The blood-red glow receded, all of it drawing back into his body. Lu Ye slowly opened his eyes.
He happily sensed the changes within himself. Though his cultivation had only risen by one minor level, the increase in his actual strength was far greater than that.
Of course, exactly how much stronger he had become would have to be verified by finding someone to trade blows with—preferably in a life-and-death battle.
For the moment, though, he had no such opportunity.
He rose and walked to one side, soon reaching the entrance to the underground passage. Continuing onward, he did not go far before he saw a figure standing quietly ahead.
It was Nian Yuexian, who had been guarding him here all along.
Lu Ye solemnly bowed. "Thank you for standing guard over me, Senior Sister."
Nian Yuexian looked him over. The passage was dim, but for Divine Sea Realm cultivators, even such darkness did not hinder their sight.
"Tier Five already?" Nian Yuexian was somewhat surprised. But thinking about it carefully, Lu Ye's cultivation speed seemed to have always been this fast.
"The Insect Mother's vitality was immense, so I gained something from it."
Nian Yuexian studied him for a while longer. She always felt that Lu Ye's changes went beyond simply advancing in cultivation, because at this very moment, she could actually sense a faint pressure from him.
She was a Ghost Cultivator, her senses sharp. Since she felt this way, it was most likely true. In other words, Lu Ye now very likely had the foundation to fight her!
That left Nian Yuexian in a slight daze. When she had first met Lu Ye, he had not even reached True Lake. How long had it been? Yet he was already able to stand shoulder to shoulder with her.