Chapter 942: Insolent

The Herb Valley's vastness disoriented Ye Mo, who journeyed north, collecting herbs as he went. This Desert Herb Valley proved a natural treasure trove. Even without seeking specific locations, he discovered abundant level three and four herbs, along with several level five specimens.

Though heading north, Ye Mo instinctively avoided his previous path, still wary of the terrifying black mist. Greater power might tempt him to study it, but for now, distance was his only defense.

On his seventh day, Ye Mo's spirit sense detected cultivation essence fluctuations. Curiosity piqued, he investigated. Discovering a peak Golden Core cultivator battling a masked woman, he immediately intervened.

His heart pounded. He recognized the Golden Core cultivator—the powerful individual from the spirit marrow pond, who had acquired at least one hundred spirit crystals. This was an opportunity he couldn't miss, especially considering his near-death encounter with the man.

Ye Mo masked his cultivation level, appearing as a Foundation Establishment level seven cultivator. He anticipated the Golden Core cultivator would believe this, and thus wouldn't suspect anything.

Both combatants observed Ye Mo's approach, intrigued by the Foundation Establishment level seven cultivator. The Golden Core cultivator's fascination was understandable; Ye Mo suspected that if he left, the man would abandon the woman to pursue him.

However, the masked woman's shocked expression puzzled him. Seeing Ye Mo remain, the battle resumed, intensified by his presence, as if both sides sought a swift resolution.

Ye Mo assessed the woman's strength: a Golden Core level seven cultivator, whose fierce battle with the peak Golden Core cultivator indicated considerable skill. His keen battle sense, however, predicted the peak Golden Core cultivator's imminent victory.

Yet, Ye Mo didn't intervene; his priority remained the hundred or so spirit crystals possessed by the peak Golden Core cultivator—a substantial fortune. With sufficient spirit crystals, he could swiftly reach the Golden Core middle stage, a prospect that delighted him.

Simultaneously, Ye Mo acknowledged his current inability to match the peak Golden Core cultivator. While they battled, he discreetly laid out formations around them.

The two Golden Core cultivators found amusement in a Foundation Establishment level seven cultivator deploying formation flags and top-grade spirit stones. In their estimation, such a low-level cultivator's formations would pose no threat. They deemed Ye Mo's actions insolent.

With a rumble, the masked woman was flung backward, impacting the recently completed defensive formation, causing a slight tremor. The formation activated, glowing a bright yellow, effectively sealing both cultivators within its faint yellow light.

The masked woman, dazed, stared at Ye Mo, blood smeared on her lips, "You deployed a level three formation? You're a level three formation master?"

Ye Mo sneered. A level three formation was trivial; given sufficient time and resources, he could construct a level four formation. He had also incorporated a stealth attack formation.

The peak Golden Core cultivator adopted a serious expression. He disregarded Ye Mo's Foundation Establishment power, but the level three formation demanded his caution. Though confident of victory, he avoided complacency.

"What do you want?" the masked woman coldly inquired.

Ye Mo replied calmly, "I have no quarrel with you. I'll release you, but I have business with him. I require something from him."

The masked woman, though amused by Ye Mo's statement, didn't laugh. She understood that one who effortlessly deployed level three formations was no ordinary cultivator. Her master had warned her against antagonizing formation masters. Ye Mo clearly fit that description, and her recall of his past displays of prowess further solidified her respect.

She nodded and left the formation, its inaction confirming the Foundation Establishment cultivator's control. Ye Mo remained unconcerned; even without formations, he wasn't afraid of a Golden Core level seven cultivator. Escape was always an option.

"You've got guts. I haven't sought you out, yet you dare approach me?" the peak Golden Core cultivator sneered.

Ye Mo smiled, "You haven't sought me? I suspect you've been searching everywhere."

"Give me the magic artifact containing the spirit marrow, and you may leave. I'll touch nothing else," the cultivator offered unexpectedly.

"Hand over your storage ring, and I offer the same promise," Ye Mo calmly replied.

He deployed another formation flag, shrouding the area in mist. The Golden Core cultivator's visibility and spirit sense were significantly impaired.

Alarmed, the cultivator produced and deployed a colored flag, which expanded to ten meters, casting an ominous pall over the sky. Ye Mo instinctively shivered at the change.

Ye Mo noted the cultivator had only used a hammer-like magic artifact against the masked woman. He pondered why both Gu Yicheng and this man had reserved their most potent abilities for him, while only using standard moves against others. His Foundation Establishment level seven facade remained in effect.

Ye Mo deployed numerous formation flags and Zi Xu. Direct confrontation with a peak Golden Core cultivator's cultivation essence was suicide; strategic formation use was his only hope. Suppression via formations, followed by Shadowless's slow torment, was his strategy. Shadowless had felled a peak Golden Core cultivator before, reducing Ye Mo's apprehension. This situation was far more advantageous than his encounter with Li Changsheng.

Following the flag's deployment, a rumble echoed as dozens of yellow rays erupted from the formation, striking the flag. The mist intensified, and the peak Golden Core cultivator reacted with shock as his flag, a recently completed soul-stealing artifact crafted from living souls, was suppressed by the formation.

Suddenly, countless purple sword rays streaked towards his face. The masked woman, observing the formation's furious activity, was astounded. When had this Foundation Establishment cultivator become so powerful?