Chapter 2019: Chapter 2017: Reinforcements
If the All Phenomena Ocean dispute was the battle that made Three Worlds Island famous, then this time, facing the Purple Swirl invasion, is the battle that will make the Jade Conch Galaxy renowned.
Although their current forces are indeed qualified to contend against the invaders, Lu Ye does not merely aim to be on par with the enemy. He wants the Purple Swirl battalion to come forth with no way to return.
To achieve this goal, there is a prerequisite—our side’s strength must vastly exceed the enemy’s, holding a crushing advantage!
Only then can they swiftly defeat the enemy forces, while also avoiding significant casualties on their side.
From the Mount Fangcun side, they could send out ten Sun Ascendants to face against ten of Purple Swirl’s Demon Venerables, but it’s still not enough.
A little over half a day later, Lu Ye’s figure appeared in the Soul Race’s ancestral land.
As usual, he paid a visit to Elder Xuyuan. Upon seeing each other, Xuyuan immediately discerned his background: "You’ve ascended to Sun Blaze?"
It wasn’t surprising, as when Lu Ye last came, he was already at the Peak Moon Jade stage, seemingly on the verge of breaking through at any moment.
"Luckily advanced," Lu Ye nodded.
"Since you’ve ascended, has your problem been solved?" Xuyuan asked, undoubtedly referring to the matter of the Qi Flower.
"Solved," Lu Ye replied.
"That’s good," Xuyuan expressed with satisfaction. Over the years, he had long regarded Lu Ye as a junior. Although Lu Ye was not originally from the Soul Race, there was truly no other Soul Race individual who had won the favor of the ancestral land’s will. "After Sun Blaze is divine cultivation. What you must first do is temper a Soul Suppressing Secret Technique; future cultivation largely relies on it as the foundation. When you have time, I’ll properly discuss it with you."
He undoubtedly noticed that Lu Ye had other matters for this visit and asked: "What’s the purpose of this visit?"
"My homeland is in peril, and I’ve come to seek aid," Lu Ye explained his visit’s purpose.
"What’s the situation?" Xuyuan inquired.
Lu Ye promptly recounted the attack by Purple Swirl. Xuyuan understood upon hearing: "You wish for the Soul Race here to dispatch some tribesmen, correct?"
"Yes," Lu Ye nodded.
"That’s not an issue," Xuyuan agreed outright. If it were someone else, the Soul Race might not heed them. This race was even less conflict-driven than the Dwarf Race, and their unique living conditions meant they rarely clashed with other races. But since Lu Ye made the request, they naturally wouldn’t refuse.
The Soul Race had aided Lu Ye before; when the Filth Race invaded last time, Xuyuan had intervened.
"How many hands do you need?" Xuyuan asked.
"The more, the better!"
The known enemy situation only involved the ten Demon Venerables of Purple Swirl. As for how many demon cultivators were coming, he truly wasn’t sure. However, since Black Cloud previously mentioned leading them, it indicated the number of demon cultivators wasn’t small.
Xuyuan extended his hand to tap him, pondered briefly, and then said: "Currently, the Sun Blaze we can mobilize, including myself, is about ten. Is that sufficient?"
He didn’t mention below Sun Blaze, but with ten Sun Blaze, the number of Soul Race below Sun Blaze wouldn’t be small either.
"That’s enough!" Lu Ye hadn’t expected to be able to bring in so many Sun Blaze Soul Race members. In his plan, having about three to five would suffice. But now with these ten Sun Blaze Soul Race joining the fray, this battle... how could Purple Swirl possibly win?
With Purple Swirl dispatching ten Demon Venerables, it showed the importance they placed on matters regarding the Nine Provinces. Yet they probably didn’t anticipate kicking a steel plate this time.
"Please wait a moment; I need to wake them, which will require some time." As Xuyuan spoke, he closed his eyes, allowing his Soul Power to ripple outwards.
During normal times, Soul Tribe members usually slumber on various Lotus Lands. The higher their strength, the more so, which is why the entire Soul Tribe space often seemed empty and quiet; only those with cultivation not very high would regularly appear and move about.
Lu Ye stood quietly by, waiting.
After a short time, strong auras began emerging from every corner of the Soul Race’s ancestral land, converging towards this point.
In less than one incense stick’s time, ten figures stood before Lu Ye, each exuding profound Soul Power, clearly the Sun Blaze individuals Xuyuan had mentioned earlier.
Notably, there was one more than Xuyuan had stated.
Every individual who arrived took a keen interest in Lu Ye, evidently having heard of him.
The tale of how a human had gained the ancestral land’s recognition, entered its space, and acquired a seven-color Divine Lotus in the Lotus Pond had long spread. Even though many Soul Blaze had typically been slumbering, they had heard of it.
Especially since this human also brought the Sacred Beast of the Soul Race! The person himself seemed like the legendary Dao Tree successor.
The longevity of the Soul Race meant they were all knowledgeable and experienced. How could they not see that such a person had the potential to soar in the future?
Therefore, even though their status and age far exceeded Lu Ye’s, given his recent advancement to Sun Blaze, they still addressed him as Fellow Daoist, each exhibiting friendly demeanor.
Lu Ye greeted each in turn, expressing sincere gratitude.
After the ten Sun Blaze had arrived, various groups of Soul Race cultivators from different Lotus Lands gathered there, with numbers rapidly increasing...
"These little rascals," Xuyuan couldn’t help but chuckle as he saw his tribespeople gathering continuously: "They’ve been cooped up for too long and jumped at the chance to go out as soon as they heard the news."
One of the Soul Race’s Sun Blaze stroked his beard, chuckling, "Let them be."
"And could we drive them back?" Xuyuan shook his head in exasperation.
He had intended to gather only a specific number of tribespeople but given the current situation, he could no longer restrain them.
The rules within the Soul Race were stringent, and members rarely had the opportunity to leave their ancestral land. Faced with such a chance, naturally, none wanted to miss out.
"Roar..." Suddenly, a tiger’s roar resounded.
Lu Ye’s heart stirred, he quickly looked in the direction of the sound, only to see a majestic giant White Tiger flying over from that direction.
As the White Tiger passed, all the Soul Race members simultaneously halted their movements, showing it respect and reverence, a devout expression in their eyes.
A figure sat upright on the White Tiger’s back, continuously waving towards him: "Lu Ye!"
Behind the White Tiger, a large group of the Soul Race followed closely.
Lu Ye smiled and stepped forward to meet them.
The figure on the White Tiger also flew up, headed towards him, and dived into Lu Ye’s embrace, holding him tightly.
"I missed you so much!" Yiyi buried her small face in Lu Ye’s chest, her voice slightly muffled, as she hugged Lu Ye even tighter, as if she’d never let go.
Lu Ye wrapped his arms around her delicate body, gently patting her.
Amber’s light flowed, transforming in an instant to the size of a cat, leaping onto Lu Ye’s shoulder, rubbing its head against his cheek.
All around, the many members of the Soul Race watched this scene with complicated emotions...
Over the years, they’ve deeply felt how difficult it is to serve the Sacred Beast, and in their hearts, the tribe’s Sacred Beast is a holy and inviolable symbol, never have they seen it so docile?
In the embrace, Yiyi looked up at Lu Ye: "Did you miss me?"
"I did!" Lu Ye nodded.
"You’re full of crap!" Yiyi pouted, vigorously breaking free from Lu Ye’s embrace, hands on her hips, showing a difficult-to-please expression, "You haven’t visited us for a long time, and this time something big happened without telling us. If it wasn’t for Elder Xuyuan’s summon..."
"I was planning to come." Lu Ye quickly explained.
He did intend to, but considering the potential risks in this conflict with Zixuan, he dismissed the idea, not expecting Xuyuan’s summon to also bring Yiyi and Amber over.
"Not listening, not listening, I won’t listen!" Yiyi covered her ears with her hands, turning her back to him.
Lu Ye took a step forward, wrapped her in his arms, leaned over, and whispered something in her ear.
Yiyi’s eyes twinkled, showing a face full of smugness, squinting at him: "You said it, no backing out!"
"I said it." Lu Ye nodded heavily.
Yiyi finally revealed a satisfied expression.
Lu Ye raised his head, looking forward, as two figures approached together.
"Fellow Daoist Lih Shang!" Lu Ye nodded with a smile.
The initial contact with the Soul Race started with Lih Shang, who was captured by a Sun Blaze, auctioned as an item by the All Phenomena Merchants Guild, Lu Ye spent a significant sum to buy her, gradually breaking the ice in the ensuing interactions, earning her trust.
Through contact with Lih Shang, Lu Ye initially intended to find a refuge for the Xianyuan Guard, but unexpectedly gained great benefits.
"Long time no see." Lih Shang responded with a smile.
Lu Ye looked at the figure beside Lih Shang: "City Lord, it’s been a while." This was none other than Zhang Zishan, the City Lord of Xianyuan City. Back then, all the Xianyuan Guard followed Lih Shang, settled on her five-color Lotus Land.
Now under Xuyuan’s summon, everyone had come along.
Lu Ye saw many familiar faces behind Zhang Zishan...
Yooi Qing, Liu Datong, Butcher, Scholar, blind fortune-teller, gambler Liu Sanbao, Hong Yue, and the delicate Xi Wanying holding a pipa...
These Xianyuan Guards all had interactions with him back then.
Back then, their cultivation levels were not high, only able to exist for long due to the uniqueness of Xianyuan City, but now, each possessed considerable Soul Power.
The ancestral land of the Soul Race nurtures! Especially Lih Shang’s five-color Lotus Land of high quality, perfect for the Xianyuan Guard’s survival and cultivation, over the years they’ve made significant progress.
Zhang Zishan smiled and said: "Our Xianyuan Guard’s mission is to vow to defend the Nine Provinces to the death. Now that the Nine Provinces is in trouble, what will we do?"
He looked at Lu Ye but his words were directed at the Xianyuan Guard behind him.
"Fight to the death! Fight to the death! Fight to the death!"
Ear-splitting shouts echoed together!
Compared to the scattered and less battle-hardened Soul Race, although the Xianyuan Guard doesn’t have large numbers, they are a true iron-blooded army. In the past, to protect the Nine Provinces, they voluntarily abandoned their physical bodies, showcasing their resolve and bravery, and now, it’s again the moment for them to contribute their strength, which is the moment each Xianyuan Guard longs for!
Even those Sun Blaze Soul Race members witnessing this scene couldn’t help but be moved.
The shouts still echoed in his ears, and Lu Ye was overwhelmed with emotions, looking at each Xianyuan Guard, he bowed deeply: "The Nine Provinces is lucky to have you, it’s a blessing for all creatures living in the Nine Provinces!"
Zhang Zishan returned the salute: "The Nine Provinces is most fortunate to have you!"
Xuyuan interrupted them from the side: "It’s time to go, if we don’t leave now, more and more people will gather!"
He hadn’t expected his summon would cause such an uproar in the Soul Race ancestral land, if this gathering continues, the battle could easily be won by the Soul Race alone.
