Chapter 928: Two Words

Pan Yi, embarrassed at his expulsion by a Level 1 Golden Core cultivator (albeit via Ye Mo's formation), attempted to attack the defense. Ji Zhiyuan, the sole remaining peak Golden Core cultivator from the North after Liu Yuetang's departure, swiftly intervened. He stopped Pan Yi's flying sword, coldly warning, "Attack the formation again, and I will kill you."

Pan Yi recoiled. The chasm between a Level 8 Golden Core cultivator and a peak Golden Core cultivator was vast; Ji Zhiyuan's aura even hinted at False Soul state cultivation. Furthermore, his fellow sect members offered no support. Others abandoned similar plans; attempting to breach a grandmaster's formation was folly.

South Peace State cultivators readily contributed half their herbs, providing Ye Mo with a bounty of precious materials. He felt his strategy had paid off. Offending them mattered little; he'd escape to River State with Yangzhu and the others. Luo Yue Continent was vast; who could find him? Besides, a Dao cultivator shouldn't be timid.

After several cultivators departed, Huang Yushan, of the South's six-star Lightning Forgery Sect, entered. Impressed by Ye Mo's youthful mastery of formations, he offered his herbs. Ye Mo examined them, then tossed them back. "Ten Life Essence Fruits, four Ghostface Mushrooms, and a Five Colors Lotus are missing."

Huang Yushan's rage flared. He hadn't anticipated Ye Mo's precise assessment. Ye Mo, unconcerned about the old man's sect, was incensed by the short payment. "Hurry!" he snapped. "Refuse the formation, and I'll eject you. Many await."

Huang Yushan, chagrined but helpless, reluctantly retrieved his storage bag. He resolved to await his revenge outside.

Ye Mo then stated, "Your initial dishonesty warrants a 60% contribution. Add thirteen Life Essence Fruits, two Five Colors Lotuses, and so on."

Huang Yushan finally understood Ye Mo's earlier leniency towards Liu Yuetang. He glared, spitting out, "I possess only three Five Colors Lotuses! You dare demand two? Ye Mo, your formation mastery is undeniable, but reckless attack may overwhelm you. Don't be arrogant, unless you intend to remain here forever!"

Ye Mo responded coldly, "Five seconds. Five seconds, then leave."

His patience exhausted, Ye Mo would eject Huang first, then deal with him later. Having already alienated these cultivators, he no longer needed to appease them.

He began counting, "One, two..."

The onlookers watched, stunned. If Ye Mo dared to defy Huang Yushan, Pan Yi's fate would be far worse.

"I'll pay," Huang Yushan gritted, handing over his herbs. He planned to track Ye Mo, even foregoing herb gathering for two months.

Ye Mo checked the storage bag, sneering, "Clever. Otherwise, you wouldn't be giving 60%."

Huang Yushan, his face grim, accepted the jade card and departed. Subsequently, the remaining cultivators, even the two women who’d attempted seduction, contributed half their herbs without prompting. The final peak Golden Core cultivator from the South paid and left.

Three remained: Pan Yi, Qiu Xuanyu, and Ji Zhiyuan of the Ghost Immortal Sect. Ji Zhiyuan entered, gave Ye Mo a curious look, and paid half his herbs.

After receiving the jade card, Ji Zhiyuan seized Ye Mo. Ye Mo scoffed, deploying a formation flag. A flash of light expelled Ji Zhiyuan.

Undeterred, Ji Zhiyuan declared, "I possess the jade card. Even ejected, breaking your defense is trivial. Return my herbs, plus half your total."

He produced two black beads, "One of these will shatter your formation instantly."

Pan Yi and Qiu Xuanyu blanched. If they provoked Ye Mo, only Ji Zhiyuan could escape. They recognized the Burst Yin Beads, potent artifacts crafted only by Nascent Soul cultivators, extremely rare due to the process's taxing nature.

Ji Zhiyuan watched, poised to hurl a bead should Ye Mo attempt escape. However, Ye Mo produced a formation flag, sneering, "You'll receive neither my storage ring nor my herbs, but I have two words for you."

Ji Zhiyuan raised a Burst Yin bead, sneering, "Bold. Try it. My bead will break your formation instantly. Spirit herbs are delightful, but you must live to enjoy them. Your words matter not; I give you one chance!"

"Dumbass," Ye Mo retorted, shaking his head. Had he not anticipated this, he wouldn't have bothered accumulating wealth.

"You're courting death!" Ji Zhiyuan roared, about to throw the bead, but froze. The jade card disintegrated.

He instinctively threw a Burst Yin bead. He calculated five seconds for Ye Mo's teleportation.