Free Web NovelChapter 2068: Chapter 2066: Get to Work Properly
Lu Ye felt a pang of regret; he shouldn’t have been so ruthless earlier, killing so many star beasts. The loss was indeed significant.
The Scorching Sun Essence spat out by the Moon Jade star beasts was noticeably inferior to that of Sun Blaze, but still quite impressive. Lu Ye immediately took up the fire gourd and devoured it.
As a reward, he dissolved a portion of the barghest’s power from the Sun Blaze star beast.
Receiving this treatment, the Sun Blaze star beast was evidently more motivated, and its calls to summon companions grew more urgent along the way.
In less than a day, over fifty star beasts had gathered around Lu Ye. Apart from the original Sun Blaze beast, there were a few Moon Jade beasts, while the rest were all Constellation beasts.
None of the summoned star beasts failed to contribute one or two strands of Scorching Sun Essence to Lu Ye. After observing, Lu Ye discovered the source of these essences; they were the manifestation of the star beasts condensing their own Crystal Core power. So even the Sun Blaze beast couldn’t condense too much at once.
The cultivation of the star beasts varied, which influenced the quality of the Scorching Sun Essences they contributed. The Sun Blaze beast undoubtedly offered the best, the Moon Jade second, and the Constellation beasts the worst. Yet, even the worst was Scorching Sun Essence, which the fire gourd could directly devour.
Another half-day passed before returning to the initial location, where the number of star beasts increased slightly, forming a large group clustered together.
Lu Ye sought out the Sun Blaze star beast, holding a specially reserved strand of Scorching Sun Essence in his hand. Mental Consciousness surged as he conveyed through audio transmission, "I want this, a lot, very much. Do you understand?"
The Sun Blaze star beast blinked its eyes. Its spiritual intelligence was indeed not high, but since it previously made responses that satisfied Lu Ye, it could more or less grasp his meaning now.
It immediately turned its head and squeaked at the numerous star beasts. Those beasts, as if commanded, simultaneously plunged into the Giant Red Planet and vanished, including the Sun Blaze star beast itself, which disappeared instantly.
Through the barghest’s power perception, Lu Ye could sense it rapidly moving away, but it didn’t seem like an escape.
A faint conjecture in his heart led Lu Ye to simply allow it and patiently wait.
Anyway, as long as it couldn’t dissolve the barghest’s power, it would never escape his grasp. If the opponent were a true spiritual intelligence Sun Blaze cultivator, Lu Ye would need to be more cautious, but since it was merely a star beast, he didn’t need to worry too much.
Time flew by, and every two or three days, the departing Sun Blaze star beast would return, each time with varying numbers of its kind. This led to an increasing number of star beasts gathering in the magma beneath Lu Ye.
This completely confirmed Lu Ye’s earlier speculation. Its prior departure was indeed to summon more of its kin, which was why he allowed the star beast to leave previously.
Lu Ye took time to investigate these star beasts, finding them scattered, quietly staying in their positions, like fish in water, constantly breathing. Each breath gathered unique energy from the surrounding magma, gradually transforming into the shape of Scorching Sun Essence.
This was undoubtedly their innate ability. Compared to cultivators using their methods or relying on some treasures to refine Scorching Sun Essence, their efficiency was much higher.
Lu Ye was greatly delighted. This way, he only needed to come over occasionally to check and reap the rewards.
These star beasts gathered here were like crops in the fields, requiring no extra effort from him.
He hadn’t anticipated such a pleasant surprise upon arriving at this Giant Red Planet. He was originally dissatisfied with the speed of nurturing uncanny fire in the fire gourd, but with the star beasts’ help, it would undoubtedly save a lot of time.
About a month after Lu Ye arrived at the Giant Red Planet, an unexpected guest suddenly visited.
Sensing the approaching aura of the person, Lu Ye quickly stowed away the fire gourd and looked up.
Soon, an elderly man with wide sleeves and gray hair came into view, stepping on a misty purple aura beneath his feet, displaying great prestige.
He landed directly not far in front of Lu Ye and spoke loudly: "I am Ji Boyun. Fellow Daoist Li has good methods; you’ve stabilized your position in such a short time."
Lu Ye didn’t know why the other party had come looking for him, but from the voice alone, he realized this was the person who had transmitted audio from afar when he first arrived here.
Back then, Lu Ye greeted him, but Ji Boyun didn’t seem interested in further communication with Lu Ye, merely stating it wouldn’t be too late to talk further in a while if he could remain here.
Lu Ye didn’t understand his intention at that time, but now he did. This Giant Red Planet not only had a harsh environment but also star beasts of this kind. Ordinary cultivators would indeed find it hard to survive.
His ability to stay here for such a long time evidently gained Ji Boyun’s recognition, which was why he proactively came to meet him.
"Fellow Daoist overpraises me, it was merely luck," replied Lu Ye. After some sensing, he confirmed that Ji Boyun had Sun Blaze Late Stage cultivation, though he didn’t know which Star System he hailed from.
While he was probing the other party’s cultivation, Ji Boyun did the same, expressing surprise: "Fellow Daoist Li is only Sun Blaze Early Stage?"
"Yes!" Lu Ye nodded.
Ji Boyun stroked his beard: "Your cultivation is lacking... but being able to stand firm here, you do have something commendable!"
He was commenting freely, not caring whether Lu Ye was willing to listen.
"Fellow Daoist, have you come for something?" Lu Ye asked. He had been here for a month, and though he hadn’t interacted much with others, he had a rough understanding of the situation on the Giant Red Planet.
Aside from the cultivators tempering the Scorching Sun Essence outside the Giant Red Planet, only three cultivators have settled here, besides himself. Ji Boyun was in the Sun Blaze Late Stage, while the other two’s cultivation levels were unknown to Lu Ye, but surely stronger than his own, as it was generally impossible for someone in the Sun Blaze Early Stage to stay here for long.
"Indeed, there is something!" Ji Boyun nodded. "Let’s skip the small talk. We all arrived on the Giant Red Planet for its unique environment to cultivate, but recently, Fellow Daoist should have noticed, it’s not only us here, there are many Sun Flaming Beasts. The ordinary ones don’t pose much of a threat, easily taken down, but there is one Sun Flaming Beast King that is hard to handle. Its movements are concealed, its temperament vigilant, occasionally launching surprise attacks on us, which is why we’ve been thinking of ways to eliminate this threat, so we can cultivate more peacefully in the future. We had planned to act soon, but since you’ve come, Fellow Daoist, we need you to contribute your strength!"
After hearing the explanation, Lu Ye understood why Ji Boyun had sought him out.
The Sun Flaming Beasts he mentioned should be those star beasts.
From Ji Boyun’s perspective, Lu Ye should contribute his strength, since he would be cultivating here as well. It wouldn’t be right for him to stand aside and benefit without effort; such good fortune doesn’t exist in this world.
But from Lu Ye’s perspective, it’s different...
If Ji Boyun had approached him when he first arrived a month ago, he might not have refused, but now each Sun Flaming Beast was akin to crops in his field, hens laying eggs, treasures he was reluctant to harm.
So after a brief consideration, Lu Ye responded, "I appreciate the offer, Fellow Daoist, but I won’t be part of this venture. I lack strength, and joining recklessly may hold everyone back."
Ji Boyun responded calmly, "That’s of no consequence. Since you can maintain your position here, you have the qualification to participate. We will act in three days; you may join us then."
Having said this, he turned to leave. His attitude made it clear he wouldn’t allow Lu Ye to remain uninvolved, nor did he intend to waste words further. This visit was merely to inform Lu Ye.
Watching Ji Boyun’s departing figure, Lu Ye’s expression remained unchanged.
Though he didn’t know what Ji Boyun and the others planned, as their target was the Sun Flaming Beast King, he merely needed to keep watch over it.
As long as he maintained vigilance over the Sun Flaming Beast King, no matter what tactics Ji Boyun and his group employed, they would find difficulty in execution.
Thinking this, he channeled his mana and immersed into the Giant Red Planet.
A few miles deep, he could see many Sun Flaming Beasts scattered across, absorbing the surrounding fire energy. Before many Sun Flaming Beasts were condensed Scorching Sun Essence, though most were not ready for harvest.
Lu Ye moved like a lord overseeing his territory, simultaneously sending out Mental Consciousness in all directions, "Work diligently, no slacking off!"
The Sun Flaming Beasts, summoned by the Sun Flaming Beast King, were unafraid of him and remained calm.
Lu Ye soon found the Sun Flaming Beast King’s location, its wounds not fully healed, with traces of the barghest’s power lingering, his means of control.
The Sun Flaming Beast King was idle, licking its wounds. Upon seeing Lu Ye, it chirped, expressing it wasn’t being lazy and would soon set out to find more companions.
As it readied to leave, Lu Ye grabbed it and informed it about the recent danger outside, advising against wandering.
The Sun Flaming Beast King stared blankly at him.
Lu Ye sighed, drawing the Boulder Mountain Saber and feigning a clumsy assault on it, then pointed outside.
The Sun Flaming Beast King seemed even more perplexed.
After much effort, Lu Ye returned to his resting spot, unsure if the Sun Flaming Beast King understood his intent, but as long as there was barghest’s power, he could monitor its movements, staying ahead of any trouble.
Thus, Ji Boyun and the others were bound to fail in their action against the Sun Flaming Beast King.
Fortunately, the Sun Flaming Beast King seemed to grasp his meaning, staying put over the next few days.
This left Lu Ye relieved.
Time quickly passed, and the three days deadline arrived.
Lu Ye remained within his domain, channeling the fire gourd’s might while monitoring the Sun Flaming Beast King, having no interest in Ji Boyun’s side.
Meanwhile, within Ji Boyun’s domain, three figures stood together. Among them was Ji Boyun, who had visited Lu Ye days prior, accompanied by a burly man and a woman. The man’s bare chest was adorned with fiery red patterns, appearing bizarrely, while the woman’s red hair, akin to flames, even her striking eyes possessed an enchanting gleam.
