Chapter 1077: So You’re in Love

Before entering Mo Yue City, Ye Mo sensed Xu Changji, his face alight with joy. Xu Changji, now a Hollow Spirit State level one cultivator, had completed the city lord's estate, though the formations remained unfinished. Ye Mo easily scanned him with his spirit sense. Even more pleasing was the fact that, under Ye Wucai's direction, over half of Mo Yue City was already complete.

“Congratulations, Martial Brother, on reaching the Hollow Spirit State,” Ye Mo said before reaching him. Xu Changji, upon seeing Ye Mo, immediately approached. He acknowledged his debt to Ye Mo, emphasizing that constant progress, not past achievements, was paramount.

“Martial Brother, you’re back! Your expression suggests a bountiful journey,” Xu Changji exclaimed, relieved to have Ye Mo's guidance on cultivation methods once more.

“Let’s go inside first,” Ye Mo said, his smile fading. He swiftly erected spirit sense shielding and soul barrier restrictions before pulling Xu Changji inside.

“What’s wrong?” Xu Changji sensed the gravity of Ye Mo's demeanor.

Ye Mo explained, “Martial Brother, I need to leave for a while. Meanwhile, tell everyone I never left the Truth Fall Palace.”

“You offended someone?” Xu Changji inquired astutely.

Ye Mo nodded. “I killed Wu Yu.”

“A seven-star core disciple—troublesome,” Xu Changji remarked casually.

Ye Mo sighed. “And Yuan Guannan, the Infinity Sect's top genius.”

“What? How did you even return?” Xu Changji was astonished at his bold friend.

“A friend helped. But I suspect they’ll investigate Mo Yue City, so I’m leaving it in your capable hands, Martial Brother. This is the foundation of my future power; you must safeguard it,” Ye Mo instructed.

“Martial Brother, this is my home now too. Rest assured, I’ll protect it. I like Mo Yue City, though the spirit chi is low. But you’re a formation master; you can set up a spirit gathering formation, right?” Xu Changji responded.

Ye Mo smiled. “I planned to do so already. I’ll also upgrade the city's defenses. If anyone asks, say I never returned.”

“And I’ll need you to oversee construction and Ye Wucai.”

Xu Changji readily agreed.

Half a month later, Ye Mo enhanced Mo Yue City's formations, adding defense and spirit gathering arrays near Xu Changji’s cultivation area, before gifting him a spirit-enhancing pill and departing. The pill was crafted from herbs Jing Yingli had given him.

Though Ye Mo hastily departed the Truth Fall Palace Square, other cultivators lingered, their sects eager to compare the spirit herbs gathered by their disciples—a measure of their core disciples' prowess. These herbs were converted into sect contribution points, exchangeable for pills. Even nine-star sect core disciples rarely found level four pill kings to refine for them, let alone other disciples. Thus, most disciples exchanged their herbs for points. Solo cultivators did likewise at their alliance.

You Shanping and Ge Lian stood jubilantly near Gu Wei at the Green Pill Sect. Gu Wei had not only emerged from the Truth Fall Palace at level four but also possessed many spirit herbs. Knowing his reluctance to join the Green Pill Sect, they were pleased he’d arrived. He awaited the sect disciples' exchange before his turn.

However, You Shanping and Ge Lian grew anxious as cultivators stared at them. A breathtaking beauty, Wen Caiyi, the renowned number one beauty of South Peace State, approached.

Despite their age and awareness of their unsuitability, the two were unnerved. They dared not openly admire her beauty, fearing her wrath. Yet, they’d barely glanced at her.

“What’s your name?” Wen Caiyi unexpectedly addressed Gu Wei.

“Solo cultivator Gu Wei greets Martial Sister Wen,” Gu Wei nervously replied, bowing.

Wen Caiyi nodded. “You entered the Truth Fall Palace with another, yes? Who? Where is he? You represented the Green Pill Sect?”

Gu Wei cautiously answered, “Yes, with Ye-Qianbei. We represented Han Liang Empire. Ye-Qianbei, whose name is Ye Mo, unfortunately perished in the Truth Fall Palace. I grieve his loss.”

Wen Caiyi frowned. “You respected Ye Mo greatly? Did you know him beforehand?”

Gu Wei replied, “Ye-Qianbei was generous to me; my respect is natural. I didn’t know him before, but he aided me en route to the Truth Fall Palace.” He was genuinely grateful for Ye Mo's act of sending a condense soul pill before his death, and his decision to abstain from joining the Green Pill Sect stemmed from his desire to stabilize Mo Yue City, fulfilling Ye Mo’s last wish.

“You’re lying,” Wen Caiyi sneered.

Gu Wei trembled. Just as he braced himself for trouble, a sharp voice cut through, “You said you were with Ye Mo? The real Ye Mo?”

Wen Caiyi, though annoyed at the interruption, merely sneered upon seeing Ling Xiaoshuang. Ling Xiaoshuang's master, Shan Bingfeng, was formidable and unafraid of the Infinity Sect.

Ling Xiaoshuang's words relieved Gu Wei. He wiped his sweat and replied, “Gu Wei greets Martial Sister Ling. Indeed, it was Ye Mo, but he died in the Truth Fall Palace.”

“Impossible!” Ling Xiaoshuang was incredulous, refusing to believe the ‘Soar Into Existence’ could perish in the Truth Fall Palace.

“Martial Sister Xiaoshuang, you don’t even know Ye Mo. Why the concern?” Wen Caiyi taunted.

Ling Xiaoshuang, regaining her composure, glanced at Wen Caiyi. “Martial Sister Wen, I've known Ye Mo a long time. What do you mean I don't know him?”

Wen Caiyi looked shocked, feigning enlightenment. “Ah, so Martial Sister Xiaoshuang is in love! The deeper the love, the greater the hate…”

Ling Xiaoshuang’s brow rose, ready to retort, when Wen Caiyi continued, “I see. You knew Ning Xiaoma was Ye Mo and pretended otherwise at the forbidden grounds' entrance. The depth of love, the height of hate…”

“What?” Ling Xiaoshuang gasped.