Chapter 742

Chapter 742: Nine Palaces Heavenly Art

"Wenxian, it’s been quite some time. Why haven’t we encountered the Food Spirit Bugs the Palace Master mentioned yet?" As their descent gradually slowed, Blood Robe glanced at the shifting scenery where dark clouds had turned white, her voice tinged with curiosity.

"The Palace Master said these Food Spirit Bugs possess intelligence. It seems true—they’re likely lying in ambush. We must remain cautious," Mo Wenxian replied, his gentle demeanor hardening slightly. "Aliang, guard the rear with the other two. Blood Robe and I will hold the front. San Ying protects the center. If anything goes wrong, you’ll be our last line."

"Hehe, being pressed against Wenxian feels wonderful," Blood Robe purred, leaning into Mo Wenxian’s side. Relishing the soothing Celestial Energy radiating from him, she smirked at San Ying’s sour expression behind them. "San Ying, best stay put as instructed. Wenxian did tell you to behave."

"Sister Blood Robe, don’t get too distracted. Getting ambushed by bugs would be humiliating," San Ying retorted, though her eyes narrowed at the approaching dark shadows. "But we should indeed prepare."

"Impossible! They couldn’t arrive this quickly—" Blood Robe’s protest died as she followed San Ying’s gaze. Crimson light flared in her eyes as Blood Qi erupted from her body. The encroaching swarm froze mid-air, wings ceasing their flutter before plummeting downward.

"Fear holds no meaning for one who practices the Killing Immortal Classic," Blood Robe declared, watching the falling insects with bloodthirsty delight. Mo Wenxian channeled Celestial Energy into her, tempering the Classic’s murderous influence and preserving her rationality.

"Enough, Blood Robe." Mo Wenxian brushed her crimson locks—now glowing like liquid rubies alongside her scarlet eyes—as the Killing Immortal Classic’s effects faded. Weakness washed over her as she withdrew the technique, confusion etching her features.

"I’ll handle the rest." Mo Wenxian’s gentle assurance contrasted with the sudden eruption of true qi around them. His feather fan transformed into a white Immortal Sword, its pristine blade gleaming as spiritual power surged through its hilt.

"Nine Palaces Heavenly Art: Heaven Severing!"

A sword arc brighter than daylight coalesced as celestial rifts flickered in Mo Wenxian’s eyes. The Sword Path will manifested violently, unleashing gales that atomized everything within a kilometer radius.

"Since when did he master the Sword Path too?" Blood Robe muttered, reassessing her companion. She’d believed his strength stemmed solely from physique, but this swordsmanship rivaled her own.

"A fine sapling indeed," the Ancestor of the Sword Path remarked, sensing the lingering Sword Path will as the blade reverted to a jade fan. "No wonder Nine Palaces Heaven’s old men gifted him an Immortal artifact. Though this complicates your plans…"

He glanced at Ye Yun, whose blazing determination silenced further questions. "Confidence suits you," the ancestor chuckled. If worst came, he’d intervene—survival wasn’t in doubt.

"Who knew Mo Wenxian was this strong?" Shui Lingling gaped at the cleared battlefield while Shui Yingying frowned.

"Indeed. Though the Alliance Master rarely mentions Nine Palaces Heaven, any Heavenly Immortal-linked sect commands respect. His talent likely exceeds even our elder brother’s."

"And he’s as kind as the elder brother!" Shui Lingling added, drawing a wry smile from Ye Yun.

"What about me? Don’t I have a gentle heart too?"

"Different!" Shui Lingling stuck out her tongue. "Mo Wenxian avoids conflict, but the elder brother annihilates demons ruthlessly. Witness his combat power once, and you’ll understand our reverence."

"Ungrateful child," Ye Yun sighed theatrically.

"Enough bantering!" Shui Yingying cut in. "The swarm’s shifting toward us. Ye Yun, does your Sea of Heavenly Fire suppress them?"

"Minimally. They feast on spiritual energy—swordplay works better." The Purple Shadow Divine Sword glowed at Ye Yun’s waist as he coldly assessed the approaching insects.

"Oh no! Brother Ye’s group can’t handle this swarm!" Mo Wenxian paled, noticing Ye Yun’s preparations.

"Let them be," Blood Robe cooed. "Lone wolves should embrace consequences. Consider this… character-building."

"This weakened swarm barely challenges them. Intervening would insult their pride." Secretly, she hoped the Demon Abyss inheritance seekers perished here—raising her odds to certainty. Her habitual caution alone reserved that symbolic 1% chance for them.

Through meticulous planning and intelligence-gathering, she’d kept her disciples safe while outpacing rival factions. That a First Level Earth Immortal team dared contest this inheritance baffled her.

"Draw your sword then," she sneered, though her breath hitched as bloodthirst radiated from Ye Yun’s Purple Shadow Divine Sword—a fleeting but unmistakable omen.

"Wuwei Illusionary Sword: Floating Tower of Thought!"

Phantom blades filled the sky as Ye Yun danced, the sword thrumming with excitement. This technique differed utterly from his Born as a Sword style—the latter’s overwhelming grandeur threatened to outpace even its master’s growth.

But now, the Sword Path demonstrated by Ye Yun no longer oppressed him. Instead, it flowed with natural ease, allowing him to unleash his full potential effortlessly. Wherever the sword shadows swept, tens of thousands of Food Spirit Bugs perished.

Observing Ye Yun’s swordplay, Mo Wenxian’s eyes burned with excitement. This man was a true sword cultivator of extraordinary skill. Just witnessing his movements revealed profound mastery of the Sword Path, having grasped its fundamental principles – the ultimate aspiration of every sword practitioner.

Any Sword Path within his comprehension could be replicated through practice. This core understanding, this foundational truth, represented the pinnacle every blade-wielder sought.

"Oh? Seems we’ve underestimated him," San Ying remarked, black eyes glinting with newfound interest as she observed Ye Yun’s Sword Path will.

"Blood Robe, assess his combat power," Mo Wenxian requested calmly.

"Not bad at all," Blood Robe conceded, her earlier disdain replaced by thoughtful appraisal. "That Sword Path appears more like a reference than his true style. If I’m right, he shares your eclectic cultivation approach, Wenxian." Her lips curved teasingly. "Still, he can’t match you. Your power transcends mortal limits already."

"This cursed physique…" Mo Wenxian shuddered under Blood Robe’s intense gaze, bitterness coloring his voice. "Without it, I’d be just another common cultivator." He hated being worshipped like some deity, though he knew his unique constitution destined him for such treatment.

His simple origins in Nine Palaces Heaven felt lifetimes away. Once, he’d carried water and chopped wood like any junior disciple, trading daily labor for spirit stones to cultivate. Then came the awakening – an innate spiritual body of the rarest caliber, transforming everything.

Respect became reverence. Former companions now spoke with forced flattery. Only San Ying and Blood Robe remained genuine, though he knew even their companionship might prove temporary. His accursed constitution absorbed spiritual energy autonomously, pushing his cultivation regardless of effort or desire.

At Third Level Earth Immortal realm, he could theoretically reach Seventh Level peak within three years through mere existence. Yet he deliberately stagnated, fearing endless advancement would erode all purpose. Mortality held no terror for him – he desired neither immortality nor great power, just quiet days with a lifelong companion.

But destiny had other plans. Heavenly materials and earthly treasures piled before him. Peerless beauties vied for his attention. The Palace Master himself gifted a supreme Immortal artifact. To outsiders, his life seemed perfect.

The hollowness gnawed at him. All accolades belonged to his physique, not himself. He felt like a puppet dancing to heaven’s tune. Through frustration and despair, he’d sought escape in diverse cultivation methods, mastering countless arts in vain.

Nine Palaces Heaven offered every supreme Immortal Sword for his choosing. Any sword manual, regardless of rarity, appeared at his request. Even princesses of elite sects like Moon Dynasty could be his for the asking. Yet these worldly desires felt fragile as paper boats in stormy seas.

"If not for this physique…" The thought haunted him. Would Blood Robe find someone accepting of her caprices? Would San Ying secure proper standing? Meanwhile, he’d fade into obscurity, dying unmourned after an unremarkable existence.

"Nine Palaces Annihilation Body: Fifth Level!"

Celestial Energy erupted violently, shredding clouds as radiant light banished darkness. All eyes snapped to Mo Wenxian – his starry white hair whipping wildly, divine patterns etching across his form.

"My chosen man breaks through again!" Blood Robe exclaimed without surprise, admiring his Heavenly Immortal-like visage. His cultivation surged toward Fourth Level Earth Immortal realm, showing no signs of stopping.

"Terrifying," murmured the Ancestor of the Sword Path. "I knew the Nine Palaces Annihilation Body ranked among rare innate constitutions, but witnessing this… What other physiques could possibly rival such dominance?"

San Ying’s eyes shone as she watched Mo Wenxian’s ascent. "Destined companion indeed." A soft laugh escaped her. The irony amused her – such peerless talent wasted on an ambitionless soul. The heavens truly enjoyed their jokes.

"Nine Palaces Forbidden Technique: Heavenly Burial!"

Visions of cosmic destruction flooded Mo Wenxian’s mind – worlds crumbling and reforming in endless cycles. From this sea of memory fragments, apocalyptic power awaited any shred of comprehension.

As his aura stabilized, Blood Robe gently smoothed his disheveled hair. Though inwardly numb, Mo Wenxian offered apologetic smiles. "My sudden breakthrough must have startled you all."

"Outrageous!" A burly companion glared. "Why can you advance so easily? I want that too!"

"Fortunate coincidence," Mo Wenxian deflected, turning to Ye Yun. The latter showed no astonishment, merely inquiring flatly: "New Divine Art from your epiphany?"

"You sensed it?" Mo Wenxian started. He hadn’t expected anyone to notice the forbidden technique gleaned from his physique’s memories.

"Your eyes revealed fragments. Hard to ignore when such high-tier arts manifest spontaneously." Ye Yun’s tone remained detached, as if discussing trivial matters. If Mo Wenxian grew stronger, he’d simply match that strength.

"Merely luck," Mo Wenxian demurred, curiosity piqued. How had Ye Yun perceived this? Unless… Did they share similar constitutions? The dangerous aura Ye Yun occasionally emitted suggested comparable potential. This merited closer friendship.

Noticing Mo Wenxian’s increasingly amicable gaze, Ye Yun grew wary. By all appearances, he’d been provoking the man. Why this friendly response? Could it be some scheme?

Ye Yun remained cautious. Unlike Mo Wenxian’s heaven-blessed constitution, his power came through blood and grit. Each step forward was hard-won, not gifted by celestial whims.