Sage of Humanity
Chapter 1890 - 1888: Could That Be the Butcher?
The As-Close-As-Siblings Array Disc is actually only suitable for use during Constellation Realm combat and not very suitable for Moon Jade. This is because the combat range of a Moon Jade user is quite large, and the array disc's power is insufficient to cover it.
Gui Yi has brought out the As-Close-As-Siblings Array Disc at this moment, clearly not for combat reasons. She explained, "You need to connect your aura with mine to enter the Asura Field together; otherwise, we will get separated."
Jumping forward from this piece of floating land would immediately take you into the range of the Asura Field. If cultivators want to enter together, they must come up with some methods.
Using the As-Close-As-Siblings Array Disc is one way. Actually, there is an even simpler method, which is to have physical contact with each other, such as holding hands or someone pulling the other's sleeve, so that all can enter the Asura Field together.
But Gui Yi evidently did not wish for such contact with a stranger.
She didn't know if Lu Ye was aware of these things, but regardless of whether Lu Ye knew or not, explaining it wasn't a hassle.
With the As-Close-As-Siblings Array Disc activated, Lu Ye cooperatively activated his own aura. In an instant, under the array disc's linkage, the two auras became closely connected.
"Let's go!" Gui Yi commanded in a low voice and was the first to leap forward, with Lu Ye following closely behind.
With a single step, the stars shifted.
The originally deep starry sky instantly disappeared without a trace. The process was incredibly fast, so much so that Lu Ye was not even aware of any change until he found himself standing on a cloud of many colors. The sun was blazing in the sky, its bright rays scattering everywhere, warming him all over.
Even though Lu Ye had already received various tips from Chen Xuanhai, he couldn't help but show a look of amazement. He instinctively activated the Insight Spirit Runes to enhance his eyes, trying to look around, but everything seemed incredibly real, without a hint of fake traces.
This was obviously a trial scene that cultivators entering the Asura Field for the first time needed to undergo. Whether this scene was real or not, no one knew.
Chen Xuanhai had mentioned that some people believed these scenes were illusions created by the mysterious powers of the Asura Field. Still, at this stage, no cultivator could uncover the truth. Others believed that these scenes genuinely existed because the vast Asura Domain was huge, and any kind of scene could be found in such an expansive domain. Cultivators would be transported into a certain area upon entering the Asura Field, and this area would become their training ground.
But regardless of whether these scenes were real or fake, Lu Ye now faced the task of acquiring the qualifications to truly enter the Asura Field.
He quickly saw another cloud of colors dozens of miles away, with two figures standing on it as well, one of whom was also curiously gazing around, much like him.
"In the Asura Field, all the living beings you see are of two types: one is the truly living creatures of our era, like you and me; the other is the projections left in the Asura Field by creatures from past eras, known as shades. You will encounter many shades in the future, but no matter how real these shades seem, they are ultimately not living beings, so there should be no concern when fighting them," Gui Yi's voice suddenly sounded. Having taken Lu Ye's spirit jade, she dutifully began explaining some basic intelligence to him.
Lu Ye certainly knew about this.
Throughout the ages, countless cultivators had ventured into the Asura Field. Each cultivator would leave their mark within the Asura Field, and when needed, the mysterious powers of the Asura Field would coalesce these marks into shades, becoming grindstones for cultivators to temper themselves against.
Thus, it wouldn't be surprising to see a long-extinct race from ages past since these were shades left by cultivators of those races who once tempered themselves here long ago.
It's even possible that Lu Ye might encounter Chen Xuanhai's shade here.
Some years from now, someone might encounter a shade of Lu Ye himself.
The techniques that shades could employ were those that the original cultivators had once demonstrated in the Asura Field. However, these shades were so real that until killed, no one could accurately discern them at a glance.
Even when cultivators are at the same realm, there are significant strength disparities. Thus, the various trials and tempers within the Asura Field involve a lot of luck. If you encounter a shade that only appears formidable externally, victory would come easy. But if you encounter the shade of a one-in-a-million peerless genius, it would be most unfortunate.
Lu Ye looked at their two opponents and asked, "Are those two shades?"
Gui Yi replied calmly, "You'll know once you kill them. You choose one, and I'll help you after I defeat my opponent. Don't hold back. In your first trial, try to showcase yourself as much as possible. Whether you kill the enemy is secondary. As long as you exhibit enough capability, you can still obtain the qualification to enter the Asura Field. Of course, if you win, you're sure to gain entry."
Lu Ye couldn't help but glance sideways at Gui Yi. Though he had experienced this female cultivator's immense confidence before, he hadn't expected her to be this self-assured.
These were words he would typically tell others.
While the two spoke, the pair of cultivators on the other side were also looking this way. One of them, a middle-aged man with a white face and no beard, couldn't help but furrow his brow, feeling rather helpless.
He had entered alone, yet had not expected the Asura Field to arrange such a trial, where the opponents were two people, very likely in cahoots.
However, he was not at all familiar with his companion, nor could he discern if this companion was a shade.
Asking would be in vain since a shade would never admit it. Shades not only grasp all the techniques the original cultivators had once showcased in the Asura Field, but they even share the same personalities and preferences.
Two against two was quite fair.
"I'll take care of that woman. You handle the other one; is that alright?" his companion suddenly spoke. The middle-aged man could hardly say anything and could only nod, "No problem."
As his words fell, his companion had already charged forth.
Across the way, Lu Ye saw the enemy taking the initiative to attack. Sensing briefly, he found that the first attacker was a Moon Jade Mid-Stage, so he said, "I'll leave this one to you."
Gui Yi said nothing and went straight forward to face them.
In an instant, the two figures clashed, fighting fiercely.
Lu Ye also stepped forward, leisurely approaching his other opponent.
A dozen miles away, the middle-aged man similarly took steps towards Lu Ye, but after only a few steps, he suddenly halted, his expression becoming uncertain and doubtful. Two streaks of light flashed in his eyes as he focused intensely, growing increasingly suspicious.
Until Lu Ye reached mid-way, he could no longer hold back and bowed his fist from afar, "Could you be Fellow Daoist Lu from Three Worlds Island?"
No way, after coming all the way to the Asura Field, how did he encounter such a formidable foe? It shouldn't be such a coincidence. But no matter how he looked, the figure before him seemed to be the one who broke through Zixuan's big array.
The day Zixuan's big array was shattered and Bao Youyou and Hu Guang were successively slain, he witnessed it all from afar, utterly shocked.
It was precisely witnessing Lu Ye's terrifying strength that prompted him to come to the Asura Field to hone himself, because he felt his potential hadn't been fully explored, and there was room for improvement!
It can't be, this definitely isn't that killer!
But it really seems to be, plus Lu Ye the Sect Destroyer is a combat cultivator wielding a long knife, which matches this opponent!
Hearing this man's inquiry, Lu Ye paused in his step, glanced at the other, and didn't recognize him. There are many Moon Jade cultivators in All Phenomena Ocean, and he doesn't have connections like Old Tang, so how could he know many people?
But anyone who can recognize him at a glance is undoubtedly from All Phenomena Ocean too, perhaps having seen him somewhere.
From this perspective, the opponent is not a shadow.
He nodded, "Yes, indeed!"
The middle-aged man's vision went black instantly, a breath blocked in his chest, just feeling his luck had run out!
After a moment of thought, he sighed, "If it's Fellow Daoist Lu in person, then I shall refrain from being impudent."
Although he held Moon Jade Late-Stage power, Bao Youyou and Hu Guang were also Moon Jade Late-Stage, yet they were slain by Lu Ye the Sect Destroyer.
He didn't think he was stronger than those two demon cultivators; in a true fight, he could possibly face mortal danger.
He came to hone himself, not to seek death!
Thus he made a decisive choice that this Asura Field need not be ventured.
Truly poignant, because Lu Ye the Sect Destroyer had the thought of coming here for self-training, only to be drenched by cold water just upon entering.
Lu Ye was slightly surprised, but since the person showed respect, he was happy to oblige, nodding, "Then many thanks, Fellow Daoist. When we return to All Phenomena Ocean, if there's an opportunity, I'll thank you again."
The middle-aged man cupped his fists from afar, his figure gradually dimming, clearly choosing to abandon this challenge, thereby being unable to enter the Asura Field again within ten years unless he waited another decade.
Solving his opponent without a fight, Lu Ye finally turned to look at Gui Yi's side.
The battle there was also nearing its end; Gui Yi's strength indeed matched her confidence. Though both were Moon Jade Mid-Stage, her opponent was clearly overwhelmed, and within moments had been reduced to mere defense with no power to strike back.
Gui Yi wielded one Dao technique after another with ease, the seamless transitions between spells flowed effortlessly, her opponent unable to approach within ten miles of her.
Until a burst of lightning erupted, blasting the opponent apart, reducing them into scattered glimmers that faded away.
It was a shadow, an imprint left from some era when cultivators wandered, for only shadows leave nothing behind upon death.
Having easily resolved her opponent, Gui Yi looked over at Lu Ye, her gaze beneath the hood faintly curious, "Are you quite famous over there in All Phenomena Ocean?"
She had listened to the entire conversation between Lu Ye and that middle-aged man, from which it was clear the middle-aged man recognized Lu Ye and chose to retreat without a fight, thus prompting her speculation.
Though she couldn't fathom how famous someone must be to make a cultivator of similar cultivation voluntarily retreat.
This was likely not merely due to significant fame.
"Just average," Lu Ye replied casually, though in reality, he was quite renowned in All Phenomena Ocean... not just Constellation and Moon Jade cultivators noticed him, even those from Sun Blaze kept eyes on him, though such attention was not all positive.