Chapter 1065: Smart Ugly Woman
Although many spirit herbs grew on level five, Ye Mo didn't linger. Having killed Yuan Guannan, he felt a profound unease he couldn't explain, and promptly proceeded to the level six stairway. He was exceedingly cautious, scanning the stairway with his spirit sense to ensure no other cultivators were present before ascending.
He anticipated a slightly greater challenge than level five, nothing he couldn't handle. However, halfway up, he found it difficult to breathe, feeling as though he might be pushed back at any moment. He knew he couldn't retreat; doing so would mean certain death. The Truth Fall Palace had lost numerous cultivators this way—turning back on the stairs resulted in instant annihilation. Failure to withstand the pressure was equally fatal.
Ye Mo had ascended levels one through three without using cultivation essence. Level four was bypassed via the forbidden grounds, and level five required some essence, but presented no significant difficulty. He hadn't expected level six to prove so arduous.
With each step, an immense pressure bore down, tormenting both body and mind. The scarcity of cultivators on level six became clear; Ye Mo needed his spirit sense to shield against the mental onslaught. Even cultivators with substantial cultivation essence couldn't withstand this powerful spirit pressure.
Despite his near-Nascent Soul state level nine spirit sense, Ye Mo was struggling. He could still counter the physical pressure with his cultivation essence, but the mental pressure threatened to make him vomit blood. The pressure felt trapped in his chest, ready to explode.
He had no choice but to defend with every ounce of his strength. About thirteen steps ahead, he saw another cultivator struggling, offering a small measure of solace—he wasn't alone. Yet, with approximately two hundred more steps to climb, and estimating he could barely endure fifty more, his initial confidence wavered. He'd overestimated himself. No wonder so few reached level seven; level six alone was almost unbearable.
Suddenly, the cultivator ahead howled, then accelerated and vanished. Had the steps become easier? Ye Mo climbed thirteen steps, finding only bloodstains. The cultivator had evidently expelled the blood from his chest, relieving the pressure. Ye Mo, however, was unable to do so, the blood pooling in his chest.
The mental pressure intensified, his chest burning, his head swimming. He felt he could endure no more and activated Purple Eye Soul Sever, aiming to cut through the mental pressure. If that failed, he planned to retreat into the Golden Page World; otherwise, he would be crushed.
Using Purple Eye Soul Sever, he felt his chest lighten and expelled the blood. Before he could celebrate, he noticed the ascent had become significantly easier. His body was unharmed, and his spirit sense seemed slightly enhanced.
He understood the key: expelling the blood. He sped up, continuing to use Purple Eye Soul Sever. Though taxing on his spirit sense, he realized it was simultaneously strengthening it—a rare opportunity, as spirit sense was the most difficult aspect to cultivate. Even without Purple Eye Soul Sever, he could have reached level six after expelling the blood, but this offered an unparalleled opportunity for refinement.
He easily climbed the remaining two hundred steps. The spirit chi here was denser than on level five. He considered meditating, but recoiled as he saw a cultivator—a Nascent Soul state level nine female cultivator—watching him from a distance. She was remarkably unattractive: one eye was larger than the other, her lips mismatched, but her skin was exceptionally fair, and her physique was pleasing. His spirit sense confirmed she wasn't masked, and her power was indeed Nascent Soul state level nine.
Unfazed by his scrutiny, she watched him quietly.
"Waiting for me?" Ye Mo asked, sensing no hostility.
She nodded. "You're impressive. You used a spirit sense cultivation method to reach level six."
"You know my method?" Ye Mo asked, bewildered. He'd never revealed his Purple Eye Soul Sever technique.
The female cultivator explained, "On the 481st stair, I realized that besides using spirit sense to defend against the pressure and expelling the blood, one could use cultivation essence to sever the pressure and expel the blood. Given your Nascent Soul state level four power, cultivation essence was clearly insufficient, so only spirit sense would work."
Ye Mo was astounded by her deduction. She'd not only surmised the process, but also the specific method. He'd never encountered such an intelligent female cultivator. He paused, wondering if she'd simply lingered to demonstrate her intellect.
"I'm not here to boast about my intelligence," she said, seemingly anticipating his thoughts. "I have other business with you."
Ye Mo remained silent, and she continued, "This isn't an appropriate place to speak. Come with me." She mounted her flying sword and departed.
Despite her power, Ye Mo wasn't intimidated and followed. Fifteen minutes later, they reached a secluded area. "I'm here to save your life and propose a deal," she declared.
Ye Mo frowned. Why would he need saving?
Unsurprised, she stated, "Because you killed a core disciple of a nine-star sect. No one else can save you. If I'm not mistaken, you killed Yuan Guannan."
Ye Mo was shocked. He believed the killing of Yuan Guannan was his secret. How did she know? Had she been observing him? If so, she couldn't be allowed to live.
She shook her head. "Killing me is pointless. News of your crime will surface eventually. And, could you even kill me?"