Chapter 937: Three-Eyed Purple Frog
Seeing Ye Mo's sneer, Guo Qifan quickly said, "Brother Ye, that's Dong Tianya. He's a core disciple of the nine-star Infinity Sect, ranked fourth on the Golden Core state hall of fame."
"The same sect as Wen Caiyi?" Ye Mo asked, shocked.
Guo Qifan looked at Ye Mo speechlessly. "Brother Ye, let me be frank: the South Peace State's ten beauties? Best to avoid them. You'll only get hurt."
This was the second time he'd warned Ye Mo, revealing his regard for him. He continued, "Dong Tianya, for instance, is a peak Golden Core cultivator at his age, a core disciple of a nine-star sect, and a suitor of Wen Caiyi. Despite his superior status, she rejected him, citing her lower cultivation level."
He gestured toward Qiu Xue. "See Qiu Xue, ranked tenth in South Peace State. Even she attracts countless suitors, all vying for her attention, though she cares for none of them."
Ye Mo had already noticed the scene and found it amusing. Qiu Xue, seeing his gaze, contemptuously thought, So, he's after my attention after all.
"Brother Guo, how many cultivators enter the Desert Plain Herb Valley from South Peace State?" Ye Mo asked.
Guo Qifan looked at him strangely. "You don't know? Entry is based on sect rank. My True Cauldron Sect, a five-star sect, gets five spots. Nine-star sects get nine. There's also a solo cultivator alliance; those who pass their test may enter. In total, about ten to twenty thousand people each time."
Ye Mo was astonished by the disparity between North and South.
Suddenly, ripples disturbed Purple Flower Lake. Silence fell as cultivators readied their magical artifacts, subconsciously moving closer to the lake.
The ripples intensified, the lake seemingly boiling. The Purple Flower Fire was about to appear.
Seven minutes later, the water parted, revealing a meter-long Purple Sunflower rising from the depths, soon reaching half a meter above the surface.
Ye Mo, along with the other cultivators, watched nervously. This was his first time witnessing the phenomenon. He knew, from his “Things,” that the Purple Sunflower was a water-element fire.
Despite its aquatic origin, scorching heat radiated from the lake. Although precious, Ye Mo, possessing the Mist Lotus Heart Fire, felt no overwhelming awe. He turned to speak to Guo Qifan, only to find him staring intently at the flower, swallowing hard.
Ye Mo saw the same avarice in the faces of the others. He sighed. Without the Mist Lotus Heart Fire, would he be like them? Demanding restraint in such a situation seemed ludicrous.
He felt a profound respect for Kong Ye, who, knowing of the Mist Lotus Heart Fire, showed no greed, even intending to gift Ye Mo an Earth Fire. Only such a person deserved the title of true righteous Qianbei.
The flower reached two meters, then began to open. The heat intensified, forcing weaker cultivators back. A level four Golden Core cultivator, overcome by excitement, prematurely charged forward. Others followed suit, fearing they'd be outdone.
"Stop! You can't touch the Purple Flower Fire yet!" Dong Tianya shouted, annoyed.
But before he finished, a rumbling shook the lake. A ten-meter high geyser erupted, revealing a huge, bloody mouth. A swift flick of the tongue within snatched a level four Golden Core cultivator and two level three Golden Core cultivators. The tongue retracted as quickly as it appeared.
Everyone gasped. They’d suffered the same fate had they acted similarly.
A terrifying spirit beast! The cultivators’ excitement waned, replaced by apprehension.
"A level six Three-eyed Purple Frog!" someone screamed, recognizing the creature responsible for the attack.
"The Three-eyed Purple Frog is the Purple Sunflower Fire’s guardian! How could I forget!" another exclaimed.
Meanwhile, Ye Mo was thrilled. The Three-eyed Purple Frog possessed something far more valuable than the Purple Flower Fire itself.
The situation had drastically shifted. A level six Three-eyed Purple Frog dwarfed these cultivators in power. A fundamental difference existed between Golden Core and Nascent Soul cultivators; Golden Core cultivators only solidified their cultivation essence, while Nascent Soul cultivators forged their essence spirit as well.
The Purple Flower fully bloomed, a faint purple flame rising from its center. Ye Mo knew this initial purple hue would fade to a pale yellow before eventually, after centuries, returning to purple.
The flame neared maturity, yet no one dared approach. It was precious, but protected by a level six beast.
Dong Tianya, desperate, flew upward. "The flame is guarded by the Three-eyed Purple Frog! We must defeat it to obtain the flame and seed! Otherwise, it will all be devoured! I'll lure the frog, and you all attack together!"
"Agreed! Go, Martial Brother Dong! I'll be the first to help!"
"Me too!"
Most agreed.
Dong Tianya produced a palm-sized stamp and charged towards the flame. Before he reached it, another geyser erupted. The Three-eyed Purple Frog was prepared. Its massive tongue swept towards him. However, Dong Tianya hurled the stamp, which rapidly enlarged to three meters before striking the Three-eyed Purple Frog.