Chapter 162 - 142: Tier Eight - Space Grasp Skill_2
The environment in the Outer Sea is harsh, and one is caught between two opposing forces. Unless absolutely necessary, who would choose to stay here?
“Who is the madman of the Cluster Stars Sect?”
“Naturally, it’s…”
Satisfied that he had gathered enough information, Xu Mu did not waste any more time and prepared to bid his leave.
However, before leaving, he had one more task to accomplish.
He invoked a flight skill and slowly flew towards the enormous spinal bone above his head, reaching it in no time.
Gazing at the whale-beast’s spine that emitted a faint white glow, resembling a colossal dragon, Xu Mu was once again awestruck by the pure enormity of the land-cracking whale.
“If it were alive, a slight movement could probably trigger a tsunami! It truly deserves to be the strongest creature in the ocean!”
As he muttered this, he released his Divine Intent, letting it permeate into the spinal bone to thoroughly investigate. As expected, he sensed an energetic lifeforce within it.
Just as Xu Mu intended to probe deeper, a dense array of runes appeared, blocking his Divine Intent.
Xu Mu tried several methods, but none could pierce through. Hence, extracting the essence from within became mere idle talk.
It likely was due to the existence of this formation that the space hadn’t collapsed, and why the Iron Corpse Gang hadn’t taken the essence first.
Even though he had no option, and the Iron Corpse Gang had none either, Lu Jingkong, as a Nascent Soul expert, would surely have a way.
After all, it was she who confessed to having extracted it before.
“I wonder if the senior can disclose the method of extraction?”
Xu Mu asked in his mind.
He expected Lu Jingkong to give him a hard time, but to his surprise, she openly revealed it to him, even explaining the subtle details.
Once Xu Mu fully comprehended it and opened his system panel to check, he found a new skill listed.
[Tier-Eight Space Grasp Skill Initiated; 243/1.28W]!
“This is the first time I’ve encountered a tier-eight skill, but —”
He was no fool to believe the other party would be so kind-hearted.
However, the blood essence of the Land-Cracking Whale was too tempting to abandon.
Xu Mu hesitated for a moment before starting to learn the Space Grasp Skill, hoping to uncover its mysteries.
The process of upgrading one’s capacity in the Space Grasp Skill didn’t consume energy, just requiring some effort for receiving and retaining the memory.
It took Xu Mu several days to attain proficiency in the skill.
As the skill’s realm elevated, the many mysteries of the Space Grasp skill began to manifest.
A slight smile played on Xu Mu’s lips. He finally understood why Lu Jingkong was so generous.
Space Grasp Skill was actually a combat skill by which one could conjure invisible giant hands outside the body for offence and defence. Its power was immense and it could catch opponents off-guard.
Extracting the essence from the spinal column was just one of its insignificant features.
By teaching Xu Mu this secret skill, Lu Jingkong had essentially hoped that he would disrupt or affect the formation in the spine during the extraction process, giving her an opportunity to escape.
In reality, it was a blatant scheme. For Xu Mu to extract the essence within, he would inevitably have to damage the formation that was serving as a seal.
To avoid damaging the formation, he would need to give up on the extraction.
However, that was before he had improved his capacity in the Space Grasp Skill.
With his current proficiency, he could extract a small amount of spinal essence without damaging the formation.
Lu Jingkong likely never dreamt that Xu Mu would be able to master a tier-eight skill in just a few days.
“Boundless beyond measure, Earth and Heaven’s Space Grasp…”
Xu Mu stood in mid-air, his eyes shut tight, fingers forming the spell, continuously chanting the incantation. His voice was low and powerful as if it came from the depths of the underworld. His body started shaking slightly, like he was handling an enormous amount of energy.
After all, it was a tier-eight skill, which could only be used by those at the Golden Core Stage. Being at the Foundation Establishment Stage, Xu Mu was obviously straining.
If his strength wasn’t formidable enough, even if he did learn the skill, he wouldn’t be able to execute it.
Even if he somehow managed to conjure the skill, he wouldn’t be able to control it accurately, and he would fall into Lu Jingkong’s trap.
Buzz!
As the incantation was being chanted continuously, three large, illusory energy arms started forming behind Xu Mu. These arms seemed very real, as if one could touch them.
“How is this possible!!!”
Lu Jingkong was startled to see the three arms.
Only individuals who have mastered the Space Grasp Skill can form three Spiritual Power arms after casting the spell.
A Foundation Establishment Stage cultivator mastering a tier-eight skill in just a few days!!
What kind of freak is he?!!
Moreover, he didn’t just master the skill, he could execute it.
To know that tier-eight skills are typically used effortlessly by cultivators with a mid-tier Golden Core. Even those at the early-stage Golden Core would struggle.
Meaning, although this kid is at the late stage of Foundation Establishment, his internal Spiritual Power is not weaker than an early stage Golden Core’s.
Damn it!
Lu Jingkong couldn’t help cursing.
She intentionally taught Xu Mu a tier-eight skill, hoping he wouldn’t successfully execute it. Then she planned on teaching him some shortcuts to form a Spiritual Power arm with many defects.
When the time came to extract the essence, an accident was likely to occur, largely damaging the formation.
Then, she would have a chance to escape.
But she hadn’t even dreamt that not only would the other party master it, they’d also be able to execute it.
Although it appeared to be a great effort, as long as he could execute it, with this skill alone, Xu Mu had the combat strength of an early-stage Golden Core.
No matter how frustrated Lu Jingkong looked, there was nothing she could do..