Chapter 941: Departure

Ding Ling approached Ye Mo to thank him for saving her life. Knowing the Herb Valley would close in about half a month, Ye Mo gave each of the three a jade bottle containing pills; Ding Ling received two. One contained a cultivation-increasing pill, crucial for her imminent golden core breakthrough. He possessed many such pills, a rarity even in five-star sects.

Yan Qi started to open his bottle, but Ye Mo stopped him. "Open it later. I'm leaving. Farewell."

"Brother Ye, you're going?" Ding Ling, fond of Ye Mo, expressed her sadness. "Why not join us for herb gathering? The valley closes soon."

Ye Mo shook his head, about to reply, when a voice interrupted, "Friend, I'm Wang Pu, a disciple of the seven-star Tian Xian Sect."

Ye Mo, unfamiliar with Wang Pu, was puzzled by this high-ranking sect member's approach. Guo Qifan and the others were equally bewildered.

After a polite greeting, Wang Pu explained, "I witnessed Brother Ye's feat in breaking the Demonic Soul Binding Ray, and wish to befriend you. Forgive my intrusion."

Ye Mo grew wary. He suspected something more was afoot. A level-eight golden core cultivator calling him "brother"? He feared someone had witnessed his fight with Gu Yicheng, perhaps even his use of Heaven Fire. His instincts warned him of Wang Pu's impure intentions.

Ye Mo smiled, giving a polite bow. "Just minor tricks."

Wang Pu shook his head. "Brother Ye, you're too humble. Though you used a hidden method, I sensed the scorching—" He abruptly changed the subject, "I only know your surname is Ye. What's your full name?"

Before Ye Mo could answer, a cold voice cut through the air. "What's the meaning of this, Wang Pu?"

Ye Mo's cold gaze met Qiu Xue and Wang Pu's, disgust evident in his eyes. He realized Wang Pu's presence stemmed from Qiu Xue.

Ignoring them, Ye Mo bowed to Guo Qifan and his companions. "Brother Guo, Yan Qi, Martial Sister Ding, we'll meet again." He then leaped onto his kitchen knife and departed.

Wang Pu's face turned green. He was stunned by the disrespect from a level-one golden core cultivator. However, he didn't pursue immediately, having already marked Ye Mo with his spirit sense.

Seeing Ye Mo's disgusted look, Qiu Xue felt uneasy, though she believed he was playing hard to get. She pursued him on her flying sword, leaving Yang Rou behind.

Ye Mo, confident he could outrun Qiu Xue at full speed, still halted, puzzled by her pursuit in front of so many witnesses. Qiu Xue calmly approached.

"You gave me a precious pill," she began, "perhaps knowing I couldn't refuse. And that pill is vital to me. I'll grant one request, if reasonable. Tell me."

Ye Mo realized her arrogance persisted, believing he was vying for her attention. He hadn't given her anything particularly precious—only some low-grade golden core pills he had in abundance. He even questioned why such pills would be so valuable to a seven-star sect member. He then understood; high-level spirit herbs were scarce, requiring sect contribution points, and his pills were special grade, a feat only pill kings achieved. He hadn't given it much thought, given his recent access to many high-level spirit herbs.

He wouldn't ask for the pills back, but her misunderstanding irked him.

"My questions are answered. I need nothing further. Leave me be." Ye Mo mounted Zi Xu and vanished.

Yang Rou caught up and found Qiu Xue in a daze. "Sister Xue, what happened? Why did he leave? Did you make it clear how ridiculous his behavior is?"

Qiu Xue shook her head, unsure of Ye Mo's intentions; it didn't seem like he was playing hard to get.

After Ye Mo's departure, Guo Qifan and the others left as well.

"Martial Brother, will Qiu Xue trouble Brother Ye?" Yan Qi asked.

Guo Qifan shook his head. "I've heard of Qiu Xue. She avoids killing. She likely has other business with Brother Ye. Besides, after seeing him kill Gu Yicheng, I doubt he fears her."

Ding Ling opened her bottles. "Let's see what Brother Ye gave me. Huh?!"

Guo Qifan and Yan Qi rushed over.

"A top-grade cultivation-increasing pill and special-grade condense red pills! This is incredible!" For five-star sect members, these were invaluable.

Guo Qifan and Yan Qi checked their pills. "I got twelve condense red pills," said Yan Qi.

"We owe him greatly," Yan Qi murmured.

Guo Qifan stowed the pills. "Keep this quiet. Brother Ye isn't ordinary. We owe him far more than just saving Martial Sister. Let's keep it to ourselves."

Yan Qi and Ding Ling agreed, and the three sped away.

Ye Mo stopped nearby, changed clothes, and cleansed himself. He'd faced similar situations before. He resisted setting a trap for Wang Pu; if Wang Pu died, Guo Qifan and the others would be suspected.

Shortly after Ye Mo's departure, Wang Pu appeared, his face green. "Cunning brat."