Chapter 1188: A Deal

Meng Hanan saw Ye Mo’s face and immediately understood his apprehension. She explained, “The Qu 18 Disks resemble enormous round platforms; the formations become increasingly complex with each successive disk. Legend says the final disk is a peak that pierces the clouds. Each participating power sends ten contestants. The one who progresses furthest wins; if two powers reach the same disk, the number of participants behind them determines the victor.”

Meng Hanan then looked at Ye Mo apologetically. “Each tournament includes cauldron filling state cultivators among the contestants—usually three per power…”

Ye Mo stood abruptly, his disbelief evident. “Sister Meng, there are cauldron filling state cultivators under one hundred years old here? So many? This is unbelievable!”

The girl behind Meng Hanan chuckled; Ye Mo’s astonishment was palpable. In South Peace State, even a hundred-year-old body condensation state cultivator was exceptionally rare. Yet, the outer Heartless Sea boasted numerous cauldron filling state cultivators under a century old. The disparity was staggering. If such prodigies existed, South Peace State’s nine-star sects would have already arrived. These individuals far surpassed Yuan Guannan and Tian Aofeng in strength.

Meng Hanan smiled. “Don't worry, Master Ye. Let me explain. While we are three major powers, there are also beast cultivators. Some avoid conflict, preferring trade with humans. Over time, some human-morphing beast cultivators married human cultivators, resulting in exceptionally gifted offspring. These individuals, with consistent provision of spirit herbs and pills, cultivate ten times faster than ordinary cultivators.”

Ye Mo remained skeptical. If this were true, such half-bloods would dominate the world.

“However,” Meng Hanan continued, “these cultivators consume vast quantities of spirit herbs. Even a sect can only nurture a few, and there's a significant limitation: they struggle to advance past the peak cauldron filling state. Less than one percent reach the disaster transformation state, and truth realization state remains unattainable.”

Ye Mo relaxed, finding this explanation plausible.

Meng Hanan smiled. “Master Ye, each power is permitted only three such cultivators. The rest are human cultivators like yourself. The competition is dangerous, and if you're unwilling to participate, I won’t force you. If you agree, I'll reveal the purported location of the Immortal Curl Flower and give you a Kun Filling Pill after the match.”

Ye Mo realized the wavy-haired girl he’d encountered was likely one of these half-bloods.

“Yes, I agree,” Ye Mo nodded decisively.

He then recalled the wavy-haired girl, a clear member of the big three. Would she seek retribution if he participated? He needed to address this. His experience suggested the arrogant girl would certainly cause trouble.

Upon Ye Mo's agreement, Meng Hanan exclaimed happily, “The tournament begins in about a week. Feel free to ask any questions.”

Ye Mo stated directly, “I have some concerns. I offended a girl on Ling Island; I don't know her affiliation. If she seeks revenge, please assist me, Sister Meng. She likely has a powerful background.”

Meng Hanan frowned. “Be more specific. What are her features?”

Ye Mo, possessing a vivid memory of the girl, described her: “She’s arrogant, fair-skinned, has wavy hair, and a very large chest…” He instantly regretted his phrasing, realizing its inappropriateness in front of two women. However, he felt his description was justified; her chest was truly remarkable.

The quiet girl blushed and looked down.

Ye Mo felt awkward, but Meng Hanan smiled. “I think I know who you mean. Does she possess a chariot-type flying magic artifact?”

Ye Mo snapped his fingers, Meng Hanan's prompt clarifying his approach. “Yes, and two bodyguards. She pursued me relentlessly after I stopped to question her; she attempted to steal my flying magic artifact. To escape, I damaged her chariot.”

Meng Hanan was shocked. “That girl is Yong Yuer’s daughter, the Tong Hai Cult leader. Her mother is a beast cultivator, not from the Heartless Sea. Her bodyguards are both in the cauldron filling state. You escaped them?” Doubt flickered in her eyes.

Ye Mo clarified, “I was outmatched, but exploited their arrogance and damaged their chariot using certain means.”

Worry clouded Meng Hanan’s expression. She sighed, “Even so, you're quite remarkable. But don't worry. You did nothing wrong. Regardless of Yong Yuer’s protectiveness, he won't act against you in the tournament.”

Relieved, Ye Mo asked, “May I also inquire about the Immortal Curl Flower's location?”

Meng Hanan smiled. “I would have told you regardless.” She produced a jade slip. “This is a fragmented map of a sea region. Martial Brother Wang and I once ventured there, deep within the Heartless Sea. I almost perished. The map marks the Immortal Curl Flower, but its age is uncertain. Even if it existed, it may be gone. This is all I have…”

Ye Mo gratefully accepted the slip. He’d had no leads; now, there was hope.

Meng Hanan nodded, then gestured to the girl beside her. “This is my disciple, Meng Qi. She's also participating. She’s not well-versed in formations, so another reason I asked you to join is to offer her some assistance.”

Ye Mo questioned, “Why not simply withdraw her?”

Meng Hanan smiled. “You might not fully grasp the Qu 18 Disks. It’s hazardous, but improves mental fortitude. Participants often experience reduced heart demons and spirit sense purification, accelerating cultivation.”

Ye Mo was elated. Spirit sense was his priority; purification could significantly enhance his Purple Eye Soul Sever.

Meng Hanan added, “Your participation would benefit you as well.”

“Can we leave during the tournament?” Ye Mo asked.

Meng Hanan understood his concern. “Don't worry; I promised to protect you from Yong Yuer. Once within the Qu 18 Disks, you can leave only upon death, failure, or after eighteen days, when it closes.”

Ye Mo was disappointed. He remained apprehensive about Yong Yuer. Meng Hanan was being kind, but it was a deal—and the Tong Hai Cult leader, a truth realization state peak cultivator, was far stronger than Meng Hanan, a disaster transformation primary stage cultivator.

“Legend holds that reaching the summit of the final disk allows immediate departure. However, no one has ever achieved this. The three powers’ best performance has been the twelfth disk,” Meng Hanan concluded.