Pill City, the sole ten-star city and symbol of the South Peace State, surpassed even South Peace City in renown. While rule-bending was tolerated elsewhere, Pill City demanded strict adherence. Domination was unheard of; even the Truth Realization state cultivator from the Lightning Cloud Sect, who had dared to pressure South Peace City into submission, wouldn't dream of such a thing here.

Yet, the cultivation realm, however strictly governed, ultimately bowed to power. Pill City was no exception; the city's pill masters held the greatest sway.

Pill City lay far from Mo Yue City, so Ye Mo eschewed Zi Xu, his journey by flying ship consuming nearly a month. Even from afar, a faint pill aroma wafted, the spirit chi far exceeding that of ordinary locales, sharpening Ye Mo's mind. This was undeniably a sacred ground for pill concoction.

Alighting 100 kilometers from the city, Ye Mo encountered sky restrictions and a massive level-nine defense formation, encompassing both an attack formation and a level-nine spirit-gathering formation. The dense spirit chi was explained—multiple spirit ranges must underlie the city.

Many cultivators passed through, yet the absence of city guards, and the lack of spirit stone tolls, struck Ye Mo as odd. However, his spirit sense detected subtle figures, likely covert surveillance.

Inside, the pill aroma intensified. Ye Mo mused, No wonder so many cultivators flock here. The environment fostered superior cultivation. Several Hollow Spirit state and one Body Condensation state cultivator passed by; Pill City teemed with Hollow Spirit state cultivators. Perhaps it alone could annihilate North Far State. This solidified Jing Yingli’s assertion that a strong presence here would deter any nine-star sect.

Knowing Jing Yingli was likely still absent, and unfamiliar with Pill City, Ye Mo knew he needed her assistance, whether for joining the city or participating in the pill concoction tournament.

Considering a secluded spot for cultivation, a familiar figure materialized—Mo Youshen.

Ye Mo was aghast. His initial impulse was to kill him, but he quickly reconsidered, hoping to avoid detection. Mo Youshen had reached Golden Core state, level nine. If his cultivation began upon joining the South Peace State, his progress was breathtaking, rivalling Su Jingwen's—though she possessed a hidden spirit root.

Ye Mo retreated to a roadside stall, feigning interest in a rusty magic artefact fragment. Should Mo Youshen recognize him, Ye Mo would be instantly slain; Mo Youshen was accompanied by two Hollow Spirit state cultivators, one at level nine. His prodigious talent had secured him a place in a powerful sect.

Bitterness welled in Ye Mo. Why was Mo Youshen so fortunate, while he toiled, burdened by numerous enemies?

"They've left," the stall owner remarked, startling Ye Mo. He then noticed the proprietor—a girl under twenty, moderately pretty with large eyes, slightly tanned skin, and foundation establishment state level seven cultivation. Her stall held only low-level herbs and a few magic artefacts, her business likely meager.

Yet, she perceived his conflict with Mo Youshen. Ye Mo was astonished.

He smiled, selecting the artefact shard. "Little sister, I'll take this. How many spirit stones?"

She refused. "It's useless to you. If you've offended someone, leave Pill City quickly."

Understanding her insight, Ye Mo casually inquired about the departing group.

"That's Mo Youshen, disciple of Pill King Chang Shun, the second elder of Pill City," she replied.

Mo Youshen! Ye Mo's fists clenched. The man's fortune was astounding; he was virtually Pill City's young master. Ye Mo's prospects here seemed bleak.

He shook his head; Jing Yingli's plan was sound, but his luck was atrocious. He decided to at least await Jing Yingli's arrival, and asked the girl about secluded lodgings.

She explained that obtaining accommodation required connections, often months of advance booking.

Stunned, Ye Mo realized he faced a predicament—he couldn't indefinitely remain on the streets.

Hesitantly, the girl offered him temporary lodgings at a low cost.

Ye Mo was incredulous. Her meager business and low cultivation made this baffling. Housing prices in Pill City must be exorbitant.

The girl, slightly hurt, explained that the residence was her grandfather's legacy—a high-level spirit pill master who had relocated fifteen years prior, bringing her along.

Ye Mo questioned this, considering her current situation.

"My grandfather died six years ago," she replied, dejectedly.

Ye Mo understood. A teenage girl maintaining herself with a small stall in Pill City was a monumental struggle; most cultivators likely gave spirit stones out of pity. She was only seventeen, eleven at the time of her grandfather's passing. Her survival here was a testament to Pill City's relative benevolence. It would have been far more difficult elsewhere.

Empathy struck Ye Mo, recalling Yimo. "Pack up your stall, and show me your place," he said, resolved to help her.

"Okay," she replied, happily gathering her belongings.

Confused, Ye Mo concluded the exchange by asking, "If your grandfather was a spirit pill master, why don't you have a storage ring?"