Translator: Jon
Editor: Silavin
No one knew what had happened in the fog. Naturally, Huang Liang had no idea either.
When he saw Lu Ye returning, he thought that the latter had merely trapped the enemies inside the fog.
“I’ve killed them all,” Lu Ye replied impassively while glancing at him.
Huang Liang felt that he might’ve misheard him.
On the other hand, Ye Liuli jumped in ecstasy and clapped her hands. “You’re incredible, Sixth Brother!”
She had no idea how powerful those cultivators from Heavenly Gully Cult were, thinking that they were just some weak cultivators. If she were aware of it, she would’ve been shocked as well.
Only then did Huang Liang come to his senses. “Little friend, what do you mean that you’ve killed them all?”
Without responding to him, Lu Ye waved his hand as though wiping the dust off a mirror. The fog in front of them subsided as the situation at the entrance came into sight.
They could see that Yun Haitian and the others appeared shocked and doubtful while Wu Xie and the other corpses were lying on the ground.
“What!?” Huang Liang widened his eyes in disbelief as he looked at the entrance of the valley.
Only then did he realise he didn’t mishear Lu Ye.
The young man literally meant that he had killed all the enemies who had tried barging into the Valley of Medicine.
Moreover, it had only taken him a short time to do so.
It had only been several dozen breaths of time since he activated the Grand Ward, but some Elders and over ten cultivators from the Cult had lost their lives.
When Huang Liang, Fa Hua, and Liu Tianyi got into a life-and-death battle under the Heavenly Gully, they had only managed to kill roughly the same number of Elders.
Furthermore, it was the result of the two respectable Seniors going all out.
However, this unknown young man was able to achieve the same thing with ease. Although he had the Grand Ward’s help, it was still inconceivable.
As Huang Liang looked at the dispassionate young man beside him, he realised that the latter might be the saviour they needed after the unusual phenomenon took place.
When the fog went away, the cultivators from the Cult could also see the people in front of the huts. Unlike how they had no regard for Lu Ye and the others earlier, both the common cultivators and the Elders from the Cult were wary. Yun Haitian was especially vigilant.
Wu Xie and the other corpses were still lying on the ground. It was only natural that they were wary of someone who could kill Wu Xie in a short time.
Yun Haitian was a seasoned cultivator, after all. Although he was astounded, he still appeared calm and collected. He looked in the valley’s direction and bellowed, “Brat, your Grand Ward is indeed incredible, but it’s nothing special. Do you have the guts to come out?”
While Lu Ye remained silent, Ye Liuli snapped. “Do you have the guts to come in, then?”
Naturally, Yun Haitian wouldn’t spar with such a young girl. He snorted. “Do you think you can be safe by hiding inside forever? Brat, if you want to live, give me that old fart beside you. Our Cult is always willing to accept talented people. It’d be a shame if you lose your life here. If you side with us, we’ll accept you and won’t settle the score with you.”
Lu Ye questioned dispassionately, “I’ve killed so many of your Cult members. Are you sure you won’t settle the score with me?”
Yun Haitian replied, “They were killed because they were weak. You’ve proved your worth, little friend. Certainly, dead people are not as useful as the living ones.” If he could make Lu Ye side with them, he could make up for his mistake and make the Heavenly Sage happy.
Lu Ye nodded. “Thanks for explaining.”
Yun Haitian stared fixedly at him. “Have you made up your mind?”
Lu Ye also glanced at him and replied, “Come in. I’ll tell you about it.”
Upon figuring out Lu Ye’s decision, Yun Haitian sported a dark expression.
“It seems that you’ll only regret your decision in the last moments of your life. In that case, all of you should die here!” Yuan Haitian waved his hand. “Go on and break the ward!”
Since they had suffered such a huge setback, they naturally wouldn’t barge into the valley again. The Grand Ward was indeed strange and powerful. However, as long as they refrained from entering the Grand Ward, it wouldn’t harm them. Although some people from the Cult had lost their lives, many of them were still alive. As long as they kept on doing the same thing, they would break the Grand Ward sooner or later. By then, everyone inside the valley would be doomed.
The next instant, the cultivators from the Cult activated their powers and cast their attacks on the valley.
Lu Ye waved his hand, after which the entire valley was covered in a light screen. The attacks landed on the light screen and formed some ripples, but they could never break it.
The Divine Healer treated Huang Liang while observing everything. She nodded with satisfaction. “I’m pleased with the medical expenses you’ve paid. It’s the most valuable thing I’ve ever received.”
During peaceful times, such a Grand Ward could ensure the Valley of Medicine’s safety. However, those from Heavenly Gully Cult had kicked up a storm that started from Xue Zhou. The storm would soon spread across the entire Soaring Dragon Boundary.
The Valley of Medicine was the first to be affected. Although the Grand Ward was powerful, it might not keep them safe forever.
“How long can it last?” asked the Divine Healer.
“As long as the ley line isn’t exhausted, the ward will never break,” Lu Ye replied. The Grand Ward he had built in the Valley of Medicine this time was a new attempt, and it could also be considered a practice round. He had integrated the Grand Ward into the ley line of this place, making them inseparable. The Spiritual Power required to run the Grand Ward came from the ley line. Therefore, theoretically, as long as the ley line wasn’t depleted, the ward would never break.
Certainly, that was only in theory. There were many uncertainties in reality, after all.
“So, it might still be shattered one day.” The Divine Healer understood what he meant.
Huang Liang said, “Don’t worry, guys. The Imperial Sect, Vajra Temple, and Grandeur Academy have made an announcement and called on all the cultivators to come to Xue Zhou and destroy Heavenly Gully Cult. I’ve contacted my people, and they’ll arrive in a few days.” Following the Divine Healer’s treatment, his condition was stable now. However, it would take him some time to recover.
The Divine Healer nodded. “I hope we’ll be able to hold on until they arrive.”
Suddenly, someone was heard coughing violently. Zhuang Bufan, who was seated on a chair, seemed to suffer a relapse.
As he coughed, he got to his feet with difficulty.
Ye Liuli quickly went over and supported his weight before saying caringly, “Do you want to get some rest, Big Brother Zhuang? I’ll help you go back to your room.”
However, Zhuang Bufan waved his hand and panted. It wasn’t until he could breathe stably that he looked at Lu Ye and said, “Brother Ye, I’ve been a carefree person who doesn’t belong to any Sect. I haven’t gotten to know many friends over the years. Now that I’ve become friends with you before my death, I can die with no regrets.”
Although it had only been a short time since they became friends, they respected each other.
He had no idea what kind of treasure Lu Ye had fished out that could help alleviate the excruciating pain in his soul, but judging from what the Divine Healer had said, he could tell that the item was costly.
Even though he was dying, Lu Ye was fine with using such a treasure on him.
His temperament was similar to that of Lu Ye, and since he was dying, the way he looked at everything was different from the past. Anyway, he thanked Lu Ye for what the latter had done for him and would like to return his favour.
Over the past few days, a thought had occupied his mind, but he couldn’t make up his mind. That was because the thought might do more harm than good to Lu Ye.
Nevertheless, it had come to a point where he had to make a decision.
Such a divine item shouldn’t be hidden. Moreover, even if he wanted to hide it, Lu Ye would find out about it after his death. Rather than letting Lu Ye make a rash attempt, he decided to show him the pros and cons of using the item.
Upon noticing Zhuang Bufan’s unusual behaviour, Lu Ye realised something. He frowned and said, “Say no further, Brother Zhuang. You’d better get some rest right away.”
Zhuang Bufan shook his head and replied with a smile, “Brother Ye, I’m a dying person. If you hadn’t brought me to this place, I would’ve passed away in the wilderness. In that case, there’s no point for me to keep struggling. I’ve come to realise that this is the moment I’ve been waiting for. If I miss this chance, there won’t be another one.”
All of them looked at him in puzzlement, wondering what he was trying to do.
Only the Divine Healer appeared meditative as she let out a sigh.
“Brother Ye, I’m sure you’ve been wondering how I was even injured.” As Zhuang Bufan spoke, the colour was restored to his face. He seemed to be in a better state.
However, both Lu Ye and Ye Liuli could tell that he was already on his last legs. He seemed to have activated a Secret Technique to extract the last bit of energy out of his body.
“Senior Divine Healer must have some speculation. She will tell you all about it.”
With that, he shuffled towards the entrance. His steps were firm, and his aura seemed to have been revitalised. The immense pressure of his Ninth-Order cultivation permeated the place.
“Brother Zhuang…” Lu Ye wanted to stop him, but he retracted his hand not long after he extended it. He could feel that it was Zhuang Bufan’s last chance to shine, and it was also his intention. Lu Ye might not be able to stop him. Even if he could, there was no way Zhuang Bufan could survive.
Zhuang Bufan was already badly injured, but he still decided to use such a technique to extract the last bit of his energy. It seemed that he was determined to go to Hell with the enemies.
If Lu Ye stopped him now, it would only make Zhuang Bufan lose his vitality for nothing.
A cultivator could die with no regrets if there was a chance for him to shine before his death.
Moreover, judging from what Zhuang Bufan had said, he didn’t merely want to get into a life-and-death battle with the enemies. He seemed to have made a huge decision. As he stepped forward, his aura was recovering rapidly, and he appeared confident. It was as though the people in front of him were just some weaklings instead of powerful cultivators from Heavenly Gully Cult.
Ye Liuli had broken into tears while standing beside Lu Ye. She was a kind-hearted person. After spending several days with Zhuang Bufan, she wouldn’t say she was close to him, but it felt devastating to see a friend going to die.
While Yi Yi remained silent, Huang Liang let out a sigh.
Zhuang Bufan’s anomaly had certainly attracted the attention of the cultivators from the Cult outside the valley. Yun Haitian frowned and snorted while watching Zhuang Bufan approach them. “He must’ve overestimated his capabilities!”
He had no regard for Zhuang Bufan even though the latter was apparently a Ninth-Order Master.
Although he had no idea why Zhuang Bufan seemed determined to deal with them head-on, that was what he wanted to see happening. Those from Heavenly Gully Cult had suffered huge losses, but they were powerless to get revenge for the time being. Since the other party had the guts to leave the valley, it gave them a chance.
As long as Zhuang Bufan stepped out of the valley, he would be doomed without the Grand Ward’s protection.