Chapter 1075: Who Killed Yuan Guannan

A day passed swiftly. It was perilous, yet they survived, thanks to the level six formation.

“I’ll set up an attack formation,” Ye Mo said, noticing that while their defense was strong, purely defending might prove problematic.

Jing Yingli replied softly, “You probably don’t need to. I believe we can leave in less than two hours.”

Ye Mo paused. If they had less than two hours, formations were indeed unnecessary.

Just as he stopped, an extremely powerful space whirlpool slammed into the formation.

Crack. The level six formation was on the verge of collapse!

Ye Mo and Jing Yingli were shocked. They had expected the formation to hold for at least six more hours, but its imminent failure was undeniable.

Before they could react, the level six formation shattered. A wave of bleakness washed over them as a black figure charged toward them.

The octagonal cauldron unleashed countless shadow-cauldrons, attempting to halt the black shadow. However, Ye Mo knew his cauldron was no match for something capable of breaching a level six defense formation. He immediately unleashed the Mist Lotus Heart Fire. It was his only recourse.

The Mist Lotus Heart Fire erupted, met by a terrifying howl of pain. It was effective! And astonishingly swift! Before Ye Mo could fully celebrate, a round, colorless bead materialized before him. Its beauty was captivating, and he instinctively grasped it.

An overwhelming sense of comfort surged through him, clearing his mind. What was this? It felt extraordinary.

“Huh, it’s a spirit cleansing bead. Our attackers are spirit cultivators!” Jing Yingli exclaimed, recognizing the bead.

A spirit cleansing bead? Ye Mo was astounded. He confirmed it was indeed a spirit cleansing bead, an invaluable treasure in the cultivation realm—more precious than even level nine spirit herbs. It cultivated spirit sense and purified the soul, offering countless benefits to the wearer.

Only spirit cultivators possessed them, yet spirit cultivators were rarely encountered. Furthermore, upon their death, the bead vanished with them.

Were all the black shadows spirit cultivators? Ye Mo considered this, then dismissed it. While some might be, most probably weren't.

“Not good…” Countless black shadows surged forward. Ye Mo's heart sank. Their level six defense was gone, making it impossible to repel such a multitude. While his heaven flame had proven effective, he couldn't confront so many at once, and he wasn't certain of its efficacy against all types of black shadows.

Jing Yingli shared his assessment. Ye Mo immediately produced his formation flags, intending to erect another formation, but at that instant, two white beams of light flashed.

Jing Yingli rejoiced, exclaiming, “The Truth Fall Palace is closing!”

Ye Mo felt the white light and instantly donned the mask Jing Yingli had given him. Upon opening his eyes, he found himself atop the sacrificial stage on the mountain peak.

He quickly located Jing Yingli. She nodded, her usual smile absent. Ye Mo kept his head bowed as he followed behind her. Of the initial six thousand people, only about two thousand remained.

He soon spotted Gu Yu and Guo Qifan, unharmed, a relief washing over him. He also saw Qinghan, Qingyi, and the others emerge.

Guo Qifan appeared to be searching for Ye Mo, but Ye Mo had no intention of revealing himself yet.

Qinghan, Qingyi, and the others also scanned their surroundings with their spirit sense, searching for him.

Qingyi soon discovered she couldn't locate Ning Xiaoma and became distraught. Approaching a level nine Nascent Soul cultivator from her sect, she asked, “Big Martial Sister, did Ning Xiaoma come out? Did you see him in the forbidden grounds?”

The nun nodded hesitantly. Ling Xiaoshuang quickly interjected, “Ning Xiaoma probably died in the forbidden grounds. Don't fret, Martial Sister Qingyi, after all, he's…”

“Huh?” Qinghan and the others were immediately disheartened at the thought of Ye Mo's death. Xia Youshan even began to weep.

Ye Mo felt a pang of guilt and sympathy. He knew he couldn't reveal himself; doing so would expose too much. Yi Pandie, to begin with, was unreliable.

This thought of Yi Pandie crossed his mind just as Qingyue approached her with a cold expression, “Martial Sister Yi, did you cause trouble for Martial Brother Xiaoma within the forbidden grounds?”

Qinghan restrained Qingyue, knowing that even if Yi Pandie had confronted Ye Mo, she was no match for him. Such questioning could only escalate conflict between the sects.

Unexpectedly, Yi Pandie bowed to Qingyue and said sincerely, “Sorry, Martial Sister Qingyue, I misunderstood Martial Brother Xiaoma. I wouldn't seek trouble with him in the forbidden grounds. I am also saddened by his absence.”

She omitted Ye Mo's assistance; discussing it would invite interrogation, especially given the death of an Eternity Sea core disciple. She needed only to know the truth herself.

Qingyue was surprised by Yi Pandie's changed attitude towards Martial Brother Xiaoma, but her sincerity was evident.

“…Sister, you only have one guard remaining? Did you encounter danger in the forbidden grounds?” a clear voice inquired, and Ye Mo instinctively looked up.

What a stunning woman! Clad in a pale purple dress, her skin was alabaster, her face exquisitely beautiful, almost overwhelming. A light mist, possibly from her cultivation, surrounded her, giving her a goddess-like aura.

Her eyes held genuine concern, and her words rang true. Ye Mo instantly recognized her: Jing Yingmeng.

One of the South Peace State's ten beauties—ranked fourth. A level seven Nascent Soul cultivator.

Jing Yingli merely hummed, her expression unchanged.

Jing Yingmeng showed no annoyance, her worry apparent.

Ye Mo felt pity for Jing Yingli. Compared to Jing Yingmeng, she must have felt utterly insignificant. Aside from their physique and power, Ye Mo couldn't comprehend their sisterly bond.

Jing Yingmeng sighed, addressing Ye Mo coldly, “Though the sect leader assigned you to my sister, the person you answer to now is not the sect leader, but my sister.”

Ye Mo was taken aback, but remained silent, as did Jing Yingli.

At that moment, cultivators approached from outside, but before they could reach the stage, an immensely powerful pressure descended.

“A Truth Realization state cultivator!” someone exclaimed in shock. Only a Truth Realization state cultivator could exert such immense pressure.

Ye Mo's heart sank, and he bowed his head, refraining from using his spirit sense. The Truth Realization state cultivator was clearly here for Yuan Guannan.

The Truth Realization state cultivator floated before the stage, his pressure intensifying, causing some Golden Core state cultivators to tremble.

“Enough, daofriend, these cultivators can't withstand your pressure,” another cultivator intervened, smiling.

The Truth Realization state cultivator sneered, slightly reducing his pressure, then addressed the cultivators on the stage, “Which of you killed my Infinity Sect’s Yuan Guannan? Come forward now, or if I discover it later, your entire sect will face repercussions.”