Chapter 1028: Birth of Mo Yue City

Ye Mo was astonished by the man's reasoning. Seeing Ye Mo speechless, the man blustered, "You're an immortal master, and so is our empire. These citizens disobey, so these insects must be killed. I'm considering the city's long-term security. My troops are the empire's elite."

The large, bearded man avoided directly blaming Ye Mo, yet repeatedly invoked the Han Liang empire's immortal master. His implication: the citizens' lives were insignificant compared to his soldiers.

Ye Mo could tolerate no more. He nodded, "You're right; your troops are indeed elite..."

The bearded man, perceiving Ye Mo's hesitation, assumed fear of the Han Liang empire's immortal master. He continued, more confidently, "Our empire's immortal master..."

Before he finished, Ye Mo severed his leg with a wind blade. "Your elite troops require your wise guidance. I'll send you to them as well. Is that acceptable?"

"You... you dare to injure me!" The man sputtered, pointing with trembling fingers. "I'm of the Han Liang royal family! The empire's immortal master won't let you go!"

His bravado quickly faded. While he spoke, Ye Mo slaughtered his entire contingent. "Very well, join them now," Ye Mo said, unleashing countless fireballs.

The bearded man remained defiant to the end, consumed by the flames without a plea for mercy. "The empire's immortal master won't let you go..."

At that moment, Ye Wucai arrived with a dozen wounded soldiers. Seeing the burning bodies, he was stunned. He stammered, "Immortal Master Qian Bei, you... you killed the new city lord, Long Meien..."

Ye Mo calmly replied, "Yes, I killed him."

Ye Wucai, shaken but quickly regaining composure, urged, "Immortal Master Qian Bei, you must leave immediately. The Han Liang empire possesses a powerful immortal master. If they discover this, he will surely come."

"Why should I leave? I find this place agreeable," Ye Mo stated, genuinely captivated by the city's beauty and potential for rebuilding.

"The Han Liang emperor granted the city to Long Meien. His death will trigger an investigation," Ye Wucai said anxiously.

Ye Mo smiled, gazing at the distant mountains, the converging rivers, and the expansive plain. "This city no longer belongs to the Han Liang empire – it belongs to me."

Turning to Ye Wucai, he instructed, "Gather the people, quell the unrest, distribute the palace's wealth to the wronged, and organize the city. You will be the vice city lord. Announce that I, Ye Mo, am the new city lord."

Ye Wucai, impressed by Ye Mo's calm demeanor, straightened, replying, "Yes, City Lord Ye... Huh, Immortal Master Qian Bei, your surname is also Ye?"

Ye Mo nodded.

Ye Wucai, excited, declared, "I will help the Immortal Master restore the city to its former glory. Please do not worry."

Ye Mo regarded Ye Wucai with satisfaction. "Good. Meet me at the city lord's estate when you are finished. Remember, there will be no more Dual River City. This place will be called Mo Yue City."

Ye Mo had long sought a location for Mo Yue City. He'd fallen in love with this site; the lack of spirit chi was inconsequential to him. It was ideal. Once his formation skills reached Grand Master level, he could incorporate the plains and rivers into a comprehensive formation.

"Mo Yue City..." Ye Wucai murmured. "Such a beautiful name. This place will be called Mo Yue City – we belong to Mo Yue City!"

"Yes, we belong to Mo Yue City!" his troops echoed. Few in number, their voices were unified and strong.

A week later, thanks to Ye Wucai's efforts, the city was stable. Ye Mo was pleased with his competence. Ye Wucai arrived with approximately 3,000 soldiers. Ye Mo presented his city plan. "Mo Yue City will be organized thus. Design masters may adjust minor details without consulting me." This plan was based on Ye Xing's design.

"Yes, City Lord Master..." Ye Wucai responded, receiving the plan.

"After this, you will be my disciple. No need to address me as 'City Lord' constantly."

Ye Wucai immediately knelt, exclaiming, "Master!" The opportunity was too good to refuse.

Ye Mo nodded. "Review this plan; inform me of any issues."

Ye Wucai, while bewildered by much of the plan – tidy streets, houses, parks, hospitals, and schools – understood its immense cost. The entire city required rebuilding.

"Master, this... how much will this cost? The treasury holds considerable gold, but after compensating victims, it will be insufficient. This is essentially rebuilding the entire city..." Ye Wucai stammered.

Ye Mo smiled. "Indeed, that is my intention. This will be our cultivation site. As for gold, that is easily acquired."

With a wave, a massive pile of gold bricks – several hundred tons – materialized. This was gold taken from a U.S. gold depot, finally put to use. This was merely a portion.

"Wow, so many gold bricks!" Ye Wucai had never seen such wealth.

"Convert them to coins; this should suffice for Mo Yue City's restoration. Once rebuilt, I will establish a defensive formation..."

Ye Mo prioritized city construction before defensive and spirit-gathering formations. He envisioned Mo Yue City as the most beautiful and secure city on the Luo Yue continent.

He then gave Ye Wucai a jade card. "A simple formation protects this house; only the jade card grants entry. I require solitary cultivation. In an emergency, crush the card."

"Yes, Master, I will build the city well." Ye Wucai paused, then asked, "What if the Han Liang empire's immortal master arrives?"

Ye Mo, realizing the city's unimportance to the Han Liang empire within the vast Luo Yue continent, believed the empire wouldn't antagonize a Nascent Soul cultivator over a small city.

"If someone comes, give him this jade rune. If he proves uncooperative, crush the jade card." Ye Mo presented a simple jade rune imbued with his nearly tertiary-stage Nascent Soul spirit sense. Ordinary cultivators wouldn't dare disrespect it.

Ye Mo then left the city to find a secluded spot to enter the Golden Page world. Power was essential. His Nascent Soul cultivation significantly enhanced his abilities, yet his purpose wasn't cultivation, but the refinement of the Mist Lotus Heart Fire. Old Man Kong Ye had given him a Fire Lotus Heart Ore during his Golden Core stage; he'd lacked the power to utilize it then. Now, at Nascent Soul level two, it was time to upgrade his heaven fire.