Chapter 1095: Finally See Ye Mo

This grey-robed middle-aged man seemed more approachable than the old man. He announced loudly from the judges' stage, “To ensure the fairness of this tournament, there will be eight judges: City Lord, Level Seven Silver Moon Pill King Yue Qichao; myself; Level Four Pill King Qiyi Pill King Elder Wang Jiangyi; Level Four Fei He Pill King Elder Wang Gaohe; and Level Four Pill King Chang Shun Pill King Elder Zhao Shuntian. In addition, we have invited Level Five Pill King Tian Tan Pill King Wang Wutan; the All Formation Sect Sect Leader, Level Nine Formation Grand Master Ji Ling; and Level Nine Forgery Grand Master, Earth Forgery God Lu Wuhu qian bei.”

The scene fell silent. Each of the eight judges was a pinnacle cultivator of the South Peace State, highlighting the tournament's importance.

Ye Mo hadn't expected Ji Ling to be a judge. He'd visited Ji Ling several times, but hadn't known he was the All Formation Sect Sect Leader. The fact that a sect leader had visited a Golden Core state cultivator multiple times showed Ji Ling's affable nature and passion for formations. Ye Mo still had his jade card and planned to visit the qian bei later.

However, Ye Mo was uneasy about Mo Youshen's master also being a judge.

Gu Wenqian, sensing Ye Mo's uncertainty, interjected, “Pill City City Lord Yue Qichao is a Truth Realisation State primary stage cultivator and a Level Seven Pill King.”

No wonder he was the city lord of a ten-star city.

Thinking of Chang Shun Pill King, Ye Mo asked Gu Wenqian, “Why isn't Chang Shun Pill King participating? Isn't he a Level Four Pill King, too? How did he become a judge?”

Gu Wenqian explained, “He placed third in the last Pill King Tournament. Pill Kings primarily seek fame. Having already achieved third place, he doesn't need to compete again.”

Ye Mo understood. A lower ranking this time would be awkward. He himself sought fame; otherwise, why would he participate?

Shen Guanqing, satisfied with the cultivators' reactions, nodded. “Next, I will announce the names of the 561 contestants out of respect.”

It was indeed respectful for a vice city lord to read out all the names. Each contestant whose name was called stood to greet the assembled cultivators, facilitating future connections.

Shen Guanqing glanced at the jade slip. “Tian Yan Sect Level Seven Spirit Pill Master Yu Shouzhe; Herb Cauldron Sect Level Seven Spirit Pill Master… solo cultivator Level Seven Spirit Pill Master Luo Xiaomo…”

Reluctantly, but inevitably, Ye Mo stood and waved to the cultivators.

“Martial Sister Qingxue, it's him! It's him!” Huang Qian exclaimed joyfully to Ning Qingxue.

Ning Qingxue, lost in thought, was startled. Confused, she asked, “Martial Sister Qianqian, what did you say? Who?”

Huang Ping excitedly explained, “Martial Sister Qingxue, it's that Luo Xiaomo, the cultivator I saw that day!”

“What? Where is he? Where is he?” Ning Qingxue exclaimed, leaping to her feet. The crowd was too large to notice her reaction. The later the names were called, the higher the cultivator's status.

“Luo Xiaomo, he's at the Pill King Tournament and he's a Level Seven Spirit Pill Master,” Huang Qian said, but Ning Qingxue was already in tears. She saw Ye Mo clearly, seated in the contestant area.

“Martial Sister Qingxue,” Huang Qian said worriedly, taking Ning Qingxue's hands.

Ning Qingxue murmured, “He's here. I'm going to find him.”

Ning Qingxue was about to rush out when another female cultivator from the Ethereal Immortal Pond stopped her. “Martial Sister Qingxue, you can't go out now! You won't see Ye Mo, and you'll be kicked out of the tournament. You might even affect his performance. I recently saw a Hollow Spirit State cultivator from Heartless Valley expelled by that Truth Realisation State qian bei.”

“Yes, yes, I can't go,” Ning Qingxue murmured, her eyes fixed on Ye Mo.

Ye Mo felt someone watching him, but resisted the urge to look around. Doing so would displease the judges, who had restricted spirit sense scans outside the contestant area.

“Hmph, Sister Qingxue, that Luo Xiaomo is really annoying,” Huang Ping said, seeing Ning Qingxue's distress. “He's in Pill City, yet he hasn't come to find you. Even Fang Zhongshi has visited several times.”

Ning Qingxue, calmer now, said, “He probably has hardships. I'm sure he'll look for me after the tournament.”

The female cultivator who had stopped Ning Qingxue said, “Martial Sister Qingxue, Luo Xiaomo is only a Level Seven Spirit Pill Master. He’s the lowest level contestant; a good rank will be difficult for him…”

Ning Qingxue shook her head, her eyes still on Ye Mo. “I don't need him to get a good rank. I just want to leave with him.”

“But…” the female cultivator hesitated. “Qingxue, since Luo Xiaomo asked about you, he hasn't forgotten you. Yet, he entered the tournament first. He clearly wants a good result before seeking you out.”

Ning Qingxue had only focused on Ye Mo's arrival and hadn't considered other possibilities. Her martial sister's words made her realize this.

The martial sister sighed, “If he achieves a very good result and comes for you, perhaps Master will allow you to go with him. But if he can't…”

She didn't need to finish; a Level Seven Spirit Pill Master couldn't achieve a good result in a Pill King Tournament.

Ning Qingxue suddenly understood Ye Mo's plight. Could he even see her, given his status? He might not be able to enter the Ethereal Immortal Pond, let alone come for her. He'd been treated poorly when he asked about her through Huang Qian. His only way to get close to her and Sister Luo Ying was to become famous in this tournament.

But how could a Level Seven Spirit Pill Master achieve good results? How could he become famous? This thought made Ning Qingxue's nose tingle. She wanted to rush to Ye Mo and tell him not to participate; she would leave with him, even if it meant her master's wrath.

“Martial Sister Qingxue, Fang Zhongshi is here. Martial Uncle Yin wants you to speak with him,” another female cultivator whispered.

Fang Zhongshi? Ning Qingxue frowned. “I don't want to go. I'll stay here.”

“Qingxue, you won't even heed your Master's words?” An emotionless female voice sounded.

Ning Qingxue trembled, quickly rising and walking to the back. Huang Ping and Martial Sister Yan quickly followed, fearing an impulsive act.

“Martial Sister Qingxue,” Fang Zhongshi stood and greeted Ning Qingxue with charm.

Ning Qingxue approached the middle-aged woman and bowed. “Master, Qingxue is here.”

“Sit down,” she nodded.