Chapter 147: Xiao Fan is About to Awaken His Past Life Memories
In the Jujube Courtyard.
Shen Mo stretched lazily and strode out of his bedroom.
From this vantage point, he could gaze upon the vast Qingcang Mountain Range, seeing the lush mountains and rivers beneath the expansive sky.
Shen Mo nodded slightly to himself.
"I remember that Xiao Fan is supposed to have a swordsmanship enlightenment opportunity today, right?"
Enlightenment in such a situation only required the right combination of time, place, and people, which made it a potential opportunity that could be intercepted.
"Time" referred to natural phenomena, such as thunderstorms, or clear skies.
"Place" referred to locations of natural beauty and energy—majestic mountains, great rivers, a bamboo forest, or even a pond or jagged rock.
As for "people," that naturally referred to one's own perception and understanding.
In terms of perception, Shen Mo possessed three fate-defining attributes: "Scorching Sun Flame Body," "Exceptional Perception," and "Sword Dao Prodigy," making his comprehension superior to Xiao Fan's.
If Xiao Fan could reach enlightenment, then surely Shen Mo could as well under the same conditions.
With these thoughts in mind, Shen Mo left the Jujube Courtyard and headed straight for the bamboo forest near the entrance of the Qingxuan Sect.
Along the way, elders, stewards, and disciples all greeted him with respect.
The bamboo growing in this forest was a special breed, carefully cultivated by the Qingxuan Sect, known as *Emerald Bamboo*.
Emerald Bamboo had many drawbacks—slow growth, brittle texture, and an insatiable appetite for spiritual energy.
But it had one redeeming quality: its shoots contained abundant spiritual energy and were incredibly delicious.
Even when eaten raw, the taste was refreshing and fragrant.
At this moment, several outer sect disciples were busy harvesting bamboo shoots, carrying baskets on their backs.
A one-armed steward was overseeing their work.
When the steward saw Shen Mo approaching, he greeted him with delight, "Young Sect Master, what brings you here?"
This man was Zhang Weihu.
Previously, he had lost an arm during an attack by a Heavy Weapon Sect elder.
Since then, he had spent most of his time within the Qingxuan Sect, no longer going to other properties as a reward for his loyalty.
This was how the Qingxuan Sect honored those who had made sacrifices for them.
If those who risked their lives for the sect received poor treatment, morale would falter, and no one would be willing to serve the sect anymore.
Shen Mo nodded slightly.
Ever since Murong Yue's return, the overall environment of the Qingxuan Sect had been improving.
The arrogance and bullying of people like Lei Yong had gradually disappeared.
Even figures like Wu Huairen, who would shamelessly withhold rewards meant for outer disciples being promoted to inner disciples, were becoming scarce.
Shen Mo smiled at Zhang Weihu and said, "Yes, I'm just taking a walk today. Who knows, I might even find some fortuitous opportunity."
Zhang Weihu chuckled heartily, "Young Sect Master, you must be joking. This Emerald Bamboo Forest sees plenty of people passing through every day. If there were any opportunities, they'd have been snatched up long ago! How could they wait for you?"
Realizing that his words might be disrespectful, Zhang Weihu quickly coughed and corrected himself, "No, no, that's not right! The heavens favor you, Young Sect Master, surely there's an opportunity here just waiting for you!"
Shen Mo couldn't help but laugh.
He knew Zhang Weihu was straightforward by nature and didn't take offense.
Shen Mo smiled, "No worries. But I suggest you have the outer sect disciples pack up and head back to the sect soon. A heavy storm is about to hit—violent winds, thunder, and lightning."
Zhang Weihu looked up at the scorching sun and the clear, cloudless sky.
A storm?
There wasn't the slightest hint of rain.
Just as he was about to speak, the sky darkened at an astonishing speed.
In an instant, ominous clouds gathered, weighing heavily upon the sky.
It was as though someone had spilled a bottle of ink across the heavens.
The outer sect disciples, who had been digging for bamboo shoots, looked up in shock.
The weather had changed as quickly as a snap of the fingers.
Zhang Weihu was astonished, "Young Sect Master, you truly live up to your title! You predicted this perfectly."
He quickly shouted to the disciples, "Pack it up! Let's get back to the sect!"
"Yes, sir!"
Zhang Weihu then asked, "Young Sect Master, aren't you coming with us?"
Shen Mo pointed deeper into the bamboo forest and smiled, "I'm going to practice my swordsmanship."
Suppressing his curiosity, Zhang Weihu nodded, "Alright, I'll be off then."
Emerald Bamboo under a hundred years old was quite fragile; even a disciple in the Body Tempering stage could snap it easily.
But once the bamboo was over a hundred years old, it became harder than jade.
The deeper parts of the bamboo forest were filled with century-old bamboo.
Some disciples would indeed use these bamboo stalks to practice martial techniques.
Shen Mo watched as Zhang Weihu and the others left, then made his way straight into the heart of the bamboo forest.
Martial techniques, while easy to grasp at the entry level, became increasingly difficult to master as one progressed, especially when aiming for the highest realm.
The only martial technique Shen Mo had fully cultivated to the highest level was the Four-Sided Mysterious Gate.
As for the Nine Suns Divine Phoenix Technique, it was not something he had painstakingly cultivated from scratch. Instead, he had gained insight into the first two forms during his time at the Phoenix Nest Pavilion.
His subsequent practice was merely to increase his proficiency, making the technique more fluid and responsive when activated.
As for his other techniques...
The Thunder Shadow Sword Technique, which had evolved after absorbing the sword pellet, consisted of three layers. Shen Mo had only reached the second layer.
Eight Directions Thunderstorm, an eight-layer technique, had seen him progress only to the fifth.
"The Thunder Shadow Sword Technique is a mid-tier Profound Tier martial technique. If I can cultivate it to the third layer, I'll gain access to an additional sword move."
Shen Mo briskly walked deeper into the bamboo forest.
Before long, he arrived at the center of a clearing.
And there, a figure was already present.
The sound of footsteps from behind caught the person's attention, and they turned to meet Shen Mo's gaze.
Their eyes locked.
Shen Mo remained expressionless.
The figure standing before him was none other than Xiao Fan.
Xiao Fan's expression, however, was far more complicated.
Why is he here again?
"Greetings, Young Sect Master," Xiao Fan cupped his fists respectfully.
Shen Mo remained calm, "I hear that Junior Brother Xiao has successfully condensed a perfect golden core and has been appointed as an inner sect elder?"
Xiao Fan nodded, "Yes, that's correct."
"Very impressive. I hope Junior Brother continues to strive forward," Shen Mo said with a smile.
"Thank you," Xiao Fan hesitated before asking, "May I ask what brings the Young Sect Master here?"
Shen Mo smiled, "I've encountered a bottleneck in my Thunder Shadow Sword Technique. I thought I might come to this Emerald Bamboo Forest to see if I could find an opportunity to break through."
"I see. In that case, I'll give this place to you, Young Sect Master. I'll find another spot," Xiao Fan said, cupping his fists again before quickly departing.
Shen Mo watched as Xiao Fan swiftly transformed into a streak of light, fleeing the Emerald Bamboo Forest and disappearing into the Qingcang Mountains, as if afraid to stay a moment longer.
Shen Mo raised an eyebrow.
When he glanced at Xiao Fan's life panel earlier, he had noticed something quite intriguing.
[Recent Fortune: Upon waking this morning, Xiao Fan will discover new and unfamiliar memories in his mind, slowly realizing that he is a reincarnated soul.]
"It seems Xiao Fan is on the verge of awakening memories from his past life."
"A former Divine Transformation realm cultivator... When his memories from both lives merge, his personality is bound to undergo a drastic change."
Shen Mo pondered this for a moment but didn't dwell on it further.
Instead, he unsheathed his Thunder Sword and gazed up at the darkened sky.
By now, thunder had begun to rumble within the thick clouds overhead.
Occasional flashes of lightning pierced through the dense cloud cover, illuminating the heavens with brief bursts of light.
Shen Mo gripped his Thunder Sword tightly, instinctively activating the Thunder Shadow Sword Technique.
Whoosh!
The sword light burst forth like a shadow of lightning!
Clang!
Not far away, the surface of a century-old Emerald Bamboo showed a visible sword mark.
Since he had not used any spiritual power, the strike did not sever the bamboo completely.
At the same moment, from the sky above, a thick bolt of lightning tore through the clouds like a sword, splitting the darkness.
The brilliance of the lightning illuminated the world below, and with it, a torrential downpour followed, crashing to the earth!
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