Sage of Humanity

More than two hundred figures gathered around the two peaks, and more people were continually drawn by the anomaly here. Upon arrival, they would take a glance around before quickly understanding the situation, quietly standing aside.

Though the scene appeared peaceful, it was actually filled with undercurrents. Gazes crisscrossed in all directions, with no one knowing what schemes others might harbor.

Yet there was a mutual understanding: until the treasure gourd matured and fell, no one would easily initiate the battle.

In such circumstances, picking a fight with someone could very likely lead to two parties fighting and a third benefiting. Those present were no fools and naturally wouldn't engage in such a stupid act.

Most came in pairs or groups, but no party exceeded three people, which was normal. As Zhao Yunliu just mentioned to Yuk Yaorao, once the group grows, it becomes difficult to distribute gains during a successful haul, so a three-person squad is the best setup, ensuring both combat strength and adequate bounty.

Even those who arrived alone began seeking opportunities to form alliances.

It didn't matter if they had never met or didn't recognize each other. As long as there was an intention to ally, they could temporarily join forces, race differences notwithstanding.

Of course, such alliances were loose, without any guarantees. Whether they could truly work together when facing enemies was uncertain.

Many solitary cultivators found temporary companions here.

Lu Ye was the exception, standing alone and unperturbed. His Divine Sea Level 8 cultivation was too conspicuous; anyone with some wit wouldn't approach him rashly. Those who did must harbor ill intentions.

He was happy with the arrangement.

Yuk Yaorao, unable to watch idly, quietly transmitted a message to persuade him to leave quickly. Lu Ye only thanked her and continued his own course.

Seeing him like this, Yuk Yaorao refrained from saying more. Although she did not deny Lu Ye's strength, being targeted in such circumstances could lead to unfavorable outcomes.

As the saying goes, good advice is hard to accept by those doomed. Despite some interactions, they hadn't forged any substantial friendship.

Time passed, and slowly fewer people arrived, while the anomaly in the sky grew increasingly magnificent. Everyone knew the treasure gourd on the Creation Vine would mature soon, but no one could pinpoint the exact moment.

Such an event occurs only once every several thousand years, without precedent to refer to, leaving everyone to simply wait.

Lu Ye's expression remained leisurely, showing no hint of danger. He was pondering only one thing: how to seize the treasure gourd amid so many people.

Confident in his strength, he understood that once the treasure gourd matured, chaos would ensue. Everyone would find themselves surrounded by countless enemies; even the strongest couldn't guarantee success.

It partly depended on strength but largely on luck.

After obtaining the treasure, escaping was not a worry for Lu Ye. His doppelganger concealed thousands of miles away allowed for instant transmission.

Thus, the crucial issue was how to seize it.

Though he already possessed a sword gourd, such high-grade treasures are never excessive. Missing it wouldn't be a loss, but encountering it naturally prompted a grab.

No good strategy came to mind, unless he could set up an array beforehand. Only the might of formations might give him a slim chance. But under so many watchful eyes, where could he possibly set up arrays? Any move would make him a target, and despite his robust foundation, he'd be reduced to ashes in an instant.

He ultimately decided to give his all in seizing the opportunity. If successful, great; if not, it didn't matter. Treasures are meant for those destined for them; one couldn't hoard all the good fortune.

With that thought, he felt more relaxed; even if empty-handed, it would be an eye-opening experience.

Hundreds awaited here for the treasure's emergence, baffling the Baiyu Platform's mighty ones. Historically, this period witnessed rapid decreases in numbers with swift ranking changes, persisting until the end of such grand events.

Current circumstances were different, however. Some names did disappear, and the top hundred rankings changed, but not as intensely as expected, as if the Taichu Realm oddly entered a relatively calm period.

This left everyone puzzled about what was happening. Observing from outside, they couldn't grasp the internal specifics, merely continuing to wait.

What irked many powerful individuals was that Lu Yiye of Nine Heavens World was alive and well, not only surviving but holding the third rank!

Ahead of him were two: Gu Yulou of Yellow Dragon World and Youping of Northern Underworld Land of Specters, each with formidable domain backing. After these two overtook him, no one else did.

This infuriated numerous mighty figures, deeming this generation's Divine Sea Realm truly unimpressive.

Between the two peaks of Taichu Realm, the sky's anomaly suddenly vanished. The waiting Divine Sea cultivators all felt an urgent sense of danger, realizing the treasure might soon emerge. Conjuring spirit force, they readied themselves, poised to strike the moment the treasure fell from the vine.

The void surrounding the Creation Vine between the peaks subtly shuddered, as if the ancient vine was breaking through from another dimension.

Amidst such anticipation, the large gourd slightly swayed, suddenly dropping from the vine, creating ripples as it landed in this space.

Without the slightest pause, it transformed into a streak of light, shooting in one direction, coincidentally colliding into the arms of a cultivator.

The cultivator hadn't yet reacted, only feeling a weight in his arms, instinctively reaching out his hand, and the treasure gourd was already in his grasp.

However, he did not show the slightest joy, his face changed dramatically, and he lifted his hand to throw the treasure gourd away, but he was a step too late.

Almost at the moment he threw the treasure gourd, all directions came alive with colorful beams of light bombarding towards his position.

Under the shroud of light, the cultivator's figure was instantly swallowed by the chaotic spirit force fluctuations, only managing to curse angrily before turning into a shower of blood raining down.

No matter how strong an individual's strength, in such a situation they cannot withstand the siege of everyone.

Not only was he killed, even several cultivators near him suffered unjust fates, each one looking disheveled and quietly cursing their bad luck.

Many figures shifted, flying towards the direction of the treasure gourd, with attacks being launched in all directions, plunging the scene into utter chaos.

The struggle of the Divine Sea in the Taichu Realm had been ongoing for nearly two months, and the largest battle officially unfolded at this point. At such a time and place, everyone around was an enemy, even those who had just allied were not to be fully trusted.

Amid the scramble of hundreds, several auras were immediately snuffed out, soon followed by more people meeting their end.

Everyone understood, this was not the time to snatch the treasure gourd, because once it was in hand, it would undoubtedly become the target of others' attacks, so nearly everyone's goal was to eliminate opponents around them, all while following the direction in which the treasure gourd fled, ensuring it stayed within their sight.

This scenario was bound to last for a while, perhaps several hours, perhaps a few days, until the number of competitors decreased to a certain point. The cultivators still alive then would truly make a move to seize it.

In the blink of an eye, the space between the two peaks was vacated.

Only three figures stood solid.

In the center stood Lu Ye, Boulder Mountain Saber in hand, its dark blade slowly gathering a smear of crimson at the tip, transforming into a drop of blood that fell.

At his feet, a headless corpse tumbled into the valley below, the head rolling a few times, eyes wide with a look of shock, as if not expecting to be so easily slain.

On either side, two figures each wore expressions of disbelief, the one on the left a delicate female cultivator, undoubtedly a member of the human race.

The one on the right's race was unknown, although broadly resembling the human race, their cheeks were covered with snake scale-like markings, appearing extremely strange.

Lu Ye recognized this fellow.

Back on the Baiyu Platform, Yang Qing had haggled with his elder at a stall, purchasing a treasure for the price of one spirit jade, even leaving only a verbal IOU for that one spirit jade.

According to Yang Qing, this fellow's elder had clashed with him before, so he decided to teach them a lesson.

Lu Ye still remembered the look of anger in this fellow's eyes as he left with Yang Qing.

Those elders dared not act rashly in front of Yang Qing, but surely had instructed their juniors to deal with Lu Ye in the Taichu Realm.

Having been unable to find Lu Ye before, unexpectedly encountering him here, naturally, they wouldn't hold back.

He had also formed an alliance with others, a squad of three in total, besides him and the delicate female cultivator, there was a now-deceased ghost cultivator!

While others set their sights on the soon-to-mature treasure gourd, this group of three focused on Lu Ye, just waiting for the chaos to take his head. Then there would still be time to chase the treasure gourd.

Undoubtedly, others had similar thoughts, but since these three had already secretly arranged, others wouldn't get involved, to prevent unnecessary disputes.

Besides, pursuing the treasure gourd at this moment was indeed more prudent, as its value far exceeded a simple kill. As long as one could acquire it, even retreating from the Taichu Realm wouldn't be a loss.

This squad of three thought it was a simple task, but once they made their move, they realized things exceeded expectations.

The ghost cultivator had long been concealed beside Lu Ye. By logic, striking suddenly should have left Lu Ye no chance to fight back, yet it was the ghost cultivator who perished.

This made the other two instantly realize that Lu Yiye had long been aware of the ghost cultivator's cloaked presence, awaiting this precise moment to unleash a thunderous strike!