Chapter 1200: Reaching the Peak and Leaving

Ye Mo realized at that moment that his formation system, derived from the Three Birth Chant, was unique and required no further study of others' formations. Regardless of how exceptional other formations were, as a level nine formation grandmaster, they were inconsequential. His experience with the first sixteen disks proved that level eight formations posed no obstacle, confirming that focusing on others' work would be a fruitless endeavor. He needed only to understand the underlying logic of any formation.

At this point, Ye Mo's understanding finally broadened. His formation skills bridged the gap between levels eight and nine. The moment he stood and deployed formation flags, he attained level nine grandmaster status.

Meng Qi witnessed Ye Mo emerge from the illusion formation, gradually devoting less time to formations and more to gathering spirit herbs—several level eight herbs were found on the seventeenth disk. Finally, she asked, "Martial Brother Ye, have you broken through?"

Ye Mo smiled. "Indeed, I've just reached level nine formation grandmaster. The seventeenth disk's formations are no longer a threat. I was previously on the wrong path; otherwise, I would have reached this level sooner."

Meng Qi gasped. Ye Mo's rapid ascension to level nine grandmaster seemed almost unbelievable. She momentarily forgot she was riding on his back, then asked, "Martial Brother Ye, when you entered the Qu 18 Disks, were you certain you could break through to level nine?"

Ye Mo shook his head. "Impossible. I was far from certain—but the Qu 18 Disks are unique, profoundly aiding in formation comprehension. I suspect they were created by an ancient sect to assist its members."

Had Ye Mo failed, he had a backup plan: seeking Ji Ling's assistance in the Golden Page World, or retreating there if necessary.

Upon reaching the eighteenth disk, they were astonished. They stood at its peak, free from pressure or formations. The Qu 18 Disks, it turned out, only contained seventeen disks; the last was merely a façade.

At the peak's center lay a massive spirit-gathering formation, encompassing two extraordinarily dense spirit chi ranges.

"Extreme-grade spirit ranges…" Meng Qi exclaimed, recognizing them despite never having seen such a thing before.

Ye Mo inhaled sharply; they were indeed extreme-grade ranges. Even more striking were two white jade tables beside them, each bearing an object. One was a woman's handkerchief, seemingly a low-grade immortal artifact, surpassing even extreme-grade cultivation artifacts. The other was an azure ore, radiating intense heat despite its typically cool color.

"It's an extreme-grade cultivation artifact…" Meng Qi gasped, her eyes fixed on the handkerchief, but she quickly remembered her position and said, "Martial Brother Ye, please put me down. There's no force pushing us here."

Ye Mo set her down and examined the handkerchief. "That's not merely an extreme-grade cultivation artifact; I believe it's a low-grade immortal artifact."

Meng Qi's astonishment was palpable. Even rare nine-star sects possessed few such artifacts.

"The handkerchief is yours, the blue ore is mine," Ye Mo declared, feeling the ore would significantly benefit him, though he didn't know how.

Meng Qi quickly refused. "I won't take it. I owe everything to you. Simply getting me out of here, allowing me to use the space travel rune to leave Luo Yue Continent, would make me happy."

Ye Mo smiled. "Do I seem like someone who keeps everything for himself? The handkerchief is for women; let's share it. I'll take one of the extreme-grade spirit ranges."

Meng Qi insisted, "I won't—I can't take a spirit range."

Ye Mo nodded. "I know you can't, and the other one must remain here."

"Why?" Meng Qi inquired.

Ye Mo waved his hand. "It's difficult to explain, but it mustn't be removed." Removing the other range might cause the formations to collapse, as in the Ice God forbidden grounds—a fatal outcome.

As Ye Mo took the spirit range, something felt amiss. Without hesitation, he tossed the handkerchief to Meng Qi, claimed the blue ore, and summoned Blue Moon. Meng Qi immediately sensed the handkerchief's superior quality.

Once Meng Qi boarded Blue Moon, Ye Mo deployed several formation flags, activating stealth mode. They swiftly escaped the Qu 18 Disks.

The moment Ye Mo claimed one spirit range, the island trembled.

"What's happening?" several cultivators cried out.

Instantly, the remaining contestants were teleported away. Wang Cang breathed a sigh of relief; the Tong Hai Sect members hadn't passed the ninth disk. The rumbling subsided quickly.

Seeing Ye Mo's absence, Yong Lanyi's power surged. He lunged to seize Jing Xuecheng, who had reached the eleventh disk. Jing Xuecheng was the only cultivator beyond the tenth, where Ye Mo had disappeared.

Before Yong Lanyi could reach him, another cultivation essence giant hand appeared, colliding with his. A massive explosion created a deep chasm.

"Cult Leader Yong, your temper is formidable, but not enough to defy the Cang Hai Palace!" a cold voice boomed as a middle-aged man emerged.

Yong Lanyi composed himself, realizing his actions were inappropriate. He could do this to others, but not to Cang Hai Palace cultivators; its king, Jing Xiangdong, was nearly his equal in strength.

Yong Lanyi bowed. "Brother Jin, my desperation for revenge for my son led to this offense. Please allow your son to tell me if he saw Ye Mo on the tenth disk."

The contemptuous glances cast upon Wang Cang were evident. Yong Lanyi had treated the Sea Cultivator Alliance and Cang Hai Palace similarly, but only the latter dared retaliate.

Wang Cang's face fell, but he remained silent.

Jin Xiangdong addressed his son. "Xuecheng, he has a question. Answer if you wish; otherwise, let's leave."

Yong Lanyi's face turned green. He couldn't afford a war with Cang Hai Palace; their strengths were too similar.

Jin Xuecheng looked confused. "Father, Ye Mo didn't come out? How is that possible? We became friends in the eighteenth disk."

Jin Xiangdong chuckled. "Xuecheng, sharp eyes! Ye Mo is a worthy friend."

Yong Lanyi's dismay deepened, realizing Jin Xuecheng likely didn't know Ye Mo's whereabouts. He then turned to Meng Hanan, asking coldly, "Vice Alliance Leader Meng, you should know your disciple's condition."