Chapter 1120: The Bad Things Ye Mo Did

As soon as Gu Wenqian arrived at the pill association, a large group of people surrounded him. They were either sect leaders or, at minimum, body condensation state cultivators. There were no weaklings present, but Gu Wenqian knew they were there for his master. He could only inform them that his master had some pressing business and would arrive shortly. Normally, such a statement would provoke outrage, but these cultivators, awed by the new level seven pill king, remained silent, patiently awaiting Ye Mo's arrival.

In a nearby room within a pill rest tower, Shan Bingfeng poured Ye Mo a cup of spirit tea, leaving him utterly bewildered. She appeared to be at least a disaster transformation state cultivator, yet he couldn't imagine her seeking his pill concoction services. She didn't strike him as the type to fawn over even a level seven pill king. Besides, even if he wanted to help, he couldn't concoct peak-stage disaster transformation pills.

What truly shocked Ye Mo was Shan Bingfeng's subsequent silence. She simply smiled, scrutinizing him from head to toe and back again, sending shivers down his spine. He was reminded of Qin Muxin's master; could Shan Bingfeng harbor similar intentions, attempting to arrange a marriage between him and Ling Xiaoshuang? But Ning Qingxue was his wife; Shan Bingfeng surely knew this. He fleetingly considered choosing Shan Bingfeng over her disciple, before dismissing the absurd notion. Shan Bingfeng was a disaster transformation state cultivator—likely very old—and such a choice was unthinkable.

Shan Bingfeng finally spoke, "I summoned you neither to wed Xiaoshuang to you nor to marry you myself."

Ye Mo felt a profound awkwardness, his face flushing crimson. His lack of vigilance had allowed her to see right through him. He quickly composed himself, determined to curb his errant thoughts.

Shan Bingfeng smiled, "I didn't read your mind, but your lack of focus and expression betrayed your thoughts. Don't worry; such thoughts are perfectly normal."

Slightly embarrassed, Ye Mo replied, "I was merely thinking randomly, please forgive my distraction, Qian bei." He wasn't certain whether she'd truly divined his thoughts from his expression, but suspected she'd used some form of mind-reading technique. Given her knowledge, admitting it seemed the wisest course. His lapse in alertness was entirely his fault.

Shan Bingfeng smiled again. "If you harbor any fondness for Xiaoshuang, I could intercede on your behalf."

Ye Mo quickly waved his hand, "No, no, I feel nothing for her." It was true; his affections belonged solely to his wife.

Shan Bingfeng nodded, convinced of his sincerity. She asked, "You attempted the golden core state trial tablet in South Peace City?"

Relieved, Ye Mo replied, "Yes, but my power was insufficient to leave my name." He immediately surmised that Ling Xiaoshuang must have been the subsequent participant.

Shan Bingfeng shook her head. "No, your power wasn't lacking; it was simply too extraordinary for your cultivation level, triggering the appearance of the 'Soar Into Existence' white jade tablet. It wouldn't record your name then, but now, with your enhanced defenses, it likely does."

"Soar Into Existence?" Ye Mo frowned. He'd seen the white jade tablet, but his name hadn't been inscribed. Could it be there now?

"Precisely. The annihilation divine damnation in South Peace State a year ago—was that also your doing?"

The question struck Ye Mo. His nascent soul ascension tribulation hadn't been the usual four-nine divine damnation, but a nine-nine annihilation tribulation.

Shan Bingfeng observed his expression, confirming her suspicion. She sighed, "I've heard of annihilation divine damnations, but never of anyone surviving. You're the first."

Ye Mo smiled, "I possess several potent defensive artifacts; I was fortunate."

Shan Bingfeng shook her head. "Those who survive annihilation divine damnations don't do so by luck. The appearance of the white jade tablet signifies that you are fated to confront the imminent great calamity of the cultivation realm."

Ye Mo was stunned. Was he destined to defend the Luo Yue continent? The thought was absurd. "Shan qian bei, must I face this great calamity?"

Shan Bingfeng's face fell. "No, the calamity arose because of you. Without your actions, the Luo Yue cultivation realm wouldn't face this catastrophe—at least not yet. You precipitated the calamity. It's not an exaggeration to say you deserve to die."

Ye Mo bristled, his tone hardening. "I've strived solely for cultivation; I've done nothing morally wrong. If a calamity befalls the realm, what relevance does it have to me? I reject that accusation, Shan qianbei."

Shan Bingfeng, realizing her harshness—Ye Mo's fame now eclipsed hers—softened her tone. "Consider this: did you disturb some seal or encounter something inexplicable?"

Ye Mo recalled the octagonal seal in the All Herb mountain ranges, the terrifying space-devouring spirit in the herb plain, and the invisible killing force of the Truth Fall Palace level seven. He'd even obtained his Mist Lotus Heart Fire under unusual circumstances—possibly cultivated by someone.

Could the cultivation realm's impending disaster be linked to his actions? He withheld only the details of obtaining the Mist Lotus Heart Fire; a master like Shan Bingfeng wouldn't lie, negating the need for concealment.

Shan Bingfeng frowned. After a moment, she said, "My words were too strong, but don't blame yourself. I'm skilled in divination, but it was my master who foretold the great calamity upon the appearance of the 'Soar Into Existence' tablet. Had you not disturbed those seals and allowed those entities in the herb plain and the killing chi at the Truth Fall Palace to emerge naturally, they would have matured, causing an even greater disaster. In that sense, you did something good—potentially preventing greater carnage. But who truly knows?"

"Regardless, as a level seven pill king, I hope you'll contribute significantly when the great disaster arrives."

Ye Mo quickly assured her, "I will do all I can."

Shan Bingfeng concluded, "I suggest you seek out Lu Wuhu qian bei; it would benefit you greatly."

"Why?" Ye Mo blurted.