Chapter 858: Old Friend
Ye Mo planned to establish several formations around China Pharmaceuticals: a spirit-gathering formation, a robust defense formation, and an attack formation. These were merely a façade, however; his true purpose was a concealed teleportation formation. The ability to create such a formation was incredibly rare, even shocking, in North Far State. Few mastered this complex art, requiring centuries of dedicated study. Yet, teleportation formations were Ye Mo's specialty, honed over years in the small world. His current skill allowed for short-distance teleportation—100,000 kilometers—sufficient for an escape route. While he trusted Yan Zheng, Ye Mo preferred self-reliance. He only lacked two essential materials.
A month later, Sun Zhicai achieved Foundation Establishment and joined China Pharmaceuticals. This prompted Ye Mo to expand his staff. He recognized Ye Ling and Song Yangzhu's talent but noted their cultivation suffered from their shop attendant duties. He instructed Sun Zhicai to post hiring notices. That day, Ye Mo witnessed two cultivators fleeing, pursued by two others from the All Pill Tower. He found their brazenness unsurprising, knowing their impunity within the city, as long as they refrained from overt killings.
The fleeing pair—a man in his forties and a woman around thirty, with dark skin, a round face, and large eyes—were injured ancient martial artists. Ye Mo recognized the woman, Su Yue, a past customer from his Ning Hai rune stall. Their pursuers sneered, confident in their ability to capture them. Ye Mo, however, standing at China Pharmaceuticals' entrance, countered their arrogance.
The All Pill Tower cultivators, aware of Ye Mo's connection to the Immortal Treasure Tower, initially attempted a diplomatic approach, requesting non-interference. Ye Mo, however, declared the fleeing pair as old friends, instantly retaliating with swift slaps that sent the cultivators reeling, silencing their threats.
Su Yue joyfully recognized Ye Mo. He, in turn, invited them inside, then curtly dismissed the injured All Pill Tower cultivators, threatening further retribution. Their hasty retreat shocked Su Yue and her companion, Sheng Yizhong, who understood their vulnerable position in North Far State.
After learning their story, Ye Mo discovered Sheng Yizhong also hailed from the small world, connected to Su Yue through Ye Mo's renown there. Many others from the small world had crossed through his teleportation formation but possessed limited talent for cultivation. Hearing of China Pharmaceuticals, they had sought refuge.
Ye Mo learned Su Yue was Su Jingwen's bodyguard and that the All Pill Tower had initiated the conflict. Seeing their plight and needing additional staff, Ye Mo offered them employment, resources, and cultivation methods. They readily accepted. He also hired two more female cultivators, freeing Ye Ling and Song Yangzhu to focus on cultivation. He delegated simple pill concoction to Sun Zhicai, while focusing on his formations. The conflict with the All Pill Tower, however, remained unresolved. He still required Star Sand and Segment Darth—common grades would suffice—to complete his teleportation formation.
By the second month, China Pharmaceuticals thrived. Ye Mo planned to source the missing materials. Song Yangzhu reached stage 5, Ye Ling stage 6, and even Su Yue and Sheng Yizhong reached stage 1. Learning of an upcoming auction at the Nan Shan market, potentially selling Star Sand, Ye Mo entrusted Yan Zheng with China Pharmaceuticals and departed for the auction.