Chapter 849: Illusion Cloud First Strike

It wasn't Ye Mo's first time creating Burst Essence Pills, though his past life's methods differed. He possessed superior concocting techniques now, so he felt no apprehension. The necessary herbs were inexpensive; he began refining immediately.

An hour later, Ye Mo successfully produced a cauldron of Burst Essence Pills. Only two resulted, but that sufficed; he needed but one.

"Let's go," Ye Mo said, feeling more secure.

Upon reaching the peak, they found the senior martial sister absent, enabling them to retrieve Silver without opposition. Silver was then placed within the Golden Page World. Song Yangzhu and Ye Ling left a letter of gratitude for Li Yuqian, explaining their departure with Ye Mo.

Ye Mo anticipated Li Bailsen's intervention, but none came.

"Ye Mo, that Li fellow isn't stopping us," Song Yangzhu observed.

Ye Mo frowned, sensing something amiss. Li Bailsen wouldn't simply recall his watchers; he wouldn't let them go so easily.

"Perhaps they realized Brother's Foundation Establishment state and dare not impede us," Ye Ling suggested.

Ye Mo shook his head. "I've been back to the sect too long. Even if Li Bailsen were at the auction, he'd know by now and have made arrangements. Even without that, his connections and future prospects within the sect would make hindering us trivially easy."

"But we're more than tens of thousands of kilometers from the sect alr—" Ye Ling trailed off as Ye Mo halted.

Aboard their flying sword, Ye Ling and Song Yangzhu watched, curious about his sudden stop.

Ye Mo landed, instructing the women, "Wait here. I want to see just how capable that Li fellow is."

"Hahaha!" A hideous laugh echoed, and a cold-faced man materialized before them. "You've concealed yourselves well. To notice my arrival… no wonder my brother died by your hand!"

Ye Mo calmly assessed the middle-aged man, understanding their unimpeded departure. Li Bailsen hadn't planned to confront them within the sect. Perhaps, learning of his Foundation Establishment state, he'd hoped they'd leave. Even a genius disciple lacked the authority to punish a blameless Foundation Establishment cultivator. Even with proof of Ye Mo killing his brother, the sect wouldn't act without evidence.

"You're clever. Within the sect, I could have easily dealt with you, but I wanted you to savor a slow death. After I've enjoyed your sister and wife, you'll share their fate," Li Bailsen snarled, his hatred palpable.

Ye Mo smiled. "Your brother, Li Bailin, possessed impressive swordsmanship. A pity I couldn't find his sword after killing him. Disappointing. Hopefully, your storage pouch… or is it a ring? Excellent!"

"You killed my brother! I'll kill you!" Li Bailsen's fury exploded, unleashed by Ye Mo's admission.

A sword light, saturated with killing intent, descended upon Ye Mo. Simultaneously, he felt the air condense, immobilizing him. Yet, the attack transformed mid-flight into scores of sword-chi, each burning with killing intent.

Ye Mo was startled. He hadn't anticipated Li Bailsen's use of a single-edged sword, wielded not with spiritual sense, but like a martial artist in close combat. Truth cultivators fought with magical artifacts and cultivation essence; yet Li Bailsen, a Zheng Yuan Sword Sect prodigy, employed a single-edged sword in hand-to-hand combat—an anomaly.

Without hesitation, Ye Mo ignited his essence blood, breaking free. His flying sword morphed into hundreds of sword rays, barely deflecting Li Bailsen's sword-chi. Then, concentrating his cultivation essence, he attacked Li Bailsen's sword.

A clash! Ye Mo was sent flying tens of meters, caught by Song Yangzhu and Ye Ling. He immediately spat blood. It was merely the first exchange, yet he'd already needed to burn essence blood. Li Bailsen was an insurmountable foe.

"Brother, are you alright?" Ye Ling anxiously held Ye Mo, her voice trembling. Despite being tens of meters away, they'd suffered cuts from the stray sword-chi—even with Ye Mo blocking 99% of them.

"I'm fine." Ye Mo consumed a Lotus Life Pill and a Burst Essence Pill. Examining his damaged flying sword, he summoned Shadowless from his foot, confident Li Bailsen wouldn't be scanning there.

Fortunately, Li Bailsen didn't press his attack after that clash, suggesting he was also faring poorly. He'd retreated only three meters before stopping, his gaze cold. "I underestimated you. You're only at Foundation Establishment level 3, yet you blocked my Illusion Cloud First Strike. No wonder you're so arrogant. But my Illusion Cloud Strike has six strikes. Let's see how many you can withstand."

Ye Mo instructed Song Yangzhu and Ye Ling, "Retreat 100 meters and don't return."

Ye Ling and Song Yangzhu knew they couldn't interfere. Their only hope rested on Ye Mo's ability to fight freely. Song Yangzhu resolved that if Ye Mo died, she would take her own life rather than be violated.

Ye Mo flicked his flying sword. "Li, you've hidden much. In a double-edged sword sect, you cultivate a single-edged style. If I'm not mistaken, it's your killing move. Come, I'm not afraid."

Li Bailsen smirked. "Those who know this are dead. You'll be no exception. I perfected it only days ago. I needed someone to test it on. You haven't disappointed me."

Ye Mo felt the Burst Essence Pill's effects. His state climbed—level 4, 5, 6… He stopped at level 6 peak, astonished by the pill's potency. He wondered if he'd plummet to level 2 once its effects wore off.

Li Bailsen, noticing this, was momentarily stunned, but quickly recovered. He sneered, "You used a Burst Essence Pill. It won't save you."

Ye Mo unleashed countless sword flowers, encircling Li Bailsen. The flowers multiplied endlessly.

Li Bailsen sneered, "Using mere ornamental sword flowers? How dare you!"

"Illusion Cloud Second Strike!" Li Bailsen roared, and attacked.