Chapter 1045: Forming a Squad with Nuns

Ye Mo stood alone on the grassy plain, unfolding the map the female cultivator had given him. It was detailed, yet frustratingly omitted the bitter bamboo's location. Finding even a single stalk would be a significant achievement, but a more pressing concern was the second level's entrance. He could only systematically search the area, relying on the map to guide him. The quest for the bitter bamboo was arduous, but worthwhile.

He summoned his flying ship. Numerous low-level spirit herbs dotted the first level, but the bitter bamboo held his attention. Suddenly, a powerful force pulled the ship downward. Startled, Ye Mo swiftly retrieved his attack magic artifact, Zi Xu, abandoning the ship. Zi Xu’s superior control allowed him to break free of the suction.

His spirit sense revealed a swamp, littered with broken magic artifacts—evidence of prior casualties. The Truth Fall Palace was riddled with deadly traps. A horrifying howl cut through the air. His spirit sense detected a golden core cultivator being torn apart mid-flight.

The spatial anomaly—the inability to fly—was terrifying. Had he not witnessed that gruesome display, he might have been next. He landed, only to be met by four female cultivators, three of whom were nuns from the Clear Dream Mosque, identifiable by the insignia on their sleeves. He almost fled, but Ling Xiaoshuang's absence stayed his hand.

The group comprised two peak golden core cultivators, a level one nascent soul cultivator, and a level two nascent soul cultivator. As Ye Mo prepared to inquire about reaching the second floor, a round-faced nun approached.

“Martial brother,” she said, “You cannot fly within the Truth Fall Palace. Spatial wind blades fill the air.”

This was a relief. While powerful, the wind blades were not instantly lethal, unlike the spatial chaos he’d just witnessed. Seeing Ye Mo’s apparent unconcern, the nun pressed, “Even hollow spirit cultivators might struggle to evade them, let alone golden core and nascent soul cultivators.”

Impressed by the round-faced nun’s concern, Ye Mo saluted. “Thank you, martial sister. I’m a solo cultivator; I wouldn’t have known.”

She smiled. “Martial brother, you’re too polite. We received prior briefing from our masters. It’s understandable that a solo cultivator wouldn't be aware.”

This considerably improved his opinion of the Clear Dream Mosque.

“Are you alone? You need a squad here. Otherwise, encountering the Four Direction Kill formation would be disastrous. We're from the Clear Dream Mosque. Perhaps you'd join us?” Her genuine concern was evident.

“Qingyi, enough. We need to rendezvous with the other martial sisters,” the tallest nun, Qinghan, said, impatiently.

Qingyi persisted, “Martial sister Qinghan, he's alone. He risks his life before even reaching the second level.”

Qinghan remained silent. Qingyi smiled sweetly at Ye Mo. “My martial sisters are kind, and we have a map. The first level offers little; you should join us on the second.”

Ye Mo hesitated. His formation skills might suffice against the Four Direction Kill formation, but her mention of a map intrigued him. It was too valuable to request a copy.

“Thank you, martial sister Qingyi. I’m Ning Xiaoma. Reaching the second level has been my struggle. I’m most grateful for your offer.”

Qingyi introduced her companions: Qinghan, the strongest at nascent soul level two; Qingyue, a shy nascent soul level one; and Xia Youshan, who wore a purple dress instead of nun’s robes. The Clear Dream Mosque nuns were refined. Qinghan’s initial reluctance was subtle but evident.

Initially, conversation was limited due to his gender and their unfamiliarity. However, Ye Mo’s unobtrusive assistance with spirit beasts, coupled with his refusal of loot unless offered, quickly won their favor. Qingyi engaged him frequently, and soon, Xia Youshan joined the conversation.

Demonstrating nascent soul level one strength, he often answered Xia Youshan's cultivation questions with remarkable clarity. His insightful explanations surpassed her master’s, prompting Qingyi and eventually Qinghan and Qingyue to seek his counsel.

Self-conscious about displaying his knowledge so readily, he feigned ignorance when Qingyue asked particularly difficult questions.

They reached the second level's entrance: an unending stairway. Numerous cultivators were present, mostly from sects, indicating map possession.

Seeing Ye Mo with the Clear Dream Mosque nuns surprised many, but no one commented; the Clear Dream Mosque was a 9-star sect.

“Martial brother Xiaoma, each level has such a stairway. Though your senses can't perceive its end, it’s relatively short—222 steps from level one to two. Each step offers increasing resistance. Stop if you feel overwhelmed, to prevent being torn apart,” Qingyi explained.

Ye Mo was relieved by the warning. Qinghan ascended first; Ye Mo, last. The increasing pressure was noticeable, yet manageable.

The second level's spirit chi density surpassed the first, explaining the bitter bamboo's placement.

“Season Wheat!” Xia Youshan exclaimed, spotting one of the three main ingredients for the hollow meridian pill.

“Wait!” Ye Mo halted Qingyi's advance.