Chapter 1195: A Generous Person

Meng Qi followed closely behind Ye Mo. Most of the formations on the second disk were level two, and even she found them insignificant. However, she noticed Ye Mo often circled a formation several times before moving on, seemingly wasting the attacks and traps. Sometimes, though, he would stand before one for a considerable time. Eventually, Meng Qi understood: he was studying the formations. Indeed, Ye Mo found himself learning far more on the second disk than the first. He believed that if this continued, he might actually become a level nine formation grandmaster by the 18th disk.

Despite the time spent studying, they reached the entrance to the third disk ahead of several others. The cultivators registering their names were shocked to see Ye Mo and Meng Qi. They couldn't believe Ye Mo had progressed this far; how could Yong Wuzi have allowed him to proceed, let alone accompany Meng Qi?

As Ye Mo and Meng Qi registered, a body condensation state, tertiary stage, level seven cultivator stopped Ye Mo.

"Stop! Kid, did you use some trick to escape our young master? No matter how clever you are, you will die by my hand!"

Before he finished, Zi Xu unleashed a long purple ray. This cultivator, also a beast cultivator, was only level seven; he must have been skilled in formations. He was about to use a magic artifact, but Ye Mo attacked before he could finish his sentence. Alarmed, the cultivator immediately deployed his artifact, only to feel the space around him stagnate. He recognized it instantly: a domain! Shock registered on his face, but before he could react, Zi Xu erupted in a bloody mist. Ye Mo hurled a purple flame, then retrieved a storage ring. The entire process was so smooth, it was clear he'd done this many times before.

A Sea Cultivator Alliance cultivator at the nascent soul state, tertiary stage, screamed at the sight of Ye Mo instantly killing a level seven body condensation state cultivator. He was immediately teleported away, having lost control.

Silence fell. No one dared to speak after witnessing this display. Some astute cultivators realized Yong Wuzi might already be dead. Meng Qi was also stunned. She had seen Ye Mo battle Yong Wuzi earlier, but his instantaneous killing of a cultivator of similar cultivation level demonstrated a significant increase in combat power since that fight. His progress was evident. The two remaining Tong Hai Cult cultivators remained silent.

Unexpectedly, a cultivator approached Ye Mo. Appearing to be in his thirties, he possessed body condensation state, level one power. His face was slightly bronze, but his eyes shone brightly. He saluted with clenched fists.

"I am Jing Xuecheng, of the Cang Hai Palace."

"You're the son of Jing Xiangdong, the Cang Hai Palace's First King...?" Meng Qi exclaimed, surprised.

Jing Xuecheng chuckled, a touch self-deprecatingly. "That's right. My father is Jing Xiangdong, the First King of the Cang Hai Palace. Haha, whenever someone mentions my name, the first thing they think of is my father."

Meng Qi blushed slightly. "I apologize. Your father is quite renowned; it was out of habit."

Jing Xuecheng waved it off. "It's fine. Perhaps decades from now, when people mention Jing Xiangdong, they'll ask if he was Jing Xuecheng's father. Haha."

Jing Xuecheng's openness and lack of cunning impressed Ye Mo, despite the fact that it was Ye Mo's killing of Yong Wuzi that led to this encounter. Ye Mo didn't mind. Who would seek connection with a useless person? Even Ji Ling had approved of him because of his talent. Only after being recognized for their talent would people start to understand you, then realize you are more than just talent, and become friends.

Ye Mo saluted with his fists. "Brother Jing, you flatter me. I'm Ye Mo, a solitary cultivator. I'm merely passing through the Sea Cultivator Alliance territory."

Jing Xuecheng, noticing the lack of nearby cultivators, gestured to a cultivator beside him in the Cauldron Filling state to move aside, then asked, "Did you kill Yong Wuzi? There's no other explanation for him letting you pass."

Ye Mo smiled. "Yes, I did."

Jing Xuecheng's approval was immediate; he clapped his hands. "Brother Ye, what courage! I admire your spirit. Brother Ye, if you're not opposed, come with me to the Cang Hai Palace after the tournament. I would be honored to have you as a friend."

Ye Mo appreciated Jing Xuecheng's action; he knew Ye Mo had killed Yong Wuzi and still offered him protection and face in front of Meng Qi.

However, Ye Mo planned to depart, and therefore wouldn't be going to the Cang Hai Palace. He said gratefully, "Thank you, Brother Jing, but Yong Lanyi wouldn't have let me go anyway, and now that I've killed Yong Wuzi, he'll be even more furious. There's no chance of me going to the Cang Hai Palace."

Jing Xuecheng produced a jade card. "Brother Ye, if you leave before I do and Yong Lanyi seeks you out, give this jade card to my father. As long as you maintain that you did not kill Yong Wuzi, you will be fine. Regardless of how unreasonable Yong Lanyi is, he won't dare to act recklessly in front of our Cang Hai Palace. Of course, this is unnecessary if I leave first."

He then chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Haha, I end up using my father's influence after all."

Ye Mo was surprised. They had just met, yet Jing Xuecheng was willing to risk his father's standing to protect him. Regardless of whether the jade card worked, it was an exceptionally generous offer. Should Jing Xiangdong intervene, he would become mortal enemies with Yong Lanyi.

Ye Mo pushed back the jade card. "Brother Jing, I am a mortal enemy of Yong Lanyi. I would only bring you trouble."

Jing Xuecheng laughed. "Brother Ye, do you doubt me? Yong Lanyi is powerful, but our Cang Hai Palace is no pushover. If you're willing to be friends, then take this jade card. I pledge my life that you will be treated as a honored guest in the Cang Hai Three Islands."

Seeing Jing Xuecheng's sincerity, Ye Mo accepted the card and saluted. "Brother Jing, in that case, I accept your friendship. But I may not be able to visit the Cang Hai Palace this time. Don't worry, I'll come visit next time I'm in the area."

"Good. I'll be going ahead then. We can talk once we're out. Even if you can't visit the Cang Hai Palace, I can come to Ling Island," Jing Xuecheng said, laughing as he entered the third disk, clearly not anticipating Ye Mo's immediate departure.

Ye Mo nodded. "Brother Jing is a truly generous and straightforward man. A worthy friend. He's not yet one hundred, yet he's already at body condensation state, level one; quite remarkable."

Unbeknownst to Ye Mo, Jing Xuecheng held a similar opinion. Jing Xuecheng reached body condensation state, level one at his age due to privilege and his status as young master of the Cang Hai Palace. Yet Ye Mo, a solitary cultivator younger than him, was stronger. What truly impressed him was Ye Mo's open admission of killing Yong Wuzi – something no one would dare do on the Heartless Sea outer rim. How could he not befriend such a man?

Meanwhile, Yong Lanyi grabbed a cultivator and roared, "You say Ye Mo killed our contestant, Cheng Li? In a single move? Speak!"