Chapter 43: Spirit Cultivating First Realm

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Staring at the sprig of Yin Poison Grass endlessly exuding clouds of toxic purple fumes, Ye Mo considered the possibility that the color of the river, as well as the surrounding purple fog, were all due to the presence of this plant.

Yin Poison Grass was a highly toxic plant. Any normal martial artist would avoid it like the plague.

However, there were some evil clans that treat it as a sublime treasure. The martial technique they practiced was Toxic Fume Style, where they incorporated poison into their Yuanli.

Staring at the python, Ye Mo dared not strike. Knowing that its abilities was of at least Spirit Cultivating Fifth Realm, coupled with its impressive defense, killing it would be extremely difficult if one did not have any specialized weapons.

Naturally, some martial artists were capable of delivering a punch that could shatter one’s innards whilst keeping the outer shell undamaged. However, they had to be at least of Energy Shaping Realm.

His current mission was to find Qi Ying first, but Ye Mo had clearly lost track of her whereabouts. This was a vast valley with no end in sight. Apart from the Yin Poison River, it was littered with small hills, wilted grass, and small streams, and the air was thick with purple fog and filled with the cries of beasts and monsters.

Ye Mo found a spot where the purple fog was less dense and sat cross-legged on a large boulder, his spear stabbed onto the ground.

Now that he had lost all contact with Qi Ying, he could only wait for her to show up. This valley was potent with danger. Many more dangerous beasts and monsters were lurking in its depths.

The Yuan Chi of Heaven and Earth here is much more concentrated here compared to Limestone City, noted Ye Mo.

His eyes shut, he directed eight dragons towards his last Gate, which was in his left hand. Once he unlocked his left hand Gate and successfully reached Spirit Cultivating Realm, not only would his potential greatly increase, but so would his physical capacity. Needless to say, the Dragon Power his Gates could house would rise as well.

Eight dragons hammering at the Gate all at once felt like someone slamming a mallet on his hand repeatedly, an extremely painful ordeal.

Eight Dragons slammed against the Gate repeatedly. As they started to fade, they were immediately replenished as the Rising Dragon Pillar continued to absorb concentrated levels of Yuan Chi.

Ye Mo directed the eight dragons to his left hand Gate once more, and after a few rounds, he was gritting his teeth due to the intense pain.

Crack…! Fizz… Pop!

Ye Mo clenched his left fist. Under the pressure of the eight dragons, its Gate unlocked. Before he could even react, his physiology underwent a cataclysmic change: his Energy Center could operate at ten times its previous speed, the surrounding Yuan Chi was absorbed into his body at a much faster rate, and within his Energy Center was a sea of Chi. The sea of Chi was the key characteristic of a Spirit Cultivating Realm martial artist. Compared to Corporeal Strengthening Realm martial artists, the quality and quantity of Yuanli both increased by several folds.

As for the Rising Dragon Pillar, it loomed over the sea like a hulking monolith, keeping things in order.

His Energy Center was lapping up Yuan Chi at a tremendous speed. Soon after, the seemingly unending stream of Yuanli coursed through his body, strengthening each muscle, each vessel, and each Gate.

It was speedy process, yet it brought about tremendous changes in Ye Mo’s body.

In just a few seconds, Ye Mo had grown a few inches, and even his face seemed to have matured.

Roar!

Within his Energy Center, the Rising Dragon Pillar let out a great howl, comprising of the thunderous roar of millions of dragons. It began to absorb Yuan Chi at an incredible speed. Almost all the Yuan Chi in the vicinity appeared to be taken up by the pillar.

Ye Mo knew that this was a sign of awakening another dragon. At this rate, he could possibly awaken quite a number of dragons.

“Supervisor Ye, I’m just sitting here, so why can’t I feel Yuan Chi around me anymore?”

Not far from where Ye Mo was sitting were four people sitting cross-legged on the floor, also absorbing Yuan Chi and circulating their Energy Center. These people were the four Ye disciples that had faced the python earlier on.

Ye Dalong opened his eyes and said, “There must be a strong martial artist around here, absorbing Yuan Chi. Although this place is very dangerous, it’s a really ideal place for replenishing Yuan Chi. Such staggering amounts of absorption must mean that the martial artist is on the verge of a breakthrough.”

“Supervisor Ye, there’s someone sitting there!”

“Let’s go check it out!”

Because of the thick fog, the four Ye disciples could not see Ye Mo clearly before, but as they approached him, they all stopped in shock when they saw who it was.

“Supervisor Ye, it’s Ye Mo!”

“Ye Mo?”

With a swipe of his hand, Ye Dalong swept away the obstructive purple fog. All he saw was Ye Mo, sitting cross-legged on a boulder, the surrounding Yuan Chi surging into his body in a continuous stream. The four looked on with disbelief at the sheer speed the Yuan Chi entered his body.

“Didn’t he have his Energy Center sealed up by the Head of our Clan? How come he’s here? And how is he absorbing all this Yuan Chi?” asked a Spirit Cultivating Third Realm disciple incredulously.

“Look at the movement of Yuanli in his body, it’s like he’s entering Spirit Cultivating First Realm!”

“How is that possible? Is he a mutant?”

“Who cares if he’s a mutant or not? He has merely reached Spirit Cultivating First Realm, we have nothing to fear.”

“Why does he have the Formation-Breaking Spear? I heard that it’s a Magic Weapon!”

“Supervisor Ye, if you take this spear, I bet you can kill the python!”

“Once I kill Ye Mo, I’ll take it!”

A disciple in Spirit Cultivating Fourth Realm brandished his sword and slashed it in the direction of Ye Mo’s head. The sharp blade left a glimmer in its trail as it headed straight towards Ye Mo’s head. Even the cloud of energy that was seeping into his body was sliced apart. This was a mighty force indeed, one that could break apart boulders.

Buzz!

But just as the blade was about to touch Ye Mo’s head, the Formation-Breaking Spear that was planted firmly on the ground previously suddenly sprang into life, spinning in the air, and sailed towards the sword.

Ping!

The sword fell out of the disciple’s hand and onto the ground with a loud clatter.

“What is this? The spear knows to protect its master?”

“Maybe this spear is a Spirit Weapon!”

Spirit Weapons were one rank above Magic Weapons. The residents of Limestone City had yet to see a Spirit Weapon.

“Kill Ye Mo and grab the weapon!” hollered Ye Dalong. Obediently, the other disciples surrounded Ye Mo.

Suddenly, Ye Mo’s eyes snapped open. An overpowering aura emanated from him, as if a dragon dormant for many millennia had finally awoken, causing all four of the Ye disciples to take a few steps back in shock.

What’s with this guy? Why am I… terrified of him? Ye Dalong thought in horror. Before him stood not a man, but a monster in the shape of a man.

“Ye disciples. Were you hoping to bully me? Again?” Ye Mo sneered. He stood up, arm outstretched, and the spear flew into his hand obediently.

The Rising Dragon Pillar was absorbing Yuan Chi at an insane speed, awakening the power of 18 dragons. In addition to the eight dragons he previously had awoken, within Ye Mo’s Energy Center was now the power of 26 dragons.

Reaching Spirit Cultivating Realm and activating 18 bouts of Dragon Power in one go was an impressive feat indeed.

However, 26 dragons were only a small portion of the Rising Dragon Pillar’s potential.

And now that Ye Mo had reached Spirit Cultivating Realm, with his Gates strengthened, each one could now withstand five dragons at a time. With his Dragon Power, Ye Mo’s prowess as of now was equivalent to a Spirit Cultivating Fifth Realm martial artist.

“Oh, I see you’ve improved. But you’re still only a Spirit Cultivating First Realm!”

“He can already cause such a commotion at Spirit Cultivating First Realm. He must be gifted beyond belief! He’ll be a dangerous threat to the Ye Clan, we must dispose of him right now!”