Free Web NovelChapter 2109: Chapter 2107: Hunt
After a discussion with Zi Ji, Lu Ye departed.
Simultaneously, he left a talent tree avatar stationed at his original position.
Since the shared Dao force wasn’t substantial, the avatar could only exert the strength of the 5th Dao. Thus, including Zi Ji, there were two guardians with 5th Dao strength protecting the place. As long as no overly powerful intruder came, there shouldn’t be any major issues.
Moreover, as long as the main body remained connected to the avatar, Lu Ye could return at any moment using the Void spirit runes, providing timely support in case of danger.
The Star Abyss ambience was incredibly mysterious, heavily suppressing a cultivator’s mental consciousness, which could only be alleviated by using Dao force to enhance it.
However, doing so invisibly consumed the Dao force.
Therefore, in the Star Abyss, cultivators wouldn’t waste their hard-earned Dao force unless necessary.
In such an environment, the weak undoubtedly could hide themselves more easily.
As Lu Ye proceeded along his path, he occasionally encountered some Star Abyss living creatures, but after a few skirmishes, he discovered that the Star Abyss was not entirely populated by strong beings. At least the ones he killed did not have Dao bones and could only wield a trace of Dao force.
After half a day, he finally acquired his first loot.
This loot came from a large star beast with the strength of the 3rd Dao. With Lu Ye’s current capabilities, such a star beast was no concern to him.
Extracting the Dao bone, he held it in the palm of his hand, and using the talent tree’s power, he refined it.
In the following days, Lu Ye acquired more loot, refining them all steadily and quickly accumulating his own Dao force.
Only after his Dao force exceeded 400 did Lu Ye transport his loot through the Void spirit runes to the talent tree avatar, which then passed it to several others who had entered the Dao Realm, assisting them in accumulating their own power.
Ninety percent of the subsequent loot was sent back, and he retained only ten percent for himself.
On this day, Lu Ye sensed a sharp aura lingering in a distant area, immediately becoming vigilant.
In the Star Abyss, most living creatures were cautious, rarely flaunting, as dangers were everywhere, and no one knew if they might encounter someone stronger, which usually led to an unpromising outcome.
However, the aura ahead was so clear even from afar, indicating that the individual had strong confidence in their ability.
Lu Ye pondered briefly, tried to conceal his own aura, and approached quietly.
Though he hadn’t engaged the opponent yet and was unsure of their strength, Lu Ye wasn’t too worried, as his avatar could assist from afar. If danger arose, he could flee using the Void spirit runes unless the opponent possessed the ability to kill him instantly with one strike.
With his current strength, only an 8th Dao expert could achieve that, and Lu Ye didn’t think he was that unlucky.
Moments later, he finally saw the owner of that aura.
It was a member of the Winged Race with pure white wings. Though the Winged Race existed in the All Phenomena Ocean’s stellar space, they weren’t a large race with a significant population. Lu Ye had seen a few in All Phenomena Ocean.
Getting closer, Lu Ye realized why this individual revealed their aura so recklessly — the aura was not just sharp, but also had a chaotic and confusing feel.
This guy... seemed to have lost his mind.
Lu Ye blinked, recalling his days with Team A-3 and Du Qingsha hunting Star Abyss outsiders with befuddled minds; they had encountered several, varying in strength. The Cover Armor stellar space cultivators referred to these unsettled individuals as bedlamites!
They were consumed by slaughter, and any living thing that appeared in their view became an enemy.
The number of bedlamites was not negligible, indicating this was a consistent phenomenon in the Star Abyss. However, no one knew why the bedlamites were mentally disturbed.
This bedlamite of the Winged Race seemed to be quite strong, but the exact strength could only be determined through combat.
Stealthily approaching, the Winged Race bedlamite stood quietly, seemingly unaware.
Until at some point, he suddenly turned his head, gazing towards Lu Ye’s location.
No matter how careful, there’s always a chance of being exposed. Almost simultaneously with the Winged Race turning, Lu Ye sprang forward, attacking.
The Winged Race’s reaction was swift; even as his head turned, his body moved. His eyes were blood-red, full of what seemed like bloodstains, a distinct symptom of a bedlamite.
He suddenly twisted his body horizontally, his two wings like fan blades, exuding threads of white light, cascading towards Lu Ye like rain or a waterfall, while his body followed closely behind, with unstoppable momentum.
Uncertain of the opponent’s strength, Lu Ye dared not underestimate, immediately channeling the power of the 6 Dao, weaving it into his mana, protecting himself.
As he anticipated, following his cultivation’s promotion to mid-Sunshine realm and enhancement in foundation, he was now truly a 6th Dao cultivator.
No longer did he bear the enormous burden of wielding the power of the 6 Dao, though forcibly channeling the power of the 7 Dao would still cause strain.
In other words, he now had the combat power of the 7 Dao, though it couldn’t be sustained for long.
The white attack fell on Lu Ye’s body, all blocked by protective magic, and in an instant, the two figures collided with each other.
The long blade slashed down, the power of the 6th Dao burst forth.
Under the eradication of the Dao, the protective spirit light on the Winged Race shattered, the sharp blade directly cut off one of his arms, along with the wing on that side.
As they passed by each other, Lu Ye thought it a pity. If that slash had been a bit faster, it might have killed the opponent instantly, but even though the opponent’s mind was impaired, his instinct was intact. At the crucial moment, he twisted his body, narrowly surviving.
Through this brief confrontation, Lu Ye also discerned the opponent’s strength.
5th Dao! Weaker than himself.
Lu Ye felt assured, turned and launched an attack.
Severely injured, the Winged Race roared in anger. If he still had sanity, he would have realized he wasn’t a match and fled, but now not only did he not escape, he looked determined to fight to the death with Lu Ye, which undoubtedly hastened his demise.
Moments later, the battle subsided, Lu Ye took a piece of Dao Bone from the Winged Race’s body, used Void Spirit Runes to teleport back to the doppelganger, and left calmly.
This was the first 5th Dao cultivator Lu Ye had encountered so far. Although the opponent was a bedlamite, his strength was genuine.
Jiu Yan had already successfully established a Dao foundation, this piece of Dao Bone from the 5th Dao cultivator should help her accumulate a significant amount of Dao force in a short time.
Days passed by, almost every day, Lu Ye sent back various amounts of loot.
A half year’s worth of hunting made him intimately familiar with the surroundings within a hundred thousand miles. Several times, he encountered danger, facing insurmountable strongmen, relying on Void Spirit Runes in moments of crisis to save his life.
This gradually made him realize something: the area where the Spectral Sedan Chair brought them isn’t too dangerous. Otherwise, it wouldn’t have been so peaceful for so long.
Lu Ye didn’t know how big the Star Abyss was, but he knew it undoubtedly housed more formidable beings than the ones he had encountered.
Take the Cover Armor stellar space, for instance, once an 8th Dao strongman entered the Star Abyss and never returned, obviously there were beings stronger than the 8th Dao in it.
If he had truly encountered such a strongman, Lu Ye felt he might not even have the chance to construct Void Spirit Runes.
This long period of hunting also made Lu Ye realize something: although most of the living creatures in Star Abyss roam alone, it doesn’t mean there are no existing forces.
Nearby lies a force where many Star Abyss cultivators gather, and Lu Ye’s hunting in this area seems to have caught their attention.
Lu Ye understood clearly that this place could not be stayed in for long.
Almost a year after the Spectral Sedan Chair brought everyone to Star Abyss, with Chen Li establishing a Dao foundation, all eight entered the Dao Realm!
Among them, Zi Ji, Chong Yue, Jiu Yan, Su Wan were of the 5th Dao, while Water Fairy, Bewitchment Shadow, and Chen Li were of the 4th Dao, showcasing the strict selection standards of the Spectral Sedan Chair in the past. If Sacred Eldest One and Wuchen hadn’t died, they would have at least reached the 4th Dao after establishing a Dao foundation.
After so long, Lu Ye’s efforts finally paid off. Each person present, regardless of the count, has accumulated a considerable amount of Dao force, basically dozens of dao, even Chen Li who advanced last accrued nearly a dozen strands of Dao force.
Great Demon Venerable Zi Ji even tried to refine his second Dao Bone once, but unfortunately, failed, leaving him deeply saddened.
In the large cave where they initially arrived, almost a year later, the eight gathered again.
Compared to the bewilderment and helplessness of a year ago, the group now was obviously more spirited. For cultivators like them, as long as there is a path to grow stronger, there is hope regardless of the harsh environment.
In contrast, back in the All Phenomena Ocean stellar space, even living in luxury and ruling a region, the future was bleak.
The eight sat in a circle, only Lu Ye’s voice echoed.
He recounted everything he had discovered over these days, emphasizing the existence of a nearby force. As soon as he finished, Zi Ji immediately grasped the situation: "So, we can’t stay here any longer."
Lu Ye nodded: "Exactly, I don’t know how strong that force is, but lately they’ve been sending cultivators out to search for my traces. Even though our hiding place is discreet, they will eventually find us, and conflicts will arise."
"Then we must move!"
"Where should we go?" someone asked.
They all looked at each other, no one could offer a solution. Since arriving at Star Abyss, they hadn’t gathered enough information to know where to go.
"If anyone lacks direction, then follow me." Lu Ye spoke, "Perhaps... I can find a way back!"
Everyone was stunned.
Chong Yue looked at him: "A path back? Brother Lu, do you know how to return?"
The expressions of the others also became enthusiastic. If they could really go back, it’s what they all desired.
