Chapter 1190: Enemies Meet

Ye Mo sneered. "Even here, you're probably being watched."

Meng Qi, having regained her composure, acknowledged his truth. She rose, her face seemingly numb. "Thank you, Martial Brother Ye, for enlightening me. I'll be leaving," she said dejectedly.

Ye Mo smiled and waved dismissively. "How far from the Qu Eighteen Disks are cultivators over a hundred years old affected?"

Meng Qi, uncertain of his meaning, replied, "The eighteen disks are at the island's center. I've heard that during tournaments, masters from the three powers remain at the island's edge, tens of kilometers from the outermost disk. Approaching closer affects them. They stay at the border because of a large white tablet recording tournament progress."

"Can cultivators' spirit sense penetrate the Qu Eighteen Disks?" Ye Mo pressed, this being crucial to his plan. Failure to barricade spirit sense would jeopardize his escape.

Meng Qi looked at him, confused. "No. Cultivators entering the eighteen disks disappear from the outside spirit sense. If a contestant passes the first disk, a stone tablet at the second disk's entrance allows them to record their name; the large white tablet then updates their progress."

Ye Mo pressed further, "What if I don't record my name, or a contestant dies?"

Meng Qi answered immediately, "The stone tablet won't record progress without a name, but that doesn't affect the contestants. Upon teleportation, their name turns blue. Death turns the name red, stopping at the disk where they perished."

Relieved, Ye Mo focused on his primary concern: reaching the top. He nodded. "Don't worry. By the competition, I might have a way to help you."

Meng Qi's eyes lit up. "Really?"

Ye Mo smiled. "I'm not confident, but you know my predicament; it's not dissimilar to yours." He added, "Go back; staying here too long is unwise." Prolonged proximity to Meng Qi could attract unwanted attention.

Meng Qi, reassured by the possibility of escape, bowed and quickly departed.

Over the next few days, Ye Mo remained indoors, studying formations. He anticipated complex, likely level eight or higher, formations within the Qu Eighteen Disks, hoping they wouldn't exceed level nine. While knowing significant improvement in a few days was unlikely, even slight progress would help.

Six days passed uneventfully; neither Meng Qi nor anyone else sought him out.

On the final day, a potential problem struck Ye Mo, causing him to break into a cold sweat. He immediately prepared a defensive measure: an empty storage ring, inscribed with over ten explosion formations, enhanced with several top-grade restrictions, which he placed on his finger.

The following day, Wang Huaneng arrived. Understanding the competition's commencement, Ye Mo saluted. "Manager Wang, is it almost time?"

Wang Huaneng nodded. "Yes, Martial Brother Ye, please come with me."

Ye Mo readily agreed. "Very well, please lead the way, Martial Brother Wang."

As they walked, Wang Huaneng remarked, "Martial Brother Ye, I admire your forging skills. While I forge low-grade artifacts, your methods seem far superior."

Ye Mo responded humbly, uncertain of Wang Huaneng's intentions, "You're too kind, Martial Brother Wang."

Wang Huaneng continued earnestly, "I'm sincere. I didn't dare disturb you these past days due to Sister Meng's orders, but after the tournament, we must discuss this further."

Ye Mo laughed, unconvinced. He knew Wang Huaneng was aware of Yong Yuer's power. This comment was a tactic to keep him close. Ye Mo didn't mind; he only needed Meng Hanan to ensure safe entry into the Qu Eighteen Disks. Yong Yuer's attitude guaranteed her presence, and therefore, trouble, within the islands.

They soon reached the Sea Cultivator Alliance square, where a massive teleportation formation, teeming with cultivators, stood at the border. Ye Mo casually assessed at least three Truth Realization State cultivators and nearly ten Disaster Transformation State cultivators—surpassing an ordinary nine-star sect, and this represented only surface strength.

He spotted Meng Hanan and Meng Qi; the latter stood silently beside Meng Hanan, as before.

Meng Hanan smiled, introducing Ye Mo to a middle-aged man. "This is the cultivator I recommended, Ye Mo. He's exceptional; despite his youth, he's a Body Condensation State Tertiary Stage cultivator and a Level Six Formation Grandmaster."

The male cultivator nodded, his gaze making Ye Mo uncomfortable. Meng Hanan then introduced Ye Mo to their Sea Cultivator Alliance leader, Wang Cang.

Wang Cang, a gaunt, yet powerfully imposing figure, was clearly a Truth Realization State Level Seven cultivator. After greetings, Wang Cang acknowledged Ye Mo's achievements, promising future support.

Addressing the assembled cultivators, Wang Cang expressed hope that their chosen participants wouldn't disappoint, promising significant rewards, including top-grade artifacts, to those exceeding past performance.

The eight participants, including Ye Mo, affirmed their commitment. Wang Cang gave the order to proceed to the Qu Eighteen Disks.

Ye Mo followed Meng Hanan into the immense teleportation formation, capable of accommodating hundreds without crowding. As spirit stones activated the formation, white light engulfed them, transporting them away.

Ye Mo, initially expecting a few hundred participants, was astonished upon arrival to find approximately twenty thousand cultivators. Wang Huaneng explained that spectators had arrived over ten days prior.

However, Ye Mo barely registered the explanation, having spotted Yong Yuer, whose gaze immediately locked onto his.