Chapter 1122: Accepting Body Condensation State Cultivators

A guard reported, “City Lord Ye, these two arrived without an appointment and tried to force their way in. I stopped them.” Ye Mo offered free pill concoctions, but appointments and a certain status were required.

A middle-aged man bowed. “Lin Yiban greets Pill King Ye. This is my wife, Xu Tong.”

Ye Mo observed them. Lin Yiban was unremarkable and short, but Xu Tong was strikingly beautiful, comparable to Qiu Xue. They were an unlikely pair, yet their affection was evident.

Ye Mo returned the salute. “Brother Lin, I’m quite busy these days with pill concoctions. If you require my services, please make an appointment. Even if I’m fully booked, I'll make an exception for you.” His recent reunion with Qingxue had left him favorably disposed toward happy couples.

Lin Yiban bowed again. “Thank you, Pill King Ye, for your kindness. However, we came for something else, not a pill concoction. If you are unwilling, we will leave immediately.”

Lin Yiban’s distress was palpable, so Ye Mo nodded. “Then, please come in and tell me what you need.”

“Thank you, Pill King Ye,” Lin Yiban replied, bowing once more.

The guards, seeing Ye Mo's assent, remained silent, continuing their vigil outside. The room's powerful restrictions could repel even Disaster Transformation state cultivators.

Ye Mo offered seats. “Please, tell me what brings you here.”

“Pill King Ye, my wife and I wish to join you,” Lin Yiban bowed deeply.

It was unusual for a Body Condensation state cultivator to bow to a Nascent Soul state cultivator, even a Level Seven Pill King. Ye Mo, now a Level Seven Pill King, had many seeking to join him. He was unconcerned about two Body Condensation state cultivators, but given his numerous enemies, their sincerity was questionable.

When Ye Mo remained silent, Lin Yiban raised a hand. “I, Lin Yiban, swear to the heavens that if any part of my statement is false, I will fail divine damnation, and my soul will be disintegrated.”

Ye Mo was moved. This was the most solemn oath a cultivator could take.

Xu Tong added, “I, Xu Tong, swear the same. If my husband speaks falsely, my soul will also be disintegrated by divine damnation.”

Ye Mo replied, “Such an oath is unnecessary, even if you wish to join me. Is there something else?”

Lin Yiban nodded. “Yes, Pill King Ye. We have nowhere else to turn.”

He explained, “We are on the Lightning Cloud Sect's kill list and have been in hiding. During the Pill King Tournament, we hoped to obtain pills and continue hiding, but the Lightning Cloud Sect found us. They can’t act within Pill City, but with the tournament over, we can’t remain here indefinitely. We seek your protection.”

Ye Mo mused on the Lightning Cloud Sect’s overbearing nature, forcing two Body Condensation state cultivators into such desperation. He asked, “There are many Pill Kings in Pill City. Why choose me?”

Lin Yiban responded, “We are insignificant in Pill City. Other Pill Kings might not take us seriously and would not offend a nine-star sect for us. But Pill King Ye is not only a Level Seven Pill King but also City Lord of Mo Yue City. You will need people to assist you, so we chose you.”

Ye Mo sneered. “Others fear offending nine-star sects. Despite being a Level Seven Pill King, I'm only Nascent Soul state—why would I dare offend them?”

Xu Tong interjected, “Pill King Ye’s name appeared on South Peace City’s Golden Core state trial tablet. You were listed first. It’s said you left suddenly that night. Tian Aofeng was killed in the Heartless Sea, and the Lightning Cloud Sect investigated South Peace City that same night. Many suspect Pill King Ye's involvement in Tian Aofeng's death…”

Ye Mo laughed. “Excellent! Then come with me to Mo Yue City. We have a common enemy, making us allies. My principle is: respect me an inch, and I'll respect you a mile.”

He omitted the unspoken corollary: ‘Harm me once, and I’ll harm you tenfold.’ It was understood.

After their departure, Ye Mo contemplated his situation in Mo Yue City. While he believed their sincerity, the power disparity was significant, limiting their usefulness in sensitive matters.

He sighed, deciding to arrange for their relocation to Mo Yue City. He would keep his search for the Herb King spirit range secret.

Jing Yingli then arrived with Yi Pandie.

Ye Mo rose, deeply grateful to Jing Yingli. Without her, he wouldn’t be where he was.

Jing Yingli waved dismissively. “No need to thank me. You've already concocted pills for me, and I might need your help again in the future. I've brought Martial Sister Pandie.”

Yi Pandie bowed awkwardly. “Thank you, Martial Brother Ye, for saving my life at the Truth Fall Palace forbidden grounds. Please forgive my past offenses…”

Ye Mo seated them. “Please, let's not dwell on such trivialities. It was a misunderstanding.”

Jing Yingli added, “By the way, congratulations on reuniting with your wife. She is lovely.”

Ye Mo thanked Jing Yingli, sensing something was on her mind. He considered inviting her to Great Zhou Mountain but refrained.

After a brief conversation, Jing Yingli and Yi Pandie departed. Ye Mo felt a sense of loss, a change in the unspoken understanding between them.

That night, Ye Mo spent the evening with Ji Ling, then several days at the city lord’s estate discussing pill dao with Yue Qichao and other Pill Kings, even teaching Yue Qichao his Spirit Weaving Pill method. While the Three Birth Chant provided the foundation, these discussions proved beneficial.

Noticing Zhao Shuntian's absence, Ye Mo inquired. Shen Guanqing revealed that Chang Shun had left Pill City with Mo Youshen, who had undoubtedly recognized him.

Ye Mo puzzled over Chang Shun’s devotion to Mo Youshen.

He left the city lord’s estate with a Hua Sang Pill, the recipe for which even he coveted, let alone Yue Qichao. Their conversation suggested Yue Qichao knew of Ye Mo's possession of the Heaven Glory Pill recipe, but he remained silent.

Ye Mo visited Lu Wuhu, but he was absent.

Ye Mo returned home with Lin Yiban and Xu Tong, settling them before preparing to journey to Great Zhou Mountain.

He confided only in Ning Qingxue, not even telling Gu Wenqian.

“You’re going again?” Ning Qingxue’s worry was evident. She didn’t want him to leave alone, knowing his situation.

Ye Mo knew that reaching Hollow Spirit state required more than mere diligent cultivation. He possessed the Three Birth Chant, but the spirit chi requirement was immense.