Chapter 885: Wanting to Leave

Ye Mo saw Zhen Xiaoshan and exclaimed, “Sister Zhen, you’ve reached the Golden Core state?!”

Before she could reply, Song Yangzhu interjected, “Sister Zhen achieved Golden Core a fortnight ago. Manager Yan, and even the city lord himself, came to offer congratulations.”

Zhen Xiaoshan’s eyes welled with tears. “Brother Ye, thank you! Without you, I might never have reached the Golden Core state.”

Zhen Xiaoshan hailed from a mid-sized cultivation family. However, beginning with her grandfather, her family’s talent had been unremarkable. Her father's talent was even less impressive, preventing him from accessing the family's resources. He'd been sent to conduct business, but a tragedy claimed both her parents' lives.

The two million spirit stones she possessed represented three generations' savings, intended to one day produce a Golden Core cultivator in their branch. Zhen Xiaoshan felt profound gratitude towards Ye Mo.

Ye Mo was happy for her and nodded. “Sister Zhen, reaching the Golden Core state is your good fortune. I only offered a little assistance.”

Zhen Xiaoshan shook her head. “I know. Thank you. China Pharmaceuticals is my family now.”

“Good,” Ye Mo replied, relieved. “Sister Zhen, you won't regret this decision. Don't worry, in six months, I'll bring you back the finest magic artifact. For now, why not choose one from the Immortal Treasure Tower?”

Zhen Xiaoshan smiled. “Thank you, but Manager Yan already gifted me a low-grade spirit artifact. I don’t need anything else right now.”

Ye Mo disagreed. A low-grade spirit artifact was acceptable, but he felt China Pharmaceuticals’ cultivators deserved the best. He'd visited the shop in River State City; the Immortal Treasure Tower had superior pills, yet lacked high-level spirit artifacts.

After considering it, Ye Mo decided to forge a sword for himself first. He would visit a larger magic artifact shop in Broken Leaf City.

Noticing Su Yue and Sheng Yizhong looking envious, Ye Mo said, “If you two cultivate diligently, you won’t need to worry about Foundation Establishment pills. By the way, where are Sun Zhicai and Sister Li?”

“Martial Brother Sun had some family business and returned home. Master is still in solitary cultivation,” Ye Ling replied.

Ye Mo nodded. He'd hoped the women would cultivate, but Ye Ling added, “Brother, Sun Zhicai mentioned that Manager Yan had an argument before congratulating Sister Zhen. Your name came up.”

Ye Mo was taken aback. As a spirit pill master, Yan Zheng held him in high regard. He believed he hadn't wronged Yan Zheng. His 70% success rate surpassed most. Aside from the land, he owed Yan Zheng nothing.

Song Yangzhu explained, “Husband, Yan Zheng’s father is an elder of the Immortal Treasure Tower, giving him considerable influence. However, his decision to grant us the land displeased another manager. Apparently, the two elders have clashed repeatedly over this. The other manager resented Yan Zheng representing the tower at Sister Zhen's celebration, forcing Yan Zheng to cover the cost of the spirit artifact himself.”

Ye Mo frowned. “How does Sun Zhicai know this?”

Song Yangzhu replied, “He has a friend who works as a waiter at the Immortal Treasure Tower and overheard their argument.”

Ye Mo fell silent. His safety largely depended on Yan Zheng's support. Without it, staying was pointless.

For the first time, Ye Mo felt the burden of living under someone's patronage. In Luo Yue City, he'd been free. He hadn’t needed others for survival.

Power! Without power, he couldn't obtain his own land. Without his own land, he would forever be beholden to others.

For the first time, Ye Mo desired to leave River State City. Without the Immortal Treasure Tower's backing, even with two Golden Core cultivators, China Pharmaceuticals couldn't compete with the All Pill Tower.

“Cultivate diligently. Reach the Foundation Establishment state as quickly as possible. I'll visit Sister Li.” Ye Mo wanted to know if she’d reached the primary stage of Golden Core.

Song Yangzhu and Ye Ling were hardworking and talented. After only two months, they'd reached the eighth stage of Qi Gathering. Foundation Establishment should be within a year.

After they left, Ye Mo pondered in his room before deciding to see Li Yuqian. If, in two months, Li Yuqian reached the Nascent Soul state, he would go alone to Broken Leaf City for the pill concoction tournament. Otherwise, he would take everyone with him.

“Sister Li, are you finished?”

Li Yuqian looked up in surprise. When Ye Mo's spirit sense scanned her cultivation, he joyfully exclaimed, “Sister Li, you're at the primary stage of Golden Core?!”

Li Yuqian was thrilled to have reached the primary stage of Golden Core. Yet, Ye Mo’s statement shocked her. He was a mere Foundation Establishment level 6 cultivator, yet he could sense her cultivation level.

However, she found it logical upon reflection. He was young and already a Pill King.

Ye Mo urgently said, “Sister Li, this is a Cao Huan Pill. When will you attempt Nascent Soul formation? I'll help you maintain a vigilant guard.”

“Did you really refine the Cao Huan Pill?” Li Yuqian believed Ye Mo was a Pill King, but seeing the pill before her still stunned her.

Ye Mo nodded. “Yes, I promised, and I will keep my word.”

Li Yuqian shakily took the pill. After a moment, she calmed down and accepted it. “Thank you. However, my mental state isn't suitable for Nascent Soul formation yet. I need a fortnight to prepare. I’ll attempt it at the end of the month.”

Ye Mo understood her concerns. She’d just reached the primary stage of Golden Core. Without sufficient foundation, she might lose her cultivation—or even her life—during the Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation.

Ye Mo said, “Sister Li, if you trust me, I can protect you. That Nascent Soul Heavenly Tribulation shouldn’t be a problem.”

A cultivator only faced their first Heavenly Tribulation upon reaching Nascent Soul. This tribulation, the Four Nine Lightning Tribulation, consisted of thirty-six lightning strikes.

Ye Mo dared say this because he knew lightning was beneficial to his cultivation; a valuable lightning cultivation resource. He intended to weaken Li Yuqian's Heavenly Tribulation by absorbing it.

Hearing this, Li Yuqian stared at Ye Mo for a long time before asking, “You aren't planning to help me block the Heavenly Tribulation, are you? One must face it alone. Don't you know?”

Ye Mo awkwardly scratched his head. He truly hadn’t known. Still, his method wasn’t direct intervention.