Wu Tianmo made his way back into Blackwood Forest, the sheathed Blackwood sword gripped tightly in his right hand.
His determination was firm, he had many things he needed to accomplish but he was lacking. He was not a renowned alchemist nor an artifact refiner, he didn't even possess the fire root to attempt these trades.
The only thing he knew was how to use his sword, and he was quite good at it. Achieving sword intent in the Body Reforging realm was quite the feat. If he were outside of this frontier town he would have been a highly regarded of youngster.
As he traveled through the gorge a few things were on his mind but foremost was the Thousand Serpent Sect.
He looked down at his forearm.
Noticeably, his green serpent companion was missing.
The path I follow is too dangerous, the other patriarchs wouldn't recklessly push into the Blackwood Forest. It's better for little green to accompany Tianfeng for now.
If something were to happen, its strength would allow for Tianfeng and Tianmo's child to grow safely for a while.
Wu Tianmo shook his head realizing its strength was also but a drop in the ocean of the vast cultivation world.
What Wu Tianmo needed was strength, information, and a plan for his clan's future.
As day turned to night he quickly passed through the outer edge of the gorge, approaching the mountains of the Thousand Serpent Sect. After advancing his realm, he was confident that he could progress further up the mountain.
His gaze was firm, his mind recalling the Zhang Clan's troops pushing their way up the mountain in his absence.
"Surely they would have found the pavilion empty by now, I didn't exactly leave it in a good state."
After watching the Zhang Clan send a second wave of troops, he had been anxious about losing any opportunity for a leftover inheritance. While he had already taken the beast taming technique, this was only halfway up the mountain.
What could be hidden at the top where the true sect was located?
Wu Tianmo thought to himself as he dashed atop the treetops towards the three large mountains,
If the Zhang Clan is already there what do I do? They wouldn't give up the mountain simply because I asked....
Forceful means were sometimes necessary and he realized that having a way to shield his identity would be quite useful. Yet he hated this idea, as a sword cultivator he should face things openly.
Only cowards hide behind masks. Regardless of what comes I will face it sword in hand.
He made his way to the base of the mountain where the bodies of the Zhang Clan were no longer scattered around. Not far away a section of earth had been excavated and repositioned.
After a quick expansion of his Divine Sense he could see, it contained the skeletons of the deceased Zhang Clan members.
He looked up the path and decided to ascend the mountain. His cultivation wasn't a secret, and only by being bold could you claim opportunities.
As he ascended the mountain the spiritual essence got thicker and thicker. This sensation caused the corners of his mouth to rise, because he had felt an emptiness after breaking through.
While he was a 2nd Stage Meridian Opening Realm cultivator, he hadn't solidified his realm. The spiritual essence in the village was too thin and wouldn't be enough to support him further.
He wanted to immediately meditate and begin cultivating but this wasn't a viable option. If he were to do so and someone were to disturb him, it could be dangerous.
Cultivating in the Body Reforging realm was less risky than the Meridian Opening realm because the body could be purified and remolded over time. Yet the meridians were more fragile and had to be treated more delicately while being opened and connected. Only once they were connected and opened would they be able to work like machines, pumping refined Qi throughout the body.
Just walking through this area he felt reborn, the world's spiritual essence poured into his body like a bottomless pit. If one were to be watching, it would look like a stream of northern lights were pouring into his body from every direction.
The meridians were ravenous beasts, his even moreso than most because something within him was different. Something he didn't fully understand himself.
He reflected on the village's situation while walking up the mountain,
The spiritual veins in Heimu are only tier one, sufficient for a beginner's cultivation yet lacking for the future. I refuse to believe that Zhang Guowei hasn't thought of a solution for this issue. Is there a way to raise the level of spiritual veins?
Wu Tianmo had a sudden realization as he examined his own situation.
It makes sense that the Patriarch of the Zhang Clan hasn't progressed since we arrived at this town. It also makes sense that he is willing to sacrifice so many of his clan members to explore this area.
"Zhang Guowei, Zhang Guowei, truly a domineering person... Even treating his own clan's mortals like this."
He breathed in a large breath of spiritual essence while walking, and thought of Heimu Village once again,
If the Zhang Clan has a way to raise the spiritual veins of the town what will become of the mortals... Will they be forced to leave, unable to withstand the dense cultivation land?
He shook his head,
"Even if we cultivators didn't put up walls, it seems the universe is determined to separate cultivators and mortals one way or another."
He thought of his wife Ling'er with tenderness,
"She can barely move because of my child, I'm grateful for her to bear my son but... I should refrain from procreating with mortals any further. If my cultivation was higher the pregnancy itself might have killed her in the first trimester."
---
Past the First Gate of the Sect
---
He stopped along the path,
It doesn't make sense, why wouldn't the Zhang Clan's patriarch come into this sect to claim the inheritance? There are too many questions that need answers.
He firmed his resolve and made his way past the first gate and then to the second. Finally he saw the golden robes that were on every corner of the village.
Yet they were accompanied by another group, ones who all carried swords on their backs and a sharp demeanor. They were dressed in azure robes trimmed with gold, and possessed the arrogant confidence only found in cultivators.
Wu Tianmo's eyes focused on their robes, they bore a distinct insignia,
A sword atop a flowing river... The Azure River Sword Sect.
A cold chill ran down his back as he expanded his divine sense, immediately drawing the gazes of the other nearby Meridian Opening realm cultivators.
"They even have meridian opening realm cultivators....."
A commanding voice along with a slight spiritual pressure even more powerful than Zhang Guowei's carried towards Wu Tianmo,
"Fellow Daoist, this mountain is claimed by the Azure River Sword Sect. Who are you to trespass..."