Chapter 1060: Ning Xiaoma Knows How to Trick Girls

Many cultivators coveted the Nine Color Lotus, but none dared approach it; the first to attempt would surely die. Even Ye Mo hesitated. Impatience grew among the cultivators gathered around the pond. Then, a Nascent Soul Stage Nine cultivator stepped forward. "Everyone, calm down. Listen to me," he announced.

His evident reputation quieted the crowd. Ye Mo discreetly asked a nearby cultivator, "Who is he?" The cultivator, surprised Ye Mo didn't recognize him, replied, "He's Lao Xi, a Level Two Pill King from the Eight-Star Rain Pill Sect." Ye Mo understood the man's respect; cultivators rarely offended pill masters, especially those of Lao Xi's caliber.

Lao Xi continued, "The Nine Color Lotus is nearing maturity. Its properties are well known—there's only one, and only one person can obtain it. But I have a way for everyone to benefit." He paused, making his intent clear: he desired the lotus to mature and dissolve into the spirit pond.

"Pill King Lao, please tell us! If it benefits us all, we'll listen," a cultivator urged.

Lao Xi nodded. "The Nine Color Lotus's maturation is exceptionally rare, requiring countless years and a specific environment. Its maturation here suggests a connection to this pond—a spirit pond, if I'm not mistaken. The spirit energy has largely sustained the lotus, hence the pond's unnoticed nature. I have good news: if the lotus matures within a spirit pond and isn't harvested, it dissolves, returning its absorbed spirit energy and medicinal properties to the pond. Cultivating in the pond will then be comparable to consuming a Nine Wen Pill."

Ye Mo knew Lao Xi spoke the truth. Another cultivator confirmed, "I'm a pill master as well, and Pill King Lao's words are accurate."

With numerous masters present, acquiring the lotus seemed impossible. Lao Xi's words silenced the crowd, their agreement palpable. Even if someone secured the lotus, escape would be unlikely.

Ye Mo desired the pond water; its ability to nurture the Nine Color Lotus suggested benefits for his Five Color Lotus. However, the crowd prevented immediate action; he'd wait until the lotus matured.

As the lotus's fragrance intensified, more cultivators arrived, observing from the pond's edge. Ye Mo noticed Dark Ice Sect cultivators and considered approaching them, but thought better of it.

Soon, Clear Dream Mosque nuns arrived, Ling Xiaoshuang among them. Her altered aura suggested a significant gain. Heaven Star Sect cultivators followed, Yi Pandie searching, evidently for Ye Mo or Wu Yu, to no avail.

Yi Pandie approached Ling Xiaoshuang. "Martial Sister Xiaoshuang, I have a question..." she whispered.

Ling Xiaoshuang replied, "Martial Sister Pandie, ask away. I'll answer if I can."

Hesitantly, Yi Pandie asked, "About Martial Brother Xiaoma."

Ling Xiaoshuang was surprised. Yi Pandie's familiarity with Ning Xiaoma was unexpected, given their previous animosity. Remembering her Qinghan sisters, she shuddered. Who is Ning Xiaoma? How does he charm so many women? she wondered. I must investigate. If he uses demonic seduction techniques, I'll have my master eliminate him.

Remembering Yi Pandie's question, Ling Xiaoshuang answered, "I only recall him harassing a female cultivator. He isn't a proper cultivator; I suspect unsavory methods. Be wary, Martial Sister Pandie."

Yi Pandie frowned, recognizing Ling Xiaoshuang's misunderstanding. She harbored no feelings for Ning Xiaoma; she sought information to fulfill an obligation, as he'd died aiding her. However, she accepted Ling Xiaoshuang's well-intentioned warning, thanked her, and departed. Ling Xiaoshuang's worry deepened.

A Nascent Soul Stage Three cultivator suddenly arrived, spotting the Nine Color Lotus. Without hesitation, he lunged for it.

Chaos erupted. The cultivators surged forward, abandoning the idea of waiting for the lotus to dissolve. Magic artifacts clashed; sword beams, spirit energy, flames, and ice arrows filled the air. Screams of pain echoed. Only those near the lotus were targeted. In moments, nearly one hundred cultivators perished.

Lao Xi frantically attempted to halt the conflict, but it was unstoppable. Even he, red-eyed, joined the fray; otherwise, he'd gain nothing.

Ye Mo joined the fray, but not for the lotus. While confident in one-on-one combat, the numerous Nascent Soul Stage Eight and Nine cultivators overwhelmed him. His target was the pond water.

He plunged into the pond, siphoning water into his Golden Page World. The decreasing water level remained unnoticed in the chaos surrounding the lotus.

"It's melting!" someone exclaimed. The Nine Color Lotus vanished, leaving the pond with a nine-colored hue.

"The water level has dropped significantly!" another noted. The theft of pond water became apparent. Many joined Ye Mo in extracting the water, rapidly depleting the pond.

Some, aware of the spirit energy's immobility, absorbed it from above. Others, unknowingly, submerged themselves, attempting cultivation within the pond.

They quickly discovered that cultivation above the pond was far more effective. A sudden silence settled, as if the battle hadn't transpired.

The precious opportunity was evident; a once-in-a-lifetime event for most.

Ye Mo, observing the fading colors, stopped collecting water, having taken over half. It should suffice for his Five Color Lotus.

While only a fraction of the Nine Color Lotus's essence reached the cultivators, many experienced significant spirit root enhancements, propelling their future cultivation potential.

Just as some sought vengeance for past attacks, white light pillars pulsed, signifying the forbidden ground's impending closure.