Chapter 1083: You Owe Me One

Jing Yingli stated, “To register, you must hold at least a level seven spirit pill master title, if not a pill king title. You have neither. How can you participate?”

“My master is a pill king,” Xin Zhida immediately replied, visibly proud. She quickly realized, however, that her master's title wasn't sufficient; Pill City's recognition was necessary for participation in the tournament.

Jing Yingli, seeing Xin Zhida's understanding, ceased her explanation.

“Okay,” Ye Mo acknowledged the requirement.

Jing Yingli sensed Ye Mo's apathy towards the tournament; his participation aimed solely at gaining a powerful identity. Concerned he wouldn't exert his full capabilities, she considered for a moment. "A top-three finish would alleviate any concerns about conflict with Mo Youshen. Top-three finishers are usually invited as elders or paid guests. For example, Mo Youshen’s master placed third fifty years ago."

Ye Mo pondered, "Top three should be manageable." He wasn't bluffing. His pill concoction method, derived from the Three Birth Chant, aligned with universal laws and the five elements' derivation. Already a level four pill king—comparable to Pill King Chang Shun—he felt unconquerable. While others might take centuries to advance from level four to level five, he could potentially achieve it in a single night; such was the Three Birth Chant's power.

Jing Yingli shared his confidence, hence her emphasis on the importance of a top-three finish. A lower ranking would be detrimental. She smiled. "A top-three finish, even if you reveal the heaven flame, would safeguard you in Pill City. Furthermore, achieving prominence in Pill City and securing a high position would allow you to traverse South Peace State with ease. Everyone would hail you as pill king. A single word would procure any herb you desired. This surpasses the status of a seven-star sect leader."

Ye Mo was startled by the advantages. Despite his superior pill concoction skills, his nascent soul state prevented him from revealing the heaven flame, a plan he intended to postpone until reaching the body condensation state.

Jing Yingli added, “Even without ranking, obtaining Pill City's pill king title would attract countless sycophants. However, a lack of ranking would leave you vulnerable to Pill King Chang Shun.”

“Understood. Please take me to that qianbei,” Ye Mo nodded.

Expecting a prominent individual residing in the city center, Ye Mo was surprised when Jing Yingli led him to a dilapidated forgery shop on the city's outskirts, where an old man meticulously crafted a middle-grade magic artefact. Ye Mo questioned the shop's profitability.

“Grandpa Lu, wanbei Jing Yingli greets you,” Jing Yingli bowed respectfully.

Ye Mo was stunned. He used his spirit sense to assess the old man's power, only to find it completely imperceptible. A level four nascent soul cultivator who could vaguely sense two truth realization cultivators was now rendered incapable of discerning this old man’s power, implying at least truth realization state cultivation.

"Little girl, why are you here again?" The old man showed little interest in Jing Yingli, but his gaze lingered on Ye Mo, acknowledging the spirit sense scan.

“Wanbei Ye Mo greets qianbei,” Ye Mo bowed.

The old man nodded at Ye Mo then addressed Jing Yingli, “What troubles do you bring me now?”

Jing Yingli, relieved, explained, “Grandpa Lu, this is Ye Mo. He wishes to participate in the pill king tournament but lacks Pill City's recognition of his skills. He would normally have to wait until after the tournament, so…”

“So you want me to grant him a pill king title and help him register?” the old man retorted scornfully.

Jing Yingli remained composed. “Yes, Grandpa Lu, wanbei brought Aunty Yan’s letter.”

Ye Mo, intrigued by Aunty Yan, wondered if the old man would assist them.

The old man waved dismissively. “I am not your Grandpa Lu, and you need not mention it. But…” He looked at Ye Mo. “You have potential. I’ll grant you this favor. You're Ye Mo, correct? Take this jade card to the Pill Association and state your needs.” He handed Ye Mo a blue jade card. “Keep it as a memento. Ye Mo, you owe me one. I'm not helping because of Jing Yingli, but because you asked. Now go, you're wasting my forging time.”

Jing Yingli and Ye Mo exchanged uncertain glances before bowing and departing. Jing Yingli felt awkward; she'd brought a letter, yet her assistance proved unnecessary.

“This is my first encounter with this Lu-Qianbei. I'm unsure why he helped,” Ye Mo remarked before Jing Yingli could inquire. He found Lu-Qianbei's goodwill unsettling; in his experience, unprovoked assistance always implied ulterior motives.

“Lu-Qianbei is unconventional; don't overthink it. Let's address the Pill Association matter,” Jing Yingli reassured him.

“Who is he?” Ye Mo asked.

Jing Yingli responded with respect, “Lu-Qianbei’s status in Pill City is no lower than the city's top pill master. He's also known as Forgery God Lu, a level nine forgery grand master and the foremost forger in South Peace State. Few outside Pill City’s higher echelons are aware of his residence.”

“A level nine forgery grand master?” Ye Mo was astonished. He'd observed the old man forging a middle-grade magic artefact.

Jing Yingli smiled. “Did you assume him ordinary because of the artefact? Knowing the materials used would change your perception.”

“What materials?” Ye Mo asked instinctively.

“Lu-Qianbei used roadside materials—worthless to cultivators: earth, rock, grass. He utilizes everything.”

Ye Mo gasped. Creating magic artefacts from anything was incomprehensible. Even as a level four pill king, he couldn't produce mortal-grade pills from weeds.

“You planned to take me to Lu-Qianbei for forgery?” Ye Mo recalled Jing Yingli’s earlier words.

Jing Yingli shook her head. “Forget that. I’m taking you to someone else now.”