Chapter 933: South Peace Ten Beauties
When Ye Mo checked the herbs' age, he realized he'd disrupted someone's plan. They were all at least 500 years old, thriving in the spirit range's fertile environment. This explained the spirit range's desperate attempt to flee. It seemed the plan was for the range to be released after the person no longer needed the essence blood, allowing the final group of cultivators to break the restriction. The spirit range would then drift into the mist and be consumed by the entity within. By seizing the spirit range, Ye Mo had sabotaged this elaborate scheme. The entity's intended evolution was now thwarted. This individual had meticulously planned this over countless years; this was clearly someone to be feared.
Ye Mo knew he'd incurred the wrath of a powerful being. He fled, daring not to look back, intent on escaping as far as possible. Regardless of his assumptions, the valley's herb garden and the mist were undoubtedly perilous. He continued flying on Zi Xu, periodically consuming life essence pills. After an indeterminate period, he finally felt safe enough to relax, only to stumble upon three cultivators engaged in battle. His escape seemed assured.
The combatants consisted of two level-three Golden Core cultivators and one level-two. Ye Mo, unconcerned, observed them; they posed no threat. Finding a secluded spot, he rested, exhausted from days and nights of flight.
The three cultivators noticed Ye Mo; his Golden Core level-one cultivation and immediate retreat indicated he was also fleeing. They ignored him, resuming their fight. After consuming a stalagmite benefit pill to counteract the pill poison, Ye Mo watched. The lone cultivator, a strikingly handsome man, was clearly losing. His opponents: one pale-faced with a hawk-like nose, the other with a disproportionately long face.
"Huang Zhuo, Cai Shizhang, I've already given it to you! What more do you want?" the handsome cultivator panted.
"Shi Hongzhu, we've no personal grievance, but we've made a promise. You only have yourself to blame. You persistently pursue Du Xiuying. Unless you publicly renounce her and swear to the Heavenly Dao never to approach her again, you die," the pale-faced cultivator declared.
Ye Mo shook his head; Shi Hongzhu would be foolish to comply. The pale-faced cultivator’s killing intent was unmistakable.
Shi Hongzhu exclaimed, "Huang Zhuo, are you mad? Du Xiuying, one of South Peace State's top ten beauties, would be interested in me? You're mistaken!"
"Mistaken? I've seen you meet alone several times. At the Teng Pill Tower auction, you spoke for a whole day! Just 'friends'?" Huang Zhuo retorted coldly.
The long-faced cultivator chuckled sinisterly, "Hehe, Shi Hongzhu, your looks are quite good. You might even attract Wen Caiyi and Luo Susu, let alone Du Xiuying."
Shi Hongzhu was momentarily stunned, recalling Wen Caiyi's breathtaking beauty. A fleeting glimpse had captivated him. He wasn't particularly interested in Du Xiuying, but he had fallen for Wen Caiyi. He knew his status made even conversation with her unlikely. His connection with Du Xiuying was solely based on her acceptance of him.
Exploiting Shi Hongzhu's distraction, the long-faced cultivator pierced his shoulder with his flying sword. Shi Hongzhu retreated, consuming a pill, to prevent further distraction. However, injured, he was vulnerable. Their attack was met, however, by a purple ray.
Ye Mo effortlessly deflected their spirit artifacts with a single strike from Zi Xu, sending them reeling backward. They stared, stunned. Even near exhaustion, their combined attack should have overwhelmed a level-one Golden Core cultivator.
"What happened?" Huang Zhuo asked Cai Shizhang.
Cai Shizhang shook his head quietly, "This young man is formidable. That casual attack… unstoppable. We are no match for him, even together. He's hiding his power."
Shi Hongzhu remained bewildered. He couldn't comprehend Ye Mo's intervention, nor the power behind that seemingly effortless strike. The level-one Golden Core cultivator's strength surpassed even some elite disciples of Nine Star Sects! He recalled Tian Aofeng, a level-four Golden Core disciple of the Lightning Cloud Sect, whose attack had earned him a place in the Golden Core Hall of Fame – a feat requiring at least tertiary level strength. Aside from Tian Aofeng, Shi Hongzhu had never witnessed such shocking power.
"Friend, this is a private matter. Why interfere?" Cai Shizhang asked quickly.
He decided to let Shi Hongzhu go rather than fight Ye Mo; his eyes held an inexplicable intensity that did not suggest aggression.
Ye Mo, indeed, had no intention of fighting. Suppressing his excitement, he asked, "Did you say… Luo Susu? Where is she?"
His voice trembled uncontrollably. His emotions erupted at the name. He wanted to avoid casualties and ensure he received complete information.
Luo Susu. Cai Shizhang realized this cultivator was also a devotee of Luo Susu, seeking information.
While unspoken, both Cai Shizhang and Huang Zhuo secretly scorned Ye Mo. Despite his astonishing power, they considered his pursuit of Luo Susu delusional. However, Cai Shizhang dared not express this. He replied respectfully, "Luo Susu is a core disciple of the Dark Ice Sect, a Nine Star Sect. Along with Wen Caiyi, she ranks among the top ten beauties of South Peace State."