Chapter 1024: Ye Mo’s Divine Damnation
“Elder Tian, Aofeng may have been only a Golden Core Stage Level Eight cultivator, but few Golden Core Stage Level Nine cultivators in South Peace State could have killed him and prevented his escape,” another Cauldron Filling Stage cultivator remarked.
Elder Tian sneered, about to retort, when the cultivator at the head of the table waved a hand, silencing them. He pondered a moment before asking, “What is the name of this Golden Core Stage Level Nine cultivator?”
“My search of Mo Hai City records reveals the cultivator is named Mo Ying, a solitary practitioner,” a Body Condensation Stage cultivator replied.
“Mo Ying?” the leading cultivator repeated. “Regardless of the name’s authenticity, investigate this individual immediately.”
…
Ling Xiaoshuang, upon hearing that Tian Aofeng’s killer was named Mo Ying, sensed something amiss. A core disciple of a nine-star sect would possess considerable escape abilities. The fact that a Golden Core Stage Level Nine cultivator could kill Tian Aofeng and prevent his flight indicated exceptional prowess. Even Xiao Fei couldn't have easily killed Tian Aofeng, let alone stopped his escape. The killer's identity seemed clear—Ye Mo, using the alias Mo Ying.
Ling Xiaoshuang’s concern mounted. She worried whether Lightning Cloud Sect would consider the Golden Core Stage trial tablet. Her master had mentioned few knew about the Soar Into Existence technique, but as a nine-star sect, wouldn’t Lightning Cloud Sect be aware? Fortunately, she had filled in the tablet's inscriptions. She decided to return to her sect immediately.
…
It was the sixth day of Ye Mo’s flight. If Lightning Cloud Sect learned he killed Tian Aofeng, escape to North Far State would be futile; it would only endanger Song Yangzhu and the others. He considered Luo Ying and Ning Qingxue. Would they be implicated? Even if not, would they remain passive if they knew he was in Lightning Cloud Sect's grasp?
Ning Qingxue belonged to an eight-star sect. If Lightning Cloud Sect discovered her connection to Ye Mo and demanded her handover from Ethereal Immortal Pond, the latter wouldn't dare resist. Susu's sect, though a nine-star sect, had significantly declined, even surpassing some eight-star sects in weakness.
This realization chilled Ye Mo. His only recourse was to avoid detection. He abandoned the idea of finding Ning Qingxue and Luo Ying, fearing any connection would be disastrous.
‘Power, I need power!’ he cursed, needing to reach Nascent Soul Stage and beyond. To confront Lightning Cloud Sect, he needed at least Disaster Transformation Stage strength; they possessed Truth Realization Stage cultivators.
Two months later, in a secluded valley in South Peace State, Ye Mo constructed a massive spirit-gathering formation, shielded by a stealth formation. He planned to break through to the Nascent Soul Stage. This remote location, far from South Peace City, ensured even Truth Realization Stage cultivators would have difficulty finding him. While the area was spiritually barren, its worthlessness was its advantage for his cultivation. He possessed abundant spirit stones and spirit crystals, prioritizing a swift breakthrough to avoid attention. He would have preferred the Golden Page World, but its incomplete laws prevented that. Except for the spirit range, he was fully prepared. The valley, though arid, still surpassed North Far State, and his enhanced spirit-gathering formation, fueled by high-grade spirit stones, provided sufficient spiritual energy.
Ye Mo, at the peak of the Golden Core Stage, consumed Cao Huan pills and began the Three Birth Chant. Spiritual energy surged into his body. He focused on absorbing the energy to form his nascent soul. An observer would see the spiritual energy around him almost solidify as he depleted ten million top-grade spirit stones. His power and cultivation essence intensified, his golden core spinning faster than ever before. Simultaneously, a searing pain tore through his meridians, threatening to burst him. Then, his golden core slowed and cracked.
The core's cracking signified the most perilous moment, a point where many cultivators failed. He tried to protect it with his cultivation essence, when a thunderous rumble shook the sky. Clouds obscured the clear sky; the sound emanated from above. The divine tribulation arrived far sooner than expected. Li Yuqian’s breakthrough hadn't been nearly this swift. Lightning bolts, each the size of a baby's arm, struck towards him—nine in all.
Despite his lightning spirit root and ability to absorb lightning, he couldn't absorb such a terrifying tribulation so quickly. Even with the Three Birth Chant at its peak, he was scorched. His meridians cracked and healed repeatedly. After the first nine bolts, he was covered in wounds. A half-dao artifact shielded him from further injury. His power increased, yet he felt no joy; three more waves, twenty-seven bolts remained. He abandoned his golden core, erecting formations. He had underestimated the tribulation's intensity. He hastily constructed a lightning storage formation after a lightning attraction formation.
Just as he laid the foundation, the second wave struck—nine more bolts, but in sets of three. Before he could fully absorb the first three, the next fell; the same for the final three. His barely-healed wounds worsened. As he continued the Three Birth Chant, his power increased even further. This lightning injury proved superior to consuming heaven glory pills.
The third wave brought relief. His lightning storage formation was complete. Five bolts entered the formation, and he absorbed the remaining four. Now, the lightning only strengthened him, doing no further damage. Before the fourth wave, he was absorbing the stored lightning. He felt pure lightning spirit power, delighted. This method was perfect, not wasting a single bit of power.