The cultivators emerging from the Truth Fall Palace buzzed with excitement. Yuan Guannan, the Infinity Sect’s top genius, was dead? At only thirty, he'd already reached nascent soul state level five, with a brilliant future ahead. His early demise was attributed to forceful cultivation; without such intense pressure, he might have already attained the hollow spirit state. Yet, he hadn't even emerged from the palace? It was unbelievable.

“Who dared kill him?”

“He probably didn’t escape the forbidden grounds.”

“Yeah, Young Master Yuan ranked 212 on the nascent soul state trial tablet—who could kill him?”

Jing Yingli approved of Ye Mo’s caution. While she suspected Yuan Guannan’s death might alarm a truth realization state cultivator, jeopardizing her own concealment, she had needed Ye Mo's assistance. His capture or safety was of no concern to her. Now, it seemed his prudence had saved him again.

A truth realization state cultivator sneered, silencing the murmuring crowd. Offending such a cultivator was disastrous; they could destroy entire families with impunity.

“Caiyi, recount the events preceding your departure,” another cauldron filling state cultivator instructed.

Ye Mo observed the speaker, clearly an Infinity Sect member whose pale face hinted at a possible connection to Yuan Guannan—perhaps as a disciple.

Wen Caiyi stepped forward, bowing to the two truth realization state cultivators before addressing the cauldron filling cultivator. “Elder Feng, I was with Martial Brother Yuan at level five when he mentioned business and asked me to wait fifteen minutes. I waited five hours. Something had clearly happened.”

The truth realization state cultivator declared, “Those who reached Truth Fall Palace level five, remain. Others, depart.”

Soon, roughly a thousand cultivators left. Ye Mo’s spirit sense revealed only five hundred remaining—a potent selection process. Those below nascent soul state level three were also eliminated, leaving approximately one hundred, Ye Mo among them. He’d counted over ten hollow spirit state cultivators, yet only two had emerged; Ku Xin, the monk, was absent.

“Your name?” The truth realization state cultivator’s gaze locked onto Ye Mo. Despite his mask and nascent soul state level four power, his cultivation essence seemed unusually potent.

Ye Mo cursed inwardly. Among roughly one hundred, he was among the weaker. Jing Yingli’s indifferent expression offered no assistance. He stated, “Wanbei, Abstruse Sound Sect inner sect disciple Xi Pei. I was assigned by the sect leader to protect Miss Yingli.”

The truth realization state cultivator turned to Jing Yingli. Without speaking, he elicited a curt salute. “Yes, Qianbei,” she replied in a flat tone.

The cauldron filling cultivator chimed in, “A matter for the Abstruse Sound Sect.”

The truth realization state cultivator nodded, ceasing his interrogation. Ye Mo realized Jing Yingli’s absence of immediate intervention had been a wise choice; a hasty alibi would have been detrimental. It seemed she harbored no fondness for her previous guards.

“Wait, Daofriend Lin,” another truth realization state cultivator interjected, seeming to grasp something.

“What is it, Brother Wu?” The Infinity Sect’s truth realization state cultivator inquired.

Brother Wu frowned. “Daofriend Lin, the culprit responsible for Yuan Guannan’s death is not among these cultivators. The soul mark is not something easily removed, especially by those present, the strongest being merely hollow spirit state.”

The Infinity Sect cultivator sighed. He knew this, yet Yuan Guannan’s potential left him deeply dissatisfied with his death.

“Furthermore, eleven hollow spirit state cultivators entered; only two returned. Even hollow spirit state cultivators are vulnerable, let alone nascent soul state cultivators. This time, the Truth Fall Palace is open to the entire Luo Yue Continent. Unseen prodigies might be present,” Brother Wu observed.

“Indeed,” the Infinity Sect cultivator acknowledged, finally understanding.

Brother Wu addressed the remaining cultivators. “Those who reached Truth Fall Palace level six, step forward.”

Ye Mo noted about forty cultivators remained, including himself and Jing Yingli.

“Level seven?” Brother Wu inquired.

No one responded. Ye Mo had no intention of revealing himself, nor did he expect Jing Yingli to.

The two truth realization state cultivators exchanged worried glances. The Infinity Sect cultivator dismissed the group. “You may leave.”

Then, turning to Brother Wu, he added, “Brother Wu, I find this Truth Fall Palace…unusual. The forbidden grounds appeared suddenly, claiming so many prodigies. This is abnormal.”

Ye Mo disregarded their conversation; his only desire was to depart.

The ship awaited. Ye Mo silently followed Jing Yingli. His room adjoined hers. Upon entering, she sound-transmitted, “Do not reveal the flame or the bead; your life depends on it.”

Even without her warning, Ye Mo wouldn’t be foolish enough to disclose such secrets. He was more apprehensive about Jing Yingli revealing them, but her message implied her silence. It wasn’t a reminder, but a promise.

Days passed swiftly. The ship’s passenger count dwindled, yet Ye Mo remained secluded. He observed Jing Yingli once, briefly pausing at his door before leaving.

At the Truth Fall Palace Square, Ye Mo followed closely. Suddenly, Jing Yingli unleashed a flying sword, addressing him coldly. “Xi, if you persist in following me, I will kill you. I do not need a mere nascent soul state level four inner sect disciple. You cannot protect me.”

She departed without a backward glance.

Ye Mo felt relief. He understood this as her dismissal, granting him freedom, yet also a subtle reminder to meet in Pill City.

Seeing Jing Yingmeng approach, Ye Mo concealed his chi, avoiding contact. He needed to return to Mo Yue City and instruct Xu Changji.

Jing Yingmeng, witnessing Ye Mo's sudden disappearance, frowned. When had her father's designated protector become so powerful?

Ye Mo found a secluded spot to alter his chi and clothing, activating the Nine Transformations technique before returning to the square. He saw You Shanping and Ge Lian surrounding Gu Wei, surprised that Gu Wei, not Ye Mo, had emerged. His spirit sense located Li Qianping at a stall, her expression one of disappointment.

Approaching, he observed a meager selection of level four spirit herbs and low-grade spirit artifacts. Her focus wasn't on business.

“I’ll take this spirit herb,” Ye Mo said, offering a restricted box. “Payment.”

He departed before she could react. Li Qianping examined the box; joy illuminated her face. Without hesitation, she stored it. Upon re-scanning her surroundings, Ye Mo was gone.

“A trustworthy person,” she murmured, packing her stall, “bringing Fu Rong’s head.” She disappeared.