Chapter 1121: 9-Star Village
Shan Bingfeng said, “You will know once you go. I can’t say specifics; it’s just a premonition.”
Ye Mo quickly asked, “Shan qian bei, I have something to ask.” Shan Bingfeng nodded but remained silent.
Ye Mo continued, “I’m from a place outside Luo Yue, called Earth. I arrived via a teleportation formation. Since it reaches Luo Yue, it must have been laid by a powerful being. I want to know if there’s a way back.”
Ye Mo didn't particularly need to return, but Qingxue and Su Jingwen missed home. If possible, he wanted to take them back for a visit.
Shan Bingfeng looked at Ye Mo in surprise. “You’re not from Luo Yue continent?”
Ye Mo nodded. “Yes, but I arrived after the teleportation formation activated. Many others from my world came as well.”
Shan Bingfeng frowned. “Such a formation exists?”
Ye Mo confirmed, “Yes. It’s two parts: one from Earth to a small world (a 7-star formation), and another from the small world to Luo Yue (a 9-star, random-location formation).”
After considerable thought, Shan Bingfeng said, “I’ve never seen a 7-star formation, but I have seen a 9-star one—though not a teleportation formation. Ten thousand years ago, there was an extraordinarily talented prodigy, Chu Jiuyu…”
Ye Mo immediately asked, “Qian bei, is that the perpetual number one on the nascent soul state trial tablet?”
Shan Bingfeng nodded. “Yes. No cultivator who ascended to immortality has matched him. He offended a powerful, respected Truth Realisation state peak-stage cultivator, who gathered over 100 Truth Realisation state masters to attack him. He didn’t flee; he fought back, and all 100 died. Afterward, no one dared to challenge him.”
Ye Mo admired Chu Jiuyu. He'd had to hide after killing a 9-star sect disciple, while Chu Jiuyu slaughtered 100 Truth Realisation state cultivators.
Shan Bingfeng continued, “I mention Chu Jiuyu because he was not only a powerful master but also Luo Yue's greatest formation grandmaster, capable of creating immortal formations. His masterpiece was a 9-star formation in a village called 9-Star Village. After Chu Jiuyu failed to ascend and broke through Luo Yue's space barrier, the village remained, its defenses intact.”
“Where is 9-Star Village now?” Ye Mo asked, suspecting a connection between its formation and those in the small world and Duan Heng ranges. Perhaps Chu Jiuyu went to Earth, then attempted to return via the formation.
Shan Bingfeng shook her head. “9-Star Village no longer exists. Thousands of years ago, it became Fish Jump Through Dragon Gate Village. After the village leader died, a villager surnamed Nangong took control. Now, the 8-star Nangong Village is the former 9-Star Village.”
“Is that where Nangong Xiaodai, one of the South Peace State ten beauties, is?” Ye Mo asked.
Shan Bingfeng smiled. “You seem quite interested in the South Peace State ten beauties. Yes, that’s her village.”
Ye Mo felt awkward; he was indeed familiar with them.
Shan Bingfeng produced a leather map. “This is a place I visited years ago, containing a spirit marrow pond. Seek it out after reaching the Hollow Spirit state; with your talent, you’ll reach Body Condensation swiftly. If possible, bring some back for Xiaoshuang.”
Ye Mo was stunned. A spirit marrow pond map, given so freely! Cultivators could absorb its spiritual energy rapidly without side effects. A large pond would propel him to the Hollow Spirit state in under six months (given sufficient spirit marrow). Such ponds usually contain spirit crystals.
Why give it to him, instead of her disciple?
Shan Bingfeng explained, “You were wondering why not Xiaoshuang? I’d love to, but her first-grade talent pales in comparison to yours. Reaching the Hollow Spirit state will take her much longer, whereas you'll reach it within five years. Besides Chu Jiuyu, you’re the fastest cultivator I know.”
Ye Mo understood; she wanted him to cultivate quickly to help during the coming great disaster. Touched by her selflessness, he felt the cultivation realm still held many virtuous cultivators like Kong Ye, Shen Guanqing, Yue Qichao, Ji Ling, and now Shan Bingfeng.
“Yes, qian bei, I will do my best,” Ye Mo said respectfully. He couldn't stand idly by.
Shan Bingfeng nodded. “I won’t keep you. Take care of Xiaoshuang in Mo Yue City.”
“Yes, wan bei is leaving,” Ye Mo said, rising to leave.
At the Pill Association's door, Ye Mo considered Fish Jump Through Dragon Gate Village again. His incomplete 8 Trigram Fish lacked two tail shards, possibly connected to the village. He regretted not spending more time in Japan to find them.
The cultivators awaiting him at the Pill Association were relieved to see him. Only sect leaders at least at the Body Condensation state were eligible to request his services.
Two days later, aided by his heaven flame, everyone was satisfied. He even concocted a cauldron of heaven-grade level seven Cauldron Filling pills for God Wind Valley (5 top-grade and one mid-grade pill).
Two days later, almost all major sects had visited, except Infinity and Lightning Cloud Sect (who likely knew what he'd done) and Black Ice Sect (whose absence puzzled Ye Mo).
On the third day, a commotion erupted outside. Ye Mo used his spiritual sense and saw a middle-aged man and woman arguing with the guards. Though he intended to ignore them, he saw they were Body Condensation state cultivators and went out.
“City Lord Ye…” the guards bowed.
“What is it?” Ye Mo asked, confused by their aggressive demeanor, so unlike the other cultivators.