Chapter 920: Insolent
Ye Mo counted roughly twenty cultivators on each side. Before he could question Guang Wei, he saw her and Qin Muxin approach a woman in her thirties, accompanied by a teenage girl.
“Big Martial Sister!” Guang Wei and Qin Muxin exclaimed joyfully.
After greeting the Immortal Herb Valley cultivators, Ye Mo asked Guang Wei, “What’s happening here?”
Guang Wei shook her head, confused. “I don’t know.”
The Big Martial Sister also looked at Ye Mo uncertainly. Unfamiliar with him from the pill concoction tournament, she recognized him as a Foundation Establishment cultivator. His informal address to Guang Wei, usually quite reserved, surprised her. Yet, Guang Wei didn't react angrily.
Qin Muxin glanced at Ye Mo and explained, “A large ruin within the Herb Valley is said to contain countless spirit herbs, all level five or above. Legend speaks of a level eight Soul Return Fruit within.”
The Soul Return Fruit, a remarkably potent spirit herb, supposedly allowed the concoction of a Soul Nourishing Pill, capable of gradually repairing a deceased cultivator’s soul—provided the body remained preserved.
“Is it in the ruin?” Ye Mo asked immediately, his thoughts turning to Nie Shuangshuang. Her body preserved, her soul remained lost. This could be the key to awakening her.
Qin Muxin shook her head. “No, it's in this valley. Cultivators from the South Peace State discovered it and others arrived afterward, including Martial Brother Zhe and Ximen.”
Ye Mo understood. Qin Muxin and Guang Wei had encountered the South Peace State cultivators while searching for the Yellow Three Leaf, leading to a stalemate. Even the arrival of a God Sword Sect martial brother hadn't broken the deadlock. The situation only stabilized with Ximen Chao and Martial Brother Zhe's arrival.
Now, roughly forty Golden Core cultivators faced each other, twenty on each side, including two peak Golden Core cultivators per side. The Southerners possessed three tertiary stage Golden Core cultivators; the Northerners, two. The remainder were primary and middle stage Golden Core.
Both sides began entering the valley. Ye Mo, a lone cultivator from the North, remained unrecognized and unacknowledged.
Guang Wei noticed this. While acknowledging Ye Mo’s victory over Hai Xin, she knew his Foundation Establishment strength was largely inconsequential to the current situation. She was about to call to him when Qin Muxin intervened. “Ye Mo, thank you for saving Martial Sister Guang Wei, but—”
Ye Mo interrupted plainly, “But what? Are you suggesting I shouldn't go, that my participation would be fruitless?”
Qin Muxin nodded awkwardly. “Yes, the portal has limited capacity. You're alone, so—”
Before Ye Mo could respond, the Big Martial Sister called, “Hurry, Guang Wei, Muxin!”
The two women apologized to Ye Mo and entered.
Ye Mo sneered. His current power was low, but neglecting such an opportunity would hinder his pursuit of the Dao. Had he not risked stealing the Spirit Marrow a month prior, he wouldn't have reached his current peak. While safety offered comfort, it would never lead him to Golden Core, Nascent Soul, or Hollow Spirit realms.
Without hesitation, Ye Mo followed. This secret land within the Herb Valley seemed at least comparable to the Spirit Marrow Pond; a fool would ignore it.
Qin Muxin sighed silently, watching Ye Mo enter.
Fifteen minutes later, Ye Mo reached a large platform, seemingly designed for sacrifices and rituals. Everyone halted.
As a formation master, Ye Mo instantly recognized the remnants of a vast, long-broken formation.
The South Peace State's peak Golden Core cultivator announced, “Fifty years ago, our Qianbei clan discovered this site, but lacked the personnel to breach the formation and access the herb garden. Time constraints forced our withdrawal. Seven formations exist; each requiring at least one cultivator's cultivation essence for activation.”
Ye Mo scrutinized the area, identifying two obscure teleportation formations. A seven-star array—recognizable from his Earthly studies—each capable of transporting only three people.
The peak Golden Core cultivator continued, “Each formation activates only once, transporting three individuals. Seven formations, twenty-one total. I suggest individual competition for formations, avoiding a direct party conflict. We'll address any resulting issues upon exit.”
“Agreed,” the Northern peak Golden Core cultivator responded, immediately claiming a formation. “Ge Ba, Wenren Tian, join me!”
The Southern peak Golden Core cultivator swiftly followed suit, selecting a formation and summoning two companions. Both were peak Golden Core; no one dared challenge them.
The Immortal Herb Valley's Big Martial Sister stated, “Guang Wei, Muxin, one of you will accompany me. Qiqi, you as well.” She couldn't leave her weakest disciple, a Foundation Establishment cultivator, behind.
Guang Wei told Muxin, “Martial Sister Muxin, your pill concoction skills surpass mine. You go. I'll stay outside with Ye Mo.” She was certain Ye Mo wouldn’t be able to enter.
Qin Muxin, wanting Guang Wei to enter, found the prospect of remaining with Ye Mo awkward. It would be simpler to let Guang Wei stay.
Other Golden Core cultivators claimed formations, bringing disciples from their sects.
Soon, only one formation remained. Ye Mo saw that regardless of who took it, he wouldn't be included.
Before anyone could act, he swiftly ascended the platform, declaring, “This formation is mine.”
Astonishment swept the crowd. They couldn't determine if he was foolish or insolent. Several level seven Golden Core cultivators and numerous middle-stage Golden Core cultivators remained. A Foundation Establishment cultivator daring to claim a formation!
Hai Xin, surprisingly, didn't laugh. The pain in his broken hand was palpable. "An idiot," he muttered. "I fought an idiot." He shook his head.
Ye Mo’s audacity had yet to be challenged. The Immortal Herb Valley's Big Martial Sister, shocked, asked Qin Muxin, “Muxin, who is this Foundation Establishment cultivator? Do you and Guang Wei know him? Why does he seem…unwise?”
Qin Muxin looked down awkwardly, relieved that this pill concoction adept hadn't become her husband.
“Ye Mo, get down immediately!” Guang Wei urged desperately. She knew Ye Mo was strong, but he could only realistically contend with a level four Golden Core cultivator. How could he possibly face the present assembly?
Ye Mo understood their assessment, but sneered inwardly. The strongest remaining cultivator was a level seven Golden Core. While no match currently, he possessed the Three Birth Chant, allowing cultivation during other activities. Should a level seven Golden Core approach, he would utilize Cultivation Increasing Pills and Lin Blue Fruits to form his core and leverage Heavenly Punishment to deter them.
“Get lost! How dare a mere Foundation Establishment insect claim a formation?” the Southern cultivator, previously skeptical of Ye Mo, reappeared. Knowing he couldn't obtain a formation with his level five power, he sought to eliminate Ye Mo first.