Chapter 1186: How Many Prodigies Exist in the World

The sign's meaning was clear: with the increasing crowds, Ye Mo prioritized cultivators possessing sea maps or knowledge of high-level spirit herb locations. He sought specific fruits—Sha Fruit, Truth Spirit Grass, Soul Return Fruit, and, most importantly, Immortal Curl Flower. The cultivators witnessing this list felt a chill; except for Soul Return Fruit, all were level-nine spirit herbs. Yet, to secure Ye Mo's—the forgery master's—assistance, they diligently searched for sea maps and news of these legendary herbs.

Over the next few days, Ye Mo amassed a large quantity of materials and sea maps, all fragmented, providing no complete Heartless Sea chart. Regarding the listed spirit herbs, he received no information. Three days later, while achieving a consistent success rate with extreme-grade spirit artifacts, the Immortal Curl Flower remained elusive. Sighing, Ye Mo prepared to leave Ling Island and continue his search, deeming his continued stay unproductive.

An exclamation, "Good skills, good capability," drew his attention to a middle-aged man, a Cauldron Filling state level six cultivator, who approached and saluted. "Friend, I'm Wang Huaneng, manager of Ling Island's Truth Treasure Alliance."

Ye Mo returned the salute. "I'm Ye Mo, a solo cultivator." He recognized the alliance as a forgery business, and his low prices likely threatened their interests. Fortunately, he had sufficient materials and was ready to depart.

Wang Huaneng smiled. "Dao friend Ye, you've forged here for half a month. Do you know the consequences of doing this at Tong Hai Cult's Tong Ling Island or Cang Hai Palace's Cang Hai Three Islands?"

Ye Mo inwardly cursed. Were he not seeking the Immortal Curl Flower for Ji Ling qian bei, he would have left already. "Manager Wang, I’m new here and unaware of the rules. I'll leave immediately," he explained.

Wang Huaneng chuckled. "Dao friend Ye, Ling Island differs from Tong Hai Cult and Cang Hai Palace; we're a sea cultivator alliance. Your skill warrants your presence; we don't wish to expel you, merely invite you for a discussion."

While Wang Huaneng seemed amicable, Ye Mo suspected the Truth Treasure Alliance aimed to recruit him. Lacking the time, he saluted again. "Thank you, Manager Wang, but I have other commitments."

Wang Huaneng, seemingly anticipating this, replied, "Dao friend Ye, I'm not here to solicit your services. However, concerning the spirit herbs you listed, a conversation might be worthwhile."

Ye Mo immediately agreed, finishing his last top-grade spirit artifact and addressing the waiting cultivators. "Friends, thank you for your patronage; the forgery session concludes now."

A commotion ensued, but no one dared challenge Ye Mo. His power remained unfathomable, and Wang Huaneng's presence—as a Cauldron Filling state middle-stage cultivator and alliance manager—inhibited any confrontation. The clients were primarily Golden Core or Nascent Soul state cultivators; few were Hollow Spirit state. Reluctantly, they dispersed.

Ye Mo accompanied Wang Huaneng to a luxurious building displaying the gleaming words, 'Truth Treasure Alliance.' He entered, relieved to find his cultivation level unaffected, unlike the Sea Treasure Tower's suppression.

Wang Huaneng led him to the top floor, where two female cultivators awaited—a beautiful middle-aged woman and a younger, equally attractive woman. The older woman exuded nobility, her attire accentuating her curves. The younger woman possessed a soft face, naturally thin eyebrows, and snow-white skin, her long hair casually coiled. A subtle fragrance permeated the air.

However, their power captivated Ye Mo more than their appearance: the older woman was Disaster Transformation state level two, the younger a Hollow Spirit state level seven cultivator, yet surprisingly young—perhaps only a few years older than Jing Yingli.

Wang Huaneng introduced the older woman. "Dao friend Ye, this is our alliance leader, Sister Meng, also vice leader of the sea cultivator alliance. She wished to meet you."

Ye Mo saluted. "Ye Mo greets qian bei."

Sister Meng smiled. "Master Ye, please be seated. Call me Sister Meng; no need for formalities. I surpass you in cultivation, but you far exceed me in forgery."

Ye Mo sat, knowing that if harm were intended, his Body Condensation state power offered little escape. The younger woman quietly served tea before resuming her place beside Sister Meng.

Sister Meng observed Ye Mo's composure. "Master Ye, at your age, you forge extreme-grade spirit artifacts; your future is boundless."

Ye Mo humbly replied, stating his intention to acquire materials without considering the consequences. Sister Meng waved her hand. "This is the sea cultivator alliance; forging here for a year is your prerogative. Your Body Condensation state at this age, coupled with your forgery skill, clearly marks you as a prodigy amongst prodigies."

Ye Mo suspected their interest lay not in his forgery, but its underlying methods. He remained unfazed, continually refining his techniques through the Three Birth Chant simulations, a nascent, incomplete system.

Sister Meng then spoke, "Your extreme-grade spirit artifact, while average in forgery, demonstrates top-grade formations. You're at least a level six formation great master, am I right?"

Ye Mo realized their true interest lay in his formation skills. Sister Meng's approving gaze intensified. "At your age, a Body Condensation state tertiary-stage cultivator, a forgery master, and a formation great master? How many such prodigies exist in the world?"

Ye Mo mused, I'm a level eight formation grand master; forgery is merely a recent pastime.