Chapter 1174: Trouble in Pill City

Hu Jiming was terrified. He had heard of Ye Mo's purple ray and even scoffed at Tie Baifei of the Infinity Sect. No matter how powerful it was, he reasoned, it was merely a sword technique, and Tie Baifei was far stronger than Ye Mo. Yet, Tie Baifei couldn't even evade a single strike—how incompetent! But now, Hu Jiming understood the purple ray's true power. The attack nearly overwhelmed his mind. Fortunately, his cultivation surpassed Ye Mo's; despite the searing lightning arcs, he wasn't completely engulfed. He reacted, swiftly attempting to interpose his flying sword.

Instantly, however, disappointment curdled into despair. His flying sword felt sluggish, impossibly slow. This was a domain, undeniably a domain! Hu Jiming, hailing from a 9-star sect, recognized it immediately. Domains were the province of high-level cultivators—something a Body Condensation cultivator couldn't possibly command. Even prodigies rarely sensed domains until the Cauldron Filling state. Typically, Truth Realization cultivators mastered domains; a few Disaster Transformation cultivators possessed a deeper understanding than their peers.

This strike felt like stepping into Ye Mo's domain, a realm where he controlled nothing. The chilling fear of death gripped him; he knew continued resistance meant certain death. Hu Jiming hesitated no longer, spitting essence blood and activating a rune. His flying sword surged forward, narrowly intercepting the purple ray.

With a clang, Hu Jiming spat blood again, discovering a severed hand. He fled without delay.

When most expected Ye Mo to pursue and kill him, Ye Mo paused, his eyes closing. Xu Tong watched intently. Ye Mo's display of dominance had reassured her, but his sudden stillness, his closed eyes at that critical juncture, spoke volumes. Xu Tong immediately grasped the situation: Ye Mo had likely experienced a breakthrough during the fight. Without hesitation, she unleashed her flying sword, pursuing Hu Jiming.

Hu Jiming, a desperate, hunted man, had never encountered a Body Condensation cultivator wielding a domain. He fled for his life. He only regained consciousness when Xu Tong's flying sword neared his head, his mind then plunging into an eternal void. His essence spirit was extinguished by the sword.

The hall fell silent, only Ye Mo remaining, eyes closed. He had indeed felt something profoundly profound; even knowing Hu Jiming's escape, he remained motionless, fearing the sensation would vanish.

During that attack, he had felt like the ruler of heaven and earth. Space itself seemed to bend to his will as he unleashed Zi Xu. Within that spatial region, he was absolute—the master, the controller. He didn't understand domains, but in that moment, he sensed the immense potential of his perfected strike.

After a long pause, he nodded to Xu Tong. He regretted the lack of a stronger opponent; a worthy adversary would have allowed him to fully unleash his newfound power and solidify his enlightenment.

"Xiaoma... Pill King Ye..." Qing Han approached, hesitant to use his old moniker given his elevated status.

Ye Mo smiled. "Martial Sister Qing Han, call me Martial Brother Xiaoma. Friendship transcends time and power. Xiaoma will always be Xiaoma."

"Qing Han, be respectful," a fellow Clear Dream Mosque disciple chided, bowing to Ye Mo. "We didn't expect to see Pill King Ye. Congratulations on your advancement."

Ye Mo nodded, then turned to Qing Han. "There are nine spirit marrow ponds here. You may take two; please send one to Martial Sister Ling Xiaoshuang for me."

"Martial Brother Xiaoma, you and Martial Sister Xiaoshuang..." Qing Han trailed off, alluding to their strained relationship at Truth Fall Palace.

Ye Mo shook his head. "I'm not close to her, but I am close to her master, Shan qian bei." He didn't elaborate. He had promised Ling Xiaoshuang some spirit marrow; he knew Shan Bingfeng didn't specifically request the highest grade, but his discovery stemmed from her suggestion.

"Sister Xu Tong, collect the spirit marrow ponds you and Brother Lin cultivated." Ye Mo then addressed the eight retreating cultivators. "Since you've found this place, you all have an opportunity. You eight may share one spirit marrow pond."

None would dare object, even if Ye Mo hadn't offered anything, but his generosity spurred them into action. Ye Mo retained the remaining four ponds.

Then, Ye Mo inquired, "I set up a level seven formation here. How did you break it?"

He understood their previous entry. His removal of the extreme-grade spirit range likely rendered the formation powerless, lacking a spirit source. The Spirit Devouring Bugs couldn't survive without the sustaining spirit chi. In a way, he had saved them. But his defensive formation, powered by spirit stones, had also been breached.

Yi Jing, trembling, stepped forward, fists clasped in a salute. "Pill King Ye, it was my fault. I didn't realize it was your formation, and I instructed them on how to break it."

"You know formations?" Ye Mo asked.

Yi Jing nodded. "Yes, I am a level seven formation grandmaster of the Heaven Yan Sect."

Ye Mo nodded.

A rumbling sound echoed, signaling an imminent collapse. Ye Mo, sensing the cave's instability, urgently commanded, "Everyone, leave! This place is collapsing!"

All retreated, ascending to the surface. The rumbling persisted, but no collapse occurred. However, no one dared return, departing on their flying artifacts and bidding Ye Mo farewell.

Ye Mo was surprised by their artifacts. Extreme-grade spirit artifacts could enter? He himself used an extreme-grade cultivation artifact. He quickly realized each artifact bore a cold resistance bead and formation, enabling their entry.

Noticing the Clear Dream Mosque disciples remained, Ye Mo asked, "Martial Sister Qing Han, how did you learn of this place?"

Before Qing Han could answer, her companion explained, "A few months ago, several cultivators discovered exceptionally dense spirit chi here and sent out messenger flying swords before descending. My two sisters and I were nearby, in the southern lands, and arrived upon hearing the news."

Ye Mo nodded; his location was exposed again. Staying was unwise.

Just as he prepared to leave, a red messenger flying sword landed in his hand. Few could send him such messages. After reading its contents, he declared gravely, "Let's return to Mo Yue City immediately."

"What's happening?" Ning Qingxue asked.

"Pill City City Lord Shen Guanqing has returned. He sent this message. Pill City is in trouble. He's not there; he awaits me in Mo Yue City." Ye Mo felt a deep unease.

"Pill City in trouble? Who dares to touch it?" Xu Tong expressed disbelief.