Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio
“My speed is still too slow. If I can break through the Mortal Gates in both of my legs, I can increase my speed and fight against Spirit Cultivating First Realm martial artist without breaking a sweat.”
Ye Mo did not bask in the fact that he had just stood his ground against Xiao Feng. Instead, he began to analyze the match he just had. Ye Mo had not reached the Spirit Cultivating Realm yet, thus he wasn’t able to utilize his energy as fast as he wanted to.
“Not bad. Looks like your senses are quite sharp. What’s lacking is your speed, but we can’t blame you for that,” Xiao Feng said.
“I’ll try my best to open one of the Mortal Gates in my legs before the tournament,” Ye Mo said.
“The two on the second floor are Spirit Cultivating Second Realm martial artists. You better give it all you’ve got. M’lady has high hopes for you,” Xiao Feng said and left the Martial Pavilion.
After practicing the Heaven-Piercing Thrust for a few more hours, Ye Mo left the Xiao’s mansion. He still had a duel with Ye Ming later that night in the bamboo forest. Even though Ye Mo knew Ye Ming must’ve prepared something, he would still go as it was about time they ended their rivalry once and for all.
The night came and the temperature dropped. Ye Mo finished his dinner and went to the bamboo forest, not forgetting to warn Senior Fu to stay indoors that night.
The forest was empty when Ye Mo arrived. The atmosphere was ominous, like a sleeping lion would wake up any moment and jumped its prey. Ye Mo became cautious as he knew what type of person Ye Ming was.
“So he’s just all talk and no show?” Ye Mo said as he looked around. Suddenly, a flash came from deep inside the forest, and a flying dagger shot towards Ye Mo.
Ye Mo was shocked by the sudden attack. He focused his sight and used his Dragon Energy to evade the attack. The dagger flew past him and struck down the bamboos behind him.
“A Mortal Weapon!”
The assailant did not wait for Ye Mo to recover. Ten other flying daggers formed a straight line in the air and shot towards Ye Mo.
The dagger that was shot at Ye Mo first had red Spiritual Energy on it, appearing like a thin barrier wrapping around the dagger. The energy was not fully activated, which could only mean that it came from someone in the Spirit Cultivating Realm.
If all 10 of the daggers were to hit Ye Mo, he’d definitely be dead. He moved two channels of the Dragon Energy to his mind’s Mortal Gate, doubling his reaction speed. Every dagger that was shooting towards Ye Mo slowed down to the point where he could easily evade them.
But Ye Mo chose not to do so. Like a serpent, he reached out his hand and caught all of the daggers. The red energy on them began to evaporate. One of the Dragon Energy roared in his right hand and with one flick, he threw a dagger towards the direction from which it came.
The bamboo around the spot where the dagger struck all broke down.
“Don’t hide like a coward. Come out and face me,” Ye Mo scorned.
“Never thought that you would be able to evade those daggers.” The voice came from the forest. Ye Ming walked out from the darkness, his arm folded in front of his chest.
Ye Mo scanned the forest and did not spot anyone else. “So, you dare to come alone?”
“Now that I’ve broken through my mind’s Mortal Gate, I’ve reached the Spirit Cultivating First Realm. I’m now strong enough to deal with you alone.” Ye Ming smirked and began to charge towards Ye Mo.
Martial artists in the Spirit Cultivating Realm were able to manifest Spiritual Energy outside their body. They were also able to add elements to their Spiritual Energy through mental cultivation and increase their speed by absorbing the natural energy. A person can only be considered a martial artist once they have reached the Spirit Cultivating Realm.
Ye Mo smiled and evoked the Spirit Serpent’s Palm to counter Ye Ming’s attack.
“The Spirit Serpent’s Palm? Taste my Buddha’s Palm!”
Ye Ming smirked as he saw Ye Mo using the Spirit Serpent’s Palm. He diverted his red Spiritual Energy to his right palm and pushed forward. Wind sprouted from Ye Ming’s attack and the bamboo behind Ye Mo shook drastically.
The Buddha’s Palm was a High-grade Spiritual Level martial technique that had made the Ye Clan famous. Ye Mo had always wanted to learn that technique but never had the chance as it was only taught to direct disciples of the Ye Clan.
“Let’s see if your Buddha’s Palm’s stronger than my Heaven-Piercing Thrust!” Ye Mo’s hand was cut by the wind blade but he withstood it. He diverted one channel of the Dragon Energy into his right hand’s Mortal Gate and thrust two fingers towards Ye Ming’s palm.
Swish!
Ye Mo’s fingers cut through the air. With the help of one Dragon Energy, his attack had the power of Spirit Cultivating First Realm attacks. Who would win the clash between the two High-end Spiritual Level martial techniques depended solely on who would be able to use their technique better.
“The Buddha’s Palm!”
“The Heaven-Piercing Thrust!”
Bang!
Ye Mo’s fingers collided with Ye Ming’s palm, the pressure from the clash blowing all the leaves around them away. The two were each thrown back six feet, yet an indent could clearly be seen on Ye Ming’s palm.
Ye Mo fought the palm with his fingers. The Dragon Energy had much more power than normal Spiritual Energy. A mere Buddha’s Palm would not be enough to stand toe-to-toe to the mighty dragon. It was a beast of ancient times, one that could fight the gods themselves, the lord of all creatures.
Ye Ming was confident that he was able to defeat Ye Mo now that he’d reach the Spirit Cultivating First Realm. He never thought that he would lose upon their first collision. Angered, he sprinted towards Ye Mo, as if his legs had merged with the wind itself.
The Wind God’s Kick!
Ye Mo’s vision was not able to catch up with Ye Ming’s speed. All he could see were shadows of Ye Ming’s movement.
From the right! Ye Mo stepped back a little, but he was too late. Ye Ming has already arrived at his right side, landing countless kicks into Ye Mo.
Ye Mo kept using his hands to shield himself.
“Die!” Ye Ming put in extra effort in his final kick and sent Ye Mo flying. He took out another dagger in his hand. The dagger was different than the one he’d used before. A powerful Spiritual Energy vibrated throughout the whole blade.
Swish!
The dagger cut through the air and flew straight towards Ye Mo with extraordinary speed. With only one channel of Dragon Energy in his mind’s Mortal Gate, Ye Mo was not fast enough to react.
The dagger went straight through Ye Mo’s chest and blood began to spew out. Yet the dagger did not stop, but instead made a weird U-turn and flew towards Ye Mo again.
Ye Mo quickly focused the third channel of the Dragon Energy to his right hand and tried to catch the dagger.
“You’re seeking your own death. Do you think you can catch a Magic Weapon with your bare hands?” Ye Ming smirked. Even though there was only a level difference between Mortal Weapons and Magic Weapons, the Magic Weapons allowed the user to infused their Spiritual Energy into it. Such weapon could cut through hair or slice through steels.
Any martial artist of the Spirit Cultivating First Realm could fight toe-to-toe with a Second Realm if they were wielding a Magic Weapon.
Ye Mo caught the dagger with his hands, but barely. Both of his Dragon Energies roared and exploded, ejecting the original Spiritual Energy that was in the blade and sent it flying towards a row of bamboo, slicing all of them in half.
Ye Ming expression changed as he saw what was happening in front of him. How was he able to catch the dagger? Even a Spirit Cultivating Second wouldn’t dare to attempt that.
Ye Ming noticed that the dagger was now in Ye Mo’s hands and shouted angrily, “Ye Mo! Return the dagger at once and I’ll spare your life!”
“Don’t even think about it. You’ve made a hole in my body. What makes you think I’m giving it back?” Ye Mo smiled. Magic weapons were expensive and powerful. They could even attack someone in the dark.
“Hand over the dagger!” A cold voice shouted from Ye Ming’s back. A guy with long hair walked out from the woods. He had facial features identical to Ye Ming and the face of a strong martial artist.