Chapter 252: Flying Sword Forged

Translator: Tim Editor: Chrissy

A powerful gust of wind erupted. Jing Xi plummeted into the abyss outside Serenity Peak. Simultaneously, Ye Mo was thrown back several meters, crashing into a wall. He suffered several broken ribs and coughed up blood. Quickly, he consumed a Lotus Life Pill, slowly rose to his feet, and turned to look at Jing Xian. Without a word, he departed, leaving the place filled with sadness and disappointment. His silence stemmed from his own dissatisfaction with Jing Xian.

Luo Ying's fate, sealed by her confinement in the frost room, was clearly death. Jing Xian, the sect leader, had done nothing. This eroded Ye Mo's respect for her, and while killing Jing Xi, he felt a subtle sense of manipulation. Though he knew Jing Xian may not have intended it, the feeling persisted.

Watching Ye Mo disappear, Jing Xian sighed, accepting no responsibility. Instead, she walked towards the frost room, shattered by Ye Mo's actions.

Ye Mo didn't travel far. He found a secluded spot to rest and recover his injuries before leaving Serenity Peak via the mountain path. He reached the platform and crossed the metal chain, but instead of descending, he dug a cave into the cliff face tens of meters below. The small stone chamber measured approximately three to four meters square. He had two reasons for choosing this location: to refine the Essence Chi Stone and to wait for Luo Ying's possible return.

His position, roughly 100 meters from the summit, allowed for easy observation of anyone passing by.

Once settled, Ye Mo began cultivating. The Essence Chi Stone, while containing a small amount of spiritual energy, proved far more difficult to refine than a spirit stone.

Despite numerous pressing matters—a promise to visit Fang Nan (now forgotten), the taekwondo matter, and the Song Family, let alone North Sand—he remained. He lacked the power to act. Resources were scarce, but he possessed an Essence Spirit Stone, and its misuse would constitute a waste. While other cultivation sites existed, a sliver of hope remained for Luo Ying's return.

After his recent experiences, he understood the crucial need for strength. Fortunately, he had sufficient supplies to sustain a multi-month stay.

Time slipped away during cultivation. A week later, with the Essence Chi Stone reduced to dust, his cultivation reached the peak of Stage 3. With additional resources or fortune, Stage 4 seemed attainable.

Ye Mo sighed; progress was halted by resource limitations. Still, he was pleased with his week's advancement. Less than a year in this world, and in a location ill-suited for cultivation, he had nearly reached Stage 4, surpassing his initial expectations. His rapid advancement was largely attributable to fortunate circumstances. Without them, he likely would still be struggling at Stage 1.

Needing greater power but unable to further cultivate, he turned to forging a flying sword. Fortunately, all the necessary materials were at hand, a fact for which he thanked the auction. Without it, he would have lacked both the materials and the current level of cultivation.

He carefully laid out the Geng Iron Essence, Deep Sea Button Wood, Green Silver Sand, Star Jade, and other materials. The quality of the components filled him with satisfaction.

Even within the cultivation world, these were top-grade materials for a flying sword—a fact that still astounded him.

His enhanced power and strengthened chi fire were sufficient, despite being slightly weak for flying sword creation. He felt compelled to forge one, believing it necessary to overcome Earth Level masters. Furthermore, he could later reforge it with greater power.

His choice of location, besides waiting for Luo Ying, was born from a suspicion that the auction's hosts—a hidden sect or, as Jing Xi mentioned, a Space Organization—would not let him go unpunished. Though unlikely to appear in the mortal world, Ye Mo remained cautious. Their desires could draw them out, and subduing Wuliang Mountain would be trivial for them.

Focusing his thoughts, Ye Mo ignited his chi fire. He placed the materials within the flames, allowing them to slowly melt and blend.

His low power forced him to proceed slowly, frequently pausing to recover his chi. The impurities were meticulously removed under his control. A Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator could complete this in a day, but due to his lower cultivation, it took him a half-month.

After refining the materials, he shaped them into a sword and inscribed formations.

Another half-month passed. Despite his careful pacing and frequent rests, Ye Mo was exhausted, his face pale, chi depleted. Yet, the near completion of his flying sword fueled his excitement.

A sharp chirp echoed. Ye Mo immediately applied a drop of essence blood to the sword. A 30-centimeter long sword, emitting a faint purple glow from the Star Jade, floated before him. He had unexpectedly forged a high-grade flying sword.

He grasped the sword, feeling an immediate connection. His current power limited the sword's size; with greater strength, he could shrink it to a small speck within his dantian or enlarge it to over three meters.

The sword seemed sentient, radiating warmth and familiarity.

"Go," Ye Mo commanded, tossing the sword into the air. It gracefully flew about, resembling a shooting star. Reclaiming the sword, he felt immense pride.

"Zhang Zhihui, you fat old pig, I swear, if I see you again, I’ll use your blood to consecrate my sword!" He also vowed revenge against the auction house, acknowledging their malice but understanding the impracticality of immediate retaliation, as they hadn't yet committed any overt aggression.

Regrettably, he was just shy of Stage 4. At Stage 4, he could ride his flying sword.

Retrieving the sword, he didn't depart immediately, forging more Fireball and Wind Blade Charms. He also crafted a long sword for Xu Ping using the remaining materials.

Ten days later, his ring contained 200 additional charms. Ye Mo rose, disappointed; Luo Ying remained absent after over a month. Her return appeared unlikely.

With a sigh, he leaped onto the platform. He decided to visit his sister before heading to Beijing.

The autumnal Wuliang Mountain felt desolate, lacking the awe it once inspired. Knowing Susu was Luo Ying, and having just brushed past her, intensified his feelings of regret and worry. Though her necklace held defensive and offensive capabilities, her weakness concerned him.

"I thought you'd cower here, hiding in Wuliang Mountain. Where else could you hide?" A cold, sinister voice echoed.

"Zhang Zhihui? You old fart," Ye Mo replied, halting. His concerns for Luo Ying had masked Zhang Zhihui's continued presence.

Now, however, he was calm. At the peak of Stage 3 Chi Gathering, and possessing a flying sword, he felt confident of victory, even without relying on the sword. Fireballs alone could suffice.

"Hmph, you’re brazen. Xiao Bei, learn some humility in your next life. Initially, I only wanted the Liu Blue Carrot. Now, you’ll leave your life behind as well." Zhang Zhihui's fury grew at Ye Mo's disrespectful address.

Ye Mo stared coldly at Zhang Zhihui, calmly stating, "Old Fatty, your persistence is remarkable. You waited over a month. Very well, your blood will consecrate my sword."