Chapter 1176: The Silver Moon Pill King's Ambush

"Ye Mo, you're back," Shen Guanqing said, his worry easing. Ye Mo felt a warmth at Shen Guanqing's concern, a stark contrast to the distance most had kept after his ambush by the Infinity and Lightning Cloud Sects. Shen Guanqing then gazed at Ye Mo, astonished. "You're already at Body Condensation state, level two? How is that possible?"

Xu Changji echoed Shen Guanqing's surprise. He remembered Ye Mo as a Nascent Soul state cultivator, just like himself. Now, Ye Mo stood before him at Body Condensation state, while Xu Changji remained at Hollow Spirit state, level four.

"Senior Guan Tian Pill King," Ye Mo replied, "I've had some fortunate encounters that led to rapid advancement." He then inquired, "Senior, where is Senior Silver Moon Pill King?" Ye Mo wished to avoid dwelling on his own progress; his concern for the Silver Moon Pill King overshadowed all else.

A flicker of sadness crossed Shen Guanqing's face. "Let's discuss this inside."

Ye Mo nodded, turning to Xu Changji. "Martial Brother, where is Ye Wucai? And why are the city gates unguarded?"

"Ye Mo, don't worry," Shen Guanqing reassured him. "Mo Yue City may appear unguarded, but like Pill City, it's protected by two Truth Realization state cultivators."

Xu Changji confirmed this. "Yes, two Truth Realization state seniors arrived with City Lord Guan Tian. No one dares to cause trouble here. Martial Brother, don't worry. Ye Wucai is in solitary cultivation, striving for Foundation Establishment state."

Ye Mo felt reassured, but he didn't want Mo Yue City to emulate Pill City's rigid control. He envisioned Mo Yue City with its own laws, fair and consistent, not lax outwardly and strict inwardly. It needed equal application of the law; access could not be granted arbitrarily.

Ning Qingxue, seemingly anticipating his thoughts, spoke. "Husband, I'll assist you later. I'll establish a comprehensive residential and legal system, similar to Luo Yue City."

Xu Changji looked at Ning Qingxue with confusion. He knew Ye Mo, but not Ning Qingxue. Their closeness was evident in her offer to help manage Mo Yue City. Ye Mo swiftly introduced Ning Qingxue and Luo Ying, then tasked Xu Changji and Ning Qingxue with settling the remaining arrivals before departing with Shen Guanqing.

Shen Guanqing led Ye Mo to the innermost chamber. After disabling the restriction, Ye Mo saw the pale-faced Yue Qichao and was shaken. "What happened to Silver Moon Pill King?" Fear for Yue Qichao's well-being had been confirmed.

Shen Guanqing reset the restriction and revealed, "We were deliberately lured from Pill City. Attacking you was a secondary objective."

Ye Mo's heart sank. The two city lords had been drawn away; their assailants possessed audacious courage to attack the Silver Moon Pill King while seemingly unafraid of him. He scanned the Silver Moon Pill King with his spiritual sense, finding no immediate abnormalities. He waited for Shen Guanqing's explanation.

"A year ago," Shen Guanqing began, "Silver Moon Pill King sensed an opportunity to break through to level eight pill king. Just before entering solitary cultivation, news arrived of the Pill Fountain's appearance."

"Pill Fountain?" Ye Mo interrupted, unfamiliar with the term.

Shen Guanqing nodded. "Pill Fountains existed in ancient times. It's understandable you haven't heard of it; they rarely appear. Legend says an immortal pill fell on the Luo Yue continent, forming a fountain. Its water cures mortal ailments but is unusable for pill concoction or cultivators."

"However," Shen Guanqing continued, "it holds great significance for pill masters. Ancient texts say that to progress, a pill king needed to meditate by the Pill Fountain for enlightenment. This explains the abundance of level nine pill kings, and even some who could concoct immortal pills. But the Pill Fountain's appearances dwindled, with over a thousand years passing since its last emergence."

Ye Mo understood. "Did you and Silver Moon Pill King know about this and go there?"

Shen Guanqing confirmed, "Yes. Upon hearing the news, we were elated and went together."

Ye Mo suspected the Pill Fountain was a ruse, but wanted to know who had informed them.

"You likely suspect the Pill Fountain is fake," Shen Guanqing observed.

Ye Mo nodded. "Yes, I believe someone intentionally lured the two city lords away."

Shen Guanqing shook his head. "The Pill Fountain was real. It appeared. Those who informed us did not deceive us..."

He sighed, then abruptly changed the subject. "Do you know the level of the highest-ranking pill king in South Peace State?"

Ye Mo, unsure of the relevance, replied, "I'm not certain, but I heard Pill City has level eight and nine pill kings who are unconcerned with worldly affairs, dedicated only to the pill dao and immortal dao."

Shen Guanqing sneered. "Do you believe that?"

Ye Mo was taken aback. Of course he believed in the pursuit of the immortal dao; wasn't that the goal of all cultivators?

Shen Guanqing said coldly, "The pursuit of the immortal and pill dao is genuine, but do you truly believe they're unconcerned with worldly affairs?"

He continued, "There are no hidden level eight or nine pill kings in Pill City. But there is a hidden pill king, a level seven, who seemingly avoids worldly affairs. Yet, annually, he appropriates over 70% of Pill City's level eight and nine spirit herbs. With the numerous pill kings and Truth Realization state cultivators in Pill City, along with spirit herbs from elsewhere in South Peace State, imagine the sheer quantity. How could someone unconcerned with matters take so many?"

Shen Guanqing stood, fists clenched. "Pill City's resources are concentrated on him each year because we respect him as a senior, and we remained silent. We even aided him in collecting high-level spirit herbs. But we never expected him to attack Silver Moon Pill King."

Ye Mo found the situation complex, but remembered Kong Ye's assertion that the strongest pill king in South Peace State was only level seven. It proved true.

Shen Guanqing composed himself, speaking despondently, "The most powerful person in Pill City isn't the city lord or vice city lord, but the Grand City Lord. Pill City has a strict rule: whoever possesses the strongest pill dao power is the Grand City Lord. This person attained level seven pill king before me and Silver Moon Pill King, becoming Grand City Lord. Only someone surpassing level seven pill king would demote the Grand City Lord to Grand Paid Guest."

Ye Mo understood. The Grand City Lord had undoubtedly attacked Silver Moon Pill King, fearing the loss of his title should the Silver Moon Pill King reach level eight. Perhaps he cared little for the position itself, but not for the 70% of Pill City's resources it afforded him. Without those resources, how could he ascend to a higher pill king level? How could he pursue the immortal dao? His purging of Silver Moon Pill King seemed logical; he feared being surpassed. Silver Moon Pill King and Guan Tian Pill King were honest and honorable; even if Silver Moon Pill King had achieved level eight, they would have only rejoiced for him.

"Silver Moon Pill King is already at Truth Realization state," Ye Mo pointed out. "Even if the Grand City Lord wanted to attack him, how could he ambush him?"