Chapter 1199: Level Nine Trap Formation
Outside, Yong Lanyi closed his eyes, his killing intent palpable. More and more cultivators were being teleported out. The Tong Hai Cult had only two remaining participants attempting the ninth disk, while the Cang Hai Palace had the most contestants still in the trial. Jing Xuecheng had progressed to the eleventh disk after completing the tenth. Two more of his faction remained on the ninth. The Sea Cultivator Alliance fared poorly; besides Ye Mo and Meng Qi, who were still on the ninth, their best performer had only reached the eighth disk. All other contestants had failed.
Wang Cang stared grimly at the white stone. Although Meng Qi had advanced to the tenth disk with Ye Mo, they hadn't yet marked their names there. Even if the two Tong Hai Sect cultivators successfully completed the ninth disk, the Sea Cultivator Alliance would still place last. He even suspected Ye Mo was deliberately withholding his name, angry at Wang Cang's lack of assistance. If that were the case, Wang Cang vowed to kill Ye Mo before Yong Lanyi.
Ye Mo halted at the first trap formation on the sixteenth disk. The sheer variety of formations—even identical formations set up differently produced distinct effects—was staggering. Had he attempted the sixteenth disk directly, without progressing gradually, even he would have required considerable time to solve it. Therefore, he chose to thoroughly study this initial formation, establishing a solid foundation before proceeding to the seventeenth.
Meng Qi sat behind him, cultivating. She didn't bother collecting spirit herbs, understanding the present danger. Ye Mo could have completed the sixteenth disk in a single day, but he dedicated three, then took Meng Qi to the seventeenth.
"Martial Brother Ye, are you a level nine formation grandmaster?" Meng Qi finally asked, noting how easily Ye Mo handled the level eight formations on the sixteenth disk.
Ye Mo shook his head. "Not yet. I'm only level eight."
Meng Qi was astounded. A level eight formation grandmaster within a century was unheard of. But her astonishment quickly turned to worry. His admission implied a lack of confidence in clearing the eighteenth disk.
"Martial Brother Ye, you—you mean..." Meng Qi hesitated.
Ye Mo smiled, understanding her apprehension. "That's right. I'm not certain of completing the eighteenth disk, but reaching the seventeenth presents a chance. Who can say I can't attain level nine mastery here?"
Meng Qi stared, amazed by his audacious ambition. It explained his meticulous study of the formations. But even with eighteen days—not eighteen years or even eighteen decades—could he truly achieve level nine mastery?
Yet, considering his exceptional speed in reaching level eight within a century, she realized the possibility wasn't entirely absurd. He was far younger than fifty.
"Martial Brother Ye, are you fifty years old?" she blurted out.
Ye Mo blinked, then shook his head.
Meng Qi fell silent. He was likely in his thirties or forties, an astounding achievement. While her cultivation world boasted many prodigies surpassing those of Luo Yue continent, none matched Ye Mo's unparalleled mastery of power, formations, and forgery.
As they spoke, Ye Mo realized they were enveloped in a misty world. He was shocked; for the first time, he encountered a trap without even seeing the formation itself.
Meng Qi also realized their predicament. She dared not speak, consumed by guilt, fearing she had distracted him.
Ye Mo knew it wasn't her fault. The Three Birth Chant had allowed him to form his golden core amidst combat; words couldn't affect him.
"Don't move, stay close to me. This is a level nine trap formation, possibly an illusion formation as well," Ye Mo said, emphasizing the importance of staying together. Separation would mean either death or expulsion.
Meng Qi remained motionless. Ye Mo cautiously extended his spirit sense, only to find it devoured by the mist, reminiscent of the spirit-sense-devouring valley in the herb valley.
He sat, beginning his study of the level nine formation. Meng Qi watched, unwavering, until she sensed Ye Mo's form beginning to fade. Terror spurred her to reach for him, but she missed.
A powerful force propelled her, threatening to teleport her away. She drew her flying sword, prepared for suicide rather than fall into Yong Lanyi's hands.
Ye Mo, startled by her absence, realized the danger to his plan. He abandoned his studies, deploying formation flags. Moments later, the mist dissipated, revealing Meng Qi poised to end her life.
He reacted instantly, seizing her sword and shielding her with spirit sense severance. Meng Qi, overwhelmed with relief, wept.
"I'll carry you," Ye Mo said, aware he had only partially understood the formation and that his success wasn't guaranteed in the future.
Meng Qi nodded, mounting his back. He secured her with a top-grade spirit artifact band, then resumed his study. He utilized the Three Birth Chant to simulate the level nine formation, aiming for a breakthrough.
But Meng Qi couldn't compose herself. The close proximity, the masculine scent, and the physical contact overwhelmed her. She had never been near a male cultivator. Yet, fear of distracting him kept her still.
As time passed, a strange, inexplicable joy filled her. She bit her lip, struggling to control her trembling.
Suddenly, Ye Mo rose, letting out a howl. His formation flags burst forth, and the white mist rapidly dissipated.