Chapter 1207: Dragon Teng King
Ye Mo looked at Teng Yi hesitantly. “Teng, I have a question. Do beast cultivators use the same cultivation level system after transforming into humans?” He'd only interacted with untransformed beast cultivators, where spirit beast levels corresponded to cultivation states. Bian Fengta's mention of a “cauldron filling state beast cultivator” prompted the inquiry; was that equivalent to a level 9 beast cultivator?
Teng Yi chuckled, patting Ye Mo's shoulder. “Brother Ye, you don't think I'm a transformed spirit beast, do you?” Before Ye Mo could reply, he continued, “I was born this way. I resemble a human cultivator, but my cultivation methods are those of a beast cultivator. Only pure spirit beasts are graded by level. Once a spirit beast takes human form, its cultivation system aligns with that of human cultivators. Human-form spirit beasts don't pass on their original form to their offspring. To use my dragon form, I need to reach at least the Truth Realization state.”
Ye Mo realized that while all spirit beasts were beast cultivators, not all beast cultivators were spirit beasts.
“Brother Ye, are you going to the Lost Soul Ruins first, or…?” Teng Yi looked concerned. He'd witnessed Ye Mo's terrifying divine damnation, but even with that power, he doubted Ye Mo's chances of surviving the Lost Soul Ruins.
Ye Mo patted his shoulder. “Of course I'm treating your mother first. I can go to the Lost Soul Ruins alone.”
“No, you helped my mother; I must go with you to the Lost Soul Ruins. I wouldn't abandon a friend in danger,” Teng Yi stated firmly.
Bian Fengta added, “Yes, I'll go with Ye Mo too. I've changed my mind about South Peace State. I'll accompany Brother Ye to North Far State. It's an honor to follow a level seven Pill King.”
“You're going to North Far State?” Teng Yi stared at Ye Mo in astonishment.
Ye Mo nodded. “Yes, if I survive the Lost Soul Ruins, I'm going to North Far State.”
Teng Yi declared, “Brother Ye, as long as my mother is well, I'll go with you to North Far State.”
Ye Mo considered this and nodded. “Then let's see your mother first.”
After their conversation, Ye Mo learned of Teng Yi's remarkable lineage. His ancestor was a descendant of a five-clawed Golden Dragon. Their bloodline had weakened upon their arrival in the Heartless Sea; by Teng Yi's grandfather's generation, it was merely a Rain Dragon bloodline.
Even so, Teng Yi's father, Teng Xiong, the renowned Dragon Teng King, dominated the local sea region, establishing the Dragon Teng Palace. Teng Yi's mother was one of Teng Xiong's many concubines. Following her injury, Teng Xiong had seemingly forgotten her existence; without Teng Yi's intervention, she would have perished.
The man and seductive woman they encountered were Teng Yi's sixth brother, Teng Xiang, and his second sister-in-law, Hu Yi. Teng Xiang's audacity stemmed from the fact that their second brother, Teng Jie, had left the Dragon Teng Palace over a century ago.
Upon arriving at the Dragon Teng Palace, Ye Mo realized that even the substantial Ling Island paled in comparison. The spirit chi was far denser here, though he was initially unsettled by the sheer number of spirit beasts, far exceeding the human-form beast cultivators.
Fortunately, within the island itself, most cultivators were in human form. He worried about being questioned, but upon entering a secluded cultivation home, he realized Teng Xiong wouldn't concern himself with Teng Yi bringing guests.
While his mother's status was modest, she remained Teng Xiong's concubine. The cultivation home, though secluded, boasted excellent spirit chi. It was elegantly furnished, with several attractive maids standing at the entrance, who respectfully greeted Teng Yi as "Young Master."
Teng Yi ushered Ye Mo and Bian Fengta inside, consumed by anxiety for his mother's well-being. Ye Mo immediately saw an emaciated woman lying on a blue jade bed. She appeared middle-aged yet still beautiful, asleep, her cultivation essence scattered, her spirit sense waves chaotic. Her dantian was shattered, and her spirit sense injured.
“Can she be cured?” Teng Yi asked desperately.
Ye Mo nodded, producing two pills. “Yes, give your mother these. You'll see the effects in four hours.” He added, “If her injuries weren't so extensive, fifteen minutes would suffice.”
Teng Yi, overwhelmed with relief, hurriedly administered the pills to his mother, forgetting to thank Ye Mo in his excitement.
Ye Mo and Bian Fengta were led to a nearby room by a maid.
“Ye Mo, are your pills truly effective? Teng seems…,” Bian Fengta worried, expressing concern over Teng Yi’s potential disappointment if the pills failed.
Ye Mo smiled reassuringly. “Don't worry; the pills are definitely effective.”
Bian Fengta nodded. “I never expected you to be a level seven Pill King. I worked so hard to achieve level three, and thought it was significant, but compared to you… I feel insignificant. Are there many prodigies like you in South Peace State?”
Ye Mo smiled. “My pill concoction heritage is unique. There aren't many level seven Pill Kings in South Peace State. Your level three is already quite impressive.”
Bian Fengta smiled. “I know you're comforting me, but I feel much better. Now, with you, I don't need to concoct pills myself—and mine aren't high-level enough.”
Ye Mo said, “Er Taa, I don't mind you coming to North Far State, but don't go to the Lost Soul Ruins. You and Teng wait here; we'll go together after I return.”
Bian Fengta immediately stood. “Ye Mo, do you think I’m afraid of death? I'm going to North Far State with you because we're friends, and I need your pills for cultivation. To accept benefits then withdraw from danger wouldn't be worthy of our friendship. Teng feels the same, I believe.”
“Yes, Er Taa, I agree,” Teng Yi's voice echoed from the doorway, accompanied by another emaciated woman.
“Teng, is your mother alright?” Bian Fengta asked, shocked.
Teng Yi nodded excitedly, bowing before Ye Mo. “Brother Ye, you’re my sworn brother. You saved my mother. Thank you!”
His mother also expressed her gratitude. “Thank you for saving my life. Teng is fortunate to be your friend.”
Ye Mo noticed Teng Yi's mother was at the tertiary stage of the Disaster Transformation state; with recovery, she might even reach the Truth Realization state.
“Mother, I'm going with Brother Ye to the Lost Soul Ruins, then we'll go on an adventure together. I won't be back often,” Teng Yi announced.
His mother nodded. “A man should strive for greatness; fear won't bring success. Go, I'm fine now; don't worry.”
Ye Mo admired her open-mindedness; unlike many mothers, she didn't hinder her son's ambitions.
Teng Yi smiled. “Brother Ye, I'd planned a celebration, but knowing you're in a hurry, let's go now?”
As they left, several figures approached. The leading bearded cultivator shocked Ye Mo—another peak Truth Realization state cultivator, more powerful than Yong Lanyi. Even more startling were the other Truth Realization state cultivators accompanying him.