Chapter 728: Entering Ice Lake

“What’s wrong, Ziyi?” the elder asked, noticing Yun Ziyi’s dazed expression.

“Oh, nothing. I just find the person in the painting young, pleasant, and quite handsome,” she replied.

The elder chuckled in surprise. “Goddess Zihua calls him handsome? He’d be overjoyed. This man is very important, possibly connected to something significant. Report back to the sect immediately if you learn anything about him. We should be going now.”

“Yes, Elder Kou,” Yun Ziyi responded.

“Miss?” Xiao Ling began, but Yun Ziyi waved her hand. “Let’s return to the association; we’ve been out too long.”

Though her tone was calm, Yun Ziyi was far from calm inside. She finally remembered—this man strongly resembled Mo Ying! She’d studied Ye Mo’s face for a long time. If his face hadn’t been…ruined…

Was it really him? If so, why was the elder searching for someone like him? She couldn’t ask the elder directly, but she could investigate through other means.

Ye Mo’s first impression of the hidden sects’ land was the interconnected mountains and the significantly denser spiritual energy. While not supremely abundant, it far surpassed the levels found in outside cities.

Ye Mo and Mu Xiaoyun followed a chariot for nearly four days before entering a mountain range. They encountered few people, though Ye Mo noted several sizable settlements. Ji Yilan explained these small towns primarily served the hidden sects.

Many were admitted as outer sect members, but rarely achieved high levels, eventually fading out to become sect laborers. Some left, forming small settlements like these.

“This is Ice Lake,” Ji Yilan indicated the mountain range ahead.

Ye Mo was surprised. He’d expected a lake, given the sect’s name, but saw not even a small ravine.

Ji Yilan smiled, seemingly anticipating his thought. “You’re wondering about the lack of a lake? The name is only half the story.”

Ji Yilan seemed happier upon returning to Ice Lake, despite always concealing her face. Ye Mo knew why—his spirit sense revealed her beauty marred by a facial flaw extending from her face to her chin. Without it, she’d rival Mu Xiaoyun.

“Ice Lake does have a lake, but it’s within the sect. That lake is our namesake. The water is incredibly cold—colder than ice—yet never freezes,” Ji Yilan explained proudly.

Ye Mo sensed a stronger emanation of spiritual energy here and found the place appealing.

After another two hours, a large green meadow appeared, with a large lake at its center. The lake was breathtaking! Despite the stillness, gentle ripples danced on its surface. It was far larger than Luo Yue Lake, for instance. Ye Mo’s spirit sense couldn’t even reach the bottom.

Once they proceeded further, inner and outer sect members were separated. Ice Lake was sizable, with a couple hundred disciples, mostly outer sect. Inner and core disciples were far fewer.

Mu Xiaoyun, a core disciple, could enter the core sector for cultivation, but refused to leave Ye Mo. Ji Yilan was powerless; however talented Mu Xiaoyun was, she couldn't bring irrelevant individuals into the core sector.

Therefore, the two would reside in the outer sect area. Mu Xiaoyun chose a quiet, secluded spot.

Despite her talent, Mu Xiaoyun couldn’t begin Ice Lake’s cultivation method until her and Ye Mo’s relationship was addressed.

Ice Lake lacked a solution to Mu Xiaoyun’s stubbornness. They awaited a change of heart, desperately searching for alternatives.

Days later, Ice Lake convened a meeting of core members. Besides Grandmaster Feng, several Earth-level masters attended.

A middle-aged woman, similar in age to Miao Lian, said, “Grandmaster, I believe Mu Xiaoyun is simply kind. I’ve seen Mo Ying too, so why don’t we—” She made a slicing gesture. She was an Earth-level elder of Ice Lake.

“Absolutely not, Elder Luo. You misunderstand Mu Xiaoyun’s character. Doing that would leave us no choice but to kill her as well. She’s fiercely loyal to her husband, and that won't change. I suggest we accept Mo Ying as a core member…” She was interrupted by Grandmaster Feng waving her hand.

Miao Lian rose, speaking slowly. “Yilan is right. Mu Xiaoyun’s character is indeed as described. She’ll be invaluable to us during the sect tournament in a few years. As Yilan needs to fully assume control of Ice Lake, she requires someone like Xiaoyun to assist her.”

“Elder, why not speak with Mo Ying? I don’t think he’s unreasonable. I’m sure he’ll understand,” Ji Yilan suggested.

Elder Feng nodded, sighing. “Let’s do that. I hear Mo Ying is in solitary cultivation; you can speak with him later. I’m feeling increasingly unwell. If we don’t quickly bolster our strength, our third-grade status will be jeopardized…”

“A talentless person in solitary training? What a joke!” Elder Luo sneered.

Meanwhile, Ye Mo wasn’t in solitary cultivation, but pill refinement. He possessed only one Earth Spirit Fruit; to avoid failure, he crafted numerous other pills before attempting the essence-increasing pill.

After ten days of preparation, he felt ready. He retrieved the Earth Spirit Fruit, Ming Jie Grass, Man Tian Star, and Double Leaf Mushroom.

Though the essence-increasing pill was two levels above the chi-increasing pill, Ye Mo successfully crafted twelve pills.

The maximum yield was twenty-four, but Ye Mo was pleased. He informed Mu Xiaoyun and began his breakthrough to stage six. Upon reaching stage six, he’d seek ancient ruins to find a cultivation method for Mu Xiaoyun.

The essence-increasing pill transformed into spiritual energy upon entering his mouth, surging through his meridians. Having remained at stage five for an extended period, he swiftly reached stage six.

Ye Mo felt a significant power increase. If he encountered Nun Jie Xun again, she wouldn't escape.

His spirit sense had also grown stronger. He once again focused it on the golden dot.