Chapter 1107: Getting an Ally

“He was the one who took it,” a nascent soul state, level one cultivator from Infinity Sect clenched his fists.

“Tianya, what did he take?” a body condensation state cultivator beside him asked.

The cultivator gritted his teeth. “Master, I told you before, I saw Luo Xiaomo in the herb valley. When the purple flower flame appeared and we fought over it, it vanished at the bottom of the lake. I thought the purple frog had taken it, but it seems this guy did.”

This guy was Dong Tianya, a genius Infinity Sect disciple ranked just below Yuan Guannan. Before reaching nascent soul state, he was Golden Core state, Hall of Fame number four, and Wen Caiyi's lover. Therefore, he wasn't saddened by Yuan Guannan's death; instead, he was pleased.

“So the flame from Luo Xiaomo is…” The master abruptly stopped, turning and saluting another cultivator. “Lightning Cloud Sect’s Brother Tian, what an unexpected visit to our Infinity Sect!”

Tian Ji returned the salute, his voice heavy. “The cultivator on the twelfth pill king step isn’t called Luo Xiaomo—his real name is Ye Mo.”

“Ye Mo?” Dong Tianya’s master repeated. “Why did he change his name?”

“Hehe, because he fears your sect might cause him trouble,” Tian Ji sneered.

Dong Tianya’s master didn’t look pleased. He said calmly, “For a prodigious pill master like Luo Xiaomo, we’d welcome him as a guest. Why would we trouble him?” He suspected Tian Ji of ulterior motives.

Tian Ji replied calmly, “Because your top core disciple, Yuan Guannan, was killed by him. Using the name Ning Xiaoma, he killed Yuan Guannan in the Truth Fall Palace, and upon leaving, Abstruse Sound Sect’s Jing Yingli assisted his escape…” He admitted that Jing Yingli's involvement was conjecture.

“What!” several voices exclaimed.

Wen Caiyi gasped, noticing Tian Ji’s gaze. She immediately realized her reaction was inappropriate and adopted a furious expression.

Dong Tianya’s master’s expression shifted several times before he asked Tian Ji, “Why reveal this now, Brother Tian?” He suspected a Lightning Cloud Sect scheme. Yuan Guannan, a nascent soul state level five cultivator and Infinity Sect’s core disciple, was rarely matched. How could a nascent soul state level five Luo Xiaomo kill him?

However, Wen Caiyi knew the truth. Martial Brother Yuan Guannan had indeed been killed by Luo Xiaomo, or Ning Xiaoma. She instinctively glanced at Ye Mo and clenched her fists. She knew Ye Mo's identity, but without Tian Ji's revelation, she never would have guessed he’d left Truth Fall Palace and sent her to investigate Fu Rong and the An Bei Three Demons.

“Because our Tian Aofeng was also killed by this man; he killed my disciple. I will rest only after killing him,” Tian Ji said ferociously, his hatred palpable.

“This is serious. Please wait a moment.” Dong Tianya’s master quickly left.

Tian Ji knew that a brief investigation by Infinity Sect would confirm his claims, securing him an ally.

The moment Ye Mo produced the purple flower flame, Ning Qingxue felt her strength drain. Her body felt limp, yet relaxed. This display indicated he hadn’t used his full strength; he could at least reach step five, meaning he was at least a level two pill king.

Level two pill king—Ning Qingxue’s heart pounded. Having resided in South Peace State for so long, she understood the value. Even the Ethereal Immortal Pond, with only one level one pill king, treated him as a precious guest.

A bitter feeling washed over Ning Qingxue. If Ye Mo was a level two pill king, why hadn't he come to the Ethereal Immortal Pond for her sooner? A level two pill king could easily take her away without resistance. But then she reasoned that Ye Mo must have his reasons.

Upon seeing Ye Mo unleash the purple flower fire, Zheng Heyin seemed surprised, then frowned and glanced at Ning Qingxue. “You two leave first.”

“Yes, Master.” Ning Qingxue wanted to leave immediately; her master's pressure was intense.

Huang Qian quickly followed. She felt more at ease with her master or martial sister, free to speak her mind.

Before Ning Qingxue could leave, Huang Qian seized her wrist. “Sister Qingxue, your Luo Xiaomo is a pill king—don’t forget me. Remember the Cao Huan Pill, Hollow Meridian Pill, Essence Birth Pill…”

Ning Qingxue smiled. “The herbs for those pills are rare. I’ll mention it to him if he has them.”

“I knew you were kind, Sister Qingxue. I was ready to risk my life for you,” Huang Qian smiled.

After Ning Qingxue and Huang Qian departed, Ning Qingxue’s master approached the elders, bowing. “Martial Uncle Chi, you required me?”

Martial Uncle Chi, a pretty middle-aged woman already in the body condensation state, gestured for Zheng Heyin to sit. “Heyin, your disciple Qingxue doesn’t favor Fang Zhongshi, does she?”

Zheng Heyin's face froze. “Martial Uncle, don’t worry. Qingxue is usually obedient; she's just stubborn today. I'll persuade her.”

Martial Uncle Chi smiled. “You misunderstand, Heyin. If Qingxue is unwilling, forget it.”

Zheng Heyin was a hollow spirit state peak stage cultivator aware of certain sect matters—the marriage alliance with Lightning Cloud Sect. Since the elder dismissed the matter, she wouldn't force her disciple.

Martial Uncle Chi continued, “Consider Luo Xiaomo. He’s young but incredibly talented. City Lord Yue Qichao and Shen Guanqing would approve. His future is boundless.”

“What do you mean, Martial Uncle?” Zheng Heyin questioned, sensing another Fang Zhongshi situation.

Martial Uncle Chi nodded. “The Ethereal Immortal Pond is an 8-star sect; we can’t contend with a 9-star sect for Luo Xiaomo. Our only leverage is our beautiful female cultivators. We have many, and Ning Qingxue is ranked third in South Peace State. Luo Xiaomo will be interested.”

“Just in case, bring two more beautiful disciples to see him.” She sighed. “If our sect weren’t in danger, we wouldn’t resort to this. Persuade them kindly; explain the necessity.”

“Yes, Martial Uncle,” Zheng Heyin replied. She sighed inwardly. Ning Qingxue was unlucky, born in these turbulent times. When did Ethereal Immortal Pond disciples have to curry favor?

Ye Mo refined spirit herbs even faster after obtaining the purple flower flame. Having concocted the Cao Huan Pill several times, he proceeded smoothly. To the judges’ shock, he completed a cauldron of Cao Huan Pills in just over fifteen minutes and advanced to step five.