Chapter 962: Using the Golden Body Order

The Clone Technique is an extremely advanced spell, capable of being performed only by highly skilled spell cultivators. Even she had merely touched upon its basics and couldn't fully master it. Yet, today she witnessed this technique being used by a junior who was only at the True Lake Realm third-stage—and surprisingly, he was a weapon cultivator!

Upon closer inspection, however, Lu Ye's clone differed slightly from the orthodox Clone Technique. For one, even she, a Divine Sea Realm cultivator, struggled to distinguish between the real and fake figures, as both emanated Lu Ye's aura identically.

As the two figures darted out, one to the left and one to the right, Liu Yuemei had no time to think. She instinctively raised her hand and cast a spell, blasting it towards one of the figures.

That figure promptly disintegrated, vanishing without a trace—it was indeed the clone.

This brief delay allowed Lu Ye to create a bit more distance. He then flickered his body and cast the Clone Technique once more.

For Lu Ye, the immediate goal was simple: stall for time while making his utmost effort to escape.

He didn't know if Qian Wudang had arrived, or where he might be. But confronted by a Divine Sea Realm cultivator's pursuit, his only option was to flee.

Their current location was within the proximity of another pass, which was certainly guarded by a Divine Sea Realm cultivator. If he could reach that pass, he might force Liu Yuemei to exercise caution.

Yet, the path ahead was long, and achieving this would be incredibly difficult.

Fortunately, the Shadow Splitting Spirit Pattern proved invaluable at this juncture. Several times, Lu Ye used it to confuse Liu Yuemei's vision, thereby gaining a precious moment to breathe.

A chilling sensation again rose in Lu Ye's heart. He quickly glanced back while trying to escape, only to see the phantom of a small tree suddenly appear before the pursuing Divine Sea Realm cultivator. This tree, clearly condensed from spiritual power, had a low, dense canopy.

Though the small tree appeared verdant, it exuded an extremely chilling aura.

As Lan Yilan initiated her spell, the small tree swayed gently. Countless leaves detached from its trunk, spiraling and spreading outwards, forming an overwhelming, emerald-green torrent that surged towards Lu Ye's position.

Only at this moment did Lu Ye realize that the Divine Sea Realm cultivator specialized in wood-element spells.

That spell was certainly extraordinary. The Divine Sea Realm cultivator had clearly lost patience; otherwise, with her cultivation level, she wouldn't have resorted to such a powerful spell against a True Lake Realm third-stage cultivator.

Undoubtedly, her repeated failed attempts had completely enraged her.

With his current strength, Lu Ye was absolutely incapable of withstanding the might of such a spell.

Even activating his Dragon Seat wouldn't suffice. While the Dragon Seat's defensive capabilities and quality might offer a chance to withstand the spell's inherent power, its immense force was beyond what the Dragon Seat could neutralize. If engulfed, Lu Ye wouldn't have enough lives to survive.

A terrifying murderous intent enveloped him, almost causing him to suffocate and instilling a despair he had never experienced before.

With a faint sigh in his heart, the moment the emerald torrent enveloped him, Lu Ye activated the Golden Body Token he held.

He had prepared to activate this item numerous times during previous perils, but each time he had managed to avert disaster, thus saving battle merits. This time, however, he couldn't avoid it.

The emerald light enveloped the golden glow, as the overwhelming emerald leaves swept and surged, carving through every inch of space.

Lan Yilan's figure stood behind the emerald torrent, observing with a cold demeanor.

A moment later, as the spell's power slowly diminished and the emerald light rapidly faded, Lan Yilan's eyes, behind the mask, widened with a mix of surprise and doubt.

She saw the golden light standing resilient amidst the vast expanse of emerald.

The emerald color intensified, and the golden light grew even more dazzling.

As the spell's power completely dissipated, Lu Ye, enveloped in a layer of golden light, and Lan Yilan, still wearing her mask, stood eighty zhang apart, staring at each other.

"The Golden Body Token!" The Divine Sea Realm cultivator gritted her teeth, enunciating each word slowly, her eyes turning bloodshot.

She had believed that personally striking down a True Lake Realm third-stage cultivator like Lu Ye would be effortless, never anticipating such an unexpected turn of events.

How could she, a Divine Sea Realm cultivator, be unaware of the Golden Body Token's effects? That item was a protection bestowed by the Heavenly Secret, and once activated, no one within the Nine Provinces could break it before its duration expired.

Precisely because of this, the Golden Body Token was exceedingly precious and rare. Across the Nine Provinces today, the total number of Golden Body Tokens held by all major sects combined would not exceed ten, and they were almost never used lightly.

Therefore, she had never imagined that Lu Ye, a mere True Lake Realm third-stage cultivator, would possess a Golden Body Token.

Now that the Golden Body Token was activated, she couldn't possibly kill Lu Ye unless she waited for its effect to wear off.

She was practically going mad!

"How could you possess such a treasure!" the Divine Sea Realm cultivator shrieked. In boundless rage, she slapped Lu Ye with a palm. A powerful force swept over him, sending Lu Ye flying like a rag doll.

However, protected by the Golden Body Token, he didn't suffer the slightest injury; his body was merely thrown out of control.

He landed hastily, but the Divine Sea Realm cultivator was instantly behind him again, striking another palm.

It wasn't that she was unaware of her current powerlessness; rather, her pent-up rage had no outlet, leaving her extremely frustrated.

After being knocked down several times, Lu Ye stood up, glaring coldly at the Divine Sea Realm cultivator, and blurted out, "You foul bitch!"

He was not someone who enjoyed cursing or exchanging idle chatter during a fight. If provoked and capable of immediate retaliation, he would show no mercy. If unable, he would silently remember the slight, knowing that fortunes turn, and a chance for retribution would always come.

The reason he cursed the Divine Sea Realm cultivator was not to vent his anger, but to consider the safety of Xiao Xinghe and Yinxu.

He was protected by the Golden Body Token, but his companions were not.

If the Divine Sea Realm cultivator abandoned him at that moment and turned to pursue Xiao Xinghe and Yinxu, he would be powerless to stop her.

So he had to find a way to keep the Divine Sea Realm cultivator occupied here. If he couldn't fight her, then cursing was his only option.

The woman was now somewhat unhinged, in a deeply provoked state.

With a furious curse, the Divine Sea Realm cultivator froze.

She had lived for so many years with a privileged background and noble status; when had she ever been cursed to her face like that? For a moment, she failed to react, asking, "What did you say?"

Lu Ye stared into her eyes, articulating each word: "You. Foul. Bitch!"

*Boom!*

The Divine Sea Realm cultivator's formidable aura burst forth, her rage erupting like a volcanic inferno as she gritted her teeth and roared, "You're seeking death!"

Fortunately, she still knew Lu Ye was protected by the Golden Body Token, and that any direct action would be futile. Thus, despite her fierce shouts, she made no move to attack.

"Whether I live or die is none of your concern. But I heard a guy named Tan Shu died miserably recently? Was Tan Shu your son?"

"I'll kill you!" The death of Tan Shu was what Lan Yilan could least tolerate, and Lu Ye deliberately rubbed salt in her wound. How could Lan Yilan endure such provocation?

As she spoke, Lan Yilan's spiritual power surged, and an imposing small tree again appeared before her. Its leaves spiraled down, enveloping Lu Ye's position.

But to what avail?

When the emerald torrent dispersed, the golden light had not faded in the slightest.

The Golden Body Token's protection duration was quite substantial. Lu Ye recalled that the first time he used it in the hunting grounds, it lasted for a considerable period without dissipating.

"Vicious people like you and your son should have died long ago. Tan Shu deserved his death, and you won't meet a good end either!"

Lu Ye continued trying to enrage her, but the effect was minimal. It was unclear whether the Divine Sea Realm cultivator had calmed down due to extreme anger or had simply accepted the present reality, as she ceased attacking Lu Ye. Instead, she reached out and, with surging spiritual power, enveloped Lu Ye and lifted him into the air. Lu Ye silently thought, "This is bad."

While protected by the Golden Body Token, he would indeed suffer no harm. However, if a powerful cultivator like Lan Yilan, a Divine Sea Realm expert, wished to restrain him, Lu Ye would be helpless.

Thus, while the Golden Body Token was formidable, it was not omnipotent.

The Divine Sea Realm cultivator clearly intended to take him to a secluded location, wait a few hours for the Golden Body Token's effect to dissipate, and then kill him.

How could Lu Ye allow her to have her way? He immediately brandished his long saber, employing his techniques to resist.

The effect was minimal, only slightly delaying Lan Yilan's flight speed.

Just then, the Divine Sea Realm cultivator suddenly turned her head and glanced back. Lu Ye clearly saw a flicker in her eyes.

Following her gaze, two points of light appeared, rapidly approaching them.

Reinforcements had arrived!

Lu Ye was overjoyed, though he wondered why there were two people. Besides Qian Wudang, who else could it be?

He soon discovered who had arrived, for from afar, a majestic roar echoed: "Release him at once, or I'll ensure you have no burial place!"

The Sect Master!

It seemed Qian Wudang had brought the Sect Master with him. Lu Ye's heart settled with relief.

He quickly cried out, "Sect Master, save me!" Then, turning to the Divine Sea Realm cultivator, he yelled, "You're doomed! My Sect Master is here!"

He adopted a triumphant stance.

Lan Yilan was enraged, but knowing she couldn't change the inevitable, she could only grit her teeth and snarl, "Bastard!"

She struck out with a palm, sending Lu Ye flying.

With Qian Wudang and Tang Yifeng, two great Divine Sea Realm cultivators, in pursuit, the situation would become unmanageable if she didn't release him. So, despite her reluctance, she could only abandon Lu Ye and flee alone.

Lu Ye stabilized himself in mid-air, enveloped by the Golden Body Token's radiant golden light, shining as brightly as a small sun.

The Sect Master and Qian Wudang quickly arrived. Seeing that Lu Ye was safe, though a bit disheveled, they both felt relieved.

Qian Wudang slowly asked, "Where is Yinxu?"

Lu Ye replied, "She fled separately from us in that direction; she should be safe."

Qian Wudang immediately sped in the direction Lu Ye pointed, clearly going to search for Lan Yilan's tracks.

Seeing Qian Wudang depart, the Sect Master instructed Lu Ye, "Stay here. I will go and kill that scoundrel from the Ten Thousand Demon Ridge. To commit such atrocities on our Vast Sky Alliance territory is truly outrageous!"

His figure flickered, transforming into a streak of light, and he sped away in the direction Lan Yilan had fled.

With the Golden Body Token protecting him, the Sect Master wasn't concerned about Lu Ye's immediate safety. However, how could he remain indifferent after one of his disciples had suffered such a calamity?

That scoundrel from the Ten Thousand Demon Ridge dared to act so brazenly, utterly disregarding Tang Yifeng.

Furthermore, he had only recently recovered and was seeking an opportunity to re-establish his authority. Such a prime chance could not be missed.