Chapter 864: Acquire Star Sand

The red-clothed woman watched Ye Mo take the spirit stones, a contemptuous smile playing on her lips. She was about to taunt him when the dark-faced young man interrupted, “Sir, since this gentleman doesn’t require the superior room, might we have it instead?”

The attendant readily agreed, assigning the superior room to the couple.

As Ye Mo departed, the woman sneered, “Pathetic wretch, dreaming of a superior room!”

Ye Mo ignored her, refusing to even glance back. The dark-faced man shook his head helplessly.

“Yu Ruyu, why the head-shaking?” the woman spat. “If you don’t want to be with me, leave!”

He replied cautiously, “Haidan, Uncle instructed us to avoid offending others in the cultivation realm.”

“Hmph!” She stormed into the room, ignoring him.

Though a low-grade room, Ye Mo was content. While lacking a spirit-gathering formation, it possessed all other necessities and benefited from the ample spiritual energy emanating from nearby formations. The eight spirit stones were well spent. He immediately commenced cultivation.

After constructing several defensive formations and consuming several essence pills, his cultivation surged, creating a significant spiritual energy vortex. Fortunately, the presence of numerous high-level cultivators in neighboring hotels prevented his actions from attracting undue attention.

Six hours later, Ye Mo felt his meridians expand once more. A faint crack echoed as his cultivation essence proliferated, nearly doubling in strength before converging in his dantian.

He had reached the Foundation Establishment mid-stage. He unhesitatingly deployed dozens of top-grade spirit stones for consolidation, unconcerned about depleting his supply. He felt not only replenished from the essence blood he'd previously consumed but also a significant expansion of his spiritual sense, now reaching tens of kilometers.

After cleansing himself, Ye Mo, feeling invigorated, retrieved his Nine Transformations flying sword. He sensed Yu Ruyu meditating nearby, his presence likely prevented by Haidan's rudeness.

Ye Mo held a favorable impression of Yu Ruyu; Haidan, despite her beauty, didn’t deserve him.

Approaching Yu Ruyu, Ye Mo offered, “Brother Yu, if you wouldn't mind, you're welcome to share my room for the night.” His cultivation complete, he had free time.

Caught off guard, Yu Ruyu rose awkwardly. “Big Brother, I appreciate the offer, but I can’t.”

Ye Mo smiled, making no attempt to persuade him. As he turned to leave, Yu Ruyu asked, “Big Brother, you’re here for the auction, yes?”

Ye Mo nodded. “Indeed. I’m seeking Star Sand or Segmented Earth. My name is Ye Mo. Please, call me Ye Mo.”

Yu Ruyu gasped. “Top-grade Star Sand and Segmented Earth are exceedingly expen—” He trailed off, realizing his indiscretion.

Ye Mo understood Yu Ruyu's politeness stemmed partly from his character, partly from uncertainty regarding Ye Mo's strength.

“I only require ordinary grades,” Ye Mo clarified, chuckling.

After a moment, Yu Ruyu produced a fist-sized ore. “I found this low-grade Star Sand. Might you find it useful, Brother Ye?”

Ye Mo was surprised; even low-grade Star Sand was rare. Examining it, he confirmed its quality and quantity, sufficient for his needs.

“Thank you, Brother Yu. This is precisely what I require. Please, name your price.”

Yu Ruyu beamed. “Brother Ye, I found it by chance and have no use for it. Consider it a gift.”

Ye Mo was taken aback. They were virtual strangers.

Yu Ruyu quickly added, “I admire you, Brother Ye, and your immense power. My companion offended you, yet you remained unperturbed. I wish to offer this as a token of my gratitude.”

Ye Mo realized Yu Ruyu likely perceived him as a Golden Core cultivator, unaware of his true strength. Haidan's insults, though overheard, hadn't provoked a reaction, prompting Yu Ruyu's gesture. Yu Ruyu clearly sought to foster a connection.

“Brother Yu, you may be mistaken,” Ye Mo countered. “My power isn't as great as you seem to believe. This Star Sand, though low-grade, remains valuable. I wouldn't feel right accepting it without recompense.”

Yu Ruyu was shaken. A Foundation Establishment level 7 cultivator, he could usually sense primary Golden Core cultivators, yet Ye Mo remained unreadable. He must hail from a major sect.

Seeing Yu Ruyu's unwavering refusal, Ye Mo accepted the Star Sand, fetched two more chairs, and began conversing.

Through introductions, Ye Mo learned Yu Ruyu possessed significant lineage; a core disciple of the five-star God Sword Sect, son of the former sect leader and current Grand Elder. His father’s power was likely Nascent Soul peak, perhaps even Hollow Spirit stage.

Haidan hailed from the Duo Heart Valley, another five-star sect. Their parents had sent them to the auction as a broadening experience.

Yu Ruyu's humility contrasted sharply with Shen Jiansheng, the arrogant young master of the five-star West Flow Sect, whose actions had nearly resulted in Ye Mo’s and Luo Ying’s deaths, and the annihilation of their sect. The thought of Shen Jiansheng ignited a surge of killing intent within Ye Mo.

A sharp voice interrupted. "Yu Ruyu, how shameless! Entangling yourself with such trash. You disgrace me!" Haidan stood in the doorway.