Chapter 26: This woman is truly... all brawn and no brain.

He gazed at the drop of vital blood, his heart brimming with both anticipation and nervous tension. Taking a deep breath, he slowly infused it with his own demonic energy. However, he soon discovered that the drop of blood was not entirely pure; tiny impurities remained within it. Yet, Yun Yi did not lose heart, feeling that reaching this stage was already no small feat. He knew the path of cultivation had to be taken one step at a time; one could not rush for success.

Moments later, he shifted his focus, deciding to execute the Blood-Forming Sword technique from the "Immortal Blood Sutra." Immediately, Yun Yi’s brow furrowed, his nerves taut. He poured his entire being into the process, terrified of making a single mistake. Simultaneously, he chanted the first-level incantation of the "Immortal Blood Sutra," each syllable seemingly imbued with infinite power.

Under the influence of the incantation, the drop of blood underwent a miraculous transformation. It became buoyant, as if imbued with life, rotating slowly in mid-air. Wisps of blood energy emanated from it, swirling around like mist. "I refuse to believe I cannot transform one drop of blood into ten thousand swords," Yun Yi gritted his teeth, his eyes filled with determination and defiance. He understood the difficulty and danger of this step; every attempt risked exhausting his painstakingly refined blood and even endangering his life. But Yun Yi understood even better that only by crossing this threshold could he truly master this heaven-defying martial technique, become a true powerhouse, and break free from the shackles of his fate as a mere insect.

Just then, perhaps due to his perseverance, a deafening boom erupted from the depths of the cave. The sound echoed like thunder in the narrow space before surging outward like a tidal wave, spreading into the vast world beyond. This force was so powerful that a female cultivator in green robes, who was flying on her sword toward this dense forest, was forced to pause and hover steadily in mid-air. Her brows locked in a frown as her gaze pierced through the layers of mist, fixing on the source of the power. She speculated to herself, "Could someone have gotten to the legendary millennium spirit mushroom first? No, the supreme spiritual energy within that mushroom is vital to me; it must not be refined by another. That mushroom belongs to me." With this thought, a flash of resolve crossed her eyes. She bit her lip and quickly formed hand seals, preparing to accelerate, vowing to reclaim her destined opportunity.

Meanwhile, at the other end of the cave, Yun Yi’s meticulously refined drop of blood was undergoing an astonishing change. Following the boom, as if summoned by some mysterious power, it transformed drastically. Its shape elongated, becoming sharp and keen. The color shifted from dark red to a blazing, fiery crimson. The aura it emitted turned from silent to surging, filled with the essence of both destruction and rebirth. An invisible force seemed to be guiding it, molding the tiny drop into a sharp blood sword that radiated a chilling, lethal light. This blood sword did not merely contain the power of Yun Yi’s vital blood; it seemed to have integrated some mystery of heaven and earth, granting it extraordinary power.

Seeing this, Yun Yi was overjoyed, knowing he had finally taken a crucial step. He became even more focused, constantly adjusting his state and power. Finally, after countless attempts and failures, Yun Yi successfully transformed a drop of blood into a sharp blood sword. The blade radiated a scorching light, as if capable of severing all obstacles in the world. However, this was only the beginning. "The rest is to multiply it into ten thousand swords," Yun Yi pondered, aware of the difficulty and complexity of this step. Even so, he did not retreat. He gripped the blood sword tightly, feeling the power and will it transmitted.

But the process of multiplying the swords was not so simple. Yun Yi tried repeatedly, failing time and again, until blood seeped from the corners of his mouth. Yet, he never gave up, convinced he would succeed. Finally, after endless setbacks, Yun Yi succeeded in transforming the drop of blood into three sharp blood swords. These three swords, condensed from his vital blood, hovered and danced around him. Their tips sliced through the air, creating a series of subtle yet sharp humming sounds, like loyal guards protecting their tiny master during his meditation.

The blood swords emitted a dazzling radiance, bathing the once-dim cave in a crimson glow, as if the entire space were filled with their power. Yun Yi sat on the ground, his humble rabbit body exuding an aura that rivaled that of any powerful cultivator. He stared at the three blood swords, feeling both satisfaction and regret: "It seems with my current cultivation and understanding of the Immortal Blood Sutra, this is as far as I can go."

Yun Yi sighed, cast aside his distracting thoughts, and decided to continue refining his cultivation. He immersed himself once more, attempting to push past his limits, his understanding of the "Immortal Blood Sutra" deepening with each passing moment. Time slipped away in meditation. When Yun Yi opened his eyes again, they shone with even greater resolve, and his cultivation had improved significantly. A surge of irrepressible impulse rose within him, and he decided to attempt the blood-to-sword transformation once more. This time, he found the process significantly shortened; almost in a single thought, the blood transformed into sharp blades.

Just as he prepared to sheath the swords and continue practicing, a flash of inspiration struck him: "Right, I have yet to truly test the power of these three blood swords." As he flapped his wings, ready to fly out of the cave to verify his newfound strength, a massive boom erupted outside, deafening as a thunderclap. Yun Yi was startled, thinking, "How could someone find this place? It is so well-hidden; did I leak my aura while training?"

Not daring to be careless, he found a hidden opening and carefully flew out of the cave. Upon emerging, he saw the female cultivator in green standing outside, holding a long sword and bombarding the cave entrance with sword qi, seemingly intent on forcing her way in. Anxiety and anger played across her face as she muttered, "Come out, you wretch! Don't think hiding inside makes you safe!" As she spoke, the very air seemed to tremble. Her chest rose and fell with her agitation, the two firm mounds beneath her robes tracing an alluring curve that quivered with every breath, much like willow branches swaying in the spring breeze, appearing particularly striking in the tense atmosphere of the confrontation.

This woman—is she really this brainless despite her assets?