Chapter 910: Encountering a Golden Core State
This blue python was nearing level 5, approximately halfway to the Golden Core state. Ye Mo didn't recognize the beast, but its blue coloration suggested it had consumed numerous Lin Blue Fruits. The fruit's aroma intensified. The blue python spotted Ye Mo, rising and hissing menacingly.
Unwilling to relinquish the Lin Blue Fruits, Ye Mo ignored the python's threat, activating Zi Xu and channeling his cultivation essence. A faint purple sword ray erupted, instantly splitting into two, then four. The blue python, apparently unfamiliar with such a technique, still sensed its power and retaliated with its tail. This was Ye Mo's first use of Illusion Cloud Division Strike since obtaining Zi Xu.
The sword ray collided with the python's tail, sending a powerful shockwave that nearly knocked Ye Mo breathless. He felt himself propelled several kilometers. Shaken, he stabilized himself with his cultivation essence, a significantly denser energy than that of an ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivator. Though thrown tens of meters, he managed to land safely. Even with the swift use of Illusion Cloud Division Strike, he was repelled, a testament to the python's formidable strength.
He prepared to unleash the Illusion Cloud Whirlpool Strike, but before he could, the blue python fled. The sight of blood on the ground explained its sudden retreat; his initial attack had inflicted injury, causing the python to abandon its pursuit of the fruit—perhaps it had already consumed so many that they were no longer valuable.
Relieved, Ye Mo sheathed Zi Xu. A prolonged battle, even if victorious, would have been excessively taxing. He realized, however, that his incomplete mastery of the technique prevented more substantial damage to the python. A thousand-ray strike would have ensured its capture. Perfecting this skill required not only practice but also a strong spirit sense and ample cultivation essence.
Despite the setback, Ye Mo rejoiced at the increased power of the Illusion Cloud technique with Zi Xu. At the Golden Core state, he was confident he could have easily incapacitated the python.
The Lin Blue Fruits' aroma intensified, signaling their imminent ripening. Ye Mo prepared three jade boxes and waited beneath the tree. Three fruits soon fell, each carefully placed in a box. As the third was about to drop, two cultivators materialized. While one was a tertiary Foundation Establishment cultivator, the other was a Golden Core cultivator, a shock to Ye Mo.
He immediately summoned his flying pike, intending to flee, but the Golden Core cultivator intercepted him. Unable to escape a Golden Core master, particularly one at the middle stage (level 4), Ye Mo surrendered his pike.
"Leave your storage ring and that sword. Begone!" the Golden Core cultivator commanded coldly.
While Ye Mo might have complied with a request for just the fruits, the demand for his ring and sword was unacceptable, bordering on a death sentence, he noticed a glint of murderous intent.
Ye Mo's eyes hardened. "You intend to kill and rob me?" he asked.
The Foundation Establishment cultivator laughed. "Master, this fool!"
The Golden Core cultivator smirked. "Indeed. I shall rob and kill you." He immediately attacked.
Ye Mo countered with the Illusion Cloud Essence Binding Strike, a purple ray forming a cultivation essence field around the cultivator. Taken aback by Ye Mo's preemptive strike, the Golden Core cultivator unleashed his power.
Ye Mo's attack was hampered, its full potential unrealized. He poured all his essence into the strike, but even then, the Golden Core cultivator's cultivation essence, though slightly impeded, proved too powerful. A beam of energy shattered Ye Mo's defense, fracturing his chest bone.
The disparity in strength was undeniable. He unleashed the Illusion Cloud Division Strike, his cultivation essence maxed out. The sword ray multiplied into a hundred strikes, enveloping the cultivator. The cultivator, surprised by this technique, his greed piqued, countered with his own rapier, dispelling the sword rays.
Ye Mo was thrown tens of meters, spitting blood, while the cultivator received minor injuries which promptly healed. His killing intent intensified, shaken by being injured, however slightly, by a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Ye Mo's heart sank. He knew further confrontation meant certain death. Grabbing Zi Xu, he fled. Even Shadowless, powerful as it was, stood little chance against a fully empowered Golden Core cultivator.
The cultivator sneered, "Trying to escape?" and gave chase.