Sage of Humanity

After sporadically examining for two days, Lu Ye had finished investigating all the burning leaves and obtained four types of new spirit runes, while the rest were all those connecting spirit runes.

Sun Blaze, this spirit rune was the strangest. Once constructed, it could burst into intense light...

Lu Ye tried it and nearly blinded himself.

This rune's effect reminded him of Luo Ji from Endless Island, who had used a magic called Scorching White in battle. That magic wasn't powerful per se; it simply burst into bright light, and Lu Ye had been at a disadvantage when he first fought against him.

The effect of Sun Blaze was similar to that Scorching White magic but emitted an even stronger light.

Regarding this spirit rune, it could be said to be useful and at the same time seemed not so useful; it completely depended on how it was used.

Foundation Fortification increased sturdiness. Lu Ye compared it with the spirit runes in his Boulder Mountain Saber and found that the rune reinforcing the blade shared about seventy to eighty percent similarity with Foundation Fortification, seemingly originating from the same source. This rune was somewhat similar to the Defense Spirit Runes, but they functioned differently.

Defense Spirit Runes could form a protective barrier that blocked incoming harm, while Foundation Fortification made the object it was cast on more durable. Lu Ye tried it on himself, and the affected flesh twitched and became firmer, but the side effect was clear as the altered flesh felt sore after the rune dissipated.

Lu Ye figured that this rune was not meant for the flesh but for enhancing a Spiritual Artifact.

Move-Like-The-Wind lightened his body and made him run faster.

There were Move-Like-The-Wind Talismans, and Lu Ye had used two of them when Dong Shuye chased him for the first time. Having tasted their benefits, he always kept a few Move-Like-The-Wind talismans in his storage sack.

Facing some powerful enemies, if he couldn't beat them, his only option was to run, and having Move-Like-The-Wind Talismans undoubtedly allowed him to run faster.

However, since the talismans were external objects, now with the Move-Like-The-Wind spirit rune, those talismans could be discarded. This rune was arguably the most valuable one Lu Ye had acquired on this occasion.

Hefty Weight, this spirit rune created an invisible force field that made everything within it feel heavier. Lu Ye tested it and felt as if he was carrying several hundred kilograms on his body.

Although that weight was nothing for his current cultivation level, if it could be suddenly applied to an enemy during combat, it would definitely disrupt the enemy's combat rhythm. By the time the enemy adjusted, the Hefty Weight would disappear, causing further disruption.

Sun Blaze, Foundation Fortification, Move-Like-The-Wind, Hefty Weight, along with previously acquired Sharpness, Defense, Gathering Spirit, and Bloodstain, Lu Ye now controlled eight spirit runes.

As before, mastering new spirit runes didn't directly enhance his strength or cultivation realm. However, if he could use these runes at the right moment, his combat power could be greatly improved.

Lu Ye was gradually realizing the terror of being a spirit runes master because, unlike other sects, a spirit runes master in combat could activate various runes, leading to an extremely unpredictable and versatile battling style. If one couldn't keep up with the rhythm of a spirit runes master, it was akin to a slow death.

Now controlling just eight spirit runes, he could already simulate various combinations and combat methods in his mind. What about if it were 18, 28, or even 80 runes?

Spirit runes masters were indeed fearsome!

All his spirit runes came from the Talent Tree, which endowed him with the capability to freely construct spirit runes, leading to a certain issue.

Regarding the eight spirit runes he controlled or even those connecting spirit runes, he only knew how to activate them and their effects, but beyond that, he was completely clueless.

It was time to visit Madam Yun.

During his last visit, Madam Yun had told Lu Ye to visit her often, seeing potential in him as a spirit runes master. However, Lu Ye had been busy preparing for the Spirit Stream Defense Battle, urgently advancing his cultivation, so he never found the time to return.

Upon his return, he was busy reorganizing his residence and had even less time.

Initially, Lu Ye didn't know exactly who Madam Yun was, only sensing that her relationship with the sect master was ambiguous.

After inquiring from Shui Yuan, he learned of a rather complicated emotional entanglement. In short, the sect master felt guilty towards Madam Yun, and she held some resentment towards him, yet their relationship in the early years was too deep to sever abruptly.

That's why Madam Yun resided on a spirit mountaintop within the sect headquarters of the Righteous Blood Sect, living a solitary life without interacting with the sect master, with Shui Yuan occasionally visiting to chat with her.

In simple terms, these two were in a stage of living apart due to slight cracks in their relationship yet couldn't bear to let go entirely, only that this separation had lasted years, measured in decades according to Shui Yuan, maintaining this state for several decades.

But Shui Yuan highly admired Madam Yun, for she was an outstanding spirit runes master. If one were to rank the powerful spirit runes masters in the Nine Provinces, Madam Yun would definitely be in the top twenty, and that was decades ago.

In the past few decades, Madam Yun kept a low profile, and apart from the older generation familiar with her, almost the entire Nine Provinces had forgotten about this once brilliantly talented woman.

If Lu Ye wanted to advance in the Path of Spirit Runes, visiting Madam Yun was undoubtedly the best option.

After leaving the training room, he passed through Heaven's Augury Hall and returned to the sect headquarters, locating Shui Yuan, who was researching new recipes.

"You're going to visit Madam Yun?"

"Yes, I want to learn some things about spirit runes from Madam Yun."
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"That makes sense, you hold the heritage of a spirit runes master, and Madam Yun is an expert in the Path of Spirit Runes, her guidance would be perfect for you. Then why are you looking for me? Do you want me to take you there?"

"That won't be necessary, it's not far, and I can go by myself. However, since I am visiting, I shouldn't go empty-handed, I was wondering if I should bring something..."

Shui Yuan pursed her lips and laughed softly, "If you're bringing something, go to Moon Lake and catch a few Blood Red Trouts. Madam Yun likes them but doesn't want to catch them herself because of her status. I always bring some for her every time I go. Also, never mention the sect master in front of her, or the consequences will be severe."

At its peak, the Righteous Blood Sect possessed dozens of spirit mountaintops, occupying a vast expanse of land. However, due to the dwindling of talents over the past few decades, even the Sect Protection Array had been gradually dismantled. Although those dozens of spirit mountaintops were still considered properties of the Righteous Blood Sect, the sect no longer managed them.

Remnants of buildings from the past could still be seen on those mountaintops, barely discernible among the clusters of dilapidated structures, hinting at the sect's former glory.

In the Righteous Blood Sect today, the only places that still had people were Righteous Peak at the very center and Bright Heart Peak where Madam Yun resided.

Moon Lake was located between Righteous Peak and Emerald Bamboo Peak.

With directions from his Second Senior Sister, Lu Ye was about to head to Moon Lake when Amber came bounding over, bumping his big head against Lu Ye, and making a soft woof.

Tigers grow lonely too!

Recently, Lu Ye had been dizzyingly busy, and Yiyi was also occupied. However, Yiyi did not often appear at their station; she spent more time at the sect headquarters because she was learning magic and spells from the sect master.

This left Amber often feeling lonely.

Now being Lu Ye's beast pet and having shared hardships for so long, he was naturally very close to Lu Ye. Hearing the conversation between Lu Ye and Shui Yuan, it knew it was its time to enter the scene.

As the saying goes, "Raise an army for a thousand days, use it for one moment," Amber, as a beast pet, was very conscious of its role.

Perhaps it was because of the pet contract that bound them, but Lu Ye could now vaguely sense its thoughts. Although he did not have Yiyi's miraculous ability to understand what it was saying, he was very close to doing so.

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

Amber immediately perked up and carried Lu Ye toward Moon Lake.

Before long, a crescent-shaped lake appeared in their view. Lu Ye had been here before; Li Baxian used to take him fishing in the Righteous Blood Sect occasionally.

Lu Ye found it rather pointless. If you wanted to eat fish, you could just dive in and catch them, he thought. Why bother fishing?

But Li Baxian always said there was enjoyment to be found in it.

Whether or not Li Baxian was around, Lu Ye naturally wouldn't waste time. He took off his clothes and jumped into the lake, catching several fat Blood Red Trouts in moments.

After getting back onshore and getting dressed, he rode Amber all the way to Bright Heart Peak.

Upon reaching the peak, he dismounted from the tiger's back and, standing in front of Madam Yun's residence, Lu Ye bowed respectfully, "Disciple Lu Ye has come to visit."

"Come in," came Madam Yun's voice from inside immediately.

Lu Ye gave Amber a look, signaling it to wait there for him, and fed it a few elixir pills, before carrying the Blood Red Trouts and stepping inside.

It was the same hall as last time, where Madam Yun stood quietly. Lu Ye bowed, "I've seen Madam Yun."

Madam Yun looked at the gift in his hands and said with a smile, "Did that girl Shui Yuan tell you to bring these?"

"Second Senior Sister mentioned that Madam likes this type of fish, so I casually caught a few," replied Lu Ye.

"Thoughtful of you," Madam Yun waved her hand and a maid-like young girl came forward, smiled faintly at Lu Ye, and took the Blood Red Trouts from his hands.

Lu Ye nodded in acknowledgment and was a bit curious. He hadn't seen this maid during his last visit, so it seemed Madam Yun wasn't living alone after all and still had some attendants around.

However, the maid gave him a strange feeling, but Lu Ye couldn't quite put his finger on what was odd.

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

"I dare not; standing is fine for your disciple," Lu Ye responded.

Madam Yun did not insist and asked, "What brings you here this time?"

"I would like to learn the Path of Spirit Runes from Madam," Lu Ye stated.

"You may, as long as that old undying didn't send you." Madam Yun agreed promptly.

The "old undying" she spoke of was definitely the sect master. Lu Ye pretended not to hear and kept silent.

"Last time you told me you could construct those spirit runes, but beyond those four, you know nothing else about them?" she asked.

"Yes," Lu Ye confirmed.

Madam Yun nodded, "It seems the inheritance you received was indeed incomplete, or perhaps it was the kind where the essence is imparted all at once."