43: Overbearing Heaven Refining Technique, Second Level

The two moved to a picturesque garden and walked slowly side by side.

Ji Mo was the first to break the silence: "Young Miss Yanran, I must set off tonight."

"What? You are leaving so hastily?" Upon hearing this, Shangguan Yanran's face instantly turned pale as paper.

Seeing her like this, Ji Mo's heart filled with pity. Without hesitation, he gently pulled her into his embrace and said softly:

"Yanran, is it alright if I call you this?" Without waiting for a response, he continued,

"I was originally a Disciple of the Peerless Sect. My attendance at the Martial Arts Tournament was actually to pursue and kill my enemy.

When I was a teenager, my parents were tragically murdered by villains. Later, when I entered the Peerless Sect, I was targeted by my enemy again.

As you have seen, due to another fortuitous encounter, my strength has greatly improved. This time, in the City of Chaos, I have personally killed my enemy.

However, there are even more powerful enemies waiting for me inside the Peerless Sect, so I must go out, gain experience, and increase my strength."

Hearing Ji Mo's narration, Shangguan Yanran, who was in his arms, raised her head and looked at him with eyes full of pity.

Meeting her gaze, Ji Mo continued:

"It's fine; those things are in the past. I am leaving tonight because I want to lure people from the Blood Demon Sect to chase after me, using this opportunity to capture them all in one net.

I understand that I could completely seek your father's protection, but if I can't even solve this small trouble myself, then I don't need to continue cultivating."

After a slight pause, Ji Mo's expression became increasingly serious:

"Additionally, I must confess something honestly,

In the Peerless Sect, I have a deeply devoted older sister named Nangong Xue'er,

We have already confirmed our Dao Companion relationship, but due to my current circumstances, we haven't made it public yet."

When Shangguan Yanran heard this, her body trembled violently, as if all the strength had instantly been drained from her. A look of complete despair appeared in her originally bright eyes.

Seeing this, Ji Mo quickly embraced her tightly, gently cupped her delicate face with both hands, and said sincerely:

"Yanran, I don't want to deceive you. But I want you to know that I like you, and if possible, I truly want to marry you.

Of course, if you mind this, I will not force you.

I will leave tonight, and we can still be friends."

After a short pause, he slowly added, "Actually, the time we have known each other is truly brief, and the future is still long.

You can take your time to consider. If you meet a man in the future whom you favor and who treats you wholeheartedly, I will sincerely wish you well."

Having said this, Ji Mo slowly let go of Shangguan Yanran, but unexpectedly, she hugged him tightly.

Shangguan Yanran gazed at the man before her and spoke with a resolute tone:

"No, I won't allow you to leave, and there's no need to consider it.

Although we have only known each other for a short time, ever since you saved me twice from the abyss of despair, my heart has told me that I belong to you in this life.

I can accept the existence of others, I only ask that you treat me sincerely and do not let me down."

No more words were needed. Ji Mo gently cupped the beautiful woman's face again and slowly kissed her.

Shangguan Yanran, in his arms, responded to him passionately.

After a long while, the two slowly separated. Ji Mo looked at her affectionately and said:

"Yanran, give me a few years. I will definitely come back for you.

At that time, I will hold a grand wedding for you, letting everyone on the entire continent know that you are Ji Mo's wife."

Seeing that Shangguan Yanran seemed to have something to say, Ji Mo continued:

"I know you want to leave with me, but that is not appropriate.

Firstly, as a Sect Disciple, it would be inconvenient for you to follow me.

Secondly, I still have enemies left. I worry they might use you to threaten me, and then I would have no choice but to surrender.

For now, stay obediently by your father's side, cultivate diligently, and Break through to higher Realms soon, so that you can assist me later.

We cultivators are meant to pursue longevity equal to the heavens and travel across the Major Thousand Worlds together."

Although Shangguan Yanran was full of reluctance, she knew Ji Mo's words were reasonable. She simply continued to hold Ji Mo tightly, unwilling to let go.

The two remained intimately embracing in the garden.

The items Ji Mo needed were prepared.

The three sat around the wine table, and Ji Mo informed Shangguan Batian of his plan to leave tonight.

Shangguan Batian did not try to keep him, only instructing him to be careful in his actions.

After the dinner party ended, Ji Mo returned to his small courtyard.

Before leaving, he planned to absorb all these resources to prepare for the upcoming journey.

After returning to his small courtyard, Ji Mo immediately sat cross-legged and circulated his Cultivation Technique.

Instantly, all the materials in his inner space began to be slowly refined. Strands of Spiritual Qi, like trickling streams, continuously merged into Ji Mo's body, and the aura around him constantly soared.

At this moment, all the furnace fragments seemed to possess life, beginning to "breathe" rhythmically.

Their size gradually grew. When they reached the first critical threshold, an astonishing change occurred—the furnace fragments began to fission.

Streaks of faint light flickered. The number of fragments continuously increased like bamboo shoots after rain, stopping only when the count reached 1,008.

However, these fragments did not stop their "growth." They continued to wildly devour the surrounding Spirit Stones, their size constantly expanding and contracting, as if undergoing a profound evolution.

As time passed, all the Spirit Stones and Spiritual Plants were gradually exhausted.

At this moment, every one of the 1,008 furnace fragments had swelled to the size of a fist,

From a distance, they looked exactly like 1,008 small suns circling Ji Mo.

They emitted brilliant and scorching light.

After reaching a certain critical point, the dazzling golden light slowly began to recede, no longer so eye-catching.

And every furnace fragment finally revealed its true form.

What appeared before Ji Mo was no longer the tiny golden specks of the past, but 1,008 miniature, exquisite, and unparalleled heaven and earth creation bells.

That's right, every furnace fragment had transformed, growing into a miniature heaven and earth creation bell.

However, compared to the bell form, perhaps calling them small furnaces is more accurate.

Ji Mo moved his thought slightly, and all the small furnaces instantly turned into streaks of flowing light and were absorbed into his body. Simultaneously, a piece of information transmitted from the depths of his Soul.

This information made Ji Mo realize that he had successfully entered the second layer of the Hegemonic Heaven Refining Art. The number of fragments had increased to 1,008, exactly 10 times the amount in the first layer.

Now, every fragment had evolved into its Elementary form, manifesting as a small furnace.

The advancement of the Cultivation Technique brought about many significant changes, the most direct of which was that Ji Mo could now summon 1 to 10 heaven and earth creation bells.

Specifically, 108 small furnaces can converge to form one heaven and earth creation bell, and 1,008 can converge to form 10 heaven and earth creation bells.

More small furnaces can also be used to converge into one or several bells. Among these, the heaven and earth creation bell formed by the convergence of all 1,008 small furnaces possesses the greatest power,

while the heaven and earth creation bell composed of only 108 small furnaces has the weakest relative power.

As for how powerful this strongest might is, Ji Mo does not yet know.

The refining capabilities of these small furnaces have also been greatly enhanced.

Now, if Ji Mo obtains Spiritual Plants or Spirit Stones suitable for use in the Xiantian Realm,

he can directly refine "Protective Aura Pills" to instantly supplement or increase his Xiantian Realm cultivation base.

During the Martial Arts Tournament, Ji Mo was already able to pose a threat to Xiantian Realm experts just by relying on one heaven and earth creation bell formed by gathering over 400 unevolved furnace fragments.

Now, the furnace fragments have not only evolved into small furnaces, but their number has also increased to 1,008,

Based on this calculation, their power is simply unimaginable and utterly terrifying.

Simultaneously, the Breakthrough of the Cultivation Technique also triggered the advancement of Ji Mo's cultivation base.