Chapter 1004: Arrangements Before Departure

Had he attempted to connect with Mo Yue initially, it would have been far more effective; now, it felt superfluous. With the Wang Yue Sect's backing, who would dare oppose Mo Yue?

Ye Mo, sensing a familiar aura from Qi Ziyu, recalled the city lord's prior spiritual sense probe. Rising, he offered a respectful fist salute. "Qi Qianbei, my recent engagements prevented a timely visit. Your presence today deeply honors me." Both Ye Mo and Qi Ziyu understood a visit would likely have been fruitless.

Su Jianhu's assessment of Ye Mo had shifted. He anticipated a subtle mention of the Wang Yue Sect's support for Mo Yue, but Ye Mo remained silent.

"Association Leader Ye, your youth and accomplishments are remarkable. To be the Pill Concoction Hall's top alchemist at such a young age—I regret my belated visit," Qi Ziyu said, saluting Su Jianhu. "Elder Su of the esteemed Wang Yue Sect, greetings."

Su Jianhu responded with a casual greeting. He owed Qi Ziyu no particular courtesy; were it not for Ye Mo, he wouldn't have even deigned to meet him. A Hollow Spirit State Tertiary Stage cultivator like himself? Pei Hai City's reputation meant little; the Wang Yue Sect could annihilate it with a mere gesture.

Ye Mo remained silent. Su Jianhu, realizing this, interjected, "I seek Pill Master Ye's assistance. Henceforth, Mo Yue's affairs are the Wang Yue Sect's affairs. Since Mo Yue is in Pei Hai City, City Lord Qi, please extend your protection."

"Certainly, certainly," Qi Ziyu eagerly replied, turning to Ye Mo. "Pill Master Ye, Mo Yue's concerns are now Pei Hai City's concerns. Should any issues arise, come to me directly."

Ye Mo, too, awaited this assurance. Only with the combined support of the Wang Yue Sect and Pei Hai City could he depart for South Peace State with peace of mind.

"Thank you, Elder Su and City Lord Qi. While I am in South Peace State, please ensure Mo Yue's safety," Ye Mo said, bowing respectfully.

Qi Ziyu breathed a sigh of relief, astonished by Ye Mo's planned journey to South Peace State, clearly with the Wang Yue Sect's backing. He was relieved Ye Mo hadn't requested Su Jianhu's military intervention in Pei Hai City, but instead sought his aid.

Ye Mo produced the stalagmite marrow wine and poured three cups.

"This is the wine Li Ruhe attempted to steal?" Qi Ziyu instantly recognized it.

"Stalagmite marrow wine…" Su Jianhu and Qi Ziyu echoed simultaneously.

"You possess thousand-year stalagmite marrow wine?" Su Jianhu stared, incredulous. Even Truth Realization State cultivators coveted such a substance.

Qi Ziyu finally understood Li Ruhe's motive. He himself would have attempted to steal it.

Ye Mo sneered. Were Su Jianhu not present to solicit his aid, and were Qi Ziyu not wary of the Wang Yue Sect, these two might well have clashed over it. He had offered the wine after careful deliberation.

Responding to their inquiries, Ye Mo nodded. "Indeed, wine brewed from thousand-year stalagmite marrow…" He continued, "During my Foundation Establishment state, I obtained five drops of thousand-year stalagmite marrow…"

"What? You obtained five drops?" Qi Ziyu and Su Jianhu reacted with astonishment and dawning comprehension.

Ye Mo feigned indifference. "I didn't grasp its significance. I used two drops to ferment this wine; the remaining three are here…"

Both immediately stood, fully aware of the stalagmite marrow's priceless value. The desire to acquire it warred with the prohibitive cost. One drop was worth one hundred million spirit stones. Even three hundred million would severely strain their resources, and procuring that sum would prove immensely difficult.

After consuming the wine, both felt a surge in power, confirming it wasn't an illusion; the wine had neutralized the pill poison in their bodies. Pill poison was a cultivator's greatest fear. Avoiding pills meant forgoing higher cultivation, no matter one's talent. Higher-level pills contained less poison, but were harder to remove. Without pill poison, cultivators could consume numerous pills and attain Truth Realization, but such was impossible.

Seizing the opportune moment, Ye Mo addressed Su Jianhu. "Elder Su, the Spirit Recovery Pill's true main ingredient isn't the spirit recovery vine; the lack of the actual ingredient led to its use as a substitute, weakening its efficacy and introducing side effects."

Su Jianhu was visibly agitated. "Then, even if you concoct the Spirit Recovery Pill, it’s…"

Qi Ziyu then realized the Wang Yue Sect's purpose in seeking Ye Mo's services.

Ye Mo smiled. "Elder Su, please allow me to explain."

After Su Jianhu regained his composure, Ye Mo continued, "The Wang Yue Sect requires the Spirit Recovery Pill because someone suffered irreparable spiritual sense damage."

"That's correct," Su Jianhu nodded numbly.

Ye Mo nodded. "While the spirit recovery vine is not the true ingredient, I know what it is."

"What is it?" Su Jianhu asked directly.

"Thousand-year stalagmite marrow. But don't worry, I have three drops remaining; sufficient for a cauldron of Spirit Recovery Pills…"

Qi Ziyu's disappointment was palpable. He had intended to barter for some of the marrow, but it was now destined for pill concoction.

Su Jianhu, however, was elated, before a new thought caused him to look at Ye Mo awkwardly. "In that case, we shall be deeply indebted to Pill Master Ye…"

Ye Mo thought, I said all this precisely to deepen your indebtedness. He laughed. "Elder Su, you're too kind. After leaving Pei Hai, I require your continued protection of Mo Yue."

Su Jianhu finally understood and pounded his chest. "Pill Master Ye, rest assured. My sect will dispatch a Hollow Spirit State elder to safeguard Mo Yue for several decades."

"That's unnecessary. Ten years of protection would suffice," Ye Mo replied. He believed Li Yuqian could reach Hollow Spirit State within a decade with his available resources.

Qi Ziyu rose. "Pill Master Ye, have no concerns. Mo Yue will be secure in Pei Hai."

With their assurances, Ye Mo was finally at ease. He produced another kettle, dividing the remaining wine equally between the two cultivators. Both expressed profound gratitude.

…

Qi Ziyu departed jubilant, having forged a connection with the Wang Yue Sect and acquired the wine. Su Jianhu remained to await Ye Mo's pill concoction.