Chapter 207: Visit

After two days of intermittent searching, Lu Ye had investigated all the burning leaves. He found four new spirit patterns, while the rest were connecting spirit patterns.

"Sunburst" was the most unusual spirit pattern; once constructed, it could unleash an intense burst of light...

Lu Ye tried it and almost blinded himself.

The effect of this spirit pattern reminded him of Luo Ji from Boundless Island. That fellow had once used a technique called "Blinding Flash," which had no real power but emitted a strong light. Lu Ye had been caught off guard by it during their first encounter.

"Sunburst" had a similar effect to "Blinding Flash," but its light was even more intense.

While it seemed somewhat useful, it wasn't particularly practical. Yet, it wasn't entirely useless either; its effectiveness depended on how it was applied.

"Reinforce" provided a strengthening effect. Lu Ye compared it with the spirit patterns in his Mountainbreaker Saber and found that the pattern used to reinforce the saber's blade was seventy to eighty percent similar to "Reinforce," likely originating from the same source. This pattern resembled "Guardian Shield" in nature but served a different purpose.

The "Guardian Shield" pattern could construct a protective barrier to withstand external damage, while "Reinforce" made the imbued object more solid. Lu Ye tested it on himself, and the affected flesh visibly tightened and became denser. However, the aftereffects were noticeable: once the pattern dissipated, the altered flesh felt sore.

Lu Ye suspected this pattern was meant for spiritual artifacts, not for the body.

"Swiftness" enhanced one's speed, making the body feel lighter and allowing for faster running.

There was a type of spiritual talisman called a "Swiftness Talisman." Lu Ye had used two of them the first time Dong Shuye chased him. After experiencing their benefits, he always kept a few "Swiftness" talismans in his storage bag.

However, talismans were external aids. Now that he had the "Swiftness" spirit pattern, he could get rid of those talismans. Indeed, this spirit pattern was arguably the most valuable one Lu Ye had acquired this time.

"Gravity Field" created an invisible force field that made everything within it feel heavy. Lu Ye tried it and felt as if he was carrying hundreds of pounds in the "Gravity Field."

While a few hundred pounds was nothing for someone of his cultivation level, if such a burden were suddenly applied to an enemy during combat, it would undoubtedly disrupt their fighting rhythm. By the time the enemy adjusted, the "Gravity Field" would disappear, causing a second disruption.

Including the previously acquired "Sharpness," "Guardian Shield," "Spirit Gathering," and "Blood Stain," Lu Ye now mastered eight spirit patterns: "Sunburst," "Reinforce," "Swiftness," and "Gravity Field."

As before, newly acquired spirit patterns wouldn't directly boost his power or cultivation realm. However, if he could deploy them at opportune moments, his combat effectiveness would significantly increase.

Lu Ye gradually understood the formidable nature of a Spirit Pattern Master. Unlike other disciplines, Spirit Pattern Masters could activate various patterns during combat, leading to an extremely unpredictable and varied fighting style. If an opponent couldn't keep pace with a Spirit Pattern Master's rhythm, they would face a slow demise.

With only eight spirit patterns currently at his command, he could already simulate various combat strategies involving different pattern combinations in his mind. What if he mastered eighteen, twenty-eight, or even eighty patterns?

Spirit Pattern Masters were indeed terrifying!

All his spirit patterns originated from his Talent Tree, which gave him the ability to construct them at will. This, however, presented a problem.

Regarding the eight spirit patterns he had mastered, as well as the connecting patterns, he knew what they did but not how they worked. He could activate them and understood their effects, but he was completely clueless about anything else.

It was time to pay a visit to Madam Yun.

When he last visited Madam Yun, she had invited him to come by more often when he had time, likely seeing potential in him as a Spirit Pattern Master. However, Lu Ye later had to participate in the Spirit Stream Guardian Battle and was eager to improve his cultivation, so he never had the chance to visit.

After returning, he was busy reorganizing the outpost, leaving even less time.

At the time, Lu Ye wasn't sure of Madam Yun's identity, only sensing an unclear relationship between her and the Sect Master.

He later asked Senior Sister Shui Yuan and learned about a rather complicated emotional entanglement. In short, the Sect Master felt guilt towards Madam Yun, and consequently, Madam Yun held a grudge against him. Yet, their deep affection from earlier years made a complete separation impossible.

This was why Madam Yun resided in a spiritual peak within the Azure Blood Sect's main compound, living in solitude and rarely interacting with the Sect Master. Shui Yuan often visited her to keep her company.

Simply put, they were in a state of separation, their relationship strained but unwilling to let go. This separation had lasted for decades, according to Shui Yuan, who said they had maintained this status for many years.

However, Shui Yuan held Madam Yun in high regard, as she was a remarkable Spirit Pattern Master. Decades ago, if one were to rank the powerful Spirit Pattern Masters across the Nine Provinces, Madam Yun would have been among the top twenty.

Over the past few decades, Madam Yun had lived a reclusive life. Aside from older generations who knew her well, almost everyone in the Nine Provinces had forgotten this once brilliant and talented woman.

For Lu Ye to learn the Way of Spirit Patterns, visiting Madam Yun was undoubtedly the best option.

Leaving the training room, he returned to the main compound via the Heavenly Mystery Hall and found Senior Sister Shui Yuan, who was busy researching new recipes.

"You want to visit Madam Yun?"

"Yes, I'd like to learn about spirit patterns from her."

"That makes sense. You have a Spirit Pattern Master's inheritance, and Madam Yun is an expert in the Way of Spirit Patterns. Her guidance would be ideal for you. So, why are you looking for me? Do you need me to take you?"

"No, that's not necessary. It's not far, I can go myself. But since I'm paying a visit, I shouldn't go empty-handed. I was wondering if I should bring something..."

Shui Yuan chuckled softly, pursing her lips. "If you're bringing something, go catch a few Bloodfin Trout from Moon Lake. Madam Yun loves them, but she's too dignified to catch them herself. I always bring some for her whenever I visit. Also, whatever you do, don't mention the Sect Master in front of her, or there will be serious consequences."

At its peak, the Azure Blood Sect boasted dozens of spiritual peaks, spanning a vast area. However, due to a decline in talent over the past few decades, even the sect's protective formations had gradually been dismantled. Although these dozens of spiritual peaks were still considered the sect's property, the Azure Blood Sect no longer maintained them. Remnants of old buildings still stood on those peaks, and from the clusters of dilapidated structures, one could faintly discern the sect's past glory.

Currently, the only inhabited places within the Azure Blood Sect were Righteous Peak, located at the center, and Brightheart Peak, where Madam Yun resided.

Moon Lake was situated between Righteous Peak and Bamboo Peak.

Guided by his second senior sister, Lu Ye was about to head to Moon Lake when Amber trotted over, nudging him with its large head and letting out a soft growl.

A tiger's life was lonely!

Recently, Lu Ye had been incredibly busy, and Yiyi was also occupied. However, Yiyi didn't often appear at the outpost, spending more time at the main compound because she was learning spells from the Sect Master.

As a result, Amber was often lonely.

As Lu Ye's beast companion, and having shared so much hardship together for so long, Amber was naturally very close to him. Having overheard Lu Ye and Shui Yuan's conversation, it knew it was its cue to appear.

As the saying goes, 'raise soldiers for a thousand days to use them for an hour.' As a beast companion, Amber was quite self-aware.

Perhaps due to the bond of their beast contract, Lu Ye could now vaguely perceive Amber's thoughts. While not as uncanny as Yiyi's ability to understand its exact words, he was usually close to deciphering its intentions.

"Then let's go together!" Lu Ye patted its large head and swung himself onto its back.

Amber immediately perked up, carrying Lu Ye as it hastened towards Moon Lake.

Before long, a crescent-shaped lake appeared in view. Lu Ye had been here before; Li Baxian occasionally brought him fishing when he was at the Azure Blood Sect.

Lu Ye found it quite perplexing. If one wanted to eat fish, they could just jump in and catch them; why bother with fishing?

Li Baxian, however, claimed there was joy in the process.

Without Li Baxian, Lu Ye naturally wouldn't waste time. He removed his clothes, plunged into the lake, and in moments, caught several large Bloodfin Trout.

After getting dressed on shore, he rode Amber directly towards Brightheart Peak.

Upon reaching the peak, he dismounted Amber and stood before Madam Yun's residence, bowing respectfully. "Disciple Lu Ye has come to pay his respects."

"Come in," Madam Yun's voice promptly echoed from within.

Lu Ye signaled Amber to wait there for him, fed it a few spiritual pills, and then, carrying the Bloodfin Trout, he stepped inside.

In the same hall as his previous visit, Madam Yun stood quietly. Lu Ye bowed. "Greetings, Madam Yun."

Madam Yun glanced at the gifts in his hand and smiled. "Did that girl Shui Yuan tell you to bring these?"

"Second Senior Sister said you enjoy these fish, so I casually caught a few."

"That was thoughtful of you." Madam Yun gestured, and a maiden-like servant girl approached, offering Lu Ye a slight smile as she took the Bloodfin Trout from his hands.

Lu Ye nodded in acknowledgment, feeling a pang of curiosity. He hadn't seen this maid during his last visit. It seemed Madam Yun wasn't living entirely alone after all; she had someone serving her.

However, there was something peculiar about the maid, though Lu Ye couldn't quite pinpoint what it was.

"Have a seat," Madam Yun invited as she took her own seat.

"I wouldn't presume. Standing is fine for me, Disciple."

Madam Yun didn't press him and asked, "What brings you here this time?"

"Disciple wishes to learn the Way of Spirit Patterns from you."

"You may," Madam Yun readily agreed. "As long as that old geezer didn't send you."

The 'old geezer' she referred to was undoubtedly the Sect Master. Lu Ye pretended not to hear, not daring to speak.

"Last time, you told me you could construct these spirit patterns, but aside from those four, you knew nothing else?"

"Yes."

Madam Yun understood. "It seems the inheritance you received is indeed incomplete, or perhaps it was bestowed upon you through a direct infusion of knowledge."