Chapter 185: Rift Sky Canyon

When Qiong Qi arrived here, he immediately sensed the abundance of Heavenly Earth spiritual energy, so in each person's dwelling he set up a spirit‑gathering formation that automatically collects the energy.

Therefore the cavern they live in is especially rich in spiritual energy. In particular, within their dwellings the energy is almost visible to the naked eye, drifting like mist through the Side Courtyard.

Ye Liuyun took a Crossing‑Origin Pill forged with holy medicine and began seated cultivation.

With that pill and ample spiritual energy, Ye Liuyun's True Essence transformed rapidly; in a single night he rose to the mid‑phase of the second tier of Sea Transformation.

Upon reaching the Sea Transformation realm, each incremental advance brings a noticeable boost in strength.

Ye Liuyun woke up refreshed in the morning and went straight to his master to see how the master would arrange his cultivation plan.

The Grand Elder, seeing his realm had advanced, was naturally pleased. He instructed him: "First I'll have your senior brother take you to comprehend blade intent. I've already finished the Soul cultivation matter; once you finish training the blade intent, your senior brother will take you straight to the Holy Martial Soul, and she will make the arrangements!"

"Yes!" Ye Liuyun thought, since he still had to find Lin Xueying, he didn't rush off but first cultivated the blade intent. After all, boosting his strength is the top priority.

Thus, under Hao Chengfeng's guidance, Ye Liuyun headed toward a canyon outside Tianqian Feng.

"The place I'm taking you to is called Rift Sky Canyon. It's a spot of the Main Institute where blade intent is comprehended, and ordinary disciples cannot enter. Many are there mastering blade intent; if you want a good spot, you'll have to fight for it yourself!" Hao Chengfeng explained to Ye Liuyun.

Ye Liuyun understood what "fight for it yourself" meant—just a matter of competing with others.

"Senior brother, to what level have you grasped blade intent?" Ye Liuyun asked.

"I'm still far off, not even at the entry stage! In the Main Institute, whether blade intent or sword intent, only a handful truly reach the proper realm. But after training in Rift Sky Canyon for a while, you'll inevitably improve."

Hao Chengfeng also didn't know how far Ye Liuyun's blade intent had progressed, so he didn't place great expectations on him.

Both of them, being strong cultivators of the Sea Transformation realm, could briefly levitate. Ye Liuyun employed the Lingkong Art's footwork, barely keeping up with Hao Chengfeng.

That made Hao Chengfeng look at him with new respect. "Seems my junior brother is no ordinary fellow—still in the early stage of Sea Transformation and already keeping pace with me, who's in the later stage of the realm."

Even before reaching the spot, Ye Liuyun sensed from afar an overwhelmingly domineering blade intent rushing toward him.

He and Hao Chengfeng landed on the ground early and hurried on foot. The blade intent was so strong it disrupted their levitation. Ye Liuyun saw that others, upon arriving here, also switched to walking.

After the two passed through a stretch of Mi Lin, Rift Sky Canyon fully unfolded before them.

Hao Chengfeng had been here many times and was unsurprised; Ye Liuyun, however, was utterly astonished.

The entire canyon looks as if it were split open by a single blade!

What kind of person could cleave a whole mountain with one stroke? Moreover, that blade intent still lingers, unwaning, for later cultivators to comprehend?

Ye Liuyun inhaled a gasp of cold air, standing dumbfounded in a trance.

Hao Chengfeng sighed, "A great adept many years ago split this place with a single blade. It was originally a floating peak; the cut caused it to fall, forming its present shape. The residual, fierce blade intent has endured for ten thousand years without dissipating."

After leading Ye Liuyun to the canyon's entrance, Hao Chengfeng reminded him, "The canyon is saturated with blade intent; go as far as you can, but don't push yourself, lest the blade intent tears you apart!"

Hao Chengfeng didn't go far before finding a spot to sit and comprehend blade intent. Watching Ye Liuyun press on, he chuckled inwardly, "That junior brother—he'll have a hard time soon."

Usually newcomers want to venture deeper, inevitably meeting some hardships.

So Hao Chengfeng didn't stop him. He thought that by giving Ye Liuyun a taste of hardship, he'd later understand his own limits.

Ye Liuyun looked around; many were seated in meditation, contemplating blade intent.

He tried to use his Illusion Pupil to gaze afar, but the canyon's blade intent blocked him, limiting his sight to the immediate area.

He attempted to probe with his Divine Sense, only to find the blade intent could even shred Divine Sense.

Startled, he cautiously continued inward. Though the blade intent here is strong, it's still far from enough for him.

After only a short walk, he felt the surrounding blade intent surge abruptly, yet he could fully endure it.

"This must be the introductory stage of blade intent!" Ye Liuyun thought, feeling the intent and recalling his own initial cultivation of blade intent.

There were far fewer people here, only a handful of disciples scattered, each grasping blade intent.

Ye Liuyun kept moving forward without stopping.

A disciple training ahead was startled by Ye Liuyun's footsteps. Seeing Ye Liuyun approach, he assumed the newcomer intended to train nearby and shouted, "Get out of my territory! How dare you come here?"

Ye Liuyun heard that and felt irritated: "What's wrong with this guy? I'm just walking my own path; what does it have to do with him?"

He didn't halt, but coldly warned, "A good dog doesn't block the road! I advise you not to block me, or you'll meet a terrible death!"

"Huh? Blocking your way? You mean you intend to keep moving forward?" the disciple sneered, looking at Ye Liuyun with contempt.

He didn't believe that someone as young as Ye Liuyun could have blade intent stronger than his. Beyond a few senior Elders, none of the younger generation at the Holy Martial Academy could achieve it.

"Of course!"

Ye Liuyun replied naturally. Cultivating here would yield no results for him.

"Fine! That's what you said! If you don't keep going deeper today, I'll throw you in!" the disciple laughed, crossed his arms, stood aside and gestured him forward.

Ye Liuyun realized and asked, "So you were worried I'd train near you and interfere?"

"And if not? Stop pretending, kid! I admit it's not easy for someone your age to get this far. Qi Hong isn't an unreasonable person; you did disturb my cultivation, but it's not a crime worth death. If you apologize and make restitution, I'll let you go!"

Ye Liuyun paused, then laughed, "I was already planning to keep moving forward! It's you who started the trouble!"

Saying that, he passed by Qi Hong and kept walking forward.

"Heh, stubborn as a dead duck!" Qi Hong sneered, "Fine, I'll see how you end up! But when you emerge, the compensation will be double!"

Ye Liuyun gave a faint smile, "Then just wait here."

He didn't go far before the blade intent surged abruptly; his whole body trembled, and he instantly unleashed his own blade intent to counter, neutralizing it, then continued onward.

Qi Hong had intended to mock Ye Liuyun; seeing his body shiver, he burst out laughing.

But the next moment, when he saw Ye Liuyun press on again, his smile froze.

The two other disciples sharing the same area had long known what had happened, but assuming Ye Liuyun was a reckless newcomer, they paid him no mind.

Now, seeing Ye Liuyun still moving forward, they stared in amazement toward him, mouths agape as he vanished from their sight.