Sword God Supreme

Chapter 6: Riverside Encounter

The city walls of Linfeng City receded behind him. A mighty river surged past, its surface broad, stretching a full thousand zhangwide.

The Bibo River.

The longest river within Qinghe County, meandering for thousands of li. It was early morning. Chen Mo, clad in simple blue cotton garments, walked northward alone along the banks of the Bibo River.

As he walked, he attuned himself to the subtle shifts of spiritual energy in the heavens and earth. Observing the lay of mountains and rivers, discerning the patterns of sky and land—this was the essence of Fengshui Geomancy. Though his current cultivation base was nonexistent, the experience and insight from his past life remained sharp. They allowed him to perceive the distribution of spiritual energy simply by reading the flow of the landscape.

Spiritual energy varied from place to place. After walking over ten lialong the riverbank, he finally stopped, a glint of satisfaction in his eyes. Ahead lay a range of imposing mountains, peaks clustered together, perpetually shrouded in mist.

The Yunwu Mountains.

Stretching eight hundred li, they bordered the Bibo River.

"Just ahead lies Yaomu Ridge," Chen Mo murmured, hands clasped behind his back as he gazed into the distance, "a name that turns the citizens of Linfeng pale with fear..."

For many years, Yaomu Ridge had been branded a place of "inauspicious and extreme peril." Legends spoke of ancient battlefields, thick with Yin and malevolent energy, haunted by fierce and sinister Ghostly Apparitions. Most ghost stories circulating in Linfeng City were linked to Yaomu Ridge.

"Yin energy seals the mountains, baleful fog lingers," Chen Mo observed silently after a long moment, withdrawing his gaze. "Indeed, a perfect 'blessed land' for Yin Souls and vengeful ghosts." A faint sigh escaped him. "A pity I lack cultivation now. Otherwise, a trip there to capture a few fierce ghosts to gather spirit herbs for me would save the trouble of coming all the way out to this desolate spot..."

Ghosts were real in this world! And Chen Mo knew well they came in many forms: Yin Souls, Ghostly Apparitions, Demonic Ghosts, Ghost Spirits. The most enigmatic figure in the Vast Nine Provinces, the Beiming Ghost Emperor, had begun as a mere Ghost Spirit born on an ancient battlefield—a true legend among Ghost Cultivators.

"The spiritual energy here is still thin," Chen Mo assessed, "but for my current state, it will suffice." He decided to cultivate here. This patch of Maple Forest, adjacent to the Bibo River with the Yunwu Mountains looming ahead, gathered wind and contained water—the energies of mountains and river converged here, making it a passable Spirit Land.

A river breeze stirred, carrying currents of spiritual energy that refreshed the spirit. Chen Mo exhaled slowly, his mind and body gradually becoming clear and tranquil, like a full moon illuminating a clear sky. Then, he smoothly unfolded his stance, commencing the Cloud Crane Tempering Method.

"The difference from cultivating at the Wen residence is stark..." Within moments, Chen Mo sensed wisps of faint spiritual energy from the surrounding ten zhangrushing towards him, seeping into his body. Like a spring rain nurturing silently. His vital energies grew smooth and lively, as if cheering and leaping, brimming with vigorous vitality. He swiftly dismissed this minor distraction, immersing himself wholly in cultivation, forgetting self and surroundings.

The sun climbed to its zenith, marking midday. This time, Chen Mo cultivated for a full three hours! Fortunately, this Maple Forest was remote, bordering the perilous Yaomu Ridge and rarely visited, ensuring his quiet practice remained undisturbed.

Crack!

Suddenly, a crisp sound emanated from Chen Mo's bones and sinews, like the shattering of a shell barrier. His vital energies surged through him like a mighty river. At this moment, his body stood like an ancient pine, connecting heaven and earth! His boiling, vibrant energies resembled a celestial crane spreading its wings, soaring freely through the azure sky, embodying profound and marvelous grace.

Pine and Crane—stillness and motion in harmony, substance and void interwoven, form and intent unified! In this instant, Chen Mo had fully grasped the essence and spirit of the Cloud Crane Tempering Method. And with it, he stepped solidly into the initial stage of the Blood Moving Realm!

The Blood Moving Realm was the first step on the Martial Path, the foundation of the Great Dao, divided into four layers: Skin Refining, Flesh Refining, Tendon Refining, and Bone Refining. After a year's absence, Chen Mo, on this very day and hour, had regained his cultivation!

Thrum!

A familiar sword hum resonated in Chen Mo's mind, vibrating with joy and excitement.

The Netherworld Sword!

"Are you pleased for me too…" A complex emotion flickered in Chen Mo's eyes. In his past life, the Netherworld Sword had been by his side since his youth, accompanying him through countless battles on his Great Dao. Even at the pinnacle of his previous life, with the terrifying power of the Xuanhe Realm that commanded respect across the Vast Nine Provinces, he had failed to unravel the sword's true secrets! Its origin, the nine divine chains sealing its blade—all shrouded in profound mystery. Chen Mo could relinquish the immense wealth and unparalleled fame he had accumulated. The one thing he could not let go of was the Netherworld Sword! Thus, before reincarnating, he had unhesitatingly sealed his lifetime of memories within the sword, carrying it with him into this new life. This sword washis life, inseparable!

Shaking his head slightly, Chen Mo focused on sensing the changes within himself.

"Absorbing spiritual energy for cultivation is truly transformative." Since awakening his past life memories, he had cultivated diligently at the Wen residence for three days. Yet, the sum of those efforts paled in comparison to the gains from these three hours by the Bibo River. Worlds apart!

"Practicing here," he mused, "I could reach Skin Refining Perfection in just three days." But then he dismissed the thought. "Merely rushing through cultivation realms would be child's play for me. But in this life, my goal surpasses my previous peak! To achieve that requires a rock-solid foundation at every step. Patience is paramount." He reminded himself firmly.

The Blood Moving Realm, while fundamental, was crucial. Its quality directly impacted the potential of his future path. He practiced the Cloud Crane Tempering Method precisely to forge a foundation in the Four Realms of Martial Dao that far exceeded his past life's at the same stage.

"A pity I'm penniless," he thought wryly. "With funds, I could purchase herbs in the city. Daily medicinal baths after cultivation would refine my physique further." The practical need surfaced. "I need to find a way to earn money soon…"

As Chen Mo contemplated his future cultivation plans, a violent fit of coughing carried on the wind. He turned to see two figures approaching from the direction of Yaomu Ridge: an elderly man in a long robe and a young woman in purple.

The elder staggered weakly, his thin face deathly pale. He coughed incessantly, each spasm wracking his frame, leaving him gasping for air. The purple-clad girl beside him radiated concern on her oval face of striking beauty. Her purple robes fluttered, cinched at her slender waist by a white jade belt. Tall and exceptionally beautiful, she carried an innate air of nobility rare among common folk.

"Both the elder and the girl clearly hold positions of authority," Chen Mo noted with a glance. He was about to leave when he paused, his gaze snapping back to the elderly man. A flash of surprise crossed his eyes.

The elderly man and the girl had also noticed Chen Mo earlier but paid him no mind. However, when Chen Mo's gaze lingered a second time, the girl frowned, a spark of anger lighting her fair features.

"Lurking suspiciously… clearly no good person!" she snapped, her frosty glare directed at him.

Chen Mo blinked, momentarily taken aback by her fiery temper.

"Zi Jin, mind your manners," the elder chided gently, his voice warm despite his condition. "Worry for my injury is no excuse to vent on an innocent passerby. One must master oneself and observe propriety, refraining from improper speech. Only thus can one maintain inner tranquility, undisturbed by the Six Thieves of the mind."

The girl called Zi Jin retorted fretfully, "Grandfather, you're injured like this, yet you still lecture me? How can I focus on that now?"

The elder gave a weak, rueful shake of his head, then offered Chen Mo a slight bow. "My apologies for my granddaughter's discourtesy, Young Friend. Please forgive her." Another violent coughing fit seized him, veins bulging on his forehead as if he would cough up his lungs.

"Grandfather, please, don't speak anymore!" Zi Jin cried, her face etched with panic as she supported his arm. "Once we return to Qinghe County City, I'll find the best physician to heal you."

It was then that Chen Mo spoke again. "That kind of injury is beyond ordinary physicians. If delayed further, death is certain within three days."

Zi Jin's eyes blazed with fury. "How dare you curse my grandfather to die!?"

But the elderly man only gave a bitter smile. "Zi Jin, the Young Friend speaks true. Grandfather's injury… is likely beyond cure."

"What…?" Zi Jin recoiled as if struck by lightning, heartbreak washing over her. "Grandfather, I won't let anything happen to you! I'm taking you back to Qinghe County City immediately!"

The elder managed a faint smile. "Don't panic. Life and death are decreed by Heaven. A lifetime on the battlefield has taught me detachment." He then turned his gaze back to Chen Mo, his eyes sharpening with curiosity. "Young Friend, may this old man ask... how did you discern the nature of my injury?"

Chen Mo found the elder reasonable and saw no need for concealment. "The crimson baleful aura between your brows, your bloodless pallor, the Yin poison ravaging your lungs... and the lingering threads of Yin-cold corpse energy clinging to you. If my guess is correct, you encountered a 'Seven Evils Yin Corpse' in Yaomu Ridge."

The elder's expression shifted to one of genuine astonishment. "Astute perception!"

Beside him, Zi Jin voiced confusion. "But Grandfather, didn't you say that within Qinghe County, almost no one knows about the Seven Evils Yin Corpse dwelling in Yaomu Ridge?"

That was precisely the cause of the elder's shock. This knowledge was a closely guarded secret, unknown even in Qinghe County City, let alone Linfeng. Yet this young man, merely by observing his wounds, had pinpointed it!

Chen Mo's tone remained detached. "Deducing that is trivial. I can even confidently assert that your purpose was gathering the 'Nine Yin Grass' and 'Pure Yang Flower'."

"How could you know that?" Zi Jin gasped, the words tumbling out involuntarily.

The elderly man's composure cracked completely, inner turmoil reflected on his face. A mere youth encountered by the roadside had not only identified his injury's source but also his mission's objective purely through observation. This was terrifyingly perceptive.

"How do I know?" Chen Mo chuckled lightly, a hint of derision in his tone. "Young Lady, are you unaware that wherever a Seven Evils Yin Corpse roams, Nine Yin Grass inevitably grows? This spirit herb is of extreme cold and Yin nature. As the saying goes, 'Lone Yin Does Not Grow, Lone Yang Does Not Birth.' Where Nine Yin Grass thrives, Pure Yang Flower is always found nearby."

Such knowledge was common sense in the Vast Nine Provinces! Clearly, Zi Jin was stunned into silence. Even the elder couldn't conceal his shock. In his eyes, the tall, lean youth before him suddenly radiated an aura of profound mystery.