Chapter 2307 - 2305: Joining Forces

This, of course, is not true, but only by doing so can Lu Ye avoid exposing certain things and lessen the explanations needed.

Ning Gu looked at Lu Ye, his eyelid twitching!

If he had known this was such an exotic treasure, why would he have bothered to fight for it? Whoever obtained that treasure had to use it here.

As a result, not only did he not get the treasure, but he also lost a doppelganger. Truly a massive loss.

Junior Sister Shuang's eyes brightened: "If that's the case, then indeed an array can be formed! Fellow Daoist, do you plan to form a Three Talents Array?"

"With just the three of us, it's our only option."

Junior Sister Shuang said, "If there is the help of an exotic treasure, can we form a more complex array? If possible, it might be safer."

Lu Ye sighed, "I've thought about it, but look, this staircase isn't that large. It's the limit to fit the three of us moving in and out together, let alone add more people."

If possible, Lu Ye indeed wanted to bring a few more Dao Fusions together to form a Black Tortoise Array, which could undoubtedly withstand the pressure on the twenty-level staircase.

But it's not realistic; the staircases aren't large enough to allow so many cultivators moving in and out together.

The Three Talents Array is the simplest. Although its defensive ability is quite inferior compared to the Black Tortoise Array, Lu Ye felt it would likely be enough.

After all, he could reach the eighteenth level alone. With Ning Gu and Junior Sister Shuang assisting, leaving here shouldn't be too much of a problem.

This is also why he sought out these two; their cultivation was the highest, providing the most assistance.

Ning Gu looked complex, never expecting the situation to develop this way.

Lu Ye's voice came again, "But before that, I need you both to swear in the name of the Will of the Star Abyss! Before leaving here, neither of you will harbor any ill intentions toward me in any way. Of course, to be fair, I will also make this oath with you!"

Junior Sister Shuang and Ning Gu exchanged a glance and nodded, "No problem!"

The three of them made their oaths immediately.

"Three Fellow Daoists, what are you discussing?" Suddenly, a Dao Fusion in the crowd inquired.

Others also turned their attention over.

The mental consciousness transmission between Lu Ye and the other two couldn't hide from them, causing unease among the remaining Dao Fusions. The strongest three acting in such secrecy was clearly abnormal.

Everyone here is trapped, so why not speak openly? Whispering only gives the impression that the three are plotting something secretly.

"Want to know?" Ning Gu looked indifferently at the inquirer, "Come over, and I'll tell you!"

That person didn't dare move rashly, feeling something wrong with Ning Gu's tone.

Before he could think it through, Ning Gu and Junior Sister Shuang charged toward the Dao Fusions, and at the same time, Lu Ye heard Ning Gu's call, "Kill them all!"

Lu Ye sighed and slowly stood up, proceeding downward.

Despite the earlier relative harmony at the first trap, everyone knew that those who weren't companions were enemies.

Lu Ye, Ning Gu, and Junior Sister Shuang intending to leave through the array couldn't guarantee the remaining ones wouldn't try to stop them.

This is very likely to happen!

Everyone was initially in despair, but if Lu Ye's group found hope and left them behind, these Dao Fusions wouldn't stand for it.

In dire situations, nothing is more unbearable than seeing others grasp hope; some conflicts arise not from scarcity but from inequality, so if they can't proceed together, then the first move is crucial.

Out of the twelve Dao Fusions present, excluding Lu Ye, Ning Gu, and Junior Sister Shuang, the strongest was only 7th Order Dao Fusion. Despite their numbers, they couldn't withstand the united assault of the trio.

A fierce battle ensued, painting the ground crimson with corpses lying everywhere, but disappearing quickly, leaving only Star Abyss coins.

Ning Gu and Junior Sister Shuang couldn't help but take notice!

Mainly because Lu Ye received three Star Abyss Blessings consecutively.

It's known that he had only slain three Dao Fusions, yet he received three blessings, unheard and unseen before!

It's said that after becoming a Star Abyss Heir, the likelihood of receiving Star Abyss Blessings greatly increases, but not to this extent.

Could he...already be the Star Abyss Heir?

If so, what are they even doing?

"My luck has always been good." Lu Ye casually explained under Ning Gu and Junior Sister Shuang's gaze, though whether they believed was out of his control.

"Need a break?" Lu Ye asked.

Having made their oaths, interacting became much more relaxed, though only until leaving here.

Both Lu Ye and Ning Gu knew the grudge of a destroyed doppelganger wouldn't be easily resolved, so they'd still have to settle it out once they leave.

"No need, let's begin!" Ning Gu responded proudly.

Junior Sister Shuang nodded as well.

Lu Ye immediately began constructing the As-Close-As-Siblings Dao Runes on himself, saying, "I've already unleashed that exotic treasure's power, connect your energies with mine!"

Ning Gu and Junior Sister Shuang acted accordingly, both revealing joy as they found their energies easily linked with Lu Ye, as he said.

This meant they could indeed form an array!

The Three Talents Array is the simplest array, generally achievable by three cultivators who have long been partners and are in sync, but using it in combat can still be risky if unstable. Thus, even if many cultivators can form an array, they don't recklessly use it in combat.

This time is different; it's not combat, just the pressure of resisting the staircase, so there's no need for unnecessary concerns.

The array formed; the three slightly familiarized themselves and confirmed no issues before Lu Ye took the lead!

Ning Gu and Junior Sister Shuang could see his selfishness, but given the situation, they couldn't refuse him; after all, the exotic treasure was with Lu Ye, so naturally, he would lead the array.

The three climbed the staircase step by step, with Lu Ye always a level ahead of Ning Gu and Junior Sister Shuang.

At first, there was no pressure.

It wasn't until the fourteenth level that Ning Gu and Junior Sister Shuang showed serious expressions; they had stopped here before, and while they had barely any strength left, the fifteenth level was undoubtedly their limit.

Lu Ye stepped forward onto the sixteenth level, while Ning Gu and Junior Sister Shuang followed closely behind to the fifteenth level.

Suddenly, their brows raised; there was pressure, but it seemed not too severe, and they felt a sense of joy.

They continued upwards.

Seventeen, eighteen...

It was not until the nineteenth level that Lu Ye's face suddenly turned pale.

Previously, the eighteenth level had been his limit, unable to stay, but now he reached the nineteenth level and hadn't yet hit his limit; just the last level remained!

Lu Ye slightly assessed Ning Gu and Junior Sister Shuang's state; though they were one level behind him, they seemed under even greater pressure, almost staggering.

In such a situation, Lu Ye had no choice but to push ahead, otherwise, if Ning Gu and Junior Sister Shuang couldn't hold on, he would suffer along with them.

He raised his foot abruptly; the entire process was incredibly arduous, with his flesh writhing violently, and his bones emitting creaking friction sounds.

Yet, they did not dislocate or break.

After refining his Dao bones to Great Perfection, all Dao bones were tightly connected, forming a single entity, giving him a stronger resistance to pressure than others.

Conversely, Ning Gu and Junior Sister Shuang's bones were likely broken numerous times, blood flowing from their seven orifices, looking extremely miserable.

Twentieth level.

The gateway lay ahead!

However, stepping onto the top level, the pressure on their bodies suddenly intensified.

The array they maintained suddenly became chaotic.

Ning Gu and Junior Sister Shuang were shocked; if the array broke now, they would surely perish.

Under such immense pressure, even Lu Ye would face dire consequences.

The three dared not to move, fiercely urging their Dao force to stabilize the array.

The suspense lasted only a moment, but fortunately, after a breath, the chaotic array stabilized again.

Lu Ye lacked the strength to speak, only signaling fiercely to Ning Gu and Junior Sister Shuang.

With him stepping forward again, Ning Gu and Junior Sister Shuang finally reached the pinnacle!

The two's condition worsened, and Lu Ye's heart was in his throat, ready to rush towards the gateway anytime; if Ning Gu and the two couldn't hold on, he had no choice but to gamble, life or death, depending on his fate.

Blood leaked from the corners of their mouths. Ning Gu looked at Lu Ye with great difficulty, his Mental Consciousness surged: "Charge!"

Lu Ye hesitated no longer and dashed towards the gateway.

Ning Gu and Junior Sister Shuang followed closely behind.

Three figures vanished without a trace.

At the instant of passing through the gateway, Lu Ye vomited a mouthful of blood and fled without looking back.

Soon, he sensed Ning Gu and Junior Sister Shuang's presence; they were heading in the opposite direction from him.

Everyone shared the same thought; no one wanted to take action at this moment.

Despite Lu Ye being alone and them forming an alliance, in terms of injuries, they were much worse off than Lu Ye, having endured terrifying pressure at the moment Lu Ye escaped the trap.

This separation also seemed to reflect a tacit understanding.

During the escape, Lu Ye inspected himself and couldn't help but smile wryly.

Now, apart from his Dao bones being intact, everything else was a mess; especially his internal organs, nearly all shattered.

He needed to recuperate well.

What's frustrating is that he still doesn't understand whether those two-layer traps were man-made or naturally formed; since there was an exotic treasure hidden in the first layer, it seemed man-made, but given it was within the stellar space marvel, it also seemed natural.

It's truly unclear.

However, this time, he certainly made an enemy of Ning Gu; if they meet again in the future, this fellow definitely won't let it go easily.

A loss of a doppelganger is considered serious in any setting; moreover, Ning Gu's strength is now damaged, significantly impacting his upcoming competition for the Star Abyss Heir.

This enmity is certainly deep.

Got to find a companion.

Others move in pairs, while he is alone; although convenient for action, the rules for competition are fixed, and he can't escape them no matter what. In such circumstances, it's better to find a companion sooner.