Chapter 1052: Wen Caiyi’s Invitation

The word “Restriction” hung above the hexagonal door in large red characters. This reminded Ye Mo of the hexagonal hall he’d seen in the All Herb mountain ranges. But endless dark mists swirled within, impenetrable to his spirit sense.

“It really is the Truth Fall Palace forbidden grounds,” Ku Xin stated.

“It really is the forbidden grounds!” many cultivators exclaimed in unison.

Ku Xin and Duan Jiuyang exchanged glances, then nodded decisively. “Let’s go.” The two dashed inside, followed immediately by the other cultivators. No one present lacked the ambition to ascend to the immortal realm; anyone who feared death wouldn't be in the Truth Fall Palace. The opening of the forbidden grounds triggered an immediate rush.

The stony beach, once crowded with nearly 700 people, now held less than half that number. Amongst them, Ye Mo felt the most perplexed. He recognized Yu Baisheng qian bei’s defensive formation—how could it be the entrance to the forbidden grounds?

He soon noticed that not all cultivators from the six-star and above sects had entered. After discussion, the Golden Core state cultivators departed, undoubtedly heading to levels four and above of the Truth Fall Palace. Given Guo Qifan’s warnings, entering the forbidden grounds would indeed be perilous for Golden Core cultivators.

At that moment, Qinghan and her companions approached Ye Mo. Qingyi inquired, “Martial Brother Xiaoma, will you be entering?”

Ye Mo nodded. He was definitely going. Regardless of its connection to immortal ascension, the presence of bitter bamboo alone made entering a necessity; otherwise, he’d regret it forever. Besides, he possessed the Golden Page World. He didn't believe he would perish within.

Witnessing this, Qinghan and her companions fell silent. After a pause, Qinghan said, “Our sect has six Nascent Soul state martial sisters entering. We need to collect spirit herbs and materials for the sect from levels four and five.”

“Martial Brother Xiaoma,” she continued, “my elder sister told me that small transmission runes are severely weakened within a level three trap formation, undetectable even to a primary-stage Nascent Soul cultivator’s spirit sense. Though I don't know how you escaped, I know you’re no ordinary cultivator. So… Martial Brother Xiaoma, if my martial sisters encounter trouble, please help if you can. Martial Sister Xiaoshuang merely had a misunderstanding with you; don’t dwell on it.”

“Don’t worry,” Ye Mo replied swiftly. “If they’re in trouble, I won’t stand idly by. And thank you all for your previous help.”

“Then we’ll be going. Martial Brother Xiaoma, take care. This is for you; please examine it later.” Qinghan presented Ye Mo with a jade slip, marking it before handing it over.

Ye Mo stowed it away, unconcerned. He assumed it was Qinghan’s expression of gratitude.

“Martial Brother Xiaoma, if you emerge safely, please visit us at Clear Dream Mosque when you’re free.” Qingyi lingered the longest, though they all knew Ye Mo’s intent to enter the forbidden grounds.

Qingyue and Xia Youshan also bade Ye Mo farewell before departing. Cultivators from other sects followed suit.

Guo Qifan again saluted Ye Mo. “Xiaoma qian bei, I’ll be going now. In the future…”

Ye Mo smiled and waved his hand, producing a jade bottle. “Brother Guo, there’s no need for such formality. If I have free time, I’ll definitely visit you all at the Cultivation Cauldron Sect.”

Guo Qifan accepted the pill, noticing the similarity to a previous occasion when Ye Mo had given him pills.

After walking a considerable distance, Guo Qifan opened the jade bottle. Its contents shocked him even more than the previous pill—it was a Cao Huan pill.

If Guo Qifan didn't realize that Xiaoma qian bei was Ye Mo, he would be a fool. No Nascent Soul state cultivator would idly befriend a Golden Core state cultivator, except for this “Brother Ye” he'd met. Furthermore, Ye Mo’s offer to visit “you guys” clearly included Yan Qi and Ding Ling.

When they first met, Ye Mo was only a primary-stage Golden Core cultivator. Now, Brother Ye was a Nascent Soul cultivator. What a prodigy! Guo Qifan suddenly felt the prodigies of South Peace State paled in comparison to Brother Ye.

Such a prodigy, willing to befriend him and casually gift him a Cao Huan pill… how fortunate he was to have such a friend. Guo Qifan, disheartened by the loss of several sect members, found his fighting spirit rekindled.

Soon, only a few dozen cultivators remained on the rocky beach.

Ye Mo remained stationary, in no hurry to enter. He wanted to understand how the bitter bamboo’s location had become the Truth Fall Palace forbidden grounds. Of course, something else held greater importance: Fu Rong hadn't yet entered.

Yuan Guannan addressed Wen Caiyi, “Martial Sister Caiyi, everyone else has gone in; let’s enter as a team.”

Wen Caiyi smiled at Yuan Guannan, then approached Ye Mo. “Martial Brother Xiaoma, greetings. I truly admire your heroic deeds. If you don't mind, we could enter as a team. I’m Wen Caiyi, a member of the Infinity Sect.”

No one expected this. The disparity in their status was vast. How could Wen Caiyi address Ye Mo so intimately?

Even Ling Xiaoshuang was taken aback, unsure of Wen Caiyi’s motives. Ye Mo was equally uncertain, though he suspected Wen Caiyi knew he was the cultivator who’d “slapped” her with ten million spirit stones.

Observing Yuan Guannan’s somber expression and the tertiary-stage Nascent Soul cultivators who hadn't yet entered, Ye Mo grasped Wen Caiyi’s intentions. She was feigning affection to provoke the other male cultivators. Alone, it wouldn't benefit her.

This was a woman who knew how to use her beauty. She was pretty, but possessed a despicable personality and devious schemes. Ye Mo felt extreme disgust towards Wen Caiyi.

Wen Caiyi's actions did align with Ye Mo's assessment, targeting those level eight and nine Nascent Soul cultivators. But there was more—Wen Caiyi genuinely desired Ye Mo's company. Lu Jianqiang was not significantly weaker than Yuan Guannan. If Ning Xiaoma could silently eliminate Lu Jianqing, it implied Yuan Guannan was no match for him.

From Ling Xiaoshuang, she knew Ning Xiaoma was a womanizer, and she knew Ling Xiaoshuang never lied.