Chapter 1062: Reason for Sect Annihilation

“It’s Mist Zhi Lan; quite a lot, more than ten plants,” Liu Manxiang said, her words a subtle query to Jing Yuzhen. They had both clearly seen the spirit herbs. Jing Yuzhen glanced at Ye Mo and nodded subtly to Liu Manxiang. Ye Mo, a mere nascent soul state level four cultivator, posed no threat to Jing Yuzhen (nascent soul state level five) or Liu Manxiang (nascent soul state level one). However, Jing Yuzhen, rather than seizing the herbs, proposed, “Friend, shall we slay the bull together and divide the Mist Zhi Lan evenly?”

A level five bull required no concerted effort from nascent soul state cultivators; even Liu Manxiang could easily dispatch it. Ye Mo, his fists clenched white, blood tracing the corners of his eyes, remained outwardly calm despite his simmering rage. He wouldn't let Jing Yuzhen escape; the journey to East Black State would be far too lengthy otherwise. Seeing Ye Mo’s unwavering gaze, Jing Yuzhen frowned.

“I want the woman beside you,” Jing Yuzhen snarled. “Give her to me now! As for trash like you…” Ye Mo’s sneering scan of Liu Manxiang prompted an immediate, furious outburst from Jing Yuzhen. A nascent soul state level four cultivator daring to covet his woman was beyond acceptable.

Enraged, Jing Yuzhen attacked, unleashing six frosty flying swords—an extreme grade spirit artifact set whose combined power rivaled a low-grade cultivation artifact. The swords formed a semi-circular veil, completely encasing Ye Mo. A flash of envy crossed Liu Manxiang's face before she turned a cold gaze on Ye Mo. Jing Yuzhen's power stemmed entirely from these swords, capable of both attack and binding opponents within the resulting veil.

Once the veil fully enveloped Ye Mo, Jing Yuzhen's fury subsided slightly. He even suspected Ye Mo knew him; otherwise, why would he anticipate this all-out attack? Against another cultivator, Ye Mo might have acted differently, but the feud with Jing Yuzhen ran too deep. Jing Yuzhen, a mere nascent soul state level one cultivator propped up by pills only a few decades prior, had now reached level five—a development that worried Ye Mo.

The cultivation realm was unpredictable. Ye Mo himself had risen from an ordinary individual to a cultivator capable of swiftly eliminating peers. He couldn't underestimate Jing Yuzhen, and escape was unacceptable. Yet, upon witnessing Jing Yuzhen's attack, Ye Mo shook his head. Jing Yuzhen relied entirely on the flying swords; his own cultivation essence and spiritual sense were negligible. Even with Fu Rong present, Ye Mo believed he could escape.

Before the sword veil could fully descend, he unleashed Zi Xu. Against someone like Wu Yu, he might have used the Illusion Cloud essence binding strike, but the disparity here was far too significant. Instead, he used the Illusion Cloud whirlpool strike, rending the sword veil as if it were cloth sliced by countless sharp blades.

The six flying swords were swept aside by the purple sword rays, their owner powerless to control them. Before Jing Yuzhen could react, a purple ray struck his dantian. A blood arrow erupted as a gash appeared, and his terrified nascent soul was swiftly pulverized by Ye Mo's purple sword rays.

Jing Yuzhen stared dazedly at Ye Mo, incredulous that a nascent soul state level five cultivator had fallen in three moves to a level four. The loss of his nascent soul meant the loss of all his power. "You…you…" he stammered, speechless.

There was no point in pleading or threatening. He now loathed Liu Manxiang most of all; had it not been for her, he would have disregarded the Mist Zhi Lan. Now, a few level five spirit herbs had brought about his ruin. Liu Manxiang, unaware or unconcerned, stared at Ye Mo in terror. His effortless destruction of Jing Yuzhen's nascent soul suggested her own demise was equally simple. She instinctively attempted to retreat, only to meet Ye Mo's chilling glare. "Move half a step, and I will kill you."

Liu Manxiang trembled, unable to move. Her face pale, she desperately searched for an escape. Ye Mo ignored her, mocking Jing Yuzhen, "Your power's rise was swift! From nascent soul state level one to five. Pity, it was artificially inflated by your father's pills. How a wretch like you reached the fifth floor is beyond me."

"You… you know me?" Jing Yuzhen finally realized Ye Mo's identity, understanding the motive wasn't the woman or spirit herbs. Liu Manxiang, seizing the moment, fought back her fear and attempted seduction, partially disrobing. "Big brother, I'll stay with you! I've long grown weary of Jing. If you're willing…"

Jing Yuzhen, witnessing his lover's attempt to seduce another, spat blood. Ye Mo, however, ignored Liu Manxiang, focusing on Jing Yuzhen. "Jing, my master, Luo Ying, never left the sect. How did you know of her?"

"You're from the Magical Herb Sect…" Jing Yuzhen's shock revealed his understanding of Ye Mo's hatred.

Ye Mo still grappled with the West Flow Sect's annihilation of the Magical Herb Sect for his master, Luo Ying.

Finally understanding, Jing Yuzhen pointed at Liu Manxiang, hatefully accusing her. “It's her! She told my father the Magical Herb Sect possessed a cauldron capable of crafting heaven-grade pills, and that Luo Ying was beautiful; she even showed him a painting…”

“You lie!” Liu Manxiang screamed. “Your father desired the Magical Herb Sect's cauldron, and you lusted after Martial Sister Luo Ying. I merely endured your abuse within the West Flow Sect to eventually avenge the Magical Herb Sect. This is my chance!”

Even masked, Liu Manxiang recognized Ye Mo. She wondered at his presence and his newfound strength.

"Haha, I lied?" Jing Yuzhen laughed, accepting his fate. “Liu Manxiang, you spoke of the Magical Herb Sect's cauldron, but we only obtained a lid. We built the rest ourselves. For a soul condensation pill, you betrayed your martial sister and sect, and now you betray me. I see you for who you truly are…"

Before he could finish, Liu Manxiang decapitated him with her flying sword. Ye Mo, coldly observing this treacherous pair, remained silent. After the deed, Liu Manxiang offered a sycophantic smile. “Martial Brother Ye Mo! I never thought you'd be alive. This is wonderful! Is Martial Sister Luo Ying alright? I…I…” Her excitement rendered her incoherent.