Chapter 926: Leave Behind the Toll Price

The golden core peak stage cultivator, witnessing the cultivators' avarice, coldly declared, "Seven herb gardens exist; I've only breached one. Attend to your own."

This spurred them into a frenzy of activity, each furiously dismantling their assigned barriers. The bounty of the first garden suggested similar riches awaited them.

Even Ye Mo coveted the spirit herbs, but access remained beyond his reach for now. No one actively guarded him, though Qin Muxin maintained a watchful presence. She noted his intense gaze, sensing his desire, and worried about a potential confrontation he couldn't win.

However, Ye Mo remained within the small wooden house, deploying formation flags to secure it, effectively barring entry.

One by one, the restrictions crumbled, revealing vast quantities of high-level spirit herbs. Ye Mo, seated at the doorway, surveyed the spoils with his spiritual sense: Red Light Fruit, Purple Back Carrot, Core Building Grass, Blue Wen Grass, Crisp Vine, Tiger Blood Flower… even some level 7 herbs—all highly desirable.

The cultivators quickly divided the herbs after breaking the formations. To Ye Mo's disappointment, however, the highest-level herbs were only level 7, the most valuable being the Five Colors Lotus. The level 8 Return Soul Fruit he sought was absent.

"Ye Mo, I have two level 6 Purple Back Carrots. Please, accept these," Guang Wei offered, approaching the wooden house, feeling sympathy for his empty-handed efforts. These herbs were crucial components in the Blue Carrot Pill, used to break nascent soul stage bottlenecks.

"Did you create defensive formations here?" Guang Wei immediately recognized the impassable barrier.

Ye Mo nodded, smiling. "Yes, but I have no need for your herbs."

"But they're level 6 herbs..."

Before she could continue, Ye Mo interrupted, addressing the assembled cultivators, "I believe you've all acquired significant treasures and are eager to depart!"

His words instantly captivated their attention. Their desire for escape was palpable.

"Do you possess a means of egress?" the Southern golden core peak stage cultivator coldly inquired.

Ye Mo, unimpressed by the hostile tone, ignored him, seeking a more receptive audience.

The golden core peak stage cultivator, incensed at being ignored by a mere golden core stage cultivator, bristled, but a fellow cultivator restrained him. "Let's hear him out. If his claims lack merit, we can deal with him then."

Ji Zhiyuan of the Ghost Immortal Sect calmly stated, "Dao Friend Ye, should you offer a means of escape, I'll gladly compensate you with some herbs."

Ye Mo, having awaited this, smiled. He surveyed the cultivators, then calmly explained, "This house is an incomplete teleportation formation. A skilled formation master is needed to complete it—and I happen to be one. While you gathered herbs, I spent five arduous days perfecting this formation."

Before he finished, several desperate cultivators attempted to force entry, only to be repelled by Ye Mo's defensive array.

His expression hardened. "I invested considerable effort into this formation; you expect free passage? I completed it, so its use demands compensation."

Initially pleased, the Southern golden core peak stage cultivator's face darkened at the demand. "You're a mere golden core stage 1 cultivator! You expect tribute from everyone? How long do you think your formation will hold against a combined assault?"

Ye Mo sneered, producing a jade card. "To utilize this teleportation formation, you must use a card I've created. Without it, only a formation master can pass. Even a combined assault would only delay me for thirty seconds—ample time for my escape. How long do you think it will take to stop you?"

This strategy stemmed from his knowledge that no formation masters were present; otherwise, they would have already identified the formation.

Enraged, the cultivators prepared to attack, but Ye Mo, smirking, produced his jade card, activating the teleportation array. "If you believe you can escape independently, then farewell."

Ji Zhiyuan swiftly intervened, preventing both an attack and Ye Mo's departure. The implications of Ye Mo's leaving were clear; no one else could depart. The golden core peak stage cultivator, despite his fury, recognized this.

Ye Mo hadn't intended to leave, hence his calculated delay. Stepping away from the formation, he addressed Ji Zhiyuan, "What's your proposal?"

"How can we be certain of your claims?" Ji Zhiyuan, while skeptical, showed a degree of belief.

Ye Mo discerned Ji Zhiyuan's negotiation tactic. "I've expended considerable time and resources! If you believe me, we can transact; otherwise, refrain."

Qin Muxin stifled a laugh. Observing Ye Mo's earlier actions – the simple placement of a few formation flags – she knew the formation was likely complete from the outset. However, she remained silent, avoiding triggering his wrath. The formation had been complete but concealed by a stealth restriction, invisible to others but not to Ye Mo. He'd merely added a restriction requiring his jade card. Without his intervention, they would eventually discover the formation and leave without paying.

"This wooden house isn't yours! What right do you have to control it?" a Southern golden core stage 8 cultivator bellowed, scornfully. He had earlier appropriated Ye Mo's herb garden, leading to his current disdain.

"The herb garden you seized wasn't yours either," Ye Mo retorted.

Turning to Guang Wei, he said, "Martial Sister Guang Wei, if you trust me, enter. I'll grant you free passage."

Without hesitation, Guang Wei entered. Ye Mo smiled, stopping her offer of compensation. "No need. Consider it a gift."

Blushing, Guang Wei accepted the jade card, activating the teleportation array. A white light enveloped her, and she vanished.

This demonstration stunned the remaining cultivators. The prospect of indefinite confinement spurred them into accepting Ye Mo's terms. A few, emboldened by the certainty of escape, began searching for alternative exits.