C1061 Release the Net
Within the body of the outlaw Fernand, thousands of sword lights intertwined, forming an intricate and mystical net known as the Heavenly Water Net. These luminescent strands filled every piece of Fernand's flesh, every vein, and wrapped around each bone, binding him completely.
Yu Yuan's life force, soul power, and spiritual energy wandered within Fernand, quickly detecting the ebbing of vitality. The blood Yu Yuan had infused was stealthily absorbed by the enigmatic Heavenly Water Net, making it even more radiant and otherworldly.
His keen soul awareness realized that the strands of the net acted like knots and locks, securing the Platinum Asura, whose Ninth Level Bloodline Crystal Chain was tightly bound. The Crystal Chain, intimately linked to the alien race's innate abilities, left Fernand utterly powerless when restricted.
Any attempt by Fernand to circulate the vital essence in his heart was futile; the net would consume it before it could spread. Yu Yuan's mindful exploration of the Heavenly Water Net confirmed its unique ability to absorb vitality and fortify itself. Both Fernand and the life force Yu Yuan had released would inadvertently strengthen the net, making it increasingly indestructible.
With this understanding, Yu Yuan carefully withdrew his life-infused blood from Fernand's body, opting instead to use his refined spiritual energy and soul consciousness for further perception. He quickly ascertained that the Heavenly Water Net was a flawlessly unified structure.
Should he exert his power to sever any part of the net, it would trigger an explosion, unleashing the terrifying sword force within in a mere instant. Immobilized, Fernand could not defend himself with his Qi and blood, and it was highly probable that he would perish at the moment of the sword force's eruption.
"Yue Mu's sword light still holds his soul consciousness. Even from afar, he must be able to sense my probing through this net," Yu Yuan thought suddenly. It was then that he perceived a warm, indolent chuckle emanating from the enigmatic Heavenly Water Net, and Yu Yuan's face turned gravely serious.
He mulled over the situation in silence, eventually arriving at a daring plan.
"Broken Soul Slash!"
Without drawing his sword, Yu Yuan pressed his palms to Fernand's chest. As Fernand looked on in sheer terror, Yu Yuan closed his eyes.
The Yin God from his Consciousness Little World stealthily reached his palm.
Within his grasp, the miniature Yin God, taking the form of a soul spirit, began to wield its arms as a sword, unleashing the sword force of the Broken Soul Slash into Fernand's chest.
As the Yin God swung its sword, the sword soul within Yu Yuan's arm bones resonated in kind.
Almost instantly, myriad fine crimson sword beams, fine as needles, infiltrated Fernand's body.
The intricate sword spell of the Broken Soul Slash was executed by his Yin God in a unique manner, aiming to extricate the lingering soul consciousness of Yue Mu from the Heavenly Water Net.
Countless tiny crimson sword beams surged into the organs beneath Fernand's chest from the luminescent white streams, meticulously purging the consciousness that belonged to Yue Mu.
The beams didn't sever a single Heavenly Water River, nor did they rip through any luminescent sword beams. They infiltrated and wreaked havoc from within.
"Yue Mu!"
The Yin God called out, peering into the sword net within Fernand's flesh and the intertwining white streams, where he saw hundreds of Yue Mu sitting serenely at the confluence points.
Each point of intersection, seemingly an acupoint of the sword net, was occupied by a Yue Mu.
These were the remnants of Yue Mu's soul consciousness, the key to his control over the Heavenly Water Net from afar.
At that moment, the numerous Yue Mus at the intersections wore rueful smiles as they watched the relentless tide of crimson sword beams flood in, compelling them to depart.
"Alas."
With a collective sigh, the hundreds of Yue Mus vanished as the endless crimson sword beams closed in, popping like bubbles in water.
The Heavenly Water Sword! All remnants of Yue Mu's soul consciousness were reclaimed in an instant.
Fernand's form shuddered, acutely aware that the force balancing his soul and lifeblood had diminished, as if a part had already departed.
Yet...
The sword net remained intact!
Yu Yuan, drenched in sweat, inhaled deeply. Utilizing his Yin God, he unleashed the Broken Soul Slash, masterfully targeting the intersection of the Heavenly Water Net. After driving away Yue Mu's soul consciousness, he was nearly spent in spirit and strength.
His vital energy and spiritual power had been siphoned from Fernand's body.
All that remained was a thread of his consciousness, meandering through the sword net, seeking understanding and scrutiny.
He discovered that, despite the absence of Yue Mu's soul consciousness, the power-laden sword net stood immovable.
His own level of cultivation was insufficient; even employing the essence of Yin Sunflower along with his spiritual energy, blood, and soul force, he could only sever the connection between Yue Mu's soul consciousness and the sword light.
The thought of completely annihilating that wondrous sword net was nothing short of a fantasy.
"Poison..."
The memory of Yue Mu's words, spoken just before the crane's call, flashed through his mind.
He paused, a contemplative look crossing his face. Then, under the astonished and puzzled stares of Hu Caiyun, the white crane, and onlookers like Fernand and Elena, he summoned the Flowing Flames.
Nine points of fiery brilliance sparked to life in his palm, encircling and gradually drawing in the pill furnace.
Dozens of vials, their contents spilling like smoke into the furnace, were expertly manipulated by Yu Yuan. His early collection of colorful spiritual herbs was added with dazzling precision, at just the right moments, to provoke a cascade of sparks within the furnace.
"Hong Qi!"
"Medicine God!"
Hu Caiyun and the white crane murmured in awe.
The white crane's earlier nonchalance vanished as Yu Yuan began his alchemical work, its face now etched with genuine respect.
In any field, those who elevate their craft to the pinnacle are deserving of admiration.
Yu Yuan was once at the zenith of alchemy, a Divine Level alchemist revered by multitudes.
Like the Primordial Spirit among cultivators, the Demon God among demons, and the highest echelon of Tenth Level bloodline warriors among alien races.
It wasn't long before a vibrant red pellet, radiant like a ripe berry and enveloped in a halo of mist, was delicately extracted from the Flowing Flames Pill Furnace.
He then pressed it into Fernand's mouth with urgency. "There's no time to waste. Swallow it now!"
At this sight, Hu Caiyun's lips quivered, and without a second thought, she retreated three steps.
The white crane, revered as the Death Crane, used its demonic soul to perceive the mist surrounding the scarlet pellet. Suddenly feeling dizzy, it inwardly cursed and quickly positioned itself beside Hu Caiyun.
Fernand, with a look of utter hopelessness, stared at the pellet that had made its way to his mouth, too afraid to make a move.
"Oh, I forgot. You can't do anything, can you?" Yu Yuan said, slapping his forehead in a show of apology. Without further ado, he pried open Fernand's mouth and inserted the bright red pellet.
He even pushed half of his fist into Fernand's mouth to ensure the pellet would swiftly descend into his intestines.
"If this pellet can't break through the Heavenly Water Net, then I'm out of options," Yu Yuan declared, shaking off the saliva from his hand with a grimace. He then took out a pristine handkerchief and meticulously cleaned his hand. "Yue Mu crafted the Heavenly Water Net. I've permeated every strand of sword light with poison, corroding the ever-changing flow within, thus breaking the net with the toxin."
He offered this explanation nonchalantly, indifferent to whether anyone understood.
"He left this sword net on purpose," he mused internally.
Overcoming the Heavenly Water Net was a test of intellect and bravery against Yue Mu. The once timid sword cultivator had, after becoming a Great Sword Immortal, developed astonishing powers and strategies that impressed Yu Yuan.
Wielding the Yin God, he executed the Broken Soul Slash, using numerous fine crimson sword glimmers to compel Yue Mu's soul consciousness to depart, a process that also served as self-refinement.
Yue Mu appeared to be guiding Fernand through the sword net, clarifying the intricacies of the sword spell in the most sophisticated manner. This was an unconventional method of teaching the Sword Way.
Regarding the poison pill, it was necessary to verify whether Fernand was indeed the Medicine God Hong Qi from three hundred years ago.
"Kid, you've got quite the bag of tricks now!" Yu Yuan silently chided. As he felt the sword net within Fernand dissolve due to the poison pill, he understood all of Yue Mu's thoughts.
He also recognized that Yue Mu was reciprocating the favor of the pill he had received three hundred years earlier in his own unique way.
...
Ten million miles away.
Leaning against a jutting rock, he squinted at the Heavenly Water Sword shimmering in the Gloom Star River. A jolt of realization sparked a gleam of joy in his eyes.
"It really is the Medicine God reborn."
He shifted his position, pressing his back against the other side of the rock.
Leaving Fernand and the sword net was a test.
If Yu Yuan had truly grasped the essence of the "Optimus Sword," he would be able to use the Broken Soul Slash to separate the lingering soul consciousness from the sword force within the net.
Whether Yu Yuan was the Medicine God or not, accomplishing this would earn him recognition.
The second step involved a deliberate mention of poison, acknowledging his own role in the creation of the Heavenly Water Net in his past life.
If Yu Yuan was indeed Hong Qi, the Medicine God, capable of crafting poison pills, then he should realize that he could use poison to permeate the sword light river, gradually dissolving and eroding the sword intent.
Success would confirm Yu Yuan as the true reincarnation of the Medicine God, the very same Hong Qi from the past.
Yue Mu dismissed the external rumors and the talk of reincarnation, determined to verify the truth on his own terms.
"Since it is indeed you, I'll leave the matters of the Oblivion Starfield to others."
Mulling over his thoughts, Yue Mu stood up, dusted off his pants, scratched his ear, and said, "Time to head back and report."
