Chapter 834: Don't Be in a Rush to Leave

"Let's go see the Zheng Yuan Sword Sect," Ye Mo declared, selecting their next destination. Solo cultivation offered little future in this world; lacking resources and facing constant danger, most perished seeking them, though a few exceptional individuals thrived. Regardless of the world, support and backup were crucial.

Ye Mo instructed Song Yangzhu and Ye Ling to stow their storage rings, but omitted providing masks. While beautiful, pretty girls abounded in the cultivation realm; theirs wasn't exceptional beauty, falling short of Luo Ying, Qingxue, Beiwei, and Xiaoyun's.

Noticing Ye Mo's lack of flying sword, Ye Ling queried, "Brother, wouldn't flying be faster?"

Ye Mo shook his head, a wry smile gracing his lips. "We're merely Chi Gathering cultivators. Far from markets or sects, flying would attract unwanted attention. Bored, high-level cultivators might kill us without reason."

Song Yangzhu and Ye Ling gasped, the possibility of death for simply passing by a chilling revelation. Ye Mo offered no further explanation; though the reality might be less perilous, caution was best for newcomers.

They left Miao Mountain, encountering a large group heading down a road. Ye Mo's spirit sense revealed mostly cultivators, a few ancient martial artists, but no Foundation Establishment masters, only a handful at Chi Gathering tertiary stages.

Joining the crowd, Ye Mo decided to display his power; excessive low-key behavior could attract trouble. His presence immediately drew attention, yet the demonstration of his strength prompted many to keep their distance, wary of angering this Qianbei.

While seeking information, a sturdy man, Xia Zhongwen, approached with his younger sister, Xia Pinger. Saluting, he said, "Friend, I'm Xia Zhongwen, and this is my sister, Xia Pinger. Are you heading to the Zheng Yuan Sword Sect as well?"

Ye Mo nodded, studying the siblings, curious about their approach. Xia Zhongwen, though shorter, stood over 175 cm, powerfully built, a stage 9 Chi Gathering cultivator, nearing Foundation Establishment, yet some remained at Chi Gathering peak their entire lives. His sister, only slightly shorter, was at stage 5 Chi Gathering, her average looks marked by freckles; shy, she remained behind her brother. A casual glance from Ye Mo caused her to blush.

Xia Zhongwen proposed, "Friend, the sect is three to four days' journey. The road is crowded, potentially dangerous. If you don't mind, we could travel together."

Ye Mo recognized Xia Zhongwen's acknowledgment of his power; as an 8th stage Chi Gathering cultivator, such individuals were scarce, most at tertiary stages already in groups. He agreed.

"I'm Ye Mo, this is my wife, Song Yangzhu, and my sister, Ye Ling," he introduced.

Xia Pinger, though timid, was not withdrawn, quickly engaging Song Yangzhu and Ye Ling in conversation. Despite initial language difficulties, they progressed rapidly, aided by the language's similarity to Chinese and Xia Pinger's instruction.

Through conversation with Xia Zhongwen, Ye Mo learned of the sect's strength: a Nascent Soul ancestor, fourteen Golden Core masters, nearly one hundred Foundation Establishment members, and countless Chi Gathering cultivators. A considerable sect indeed. He also learned that the North Far State's sect divisions resembled the East Black State's from his previous life, categorized into nine stars, with Zheng Yuan Sword Sect a four-star sect, at the bottom of its category.

Song Yangzhu and Ye Ling now understood Ye Mo's warnings, witnessing the harsh realities of this world firsthand – the strong exploiting the weak, high-level cultivators extorting lower-level ones, inflicting injury or death for refusal to pay protection fees. Low-level cultivators paid spirit stones and treasures for protection.

"Those people are shameless!" Song Yangzhu exclaimed, witnessing a young man killed for his inability to pay.

"Sister Yangzhu, Brother said we shouldn't comment," Xia Pinger quickly interjected.

"Two pretty girls! What? You don't like me killing people?" The cultivator responsible approached, accompanied by four others, all stage 8 or above – three stage 8 and two stage 9.

"I saw a stage 9 here, so I avoided trouble, but you started it. Hand over your storage bags and let that pretty chick come with me. I'll return her, and this is settled," the stage 9 cultivator sneered, eyeing Song Yangzhu, yet his gaze lingered on Xia Zhongwen. His men blocked escape routes, confident of surrender. Only Ye Mo (stage 8) and Xia Zhongwen (stage 9) possessed any significant power; the three women were insignificant.

The crowd scattered. Xia Zhongwen's expression changed; he saluted. "Martial Brothers, she spoke unintentionally. Please forgive us. Ten low-grade spirit stones—"

"Stop! Buy your life for ten low-grade spirit stones? Do you think I'm a beggar?" the stage 9 cultivator scoffed.

"Sorry," Song Yangzhu worriedly said to Ye Mo, unprepared for such a casual escalation.

Ye Mo smiled, stopping Xia Zhongwen, and stepped forward. "I didn't seek trouble, yet you dare to provoke me."

His flying sword shot towards the cultivator's neck.

"A flying sword?" The cultivator was stunned; an 8th stage cultivator daring to attack first, possessing a flying sword. He, a solo cultivator, lacked one, a rarity even for cultivating families; only large sects provided them to inner sect members.

Seeing the flying sword, he realized he’d underestimated his opponent. Ye Mo's sword relentlessly pursued as he launched two wind blades. Despite his stage 8 status, his strength surpassed typical Chi Gathering masters; killing a stage 9 presented no challenge. If not for maintaining a low profile, he could have killed him instantly.

The cultivator couldn't evade either attack. In a flurry of motion, the stage 9 master was bisected, his body incinerated as Ye Mo retrieved the storage bag. The fluidity of his actions betrayed repeated practice.

Silence descended upon the onlookers. Instantaneously killing a stage 9 master—the power of a Foundation Establishment Qianbei. The remaining four attempted to flee.

"Since you're here, don't be in a rush to leave," Ye Mo said lazily, examining the storage bag.