Chapter 1061: The Anger of Seeing Someone You Know

All the cultivators were teleported from the forbidden grounds back to Truth Fall Palace, level four. Ye Mo estimated that around 1000 cultivators had entered—approximately 600 initially, plus later arrivals—but only about 300 emerged. The Truth Fall Palace forbidden grounds proved less lethal than Guo Qifan had claimed, yet considerable casualties still occurred. Ye Mo recognized that the cultivators who entered were relatively powerful, and he knew that even without a direct link to immortal ascension, participation significantly increased their chances.

Seeing Yi Pandie searching the area, Ye Mo didn't linger; he immediately fled. Many other cultivators followed suit. He had flown a considerable distance before realizing the two Hollow Spirit State cultivators who entered first hadn't reappeared. This thought was fleeting, however; their absence held no concern for him; he had already obtained his objectives.

Afterward, Ye Mo donned his Nine Transformations disguise, wary of accidentally killing a member of a major sect and facing the ensuing retribution. Level four contained far more high-level spirit herbs than the lower levels. Ye Mo diligently collected them all. Having acquired the bitter bamboo, his next priority was gathering additional herbs and materials.

Fearing a time constraint, after spending time on level four, Ye Mo approached the entrance to level five, where over a thousand cultivators hesitated, uncertain whether to ascend or remain. He understood their dilemma: level five held the most abundant spirit herbs, but also claimed the most lives on its treacherous staircase. Regardless, he was determined to proceed. As he reached the stairs, he heard a pained howl; a cultivator, overwhelmed by the pressure, was crushed to nothingness. Despite this, ten cultivators still ascended. Everyone knew level five was the benchmark; only there could the truly valuable treasures be found.

Ye Mo observed two Nascent Soul State and eight Golden Core State cultivators begin their ascent. Although his spirit sense couldn't reach the top of the stairway, he heard five cries of death, followed swiftly by two more. Seven of the ten had perished, but the remaining three appeared to have reached level five. Some cultivators departed upon witnessing this, but even more remained.

Just as Ye Mo was about to ascend, he spotted Gu Wei hesitating. He hadn't anticipated Gu Wei's presence; a Golden Core State level eight cultivator, he was known for his reticence. Ye Mo knew Gu Wei likely wouldn't return to the Han Liang Empire, making him an ideal messenger for Ge Lian and You Shanping.

With this in mind, Ye Mo approached Gu Wei, causing the latter considerable unease at the sight of a Nascent Soul State cultivator approaching him. Ye Mo feigned retrieving a jade slip before addressing Gu Wei, "Are you Gu Wei from the Han Liang Empire?"

Gu Wei, anxious, replied, "Yes, qian bei, I am Gu Wei of the Han Liang Empire."

Ye Mo nodded. "Ye Mo, who journeyed with you, died in the forbidden grounds and entrusted me with this before his death." He then presented Gu Wei with three bottles. "This is a Soul Condensation Pill, intended for you. Ye Mo requested that you oversee Mo Yue City. The other two bottles contain Soul Essence Pills for You Shanping and Ge Lian. Please deliver them. He also asked me to tell you not to ascend further."

Gu Wei wasn't surprised by Ye Mo's death, but the gift of a Soul Condensation Pill deeply shocked him. He realized Ye Mo, sensing his imminent demise, had likely given away his possessions to ensure the well-being of Mo Yue City.

Gu Wei bowed. "Thank you, qian bei, for delivering Ye qian bei's final message. I shall remember it. May I ask your name, qian bei?"

Ye Mo waved a hand. "No need to remember me. My goal is Truth Fall Palace level six. I might not return, so it's fortunate I found you." He sighed. "I am Fu Rong, a close friend of Ye Mo… but Ye Mo…"

He waved to Gu Wei. "I am ascending. Take care."

Ye Mo vanished up the stairs, confident that Gu Wei, possessing a Soul Condensation Pill, wouldn't risk level five. Golden Core State cultivators risked their lives for a chance at Nascent Soul State, but with his objective fulfilled, Ye Mo doubted Gu Wei would continue. He was correct; Gu Wei quickly departed to find safety.

Ye Mo's ascent spurred others to follow. Gu Wei's departure went unnoticed.

Upon reaching level five, Ye Mo instantly perceived a distinct change in the spiritual energy; it was as if a spirit-gathering formation had been implemented. He even spotted two level four Zhou Huan flowers. The abundance of spirit herbs far surpassed level four. He wondered if level six would be even more bountiful. However, he knew his time was limited, having already spent considerable time in the forbidden grounds. He needed to hasten his progress.

Ye Mo discovered vast quantities of level five and even level six herbs. Few cultivators reached this level, minimizing competition. He even found three Purple-Back Blue Carrots. He sighed—the sheer abundance of high-level spirit herbs would be virtually impossible without Truth Fall Palace.

Another patch of over ten Mist Zhi Lan appeared. Though a mere level five herb, Ye Mo welcomed the addition. Only a level five cow beast guarded them.

Just as Ye Mo prepared to subdue the beast and collect the herbs, two Nascent Soul State cultivators approached, seemingly joyous. Ye Mo's spirit sense revealed a man and a woman. Yet, the next moment, Ye Mo abandoned the Mist Zhi Lan, staring at the pair with trembling hands.

The male cultivator's face, though pale, was instantly recognizable: Jing Yuzhen, the young master of the West Flow Sect. His pursuit of Luo Ying, culminating in the destruction of the Magical Herb Sect, flashed through Ye Mo's mind. Jing Yuzhen's lust for Luo Ying and subsequent actions had led to the sect's annihilation. If not for a stroke of luck, Luo Ying and he would have perished. Jing Yuzhen was the chief culprit, and the sight of him ignited Ye Mo's fury.

Even more shocking was the woman beside him: a cultivator from the Magical Herb Sect, Luo Ying's martial sister, Liu Manxiang—and, by extension, Ye Mo's martial aunt. He never imagined they were so closely acquainted.