Chapter 249: Yin-Yang Dual Energy Sword Art and the Two Forms Spirit Sword

The Jade Cauldron Sect’s Scripture Pavilion exuded a faint scholarly fragrance that seemed to intoxicate the soul.

Of course, it wasn’t the scent of books that captivated people but rather the profound meanings these texts represented.

Each of these martial and cultivation manuals—ranging from Profound-rank to Heaven-rank—stored here carried unparalleled value. Anyone would be tempted to peruse them.

This ability to record, study, and pass on knowledge was innate to the human race after stepping onto the immortal path.

It was also what fundamentally set humans apart from demons.

The Scripture Pavilion was divided into five floors.

The first floor was accessible to both outer and inner disciples.

The second floor was reserved for core disciples, One-Cauldron Elders, and Two-Cauldron Elders.

The third floor was exclusive to Three-Cauldron and Four-Cauldron Elders.

The fourth floor was for Five-Cauldron and Six-Cauldron Elders.

As for the fifth floor, only the sect master could enter.

After arriving at the Scripture Pavilion, Shen Mo headed directly to the third floor.

There weren’t many people on this level.

Scanning the room, Shen Mo counted only five individuals present.

Most of them appeared middle-aged, while two were elderly, clearly approaching the end of their lifespans.

Seeing Shen Mo’s youthful face, the five individuals looked slightly surprised.

Some offered him kind gazes, while others nodded faintly in greeting.

Such a young Three-Cauldron Elder had boundless potential. Even if they couldn’t form a relationship with him, they knew better than to offend him.

As elders who had lived for hundreds of years, they were well-versed in these unspoken social nuances.

Shen Mo returned their smiles politely and began his search.

“I might as well pick a sword art to use as a standard method for dealing with enemies,” Shen Mo thought.

He already possessed a top-grade Earth-rank spiritual weapon, the Scorching Sword.

However, his current Quick Thunder Shadow Sword Art was becoming outdated.

This was the perfect opportunity to find a more powerful Earth-rank sword art.

Shen Mo’s eyes scanned the rows of bookshelves.

“Dragon Riding Sword Art”

“Heaven and Earth Reversal Sword Art”

“Nine Instant Kill Swords”

“…”

One title after another passed before his eyes.

From the titles alone, Shen Mo could generally discern the nature of each sword art.

Some focused on grand, sweeping strikes; others were sinister and cunning.

Some emphasized power, channeling one’s spiritual energy into a single overwhelming blow.

Others relied on speed, bombarding opponents with a relentless rain of sword strikes.

However, after browsing through the collection, Shen Mo still couldn’t find a technique that suited him.

He felt as though something was missing.

Just then, footsteps echoed from the entrance of the third floor.

Shen Mo turned to look and couldn’t help but smile.

It was none other than Ye Yan.

Ye Yan’s gaze immediately fell on Shen Mo, and his expression turned icy.

It was as if he had just encountered a fated nemesis.

“Shen Mo, so you’re here too,” Ye Yan said coldly.

Shen Mo smiled lightly. “If you’re allowed to come, why wouldn’t I be?”

The elders on the third floor paused, briefly startled by the interaction.

Ye Yan was widely recognized within the sect, having been personally trained by the Second Elder, Yang Qiye, from his time as a core disciple. His reputation was already well-established.

In contrast, Shen Mo’s youthful and unfamiliar face wasn’t known to many.

However, his name had been making waves recently, shining as brightly as the midday sun.

“So that’s Shen Mo.”

“He looks even younger than Ye Yan.”

“Interesting. These two don’t seem to get along.”

“Tsk tsk, it looks like there’s bound to be a showdown between these two in the future.”

The elders exchanged whispers, clearly enjoying the drama.

In their eyes, both Shen Mo and Ye Yan were exceptional young prodigies.

They had no intention of intervening in the tension between the two.

To do so would risk offending one side, and there would be no good outcome for themselves.

“You caused me to be cast out by the old flood dragon. I’ve never forgotten that grudge,” Ye Yan said coldly.

Shen Mo paused, then chuckled lightly.

So it was about that.

This was understandable.

It was because Shen Mo had pointed out to the old flood dragon that it was naturally infertile and would only ever have a single offspring.

This revelation not only struck a sore spot in the old flood dragon’s heart but also made Ye Yan’s attempt to present the Heavy Water Sky Python as a gift a painful reminder.

That Ye Yan was cold-shouldered afterward was hardly surprising.

Meeting Ye Yan’s icy gaze, Shen Mo merely smiled and said, “You’ll have more grudges to remember in the future. Enjoy holding onto them.”

With that, he turned and walked toward a nearby bookshelf, picking up a thin manual and examining it carefully.

Ye Yan, unwilling to look at Shen Mo any longer, moved to another part of the room with a cold expression.

“This feels like the missing piece I’ve been searching for… It was fate,” Shen Mo murmured, satisfied as he studied the manual in his hands.

The manual was for the Yin-Yang Dual Energy Sword Art, a top-grade Earth-rank martial technique.

This sword art had only three layers:

Mastering the first layer allowed one to wield Yang Sword Qi.

The second layer granted mastery of Yin Sword Qi.

The third and most difficult layer fused Yin and Yang Sword Qi into the powerful Dual Energy Sword Qi.

The sword art was notoriously difficult to cultivate, and while many prodigious cultivators had attempted it, few ever reached the third layer.

However, Shen Mo wasn’t drawn to the technique itself. What interested him was a hidden forging method embedded in the text—a method to create the spiritual sword known as Two Forms.

When paired with the Yin-Yang Dual Energy Sword Art, this sword could amplify the technique’s power twofold.

This hidden treasure was the true value of the sword art.

Had it not been for his destiny panel revealing the intricacies of Ye Yan’s life, Shen Mo would never have discovered that the manual contained this concealed forging method.

“This is the one!” Shen Mo exclaimed inwardly as he took the Yin-Yang Dual Energy Sword Art and left decisively.

“What did he take?”

“Let me see… Oh, impressive! He chose the Yin-Yang Dual Energy Sword Art!”

“Tch, young people are bold. That’s one of the most difficult martial techniques in the Scripture Pavilion, and he dares to cultivate it.”

“Ha, remember when we were young and thought we were geniuses too? We tried everything, hit roadblocks everywhere, and only later realized that there are levels to genius. We’re ordinary geniuses. Someone like Shen Mo might just be extraordinary.”

“So what kind of genius do you think Shen Mo is?”

“He might not be unparalleled, but he’s at least one in ten thousand. My guess? He’ll return that manual in a month, defeated.”

The elders whispered among themselves, their tones laced with curiosity and amusement.

Ye Yan overheard their remarks and sneered as he watched Shen Mo’s retreating figure.

“Of all the choices, you pick the hardest one. If anyone’s bound to fail, it’s you.”

Dragon Snake Mountain

Upon returning to Dragon Snake Mountain, Shen Mo headed straight for the barren plain where he often trained.

The vegetation surrounding the area seemed to have learned its lesson.

Nothing dared to grow there anymore, as if aware that doing so would invite certain death.

“Time to begin,” Shen Mo said to himself, unfurling the Yin-Yang Dual Energy Sword Art manual.

With his exceptional comprehension and unparalleled swordsmanship, Shen Mo quickly immersed himself in the world of sword qi.

In less than two hours, he had fully studied the manual. His mind seemed to enter a realm where sword qi crisscrossed endlessly.

Instinctively, he drew his Scorching Sword and began practicing the Yang Sword Qi technique described in the manual.

At first, the strikes lacked power, and no visible sword qi appeared on the blade.

But as time passed, Shen Mo became increasingly proficient.

After two days and nights of relentless practice, a sudden breakthrough occurred.

A blazing, yang-infused sword qi erupted from the blade, extending a full three meters.

With just a light slash, the ground split into a deep, jagged fissure.

Shen Mo snapped out of his trance, staring at the mark on the ground with surprise and delight.

“I can’t believe I mastered Yang Sword Qi in just two days!”

“Now for the next step—cultivating Yin Sword Qi!”

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Madara Web Novel