Chapter 1123: Use Any Means Necessary

Unexpectedly, many in Pill City seeking Ye Mo's pill concoction services learned he was in solitary cultivation, attempting a breakthrough to the Nascent Soul state tertiary stage. He even commissioned All Formation Sect’s leader, Ji Ling, to erect a level eight defensive formation. Aside from the pill association and the city lord’s estate, his small yard boasted the city’s strongest defenses. Many realized this explained Ye Mo's statement that Mo Yue City would only sell Spirit Weaving Pills after a year; he aimed for a Nascent Soul state tertiary stage breakthrough. However, at his current Nascent Soul state level five, reaching level seven within a year proved a considerable challenge.

This news greatly displeased Tian Ji. While the Infinity Sect remained publicly silent, he remained determined to kill Ye Mo and avenge his disciple, Tian Aofeng.

At the Lightning Cloud Sect’s Pill City residence, several elders above Body Condensation state, including both truth realisation state vice sect leaders, convened. Ye Mo's status caused some hesitation regarding his assassination.

“This transcends mere revenge for Aofeng; Ye Mo’s guilt is undeniable,” a pale cultivator stated coldly, a Cauldron Filling state cultivator. “But if we relinquish vengeance due to his status, we cannot stand tall in South Peace State, let alone claim ourselves a 9-star sect.”

“I concur, Elder Zhong,” another Cauldron Filling state elder agreed. “Lin Yiban and Xu Tong also follow Ye Mo. Without eliminating him, how do we assert our authority in South Peace State, or retain face as a 9-star sect?”

Vice Sect Leader Jiang Jiano nodded; foregoing Ye Mo would severely damage the Lightning Cloud Sect’s reputation. The matter extended far beyond avenging Tian Aofeng.

“Infinity Sect, those cowards!” Elder Zhong interjected. “Ye Mo killed their top core sect member, Yuan Guannan, yet they remain silent!”

Jiang Jiano calmly replied, “If you perceive the Infinity Sect thus, Elder Zhong, you are mistaken. They likely desire Ye Mo’s death more than we do, but they needn't boast about it.”

“Sect Leader Jiang is correct,” another elder added. “Yang Feicheng and Elder He Lin are calculating individuals. Yuan Guannan’s death remains undisclosed; a public outcry would be unwise. Their reluctance to act stems from avoiding offense to the Pill City city lord and Ji Ling.”

Elder Zhong sneered. “So, by your account, the Infinity Sect are not cowards; they merely lack the courage to seek revenge.”

“Hmph, Elder Zhong,” Elder Luo retorted, “Their avoidance of Pill City is not born of fear. I assure you, Sect Leader Yang desires Ye Mo’s death, but prefers a less overt approach.”

Seeing Elder Zhong about to respond, Jiang Jiano waved his hand. “Elder Luo is right; we needn't doubt their intentions.”

A Body Condensation state cultivator quietly asked, “Should we expose Ye Mo’s murder of Yuan Guannan? This might encourage collaboration with the Infinity Sect.”

“Unnecessary,” Jiang Jiano declared. “Ye Mo’s death is our sole objective. Exposing the Infinity Sect will only make Ye Mo more cautious. Furthermore, we must avoid trouble in Mo Yue City, as previously discussed. Until he is dead, we cannot touch his territory. Yue Qichao supports him; we must proceed carefully. And, Ye Mo conversed extensively with Shan Bingfeng; the Clear Dream Mosque also holds him in high regard.”

The Infinity Sect seemingly remained inert, despite Ye Mo's departure from Pill City. Yet, as Jiang Jiano anticipated, Sect Leader Yang Feicheng regarded several elders with a grim expression. Ye Mo had killed their genius Yuan Guannan, yet an elder suggested inaction. The logic eluded him.

A Cauldron Filling state elder spoke, “Ye Mo’s reputation precedes him; overt action is impractical. The Lightning Cloud Sect may feel compelled, but we do not. He possesses Mo Yue City; while direct assault is untenable, his return is inevitable. Two courses of action exist: we observe Ye Mo, striking upon his return; he is a mere Nascent Soul state cultivator; even with Body Condensation state bodyguards, his assassination would be trivial.”

Yang Feicheng nodded. “Elder Feng Murong, continue.”

The Cauldron Filling state elder continued, “Secondly, Ye Mo’s arrival in South Peace State is recent, as is Ning Qingxue’s at the Ethereal Immortal Pond. They likely share origins. We need only investigate those close to Ye Mo to leverage this.”

Yang Feicheng nodded. “Excellent. Elder Feng, I entrust this to you. Do not reveal Yuan Guannan’s murder. For now, avoid that line of inquiry. Ye Mo's stealth capabilities render Pill City surveillance impractical.”

“Yes!” Feng Murong replied, fist-bumping in salute. “I’ve dispatched investigators; the results are pending.”

The other truth realisation state elder immediately waved his hand. “Present them now.”

“Yes, Martial Uncle He.” The Cauldron Filling state elder sent a message; shortly after, a messenger flying sword appeared. He examined it, then stated, “Ning Qingxue is accompanied by four women. Luo Susu and Tang Beiwei are at the 9-star Black Ice Sect; Yun Ziyi and Luo Fei are at the 7-star Sword Valley.”

Yang Feicheng frowned. “Immediately prepare gifts for both sects and propose marriage to these four women on behalf of our core sect members. Offer Black Ice Sect another Cultivation Spirit Pill and a spirit range. As for Sword Valley, Martial Uncle He, I rely on your efforts.”

The elders gasped. The proposed price was exorbitant; the entire sect possessed only one middle-grade spirit range and six low-grade ones. The Cultivation Spirit Pill, a heaven-grade level nine pill required by Disaster Transformation state cultivators to break through to truth realisation state, was worth an entire 7-star sect. Several Yuan Guannans wouldn't equate to this cost. This price, astonishingly, wasn’t even to eliminate Ye Mo directly.

Meanwhile, Ye Mo was several hundred thousand kilometers from Pill City. Qingxue remained there for safety.

Great Zhou Mountain was not far; Ye Mo reached Zhen Mang town, the nearest settlement, in three days. Using his Nine Transformations, he assumed the guise of a bearded middle-aged man. The area lacked abundant spirit chi; the strongest cultivator here was a Nascent Soul state cultivator.

Upon arrival, Ye Mo noted a population-structure discrepancy. Buildings were luxurious and well-maintained, yet the populace was sparse, primarily Chi Gathering and Cauldron Filling state cultivators, with few Golden Core state cultivators. To remain inconspicuous, Ye Mo presented himself as a Foundation Establishment state tertiary stage cultivator.

Great Zhou Mountain possessed a radius of tens of thousands of kilometers; spirit ranges were exceedingly scarce.

“Friend, are you here for the ancient ruins at Great Zhou Mountain?” a monkey-faced Foundation Establishment state cultivator inquired.

Ye Mo was astonished; was the ruin's location common knowledge? If so, his search was futile.

Unseen by Ye Mo, an unremarkable Golden Core state cultivator spotted him, his face lighting up with unconcealed joy before turning and departing.