Chapter 1089: I Don’t Deserve Him

“Who is this Qin Muxin? Do you know her?” Jing Yingli felt pleased Ye Mo had taken in Gu Wenqian. She was curious about Qin Muxin; Ye Mo’s comment suggested a deep familiarity.

“Just an ordinary friend,” Ye Mo replied casually. Turning to Jing Yingli, he added, “Martial Sister Jing, thank you for your help. Now that I’ve secured my tournament spot, you can leave if you have other commitments. If you’re free, however, you could attempt to form your essence spirit and break through to the Hollow Spirit state.”

Jing Yingli nodded. “I have nothing pressing. I hesitated to break through earlier, fearing it might disrupt your registration, but now I can proceed.”

That day, Ye Mo, Gu Wenqian, and Jing Yingli left Pill City, traveling tens of thousands of kilometers before Jing Yingli began her breakthrough. Ye Mo arranged a spirit-gathering formation and, with Gu Wenqian, provided protection.

Jing Yingli, hailing from a nine-star sect, possessed high-grade spirit artifact armor, a low-grade cultivation artifact flute, and a half-cultivation artifact shield. The Hollow Spirit state divine tribulation, a nine-nine tribulation, posed no significant threat.

Observing her effortless progress, unlike his own arduous experience, Ye Mo refrained from assisting. He realized his tribulation had been far more intense, suggesting a higher level of difficulty than others.

Jing Yingli’s tribulation attracted many cultivators—mostly Nascent Soul and Golden Core stage—eager to witness a Hollow Spirit state tribulation. However, with Ye Mo and peak Hollow Spirit state Gu Wenqian guarding her, none dared interfere. Only after her tribulation concluded did higher-level cultivators approach. Twenty-four hours later, Jing Yingli successfully stabilized her cultivation, reaching Hollow Spirit state level one.

“Sister, you’ve reached the Hollow Spirit state?” a voice called. Ye Mo recognized Jing Yingmeng immediately.

He sensed a subtle tension between the sisters but chose not to pry.

Jing Yingmeng, in a green dress, descended gracefully, accompanied by a Body Condensation state elder.

The elder bowed to Jing Yingli. “Greetings, Miss Yingli. The Sect Leader, hearing of your tribulation outside the city, requests your presence at the sect’s city quarters.”

Jing Yingli frowned. “Is Father there?”

“Yes, sister,” Jing Yingmeng replied. “Many sects are arriving for the Pill King tournament, and our sect wishes to recruit several guest Pill King elders. Father brought several elders with him.”

She continued, “Sister, why undergo your tribulation outside the city? It’s far too dangerous! But I’m thrilled you reached the Hollow Spirit state.”

Jing Yingli replied simply, “Thank you, but my friends provided ample protection.” She gave Ye Mo a brief, acknowledging nod.

Jing Yingmeng approached, bowing to Ye Mo and Gu Wenqian. “Thank you for assisting my sister. I am deeply grateful.”

Ye Mo smiled but remained silent, while Gu Wenqian quickly responded, “It was my honor to protect Miss Yingli.”

Jing Yingmeng frowned. Ye Mo, a mere Nascent Soul state level five cultivator, stood beside Gu Wenqian, an undeniable Hollow Spirit state cultivator. Yet Ye Mo seemed unmoved by her gratitude. Was he, like herself, the scion of a nine-star sect?

Jing Yingli didn’t introduce them. Approaching Ye Mo, she said, “Xiaomo, I must return to my sect. We’ll meet again. I wish you both success in the tournament.”

Ye Mo replied, “Martial Sister Jing, thank you immensely. Without you, I’d still be wandering aimlessly.”

Jing Yingli smiled. “Just call me Martial Sister Yingli. I must go now. I’ll be cheering for you on tournament day.”

She departed with the Body Condensation elder and her sister.

“Sister, you called that cultivator Pill King Hu Wen? Blue Lake Pill King Hu Wen?” Jing Yingmeng exclaimed, shocked.

Jing Yingli nodded nonchalantly. “Yes, he is Pill King Hu Wen.”

“Then who was the young man, Xiaomo? Is he Pill King Hu Wen’s disciple? Why was he so…unresponsive? Pill King Hu Wen must have spoiled him.”

She gasped. “Did Pill King Hu Wen help you refine your Hollow Meridian Pill?”

Jing Yingli responded calmly, “I traded herbs for the pill. And Pill King Hu Wen, being only a level two Pill King, cannot yet refine the Hollow Meridian Pill.”

Jing Yingmeng sighed, gazing at Jing Yingli with a curious expression. “Sister, you’ve changed since leaving the Truth Fall Palace. Is that young cultivator… someone you like? He’s only at Nascent Soul state level five, but his master is quite impressive. You’re fortunate to know Pill King Hu Wen. If he could…”

Jing Yingmeng trailed off, knowing her sister understood her implication.

Jing Yingli did understand. She wanted Hu Wen as a guest elder at their Abstruse Sound Sect. Before today, Jing Yingli wouldn't have guessed Hu Wen's reaction, but now she knew: he wouldn't leave Ye Mo for anything. If Ye Mo agreed to take Hu Wen as a disciple, even Pill City couldn't retain him.

Seeing Jing Yingli’s silence, Jing Yingmeng asked softly, “Sister, do you truly like this cultivator, Xiaomo?”

Jing Yingli hesitated. She’d never considered it. She knew she wasn’t conventionally beautiful, but with an ordinary cultivator, she wouldn't feel undeserving.

But with Ye Mo, she felt unworthy, regardless of her appearance. This wasn’t about looks.

She didn’t believe her sister, ranked fourth on the South Peace State’s ten beauties list, deserved him either. This had nothing to do with looks.

“I don’t deserve him,” Jing Yingli stated calmly.

“What?” Jing Yingmeng stared, dumbfounded. She never imagined hearing those words from her sister. She assumed Jing Yingli referred to her appearance.

Since childhood, Jing Yingli had never admitted defeat. She never showed insecurity about her looks. Even Jing Yingmeng knew she couldn't surpass her sister in any area besides appearance.

Yet, today, her sister confessed to feeling undeserving.

Six years prior, the Golden Sword Sect’s core disciple, Xiao Fei, a Golden Core state cultivator and hall of fame number two, had proposed to their sect. Everyone assumed he sought Jing Yingmeng’s hand, but he loved Jing Yingli.

Her response? “You don’t deserve me.”

Xiao Fei had fled in shame.