Chapter 1031: Here to Assert Dominance
“Brother You, I still have matters to attend to in Mo Yue City. You may return; I will reach the capital within two months.”
Ye Mo was unsure of his return timeframe from the Truth Fall Palace. Ye Wucai, his untutored disciple, required his attention. This extended journey necessitated instructing Ye Wucai in cultivation and establishing a formation at Mo Yue City.
You Shanping departed without further comment, leaving a contact bead. He returned to Zhu Liang City to report Ye Mo's affairs promptly. While holding a respected position in the capital, the presence of four Nascent Soul cultivators necessitated securing support.
Ye Mo's initial proposal regarding the Green Pill Sect would have been challenging, but his decision against joining it now proved advantageous. His success would secure two disciples for the sect from the empire, bolstering his suggestions.
After You Shanping's departure, Ye Mo summoned Ye Wucai. Possessing a three-element mixed spirit root with metal as the dominant element, Ye Wucai received a cultivation method derived from the Three Birth Chant—the Three Birth Geng Metal Chant. Ye Mo also crafted a five-essence pill to refine his disciple's spirit root.
Eager to learn, Ye Wucai dedicated himself to cultivation, deferring Mo Yue City's construction to his free time. Ye Mo spent a month instructing Ye Wucai and establishing defensive formations. Due to limited high-level materials and the city's size, he managed only a level-four defense and a level-three attack formation. However, the level-four formation sufficed against Golden Core cultivators, let alone mortal armies.
A month later, Ye Wucai achieved self-sufficiency in cultivation. Leaving behind cultivation notes and entrusting Mo Yue City's affairs to Ye Wucai, Ye Mo proceeded to Zhu Liang City.
Zhu Liang City, a mere ten thousand kilometers distant, was reached the same day. However, this considerable distance for an emperor underscored the previous lack of serious attention paid to Mo Yue City.
Unaware that the Mo Yue City allocation and his agreement with You Shanping were independent of the empire, Ye Mo arrived to find You Shanping awaiting him. You Shanping clearly prioritized Ye Mo's Truth Fall Palace journey above even Ye Mo himself.
This time, Ye Mo made no attempt to conceal his power. Witnessing it, You Shanping was astonished. "City Lord Ye, your stealth cultivation method is exceptional! I believed you to be at least mid-Nascent Soul stage."
Ye Mo smiled. "Disappointed my power level is not higher, Brother You?"
You Shanping quickly waved his hand. "No, no, it surpasses my expectations. To be frank, I anticipated a mid or late-Nascent Soul stage cultivator, and was truly humbled. I remain humbled, but in better spirits. City Lord Ye, allow me to introduce you to the other dao companions in the empire, and the Emperor."
The Emperor greeted Ye Mo personally with a welcoming ceremony, revealing a more complex situation than Ye Mo initially perceived. Four Nascent Soul cultivators were present, with notably absent Golden Core cultivators. However, a late-stage Golden Core cultivator was accompanying him to the Truth Fall Palace.
You Shanping and Rong were early-stage Nascent Soul cultivators; another was mid-stage, and the last was late-stage Nascent Soul. Their demeanor indicated neither fear nor hostility towards Ye Mo, clearly intending for him to represent them at the Truth Fall Palace. The late-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, Ge Lian, was particularly welcoming, while Qi Zaifang (mid-stage) and Rong (early-stage) remained politely distant.
Ye Mo deduced Ge Lian as You Shanping's ally. Success at the Truth Fall Palace would benefit both, a logical outcome given Ge Lian's superior strength. However, Ye Mo also observed a disparity between the Emperor's outward respect and the independent actions of the Nascent Soul cultivators, hinting at ulterior motives.
A lavish display of erotic dancers ensued. Ye Mo sighed; the Emperor’s short life, though decadent, surpassed the solitary, often unrewarding existence of many long-lived cultivators. Such were the trade-offs of life.
The Emperor's familiarity with Nascent Soul cultivators manifested in respectful, yet unafraid, behavior towards Ye Mo. After a brief exchange, the Emperor turned from the spectacle to Ye Mo, smiling. "City Lord Ye, Dual River City is now yours. More cities can be granted, should you desire. Representing our empire at the Truth Fall Palace, why not join our Immortal Master Yard?"
"City Lord Ye, I can reclaim cities gifted to others, but I guarantee this one will remain yours."
Ye Mo's expression darkened, his power erupting. A mere Chi Gathering cultivator, even an emperor, dared to claim ownership of Dual River City?
"There will be no Dual River City, only Mo Yue City. You are the Emperor? Remember, I claimed Mo Yue City independently, unrelated to anyone or the Han Liang Empire. Do not make this difficult." Ye Mo rose, his cold voice and aura filling the hall with intense killing intent.
He needed to assert his dominance. Failure to clarify this matter risked the Emperor claiming Mo Yue City, leading to future complications. Cultivators coveting the city's spirit range might exploit this ambiguity, forcing the empire to reclaim it, leaving Ye Mo without recourse.
While power reigned supreme, he also needed to maintain a solid foundation of reason. The Emperor, a mere Chi Gathering cultivator, was no match for Ye Mo's power, immediately vomiting blood.
Even Ge Lian was shocked by Ye Mo's display. Such power, even he might struggle to replicate; could he truly only be a level three Nascent Soul cultivator?
Ge Lian remained silent; Ye Mo's actions benefited him regardless. Their presence in the empire stemmed from the royal family's Nascent Soul cultivator (perpetually in seclusion) and readily available cultivation resources. However, he was annoyed by the Emperor's presumption and Ye Mo's blunt response. Why mention concessions to a Nascent Soul cultivator? Couldn't Ye Mo have simply ignored the Emperor's remark?
Even had the Emperor not spoken, Ye Mo intended to raise the issue. He sensed that the Emperor was no ordinary man, possibly harboring plans to reclaim the city.
Ge Lian and You Shanping remained silent; Rong Zheng, a weak early-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, said nothing. But Qi Zaifang, a mid-stage Nascent Soul cultivator, rose, fixing Ye Mo with a cold stare. "City Lord Ye, are you here to assert your dominance?"