Chapter 1001: Mysterious Mo Yue

“According to my information, you’re the newest Pill Concoction Hall of Fame number one, but you offended the Ghost Immortal Sect and sought asylum here. Perhaps you even intended to go to South Peace State,” Pu Yufeng observed, addressing Ye Mo.

Ye Mo inwardly sneered. He hadn’t sought publicity, but knew that a thorough investigation would reveal the truth. Even if the Ghost Immortal Sect arrived, he wasn't afraid. He'd heard they possessed only one Hollow Spirit state cultivator. Having killed the Yang Hai Merchant Association's Hollow Spirit state cultivator, he felt confident in dispatching theirs as well.

As for the Immortal Treasure Tower and All Pill Tower, he was unconcerned. Only lower-ranking members held grudges; they wouldn't act in unison. Furthermore, he believed that eliminating the Yang Hai Merchant Association would forge an alliance with Pei Hai City, deterring further aggression, even from the Ghost Immortal Sect.

Noticing Ye Mo's smirk, Pu Yufeng hastened to add, “I’m not seeking to barter this information. I know your presence here indicates no fear of the Ghost Immortal Sect. I'm merely proposing a deal, Association Leader Ye. Agreement is welcome; refusal is equally acceptable. This conversation remains confidential.”

Ye Mo, unwilling to embarrass the shrewd Pu Yufeng, replied, “Be direct, then. Since Mo Yue is openly established here, we fear no one.”

Pu Yufeng, sensing Ye Mo's discomfort, chuckled wryly. “Association Leader Ye, the journey to South Peace State is arduous. Even Hollow Spirit state cultivators under 300 years old require special access to the teleportation formation. Ordinary individuals have no such access. But if you wish to go, I have a method…”

Ye Mo was astonished. This ordinary Golden Core state cultivator possessed a means to reach South Peace State? Why hadn't he gone himself? South Peace State was far superior to North Far State.

Pu Yufeng continued, “Association Leader Ye likely knows that those not yet in the Hollow Spirit state require the recommendation of a North Far State Disaster Transformation state cultivator…”

“You have a way to secure such a recommendation?” Ye Mo asked.

Pu Yufeng nodded. “While I cannot directly obtain a recommendation, I can arrange for a Disaster Transformation state cultivator to seek your assistance, at which point you can make your request.”

Ye Mo, remaining calm, inquired, “State your condition.”

Pu Yufeng’s face flushed with excitement. “I desire a Nascent Soul state pill—either a Cao Huan Pill or a Soul Condensation Pill.”

Ye Mo responded, “Mo Yue is a fledgling merchant association. Do you believe we possess such pills?”

As if anticipating this, Pu Yufeng produced a formation disk, placing it before Ye Mo. “This formation disk, passed down through my ancestors, is added to the deal. My family are formation masters, though my generation lacks the prowess of our ancestors.”

“A level six defense formation disk?” Ye Mo was again taken aback. As a level five formation grandmaster, he could only craft level three and four disks. He lacked the materials for a level five disk, and even if he had them, its creation would be beyond his capabilities. Yet, Pu Yufeng had presented a level six disk.

Even without the Disaster Transformation state cultivator’s recommendation, this level six formation disk alone sufficed. Ye Mo examined it intently before sighing, “Indeed, a level six defense formation disk. Each one commands 100,000 top-grade spirit stones—a considerable sum.”

Pu Yufeng smiled sheepishly. He knew its value and potential selling price, but as a Golden Core state cultivator, attempting to sell such a powerful artifact risked his life. He’d decided to approach Ye Mo after noticing Mo Yue’s level five defensive formation. He reasoned that a level five formation grandmaster wouldn't kill for a formation disk, particularly given his preparations.

“Agreed. Here is a Cao Huan Pill.” Ye Mo, foregoing further discussion of South Peace State, handed Pu Yufeng the pill.

Pu Yufeng, still incredulous, his hands trembling with excitement, exclaimed, “A special grade Cao Huan Pill?”

Ye Mo, after a brief examination, put it away. “I’m curious how you knew I possessed a Cao Huan Pill.”

Pu Yufeng, now respectful and slightly fearful, cautiously explained, “When Li Qianbei was with Association Leader Ye, she was only a tertiary stage Golden Core state cultivator, yet attained the Nascent Soul state within a short time. Recently, Manager Li also reached the Nascent Soul state…”

Ye Mo understood; if Pu Yufeng could deduce this, so could others. He then reasoned that, capable of slaying Hollow Spirit state cultivators, he had little to fear from Golden Core and Nascent Soul state cultivators.

Pu Yufeng rose and saluted. “Association Leader Ye, I will promptly arrange for the Disaster Transformation state cultivator to contact you.”

Ye Mo nodded, dismissing Pu Yufeng. He desperately wanted to reach South Peace State, but the recommendation would only benefit him. He felt conflicted.

At the door, Pu Yufeng turned back. “Association Leader Ye, regarding the Yang Hai Merchant Association’s previous visitors, worry not; Association Leader Yang Youkang has gone to South Peace State. He won’t return for several years. Only two Nascent Soul state cultivators remain.”

“Thank you,” Ye Mo breathed a sigh of relief. In a few years, with his pill supply, Mo Yue might even possess its own Hollow Spirit state cultivators.

…

While the conflict between Mo Yue and the Yang Hai Merchant Association continued to be debated, Mo Yue unexpectedly commenced business, revealing an astonishing event: the Yang Hai Merchant Association, employing a Hollow Spirit state, five Nascent Soul state, and five Golden Core state cultivators, had robbed Mo Yue's leader of their possessions.

This stunned everyone, yet the crystalline record left no room for doubt. The item's name was withheld, but its preciousness was universally understood.

Pei Hai City erupted in uproar. A Hollow Spirit state cultivator had robbed a Golden Core state cultivator and declared their actions inconsequential.

The Yang Hai Merchant Association's reputation plummeted. This wasn't the end. Mo Yue issued a demand: compensation and apology, relinquishing their land, and 100 million spirit stones in compensation.

How dare a newly established merchant association make such demands and expel the Yang Hai Merchant Association from Pei Hai?

But the situation was more complex. It soon emerged that the eleven cultivators who’d raided Mo Yue hadn’t reappeared. Mo Yue had become intensely mysterious.