Chapter 1194: Qu First Disk
After a while, Ye Mo rose, retrieved Yong Wuzi’s storage ring, and incinerated the body. He nodded to Meng Qi, saying, “Let’s go to the second disk.”
Meng Qi followed, and they proceeded swiftly. The first disk comprised wetlands and swamps. Occasional low-level spirit beasts appeared, fleeing before they needed to intervene. Soon, they encountered some rudimentary trap and kill formations. These were well-concealed but extremely low-level; even a Foundation Establishment cultivator unfamiliar with formations would pass safely. All were level one and two formations.
“I heard the first and second disks contain only sub-level-three formations. Therefore, cultivators surviving the first disk invariably proceed to the second,” Meng Qi explained. “The fourth and fifth disks reportedly have level four formations; levels six and seven, level five formations.”
“This difficult?” Ye Mo halted, his brow furrowed.
Meng Qi replied, “Martial Brother Ye, levels seven and below I am confident to clear; it’s not particularly challenging.”
Ye Mo frowned. “I’m not referring to the seventh disk. Based on your description, wouldn’t the eighteenth disk possess formations exceeding level nine?”
Meng Qi stared, shocked. After a moment, she murmured, “You… you intend to reach the eighteenth disk and escape…?”
Ye Mo smiled. “Otherwise, how else would I evade?”
Meng Qi shook her head. “No, your plan is infeasible. I know the twelfth disk only contains level seven formations, and the eighteenth won't exceed level nine, but I know you won't reach the eighteenth.” Ye Mo, being only a level six formation grandmaster, had already achieved a considerable feat in reaching the twelfth disk.
Ye Mo understood that the formation levels didn't increase incrementally per disk. The eighteenth disk might not contain formations beyond level nine.
Initially, Ye Mo paid little attention to the formations they encountered. Later, however, he examined them carefully. These simple, sub-level-two formations displayed astonishing ingenuity. Even with his level eight formation skills, he couldn't pinpoint the formation's core. This indicated that, despite their low level, these formations were constructed with masterful skill; each resembled a natural formation.
Had Meng Qi not reminded him of the one-day limit on the first disk, he would have lingered to study the formations. He was certain that several days of study would significantly enhance his formation skills. While he had simulated his own formation system, absorbing the essence of another's system would be immensely beneficial. His advancement to level seven formation grandmaster stemmed from inspiration drawn from the formations in the Ice God Forbidden Grounds.
A further question arose: why were such low-level formations, incapable of hindering Foundation Establishment cultivators, present? The answer, he surmised, was that these formations served as a learning exercise for cultivators. The progression from the first to the eighteenth disk constituted a learning process. Understanding this, Ye Mo slowed his pace, meticulously studying the low-level formations.
The Three Birth Chant excelled at simulation and development. By the time Ye Mo completed the first disk, the principles of level one and two formations had solidified in his mind.
Reaching the border of the first and second disks, he saw a stone tablet bearing twenty-seven names—those who had advanced to the second disk. Ye Mo and Meng Qi added their names and proceeded.
Upon entering, they both felt a powerful outward force, as if being expelled. Ye Mo recognized this as similar to the pressure on the Twelve Pill King Steps, a structure based on the Qu Eighteen Disks—hence the familiar pressure.
Meng Qi’s expression changed. If the second disk exerted such pressure, what awaited them at the eighteenth? Even a level nine formation grandmaster would struggle to withstand this escalating pressure.
Ye Mo, seeing her apprehension, smiled and said, “Stay close to me.”
Dazed, Meng Qi immediately moved behind him. She trusted Ye Mo wouldn't take advantage of her, and she didn't dislike him.
A faint fragrance momentarily distracted Ye Mo. His thoughts drifted to Luo Ying and Ning Qingxue, their expressions as he departed—their desire for his swift return. He had fallen within the sphere of influence of the Three Sea Powers, though fortunately, the Cang Hai Palace remained uninvolved. Yet, he harbored no regrets; Ji Ling had greatly aided him, and even knowing it was a trap, he would still have traded with Meng Hanan.
Regaining his composure, he activated Purple Eye Soul Sever, instantly dispelling the pressure—precisely as on the Pill King Steps.
Meng Qi, pondering Ye Mo’s instruction, felt the pressure vanish. She immediately grasped his intention, exclaiming joyfully, “Martial Brother Ye, you have a method to negate the pressure?”
Ye Mo nodded. “Yes. Without it, even following a level nine formation grandmaster, we wouldn't reach the eighteenth disk.”
Meanwhile, Yong Lanyi stared, shocked, at the white stone. Ye Mo and Meng Qi's names were inscribed, but Yong Wuzi's was absent.
“What’s happening?” Nearly a day had passed, and names were appearing on the second level, yet Yong Wuzi’s remained absent. Yong Lanyi’s patience snapped, and he roared.
“Er Wu, come here! Tell me about that Ye Mo who fought you last time!” he bellowed.
Er Wu trembled, hurrying forward to recount the encounter.
“You say he’s merely a Body Condensation state, level six, and injured you with a single strike? He also possessed the rudiments of a domain?” Yong Lanyi's voice chilled.
“Yes, I was careless,” Er Wu mumbled, unable to meet his gaze.
Yong Lanyi’s voice grew colder still. “Careless? Even if you weren't, you're no match for that bastard! Get out of my sight!”
He delivered a powerful kick, sending Er Wu flying, spitting blood, yet the man dared not protest.
Yong Lanyi sneered. “Very well. I underestimated you, a mere Body Condensation cultivator with a nascent domain. If you dared to kill my son, I will burn your soul for ten thousand years!”
A palpable wave of killing intent emanated from Yong Lanyi, causing everyone to instinctively recoil.
Wang Cang frowned, observing Meng Hanan. If Ye Mo truly killed Yong Wuzi, conflict between them was inevitable. He would readily hand over Ye Mo if another recommended him, but he couldn't do so for Meng Hanan, who was backed by a Truth Realization tertiary stage cultivator.
At that moment, a contestant emerged from the eighteenth disk. Before he could rise, Yong Lanyi’s cultivation essence manifested as a giant hand, seizing the man. Yong Lanyi roared, “Where is my son?”