Chapter 1030: Ten Secret Realms – Truth Fall Palace

You Shanping mused, "No matter your strength, you're too young. At most, you're a nascent soul state tertiary stage cultivator. How can an empire exist without power? Do you think I'm the only nascent soul state cultivator? Besides, which nascent soul cultivator would lack ambition, robbing this barren land devoid of spiritual energy?"

But You Shanping said smoothly, "The emperor learned of Mo Yue City's new owner and sent me to establish future relations. From now on, City Lord Ye, you will be the city lord. However, I'm also here for another matter…"

Ye Mo understood that You Shanping wasn't attempting to reclaim Mo Yue City after witnessing his power. He sighed; high power was indeed advantageous. He'd declared his intent to take the city, and the empire's immortal master agreed without even consulting the emperor. This was the first time Ye Mo truly felt the benefits of significant power. He knew the world's order was founded on power. If his power were weaker, Mo Yue City wouldn't be his for long.

Although cultivators currently scorned Mo Yue City, if he established a spirit range and a spirit-gathering formation beneath the city, cultivators would flock to it. Therefore, until he possessed sufficient power, Ye Mo could only establish a defensive formation.

Ye Mo, no longer aggressive, asked, "What other business do you have, Dao Friend?"

"I only just considered this upon seeing City Lord Ye's youth—have you heard of the Truth Fall Palace?" You Shanping inquired.

He paused, then answered for Ye Mo, "As a nascent soul state cultivator, I presume you're familiar with the Truth Fall Palace."

His last words were a test of Ye Mo's true cultivation, but Ye Mo remained expressionless. You Shanping could think what he wished. Ye Mo had, of course, heard of the Truth Fall Palace, in both this life and his past. It was a secret realm on the Luo Yue continent with a high fatality rate. It opened every thirty years, with no power level restrictions, provided entrants were under one hundred years old.

Very few sects permitted disciples below the golden core state to enter. Most participants were golden core state cultivators, with a small fraction being nascent soul state. Naturally, a few prodigies achieved hollow spirit state before turning one hundred. Such cultivators would undoubtedly attempt the Truth Fall Palace.

Even at the hollow spirit state, survival wasn't guaranteed. Besides inter-cultivator conflict, lethal danger zones existed. Ye Mo knew that individuals like himself, lacking a sect's support, couldn't enter, regardless of their talent. This wasn't the Desert Herb Plain; entry required affiliation with at least a five-star sect. Ordinary individuals wouldn't even qualify. Ye Mo remained silent, however, wanting to gauge You Shanping's intentions.

He considered that even a powerful empire might not secure a place in the Truth Fall Palace. If they could, they'd be equivalent to a five-star sect.

Seeing Ye Mo's silence, You Shanping continued, "The empire isn't insignificant, but it's only a four-star empire. Previously, a four-star empire wouldn't qualify, but last year we discovered a rare fire seed—the Lan Rock fire. The empire reported this to the Green Pill Sect…"

"Lan Rock fire? The seventh-ranked heaven flame?" Ye Mo asked, shocked. The Green Pill Sect sounded familiar; he recalled it was a seven-star sect, the origin of Qiu Xue, one of the South Peace State's ten beauties.

You Shanping smiled, "It seems City Lord Ye is knowledgeable about rare flames. Indeed, the Lan Rock fire is ranked seventh among heaven flames, renowned throughout the cultivation realm. The Green Pill Sect was delighted and granted the empire two spots in the Truth Fall Palace. If the empire achieves favorable results—meaning participants return safely—the sect will assist the empire in cultivating a hollow spirit state cultivator, allowing the empire to upgrade to five-star status."

Initially suspicious, Ye Mo believed him upon hearing "Lan Rock fire." Two spots in the Truth Fall Palace were insignificant compared to this.

You Shanping continued, "The reason I mention this is because, given your youth, you're likely under one hundred years old, correct? And you're a nascent soul state cultivator? This makes you ideally suited for entry."

Ye Mo nodded. He desired a spot greatly, but wasn't blinded by greed. Why would the empire offer it to him? He had killed a royal family member.

"City Lord Ye is truly under one hundred years old?" You Shanping abruptly stood, excitement evident. Large sects possessed nascent soul and even hollow spirit state cultivators under one hundred, but the empire had none.

Recommending a nascent soul state cultivator to the Truth Fall Palace—if his recommendation survived—would yield significant benefits.

Ye Mo chuckled; he was far from one hundred, but didn't reveal this, as it would attract major sects' attention.

"City Lord Ye, if you represent the empire in the Truth Fall Palace, I'll assist you completely. And I believe the emperor, upon learning of your willingness, would grant you more cities," You Shanping exclaimed.

Ye Mo was speechless. More cities? Did this man think he desired to be a local king?

Power in the cultivation realm didn't depend on the number of cities. Nine-star sects only controlled land within a ten-thousand-kilometer radius. Any empire possessed far more land, but which country dared challenge a nine-star sect?

"I'm willing to go, but why are you so fervent, Dao Friend You?" Ye Mo asked.

You Shanping calmed slightly, saying with some embarrassment, "I've cultivated for centuries, only recently reaching nascent soul state level two. Without fortune, I'll remain stagnant. The Green Pill Sect promised that if one survivor emerges from the Truth Fall Palace, they'll assist the empire in cultivating two hollow spirit state cultivators. If two survive, they'll cultivate three."

Pausing, You Shanping presented Ye Mo with a top-grade attack spirit artifact. "If City Lord emerges from the Truth Fall Palace, you'll undoubtedly become an inner sect member of the Green Pill Sect. I merely wish for your recommendation so I may enter as well."

So this was it—entry into a seven-star sect was irresistible to a nascent soul state cultivator like You Shanping. Ye Mo pushed back the artifact. "I possess my own magic artifacts; keep it, Brother You. As for the spot, if I enter the Truth Fall Palace, I won't claim the hollow spirit state advancement. It's yours."

"Huh…" You Shanping was almost overwhelmed. If City Lord Ye emerged, he'd decide who achieved hollow spirit state.

Though unsure why Ye Mo declined, You Shanping didn't inquire. Clearly, Ye Mo didn't desire to join the Green Pill Sect.

City Lord Ye possessed a powerful temperament. With caution, he'd likely survive.

"Brother You, when does the Truth Fall Palace open? When do I depart?" Ye Mo asked.

"It opens in six months, but you must accompany me to the empire's capital first," You Shanping replied joyfully.