Chapter 1005: Skyrocketing Power

Ye Mo crafted nine spirit recovery pills in a single refining session, though he didn't utilize all three drops of ten-thousand-year stalagmite marrow. He avoided using previously made pills, aware of the heightened sensitivity of Hollow Spirit cultivators to a pill's age.

"Three spirit recovery pills?" Su Jianhu's hands trembled as he held the vial Ye Mo offered. He only required one, yet received three. His experience confirmed their freshness.

Ye Mo readily provided the extra pills. His primary concern was Wang Yue Sect's commitment to assisting Mo Yue. Failure to reciprocate his considerable effort would demonstrate unacceptable selfishness.

"You truly are a Pill King…" Su Jianhu gazed at Ye Mo with renewed awe. Such youthful mastery was unprecedented. Even Cheng Yejun, a multiple first-place winner, was only a Level One Pill King. Could Ye Mo, capable of concocting spirit recovery pills at such a young age, be a Level Three Pill King?

Ye Mo smiled, "The spirit recovery pill is indeed a Heaven Grade Level Three pill, but that's solely due to the ten-thousand-year stalagmite marrow. Even a Level One Pill King could create it."

He withheld his actual Pill King level. While Wang Yue Sect was cultivating a relationship, their need for him was the driving force. The implications of revealing a Level Three or Four ranking were too unpredictable.

"I see…" Su Jianhu relaxed. He'd assumed Ye Mo was at most a Level One Pill King with a unique technique. A Level Three Pill King of such tender years would be overwhelming.

Achieving Level One Pill King status at his age was exceedingly rare. Even if the Sect Leader's wife weren't injured, Ye Mo was invaluable to cultivate a connection with.

Since the Yang Hai Merchant Association incident, Mo Yue had solidified its position in Pei Hai. Several powerful independent cultivators joined their ranks, fueling business expansion. Moreover, Mo Yue and the City Lord's Estate collaborated on two auctions, featuring spirit weaving pills and blue wen pills—items that sent shockwaves through Pei Hai, rapidly elevating Mo Yue's reputation.

However, Ye Mo prevented Mo Yue from engaging in coastal trade, avoiding conflict with the Ao Chang Merchant Association. The spirit weaving and blue wen pills were sufficient to establish Mo Yue's dominance in Pei Hai. Only Ye Mo could produce the spirit weaving pill, and he had no immediate plans to make Mo Yue the largest merchant association in North Far State.

Had he desired that, he wouldn't have sold spirit weaving and blue wen pills; he would have offered foundation establishment pills, cultivation-enhancing pills, and soul condensation pills. Yet, Ye Mo knew he lacked the necessary power to openly sell these in Pei Hai.

Even for the spirit recovery pills, he'd strategically used the five drops of ten-thousand-year stalagmite marrow to build influence. Otherwise, trouble would have ensued.

Mo Yue was progressing well. Song Yangzhu, Ye Ling, and the others prioritized cultivation over business, anticipating Ye Mo's departure for South Peace State.

Song Yangzhu regretted his impending journey but understood his reasoning. Matters in Pei Hai were settled, and he was concerned about Luo Ying and others in South Peace State. To join him sooner, she needed to diligently cultivate and reach the Hollow Spirit state.

Su Jingwen and Ye Ling shared this sentiment, as did Li Yuqian and Zhen Xiaoshan. South Peace State's cultivation resources far surpassed North Far State's. With Ye Mo's support—a Level Four Pill King—their cultivation would accelerate.

Su Jingwen had hoped to consummate her relationship with Ye Mo after achieving foundation establishment, but his departure for South Peace State altered her plans. Her exceptional talent and awakened hidden spirit root would allow for even faster cultivation if she remained a virgin. Uncertain of his return, she aimed to reach the Hollow Spirit state swiftly to join him in South Peace State.

Su Jingwen believed reaching the Hollow Spirit state was within her reach. This cultivation fervor permeated Mo Yue; everyone focused on advancement, wasting no time.

Ye Mo resumed solitary cultivation, aiming to reach the Golden Core state peak before leaving for South Peace State. He entered the Golden Page world and began refining Heaven Glory pills on the spirit range.

Gradually, Mo Yue transformed Pei Hai into a region wealthier than its bordering territories. Pei Hai City's population boomed thanks to the interstate teleportation formation, supported by a Level Eight spirit gathering formation—a rarity, even for eight-star sects. Its benefits extended beyond those within its radius.

Mo Yue's rise brought stability to Pei Hai City. Their fair prices and refusal to exploit the weak further cemented their positive influence.

Half a year later, Ye Mo had completely spirit-refined three Heaven Glory pills and reached Golden Core state, level nine. He'd initially anticipated reaching the peak within three months, but underestimated his spirit chi requirements. Even with potent pills and cultivation on a spirit range, the journey from Golden Core level six to nine consumed half a year.

Emerging from seclusion, he found that besides Song Yangzhu, who awaited him, Su Jingwen and Ye Ling were in solitary cultivation, and Li Yuqian hadn't emerged at all.

"Are you leaving?" Song Yangzhu's voice held a hint of sadness. Her cultivation progress had been limited, reaching only Golden Core level two.

Ye Mo nodded. "Let's take a walk."

Ye Mo and Song Yangzhu strolled through the bustling streets, but a melancholic air hung over Song Yangzhu.

"Jingwen and Ye Ling are cultivating; why not you?" Ye Mo attempted to lighten the mood.

Song Yangzhu replied softly, "I feared solitary cultivation would prevent me from seeing you one last time."

Ye Mo paused, then reassured her, "Yangzhu, don't worry. I won't stay long in South Peace State before returning to bring you all there. North Far State lacks many things, but who knows what South Peace State holds? Perhaps one day I'll even find a flying ship capable of traversing the Heartless Sea."

He added, "Pei Hai City won't be our permanent home; it's a branch, not our own city. Perhaps one day, we'll have our own—Mo Yue City."