Chapter 718: Yun Ziyi’s Suspicion

Ye Mo remained calm. He knew at least three Great Heaven level masters were present. If he revealed himself, escape, let alone taking Mu Xiaoyun with him, would be impossible.

He understood why she possessed such talent yet cultivated so slowly; he had given her a water element cultivation method despite her pure wood element spirit root.

Ice Lake’s old grandma sneered but remained silent. She knew Ice Lake relied solely on her, and her illness prevented her from acting aggressively toward the three major sects.

Mu Xiaoyun, seemingly aware of her rare talent, stood close to Ye Mo. “I’ll only stay with my husband,” she declared.

Ling Wushui smiled—a smile that betrayed his disdain for Ye Mo. Killing intent flashed in his eyes as he calmly stated, “Of course, your husband can join Kun Qian Sect as well.”

This would allow him to kill Ye Mo at his convenience, perhaps under the guise of a cultivation mishap.

“Xiaoyun, if you join Ice Lake, your husband can come too,” the veiled woman offered.

Mu Xiaoyun remained silent, her gaze fixed on Ye Mo. The assembled cultivators recognized the man’s decision held the ultimate power, and their attention shifted to him.

Despite their desire to eliminate Ye Mo, they maintained a facade of civility, hoping to secure his allegiance.

Ye Mo sneered. He had sensed Ling Wushui’s killing intent. Though unafraid, he refused to let Mu Xiaoyun join a sect so steeped in it. Taiyi was no better, and although unfamiliar with Ci Hang Jing Mosque, Jie Xun's presence suggested similar issues.

He calmly saluted. “Thank you for your interest, but I have chosen Ice Lake.”

Ice Lake’s members rejoiced; the old grandma’s somber face brightened.

Ling Wushui and the other Great Heaven masters glared at Ye Mo with icy expressions. Interest? they thought. Without Mu Xiaoyun, who would you be?

“Hmph. Blind idiot,” Ling Wushui spat before departing, followed by the other onlookers.

Yun Ziyi frowned. A green-clad girl approached. “Young Miss, the man is Mo Ying, the woman Mu Xiaoyun. They hail from Lian Hua City, Ci Xi Town, Huang Ping Village.”

Yun Ziyi nodded. “Xiao Ling, investigate their activities in Huang Ping Village.”

After Ye Mo and Mu Xiaoyun joined Ice Lake, Grandma Feng took a liking to Mu Xiaoyun. Although Ye Mo’s retesting revealed a lack of talent, it caused no discontent; Mu Xiaoyun’s devotion to her husband was evident to all.

Everyone considered Mo Ying incredibly fortunate to be so loved by such a genius.

Following introductions, Ye Mo learned the middle-aged woman was Miao Lian, the veiled girl Ji Yilan, the fifty-year-old man Fu Guanshi, and the eldest woman, Grandma Feng, the sect's namesake. The yellow-haired youth was Fei Qing, a level two talent.

Ye Mo and Mu Xiaoyun relocated to Ice Lake’s quarters, a necessary precaution given their vulnerability at the old hotel.

Perhaps due to Mu Xiaoyun’s arrival, Ice Lake gained two additional level three talents: Zhang Yan and Qi Shuoya.

On the third day, the final day of the hidden sects' recruitment, Yun Ziyi sat in the Magical Merchant Association's largest room, reviewing the intelligence gathered by Xiao Ling.

After a long pause, she declared, “Xiao Ling, summon Yu Yuyan.”

Yun Ziyi harbored strong suspicions about Mo Ying and Mu Xiaoyun. Their disregard for the Liao family’s pursuit and their arrival in Hang Shui City intrigued her. What made Mo Ying so special to Mu Xiaoyun? Was the big-bearded man related to him? And did Mo Ying truly lack talent?

Yu Yuyan was astonished by Goddess Zihua’s summons. It felt like divine favor.

“Shang Qing Mountain Yu Yuyan greets Goddess Zihua,” she greeted respectfully.

Yun Ziyi studied Yu Yuyan, then smiled. “Miss Yu, I apologize for the abrupt invitation. Please, have a seat.”

“Goddess, it is my honor,” Yu Yuyan replied quickly.

Yun Ziyi was direct. “Yuyan, I understand you know Mo Ying of Huang Ping Village. Is this true?”

Yu Yuyan was shocked. She never expected Goddess Zihua to know Mo Ying, a nobody.

She dared not refuse to answer. “Yes. I found Mo Ying severely injured en route to Ci Xi Town. I pitied him and took him to the Yu Estate.”

“I heard you were seen in bed with him. Is that true?” Yun Ziyi asked with a smile.

Yu Yuyan knew Goddess Zihua could easily verify this.

“Yes. I found him kind and knowledgeable, and developed feelings for him. That night, we drank, and…we slept together. I gave him my first time, but I didn’t know him well. He placed all the blame on me, saying I—I—”

Yu Yuyan choked back tears.

“I see. That must have been difficult. Xiao Ling, escort Miss Yuyan out and give her a bottle of qi-improving pills.”

“Yes, Miss.” The green-clad girl led a delighted Yu Yuyan away; she never expected such a reward. The pills were valuable to yellow level warriors.

Xiao Ling returned shortly. “Young Miss, Mo Ying is truly despicable, and Mu Xiaoyun is foolishly devoted to him.”

Yun Ziyi smiled. “I don’t know if Mo Ying is despicable, but he’s certainly not ordinary.”

“Why?” Xiao Ling questioned.

Yun Ziyi sneered. “Because Yu Yuyan lied. She claimed to have given her first time to Mo Ying, but she’s clearly a virgin.”

“Huh!” Xiao Ling was stunned. “But why would she lie?”

Yun Ziyi shook her head. “Mo Ying clearly didn’t touch her, yet he admitted to it and even exaggerated, claiming she had an abortion. Mo Ying is far from ordinary.”