Chapter 1140: Black Ice Peak
Black Ice Mountain housed the Black Ice Sect, with Black Ice Peak as its main summit. Access was usually restricted to the peak leader and a few elders, but today, the protective formation was open, and a steady stream of visitors arrived.
Ye Mo's arrival at the Black Ice Sect was facilitated by Lu Wuhu's reputation. Before Lu Wuhu even spoke his name, a sect member recognized him and respectfully ushered him into the Guest Hall. Ye Mo and his companions entered the immense hall, its center a vast, open space currently packed with cultivators.
Rows of seats lined the left and right walls. The front row was reserved for high-ranking individuals. Ye Mo didn't need to use his spirit sense to discern that everyone present possessed cultivation comparable to, or exceeding, his own. Many familiar faces were present—8-star and 9-star sect leaders and elders, along with several renowned independent cultivators he'd encountered in Pill City.
This unusual gathering filled Ye Mo with apprehension. Even considering the planned marriage alliance between the Infinity Sect and the Black Ice Sect, this level of fanfare seemed excessive.
Upon Lu Wuhu's arrival, many cultivators greeted him as "Lu qian bei." Ye Mo and his companions were initially overlooked, presumed to be Lu Wuhu's followers. However, a few cultivators who knew Lu Wuhu never had followers quickly corrected their assumptions upon closer inspection of Ye Mo.
The ushers seated Lu Wuhu in the front row, placing Ye Mo and his companions behind him. Lu Wuhu was about to introduce Ye Mo, but it proved unnecessary. More cultivators rose to greet Ye Mo.
“City Lord Ye.”
“Pill King Ye.”
“Brother Ye…”
Word of Ye Mo's identity—honorary city lord of Pill City and a level seven pill king—spread rapidly. Most sects approached to greet him, notable exceptions being the Lightning Cloud Sect and the Infinity Sect.
Ji Ling's welcoming voice—"Haha, Brother Ye Mo, if I knew you were coming, I would have joined you"—warmed Ye Mo's heart. Ji Ling was an honest and trustworthy friend, held in higher regard by Ye Mo than Lu Wuhu.
The usher, visibly awkward and frightened, apologized, "Sorry, Pill King Ye, I will rearrange your seat." He quickly moved Ye Mo to the front row beside Lu Wuhu.
Ye Mo nodded but remained standing. He gestured towards Luo Fei, saying, “This is my friend, Sword Valley’s new sect leader, Goddess Luo.”
Luo Fei was astounded by the number of qian beis and masters greeting Ye Mo, finally grasping the extent of his elevated status.
The usher, realizing his oversight, finally acknowledged Luo Fei's importance. Despite her seemingly frail appearance, her presence with Lu Wuhu and Ye Mo’s introduction clearly indicated her significance.
Mi Zhenxie, of Sword Valley, breathed a sigh of relief. He was eager to avoid any loss of face for his sect.
Though some initially sought to greet Luo Fei to curry favor with Ye Mo, learning of her position as Sword Valley's sect leader dissuaded them. Fewer cultivators approached Ye Mo afterward, as Sword Valley's annihilation at the hands of the Infinity Sect was common knowledge; no one wished to offend the 9-star Infinity Sect for a Foundation Establishment cultivator.
Luo Fei joined Ye Mo and Lu Wuhu in the front row, with Mi Zhenxie, Gan Liang, and others seated behind them. The elders who had greeted Ye Mo returned to their seats, but Ji Ling continued his conversation.
"Brother Ye, you're remarkably fast. You've emerged from solitary cultivation as a Hollow Spirit state cultivator," Ji Ling remarked.
Ye Mo smiled, preparing to explain, when a laugh interrupted. "Welcome, sect leaders, elders, and qian bei masters. The Black Ice Sect is honored by your presence."
A strikingly handsome middle-aged man entered with a smile, accompanied by six others, the weakest of whom was at the Cauldron Filling state.
“Sect Leader Yan, you’re too polite.”
“Sect Leader Yan.”
Greetings echoed through the hall. Ye Mo recognized the man as Yan Guan, the Black Ice Sect's leader, whose cultivation was at least at the Disaster Transformation state. Sect leadership typically involved minimal direct management, leaving day-to-day affairs to the usually weaker vice sect leaders.
Yan Guan approached Lu Wuhu, saluting with his fists. “Wan bei Yan Guan greets Lu qian bei.”
Lu Wuhu smiled. “The Black Ice Sect has created quite a spectacle; surely not just for a marriage competition, is it?”
“Qian bei, you’re very perceptive,” Yan Guan chuckled nervously before turning to Ye Mo and saluting. “It is a great honor to have Pill City’s Pill King Ye here.”
Ye Mo smiled, standing and returning the salute. “Sect Leader Yan, you are too kind. I heard of the good news and came with Brother Lu to celebrate. I also have some private matters requiring the Black Ice Sect's assistance.”
Yan Guan was momentarily stunned by Ye Mo's reference to Lu Wuhu as "brother." He quickly composed himself, replying, “Thank you, Pill King Ye. Whatever it may be, please do not hesitate to ask. We will assist if we can. Please stay at our sect for a few days afterward.”
Ye Mo, intending to bring Susu and Beiwei, readily accepted. He thanked Yan Guan again, adding, “The Black Ice Sect's help will be invaluable. Incidentally, I understand the South Peace State’s ten beauties, Luo Susu and Tang Beiwei, are both members of your esteemed sect?”
Yan Guan was taken aback by Ye Mo's direct inquiry about the famed beauties. Remembering that Pill King Ye had taken Ning Qingxue from the Ethereal Immortal Pond, he understood the implication. With a smile, he confirmed, “Yes, they are two of our core sect members.”
“I wonder how they are doing?” Ye Mo inquired.
Even Yan Guan found this question unusual; he wouldn’t typically monitor the well-being of a core member so closely. Nonetheless, he replied, “They are doing well… very well.”
Another voice echoed from outside, "Haha, Brother Yan, long time no see." Yan Guan immediately apologized to Ye Mo and went to greet the newcomer.
"That's Infinity Sect's Sect Leader, Yang Feicheng. The Truth Realization state cultivator behind him is He Ling..." Mi Zhenxie whispered urgently to Ye Mo, gritting his teeth.
Their hushed conversation didn't go unnoticed. Ye Mo knew Mi Zhenxie's relatively low cultivation level meant his sound transmission would be audible to the powerful cultivators present. He remained unfazed.
He nodded, studying Yang Feicheng. Many from the Lightning Cloud Sect greeted him as well. Yang Feicheng, also at the Disaster Transformation state, appeared to be of similar age to Yan Guan, but Ye Mo sensed a far greater age about him. His amiable demeanor was belied by his sharp, piercing gaze.
Ye Mo caught a surprised glance from Wen Caiyi. He averted his gaze, but Yang Feicheng's seemingly casual glance back held an unmistakable chill.
So powerful! Ye Mo thought. Fortunately, he'd managed to bring Lu Wuhu to his side, removing any fear of direct conflict.
Once everyone was seated, abundant spirit fruit and wine were served. Yan Guan rose and saluted, “Everyone here ranks among the most esteemed qian beis and masters of South Peace State. I thank you for gracing us with your presence. Besides the marriage of the Infinity Sect's Wen Caiyi, there is another very important matter to discuss.”