Chapter 831: Return to Magical Continent Mountain
Ye Mo had planned to refine the Five Essence Pill after Ye Ling's foundation establishment, but her desperation prompted him to act sooner. He possessed ample thousand-year-old stalagmite marrow, but the process proved more challenging than anticipated. Earthly spirit chi proved deficient; five attempts ended in failure. This wasted a tenth of his precious herbs, a significant loss.
His sixth attempt, aided by a spirit-gathering formation powered by nine spirit stones, yielded a single, albeit low-quality, Five Essence Pill. Unlike other pills, only one could be produced per attempt; creating multiple was a feat of genius. Pills were graded—mortal, spirit, heaven, immortal, holy, and god—each with nine levels. The Five Essence Pill, while relatively simple to refine with the correct ingredients, was a peak-level heaven-grade pill, its rarity elevating it almost to immortal status. Ye Mo's creation reached only heaven grade level 5. Its straightforward refinement method rendered it unsuitable for assessing a pill master's skill.
Nine spirit stones and five batches of ingredients resulted in a single pill, dissuading Ye Mo from attempting the foundation establishment pill, a spirit grade level one pill with comparable difficulty to the Five Essence Pill.
After administering the Five Essence Pill to Ye Ling, Ye Mo crafted flying swords and storage rings for Song Yangzhu and Ye Ling. Ye Ling's subsequent aptitude test revealed a three-element spirit root, a result Ye Mo attributed to the pill's quality. He continued her cultivation, intending to refine a superior pill later.
Concerned for his daughter and companions, Ye Mo departed Luo Yue at dawn with Huang Yinian, Xu Ping, Song Yangzhu, and Ye Ling. He postponed his planned trip to Japan to find the Xiang Ninjutsu dojo leader.
Reaching the hidden valley and the Seven Star Formation, Ye Mo observed its weakened radiance, estimating its remaining lifespan at approximately half a month. Hidden sect masters, the army, journalists, and prospectors crowded the area, though entry was restricted and required registration. Despite government efforts to suppress news, Ye Mo's fame ensured widespread coverage of his arrival, drawing a large following.
Since the Magical Continent Mountain formation's opening, relentless bloodshed had ensued. Small world masters controlled access, demanding all belongings from outsiders, killing those who refused or possessed nothing valuable. Several captives were visible near the formation. A scarred man prepared to execute a prisoner, but was halted.
"Wait! The formation brightened. Let's see if this is a wealthy one. Otherwise, kill them all!" another man shouted.
"Brother, is this the small world? It looks no different from the outside world," Ye Ling asked.
Before Ye Mo could answer, his spirit sense revealed a gruesome scene, causing him to frown. The area had been empty during his previous visit.
"What are you looking at, kid? Take off your clothes and leave your belongings! Hmm! Brother Bao, two beauties!" a short, fat man yelled, noticing Song Yangzhu and Ye Ling.
Ye Mo spotted Xu Shi from the Heaven Squad among the captives. The presence of two half-step Great Heaven martial artists and several black level tertiary stage cultivators explained Xu Shi's predicament.
"Are you f*cking deaf?! I told you to take off your—" The fat man's threat was cut short by Ye Mo's wind blade, severing his head.
The ensuing blood spray startled Ye Ling and Song Yangzhu. The remaining men drew weapons, but their leader, after a prolonged stare at Ye Mo, knelt in trembling submission, followed by the other half-step Great Heaven martial artist. The sudden silence was palpable.