Chapter 2933: Liao's Plan to Become Stronger

Wind Rises in Kyushu

Xue Wei and the others were not foolish; how could they fail to foresee their predicament once Yuan truly seized control of the Star Abyss? Yet, they were still compelled by Yuan, unable to resist. But since their obedience was not voluntary, they naturally harbored their own schemes, like Xing Zhou's recent actions.

"Does Saint Si want to speak with him?" Lu Ye asked.Si Shengya replied, "Do you think it's feasible?"

Lu Ye pondered briefly, then slowly shook his head. "Xing Zhou might have some ideas, but he still has the Golden-Eyed race in the Origin World to consider. His actions this time weren't overly conspicuous, indicating his reservations. Especially after our recent defeat and the abandonment of the city, if we approach him, he definitely won't commit."

Si Shengya considered this, then nodded. "You're right. Xing Zhou is very cautious. Even if I had the opportunity to meet him privately, he would absolutely not be willing to ally with us given our current predicament."

"Therefore, we must find a way to create an advantage that dispels Xing Zhou's concerns," Lu Ye said, a glint in his eyes. "Only then might we have hope of enlisting this First Half-Saint!"

Our greatest current challenge is the lack of strong individuals. Although we have many Half-Saints, the vast majority are Dragon Clan Half-Saints. Yuan's clever maneuver completely nullified this advantage, leaving mostly newly ascended practitioners. The only truly seasoned powerhouses are Si Shengya and himself. If Xing Zhou could be brought into their fold, the situation would undeniably improve significantly.

"But..." Si Shengya's face clouded with worry. "In our current state, can we even create an advantage? Dragon City has been abandoned, leaving only Phoenix Nest. While it offers a strategic position, it can only delay the inevitable. Sooner or later, the enemy will lay siege, and with a significant disadvantage in numbers, how can we possibly contend with them?"

Lu Ye lowered his head, his gaze dropping slightly. "We will have to make our own way." Ultimately, Xing Zhou's intentions were merely speculation between Si Shengya and Lu Ye. No one knew his true plans, so they couldn't rely on him. As the saying goes, 'one must be strong to forge iron.' Only when one is powerful enough will others be willing to offer their support. And when one's strength reaches a sufficient level, external support becomes irrelevant.

Shortly after, Si Shengya departed. Even if Xue Wei and the others planned to target Phoenix Nest, it wouldn't be an immediate endeavor. Since ancient times, the location of Phoenix Nest had remained a mystery; apart from the Phoenix race themselves and a handful of Dragon race members, no one knew its precise whereabouts. Even those with rumors only had a vague idea. Thus, they still had some time to prepare for the conflict.

Lu Ye spent several days healing and recovering. It was only after his condition returned to its peak, days later, that he slowly opened his eyes, unfastened the Mountain-Splitting Saber from his waist, and laid it across his knees.

"Is it about to begin?" Liao's voice came, a complex blend of excitement, anticipation, fear, and unease.

"Liao..." Lu Ye gently stroked the blade.

"Hey, let's not waste time with needless talk," Liao interrupted. "We've already deduced this; the probability of success is very high, with virtually no chance of failure. Aren't Jin Yao's Soul-Suppressing Bell and the small black coffin clear precedents?"

Lu Ye sighed. "While that's true, you are ultimately different from them."

Jin Yao's Soul-Suppressing Bell and the black coffin he had refined were merely supreme treasures. However, the Mountain-Splitting Saber was a companion and family to Lu Ye, and he dared not risk it. Even though he and Liao had deliberated over this, he had never put the plan into action.

"There's no difference at all; I'm a supreme treasure too. If the Soul-Suppressing Bell and the small black coffin can do it, then I certainly can!" Liao's voice rang out clearly. "Furthermore, Senior Sister Shang sacrificed herself for my creation. Now that you need to rely on me, how can I possibly falter? That would betray all of Senior Sister Shang's past efforts! You must remember, I inherited everything from her!"

Lu Ye remained silent, his brow furrowed with hesitation.

Even when his Inner World Secret Art cultivation reached its ninth and final stage, Lu Ye harbored concerns. His cultivation method, inherited from the Dragon and Phoenix ancestors, had rapidly advanced his power since he achieved Dao integration. However, this cultivation system had reached its peak. How could he continue to grow stronger in the future? Of course, he could pursue traditional cultivation like other cultivators, carving Dao marks within his Dao body, but that method was too inefficient and too time-consuming. Alternatively, he could improve the quality of his Dao weapon. Ba Qiu had taken this path, as both he and Lu Ye relied on Weapon-kind Dao weapons for their Dao integration. Thus, enhancing their Dao weapon's quality would similarly bolster their power and foundation. Yet, elevating a Weapon-kind's quality necessitated fierce combat against enemies, during which the Weapon-kind would consume the mysteries of supreme treasures. This posed significant limitations: one first needed to find suitable supreme treasures to consume, and then find equally matched opponents, which was quite risky. This was why it took Ba Qiu so many years of accumulation before he could take that ultimate step.

One day, as Lu Ye was consuming supreme treasures to enhance the Soul-Suppressing Bell's quality, Liao suddenly proposed, "Lu Ye, what if we let your Talent Tree devour me, and then absorb other supreme treasures to nourish me?" Lu Ye was momentarily stunned. His initial thought was that Liao was being fanciful, but then he quickly realized this might not be a whimsical idea at all, but rather a stroke of genius. Such an approach would allow Liao to grow rapidly and completely circumvent the various limitations and risks associated with traditionally nurturing Weapon-kind. Subsequently, the man and the spirit brainstormed and meticulously deduced the feasibility of the concept, ultimately concluding that it was entirely viable!

However, Lu Ye had not acted on this, because if he did, Liao would become a fruit on the Talent Tree! While Liao was indeed a supreme treasure, it was also a Weapon-kind. Despite lacking flesh and blood, it was a sentient entity, unlike Jin Yao's Soul-Suppressing Bell or the small black coffin with its rudimentary sentience. Lu Ye could not predict what risks might arise once Liao became a fruit. He had always known that during the process of devouring supreme treasures, the Talent Tree would retain a portion of their mysterious essence as its own nourishment. Thus, the more treasures it consumed, the greater its power would become.

Yet, the present moment seemed to demand this drastic step! Lu Ye's current strength and foundation were simply insufficient to contend with the looming crisis. Although Si Shengya was more powerful, he couldn't rapidly enhance his strength. Therefore, Lu Ye himself needed to become stronger. While he might not be able to single-handedly resolve the coming dangers, at least increased power would grant him a fighting chance.

"I'll ask you one thing," Liao said again, noticing his hesitation. "Even if you don't devour me, will you ever separate from me?"

"Of course not!" Lu Ye responded firmly. Since the very start of his cultivation, this saber had been by his side. Later, he acquired Liao, absorbed it, and witnessed its transformation into its true form. This saber had truly borne witness to his entire cultivation journey. It was a companion, a friend, and even family. How could he possibly abandon it?

"Then that settles it," Liao declared. "Since you'll never separate from me, what difference does it make whether you devour me or not? Once I'm absorbed and become a fruit, I'll truly be bound to you, in life and death. Enough dawdling; act quickly! Don't hinder my grand scheme to grow stronger. I'm eager to experience it."

Lu Ye chuckled. With the conversation at this point, any further indecision on his part would seem overly sentimental. Besides, given the circumstances, neither he nor Liao truly had a choice.

"Then let's begin!" Lu Ye declared, no longer hesitating as he drew the Mountain-Splitting Saber. The next instant, the Talent Tree's power surged. Invisible roots spread out, as if sentient, coiling around and enveloping the entire blade. Before making this decision, Lu Ye had been filled with apprehension, but once he initiated the process, a profound calmness settled over him.

As the Talent Tree's power surged, its unseen roots pierced into the Mountain-Splitting Saber, devouring its mysteries without restraint. Lu Ye concentrated, guiding the absorbed mysteries to converge upon the Talent Tree.

A moment later, his eye twitched. "Stop whimpering; you're disturbing my concentration!" Liao's impish voice replied, "My apologies, it's just so itchy, like someone's tickling me. I'll try to keep it down!"

Moments later, Lu Ye's face was as black as soot. He somewhat regretted his previous words, as Liao's 'suppressed' whimpers were even more distracting. He simply couldn't comprehend how Liao, a Weapon-kind without flesh or blood, could possibly feel ticklish. He could only redouble his concentration.

It must be acknowledged that after inheriting Shang's essence, Liao's underlying power was indeed far greater than that of typical supreme treasures. This was evident from the Talent Tree's absorption process alone. Compared to other supreme treasures, the mysteries contained within Liao were significantly more abundant and potent.

Under Lu Ye's guidance, a bulge quickly appeared on one of the Talent Tree's branches. It then rapidly blossomed and bore fruit, which, upon full maturation, had remarkably transformed into the minuscule shape of the Mountain-Splitting Saber.

Jin Yao's figure suddenly emerged from the Soul-Suppressing Bell. She gazed at the Mountain-Splitting Saber with a look of astonishment. "Isn't that your personal saber? How did you manage to devour and refine it as well?"

Lu Ye did not reply; his expression was grim. Liao's impish voice had abruptly vanished moments earlier, and despite Lu Ye's repeated calls, there was no response whatsoever. His heart sank, fearing an unforeseen accident. Yet, upon careful reflection, the entire absorption process had unfolded without a single hitch. Having consumed so many supreme treasures, Lu Ye was highly experienced, and there should have been no issues this time.

"Liao, are you trying to scare me?" Lu Ye suddenly considered a possibility. Given Liao's nature, such a prank was certainly plausible.

"What?" Liao's voice suddenly echoed. Lu Ye exhaled slowly, his anxiety receding. "Oh..." Liao exclaimed again, a hint of wonder in its tone. "I'm here! So this is the Talent Tree!" It had long heard tales of the Talent Tree, but this was its first true sight of it, and it couldn't help but be amazed.