41: Treatment of Shangguan Yanran

After some contemplation, Ji Mo speculated that the key might lie in accumulating power.

This sword technique possessed a unique operational trajectory, with its core lying in the extreme compression of one's own Sword Qi.

It began by compressing from within one's own Meridians, then transferring the compressed Sword Qi to the sword in hand, continuing to compress it further.

One had to know that Sword Qi was inherently sharp and peerless, and human Meridians truly could not withstand such immense pressure.

Through the clever control of Sword Intent, the sharp edge was kept internalized, allowing for continuous compression.

At the same time, by utilizing Sword Intent to harness the momentum of heaven and earth, it could suppress and seal the opponent's movement space, ultimately achieving the perfect effect of killing the enemy in one strike.

These were Ji Mo's preliminary understandings of this sword technique based on his own insights; although there were some similarities to reality, there were also discrepancies.

In reality, Ji Mo did not know that while his ideas had some merit, they were not entirely accurate.

This sword technique possessed its own unique route for Meridian circulation.

The ingenuity of this route lay in its ability to concentrate the entire body's Spiritual Qi, accelerating and strengthening it simultaneously.

After this strengthened Spiritual Qi was infused into the sword blade, it would give birth to a Sword Ray.

Immediately following this, through the practitioner's essence, energy, and spirit, it was further controlled to continuously strengthen the Sword Ray, precisely locking onto the enemy, and finally unleashing that earth-shattering strike.

However, this method had a clear drawback: it was extremely taxing on one's essence, energy, and spirit.

In a single battle, one would likely only be able to use it once or twice at most, so it could only be used as an ultimate move.

However, Ji Mo's understanding took a unique path; he believed that one should start compressing Sword Qi from within one's own Meridians rather than compressing Spiritual Qi, and rely on Sword Intent to assist in the strengthening.

In this way, the upper limit of this sword technique was raised infinitely.

As long as the practitioner themselves could withstand it, this sword technique could be continuously strengthened and used repeatedly.

Furthermore, this sword technique had high requirements for weapons.

If one used an ordinary longsword, it would likely be ruined after a single swing, or it might even shatter before being drawn because it could not withstand the powerful force.

Overall, Ji Mo was very fond of this Cultivation Technique.

With his current formidable Physical Body condition, once he mastered this sword technique, he would surely unleash power beyond imagination.

Just like that, the night passed quietly while Ji Mo focused on his Cultivation.

Before the sky was completely bright, the figure of Shangguan Batian had already appeared outside the gate of Ji Mo's courtyard.

This was not surprising; with the City Lord's ability, it was not difficult to investigate a person's background, and all of Ji Mo's circumstances had long been clearly uncovered by Shangguan Batian.

Hearing the knocking, Ji Mo slowly ceased his Cultivation, stood up to open the courtyard gate, and in the blink of an eye, was pulled along by Shangguan Batian, hurrying toward the City Lord's Mansion.

After arriving at the City Lord's Mansion, Ji Mo, under the guidance of an attendant, headed toward the depths of the mansion. Along the way, the extremely luxurious buildings greatly shocked Ji Mo.

The level of luxury here was no less than the imperial palaces shown on television, perhaps even exceeding them, with an air of extravagance and decadence permeating everywhere, making one unable to help but feel jealous.

Finally, they arrived in front of an independent complex of buildings; presumably, this was where Shangguan Batian's daughter rested daily.

Ji Mo waited quietly at the courtyard entrance, while Shangguan Batian went in first, intending to communicate with his daughter.

After about the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, Shangguan Batian walked out of the room and immediately welcomed Ji Mo into Shangguan Yanran's boudoir.

Upon stepping into the boudoir, a refined and ancient charm greeted him. The room was suffused with a faint fragrance, everywhere displaying the elegant style of a young lady from a prominent family.

He saw the graceful Shangguan Yanran, moving with light lotus steps, slowly arrive before Ji Mo, and say softly:

"Yanran greets Young Master. Regardless of the outcome this time, Yanran must first thank you, Young Master, for being willing to help today."

Ji Mo hurriedly responded: "Young lady, you are too polite."

"Young lady, you are naturally beautiful, look like a Heavenly Immortal, and possess peerless talent. Such a remarkable woman, gathering the spiritual beauty of heaven and earth, should not be fettered by the predicament before you."

"It just so happens that I have mastered some unique methods that might be able to help you, young lady, escape your current crisis, so I would like to try."

"Even if this time I cannot completely solve your problem, young lady, please do not be discouraged."

"You have witnessed my talent, young lady. I am not yet twenty years old, and I am confident that a Breakthrough to the Saint Stage is not an unreachable matter."

"Moreover, I just comprehended Sword Intent a few days ago and directly reached thirty percent. I have full confidence that within a few short years, I will Cultivate my Sword Intent to the realm of Great Perfection."

Hearing these words from Ji Mo, the hearts of the father and daughter, Shangguan Batian and Shangguan Yanran, were both struck as if by thunder.

The talent Ji Mo displayed was unparalleled in the world; he was undoubtedly a proud son of heaven!

And Shangguan Yanran's eyes, which had originally been like a stagnant pool, clearly ignited with a glimmer of Life Qi at this moment.

Recalling their previous two meetings, Shangguan Yanran had always been surrounded by a heavy air of despair and death.

That was a despair of having completely lost hope for the future, which was no wonder Shangguan Batian had mentioned that she had several times conceived thoughts of suicide.

"Miss Yanran, may I ask you to remove your mask?"

Ji Mo asked softly, his tone full of concern and respect.

Hearing this, Shangguan Yanran was slightly stunned, and a trace of hesitation flashed in her eyes.

But soon, as if she had summoned great courage, she firmly and slowly lifted her veil.

What a heart-wrenching face this was!

It was no wonder that she, in the prime of her youth, would be trapped in such a desperate situation!

Her left cheek still retained a peerless beauty that could make the moon hide and flowers blush, with exquisite features as if meticulously carved by the heavens.

Coupled with that curvy, world-class graceful figure, she was indeed worthy of being called a beauty who could topple cities and countries.

However, what was heartbreaking was that her right cheek was covered in coarse, black hair like steel needles.

This hideous and terrifying appearance instantly shattered the original beauty, turning this peerless beauty into something neither human nor ghost.

Ji Mo gazed at Shangguan Yanran's face, with no trace of disgust or aversion in his eyes; instead, they were filled with pity.

This gaze, filled with tenderness, was like a bright beam of light, shining straight into the depths of Shangguan Yanran's already desperate heart, causing her heart to tremble violently.

For the past two years, ever since she turned into this state, apart from her father, anyone else who saw her would invariably reveal an expression of nausea and disgust.

Only this extraordinary and handsome man before her eyes had eyes that overflowed with sincere and deep pity from beginning to end.

"Miss Yanran, your Soul has been parasitized."

"I must enter your Soul to kill that demon Soul."

"Next, please do not resist, young lady; just relax your mind and allow my Soul to enter."

Ji Mo spoke softly, his tone gentle yet filled with unquestionable firmness.

As soon as he finished speaking, he gently raised his hand and softly pressed it against Shangguan Yanran's forehead.

Then, with full concentration, he focused his own powerful and pure Soul power, slowly probing toward her Soul space.

Ji Mo's Soul power slowly probed into Shangguan Yanran's Soul space.

Just after entering, a thick, gloomy, and oppressive Aura surged like a tide, as if he were instantly placed in a bottomless abyss shrouded in darkness all year round, where the sun never shone.

Thick black mist permeated the surroundings, and within the mist, eerie light flickered from time to time.

It was as if a pair of eyes hidden in the darkness were watching this uninvited guest who had intruded rashly.

Ji Mo did not dare to have the slightest slackness and carefully explored the surroundings.

He knew clearly in his heart that this Soul space was extremely fragile and sensitive; any slight mistake could very likely cause irreparable, serious damage to Shangguan Yanran's Soul.

Just then, a sharp, ear-piercing screech like a blade cutting glass suddenly came from the depths of the darkness, piercing straight through Ji Mo's Soul and causing him to tremble involuntarily.

Immediately after, a black shadow shot out from the thick black mist like lightning, aggressively rushing straight at Ji Mo.

Ji Mo reacted extremely quickly, immediately circulating his Soul power, instantly condensing that sharp Sword Intent to tightly protect himself.

Perhaps sensing the biting sharpness of the Sword Intent, that evil Soul actually felt fear, hesitating and not daring to approach easily.

Ji Mo took the opportunity to look closely and saw that the black shadow was actually a demon Soul resembling a weasel, exuding a nauseating, rotten stench that made one want to vomit.

Its pair of eyes were blood-red like flames, filled with ferocity and greed, as if it wanted to devour everything before it.

"Hmph, you are merely a measly remnant Soul, yet you dare to be arrogant and violent here!"

Ji Mo could not help but snort coldly, and anger surged in his heart like a raging fire.

He knew in his heart that it was this extremely detestable remnant Soul that had caused Shangguan Yanran to suffer endless torment for so long, sinking into an abyss of desperate pain.

Ji Mo no longer hesitated and immediately mobilized the Sword Intent contained within his Soul with all his might.

In an instant, a dazzling silver Sword Ray suddenly lit up in this dark Soul space.

Just like a brilliant lightning bolt cutting through the darkness, it instantly dispersed the surrounding darkness by a few degrees.

The remnant Soul seemed to keenly sense the fatal danger and immediately let out a sharp, ear-piercing cry.

With this scream, the black mist that had originally permeated the surroundings, as if controlled by an invisible hand, rapidly rolled and condensed.

In the blink of an eye, it turned into sharp Soul spikes, shooting fiercely toward Ji Mo like a rain of pear blossoms.

Ji Mo's expression was solemn, the Sword Ray in his hand danced rapidly, and his figure shuttled between the Soul spikes like a ghost, striving to resist these wave after wave of attacks.

At the same time, the remnant Soul actually let out a sinister, strange laugh:

"Hehehe, kid, you really don't know your own limits!"

"Just relying on your mere thirty percent Sword Intent, you actually dare to intrude here. Since you have come, don't even think about leaving; obediently become nourishment for me!"

"After eating you, I will be able to completely complete the Possession of this perfect body, hahahaha!"

This was Shangguan Yanran's Soul space, so she could naturally perceive Ji Mo's current situation.

Anxious and burning with impatience, she hurriedly concentrated her mind to manifest a form, landing gently beside Ji Mo, and said with an anxious expression:

"Young Master, if the situation is critical, why don't you retreat for now? It will not be too late to come back and kill this detestable demon after finding a more suitable opportunity in the future."

Because it was a Soul manifestation, the Shangguan Yanran standing beside Ji Mo at this moment displayed her original, peerless, and beautiful appearance.

She was truly a beauty with a city-toppling appearance; even in this extremely tense Soul space, her beauty was still stunning.