Chapter 1049: This Person is Called Ning Xiaoma

Hearing this, the female cultivator sneered. With Ye Mo’s appearance, she thought, he dares to hit on Martial Sister Pandie? However, she declared proudly, “That’s right, Martial Sister Pandie is from our Heaven Star Sect.”

Guo Qifan had decided against taking the crisp green vine. His Cultivation Cauldron Sect was only a five-star sect; soliciting favors from members of an eight-star sect was unwise, potentially harming his own sect.

“Where is the crisp green vine?” Ye Mo asked.

The trio suddenly recalled Ye Mo's Nascent Soul state cultivation. While they needn't fear Nascent Soul cultivators generally, this was the Truth Fall Palace. Uncertain of Ye Mo's identity, they realized that antagonizing him could prove fatal.

The female cultivator and her companions grew uneasy, clearly believing Ye Mo sought the vine. Ye Mo, however, had no interest; he possessed plenty.

“It’s here,” the female cultivator said hesitantly. Usually, lone cultivators were insignificant to her, but the circumstances were different now.

Ye Mo’s voice turned cold. “Give me the crisp green vine and leave!”

“Martial Sister Yu, give it to him and let’s go,” the male cultivator urged. He sensed Ye Mo's disregard for the Heaven Star Sect and feared further conflict could prove disastrous. They would simply give Ye Mo the vine and seek revenge later.

Martial Sister Yu, though displeased, prepared to relinquish the crisp green vine. But before she could, a brilliant firework display erupted from the northwest, followed by others of varying colors.

“It’s the sect calling for a gathering…” the female cultivator gasped, forgetting the vine as she fled. The two male cultivators followed suit.

Ye Mo, though unsurprised, also gazed at the fireworks in bewilderment. The different colors indicated various sects. His concern, however, centered on the proximity to the bitter bamboo's marked location.

This sparked anxiety in Ye Mo. He immediately told Guo Qifan, “I’m going to see what’s happening; we’ll talk later.” He then boarded his flying ship and sped northwest.

Guo Qifan watched him go, muttering, “This senior seems similar to the Brother Ye I met on the herb plains; he seems very interested in the South Peace State ten beauties.” He shook his head and departed on his own flying spirit artifact.

Ye Mo was astonished by the massive gathering on the barren, rocky beach. At least five hundred people were present; the number would have been far greater had everyone reached Level Three cultivation.

A level-six defense formation stood before them, causing Ye Mo’s heart to sink. This was the location marked on the map, where Yu Baisheng had hidden the bitter bamboo. The stealth formation protecting it had clearly been breached.

Ye Mo knew that the bitter bamboo's discovery would forever disrupt his peace, even if he obtained it. How could someone find this inconspicuous defense formation? His eyes fell upon Fu Rong, and he understood. While Yu Niangyan hadn't revealed the precise location, Fu Rong had found the general area. Fu Rong, remarkably, had arrived before him.

Yet, why had Fu Rong, knowing of the bitter bamboo's presence, revealed it? Fu Rong's downcast eyes revealed his unintentional actions.

The defense formation remained intact, and as Ye Mo pondered his entry strategy, more cultivators arrived. Among them, two unwelcome faces: Ling Xiaoshuang and Wen Caiyi. However, the allure of the bitter bamboo was too strong to ignore.

“What is it?” the first arrival asked. Ye Mo recognized him: Yuan Guannan, a level-five Nascent Soul cultivator and genius of the Infinity Sect.

Another Infinity Sect Nascent Soul cultivator spoke, “Martial Brother Yuan, I saw a powerful spirit chi whirlpool appear here, then came and saw these Earth Demon Sect cultivators. I suspect this is the entrance to the Truth Fall Palace forbidden grounds.” He pointed at Fu Rong.

The mention of "Truth Fall Palace forbidden grounds" caused an uproar, clearly a significant phrase.

Yuan Guannan nodded and addressed Fu Rong, “Tell me what’s going on.”

“Yes,” Fu Rong replied, unwilling to show displeasure before Yuan Guannan. “I reached Level Two and got separated from my sect. Reaching Level Three, I sought a place to signal my sect; this rocky beach is spacious and visible, so I waited here.”

He continued, “Knowing formations, I found a stealth formation. Upon opening it, I saw a large defense formation. Breaking the stealth formation caused numerous spirit chi whirlpools to appear, growing larger before vanishing fifteen minutes later.”

“This attracted many cultivators, who believe this to be a Truth Fall Palace forbidden ground.”

Ye Mo sneered; Fu Rong, at most a Level Three formation master, wouldn't have found the stealth formation without studying Yu Baisheng's work. But now, the location was considered a Truth Fall Palace forbidden ground. How could he retrieve the bitter bamboo?

Suddenly, a chill ran down his spine. He glanced back to see Wen Caiyi’s cold, murderous gaze; she had recognized him. Before he could react, another pair of icy eyes fell upon him—Ling Xiaoshuang's.

More cultivators arrived, including the Golden Core peak cultivators Ye Mo had previously dismissed. They had arrived later. Upon seeing Ye Mo, the female cultivator immediately approached a veiled woman. “Martial Sister Pandie, this Nascent Soul cultivator tried to rob us!” She pointed accusingly at Ye Mo.

The woman surveyed Ye Mo, saying, “You, a Level One Nascent Soul cultivator, dare rob our Heaven Star Sect's Golden Core cultivators? Do you have no shame, or has our sect offended you?”

Ye Mo was already annoyed, further incensed by this woman's one-sided judgment and threat from the Heaven Star Sect. He was not intimidated. But before he could respond, Ling Xiaoshuang interjected, “Martial Sister Pandie, this person is Ning Xiaoma, a lecherous pervert who harasses women using vile tactics.”