In the Black Abyss space, the three factions gathered separately, each occupying a region, waiting quietly.

In past Martial Arts Meets, the first two waves of competition were considered relatively peaceful, as the Eastern Region had no competitiveness, and the Southern and Western Regions could easily divide the spiritual orbs and control the situation.

But this time, some unexpected changes have obviously occurred. Since the fourth spiritual orb appeared, the battles between them have become incredibly intense, with frequent deaths of Dwarf Race Constellations, more dangerous than ever before.

The reason, after all, is the Southern and Western Regions' underestimation, combined with the sudden rise of the Eastern Region.

Among the three factions of cultivators right now, apart from the three people from the Eastern Region who have each died once, almost all other cultivators from the South and West troops have perished at least once, except for their respective Constellation Late Stage cultivators.

This inevitably results in a significant consumption of their spirit force.

In combat, cultivators pay great attention to maintaining their own spirit force reserves because once these reserves fall below a certain limit, their performance will be affected.

This limit is generally around fifty percent.

In other words, if a cultivator's spirit force reserve is above fifty percent, they can normally exert their full strength; but if it falls below fifty percent, their strength will certainly be affected, making some explosive techniques difficult to perform.

The special characteristic of the Black Abyss allows cultivators to die and be reborn, but the consumed spirit force won't be replenished, especially since the act of rebirth itself consumes a large amount of spirit force.

Additionally, transporting the Spirit Orb also requires a continuous output of a large amount of spirit force.

So at this moment, all the cultivators from the three factions are trying their best to recover their strength during the rare intervals between the appearances of new spiritual orbs.

The Eastern Region cultivators are doing the same, but in comparison, Huang Li and Xiao Xinghe, who are in the same squad as Lu Ye, appear much more vigorous. With the power of the As-Close-As-Siblings Array Disc, the spirit force refined by Lu Ye can be easily absorbed by them, naturally allowing them to recover quickly.

Hai Tang whispered through audio transmission, "Junior Brother Lu, the alliance with the Southern Region should be nullified now, right?"

Lu Ye nodded, "We now have three orbs; there's no need to mention the alliance anymore."

The Southern Region wouldn't want the Eastern Region to obtain four orbs, so from now on, the Southern Region definitely won't continue to assist us. Hai Tang, of course, has considered this level of understanding, and till now, no one from the Southern Region has come to inform us of anything, which clearly indicates some issues.

After a thought, Lu Ye said, "We might also need to guard against the other two factions joining forces."

Hai Tang was surprised, "Would they?"

"It's hard to say, but it's possible."

In the past, the Eastern Region usually allied with the other two factions, with rare instances of those two factions joining forces against each other. But this time, it's different. The perennial third-ranked East has taken a huge lead, while the first and second are lagging, making their choices unpredictable.

Especially the Western Region, which, despite having the strongest overall strength, currently has the least achievements. If Lu Ye were the leader of the Western Region, having suffered a major loss, he would definitely discuss with the Southern Region.

Of course, the best scenario for the Eastern Region now is for everyone to act independently, not allying with anyone. This is possible too, as the South and West troops have always considered each other as key adversaries, confronting each other in every Martial Arts Meet, making an alliance not that simple.

Hai Tang pondered for a while and then smiled, "Do your best and don't force it!"

The current achievements of the Eastern Region are already impressive enough, something worthwhile to report back to the Sun Blaze of their main region.

Lu Ye nodded, actually having another layer of concern in mind. Although the Spirit Orbs placed in the camp are not easy to be snatched, within the rules, they can still be taken before the Martial Arts Meet ends. If the South and West troops genuinely join forces, they might just do it.

He didn't mention it to Hai Tang, lest she worry.

Just in this waiting, the seventh Spirit Orb was born.

The location was extremely advantageous for the Eastern Region, as it was relatively close to the East Camp.

In an instant, the quiet Black Abyss became as if boiling salt had been thrown into a pot of hot oil, becoming lively. From three directions, figures turned into streaks of light, rushing to where the Spirit Orb was located.

For the Eastern side, the leadership had changed to Lu Ye. After the previous battle, none of the Eastern cultivators opposed this change, as it was only natural for the strongest to lead.

Since the Spirit Orb appeared closest to the East Camp, the Eastern side was the first to reach the Spirit Orb.

From afar, the giant Spirit Orb hung in the Void, occasionally struck by meteors flying in, altering the direction of the Orb's movement.

Everyone's gaze on that Spirit Orb became heated, as if they could already see the scene of the East winning the first place.

However, just at this moment, Lu Ye suddenly changed direction, moving horizontally instead of lunging towards the Spirit Orb.

Everyone followed, though puzzled in their hearts, none questioned.

Only after putting some distance between them and the Spirit Orb did Lu Ye stop, raising his hand to deploy array banners and stimulate spirit force to construct spirit runes.

Soon, a Concealment Array formed, enveloping everyone within.

From this position, they could see the scene at the Spirit Orb, yet it was not easy to be detected from there, a distance neither too far nor too close.

He knew what everyone was thinking, so he explained, "Even if we want to seize the fourth Spirit Orb, now isn't the right time."

Having already secured three orbs, if they moved in now, it would prompt the Southern and Western Regions to unite against them.

So they could only wait.

The best opportunity is naturally when all three spirit orbs are born; in this way, the factions can each take one, and by then everyone will have to transport the orbs back, no one interfering with anyone else. But the chances of this happening are quite small.

Unless, like before, they stall for time and wait for the right moment.

A moment later, the silhouette of a group of nine entered the eye, headed undeniably by Ye Chaoqun.

These are evidently cultivators from the Western Region.

Originally, three of them were trapped in the Blood Sea and unable to escape, but after receiving audio transmissions from Ye Chaoqun, they decisively self-immolated and returned to their camp; they used this method to escape, rendering Lu Ye's doppelganger incapable of stopping them.

The Western group reached the spirit orb's location, and after a simple investigation around, they began transporting the spirit orb.

But before they got far, the Southern Region's constellations appeared; when the two sides encountered each other, it was as if heaven's thunder stirred earth's fire, engaging fiercely in battle.

Lu Ye constructed Insight Spirit Runes at his eyes, observing from afar.

The battle was intense, with no sign of either side holding back; each wished to annihilate the other completely. In such intense confrontation, it wasn't long before cultivators began to fall.

Hai Tang said excitedly, "It seems they haven't teamed up!"

Previously, through Lu Ye's recounting, she was most worried about encountering a situation where the other two factions might join forces; truly, if that were so, the East Camp would have no chance of snatching the spirit orb. Fortunately, the worst-case scenario hadn't appeared.

Lu Ye said nothing.

Hai Tang's thinking was ultimately a bit naive; on the surface, it appeared the two factions indeed hadn't teamed up, but the more viciously they fought, the more suspicious it became.

The Southern Region might not know the East Camp's background, but the Western Region surely does, right?

In this situation, the East Camp's cultivators hadn't appeared, which was evidently suspicious; anyone could think that the East Camp was in hiding. Given this understanding of the East Camp, the Western Region would surely be wary and cautious.

But in reality, they were currently fighting the Southern Region as if their brains were about to be smashed out.

As if they were afraid of not drawing out the East Camp.

Lu Ye secretly frowned, realizing the scenario was developing into what he least hoped for, yet this was their choice, and he couldn't interfere.

Besides, when deciding to seize the third spirit orb, he had already foreseen the probability of such a situation arising.

If the East Camp remains weak, no one would take them seriously.

But in the process of seizing the third spirit orb, if they suddenly reveal their true strength, it would inevitably lead to some undesirable situations.

Not seizing it isn't an option either, as he promised Su Yuqing he'd do it, and he doesn't want to be delayed on Mount Fangcun for a hundred years.

Even though he's seen the situation clearly, Lu Ye decides not to explain further; some matters are futile to explain, especially since he is ultimately of the human race.

So it is necessary for Hai Tang and others to see it themselves!

The battle on that side remains intense, with cultivators continually falling; by now, each side has lost four, all of Constellation Early Stage cultivation.

Lu Ye knows there's no need to wait any longer, because no matter how long they wait, the situation won't change much; no more will die from the South and West troops.

He slowly opens his mouth: "Prepare to go!"

The East Camp's group has long been waiting for this moment; hearing his words, their expressions brighten.

Lu Ye's tone shifts: "But everyone must be careful, if you find the situation unfavorable, escape immediately!"

With this said, he gathers the scattered array banners and leads the charge towards the battlefield.

The group from the East Camp reveals their movements, and Duan Xiuchen from the Southern Region immediately laughs: "Western Region, you're doomed, my allies have arrived."

Amidst the chaos, he also calls out to Lu Ye: "Friends from the East, hurry and help kill them, these Western folks aren't quite compliant!"

"We're on our way!" Lu Ye responds enthusiastically.

Witnessing this scene, the Western group's faces all change, led by Ye Chaoqun who angrily curses.

They attempt to escape the battle, but the Southern cultivators entangle them so tightly they can't break free.

Lu Ye has led his squad into the fray, targeting Ye Chaoqun directly!

And at that exact moment, the situation shifts dramatically.

Originally appearing as if trying to escape Duan Xiuchen's entanglement, Ye Chaoqun suddenly abandons all defense against him and ferociously punches towards Lu Ye, the fierce force causing the Void to shudder, and a small nearby meteorite struck by the aftershock shatters violently.

Meanwhile, as Duan Xiuchen attacks Ye Chaoqun, he also raises his hand and releases a Spirit Talisman, which transforms into Heaven-shocking Sword Aura, slashing down upon Lu Ye!

Not only do these two act thus, but almost simultaneously, the Southern troops also respond similarly, each facing Hai Tang and Han Molong's squads.

The East Camp's group, with aggressive intent, steps into a meticulously planned, sinister trap.