Chapter 124: Hidden Sects

Translator: Tim Editor: Chrissy

Many people crowded Jue Yun Temple’s large stall. Ye Mo followed Monk Wu Guang to their stall’s resting area. A girl immediately approached to serve tea.

Seeing Ye Mo sit, Monk Wu Guang said, “I apologize for the sudden invitation. I haven’t yet asked your name.”

Ye Mo had come willingly; otherwise, Wu Guang wouldn’t have easily invited him. Responding to Wu Guang’s question, Ye Mo replied, “Master Wu Guang, you’re too polite. I’m Ye Mo.”

Ye Mo considered Wu Guang extraordinary. Though they hadn’t fought, Wu Guang’s spirit and essence seemed whole. Despite his age—likely in his seventies—his movements were fluid and his tone potent. Clearly, he cultivated internal martial arts.

“If I’m not mistaken, your martial arts prowess is considerable. I have a few questions. Of course, if it’s inconvenient, it doesn’t matter,” Wu Guang said softly and politely.

Ye Mo sipped his tea, noting its crisp aroma and lingering taste. It was clearly high-quality tea. “This tea is excellent,” he admitted.

Wu Guang smiled. “If you like it, I can give you some later. A friend gave it to me.”

Ye Mo wondered if that friend had requested Wu Guang sell magical artifacts. He would ask later, but for now, said, “Thank you, Master. What other questions do you have?”

“Excellent. I’ll be direct. Your magical artifacts seem superior to mine. Did you make them, or did you obtain them elsewhere?” Wu Guang’s eyelids drooped, but the glint in his eyes didn’t escape Ye Mo’s spirit sense.

Observing the old monk and considering his selling artifacts for ancient martial arts sects, Ye Mo wondered if he was too conspicuous. If a sect wanted him for research, he’d be gone. He didn’t believe his current power made him invincible.

Considering this, Ye Mo stood and saluted the old monk. “Master, I require your assistance.”

Wu Guang clasped his hands. “Please, be direct.”

Ye Mo sat, saying, “An elder in my sect made these artifacts and pills. He wishes to remain anonymous, so he asked me to sell them. He doesn’t need the money; I know little about such things.”

After observing Wu Guang’s reaction, Ye Mo paused. “I ask for your help in preventing these pills from reaching ancient martial arts sects to avoid offending the elder.”

Ye Mo mused that Wu Guang seemed unaware of the artifacts’ power. If he knew, his attitude would differ. Fortunately, his ignorance, coupled with his connections to the sects, was beneficial. Revealing Ye Mo's power would be detrimental.

He needed less contact with this monk. After today, he would leave. Ye Mo saluted. “Master Wu Guang, I have another question.”

“Please ask.” Seeing Ye Mo deny making the items, Wu Guang understood. Someone as young as Ye Mo couldn't create such refined, serene artifacts. He wanted to buy one.

He didn’t realize the items’ true effects, as Ye Mo suspected. If he knew, he’d obtain one regardless of cost, even if not for the sects, for personal research.

“Are the ancient martial arts sects the hidden sects? How does one join?” He’d occasionally heard about hidden sects from Luo Susu.

Wu Guang looked at Ye Mo strangely. Few knew of the hidden sects.

Since Ye Mo asked, Wu Guang didn’t hide information. He nodded. “Ancient martial arts sects are a type of hidden sect. Others include Dao, Yellow, and Rune sects. However, if you’re not one, don’t try to enter. Even if I told you how, you couldn’t get in, and if you did, you’d be killed.”

Seeing Ye Mo’s bemused face, Wu Guang explained, “Killing within the sects isn’t illegal; no one can enter. I don’t know each sect’s location.”

Though Wu Guang didn’t reveal locations, Ye Mo understood. Luo Susu likely belonged to a hidden sect, filled with cultivation fanatics who rarely or never left. However, not all sects were so strict; some restless individuals escaped, using their abilities to establish careers.

Since Wu Guang spoke, Ye Mo needn’t ask about Luo Susu. Wu Guang didn’t know the hidden sects’ locations, much less Luo Susu’s situation. No wonder Luo Susu said leaving was difficult.

“Where is Jue Yun Temple located?” Ye Mo asked.

The monk replied, “A Mi Tuo Fo,” and offered no further answer. Ye Mo felt contempt. The monk had asked many questions, yet wouldn’t answer a few.

Ye Mo stood. “I won’t disturb you further. Goodbye.”

The monk, having no more questions, gave Ye Mo a box of tea.

Returning to the exhibition, many people remained. He sought Lin Huihe to see if she’d finished shopping. Otherwise, he’d leave.

He saw few ancient stalls with anything worthwhile. Even artifacts with faint spiritual energy were scarce. Wu Guang’s statement about not belonging to ancient martial arts sects discouraged Ye Mo from inquiring about their artifact creation; they wouldn’t know.

Ye Mo used his spirit sense, but didn’t find Lin Huihe, who was likely busy. He’d look for genuine artifacts.

He was disappointed. Halfway through, only a few genuine, barely functional artifacts existed, mostly for mind cleansing, yet exorbitantly priced.

Returning to his stall to meet Lin Huihe, a small stall caught his eye, specifically, a silver rock.

Ye Mo scanned it with his spirit sense, identifying it as a Space Abyss Rock, used to create dimensional or storage rings; rare even in the real cultivation realm.

A storage ring would have eased his desert journey. He had to acquire it. His eyes fixed on the rock, he approached.

“What do you want?” a voice stopped Ye Mo. He’d bumped into someone.

“It’s you?” Ye Mo hadn’t expected An Yan. She haunted him. The youth trailing her was absent.

“Sorry,” Ye Mo admitted. He’d been focused on the Space Abyss Rock.

An Yan, in a foul mood and ready to rant, calmed upon seeing Ye Mo. Despite hating him, she’d leverage the collision for a deal, perhaps the jade necklace.

But Ye Mo walked to a stall, ignoring the collision. Infuriated, An Yan followed.

Ye Mo was nervous, seeing someone pick up the silver rock, also interested in it.