Chapter 1197: Are You Willing to Strip Naked?

It was already difficult for Meng Qi to navigate the fifth disk, but Ye Mo moved with ease. Nothing seemed to impede his progress—neither attacks, traps, nor illusion formations. Although Meng Qi knew Ye Mo was a level six formation grandmaster, she hadn't anticipated his effortless passage through the sixth, sometimes suspecting he surpassed that level. She was also curious how he dispelled the pushing force, but refrained from asking.

In truth, Ye Mo was deliberately slowing his pace. He would pause to study particularly intricate formations. Even so, by the third day, they reached the ninth disk and the entrance to the tenth. The ninth disk contained several level six formations, and based on his experience, Ye Mo expected the tenth to be entirely composed of them.

He didn't enter the tenth disk nor did he inscribe his name. Instead, he sat down, and Meng Qi followed suit.

Meng Qi cautiously inquired, "Martial Brother Ye, are you concerned that the tenth disk will be filled with level six formations, causing us to be teleported out?"

Ye Mo smiled. "I am concerned, but not about that." He paused, looking at Meng Qi. "If we marked our names on the ninth disk, what do you think the Sea Cultivator Alliance would achieve?"

Meng Qi considered this before replying, "I think they'd place second or last, definitely not first."

Ye Mo shook his head. "I disagree. I'm certain that marking my name here would secure the Sea Cultivator Alliance either first or second place, definitely not last—probably second. Cang Hai Palace's contestants can certainly reach the ninth."

He knew this because he had forced out Tong Hai Sect's formation master, effectively removing them from contention.

He then added, "Were it not for your master's assistance, I wouldn't mind the Sea Cultivator Alliance placing last. Regardless of their rank, however, the ninth disk will be the last tablet I mark."

Meng Qi fell silent, understanding his reasoning. He was waiting for others; proceeding too quickly would be detrimental.

Half a day later, Ye Mo stood and inscribed his name. "Let's go to the tenth disk." Turning to Meng Qi, he added, "Sometimes, don't trust those not close to you, like your master." Meng Hanan's failure to keep her promise had eroded his trust in her.

Meng Qi frowned. "Martial Brother Ye, I know my master didn't help you, and you view her negatively, but she truly treats me kindly. It's not that she doesn't want to help, but her abilities are limited."

Ye Mo sneered, offering no response. If she couldn't help, why make the promise? Meng Hanan clearly disregarded his life. Meng Qi sighed.

"Sea Cultivator Alliance's Ye Mo and Meng Qi have entered the tenth disk. Cang Hai Palace is only at the seventh..." cultivators discussed.

Wang Cang watched the white tablet excitedly. He'd never believed Ye Mo could surpass the ninth disk and claim first place. However, news of Ye Mo instantly killing a Body Condensation state level eight cultivator fueled his excitement. If Ye Mo possessed such power, and was indeed a level six formation grandmaster, the Sea Cultivator Alliance would receive a significant surprise.

His intuition proved correct; Ye Mo's rapid progress to the tenth disk suggested potential advancement to the eleventh and twelfth. Reaching the eleventh would secure the Sea Cultivator Alliance first place, granting them fifty places on Feng Qu Island—an unprecedented event. As long as Ye Mo secured first place, Wang Cang wouldn't mind if Yong Lanyi killed him.

Meng Hanan, too, was surprised. But considering that a genius like Ye Mo might perish at Yong Lanyi's hands, she felt guilty, acknowledging her negligence in prioritizing his safety.

Yong Lanyi was furious, underestimating this "insect's" formidable formation skills. He was far ahead of second place, but his top contestant's elimination made first place unattainable.

Soon, onlookers were puzzled. After Ye Mo and Meng Qi entered the tenth disk, they seemed to vanish. Jing Xuecheng and another cultivator had passed the eighth, yet Ye Mo and Meng Qi remained. Everyone assumed they'd encountered difficulties. Another day passed, Jing Xuecheng inscribed his name on the ninth and entered the tenth, but Ye Mo and Meng Qi remained.

Wang Cang frowned, asking Meng Hanan, "What's happening?" Given Ye Mo's demonstrated abilities, passing the tenth disk seemed highly likely, yet he hadn't inscribed his name.

Meng Hanan frowned and shook her head. "I don't know Ye Mo's intentions, but Qiqi should be safe."

Ye Mo proceeded with Meng Qi to the eleventh disk without marking his name. Meng Qi understood his intention: he didn't want the Sea Cultivator Alliance to win. Since Ye Mo didn't inscribe his name, neither would she.

Upon reaching the fourteenth disk, Meng Qi realized Ye Mo wasn't merely a level six formation grandmaster; he was at least level seven. He'd sustained minor injuries from an attack formation, a seemingly deliberate action, as if testing its mechanisms.

Meng Qi was right; he'd intentionally triggered the attack formation, not only to assess its power but also to study its workings. Ye Mo knew that with his level eight skills, reaching the eighteenth disk would be challenging, requiring continuous skill refinement.

At the fourteenth disk, Ye Mo stopped, looking back at Meng Qi. "I doubt anyone can reach the fourteenth disk."

Meng Qi nodded in agreement.

Ye Mo then made a startling request: "If I told you to remove all your clothes and let me see, would you agree?"

Meng Qi's face flushed crimson, fury blazing in her eyes. "What did you say?" Her heart turned cold. She'd perceived him as righteous, a heroic figure, but now she realized her error.

Even in death, she'd refuse his advances. Yet Ye Mo remained unfazed. Meng Qi breathed deeply, regaining her composure. She stared at him coldly. "Release your protection; let me leave. I refuse to accompany you."

Ye Mo shook his head. "Sorry, I can't let you go alone. You'll die, and Yong Lanyi will inflict a horrible death..."

Meng Qi shivered, but retorted coldly, "Even if I die, it's my problem; it has nothing to do with you."

Ye Mo calmly replied, "It does. If you leave, people will know I can reach the eighteenth disk, and they will stop me there."