A vast, snow-capped mountain stood tall and imposing above the boundless sea. At its foot, Su Mo appeared minuscule.
His inverted second energy sea resembled a dark cyan sky, with wisps of black energy drifting within it like free-floating clouds.
Suddenly, a thought struck Su Mo, and the contents of a book he had once read surfaced in his mind.
“Mountain and Sea Fist”
This technique had a unique characteristic: extreme freedom. Beyond the foundational stages, which required methodical practice, the advanced sections were remarkably open-ended.
It often gave the illusion that the technique only provided so much, and the rest was left to one’s own comprehension.
So far, Su Mo only knew that the Mountain and Sea Fist required the power of both the energy sea and the snow-capped mountain to unleash its full potential. But how to actually harness that power? He had no clue.
Strangely enough, despite so many talented individuals, why had he never seen anyone else practice this technique—not even the foundational parts?
Su Mo gently pressed his hand against the snow mountain. A vast, powerful force traveled from his palm throughout his entire body.
In that moment, he felt something peculiar.
According to the “Jade Planting Art,” after entering the Snow Mountain Realm, the focus should be on refining the spirit. Yet, the snow mountain condensed from the energy sea didn’t seem closely related to spiritual power.
But just now, he distinctly felt his emotions being stirred.
Could it be that the snow mountain is connected to human emotions?
Then why had he never heard Ye Qingyu or Ye Qingyi mention it? Logically, they should have experienced this too.
Su Mo continued to ponder, and gradually, understanding dawned.
In the depths of his consciousness, he felt a mass of something fly into his energy sea and burrow into the snow mountain.
Focusing his gaze, he seemed to see a human figure inside the mountain!
Looking closer, he realized the figure was none other than himself—his true self.
He was certain this figure had split from his own soul; otherwise, it shouldn’t appear like this. It ought to be Ye Qingyi’s shadow.
He attempted to establish a connection with the inner self and succeeded with surprising ease.
But the instant their fingers touched, a wave of anger surged into Su Mo’s mind. His reason remained intact, only slightly affected.
Simultaneously, a red light flashed atop the snow mountain, eventually condensing into a single point that drilling the figure’s body.
“I see!” Su Mo exclaimed excitedly. “The seven corporeal souls correspond to the seven emotions. That figure must be one of my seven souls—the Fu Shi, which governs anger.”
Understanding this, he tried to channel the snow mountain’s power. He found that merely thinking about it was enough; Fu Shi would handle the rest. It acted like a transfer station for the mountain’s energy, connected on one end to the snow mountain and on the other to his body.
The Rage Formula!
Using the Rage Formula again, even without Ye Qingyi’s Great Destiny Art to assist, he could effortlessly increase the amplification to threefold. He could control it freely, with no cooldown and no risk of losing control due to emotions.
Considering this, he attempted to harness the combined power of his energy sea and snow mountain to execute the Mountain and Sea Fist. He sensed the connection, but… Fu Shi seemed unwilling?
He tried again, with the same result.
A hypothesis began to form in his mind. To test it, he tried using the snow mountain’s power to activate other techniques. Again, Fu Shi refused to cooperate…
Well, well. Was it bound exclusively to the Rage Formula?
If that were the case, then if he were to erect six more snow mountains and place his other six souls within them, did that mean he could similarly bind six other techniques?
So this was the purpose of the snow mountains. Now he understood.
Still, Su Mo couldn’t help but sigh. Building one snow mountain at a time… how long would it take to form all seven?
Moreover, in the history of Xia Kingdom, no one seemed to have possessed seven snow mountains simultaneously. Even Qin Xun only had four.
Even Ye Qingyu, hailed as the leading figure among the younger generation, had only condensed six.
But Su Mo wasn’t discouraged. On the contrary, his fighting spirit burned brighter.
Since there was no precedent, he would set one!
His mind suddenly felt clear and unburdened.
…
…
Summit of Guatai Mountain, Spirit Attraction Platform.
A month had passed. Ye Qingyi had left early to participate in the Elite Camp selection.
She hadn’t wanted to go, but considering it involved matters of national diplomacy, she had no choice but to go alone. Ye Qingyu stayed behind to guard Su Mo during his meditation.
According to Ye Qingyu, with Su Mo’s current strength, entering the Elite Camp would be effortless. The selection was merely a formality; getting in directly wouldn’t be a problem, so she shouldn’t worry.
But who could have known Su Mo would remain in deep meditation for a full month? When he finally opened his eyes, he felt as if he had been reborn.
“You’re awake?” a voice sounded beside him. It was Ye Qingyu.
“Huh? Where’s Qingyi?” Su Mo looked around but didn’t see her and grew puzzled.
“She doesn’t want you anymore, so now you belong to me.”
“Ah?” Su Mo was stunned. “Sis, don’t joke like that. My heart can’t take it…”
Ye Qingyu chuckled. “Look at you. I’m just teasing.”
She continued, “I sent Qingyi off to take the Elite Camp assessment. Who knew you’d meditate for so long? It’s been a full month.”
“A month…” Su Mo rubbed his growling stomach.
Just then, the aroma of meat wafted from a distance, accompanied by a somewhat familiar voice: “Not bad, young man. You actually condensed seven snow mountains in just one month.”
Su Mo’s heart skipped a beat. He was about to ask who it was when he noticed Ye Qingyu’s calm expression. Apparently, in her view, this person knowing his secret wasn’t a big deal.
The only thing that surprised her was Su Mo condensing seven snow mountains. But why did the phenomenon only show one?
“Taoist Master!” Ye Qingyu greeted the newcomer with great respect.
The Taoist master smiled. “We meet again, little miss.”
“Taoist Master, you just said he condensed seven snow mountains. What does that mean?” She was very interested in matters of cultivation.
The Taoist master laughed heartily. “You’ll have to ask him that yourself.”
He then turned to Su Mo, only to find the young man—who looked quite delicate and adorable—staring intently at the chicken leg in his hand. A glistening drop of drool escaped the corner of his mouth before he could pull it back.
“Long time no see, young man.”
“Huh?” Only then did Su Mo shift his gaze to the man. He was surprised to realize he had met this Taoist master before.
He was the same master who had once said, “Don’t worry, benefactor. Watch as this humble Taoist alters your destiny.”
His Taoist robes were tattered, and he held a bag of chicken legs. He didn’t look like a proper Taoist priest, yet Ye Qingyu’s respectful tone suggested otherwise.
“Taoist Master.” Su Mo also greeted him politely.
The Taoist master said casually, “Last time, the destined one was your girlfriend. This time, it’s you. I came specifically to find you.”
Specifically for me?
Su Mo was taken aback, wondering if he would also receive a few words of wisdom.
Instead, the Taoist master said cheerfully, “Benefactor, you’ve been meditating for over a month. It seems I can take it easy for quite a while. Please pay up soon so I can go back to sleep.”
Su Mo: “???