Chapter 883: Abandoning the Double-Edged Sword to Start Using the Single-Edged Sword

Ye Mo wasn't worried about the two masters finding him within his golden page world. Hidden within the earth, it was virtually undetectable unless they specifically probed that small patch of ground with their spirit sense.

The perilous journey to Chang Feng Hill had been richly rewarding. Seeking fortune amidst danger proved a wise decision. He not only obtained the Mist Lotus Heart Fire but also "Things"—a valuable book.

He had already spirit-controlled the Mist Lotus Heart Fire, and his immediate goal was to break the restrictions on the two jade boxes containing "Things" and begin his study.

Upon examination, Ye Mo found the boxes laden with numerous spirit sense marks and restrictions, easily destroyed with a single thought. He chuckled, noting the cultivators' calculating selfishness. Had they cooperated instead of fighting, everything would have been different; as it was, he was the sole beneficiary.

While the boxes were heavily restricted, it posed no significant challenge. Within half an hour, he'd removed all restrictions, extracted the two halves of the book, and incinerated the boxes with the Mist Lotus Heart Fire.

The book appeared to have been sharply severed, likely torn apart previously. Its material was surprisingly soft yet remarkably sturdy, resisting even Ye Mo's attempts to tear it.

He seamlessly fused the two halves. Immediately, he was immersed in a vast compendium of knowledge: spirit herb, ore, beast, spirit insect, and fire seed scrolls, among others. Tens of scrolls filled the book!

Focusing on the fire seed scroll, he located the Mist Lotus Heart Fire. Ranked 17th among 108 Fire Seeds and third within the cultivation realm, it was a superior fire, even among heaven fires. Ye Mo was highly pleased.

Further study revealed why it had appeared at Chang Feng Hill: its ability to upgrade by devouring yin chi. It seemed someone had intentionally left it there for this purpose.

He pondered the mystery. Why hadn't anyone retrieved it, even after it reached an orange hue? Perhaps the previous owner had perished, or lacked the time to claim it, giving Ye Mo the opportunity.

Regardless, having spirit-controlled the flame, Ye Mo had no intention of relinquishing it.

He then turned to the spirit herb scroll, losing himself in its contents.

...

Twenty thousand kilometers away, both cultivators sensed the destruction of the spirit sense marks and restrictions, yet could not locate the source. Their expressions were grim.

...

Three days later, Ye Mo had roughly scanned the entire book, meticulously studying the spirit herb scroll while retaining a general understanding of the others.

His greatly expanded knowledge clarified the scarcity of level 7 spirit pill masters and above. The Three Birth Chant, or "Things," was not easily obtained. Essentially an encyclopedia of cultivation, it explained the desperate struggle between the two men.

He carefully stowed "Things," remaining within the golden page world. Despite destroying the restrictions and spirit sense marks, he refrained from placing it in his storage ring, given its origin from hollow spirit state cultivators. Caution was necessary.

Three days having passed, Ye Mo was certain Sima Zhu and Tong Wusheng hadn't departed. He retrieved the Illusion Cloud Nine Swords and commenced his study.

He decided to switch to a single-edged sword as his primary weapon. While his Three Birth Sword Ray was designed for double-edged swords, adaptation was possible. He aimed to combine the Three Birth Sword Ray and the Illusion Cloud Nine Strikes to create a new sword technique.

He perceived significant similarities between the two techniques and sought to integrate the Three Birth Sword Ray into the Illusion Cloud Nine Strikes.

He renamed the Illusion Cloud's first strike, "Illusion Cloud Essence Binding Sword," its essence unchanged from the original. The sword chi generated possessed extraordinary binding capabilities, reminiscent of a binding formation, reflecting Ye Mo's expertise in formations.

The Illusion Cloud Nine Swords were direct attacks. The first move didn't directly assault the enemy but sealed their retreat—a harsh tactic for both attacker and defender. Ye Mo found this appealing.

The second strike was named "Illusion Cloud Division Strike," incorporating his sword ray to create a dividing effect similar to his Three Birth Sword Ray. He felt this strike far surpassed the original.

The third strike, "Illusion Cloud Flying Whirl Strike," remained faithful to the original, forming sword chi whirlpools whose number depended on one's cultivation essence and spirit sense. Its power rested heavily on cultivation essence, but its ultimate potency was determined by the wielder's understanding of sword will—deeper sword will equaled greater power.

Within a month, Ye Mo mastered the first three strikes. However, he couldn't fully unleash the third strike's power due to his incomplete grasp of its sword will. He felt no urgency, choosing to master the first three strikes before proceeding to the fourth.