Divine Edge Cave: Murong Xiao Possessed by Killing Intent

Before the Divine Edge Cave.

Peering into the cave entrance, one could see various weapons displayed within—some gleaming coldly, others rusted and worn.

A palpable sense of blades pressing against the skin washed over visitors, making their bodies tense.

Numerous martial artists came and went, all exuding formidable auras.

Some were blacksmiths, while others were inner disciples from other peaks.

"What is your purpose for entering the Divine Edge Cave, and how long do you intend to stay?"

An inner sect steward sat at the entrance, recording the comings and goings.

However, when he looked up, he froze slightly.

The youth before him was far too young.

Li Mo replied, "To temper my body and cultivate. No more than two hours."

The steward blinked, then waved impatiently.

"You’ve just entered the Qi-Blood Realm—what business do you have here? Scram!"

With his Observation Divine Realm insight, he could tell Li Mo had only recently broken through to the Qi-Blood Realm.

"Elder Hanhe has already granted permission."

Li Mo paid no mind to the man’s attitude.

The steward’s gruffness wasn’t malicious.

"Elder Hanhe...?"

The steward’s expression shifted to suspicion.

"Which peak do you belong to?" he asked.

Li Mo answered, "Jade Cluster Peak."

"Jade Cluster Peak doesn’t have any disciples—"

Halfway through his sentence, the steward suddenly remembered.

This year, Elder Shangwu had indeed taken in a true disciple.

And not just any disciple—one with exceptional talent.

If he recalled correctly, this disciple had ascended the Heavenly Steps alongside Ying Bing, the sect leader’s true heir.

What was his name again...?

For the life of him, he couldn’t recall.

"Hand over your waist token for registration."

Li Mo removed his waist token.

After recording the details, the steward nodded, his tone softening as he offered advice:

"If you’re here to train, remember to know your limits."

"The first layer houses sharp weapons—many of which have never tasted blood."

"As for the second layer, those are genuine killing tools. Heh, I once slew a notorious bandit, and his blade now rests there."

Since this was a true disciple, perhaps he had some hidden means.

For instance, Elder Hanhe’s new true disciple possessed an unimaginably sturdy physique and could already venture into the second layer.

He didn’t mind explaining a bit more.

"What about the third layer?"

Li Mo asked curiously.

"Young man, don’t aim too high. The third layer stores named weapons—each with a spirit of its own. Unless you’ve reached the Observation Divine Realm, you’d best stay away."

The steward shook his head, emphasizing the warning.

"I understand."

Li Mo retrieved his waist token, clasped his hands in salute, and stepped into the cave.

Instantly, the sensation of blades prickling his back intensified.

The first layer was crowded, and some recognized him.

"Li Mo?"

"Hah, it really is that True Disciple Li!"

"What’s he doing here? Training?"

"Tsk... With skin that delicate, he doesn’t seem like a body tempering expert. And since he hasn’t reached the Inner Breath Realm, why would he need to refine his energy with metallic qi?"

The crowd buzzed with confusion.

But Li Mo ignored them, walking forward fifty paces without hesitation.

"Whew... Can’t go any further."

Li Mo exhaled deeply.

At this point, his skin was already stinging.

On his own, fifty paces into the first layer was his limit.

Pushing further would cause irreversible damage.

"Ten years of martial insights remain."

"Let’s start by mastering the Extreme Arms Tempering Body."

Li Mo steeled himself and focused inwardly.

[Ten years of martial insights successfully infused.]

[Year One: You studied the Extreme Arms Tempering Body, learning to harness the killing edge of weapons to refine your body.]

[Year Three: Through deeper practice, you discovered that with precise control, you could temper your internal organs as well.]

[Year Five: Your Extreme Arms Tempering Body reached initial proficiency.]

[Year Ten: Your control became meticulous, allowing you to resonate with weapons on a profound level, even tempering your meridians.]

[Insights complete.]

[You have mastered the Extreme Arms Tempering Body to the Great Achievement stage!]

In an instant, enlightenment struck.

Li Mo felt as if he’d stepped into a new world.

If the pervasive killing edge was like water, then before, he’d been a drowning man.

Now, with the Extreme Arms Tempering Body at Great Achievement, he was a skilled swimmer—unshaken unless by raging storms.

"Temper!"

Li Mo sat cross-legged.

The surrounding killing edge was drawn into his body.

Though dangerous, under his precise guidance, the sharp qi didn’t harm him. Instead, it sculpted and refined his physique.

Jade must be carved to become a treasure!

"He’s actually cultivating?"

"How long do you think he’ll last?"

"I bet he won’t make it past an incense stick’s time."

"An incense stick? He’ll be lucky to last a hundred breaths."

"Don’t you all have your own training to do? Why fuss over others?"

"I’m a blacksmith, thank you very much."

As Li Mo sat motionless like a meditating monk, some couldn’t resist gossiping.

A few even started betting on how long the True Disciple Li could endure.

But before the wagers could be settled—

Li Mo suddenly stood up.

"Damn, that wasn’t even thirty breaths! He’s really weak!"

"Bets are final! Haha, thanks, True Disciple Li, for the free silver!"

"Wait a minute, he's not turning back!"

The shout snapped everyone out of their daze.

Indeed, this Li Mo, the true disciple, showed no intention of retreating. Instead, he continued deeper into the cave.

In the blink of an eye, he was about to descend to the second level.

What the hell?

Was he out of his mind?

"Hold on... he seems completely fine?"

"Hiss... this is unnatural."

"Damn, he actually went down to the second level!"

The crowd was utterly baffled.

The young man moved with light steps, passing through the portal at the end of the first level.

His figure soon vanished into the depths of the stairway.

This...

When they placed their bets, no one had anticipated something like this.

How were they supposed to settle this now?

After all, even many at the Qi-Blood Realm could only endure staying on the first level.

Yet here was Li Mo, strolling around as if it were his own backyard.

.....

"This murderous, razor-sharp intent... it doesn’t seem to come solely from the weapons stored in the Divine Edge Cave."

"Could there be something deeper in the lowest level of the Divine Edge Cave?"

Li Mo had picked up on something unusual.

Others might not have noticed, but perhaps due to his Profound Womb Immortal Physique, he was exceptionally sensitive to such energies. If he ever took up blacksmithing, he’d undoubtedly excel.

The thought only fueled his desire to venture further down.

As soon as he stepped onto the second level,

the number of weapons in sight dwindled, though the variety remained—eighteen types, each accounted for.

Many bore chips and cracks, clear signs of past battles.

A sudden heaviness pressed against his mind, his thoughts growing muddled.

It was as if a cold, invasive force had seeped into his core.

"Killing intent..."

Li Mo retrieved a Clear Heart Pill, placing one beneath his tongue. Only then did the unsettling sensation fade.

After a brief pause to steady himself,

"I can still go further."

Li Mo pressed on.

Another hundred steps forward,

and abruptly, he spotted a figure.

Another young man, clad in the white cloud-patterned robes of a true disciple, adorned with a violet-gold crown. The skin around his neck bore faint, scale-like markings.

His delicate features were twisted in struggle.

Murong Xiao?

The name surfaced in Li Mo’s mind.

He activated his Heavenly Destiny Eye to observe.

[Name: Murong Xiao.]

[Age: 16.]

[Root Bone: Roaring Flood Dragon Physique.]

[Realm: Qi-Blood Realm, Five Meridians.]

[Destiny: Blue tinged with Black.]

[Evaluation: Born of a human father and a shape-shifting flood dragon mother. Though inherently kind-hearted, he is tormented by his bloodline. If he harmonizes the strengths of both lineages, his future is boundless; if he succumbs to their flaws, he will bring calamity.]

[Recent Circumstance: Afflicted by the weapon’s killing intent, his draconic nature is awakening. If not withdrawn soon, his temperament may darken irreversibly!]

Killing intent possession?

The last time Li Mo had observed Murong Xiao’s destiny, it was blue tinged with violet.

Now, it was blue tinged with black!

This half-dragon true disciple was teetering on the edge of life and death.

One thought could lead to salvation; another, to damnation.