Chapter 1082: Decide to Join the Tournament

Ye Mo expected the golden core state cultivators he'd previously dispatched to return seeking retribution, given their long residence in Pill City. However, after a week, none reappeared. He subsequently upgraded his yard's formation to level five, but refrained from installing a spirit gathering formation. The presence of two spirit attraction trees already mitigated the need, and adding another would likely create unfavorable impressions among neighboring cultivators.

In the following weeks, Ye Mo dedicated himself to cultivation while simultaneously instructing Xin Zhida in pill concoction, even adapting her cultivation method. Before Jing Yingli's arrival, he avoided venturing out; his power was still insufficient to safely confront Mo Youshen, potentially hindering even his escape from Pill City.

Two months swiftly passed. Xin Zhida mastered the creation of simple mortal-level pills, and with Ye Mo's refined cultivation method, abundant spirit stones, and pills, she attained foundation establishment state level eight. During this period, Ye Mo himself advanced from nascent soul state level four to level five.

A month remained before the Pill King Tournament when Ye Mo received word from Jing Yingli, confirming her presence in Pill City. She visited Xin Zhida, and Ye Mo formally introduced his new disciple.

Xin Zhida was surprised by Jing Yingli's appearance. Expecting an extraordinary female cultivator given her master's apparent seriousness, she found Jing Yingli's looks unremarkable, far less striking than her own. While Xin Zhida considered herself merely passable, Jing Yingli's appearance was even less impressive.

Jing Yingli was equally astonished. Xin Zhida's talent was unremarkable, yet Ye Mo had chosen her as a disciple. She found it perplexing. She knew that if Ye Mo publicly sought disciples, prodigies from across the Luo Yue Continent would vie for his tutelage. Cultivators meticulously selected disciples based on lineage and potential, yet Ye Mo had chosen Xin Zhida, ordinary in both looks and talent. Even Jing Yingli herself would have eagerly accepted such an offer.

Jing Yingli could only marvel at Xin Zhida's incredible luck. Cultivation often hinged on fortuitous circumstances; even prodigies without proper guidance could falter. Ye Mo, however, simply felt Xin Zhida was a suitable disciple, her presence somewhat assuaging his longing for Yimo.

Jing Yingli's astute nature prompted Ye Mo to reveal his conflict with Mo Youshen.

"What? You offended Pill King Chang Shun's disciple, Mo Youshen, as well?" Jing Yingli exclaimed, speechless at Ye Mo's penchant for trouble. Fortunately, his adversaries remained unaware of his identity, preventing catastrophic consequences.

"If I cannot participate in the Pill King Tournament, I will return to Mo Yue City with Xin Zhida," Ye Mo declared.

Jing Yingli pondered before responding, "I know Mo Youshen. He's Pill King Chang Shun's personal disciple. He's only been here four to five years, and while his talent is decent, it's nothing extraordinary. Even I couldn't reach golden core state level nine in that timeframe."

Ye Mo nodded; Mo Youshen clearly possessed some remarkably valuable spirit item.

"And..." Jing Yingli continued, "many in the South Peace State surpass Mo Youshen in talent, yet none cultivate as rapidly."

"Why is he so fast, Sister Yingli?" Xin Zhida inquired.

Jing Yingli explained, "He likely disregarded foundational stability or discovered an alternative solution. He began cultivation later in life and probably employed potent spirit herbs to forcibly establish his foundation and form his golden core. This expedited his progress, but his foundation is weak, limiting his future potential."

Ye Mo understood. Prioritizing speed in cultivation could lead to instability and mental imbalances. His bitter bamboo was an exception; it supported rapid cultivation without compromising mental fortitude.

Ye Mo doubted Mo Youshen possessed a bitter bamboo, making an alternative solution for his weak foundation improbable. While currently at golden core state level nine, reaching a higher level would necessitate at least a century of cultivation. Otherwise, forcibly forming a nascent soul would jeopardize his future.

This puzzled Ye Mo. Pill King Chang Shun must have recognized Mo Youshen's flaws. Why, then, did he prioritize Mo Youshen’s rapid advancement to golden core state level nine?

He dismissed the possibility of Mo Youshen possessing a bitter bamboo; it remained a mere legend, and even in a hypothetical immortal realm, its existence was highly improbable. Only one of each of the ten great spirit items was believed to exist, and Ye Mo possessed the bitter bamboo.

Clarifying Xin Zhida's confusion, Jing Yingli stated, "Pills and herbs that forcefully enhance power are incredibly rare; even nine-star sects possess limited quantities. Using them on a core disciple could quickly elevate their cultivation to the nascent soul state, but no sect does this due to the risk of unstable foundations."

Addressing Ye Mo, Jing Yingli continued, "Brother Ye, Mo Youshen is an outsider. Pill King Chang Shun's adoption of him as a personal disciple warrants explanation. Two possibilities exist: Mo Youshen possesses a close connection to the pill king, who possesses a method to stabilize his foundation; or the second..."

She paused, but Ye Mo understood; the pill king might have ulterior motives.

"In that case," Jing Yingli resumed, "Mo Youshen's fame in Pill City stems solely from Pill King Chang Shun's influence. Other pill kings and city lord managers would not take him seriously. Pill King Chang Shun is merely a judge in the Pill King Tournament; nearly ten pill kings in Pill City are more powerful."

Ye Mo nodded. Even if Mo Youshen recognized him, he would likely face no repercussions; Pill King Chang Shun himself might not intervene, much less Mo Youshen.

Unstated, yet understood by Ye Mo, was the need for a strong showing in the tournament to mitigate potential risks.

"Thank you, Martial Sister Jingli, for your insight," Ye Mo acknowledged, appreciating her objective perspective.

Jing Yingli smiled. "I hear he's currently absent from Pill City. Rumor has it Pill King Chang Shun accompanied him to the Golden Sword Sect to propose to Xiao Shiyin."

Ye Mo fell silent, recognizing the extent of Pill King Chang Shun's protectiveness. He soon rose, addressing Jing Yingli, "Martial Sister Yingli, please escort me to the registration location."

Jing Yingli nodded. "Registering for the Pill King Tournament won't be easy; lacking the Pill King title, I'll introduce you to a senior acquaintance."