's network of connections spanned the entire Dragon Ascent Realm.

Therefore, despite Medicine Valley not being a major power, no one had dared to harbor ill intentions towards it over the years. Even the Heavenly Abyss Sect, also located in Xuezhou, maintained a respectful distance, and occasionally, their own cultivators would seek treatment there.

After all, every cultivator inevitably sustains injuries. While healing pills often suffice for recovery, when they fail, seeking a medical cultivator's aid becomes the only option.

There was no advantage in offending a medical cultivator.

Not only in the Dragon Ascent Realm, but even in Kyushu, medical cultivators enjoyed special courtesies. Even if cultivators from opposing factions captured a medical cultivator, they typically avoided excessive harassment, often allowing for their ransom and release.

Thus, the standoff and conflict among cultivators outside Medicine Valley struck Zhuang Bufan as utterly unbelievable.

Lu Ye, unaware of the Little Immortal Doctor's rules, found this unsurprising; conflict was inherent among cultivators. As he prepared to fly overhead, a distant cultivator yelled, "The Heavenly Abyss Sect is conducting business here. All who approach, stop! Violators will be killed without mercy!"

The Heavenly Abyss Sect, again!

Zhuang Bufan frowned. For years, the Heavenly Abyss Sect had been entrenched in Xuezhou, amassing a large number of cultivators. Yet, they had always remained within Xuezhou, dedicating themselves solely to comprehending the mysteries of the Heavenly Abyss.

But now, the Heavenly Abyss Sect had first indiscriminately abducted mortals, and now they were blocking access to Medicine Valley, preventing people from seeking treatment. What exactly were they planning?

Zhuang Bufan vaguely sensed that the world might be on the verge of change.

Unlike Lu Ye, an outsider, Zhuang Bufan was a native cultivator of the Dragon Ascent Realm. As a Ninth-Level cultivator, his perception of major shifts in the realm's dynamics was naturally far keener than Lu Ye's.

A considerable number of Heavenly Abyss Sect cultivators, roughly thirty to forty, were blocking the path.

Opposing them were about a dozen cultivators, most of whom appeared to be injured.

These cultivators had clearly come seeking medical treatment, but their path had been blocked by the Heavenly Abyss Sect, leading to the current standoff.

It appeared, however, that some had defied the blockade and attempted to force their way through, resulting in their deaths at the hands of the Heavenly Abyss Sect.

Though indignant at the Heavenly Abyss Sect's domineering actions, the cultivators seeking treatment were too intimidated to voice their anger.

Lu Ye descended with Yiyi and the others, landing just outside Medicine Valley.

Zhuang Bufan swayed slightly, letting out a silent sigh, his face etched with worry. Medicine Valley was blockaded by the Heavenly Abyss Sect; what were they to do?

His current injuries could not be delayed.

Forcing their way in would be clearly unwise. While he had dared to stop the Heavenly Abyss Sect's spirit ship previously, that was a private matter and relatively harmless. Now, in plain sight, offending the Heavenly Abyss Sect would mean that even if the Little Immortal Doctor could heal him, he would never be able to leave Xuezhou.

"We're here seeking the Little Immortal Doctor's help. What right does your Heavenly Abyss Sect have to block our path?" someone shouted loudly.

"Exactly! Medicine Valley belongs to the Little Immortal Doctor, not your Heavenly Abyss Sect!"

"Fellow Daoist, could you perhaps make an exception and let us enter Medicine Valley for treatment? Please be assured, we won't disrupt your sect's affairs."

"Senior Brother, what's wrong? Senior Brother, please don't die..."

The clamor from the group of cultivators quickly turned the scene into chaos.

The leader of the Heavenly Abyss Sect cultivators, clad in black with a cold expression, was the same person who had earlier warned Lu Ye to stop. With his hands clasped behind his back, he showed utter disdain for the cultivators seeking treatment, stating indifferently, "Any who dare to trespass will be killed without mercy!"

An impetuous young cultivator angrily retorted, "Your Heavenly Abyss Sect is simply unreasonable!"

As soon as the words left his mouth, an older senior brother beside him clamped a hand over it.

The black-clad cultivator sneered, "Reason? My standing here is reason enough. If you wish to discuss reason with me, first defeat me... Hmm?"

He suddenly frowned, watching Lu Ye emerge from behind the crowd, stepping forward slowly. A grim smile spread across his face as he asked, "You... what do you want?"

"Move," Lu Ye said, his gaze fixed on the man, his steps unyielding.

Zhuang Bufan broke out in a cold sweat, only now realizing that Lu Ye, who had just been by his side, had already stepped forward. This young man was far too reckless.

Killing Sun Qi earlier had relied on the power of formations. But here, the Heavenly Abyss Sect had overwhelming numbers, and the black-clad cultivator was an Eighth-Level expert. How could one directly confront such a force?

Feeling a surge of anxiety, he gritted his teeth and followed Lu Ye, resolute that if things went south, he would have no choice but to unleash that divine weapon!

Even if using it meant certain death, he couldn't stand idly by and watch such a kind-hearted young man perish.

"Finally, another one not afraid of death!" The black-clad cultivator's smile grew more sinister. He reached into his storage bag, drawing out a long spear. Channeling spiritual power, the spear's tip blossomed into deadly flowers, aiming straight for Lu Ye as he roared, "Die!"

*Clang...*

As the blade hummed and a brilliant flash of light erupted, the black-clad cultivator's expression abruptly changed.

He hadn't given Lu Ye much thought initially. When Lu Ye flew over on his artifact, he had secretly assessed Lu Ye's cultivation level as Cloud River Sixth-Level, a tier he naturally didn't regard as a threat.

He had intended to kill this audacious youth to silence the noisy onlookers, but the instant Lu Ye's saber was drawn, he sensed that something was amiss.

An indescribable sense of oppression washed over him, making his skin prickle. Accompanying this pressure was a potent, aggressive, and chilling aura.

It was as if he, not Lu Ye, possessed the lower cultivation.

After a series of clangs, the black-clad cultivator let out a startled cry. The sinister grin had vanished from his face, replaced by profound horror.

At this moment, amidst the clash of immense forces, the web of his hand between thumb and forefinger had split open, bleeding profusely. His entire aura was chaotic, his spiritual power in disarray, and his spear was thrust high, leaving him completely exposed.

A flash of blade light cut across his vision, and he froze instantly.

His eyes widened in disbelief.

In the ensuing silence, a thin line of blood first appeared on his neck. Then, blood spurted, and his head flew off.

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd.

Cultivators from the Heavenly Abyss Sect, and those who had come seeking treatment at Medicine Valley, all stood dumbfounded.

The clash between an Eighth-Level and a Sixth-Level cultivator was indeed a battle where victory or death could be decided in moments. Yet, the outcome was utterly unexpected: the higher-cultivation black-clad cultivator was the one who fell.

How could such a thing possibly happen?

Not only the unfamiliar cultivators but even Zhuang Bufan found it hard to believe. He had originally worried that Lu Ye would be at a disadvantage against the black-clad cultivator and had mentally prepared to intervene if necessary. Who would have thought that this young man, Ye Liu, would cut him down in just a few strikes!

Was he dreaming?

When Lu Ye previously used formations to kill Sun Qi, Zhuang Bufan had only witnessed his terrifying mastery of array arts. Now, he had been shown Lu Ye's overwhelming inherent strength.

To effortlessly slay an Eighth-Level cultivator meant, in other words, that this young man possessed the strength to contend with Ninth-Level cultivators.

Throughout the history of the Dragon Ascent Realm, a figure like him had never before emerged.

Which great power had nurtured such a disciple?

While his thoughts reeled, Lu Ye had already charged headlong into the Heavenly Abyss Sect disciples.

Having previously rescued a boatload of mortals from them, Lu Ye already held a terrible impression of the Heavenly Abyss Sect cultivators and understood their nature. Their current obstruction further fueled his resolve, and he acted without hesitation.

Killing them would definitely not be a mistake.

As Lu Ye launched his attack, Yiyi was naturally not idle either. Spiritual power surged from her, unleashing spell after spell into the crowd.

"Kill them!" someone roared.

While they were reluctant to offend the Heavenly Abyss Sect, those who came to Medicine Valley for treatment were often at death's door. If they couldn't see the Little Immortal Doctor, their lives would soon end, so what did the Heavenly Abyss Sect matter then?

They had previously hesitated to act recklessly, partly because they were disorganized, and partly due to their inferior strength. Others had already fallen to the Heavenly Abyss Sect's aggression, a grim lesson learned.

Now that Lu Ye had stepped forward, driven by the instinct for survival, many cultivators followed his lead.

The Heavenly Abyss Sect cultivators, still reeling from their leader's death, were met with a wave of fierce attacks. Several more fell instantly. With Lu Ye charging into their ranks, leaving a trail of blood in his wake, the scene instantly devolved into utter chaos.