Chapter 1003: City Lord Visit

Ye Mo calmly replied, “That’s correct; I can concoct the Spirit Recovery Pill. But what relevance does this have to you, senior?”

The old Hollow Spirit State cultivator appeared momentarily stunned. It was clear Ye Mo’s respectful address wasn’t born of fear or genuine deference, but solely of the cultivator’s superior power level. Yet, instead of anger, the old man’s face lit up. He hadn't expected the Pill Concoction Hall's number one to actually possess this skill.

Although only a Level Three Pill King could theoretically concoct the Spirit Recovery Pill, Ye Mo's unique methods might allow him to succeed despite being only a Level One Pill King.

The Hollow Spirit State cultivator rose, stating, “I am Su Jianhu of the Wang Yue Sect. My visit to Pei Hai City was solely to meet Pill Master Ye. Your reputation is well-deserved; you truly can concoct the Spirit Recovery Pill. Our sect leader wishes to invite you as a guest to Wang Yue Peak…”

Ye Mo immediately grasped the situation. Wang Yue Sect was one of North Far State's two eight-star sects; Sect Leader Shan Shi was reputed to be a Disaster Transformation State cultivator. The news likely originated with Pu Yufeng, who clearly possessed considerable influence. Securing a recommendation would be effortless if this concoction proved successful. Pu Yufeng, however, greatly overestimated the ease of concocting a Spirit Recovery Pill—a Heaven Grade Level Three pill.

Even Level Three Pill Kings couldn't guarantee success; sometimes, even Level Seven Pill Kings failed. The primary obstacle was the rarity of the Spirit Recovery Vine.

Seeing Ye Mo remained silent, Su Jianhu added, “I understand Pill Master Ye intends to develop in South Peace State. Assisting Wang Yue Sect with a Spirit Recovery Pill would ensure your recommendation.”

Ye Mo, realizing their desperation for the pill and the probable source of the information regarding his relocation plans, nodded. “That’s correct. I plan to go to South Peace State. However, I require not one, but four or five recommendations.”

Su Jianhu’s face fell. “Impossible. Even the combined recommendations of North Far State's three Disaster Transformation State cultivators wouldn't yield that many spots. Our sect leader has only obtained one in the past three years. Furthermore, beyond the recommendations themselves, the activation cost of the teleportation formation is exorbitant.”

“The activation cost?” Ye Mo, a Level Five Formation Grandmaster, understood that distance directly impacted cost. The teleportation formation he'd established in Pei Hai City consumed two extreme-grade spirit stones. He estimated a journey from North Far State to South Peace State would necessitate at least a Level Nine formation—the work of a Formation Grandmaster. He recalled the commonly stated cost of one million spirit stones.

Su Jianhu scoffed. “Do you believe one million spirit stones suffices for a single trip? To my knowledge, teleporting from North Far State to South Peace State requires nine extreme-grade spirit stones and one hundred low-grade spirit crystals, per trip. One million top-grade spirit stones? That's insufficient for a single material component.”

Ye Mo was shocked. While aware spirit stones powered teleportation formations, he’d never encountered such material requirements. If this was standard, the sheer material waste across the cultivation realm's teleportation network was staggering. He possessed only five extreme-grade spirit stones, having used two for his Pei Hai City formation. His spirit crystal reserves were limited to those from the Spirit Marrow Pond in the Herb Plain, and each teleportation required one hundred. Now, he learned that spirit crystals also possessed grades.

Su Jianhu sighed, “Your unfamiliarity with formations explains your ignorance.”

“Ordinary formations wouldn’t incur such waste, but the inter-state distance, coupled with the Level Nine formation itself, necessitates it. The top cultivators of North Far State and South Peace State spent years constructing it, consuming countless materials. This is the operational limit. Even the best Formation Grandmasters in South Peace State are only Level Nine,” Su Jianhu explained.

Ye Mo considered the small world's teleportation formation, capable of transporting individuals anywhere on the Luo Yue Continent. The material and spirit stone consumption must have been astronomical. Yet, no one in the small world exchanged resources or spirit stones. It must be of a far higher level than the current formation.

What kind of formation could facilitate countless teleports without consuming spirit stones? What power did it utilize? He couldn't comprehend anything superior to extreme-grade spirit stones, or formations surpassing Level Nine. He likely hadn't yet attained the required level of understanding. Shaking his head, he conceded that securing even one recommendation was a significant achievement.

His suspicions about the teleportation formation deepened. The substantial cost of transporting geniuses to South Peace State implied an ulterior motive, though he couldn't determine what it might be. He knew questioning Su Jianhu would be futile.

Su Jianhu offered, “Only one spot to South Peace State is guaranteed, but I can assist with any other requests.”

Ye Mo recognized this as the best offer he could expect.

“My concern is Mo Yue. Many harbor resentment towards her. I fear reprisals after my departure,” Ye Mo said, looking at Su Jianhu.

Su Jianhu chuckled. “That’s easily handled. I’m aware of your predicament. I’ve dispatched individuals to warn the Yang Hai Merchant Association; they may have already returned.”

Zhen Xiaoshan entered, informing Ye Mo that the Yang Hai Merchant Association had left Pei Hai City and compensated Mo Yue with one hundred million spirit stones. He also delivered another piece of news: the City Lord of Pei Hai, Qi Ziyu, had arrived for a visit.

Ye Mo was speechless. This was the undeniable advantage of power. While he'd worried about the Yang Hai Merchant Association, it was a trivial matter for Su Jianhu. Eight-star sects certainly possessed such authority.

City Lord Qi Ziyu, a Hollow Spirit State Tertiary Stage cultivator, had deigned to visit Mo Yue—a clear indication of the eight-star sect's influence.

“Please enter and be seated, City Lord Qi,” Ye Mo said, remaining seated. He harbored no affection for Qi Ziyu and sought only to avoid offense. The City Lord’s inaction during the Yang Hai Merchant Association's harassment revealed a character similar to that of River State's Zhag Chengfeng.

Ye Mo didn't disdain such individuals, merely recognizing their unworthiness of his connection.

Qi Ziyu stood outside, uneasy. He had only just learned that Ye Mo was the Pill Concoction Hall's number one, and now Su Jianhu had visited. He regretted not establishing contact earlier, even before Wang Yue Sect's visit. This was a lost opportunity. He knew this visit was ill-timed, but he had no choice.