Chapter 88: Two Clear

On Amber's back, Lu Ye's expression was relaxed. Compared to when he had just set off from Qingyun Mountain, he was undoubtedly much calmer now.

He had grown accustomed to the bumpy journey, and Amber's running didn't even affect his cultivation. Of course, compared to cultivating in a normal state, the efficiency was still somewhat slower, but fortunately, the Spirit Gathering Runes compensated for this.

All thirty spiritual orifices were imbued with Spirit Gathering Runes, continuously drawing in the surrounding spiritual energy. As the internal dan power dissolved and spiritual energy poured in, the spiritual power within the newly opened thirtieth orifice steadily increased.

He didn't use the Gluttonous Feast technique, mainly because switching cultivation techniques required some time. This was unlike when he rested after fighting Luo Ji; back then, they were both within sight, and he could immediately detect any abnormality from Luo Ji and switch techniques in time.

Traveling was different; unexpected situations always occurred, and he might encounter danger within those brief ten breaths while switching techniques.

Constantly maintaining the Golden Cicada's Freedom Art also allowed him to react better. The only sacrifice was cultivation speed, which wasn't a major issue.

He silently calculated the spirit pills he had on hand and found that he had enough to cultivate to the fourth level of the Spirit Creek Realm, with some left over. Of course, this was assuming no additional consumption; if another battle broke out, more spirit pills would be consumed. Additionally, Amber also consumed spirit pills daily.

An incense stick's time ago, he had already left Rift Sky Gorge. Amber's speed was still very fast, and following the map in his hand and the guidance of the battlefield imprint, Lu Ye pointed Amber in a direction, allowing it to gallop freely.

While relaxed, Lu Ye suddenly frowned and checked his battlefield imprint.

For some reason, that fellow Chu Tian was contacting him again...

However, after Lu Ye checked the message from Chu Tian, his expression instantly changed. He slapped Amber's back and shouted, "Amber, run! Someone is chasing us!"

Hearing this, Amber's speed abruptly increased, nearly throwing Lu Ye off its back.

Yiyi's small head popped out from Amber's back. She asked solemnly, "A message from Chu Tian of the Mystic Sect? Who's coming, and what's their cultivation level?"

"A Spirit Creek Realm seventh-level cultivator, a guy named Dong Shuye!" Lu Ye replied.

In the days before he killed the Nine-Star Sect disciples in Rift Sky Gorge, he hadn't even encountered a Spirit Creek Realm fifth-level cultivator. He had thought it was the outer ring of the battlefield where high-level cultivators wouldn't be seen. However, it wasn't until he met the woman with twin buns and another brawny man from the Nine-Star Sect that he realized his mistake. Lu Ye wasn't entirely sure of their cultivation levels, but they were definitely higher than the fifth level.

It was then that he realized that the outer ring of the battlefield wasn't devoid of cultivators above the fifth level; the reason he hadn't encountered them was because the two sects were mutually restraining each other.

A Spirit Creek Realm seventh-level cultivator was undoubtedly the bedrock of a sect's outpost. For such a person to personally come after him showed the depth of the Nine-Star Sect's hatred.

Lu Ye's mood grew heavy. Although he had traded blows with Luo Ji and was confident he could fight even a Spirit Creek Realm fifth-level cultivator, he couldn't possibly defend against a Spirit Creek Realm seventh-level opponent.

Yiyi also knew the situation was bad. She turned and urged Amber to run faster. Amber exerted all its strength, galloping at lightning speed; the wind howled ceaselessly on both sides, and the scenery rapidly receded.

Another message came through the battlefield imprint, and Lu Ye quickly checked it.

"Brother Yiye, try to hold on; Dong Shuye won't stay there for too long!"

"What do you mean?" Lu Ye quickly messaged back.

In the Mystic Sect camp, Chu Tian, who was currently following Wang Yang in an assault towards the Nine-Star Sect's outpost, was conflicted, unsure how to explain the situation.

To be honest, the Mystic Sect had used Lu Ye. The news of Lu Ye leaving Rift Sky Gorge had been leaked by their side, which then led to Dong Shuye's pursuit. However, this truth was difficult to state directly. Revealing it would only sour their relationship with that 'Over-the-Mountain Tiger.' He came from a top-tier major power; as long as he lived, he was bound to achieve great things in the future, so offending him at this time was not a good idea.

"Just say what it is." At that moment, Wang Yang's voice suddenly entered his ears. "The deed is done, so there's no need to fear others knowing. If he's a sensible person, he'll naturally know what to do."

With Wang Yang's instruction, Chu Tian's mind settled slightly. He then messaged back: "My fellow disciples of the Mystic Sect are currently rushing towards the Nine-Star Sect's outpost. As soon as Dong Shuye receives the news, he will definitely rush back immediately. So, Brother Yiye, you must hold on!"

Looking at the message from Chu Tian, Lu Ye couldn't help but feel a little confused.

Dong Shuye, the bedrock of the Nine-Star Sect's outpost, had just come out to hunt him down. Yet, the Mystic Sect had suddenly poured out all its forces to attack the Nine-Star Sect's outpost. The timing seemed a bit too coincidental.

It was as if the Mystic Sect had been waiting for this opportunity. Moreover, the Mystic Sect had invited him to some celebration banquet just last night...

Lu Ye didn't know if the Mystic Sect had a chance to capture the Nine-Star Sect's outpost by doing this, but since they had already acted, they must have had some confidence.

When he was in Rift Sky Gorge, Dong Shuye couldn't easily make a move because it was too close to the Mystic Sect's outpost and might draw their interference. Therefore, if Dong Shuye wanted to kill him, he had to wait until Lu Ye left Rift Sky Gorge.

But only Chu Tian knew about his departure from Rift Sky Gorge. How could Dong Shuye have come after him?

Had he been used?

Lu Ye considered a possibility.

After a moment's thought, he replied to Chu Tian: "We're even!"

Then he decisively blacklisted him.

Although he was quite sure he had been used, Lu Ye didn't complain or blame others. After all, he had initiated the conflict in Rift Sky Gorge by killing the Nine-Star Sect's young master and his group, which then sparked the confrontation between the two major sects.

If the Mystic Sect hadn't intervened, Lu Ye might not have been able to withstand the Nine-Star Sect's power. At the very least, he would have faced pursuit from many cultivators, including those at the fifth level.

The Mystic Sect's intervention saved Lu Ye from having to fight an entire sect by himself. However, when declaring war, he had also saved many Mystic Sect disciples. He hadn't taken any spoils of war, only asking the rescued Mystic Sect disciples for some usable spirit pills and spirit stones.

The entire process could be considered a mutual aid between Lu Ye and the Mystic Sect disciples.

So even if the Mystic Sect eventually used him, Lu Ye wouldn't complain about others; this was, after all, a problem he had created himself.

His interactions with the Mystic Sect would end here. All in all, the Mystic Sect had helped him, and he had helped many Mystic Sect disciples. He had also obtained an Earth-grade cultivation technique from the Mystic Sect, which solved an urgent problem. Now that he had been used, they no longer owed each other anything and could go their separate ways in peace.

In the Mystic Sect camp, Chu Tian had a bitter expression, sighing repeatedly.

"How did he reply?" Wang Yang's voice entered his ears.

Chu Tian honestly replied, "We're even... Then he erased my imprint."

This made Chu Tian feel a little dejected. After all, that was a disciple from a top-tier power; how often did one get a chance to interact with such a person?

Wang Yang's lips curled into a smile. "He's a sensible person, quite interesting."