Chapter 782: Worry

Xu Ping and Xu Yuehua, unconcerned with their positions as City Lords, were engrossed in the pursuit of ancient martial arts mastery. Their astonishment at reaching the Great Heaven realm was palpable. To their knowledge, no other Great Heaven master existed in the ancient martial arts world; Tan Jiao had vanished after his defeat by Ye Mo, and Ren Pingchuan's demise at Ye Mo's hands remained largely unknown. Ye Mo's apparent ease in elevating others to this level hinted at his own immense power.

After Xu Yuehua and the others departed, Ye Zifeng rose to speak to Ye Mo, but Ye Ling intervened. She understood both Ye Zifeng's intention and Ye Mo's thoughts. Dongfang Chong was dead, and Dongfang Nana's actions in Luo Ying warranted the death penalty; intercession was inappropriate.

Ye Mo addressed Ye Zifeng, "I believe you're aware of the Dongfang family's activities in Luo Yue. You also know best whether Dongfang Nana's affection for you was genuine. Prepare yourself before departing for the Martial Academy."

Ye Zifeng's eyes welled, "Big Brother, please spare Nana. She's innocent, forced into this by the Dongfang family. Dongfang Tanzhen isn't even her real brother." He knew his brother intended to kill Dongfang Nana.

Ye Mo scoffed, "Zifeng, you know she's far from innocent; she deserves to die. You're about to enter the Martial Academy, yet you'd keep her to allow further betrayals against Luo Yue?"

"Big Brother, I want to take Nana and leave Luo Yue. Please let her go," Ye Zifeng pleaded, his tone bitter. His love for Dongfang Nana clearly overshadowed all else.

Ye Mo sighed. Though Ye Zifeng wasn't his blood brother, he'd always treated him as such. Keeping Dongfang Nana in Luo Yue City was impossible, yet Ye Zifeng's deep affection for her made it equally impossible to compel him to abandon her.

Ye Mo reflected on Luo Ying, Ning Qingxue, and Mu Xiaoyun. He couldn't bear to abandon any of them either. Even if they erred, could he kill them? He knew he couldn't. If he couldn't, why force Ye Zifeng to do so?

He sighed, remaining silent. Ye Ling, however, understood Ye Mo's unspoken acquiescence to Ye Zifeng's departure, a decision that pained her.

"Second Brother, let's go," Ye Ling said, drawing Ye Zifeng away.

Ye Mo realized he couldn't kill Dongfang Nana. Despite her deception, love remained; it defied explanation. Otherwise, Ye Zifeng wouldn't have been so easily manipulated and remained oblivious even after the truth emerged.

He hoped Ye Zifeng would start a new life with Dongfang Nana, independent of the Ye family; a return to the family would be detrimental to her.

Yu Erhu offered comfort, "Master, a path will appear at the mountain's foot. Some things are best left unburdened."

Ye Mo, regaining his composure, smiled. "Erhu, you're right. Why overthink? Incidentally, I summoned you to test your spirit root." He produced a testing device. "Place your hand inside and utilize your inner qi."

Yu Erhu complied, and three beams of light illuminated the device.

Ye Mo frowned. "Earth, wood, and fire? A triple element spirit root isn't ideal, and your spirit root's radiance is faint."

"Master, what is an earth, wood, and fire spirit root?" Yu Erhu inquired.

"My cultivation is complex," Ye Mo explained. "You've served me for years, yet I've imparted little. Herbology is but one of my many skills; I don't practice ancient martial arts. I cultivate what's called Truth Cultivation. It's arduous, but ultimate mastery surpasses ancient martial arts. Are you interested?"

Yu Erhu readily agreed.

Ye Mo cautioned, "Tell no one. I have another disciple; though you preceded him, he's my first Truth Cultivation disciple."

Yu Erhu reassured, "Master, the order doesn't matter; I only wish to learn. But what if Xiaozhen sees my cultivation?"

"She's your wife. Teach her if she wishes, but maintain secrecy. Now, focus. I will teach you the Primordial Fortune Chant..."

After instructing Yu Erhu, Ye Mo provided him with pills. Ye Ling returned shortly thereafter.

"Ye Ling, let Zifeng stay, but keep him uninvolved in Luo Yue's affairs. Let him pursue business," Ye Mo instructed.

Ye Ling shook her head. "Second Brother feels indebted to you, yet still desires to leave Luo Yue."

She smiled. "Don't worry. He can amass sufficient funds to start anew. With his intelligence, they'll thrive if Dongfang Nana desires it. And I believe his departure is for the best."

Ye Mo nodded, dismissing the matter. "Do you know Beiwei and company's whereabouts?"

Ye Ling's eyes reddened. "They're all capable of cultivation, unlike myself. They can fly, so they went to find you, leaving me alone in Luo Yue."

"Can you contact them?" Ye Mo pressed.

Ye Ling shook her head. "Initially, yes, but it's been two years since contact."

"Do you know where they went?" Ye Mo asked urgently.

Ye Ling shook her head. "I can only speculate. Sister Luo Ying mentioned you might have gone to the small world, and Sister Luo Fei knew its location. Recently, growing disillusioned with Luo Yue, Luo Fei left to find Luo Ying and Qingxue. I can no longer reach her either."

"Not good!" Ye Mo suddenly recalled attempts to enter the small world during his departure. It must have been them.