Chapter 233: Act of Heroism
Translator: Tim Editor: Chrissy
Tang Beiwei, though she trusted Ye Mo, was still astonished by the Face Preserving Pill's effects. Even after showering, the transformation was unbelievable. Before, she was strikingly beautiful; now, she felt like a goddess. Was the woman in the mirror really her? She couldn't believe it. Her skin was pearly white, her already flawless face even smoother.
"Brother, this pill is truly magical!" Tang Beiwei exclaimed, running out in delight.
Ye Mo smiled. "Of course. Do you think it's easy to make? It's not overly complex, but one ingredient is extremely rare."
"Thank you, brother," Tang Beiwei said, running to him, hugging, and kissing him. Every girl loves beauty, and Tang Beiwei was no exception. She was deeply grateful.
Ye Mo patted her head. "Beiwei, I need to go into the mountains again. Wait for me here." He planned to attend an auction but, unsure of his acceptance as an outsider from a hidden sect, felt it best to leave her behind.
She nodded. "I understand, brother. I want to see Mom today."
Concerned about leaving her alone, Ye Mo produced a bottle. "Give your mother this medicine. I'll cure her when I return."
Tang Beiwei accepted it. "I'm at Tan Du Shifan University. If you come, find me on the English campus."
"Okay. Once I'm finished, I'll find you. Remember, if Wei Yongqian bothers you, burn him with the fireball. I'll take the blame," Ye Mo said. Tang Beiwei, while warmed by his concern, was still shocked by his words. Killing within city limits was unforgivable, but she knew he meant well and didn't argue.
Ye Mo hailed a taxi for Tang Beiwei before returning to the canyon. Entering the forest, he encountered several strange individuals, mostly silent and seemingly headed for the auction. He considered asking for directions but everyone was discreet and many wore black masks.
He cursed. It was just a hidden sect auction, not a cultivation realm convention! Still, at Stage 3, he donned a black cloth mask himself.
Inside the canyon, most attendees were Yellow and Black Level cultivators; a few Earth Level masters, but significantly fewer. This relieved Ye Mo. He was close to the tertiary stage of Stage 3 Chi Gathering; reaching it would grant him the confidence to face Earth Level masters.
Upon entering, he saw a crowd gathered. A familiar face emerged – the girl he'd disarmed, her arm now reattached, accompanied by a serene-looking nun in her thirties. He hadn't expected to see her here. She'd worked with Lang Ji for Qian Longtou, skilled with flying swords. Was she also from a hidden sect? He didn't care, as long as she didn't bother him. Next time, it wouldn't just be an arm.
His attention shifted to the central conflict: two men facing off. One was Yellow Level tertiary stage, the other Black Level tertiary stage – a vast power disparity. The Yellow Level cultivator already bore a chest wound, bleeding profusely.
"Xu Ping, you insignificant ghost! You dare contest this with me? You ran last time, but you won't escape this time," sneered the Black Level man.
Xu Ping wiped blood from his mouth. "You're shameless! Just because you're from Broken Fist Hall, you think you can take whatever you want? I found the Red Meteor first. What right do you have to steal it?"
The onlookers understood: the Broken Fist Hall man was robbing him. No one would believe a Yellow Level cultivator would try to rob a Black Level one.
Ye Mo recognized the name Broken Fist Hall and frowned. The Black Level man, Zheng Chengze, punched Xu Ping, sending him sprawling and a pouch falling into Zheng Chengze's hands. Despite witnessing this, no one intervened.
Ye Mo examined the pouch's contents and was shocked. It wasn't a Red Meteor; it was a Star Jade – incredibly rare, even in the cultivation realm. A highly sought-after material for top-tier spirit artifacts. Star Jade was formed from meteors warped by time and space. The redder the jade, the higher its grade; this one was deep red, exceptionally high quality.
Ye Mo's eyes turned cold. He had to acquire it – essential for forging his flying sword. But how?
Seeing Xu Ping on the ground, Ye Mo approached, helping him up and offering a medicinal pill. "Friend, take this. I don't believe justice is absent in this world."
Xu Ping gratefully accepted it. "Thank you, brother. I'm Xu Ping. But you shouldn't interfere. That's Zheng Chengze of Broken Fist Hall."
Xu Ping's caution was clear, but Ye Mo wouldn't relinquish the Star Jade. With it, he could kill Earth Level masters. He doubted Broken Fist Hall was teeming with them. Remembering the dagger from Ou Tanhu, marked with "Broken Fist," he realized their connection. They would come for him eventually, so he might as well act first. His killing intent intensified.
"Punk, justice belongs to the strong. This is none of your business," Zheng Chengze snapped, angered by Ye Mo's interference and his youth.
Ye Mo stood, coldly facing Zheng Chengze. "I intervene when I see injustice. Broken Fist Hall? So strong? I'm intervening. What are you going to do?" He felt a pang of guilt; he was using Xu Ping for the Star Jade. His words, however, found immediate agreement among the onlookers, many of whom had been unwilling to challenge Zheng Chengze before.
Zheng Chengze glared at them. "You're lucky today. Don't cross me again." He turned to leave.
Ye Mo, however, wouldn't let the Star Jade escape. Before Zheng Chengze could move, he stopped him. "Leaving? You think you can just take what's not yours?"
"Punk, you want to die!" Zheng Chengze roared, drawing his long sword.
Ye Mo, however, couldn't use his own long sword – he couldn't reveal his storage ring, and Bian Po's sword would make him a prime suspect. Weaponless, he yearned for a flying sword even more.
Zheng Chengze lunged. The onlookers braced themselves; a young man versus a Black Level cultivator seemed suicidal.
Ye Mo, disregarding the odds, used his spirit sense to lock onto Zheng Chengze's sword and countered with a bare fist. The crowd gasped; his audacity was shocking.