Chapter 814: Attaining the Dao Through Martial Arts

The clang of steel echoed as a searing sword clashed with Ye Mo's fist. Pang Wei, barely deflecting the blow, was sent sprawling, spitting blood before regaining his footing. He glared coldly at Ye Mo.

Ye Mo swallowed a lotus life pill. Pang Wei's resilience was remarkable, a testament to the Wu God Chant's power. Pang Wei, however, realized he had underestimated Ye Mo. He'd never faced such a formidable opponent. Despite decades of cultivating the Wu God Chant—a cultivation method of the highest order—he was no match. Ye Mo's secret eluded him. He couldn't believe Ye Mo possessed a superior cultivation method.

The onlookers were stunned, uncertain of the fight's outcome. Ye Mo, eschewing wind blades to conserve essence, advanced again. This time, his flying sword appeared, a simple pierce imbued with lethal intent. The half-step Great Heaven cultivators and Great Heaven masters sensed Ye Mo's absolute control, sealing all escape routes.

Pang Wei sneered, believing Ye Mo underestimated him, thinking an inner qi wall sufficient to contain him. His expression shifted drastically, however. Ye Mo's seemingly single strike multiplied—one sword becoming two, then four, eight, sixteen, and more. Each sword tip was enveloped in a sword ray.

Unable to allow Ye Mo to continue, Pang Wei unleashed his full inner qi, hacking at the sword rays. Inner qi erupted uncontrollably, a testament to his overexertion. His curved sword shattered into fragments.

He knew a fistfight might prolong his life, but in a weapon duel, escape was impossible. Several of Ye Mo's sword rays pierced Pang Wei, blooming crimson upon the rock behind him.

Ye Mo telekinetically retrieved the Wu God Chant from Pang Wei's grasp. Bleeding profusely, Pang Wei rasped, "What sword technique...?"

"Not a technique, a skill," Ye Mo replied simply, then opened the book.

"Three Birth Sword Chant," Pang Wei whispered, collapsing.

Silence descended. The battle's intensity had overwhelmed the spectators. Only Ye Mo moved, examining the book. Its value was evident to all, yet no one dared approach.

After ten minutes, Ye Mo had memorized the book's contents, gaining an understanding of true ancient martial arts. This was a profoundly powerful cultivation method—a path to attaining the Dao through martial arts, though incomplete. It comprised four ranks: Lesser Heaven, Great Heaven, Wu State, and God State. Lesser Heaven had four levels; Great Heaven, three; Wu State, three; and the God State was incomplete, limiting attainment to Wu King.

Ye Mo closed the book, recognizing its value. He envisioned a new cultivation system using the Three Birth Sword Chant—a body cultivation method. While such methods existed, they were rarely practiced due to their resource and time demands.

Stowing the Wu God Chant, Ye Mo announced his departure, promising a future encounter. He vanished in three swift steps, leaving the crowd awestruck. His speed was inhuman. Any lingering ambitions regarding the Wu God Chant were instantly extinguished.

Wang Yijian smiled wryly, recognizing Ye Mo's superior strength. He hadn't expected such a vast disparity. He was thankful to Ye Mo; Pang Wei could have easily killed him. He valued Jiu Ming Academy's survival above his own life.

Cai Ji, disappointed, sought solitude. After Ye Mo's departure, her sense of purpose vanished. She regretted Ye Mo hadn't spoken to her before leaving, though she hadn't truly desired the Wu God Chant. A simple acknowledgement would have been enough.

Returning to her room, Cai Ji discovered an ancient-looking booklet in her inner jacket pocket.