Chapter 115: The Siege

The massive boulder shattered, and from the crevice emerged Chu Jie and Duan Kun. Having just taken some pills to recover slightly, Chu Jie also handed a red pill to Duan Kun.

“Keep running,” Chu Jie shouted.

Facing Zhou Jie in combat, their cultivation levels were far inferior, so they had to fight while retreating, avoiding a direct clash.

Using the terrain to their advantage, the two barely managed to put some distance between themselves and Zhou Jie. Whenever an opportunity arose, Chu Jie would strike from afar with the Universe Wheel treasure, occasionally hitting Zhou Jie’s golden armor.

“Even at the Stellar Pill stage, his spiritual energy can’t be infinite,” Chu Jie thought. Their strategy was to wear Zhou Jie down; now that Zhou Jie had lost his sanity, there might be a chance to exhaust him. However, it was likely that Chu Jie and Duan Kun would be the first to run out of spiritual power.

At that moment, Chu Jie noticed many people rushing toward the chaotic rock area.

“Duan Kun, fly over there,” Chu Jie urged, accelerating toward those entering the chaotic zone.

Seeing the golden-armored warriors fighting, many opportunists had come to take advantage of the chaos. Over twenty arrived first, but they stayed on the perimeter, watching from the edge.

Meanwhile, Wu Long and his group had also reached the area, distancing themselves from the crowd, ready to assist Chu Jie at any moment.

As more people gathered outside the chaotic rock zone, a dense mass of figures formed.

“Look, someone’s flying this way!” an observant voice called out. Chu Jie was approaching, and behind him, Zhou Jie’s hands glowed red as he pursued.

Relying on the terrain, Chu Jie dodged behind boulders, which Zhou Jie continuously smashed to pieces, sending dust plumes billowing into the air.

From the dust erupted two golden lights—Chu Jie and Duan Kun—followed closely by a third, Zhou Jie.

Zhou Jie’s eyes were blood-red. In the Ninth Terraced Field, he had wrought destruction and slaughter, yet no one had ever made him struggle so fiercely. Despite chasing Chu Jie for so long, he had failed to kill him.

Though his direct sanity was gone, fury surged within him. Killing other warriors was usually swift and decisive; this prolonged pursuit of Chu Jie was infuriating.

The watching warriors retreated, unwilling to approach.

“Let them fight till both are wounded, then we strike and seize their golden armor,” one person suggested.

“They say the golden armor is a magical artifact. If I could get a set, I’d be satisfied for life,” another said.

“I’d settle for just a helmet,” a shameless warrior added.

The crowd buzzed with talk, while Chu Jie pondered how to draw these people into the fray. Every bit of combat power at their disposal—friend or foe—should be leveraged.

Seeing the onlookers withdraw, Chu Jie pressed forward, intent on luring Zhou Jie and seeking an opening.

He spotted Wu Long and six others hiding in a concealed spot, keeping watch for a chance to intervene.

Over a hundred had already gathered below, with more arriving from afar—likely reinforcements sent by the Abyss’s core to confront Zhou Jie.

As the crowd swelled, Chu Jie soared overhead. He made no move against the warriors below but quickly ascended into the sky.

Zhou Jie followed, suddenly halting as blood-red rays shot from his eyes, fixing on the hundred-plus people below. In that moment, he seemed to forget the chase entirely.

Having failed to kill Chu Jie despite extended pursuit, Zhou Jie’s gaze now locked onto the encircling warriors. His killing frenzy erupted anew.

Had he retained his sanity, he would never have abandoned the hunt. But now, it was as if his mind had slipped away, and he unleashed attacks on those who sought to exploit the confusion.

Blood sprayed with every strike of his long sword, which cleaved through enemies like a ghost amid the living.

Seeing that Zhou Jie no longer pursued him, Chu Jie prepared to withdraw.

“Let’s go,” he said.

Duan Kun glanced at Zhou Jie. “A Stellar Pill stage warrior is truly terrifying. I wish I could reach that level.”

“It’s only a matter of time,” Chu Jie replied.

For Duan Kun, perhaps it was just a matter of time. For Chu Jie, however, time alone wasn’t enough; he lacked the cultivation technique. Only by finding the next volume of the Reincarnation Scroll could he continue advancing. His current method capped him at the eighth level of the Spirit Convergence stage.

“I must find the next volume,” Chu Jie thought anxiously. Yet he had no clue where to search for it, forced to take each step as it came.

They flew to meet Wu Long and his group of seven.

Chu Jie still bore wounds—not fatal but serious. The fact that Zhou Jie had shifted his focus so unexpectedly surprised him. Initially, he had only intended to use the onlookers as a distraction, but Zhou Jie had been completely drawn away, no longer chasing him.

“Boss, poor Zhou Jie. He craved great power but lost his sanity in the process,” Wu Long remarked.

Chu Jie nodded, a chill running through him. If he had been chosen instead, he would be the one maddened. Moreover, if he failed to complete the old man’s mission within six months, he would die. Losing his sanity was practically a death sentence.

“Let’s leave quickly. If he pursues us again, escape will be impossible,” Chu Jie said.

He distributed more pills and took several himself to heal his body and replenish spiritual energy.

As they departed, he kept an eye on their rear.

Though Zhou Jie was formidable, the growing number of warriors meant few were fleeing. More powerful fighters were likely on their way.

Over thirty had died, but the crowd swelled to over two hundred.

Even if Zhou Jie sought advantage, he would sustain injuries amid so many attackers.

The group launched their assault.

“Kill him! We outnumber him—don’t fear!” someone shouted.

Originally, the crowd had come to watch and pick up spoils, but Chu Jie’s trap forced their hand. Fortunately, their numbers kept Zhou Jie from sweeping them all away at once.

“Boss, should we return to finish Zhou Jie off?” Wu Long asked.

Chu Jie glanced toward Zhou Jie and replied, “If we attack openly, the others will strike us too. Unless we find a hidden spot to stash the armor first.”

Duan Kun’s eyes lit up. “Good idea. Then we can strike Zhou Jie from within the crowd without being attacked.”

“Let’s find a place where no one can see us,” Chu Jie said.

They had traversed most of the chaotic rock zone. Because of Zhou Jie’s rampage, many stones were destroyed, making it difficult to find a secluded corner.

But persistence paid off. Chu Jie finally found a spot to hide unnoticed.

They slipped inside.

In an instant, Chu Jie’s armor retracted into his dantian, as did Duan Kun’s golden armor. Wu Long and his six companions likewise stored their iron armors away.

“When we move from here, we’ll strike Zhou Jie together,” Chu Jie said.

After a brief moment, everyone prepared. Chu Jie led them back, pretending to be newcomers.

At the battle site, signal flares exploded in the air, drawing more warriors hurrying in.

Over three hundred had gathered at Zhou Jie’s location, and the number kept growing.

If Zhou Jie did not retreat, he might die in this encirclement.

It was likely that never before in the Abyss had so many warriors attacked one person simultaneously.

Chu Jie and Wu Long hid among the crowd. Though some recognized them, no one paid them much attention now.

Though Chu Jie wielded the Universe Wheel, Zhou Jie’s golden armor was more captivating—one a treasure, the other a magical artifact—making Zhou Jie’s possessions more coveted.

“Everyone, attack with your treasures!” a voice called out. It came from a seventh-level Spirit Convergence warrior evidently acting as temporary commander.

“The ones in the center, don’t attack—defend fully! Keep him encircled!” the commander ordered.

At the core, over fifty warriors formed a defensive ring. Their strong defense effectively confined Zhou Jie within.

Whenever Zhou Jie tried to move, the defenders shifted with him. He attacked fiercely, but the fifty’s defense was formidable.

“Boss, these people seem like a team assembled specifically to hunt golden-armored warriors,” Wu Long observed.

If Chu Jie’s group encountered such a team, they might be wiped out. Their strength was impressive, and their coordination tight.

“What’s the commander’s name?” Chu Jie asked Wu Long.

Wu Long studied him for a long moment before replying, “I think I’ve seen him before... His name is Lin Yuetian, seventh-level Spirit Convergence. His combat talent isn’t remarkable, but his leadership is exceptional. He’s been stuck at this level for a while, but his command skills have advanced rapidly and are outstanding.”

Chu Jie and the others stood on the outer perimeter. Under Lin Yuetian’s orders, Chu Jie and Wu Long simply used their treasures to attack.

Earlier, when spotted, Chu Jie had refrained from deploying the Universe Wheel, fearing exposure. Now, he could wield it openly and without restraint.