Chapter 883: Exposed

At Lone Mountain Pass, the battle raged fiercely. Fire Spirit tribesmen were continuously being annihilated. Though vast in number, these Fire Spirits, sealed for countless years, had lost their minds and were disorganized. Even with their immense numbers, they were nothing more than a disorganized mob.

In contrast, the Myriad Devil Ridge side, despite being attacked suddenly and Lone Mountain Pass having seen no combat for many years, demonstrated superior combat readiness. The difference in skill between the two sides was immediately apparent. While the Myriad Devil Ridge side also suffered significant casualties, no war is without losses. The front line remained stable, ensuring Lone Mountain Pass would not fall, and the number of dead and injured was within an acceptable range.

Such a major battle was not necessarily a bad thing for Lone Mountain Pass. At the very least, it served as a training exercise, allowing many cultivators who still held romanticized notions of battle to witness its cruelty. Should the Vast Sky Alliance army attack again, they would undoubtedly perform better.

After the initial chaos, many cultivators from Myriad Devil Ridge steadied themselves. Stronger cultivators protected the weaker ones, while the weaker ones tried to group together to defend against the enemy. High above, Wanzhang Gang and Tan Yaoniang joined forces to fight the Divine Sea realm Fire Spirits, locked in an intense struggle.

In the shadows beneath a section of the city wall, a figure lay quietly hidden. Though aware of the traps set by Myriad Devil Ridge, one with such skill and daring would not easily depart. She was still waiting for her moment…

But as she waited, she noticed something strange. In a battle group about thirty *wen* away, a True Lake First-stage cultivator wearing a mask was completely surrounded by a group of Fire Spirits. The leading Fire Spirit even emanated the aura of a True Lake Ninth-stage cultivator. Though the person fought desperately, the situation was precarious. It seemed they would soon perish on the spot.

"This kid… how is he here?" Even Nianyue Xian, a Grand Cultivator of the Divine Sea realm, was momentarily flustered, as if she had seen a ghost. The moment Ying Wuji saw Lu Ye, he had identified Lu Ye's true identity. If Lu Ye hadn't shown him the Myriad Devil Ridge battlefield mark, Ying Wuji would have remained convinced of it. A mask would only serve to reveal more. If Ying Wuji could recognize Lu Ye, how could a Divine Sea realm cultivator like herself be mistaken? Furthermore, relying on her spiritual sense, Nianyue Xian clearly sensed the familiar aura and spiritual power fluctuations, coupled with that black longblade... if not Lu Ye, then who could it be?

Yet, she couldn't fathom how Lu Ye had ended up in Lone Mountain Pass. It was unlikely he simply ran in. In such a chaotic situation, even if Lu Ye had the ability to force his way in, the people of Myriad Devil Ridge weren't blind; they would certainly verify his identity. As for infiltrating, that was even less likely. If a pass could be so easily infiltrated, the Myriad Devil Ridge defenses would have been riddled with holes long ago. Especially due to her actions over the years, the defenses at Lone Mountain Pass had grown stronger day by day. Her ability to infiltrate unharmed, even hiding in the shadows, was due to her exceptional skill. Her success didn't mean other ghost cultivators could do the same. Moreover, as far as she knew, Lu Ye was a Weapon Cultivator.

Therefore, she never expected to see Lu Ye within Lone Mountain Pass, much less find him openly battling the Fire Spirits here, clearly struggling. He couldn't even handle a single True Lake Ninth-stage Fire Spirit, let alone the other Fire Spirits now completely surrounding him.

"This kid is going to die!" In an instant, Nianyue Xian made this assessment. Having guarded Azure Flame Mountain Pass alone for decades, she had long severed all ties with the outside world. Only one person in this world could contact her. For anyone else, Nianyue Xian wouldn't have cared whether they lived or died. But to make her watch Lu Ye die here…

Within the Fire Spirits' encirclement, Lu Ye bled again, the web between his thumb and index finger on his knife-wielding right hand split open. The cultivation gap was too vast; he was indeed no match. An ordinary True Lake First-stage cultivator would have died countless times over by now. Only by relying on his profound foundation had he managed to hold on until now, but he was at the end of his tether. He sighed inwardly, regretting that he ultimately wouldn't be able to keep that treasure. As for how to conceal his identity after using it, that was out of the question. Once that item was deployed, it would undoubtedly draw everyone's attention, and he would have to escape immediately.

Just as he was about to use the treasure, a sharp blade light suddenly struck from the darkness. It flashed, circled Lu Ye's position, and then vanished, demonstrating the precise control the attacker had over their power. But as the blade light faded, all the Fire Spirits surrounding Lu Ye, every single one, froze in place. In Lu Ye's moment of surprise, many Fire Spirits were cut clean in half at the waist. From their wounds, blood like flowing magma gushed out, scorching the surroundings.

"Who's there?!" Lu Ye was slightly startled. He hadn't sensed any trace of someone making a move just now. The closest Myriad Devil Ridge cultivators were dozens of *zhang* away, yet this situation clearly indicated that someone had secretly helped him. Judging by that blade light… it seemed to be a flying sword. To be able to slay so many Fire Spirits in one strike, making even a True Lake Ninth-stage Fire Spirit appear so fragile, the attacker must undoubtedly be a Divine Sea realm cultivator!

Wanzhang Gang and Tan Yaoniang were currently battling the Divine Sea realm Fire Spirits in mid-air; it was impossible for them to intervene and save him. "On Myriad Devil Ridge's side… there's a hidden Divine Sea realm sword cultivator? Why was he hiding? What did he want?"

Almost immediately after this thought crossed Lu Ye's mind, two powerful auras suddenly surged within Lone Mountain Pass. Like awakened slumbering dragons, their formidable pressure permeated the surroundings. Immediately afterward, a fierce battle erupted several hundred *zhang* away. Spiritual energy surged in all directions, seemingly sturdy houses instantly collapsed, and amidst it, faint sounds of swords clashing reverberated.

In the sky, Wanzhang Gang, who was fighting the Divine Sea realm Fire Spirit alongside Tan Yaoniang, sensed something. He looked down and saw three figures entangled in battle below. One of them was graceful and incredibly beautiful, with a face as cold as frost, yet a small tear mole beneath her eye added a touch of cool charm. Even if she were reduced to ash, he would recognize this figure! "Nianyue Xian!" Wanzhang Gang roared, "If you're here, don't even think about leaving!"

Just as he had anticipated, this woman had indeed been lurking in the shadows, waiting for an opportunity to strike him. As soon as he learned that a large number of Fire Spirits were emerging from the volcano at Azure Flame Mountain and were about to break through the pass, he had sent messages to the two nearby passes, inviting two helpers. This was both a precaution against Nianyue Xian and a trap. He had previously feigned weakness, but failed to provoke her into making a move, so he had no choice but to continue fighting, coordinating with Tan Yaoniang. But Nianyue Xian had never shown herself, leaving him helpless. Fortunately, he had remained patient, keeping the two invited helpers hidden in the dark, searching for Nianyue Xian's whereabouts. Now, they had indeed found her.

He, however, did not know that if Nianyue Xian hadn't seen Lu Ye in mortal peril and intervened, she would never have revealed her presence. She had quickly relocated after her strike, yet her whereabouts were still discovered by the enemy. This was because the two Divine Sea realm cultivators Wanzhang Gang had invited this time were both Ghost Cultivators! Only Ghost Cultivators were most familiar with the ways of other Ghost Cultivators, making them the best choice to deal with Nianyue Xian.

"I'll leave it to you!" Wanzhang Gang told Tan Yaoniang, then plunged downwards. Although the Divine Sea realm Fire Spirit was not weak, it had been severely wounded by the combined relentless assault of him and Tan Yaoniang. At this point, Tan Yaoniang alone could finish it off, though it would take some time.

In the battle below, Nianyue Xian's presence was revealed. Her figure fluttered like a butterfly, fighting two opponents simultaneously without falling into disadvantage. In fact, she even forced the two Ghost Cultivators into a tight spot. Ghost Cultivators specialized in stealth and assassination; direct combat was not their forte. In such a direct confrontation, a Ghost Cultivator's abilities would be weakened by at least ten to twenty percent. But Nianyue Xian was not just a Ghost Cultivator. She was also a Sword Cultivator! This was the true source of her confidence in guarding a pass alone for decades. She could both execute stealthy assassinations and confront enemies head-on. Looking across the entire Nine Provinces, only Nianyue Xian had cultivated both disciplines to such a high realm.

Sword light shimmered around her, and sword energy, like a forest, sliced through the void. Under normal circumstances, she would have taught these two Myriad Devil Ridge Ghost Cultivators a good lesson, but this place and time were not suitable for a prolonged stay. Upon realizing Wanzhang Gang was approaching, she immediately rode her sword, transforming into a streak of sword light and fleeing into the distance.

"Wishful thinking!" Wanzhang Gang roared furiously. Such a golden opportunity as today might not arise even once in decades. One should fear a thief's persistent intentions more than their actual theft. To be relentlessly targeted for decades by a powerful Ghost Cultivator and Sword Cultivator like Nianyue Xian, Wanzhang Gang's immense pressure was understandable. Therefore, no matter what, this woman had to be eliminated today!

His entire body ablaze with surging qi and blood, he plummeted like a meteor, crashing onto Nianyue Xian's escape path. The formidable sword light shattered, revealing Nianyue Xian's enveloped figure. As a muffled groan escaped her, another streak of sword light, like a bolt of white silk, struck out. The plummeting figure was struck away, blood spraying in mid-air. In an instant, Wanzhang Gang regained his balance, a deep, bone-visible sword wound on his chest, bleeding profusely. In that fleeting exchange, both he and Nianyue Xian had brushed with death, highlighting the perilous intensity of the clash. Yet, he paid no mind, his body enveloped in a crimson glow as he chased forward, roaring, "Nianyue Xian, you will die today, I guarantee it!" Behind him, two ghostly figures, ethereal and flickering, followed closely. Three Divine Sea realm cultivators from Myriad Devil Ridge joined forces in pursuit!

This sudden turn of events left many Myriad Devil Ridge cultivators dumbfounded. On the periphery of the battle between Nianyue Xian and the two Ghost Cultivators, Ying Wuji leaned against a wall, his face pale, trembling like a quail without a nest in winter. He was fortunate to be alive. If the battle of the three Divine Sea realm cultivators had been any closer, he would likely have been killed by the residual shockwaves!