Chapter 1048: Minding Other's Business

With Qingyi and the nuns gone, Ye Mo released Zi Xu, unleashing a cascade of sword rays from his Illusion Cloud Division Sword. The nascent soul state cultivator setting up the formation was astonished to find himself untrapped. Before he could react, countless purple sword rays engulfed him. His magic artifact shattered after blocking only a few.

Witnessing the instant demise of a nascent soul state level three cultivator, the nascent soul state level five realized Ye Mo’s concealed power. He bellowed, “Attack with full force! He’s at least nascent soul state tertiary stage!”

Before the words left his mouth, Ye Mo sent Zi Xu hurtling towards him, simultaneously unleashing Shadowless. Ye Mo’s superior cultivation essence and spirit sense overwhelmed the level five cultivator. Shadowless’s ambush allowed Ye Mo to strike, enveloping the cultivator's nascent soul and swiftly ending his life.

Seeing two stronger comrades fall so quickly, the remaining nascent soul state level three cultivator was terrified. He fled, releasing his magic artifact. However, Ye Mo, using Illusion Cloud Whirlpool strike without even retrieving Zi Xu, prevented his escape. The cultivator was swiftly dismembered.

Ye Mo collected three storage rings, quickly locating the Season Wheat before vanishing.

…

“Martial sister, will Martial Brother Xiaoma be alright? He hasn’t met up with us yet,” Qingyi asked, anxiety lacing her voice after they had traveled ten thousand miles.

Qinghan paused. “He has a small transmission rune; he should escape even if he can’t defeat them.” Despite her words, she felt a pang of guilt. She knew they had left while the others were setting a trap. The effectiveness of a small transmission rune against a level three formation remained uncertain. She hoped to consult her martial sisters.

She wouldn't have left alone, but she had three younger martial sisters to protect, a responsibility entrusted to her by her senior martial sister and master. She was profoundly grateful to Ning Xiaoma for ensuring their safety.

Silence descended upon the group.

…

At an unremarkable location near Truth Fall Palace, Ye Mo entered the Golden Page World and examined the three nascent soul state cultivators' storage rings. While the spirit stones totaled less than five million, the spirit herbs were plentiful—mostly levels four and five, with a few higher. He quickly found and planted the Season Wheat.

The rings yielded a pleasant surprise: three identical maps charting Truth Fall Palace from levels one to six. The precision was remarkable, revealing an ordinary stony beach on level three, matching the female cultivator's description.

Ye Mo suppressed his excitement. This ordinary beach was precisely the type of location Yu Baisheng would use for a stealth formation.

He stowed the map, eager to proceed to level three. The remaining items—two extreme-grade spirit artifacts, and several sect jade cards (which he destroyed after identifying their origin in West Mass State)—were summarily organized. The cultivators' ill-fated robbery attempt had ended at Ye Mo's hands.

After confirming the bitter bamboo's location, Ye Mo exited the Golden Page World and headed towards level three. The 333 steps were nearly deserted. Undeterred, he ascended swiftly, disappearing before those on level two could react.

His sudden and swift ascent prompted speculation among the remaining cultivators. Believing something valuable awaited them on level three, they quickly followed.

Soon, level three's entrance was empty. These elite sect members easily navigated the 333 steps.

Not far up, Ye Mo sensed the fluctuations of a cultivation battle. He discreetly scanned the area.

Upon discovering a male and female cultivator battling, with two onlookers, he altered his course toward the conflict. The golden core state level nine male cultivator was losing. The onlookers, clearly siding with the female cultivator, watched with disdain.

Ye Mo recognized the male cultivator—Guo Qifan, whom he’d met at the desert herb plain and provided with pills. Guo Qifan's current golden core state level nine cultivation clearly resulted from those pills.

Ye Mo’s nascent soul state level one aura immediately commanded attention. The fighting ceased. Guo Qifan respectfully saluted. He quickly ingested a pill to treat his wounds.

The female cultivator and her companions showed less respect, merely retreating slightly, waiting for Ye Mo’s departure. However, Ye Mo showed no intention of leaving.

“Why are you fighting?” Ye Mo asked coldly, his question surprising the female cultivator and her companions. Guo Qifan, too, was surprised, but sensed Ye Mo's favor.

“Qian bei, we have a conflict with this person…” the female cultivator finally showed deference.

Ignoring her, Ye Mo addressed Guo Qifan, repeating his question.

Guo Qifan, far more respectful, explained: “My friends and I found two crisp green vines. They arrived later, and we decided to jointly hunt the level six red back wolf guarding them, splitting the vines afterward. However, the wolf was strong, killing two of my sect members. They also lost a member. We eventually killed the wolf. But she claims her friend’s death entitles them to both vines, despite our losses, and attacked me without provocation.”

Ye Mo noticed a star symbol on the female cultivator’s and her companions’ clothes.

Guo Qifan added, “They’re from Heaven Star Sect. Do 8-star sect members believe they can rob at will?”

“Heaven Star Sect?” Ye Mo inquired. “Is Yi Pandie, one of the Ten Beauties, from your sect?”