Li Mo was clearly in the Residual Body Stage, yet the oppressive aura he exuded surpassed that of cultivators in the Five Qi Period, particularly through the various phenomena revealed by his Taoist Body.
The Yin Yang Fish revolved, the Eight Diagrams characters coalesced with radiant Sword Intent, and the Sun Star and Taiyin Star in his eyes grew as vivid as reality.
A seven-colored halo enveloped the back of his head.
The towering phantom of the Tattooed Beast surrounded his body, its savage light glaring menacingly at the other Sword Cultivators.
"What a one-of-a-kind Thirteen Immortal, pure Sword Heart, and natural Daoist Skill."
The Sword Cultivators recognized Li Mo’s identity through his Sun Sword Intent, for across the Great Sun Sword Tomb, only he wielded such superior Sword Intent.
What made them wary, however, was that Li Mo’s Sword Dao Techniques clearly did not originate from the Great Sun Sword Tomb and were instead a fusion of Beast Cultivation and Sword Cultivation.
Li Mo’s Taoist Body was even harder to discern, its exposed aura nothing short of unfathomable.
Taishan Yan gripped his Lifebound Flying Sword tightly, attempting to act several times, only to realize he stood no chance, like a mantis trying to block a cart.
As the Sword Cultivators distanced themselves from Li Mo, Taishan Yan’s face turned livid in a helpless retreat.
Li Mo paid no attention to Taishan Yan, retracting his Big Sword Shuttle as the Golden Toad descended in its true form.
The Golden Toad stayed just over a hundred meters tall, carrying Li Mo and another figure as they arrived at the edge of the Fire Spirit Hall, casting their gaze upon the vacant streets and alleys.
Li Mo ignored the Sword Cultivators but could sense the brewing waves of Sword Intent ready to erupt.
Daoist Ye Zhuo swallowed hard.
Things had not unfolded as he anticipated; facing an inscrutable Li Mo, the Sword Cultivators all behaved with notable restraint.
Perhaps it was the proximity to the Fire Spirit Hall that deterred anyone from inviting unnecessary trouble?
Li Mo sneered, "Don’t overthink. If anyone tests me, it would signify the overall balance isn’t entirely lost."
Even without taking any actions, he was already a threat in the eyes of Heavenly Palace Stage Sword Cultivators.
If fear gripped everyone, it would indicate the Heavenly Sword Sect had lost control of the Great Sun Sword Tomb, and the competition among Heavenly Palace cultivators for the chief seat would be meaningless.
Daoist Ye Zhuo hesitated to speak, as unsettling noises emerged from the black coffin behind him.
As they approached the Fire Spirit Hall, Daoist Bai Shuo’s reactions grew increasingly intense, thrashing about like someone drowning.
The scars on Daoist Bai Shuo’s right arm hadn’t multiplied, but several fresh gashes had appeared.
"Senior Brother Taiyi, do you think Bai Shuo’s consciousness might be trapped somewhere in the Fire Spirit Hall? He’s behaving like an ancient soul lost in despair."
"It’s possible, but the specifics remain unknown."
Li Mo used the Cave God’s Eye to sweep the streets and alleys repeatedly, finding no clues; the torrents of rain had inexplicably vanished.
"The Great Sun Sword Tomb may very well dispatch us to investigate the Fire Spirit Hall. Be ready for it."
Daoist Ye Zhuo’s heart tightened. Just as he prepared to inquire further, Li Mo interrupted with a grin, "See? There’s always someone blind to foresight."
A Sword Cultivator began approaching the Golden Toad slowly, a fissure two fingers wide splitting open the center of his forehead, exposing pitch-black brain matter.
Daoist Ye Zhuo whispered cautiously, "I recognize him—also a Five Qi Period Sword Cultivator from the Purple Sun Palace named Shaoqing. I didn’t expect him to still be alive; he probably fled early back then."
"Fellow Daoist Taiyi, fame pales in comparison to seeing you in person."
Daoist Ye Zhuo frowned slightly, watching Shaoqing approach unarmed, seemingly without hostile intent toward Li Mo, and couldn’t help but consider initiating dialogue.
However, Li Mo showed no sign of entertaining the notion, stomping his right foot on the Golden Toad’s head.
The Golden Toad opened its gory maw wide and spat out a piercing streak of Sword Qi.
With its Divine Separation Stage cultivation, the Golden Toad could nurture thirty-six strands of Golden Evil Sword Qi in its stomach by consuming metallic spiritual material.
Daoist Ye Zhuo felt his scalp tingle.
The Golden Evil Sword Qi streaked forth in a flash, churning up clouds of sand and wind as it passed.
The Golden Toad’s Sword Qi revealed no finesse, relying purely on brute force. Its Mid-level Sword Intent pushed Daoist Ye Zhuo back two steps.
Shaoqing failed to react in time, and the Golden Evil Sword Intent struck heavily upon his forehead.
He tumbled backward in disarray, thrusting his right hand into his head, revealing that his Lifebound Flying Sword was actually a membrane of oil covering the surface of his brain.
"Don’t think being called one of the Thirteen Immortals makes you the reincarnation of an exiled immortal."
Though consumed by rage, Shaoqing was far more overwhelmed with fear, having solely guarded against the Sun Sword Intent, completely blindsided by Li Mo’s mastery over Metal Sword Intent.
"Do you think the chief of Thunder Constellation would come to the Great Sun Sword Tomb to shield you..."
Li Mo unsheathed his sword.
The edge of the Illusion Fish Sword transformed into blazing sunlight, the surroundings succumbing as light was devoured, its unparalleled Sun Sword Intent building up to its zenith.
"I thought Sword Cultivators only spoke through their Flying Swords."
Li Mo slashed without hesitation.
In an instant, the Sun Sword Qi closed within half a meter of Shaoqing.
The Sword Cultivators gasped internally—Li Mo didn’t seem like someone who had only just grasped Sun Sword Intent. A simple strike birthed hundreds of transformations out of thin air.
Moreover, Li Mo wasn’t wielding his Lifebound Flying Sword; his Sword Body was merely Taiyi Sword Body.
Li Mo returned his sword to its sheath.
Shaoqing’s head soared into the air, while the residual wave of Sword Qi manifested into a miniature sun.
The Purple Sun Palace’s humidity began to stir. Under the illumination of the Sword Qi, it shimmered with rainbow hues before vanishing instantly.
While decapitation wouldn’t threaten the life of a Divine Separation Stage cultivator, it left Shaoqing humiliated beyond measure.
To his shock, no matter how he tried to counter, the Sun Sword Qi released by Li Mo seemed to have predestined his decapitation.
A cultivator in the Five Qi Period developing dread toward someone in the Residual Body Stage.
The back of Shaoqing’s head peeled open, thick Spiritual Power flowing out.
From within, a pitch-black Externalized Dharma Body emerged gradually. The ground around it turned to scorched earth, where distorted Other Shore Flowers began to bloom en masse.
The so-called Five Qi Period signifies an Externalized Dharma Body infused with traces of Dao Rhythm.
It can subtly alter the surrounding environment.
And for Sword Cultivators, their reliance on Sword Intent makes their Externalized Dharma Bodies exceptionally corrosive, far surpassing those of ordinary cultivation systems.
Li Mo cradled the Illusion Fish Sword, only the Cave God’s Eye on his forehead spinning continuously.
"Senior Brother, Shaoqing’s Externalized Dharma Body—the Other Shore Fire Demon—is extremely troublesome; be careful not to inhale the aroma of the Other Shore Flowers..."
Daoist Ye Zhuo sweated profusely, silently retrieving his long-neglected Lifebound Flying Sword, as well as gaining slight confidence from the two fake magical treasures on him.
All the Sword Cultivators watched the impending clash between the two intently.
They were curious about what kind of Externalized Dharma Body Li Mo’s talent would engender and what set the Thirteen Direct Immortals of the No-Life Sect apart.
Flames burst into the sky.
Half of the Other Shore Fire Demon emerged, its entire figure shrouded in twisting halos, resembling a demon said to be born from fire in ancient tales.
"Infinite Light, Endless Darkness."
Li Mo murmured softly, as the Cave God’s Eye suddenly froze in place.
Centred on his nose, the space within a hundred meters to his left transformed into boundless darkness, while the hundred meters to his right became infinite light.
Daoist Ye Zhuo noticed the light threatening to engulf him and instinctively attempted to sidestep, but the Golden Toad’s tongue rolled him up and swallowed him whole.
The ground fissured extensively.
The Sword Cultivators stared in disbelief; Li Mo’s Externalized Dharma Body hadn’t fully manifested, yet its mere latent aura already balanced the power.
Taishan Yan trembled uncontrollably, his expression descending into utter despair.
Only now did he fully comprehend the disparity between himself and Li Mo—it was far more than just superior Sword Intent.
"Come then, come now, and I’ll sever your worthless head for Artifact Refining."
Li Mo stepped forward, two indistinct Dharma Bodies visible behind him.
"Something’s off—why do the auras seem connected?"
The Buddha Demon Dharma Bodies were in the early stages of fusion and could no longer be counted as separate entities, though not yet fully integrated.
Li Mo could summon either one individually, but against Shaoqing, he lacked complete assurance and thus decided to go all out.
The Other Shore Fire Demon muttered to itself, its instincts warning of an unspeakable danger.
"This will kill me—it really will kill me."
Shaoqing harbored thoughts of retreat, but the road ahead led to the Fire Spirit Hall, while the path behind was blocked by Purple Sun Palace’s rain-soaked terrain.
The Sword Cultivators encircling the scene moved in unison to block all routes of escape, forcing Shaoqing into confrontation.
They were intent on exposing the truth behind Li Mo’s Externalized Dharma Body.
If his demise unveiled Li Mo’s secrets, it would be considered worthwhile.
Li Mo discerned their intent, but he held so many trump cards that it hardly mattered; his strength escalated with seemingly each passing day.
Perhaps after some time, both his Beast Infant and Sword Infant would ascend to the Divine Separation Stage, causing his power to soar even further.
"Infinite Light, Endless Darkness."
Li Mo’s eyes widened, retrieving both the Taiyin Star and Sun Star, transforming the space within ten thousand meters into a realm of black-and-white day and night. Simultaneously, the Buddha Demon Dharma Bodies raised their treasure bottles.
His peripheral vision caught a glimpse of the Fire Spirit Hall—someone appeared to be watching.
Sunlight Dharma Body tilted the Sun Treasure Bottle, dark clouds cloaked the skies, and Sword Rain poured torrentially.
Shaoqing ripped open his chest and howled into the heavens, his heart spewing flames.
Suddenly, the Sword Rain dissipated,
and hundreds of elderly women’s heads rolled out from the Fire Spirit Hall, prompting the Sword Cultivators to halt their focus on the duel and bow respectfully.
"Greetings, Three-Life Elder."
Li Mo immediately recognized the newcomer as the Void Refining Stage Elder of the Ruotan Hall—Three-Life.
"Young ones, your anger burns too strong. When possible, be forgiving."
"The elder speaks wisely."
Li Mo reabsorbed his aura without reservation, withdrawing his Spiritual Power inward. ʀᴇᴀᴅ ʟᴀᴛᴇsᴛ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀᴛ novęlfire.net
The Buddha Demon Dharma Bodies retreated into the Mud Pill Palace, and he held the Illusion Fish Sword as if nothing had happened.
Li Mo muttered a few phrases to himself, his gaze lingering momentarily on Shaoqing’s brain.
Shaoqing collapsed weakly to his knees, trembling before he even faced off, utterly terrified. It was a while before he gasped and stood back up.
The moment Li Mo entered the Fire Spirit Hall, he felt there was more to it than a mere haven. Three-Life intervening indirectly signaled that none of the Sword Cultivators would remain unaffected.
Li Mo had foreseen this and wasn’t disappointed.
"With cancer cells invading his body, Shaoqing is already marked for death. I might as well delve into the Heavenly Palace cultivators backing him."
Fishing for bigger prey wouldn’t be a bad strategy. Li Mo had noticed Shaoqing’s brain resembling lifeless matter, harboring cancer cells so stealthy they evaded detection.
Daoist Ye Zhuo was spat out by the Golden Toad, drenched in its saliva reeking of iron rust.
"Damn it... Uh, greetings, Three-Life Elder."
Three-Life maintained a courteous smile, but his voice turned bone-chilling: "If you don’t wish to die, enter the Fire Spirit Hall. If you don’t wish to die, enter the Fire Spirit Hall."
"Enter the Fire Spirit Hall!!!!!!"