Chapter 183: Stabbing Patterns, Flying Wings

The woman could not be too young. The Sect Master had introduced her as an old friend, suggesting she was likely from his own era. Her youthful appearance was clearly a result of effective skincare.

"This is Madam Yun," the Sect Master introduced.

Lu Ye and Hua Ci both bowed, saying, "Greetings, Madam Yun."

Madam Yun nodded slightly and scrutinized Lu Ye. She then spoke, "That old fossil said you had some fortuitous encounters in the Spirit Stream Battlefield, including a legacy from a Spirit Mark Master?"

He wasn't sure how this misunderstanding had spread, but it was likely related to his ability to activate spirit marks in combat.

Lu Ye turned to look at the Sect Master, who subtly nodded in affirmation.

"Yes," Lu Ye replied. No matter how he thought about it, the Talent Tree was indeed related to a Spirit Mark Master's legacy.

"Activate your spirit marks and show me," Madam Yun instructed.

Lu Ye hesitated for a moment, then opened his palm and activated a Protective Mark.

Madam Yun looked surprised. "Such speed..." She had only heard the Sect Master mention that this young man, Lu Ye, had a fortuitous encounter related to a Spirit Mark Master, and hadn't inquired further. Only now did she realize that his mastery of spirit marks had reached a level where he could activate them at will.

However, she was a person of vast experience. Disciples from top sects, if they studied spirit mark techniques from a young age, might also achieve such a feat.

She stepped closer and lowered her head to examine the spirit mark in Lu Ye's hand. "This is a Protective Mark... Hmm? Your spirit mark..." She suddenly frowned, having seemingly discovered something, and grabbed Lu Ye's hand for a closer look.

Lu Ye cast a pleading look at the Sect Master.

The Sect Master slowly shook his head, indicating that he should remain calm.

After a long moment, Madam Yun finally released Lu Ye's hand. Her expression was thoughtful as she fell into contemplation.

Seeing this, the Sect Master asked, "Is there something wrong with his spirit marks?"

"No, there's nothing wrong," Madam Yun replied, shaking her head. "They are just a bit different from the spirit marks commonly found in Kyushu, though they seem more logical. I'll need to make some comparisons to understand the precise differences." As she spoke, she looked at Lu Ye. "Do you know any other spirit marks?"

"Yes, three more," Lu Ye answered truthfully.

"Show them to me."

Lu Ye then successively activated the Sharpness, Spirit Gathering, and Blood Splatter marks. After Madam Yun carefully examined them, she concluded, "The legacy you received is quite extraordinary. The person who left it must have had extremely profound mastery in the path of spirit marks."

"Oh?" The Sect Master was surprised. It was rare to hear Madam Yun give such high praise to anyone else. He asked curiously, "How do they compare to you?"

Madam Yun shook her head. "They are more powerful than me. This person's understanding of spirit marks transcends the current system in Kyushu. It's a completely different and unique way of manifestation. And each of these spirit marks is far more potent than those in Kyushu." She looked at Lu Ye again. "How much do you understand about the path of spirit marks?"

Lu Ye felt a blush of shame. "I only know how to use these four spirit marks. I know nothing else."

Madam Yun was surprised and let out a chuckle. "It seems the legacy you received isn't complete. This is quite common. The Spirit Stream Battlefield indeed offers many fortuitous encounters, and many individuals have acquired legacies left by unknown powerhouses, but some of these legacies are incomplete due to various reasons."

From Madam Yun's perspective, Lu Ye's ability to activate the four spirit marks at will, yet his limited understanding of spirit marks themselves, clearly indicated an incomplete legacy. A complete legacy, at the very least, would teach Lu Ye the construction methods and fundamental characteristics of spirit marks.

"You can come visit me regularly in the future. You provide me with these spirit marks for research, and in return, I can teach you some knowledge about spirit marks. How does that sound?"

As soon as she finished speaking, the Sect Master, standing beside Madam Yun, vigorously winked at Lu Ye. Lu Ye understood immediately. "Yes, thank you, Senior."

Madam Yun nodded with a smile, her expression towards Lu Ye becoming much gentler.

The Sect Master cleared his throat. "Don't forget the main reason we're here."

"Come with me," Madam Yun said, walking to one side. She led the three of them through a long corridor and into a room. The room wasn't large, with a bed in the center. There was also a stool nearby.

Once inside, Madam Yun formed a hand seal with one hand and lightly touched the wall. As spiritual energy surged, the entire room became brightly illuminated, as if lit by several powerful lamps, yet the light was not harsh, but rather soft.

"Take off your upper garment and lie down," Madam Yun instructed.

Lu Ye didn't understand why.

The Sect Master explained, "Madam Yun will inscribe a spirit mark on you. This type of mark is called a 'piercing mark,' and it can manifest the effects of a spirit mark. It might be helpful in the Spirit Stream Defensive War."

Lu Ye had never heard of such a thing before and was immediately curious. He figured this must be why the Sect Master brought him and Hua Ci here. Without hesitation, he unbuttoned his upper garment and lay on the bed.

Madam Yun sat on the stool nearby. She took out a jade box, opened it, and inside were fine needles of varying lengths.

"Where is it?" Madam Yun extended her hand to the Sect Master.

The Sect Master produced a small bottle and handed it to her. She opened the cap and sniffed lightly, then raised an eyebrow and asked, "Blood of a True Lake Realm demon beast? Which kind?"

"A Firefang!" the Sect Master replied.

"That's quite rare," Madam Yun nodded. Then she teased, "It's not often you're so generous."

The Sect Master's expression was sheepish, and he didn't respond.

Madam Yun took a long needle from the jade box, dipped it into the Firefang's blood. As she activated her spiritual energy, the long needle immediately seemed to come alive, absorbing the beast's blood until it was saturated, instantly turning a deep crimson.

She lifted the long needle, raised her hand, and placed it on Lu Ye's shoulder blade. "There will be some pain; bear with it." As her words fell, she began to prick Lu Ye's back with the long needle.

Lu Ye immediately felt a pricking sensation, followed by a burning pain. The pain wasn't intense, but it was incredibly unsettling, making it difficult to endure. He gritted his teeth.

Madam Yun's hand was steady. She changed fine needles one after another. Her movements varied between fast and slow, and even her spiritual energy fluctuations continuously changed with her actions.

Hua Ci stood watching from the side, personally witnessing a peculiar spirit mark pattern slowly form on Lu Ye's back.

After a full hour, the last needle finally dropped. Madam Yun let out a long breath and gently patted Lu Ye's back. "It's done!"

Lu Ye sat up, and with a slight perception, he vaguely felt something new on his back. The sensation was peculiar, as if it had merged with his body, yet also felt like an external object. He sensed that if he activated his spiritual energy, he could even activate this new thing.

The Sect Master explained from the side, "Your cultivation is still low, so it's not suitable to inscribe a permanent spirit mark on you. Therefore, Madam Yun inscribed a temporary piercing mark. If you encounter a powerful opponent you cannot defeat, activate it with your spiritual energy, and it will grant you the power of flight."

"This spirit mark is called the Soaring Wings!" Madam Yun chimed in from the side. "If you exert full power, it can sustain your flight for a maximum of three hours. Beyond that, the piercing mark will lose its effectiveness."

A spirit mark that grants flight! Lu Ye's heart trembled, feeling the Sect Master's care.

He and Hua Ci were going to participate in the Spirit Stream Defensive War. Their strength couldn't be significantly improved in a short time, but with this Soaring Wings piercing mark, even if they encountered an insurmountable opponent, they would have a chance to escape.

However, the cost of such a piercing mark was considerable. Not only did it require a skilled artisan like Madam Yun, but the Firefang's blood itself was also a rare treasure. Using the blood of a True Lake Realm demon beast on a Spirit Stream Realm cultivator like Lu Ye was indeed a bit of a waste. Lu Ye's heart was filled with gratitude.

"What are you waiting for? Why aren't you leaving?" Madam Yun suddenly said with a stern face, urging them out.

The Sect Master and Lu Ye quickly and awkwardly walked out.

The door was tightly shut. The Sect Master led Lu Ye outside, leaving the hall.

"Learning to fly requires practice to master the essentials," the Sect Master asked. "Yi Ye, do you want to try it now?"

"That's exactly what I was thinking," Lu Ye nodded, feeling a little excited.

Flight! While he had experienced aerial travel before, it had always been while being carried by others. He had never truly flown himself. He had thought this opportunity would only come when he reached the eighth or ninth level of cultivation, but he never expected to experience it now.

Although the Soaring Wings piercing mark could only last for a total of three hours, the Sect Master was right. One needed to practice to master the technique. Otherwise, if he waited until danger arrived to fly, something might go wrong.

Activating his spiritual energy, he channeled it into his back. As the Soaring Wings piercing mark activated, with a whoosh, two fire-red wings, shimmering with flowing spiritual energy, emerged from his left and right shoulder blades. The wings were not thick; instead, they were somewhat thin and translucent. From their shape, they resembled the wings of a demon beast. Lu Ye estimated that the wings' appearance was similar to that of the Firefang.

With a slight thought, the wings flapped gently, and a strong wind roared. Lu Ye suddenly became a streak of fiery light and shot diagonally in one direction.

The Sect Master waved his large hand, and a gentle current of spiritual energy enveloped Lu Ye, holding him steady in mid-air. Looking at a large tree not far in front of him, cold sweat broke out on Lu Ye's forehead. Thankfully, the Sect Master was there to supervise, otherwise, he would have definitely crashed hard.

The Sect Master slowly withdrew his spiritual energy. Lu Ye once again controlled the spiritual energy wings on his back and tried to fly. Time and again, he failed, experiencing one close call after another. Slowly, Lu Ye began to grasp the knack, and gradually, he could fly steadily. However, he still didn't dare to go too fast, or he wouldn't be able to control it.

After a full half-hour, Lu Ye finally let loose completely. He darted and swooped through the air, having a thoroughly enjoyable time. Considering the limited duration of the Soaring Wings piercing mark, Lu Ye reluctantly descended, and the fire-red wings on his back slowly vanished.

This was undoubtedly a vital tool for escape. Its only drawback was the high energy consumption. In just half an hour, Lu Ye felt that only about 30% of his spiritual energy remained. Therefore, he couldn't casually activate the Soaring Wings spirit mark unless it was absolutely necessary.

After a moment, Hua Ci walked out.

The Sect Master led Lu Ye forward to bid farewell to Madam Yun. Madam Yun waved her hand, then turned and re-entered the room.

Lu Ye raised an eyebrow at Hua Ci and said, "Do you want to try flying? The Sect Master said flying requires a lot of practice to master."

"Of course," Hua Ci readily agreed.

As spiritual energy surged, a pair of green wings emerged from her back. She then slowly floated upward, swaying slightly from side to side for a moment, before gradually stabilizing.

A short while later, watching Hua Ci dance gracefully in the sky like a butterfly, Lu Ye's eye twitched. How come people... seemed a little different?