Sage of Humanity

Zi Ying always felt that she had a very direct responsibility for Lu Ye's capture.

Trapped in the insect hive, Lu Ye was bound to face a dire fate. She blamed herself greatly, thinking that if she hadn't transferred him over, or agreed to support the Fengji Stronghold, Lu Ye wouldn't have encountered such a calamity.

She once even thought Lu Ye was already dead.

It wasn't until much later that his news unexpectedly surfaced. During that time, Lu Ye demonstrated the ability to slay Dao Fusion cultivators, shocking the world.

Unfortunately, that time Lu Ye was merely a fleeting presence, and there was no news of him for a long period afterward.

Not until more than a year later did he reappear, and this time the commotion he caused was even greater. In a short month, he was active on various battlefields, helping the human race secure victories. Several Dao Fusions of the Insect and Blood Races fell at his hands alone.

What surprised Zi Ying even more was Lu Ye's sudden appearance here.

She had many questions but didn't know where to start. Zi Ying invited Lu Ye to sit, brewed tea herself, exchanged small talk, but finally couldn't hold back: "What is your cultivation realm now?"

Back on the Blue Water Battle Planet, Lu Ye was merely at the Enter the Path stage. Even with growth over this period, his cultivation advancement wouldn't be too significant.

But the information she received indicated that Lu Ye could even slay a 7th Order Dao Fusion, meaning his cultivation at least reached that level.

This was incredible because if it's true, Lu Ye's growth speed would be unimaginable unless he had hidden his true prowess all along.

Lu Ye pondered briefly and said, "If I say I'm still at Enter the Path, would Lord Governor believe me?"

Zi Ying was asking about cultivation, not just power.

Lu Ye would never tell the truth to anyone else, but Zi Ying was different.

Not because Lu Ye had any special rapport with her, but because he had already decided before coming that some things couldn't be hidden.

Zi Ying was the only partner he could choose to cooperate with in Banlan, and she was someone he could trust. Cooperation demands honesty.

Zi Ying blinked and smiled, "Do you think I believe it?"

She clearly thought Lu Ye was joking. Slaying a 7th Order Dao Fusion, even if he caught them off guard, how could he be at Enter the Path!

Lu Ye didn't explain further, instead, he lightly pushed a palm toward her, Dao force surging in his palm.

Zi Ying raised her brows, understood Lu Ye's intent, and met his palm with her own.

At the instant their palms touched, both their bodies shuddered slightly. Lu Ye remained unaffected, but Zi Ying's expression changed dramatically!

"You..." She stared at Lu Ye, full of disbelief, "Are you really just at Entering the Path?"

In that moment of collision, she clearly felt the dispersion of Lu Ye's Dao force, a dispersion impossible to fake. Once a cultivator advances to Dao Fusion, with the support of Dao Runes, the Dao force condenses, capable of unleashing greater destructive power.

For instance, a 2nd Order Dao Fusion can theoretically wield at least 30 strands of Dao force, but due to the support of two orders of Dao Runes, they can unleash an additional 20% destructive power, equaling 36 strands. If it's a 3rd Order Dao Fusion, they can handle at least 40 strands, and the third level of Dao Runes can provide a 30% boost, unleashing power comparable to 52 strands.

This characteristic change in Dao force is the greatest difference between Enter the Path and Dao Fusion.

Lu Ye could slay so many Dao Fusion cultivators; he had to be a Dao Fusion himself, she always thought that until now she realized she was wrong.

"But... how can you be just at Entering the Path?" Zi Ying was astonished.

A 7th Order Dao Fusion has at least close to 140 strands of power; for someone at Enter the Path to contend or slay them, they need at least that amount of Dao force to stand a chance, not to mention a 7th Order Dao Fusion already has their own Dao soldier.

Yet, even a 9th Order Dao Fusion can only handle 100 strands of Dao force, a huge gap from 140 strands.

Even as experienced as Zi Ying was, she felt her understanding was profoundly shaken.

Then she remembered something else. Over the past month, Lu Ye had been active on various battlefields, earning a Star Abyss Blessing every time he slew a Dao Fusion!

This wasn't a secret; everyone thought it was sheer luck that Lu Ye repeatedly received the Star Abyss Blessing.

But now it seemed that it wasn't a matter of luck!

This was entirely due to him defeating Dao Fusions while being at Enter the Path, the huge discrepancy in cultivation realm, overcoming the strong while being weak, earning him the Star Abyss Blessing.

"My cultivation is different from ordinary people." Lu Ye casually explained, realizing this was too complex to elaborate, so he didn't waste many words.

Zi Ying was still in shock, forgetting about the tea brewing.

Lu Ye had to take over helplessly.

After a while, Lu Ye was already drinking tea, and Zi Ying slowly returned to her senses, looking at Lu Ye with a peculiar expression: "You really are an odd one."

Lu Ye smiled, "I'll take that as a compliment from Lord Governor."

Zi Ying switched the topic, "So what brings you here this time?" She refrained from asking further about Lu Ye's cultivation and prowess, knowing if she asked, Lu Ye probably wouldn't hide from her, but some things don't need probing.

Lu Ye set down the tea cup, gazing intently at Zi Ying, "Does Lord Governor wish to ascend to Dao Harmony?"

"What?" Zi Ying's hand shook, spilling tea.

Lu Ye didn't beat around the bush, "I might have a way to help Lord Governor ascend to Dao Harmony!"

Zi Ying gently put down the teacup, but Lu Ye could sense that her hand was trembling slightly.

"Can you tell me?"

Lu Ye nodded: "Within Banlan, there is an invisible restriction; anyone whose cultivation reaches the Peak Dao Fusion cannot advance further. This is not a restriction but a characteristic of Banlan itself—so long as you remain in Banlan, there's no hope of achieving Dao Harmony."

Zi Ying felt confused: "Then how do you plan to help me ascend to Dao Harmony?"

Lu Ye said: "If it's not possible within Banlan, then we must leave Banlan."

Zi Ying's breath caught: "It's been rumored on the home planet that you were the first to explore deep into the ruins and discovered a great secret. Could it be...?"

Lu Ye nodded: "I have a method to leave Banlan!"

Indeed!

Even though she had her suspicions, hearing Lu Ye say it himself left Zi Ying in shock.

A method to leave Banlan!

For countless millennia, generations of Banlan cultivators have sought this light, yet never found a path. Even the top families on the home planet had no clues, and now she received the answer from Lu Ye.

"Can we really leave Banlan?" Zi Ying looked at Lu Ye, her expression a mix of anticipation and caution.

Lu Ye never thought a woman like her would show such complex emotions. With this expression, Zi Ying's usual valor seemed lessened, making her appear more youthful.

"Of course, I've entered and exited several times. The last time I appeared on the Shaochong Battle Planet was because I entered Banlan from the outside, with the entry point in Shaochong."

"Can you take me, too?"

"Certainly, it's a passage to the outside!" Lu Ye suppressed a laugh. "If Lord Governor wishes, I can take you there now."

Zi Ying was moved, standing up abruptly, clearly tempted.

But then she seemed to remember something, and after furrowing her brow, she sat back down slowly and shook her head: "I can't leave. If I do, the Dust Region stronghold will surely fall, and all the results of the previous battle will be for naught."

Hearing this, Lu Ye nodded silently; he had chosen the right person.

If Zi Ying had really wanted to leave Banlan with him regardless, he would have had second thoughts about taking her.

At such a critical moment, she was able to suppress her personal desires and consider the state of the war in this battle zone—it was truly commendable.

"Lord Governor, you could request that strong reinforcements be sent from the home planet to replace you. I can take you out then without delay."

Zi Ying frowned: "But there are few candidates capable of replacing me."

Lu Ye was surprised: "With so many families on the home planet, surely there must be some suitable ones?"

Zi Ying smiled bitterly: "There surely are, but they're none other than the patriarchs of the various families—the stabilizing forces—how would they easily risk coming to the front line?"

Lu Ye scoffed: "Everyone's in Dao Fusion, whose life is more valuable?"

"I'll see what I can do. I do have some connections, so it shouldn't be too big a problem, just need some time."

"Then I'll eagerly await your good news, Lord Governor."

"Lu Ye," Zi Ying looked at him, "if this succeeds, the favor would be too great. I don't know how to repay you."

Lu Ye raised a hand to stop her: "Lord Governor, you overstate it. Since I came to find you, it's not about wanting any repayment; there's only one thing I would like the Lord Governor to agree to."

"Tell me."

"After you ascend to Dao Harmony, you'll need to return to Banlan. At that time, with your Body of Unity, ending the chaos in Banlan should not be a problem. At that time, I might need some help from you."

"If I can ascend to Dao Harmony, I will surely grant your request."

Lu Ye smiled: "And you don't even ask what this request is?"

Zi Ying shook her head: "I trust you... and stop calling me 'Lord Governor.' I'm older than you; if you don't mind, how about we address each other as siblings from now on?"

Lu Ye blinked: "Sister Zi Ying?"

Zi Ying smiled and grabbed his hand: "I've been alone all my life, now at this age, I've gained a younger brother; it's really nice."

Just a change in title, yet their relationship seemed much closer.

Lu Ye had little resistance to forming a sibling bond with Zi Ying. During his time on the Blue Water Battle Planet, she had looked after him a lot. Back then, whether it was negotiating with the Yan family regarding the giant ant or later discussing Dao Runes with the Military Affairs Office, Zi Ying supported him greatly.

At that time, Zi Ying sought nothing from Lu Ye, she simply saw potential in him and stood by his side.

Now, with the sibling bond established, Lu Ye effectively had a backing in Banlan. Once Zi Ying ascends to Dao Harmony, Banlan would truly be under his sway.

Even though he is the Banlan master, in name only for now, without enough power, nobody cares what he says or wants to do; obstacles abound.

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