Chapter 214 – Who Stirred the Patriarch's Sword Intent
"Girl, did you notice anything just now?" Elder Zhu asked Ding Shiyan.
The four large characters Yin-Yang Sword Sect had been personally inscribed by the sect's founding patriarch, containing the purest form of Yin-Yang Sword Intent. Normally, the intent within the characters lay dormant. Disciples had tried to comprehend the pure Yin-Yang Sword Intent from those words, but none had ever succeeded.
Thus, most Yin-Yang Sword Sect disciples went instead to study the sword marks left on the sect's stone wall by their predecessors.
But today, the sword intent within the patriarch's inscription had suddenly erupted—how could one not be curious?
"Elder Zhu, I was startled as well." Ding Shiyan shook her head. As a sword cultivator, she could feel how vast the blazing Yang Sword Intent had been just moments ago—it was like staring straight into a scorching sun.
"I see…"
Elder Zhu frowned. At present, the only sword cultivators present were Ming Yueyue and Ding Shiyan. If it wasn't either of them, then he truly had no clue what caused it.
It couldn't possibly be related to the other two disciples from Shennong Valley, could it? Elder Zhu's gaze swept over Gu Mo and Du Jinpeng, then he silently shook his head.
To stir the sword intent left in the patriarch's calligraphy would require a sword cultivator who had already mastered an extremely powerful sword intent.
Finding no clues, Elder Zhu decided to leave. He intended to head to the sect's Library Pavilion to check whether something similar had ever happened before.
The Yin-Yang Sword Sect's history was long, and many events might have been forgotten over the ages. However, as a sect whose inheritance had never been severed, many matters were still faithfully recorded.
This incident, too, would be recorded for future generations to study.
"Phew~~"
With Elder Zhu gone, Gu Mo let out a long sigh of relief. He'd almost shown off without meaning to. Showing off might feel great, but it was also a good way to get yourself struck by lightning.
That's why, whenever Gu Mo wanted to enjoy the thrill of showing off, he usually sent a clone. His true body preferred to keep a low profile.
This way, the clone could enjoy the glory, while his true self stayed unnoticed—maximum safety.
This little episode didn't disrupt their plans, and the Yin-Yang Sword Sect didn't restrict their movements. After all, the patriarch's sword intent erupting wasn't a sign of danger—it was considered a sign of the sect's future prosperity.
And Elder Zhu, after consulting the records, could say so with confidence.
"Sect Master, the sword intent in the patriarch's inscription has erupted before in history. Every time, it was because a disciple had comprehended an extremely profound sword intent, which resonated with the patriarch's sword intent," Elder Zhu explained excitedly. "So this time, it should be one of our disciples reaching such a level."
Naturally, Elder Zhu wasn't the only one paying attention—the other elders and the Sect Master were also highly interested.
"Then, fellow elders, who do you think this disciple might be?" The Sect Master smiled.
If the patriarch himself learned of such a disciple, he might very well take them in as a personal disciple. But first, they needed to find this prodigy.
"I think it's—"
As the Sect Master spoke, the elders began listing the sect's most outstanding disciples one by one.
No one thought to connect the matter to Gu Mo's group. Shennong Valley might be one of the top sects, but it wasn't a sword cultivation sect.
Even Ding Shiyan, the strongest sword cultivator in Shennong Valley, was only considered exceptional within her own sect—she wouldn't rank among the very top in Yin-Yang Sword Sect.
Thus, the elders firmly believed it must have been a Yin-Yang Sword Sect genius whose sword intent had stirred the patriarch's inscription.
---
Yin-Yang Sword Sect – Mission Hall
Led by Ming Yueyue, Gu Mo and the others arrived at the Mission Hall to select their next assignment.
"So many combat missions!" Du Jinpeng exclaimed as his eyes scanned the task lists—nearly all the missions were battle-related.
"Friends from Shennong Valley, want to team up for a mission?"
The arrival of the three Shennong Valley disciples quickly drew attention. Having a Shennong Valley cultivator on a mission meant far better logistical support—making the whole process much smoother.
"Thank you, but I'm bringing my two junior brothers here to gain some real combat experience," Ding Shiyan politely declined. Her goal this time was for Gu Mo and Du Jinpeng to experience battle firsthand.
Both were plant cultivators who usually buried themselves in research—better to let them face real combat now, so they wouldn't panic during the Heaven's Chosen Battle later.
Ding Shiyan also intended to ask Ming Yueyue for assistance so the two could take turns protecting each other—ensuring safety even in dangerous situations.
"Why are there so many demon-extermination tasks? I thought the Heaven's Chosen Battle meant both righteous and demonic sides would observe a truce?" Gu Mo asked, noticing that many of the new tasks were about eliminating demonic cultivators.
"They just can't attack Heaven's Chosen contenders directly," Ding Shiyan explained. "With the battle approaching, demonic sect prodigies want to grow stronger by cultivating powerful demonic techniques—meaning they need certain rare demonic materials."
"There's demand, so naturally there are people willing to risk supplying them," Ming Yueyue added. "Lately, many demonic cultivators have been preying on mortal towns to harvest killing intent, resentful souls, and blood essence, causing terrible harm."
"In that case, let's take a demon-extermination mission," Gu Mo suggested.
"Agreed," Ding Shiyan nodded. Such missions were urgent and plentiful, and fighting demonic cultivators beforehand would help them gain valuable experience before facing demonic prodigies in the Heaven's Chosen Battle.
Once they'd chosen, Ming Yueyue used her disciple token to accept the mission and obtain the relevant details. Gu Mo's group would simply follow her lead—and the rewards would be credited to her as payment for her help.
---
A Remote Mortal Village
A pillar of blood light pierced the sky, shattering the village's peaceful atmosphere. Outside the village, a figure shrouded in black mist watched the scene, calculating silently: A single mortal village should be enough for one Bloodfiend Pill and one Resentful Soul Crystal.
Lately, these demonic materials had skyrocketed in value. Even casual demonic cultivators were tempted—one big score could equal years, even decades, of accumulation.
If one were ruthless enough to blood-sacrifice an entire city, condensing a Resentful Bloodfiend, the value would be astronomical.
Of course, such actions carried great risk—this was righteous territory. Getting caught would mean big trouble.
"Junior Brother Du, this one's yours," Ding Shiyan said, gazing at the village bathed in bloody light.
They'd taken many demon-extermination missions recently. At first, Ding Shiyan and Ming Yueyue fought in front while Gu Mo and Du Jinpeng supported from the rear. Now, it was time for the two to take the front line themselves.
"Alright!"
Du Jinpeng had been feeling a bit embarrassed letting the two women do all the fighting. He immediately charged toward the demonic cultivator, forming hand seals.
"Rooted Cage!"
As a battle-plant cultivator, Du Jinpeng had trained in some offensive spells to work alongside his spirit plants.
With a rustling sound, thick roots burst from the ground, binding the demonic cultivator. A thorn-covered vine followed, strangling him to death.
Though Du Jinpeng was a plant cultivator, he was still a Heaven's Chosen of a top sect—his combat ability was far beyond that of an average demonic rogue.
Meanwhile, Ding Shiyan and the others destroyed the formation within the village and saved the mortals. Still, the ordeal left them weakened—those with poor constitutions might not survive.
"Leave it to me."
Gu Mo stepped forward, gathering his wood-element core power before casting a Perfection-level Rejuvenation Art. The mortals' depleted vitality was quickly restored.
"Perfection-level Rejuvenation Art…" Ding Shiyan and Du Jinpeng marveled yet again. They had both learned the Rejuvenation Art, but only to the Proficient stage—not even Great Accomplishment, let alone Perfection.
"Junior Brother Gu, for the Heaven's Chosen Battle, you should join my team," Ming Yueyue said, eyes gleaming. For any sword cultivator, having a top-tier healer was a dream come true.
"I'll stick with Senior Sister Ding," Gu Mo refused without hesitation. He had no desire to follow a battle maniac. On the surface, Ming Yueyue seemed gentle, but in combat she was utterly wild—wielding extreme Yin Sword Intent like a raging tempest.
This time, his true body intended to keep a low profile during the Heaven's Chosen Battle—leaving the showboating to his clone. Following Ding Shiyan was far better for that.
"What do I lack compared to Senior Sister Ding?" Ming Yueyue asked indignantly.
Gu Mo's eyes instinctively flicked toward her chest—the difference was… obvious.
"…Killing intent!"
Suddenly, Gu Mo felt a murderous aura and saw Ming Yueyue glaring at him like she wanted to eat him alive.
"Junior Brother Gu, you're bold," Du Jinpeng whispered, giving him a thumbs-up for daring to provoke such a dangerous sword cultivator.
"Alright, let's move to the next mission," Ding Shiyan said with a small cough—feeling oddly pleased for some reason.
---
"Junior Brother Gu, how about you take this one?" Ding Shiyan said, pointing at a demonic cultivator meditating in the distance. Even a pure support cultivator needed some combat experience to learn self-preservation.
"Don't worry, we'll step in if things get dangerous," Ming Yueyue added.
"I'm worried you won't make it in time…" Gu Mo muttered. He could already tell this wasn't an ordinary rogue demonic cultivator—this one had hidden his identity and strength. Likely a Heaven's Chosen from the demonic side.
Some demonic techniques required the cultivator themselves to gather materials—using someone else's harvest would greatly reduce the effect.
But for such a demonic prodigy to venture into righteous territory was bold indeed.
No… there's someone else. Gu Mo's gaze swept farther and sensed another faint presence—likely this Heaven's Chosen's protector.
This protector's aura was strange and hard to read, but certainly stronger than the Heaven's Chosen—probably at least Nascent Soul level.
"Senior Sister Ding, we've been spotted. We should withdraw," Gu Mo sent via voice transmission. They'd clearly been noticed long ago, but the protector likely wouldn't break the truce by attacking non-Heaven's Chosen targets.
"What!"
Ding Shiyan was startled. Being discovered meant the opponent was far from ordinary.
"Perfect—let's just kill him now!" Ming Yueyue said, toying with the bamboo sword Ding Shiyan had given her. She had never even unsheathed her true life-bound sword.
"Don't be reckless!" Ding Shiyan grabbed her—this mission was about training Gu Mo and Du Jinpeng, and safety came first.
"Hmph, lucky for him," Ming Yueyue snorted.
But just as they were preparing to leave, the disguised demonic cultivator began walking toward them. As Gu Mo had guessed, they'd been spotted long ago.
This demonic cultivator had been waiting for them to make the first move so he could counter-kill. Now that they were trying to leave, he wasn't about to let them go.
The truce only forbade attacking Heaven's Chosen from the other side outside the battlefield—it said nothing about them fighting each other early. And if he made sure no one found out, he could reap the benefits without consequence.
And the soul of a Heaven's Chosen would make for an exquisite resentful spirit in his magic arts…
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