Chapter 1177: Corroding Essence Spirit
Shen Guanqing explained, “The pill fountain—it’s real, but it was discovered and trapped beforehand. When Brother Yue sought enlightenment there, he was ambushed. Someone planted a Spirit Corroding Flower…”
“A level-nine spirit herb, the Spirit Corroding Flower? The legendary flower found only once in ten million kilometers?” Ye Mo exclaimed, shocked. He knew its properties well: a colorless, odorless level-nine spirit herb whose primary effect was the corrosion of essence spirit. This corrosion was subtle, particularly dangerous for cultivators meditating to achieve enlightenment.
This realization caused Ye Mo to abruptly rise. “Silver Moon Pill King…”
Shen Guanqing nodded. “You’re right. Brother Yue is indeed poisoned by the Spirit Corroding Flower; his essence spirit is rapidly corroding.”
“Did Qian bei come to Mo Yue City seeking treatment?” Ye Mo finally understood why Shen Guanqing had come here instead of elsewhere.
Shen Guanqing sighed. “Yes and no. Brother Yue reached level-eight pill king at the pill fountain, only to discover the poisoning. Initially, he didn’t suspect anyone from Pill City, so we returned there quickly. Then, we learned what happened to you. Brother Yue was furious. When the Lightning Cloud Sect learned of this, they immediately announced a sect seal. Brother Yue demanded the Infinity Sect hand over the cultivator who killed Brother Ji. However, the Infinity Sect adamantly denied any involvement. Pill City boasted nearly twenty truth realization state cultivators and many more in the disaster transformation state. We never anticipated the Infinity Sect’s resistance.”
Ye Mo remained silent, deeply grateful. Even poisoned, the Silver Moon Pill King still sought revenge for him.
Seeing Ye Mo’s expression, Shen Guanqing said, “Don’t feel guilty. Brother Yue holds great hopes for you. He believes you're the only one with a chance of reaching level-nine pill king. He could endure assassination, but you represent the cultivation realm’s hope. He doesn't want anything to happen to you. He aimed to annihilate the Infinity Sect before the Spirit Corroding Flower consumed him.”
Ye Mo understood the cultivation realm's unspoken rule: one generally refrains from attacking a self-sealed sect unless provoked to extreme conflict. The Lightning Cloud Sect's self-imposed seal made the Infinity Sect their target, but Ye Mo knew his own response would differ. With sufficient power, even if the Lightning Cloud Sect fled South Peace State, he would hunt them down and destroy them.
Shen Guanqing continued, “But the Grand City Lord declared that Pill City couldn't use power to oppress others. Since no one was seen when Lu Qian bei and you were stopped, how could we be certain it was the Infinity Sect? That's when we realized the Grand City Lord had ambushed us.”
Shen Guanqing’s voice was heavy with sorrow. “Brother Yue and I treated the Grand City Lord with utmost respect, willingly giving him 70% of our resources. We never opposed him, yet he treated us thus. Brother Yue was deeply disappointed, and the Spirit Corroding Flower took hold. I no longer wished to remain in Pill City, so I brought Brother Yue here. I intended to return and protect you, but I liked this place and decided to stay.”
“That Grand City Lord…” Ye Mo asked, worried.
Shen Guanqing waved a hand dismissively. “Don’t worry. He has no intention of attacking this place; otherwise, he wouldn’t have ambushed Brother Yue. Besides, he doesn't need to. After our departure, he holds sole authority. He achieved his goal; Brother Yue won’t survive, so he has no cause for concern. After we left, several truth realization state cultivators aware of the situation also departed. Three came with me to Mo Yue City, while seven or eight went elsewhere. Although Pill City remains the strongest, it's not the same as before.”
Shen Guanqing sighed, lamenting Pill City’s fallen glory. A jealous Pill King city lord could never bring prosperity. From then on, Pill City would only decline.
Ye Mo felt a measure of relief. With Guan Tian Pill King and three truth realization state cultivators present, even the formidable Infinity Sect wouldn't dare to cause trouble. The Lightning Cloud Sect's self-imposed seal ensured they wouldn't come either. Mo Yue City was safe. Once he established the defensive formation, even if the Infinity Sect arrived, they would be unable to retreat. And even though Guan Tian Pill King and Silver Moon Pill King had left Pill City, there was no possibility of them aiding the Infinity Sect in an attack here.
Suddenly, Ye Mo remembered something and asked, “Qian bei, who informed you about the pill fountain’s appearance?”
“You’ve met him; you asked about him. He’s level-four Pill King Zhao Shuntian. He likely served the Grand City Lord, and that’s why he betrayed us,” Shen Guanqing said sadly.
It was him. Mo Youshen possessed considerable influence, even connections to the Grand City Lord. At that moment, Ye Mo fully appreciated the Silver Moon Pill King’s nobility and integrity. Despite knowing his attacker, he simply left Pill City without a word.
Another cultivator would have engaged the Grand City Lord in battle. Given the Silver Moon Pill King and Guan Tian’s respect, an internal war in Pill City would have devastated the South Peace State cultivation realm. Tens of truth realization state cultivators, and far more in the disaster transformation state, would have split into warring factions.
At least eight out of ten level-nine spirit herbs discovered annually in South Peace State flowed to Pill City. Such herbs were essential for immortal ascension. Yet, Silver Moon Pill King and Guan Tian Pill King relinquished Pill City, sacrificing those resources and diminishing their own chances of ascension, all to prevent internal strife. Such selflessness commanded respect.
He must find a way to save the Silver Moon Pill King. The Spirit Corroding Flower was nearly incurable. Ye Mo frowned, sighing after a long moment. “Guan Tian Pill King Qian bei, is there a cure for the Spirit Corroding Flower?”
Shen Guanqing shook his head. “The Spirit Corroding Flower corrodes the essence spirit. The longer it’s active, the less curable it becomes. After a year, not even an immortal could help. But within the first year, two spirit herbs offer a chance of cure, though both are extremely rare. One is the level-nine spirit herb, Immortal Curl Flower, which can rebuild a cultivator's essence spirit before dissipation, but I've never seen it. The other is the level-nine spirit herb, Ice Carrot, which can halt the corrosion. I've never seen that either…”
“Ice Carrot?” Ye Mo stood abruptly. He had one; he used it for the Truth Carrot Pill. Why hadn't he considered it?
Shen Guanqing appeared surprised, but before he could speak, Ye Mo produced the Ice Carrot. “Guan Tian Pill King, this is Ice Carrot.”
“You have an Ice Carrot?” Shen Guanqing snatched the jade box, shaken.
Ye Mo nodded. “I obtained it during my recent trip to the Ice God forbidden grounds. Use it to help Silver Moon Pill King Qian bei immediately.”
Shen Guanqing opened the box; it contained a mature level-nine spirit herb Ice Carrot. A surge of vitality seemed to course through Shen Guanqing. He and Silver Moon Pill King had devoted everything to Pill City, yet Brother Yue faced this plight. His disappointment and sadness were palpable. But the Ice Carrot meant Silver Moon Pill King could recover.
“Brother Ye Mo, thank you. Please, call us Brother instead of Qian bei. We judged you correctly; you’re a true person,” Shen Guanqing said, his voice trembling.
Ye Mo understood. The Ice Carrot was an exceedingly rare treasure, capable of boosting a disaster transformation state cultivator's chances of reaching the truth realization state.
He waved a hand. “Guan Tian Pill King Qian bei, you and Silver Moon Pill King will always be my Qian beis. Let's treat Silver Moon Pill King immediately; the sooner, the better.” In Ye Mo's heart, both Pill Kings were exceptionally kind. Even his extreme-grade spirit range would be readily offered.
Shen Guanqing placed the Ice Carrot in Yue Qichao’s mouth, using his cultivation essence to aid digestion. Within seven minutes, Silver Moon Pill King's face flushed, and he opened his eyes.
Shen Guanqing withdrew his hand, urging, “Brother Yue, quickly use your cultivation essence to digest the Ice Carrot.”
Yue Qichao’s eyes widened in disbelief, but understanding dawned, and he closed his eyes again. This time, he didn't need Shen Guanqing's assistance, digesting the Ice Carrot independently. Soon, it shrank and vanished.