Chapter 947: Eerie Sword Shadow
Ye Mo didn't attack Ji Zhiyuan directly; he knew that, at best, he could only inflict injury on the peak Golden Core stage cultivator. Attacking the other two, however, was a different matter. Ji Zhiyuan was focused on the spirit sense mark, leaving the two level-seven Golden Core cultivators undefended. Moreover, their cultivation was comparable to his, giving him a high probability of success.
Ye Mo acted swiftly. His sword unleashed purple sword rays, stunning Ji Zhiyuan. He hadn't anticipated Ye Mo's counterattack or his ability to remain undetected. The stealth technique was astonishing; a Golden Core level-one cultivator hiding from his spirit sense was unthinkable.
Countless purple sword rays enveloped the two level-seven Golden Core cultivators. One was bisected, the other riddled with sword rays. One was dead, the other critically wounded.
Enraged, Ji Zhiyuan roared, his flying sword hurtling towards Ye Mo. Ye Mo retreated into his formation, laying down several level-two formation disks.
Ji Zhiyuan followed, his fury momentarily subsiding as he surveyed the disks. "You dare?" he sneered. "Think you can stop me with these? I intended to kill you, but now… I will slaughter every man in your Ye family, and the women will be taken to Broken Leaf City." His voice dripped with venom. "As for you," he continued, his gaze fixed on Ye Mo, "I won't kill you quickly. I'll burn your soul for a hundred years before ending you."
Ye Mo's eyes hardened, his killing intent surging. He would kill Ji Zhiyuan, even if it cost him his life. But as his rage intensified, a chilling calm settled over him. He planted more formation flags, stating coldly, "If the Ghost Immortal Sect sends more, I will annihilate it."
Ji Zhiyuan felt a prickle of unease. Ye Mo's threat, though from a Golden Core level-one cultivator, carried the weight of a level-seven.
Ji Zhiyuan retrieved his flying sword. Its unusual nature immediately caught Ye Mo's attention. Its length seemed to fluctuate, sometimes appearing as short as thirty centimeters, other times longer. At times, it was almost invisible, yet its chilling presence was undeniable. Its ethereal quality, almost devoid of substance, was bone-chilling. The energy it emitted revealed a cultivation method far from ordinary.
The air grew heavy, suffocating, like the stench of hell itself. Ye Mo, unable to wait longer, unleashed Zi Xu.
"Illusion Cloud Division Strike!"
Countless sword rays swept across a ten-meter radius. Ji Zhiyuan was enveloped, his dark energy seemingly dissolving before the purple rays.
Ye Mo didn't linger; he knew this wouldn't kill Ji Zhiyuan. He focused instead on building a level-three formation, buying precious time.
His sword rays shattered. A wave of suffocating killing intent washed over him. He'd underestimated the risk of laying a formation while under attack. He activated defensive and offensive formation disks, but they were quickly destroyed, saving his life but little else.
He knew the level-three formation was his only chance, yet he lacked the time. Ji Zhiyuan's sword technique was overwhelmingly powerful, its trajectory unpredictable; far superior to the peak Golden Core cultivator he'd slain in Herb Valley.
Then, a shock. Ji Zhiyuan vanished; his spirit sense could not detect him. He was far stronger than he'd appeared in the wooden house.
Suddenly, he felt a breath on his neck, the cold touch of imminent death. He'd been caught in a daze, a testament to Ji Zhiyuan's power.
A deep gash opened beneath his ribs as he barely evaded the attack. He swallowed pills, his sixth sense—honed by the Three Birth Chant—his only defense.
Another silent sword stroke grazed his chest. His wounds seeped dark energy, refusing to heal. Yet, amidst the countless sword shadows, a strange calm descended.
Ignoring his wounds, he moved through the shadows, his injuries lessening with each pass. He sensed Ji Zhiyuan's position. He had found a way to avoid the attacks, but he needed a way to kill his opponent. He used the brief intervals between attacks to continue setting up his formation flags.
Ji Zhiyuan was surprised by Ye Mo's resilience.