Chapter 945: Really Dare to Leave

Ye Mo found a secluded spot and erected a formation to examine his spoils. His ring overflowed with herbs, which he sorted and transferred to a separate ring. He sent the more valuable herbs to the Golden Page World. Large quantities of spirit stones, pills, and spirit artifacts were piled together; aside from the crocodile scissors and the flag, he intended to sell the rest. The most valuable ores were Vibrant Sun True Metal and a top-grade pile of Star Sand.

The peak Golden Core cultivator possessed 400,000 top-grade spirit stones, but Ye Mo was most astonished by the sheer volume of spirit herbs—more than his own collection, though of lesser value. His acquisition of such precious herbs was directly attributable to the Mist Valley. Upon discovering over 170 spirit crystals, Ye Mo surmised the cultivator’s wealth stemmed from robbing those in the Spirit Marrow Pond.

Further examination of the cultivator’s storage rings revealed 1.5 million top-grade spirit stones, 2.6 million mid-grade spirit stones, and fewer than 3 million low-grade spirit stones. Ye Mo concluded this individual had been the wealthiest Golden Core cultivator.

He stored his finds and casually searched for more herbs, aware the valley's closure was imminent. With a few days remaining, he crafted several level-two formation disks, including a defense formation and four attack formations. He aspired to create higher-level disks, but his resources were limited, and the process was far more challenging than constructing formations directly.

He felt safe within the valley, but knew danger awaited outside. Those who paid him toll, and especially the bitter-faced cultivator, sought his death. He wasn't concerned about the cultivator alone, but feared potential reinforcements.

Several thousand kilometers away, a bitter-faced cultivator wore a grim expression. Besides collecting herbs, his primary mission was to kill Ye Mo and deliver his belongings to Elder Feng of the Immortal Treasure Tower. Elder Feng believed Ye Mo possessed some secret, enabling his rise to the top of the pill concoction hall of fame.

He'd anticipated an easy task, having planted numerous spirit sense markers on Ye Mo. However, he'd failed to locate Ye Mo and lost his subordinate, He Chong, in the process. This failure gnawed at him, knowing his value to Elder Feng would plummet if he remained unsuccessful. His time was nearly up.

Indeed, time was up. White lights enveloped the cultivators as they were teleported out.

Emerging from the valley, Ye Mo encountered a massive crowd pressing against the valley entrance. Even more stalls had sprung up, each advertising the collection of spirit herbs and materials.

He dared not use the Nine Transformations, fearing the Black and White Masters he'd evaded—Hollow Spirit cultivators. The sheer number of people compelled him to leave immediately. However, he was instantly surrounded by eager merchants.

"I work for the All Spirit Hall!" "I'm from the Herb Cauldron Sect! We'll pay top price for your herbs!"

After finally escaping the throng, a beautiful woman appeared. "Ye Mo, I knew those people couldn't harm you. You didn't disappoint me."

Ye Mo, eyeing Liu Yuetang and her three martial sisters, remained vigilant. He replied calmly, "I'm merely profiting from my labor. Without me, you would have perished in the mist. Though I doubt you believe me."

He had indeed helped them, yet they all intended to kill and rob him. Had he known, he would have forgone the toll.

Liu Yuetang smiled, offering no response; she clearly believed they could have escaped even without his formation repairs.

Ye Mo stated flatly, "I have no spirit herbs. Attack me if you wish, but I'm leaving."

Qiqi suddenly spoke, "Martial Brother Ye, I believe you."

"Qiqi? You—" Qin Muxin stared, shocked. They knew Qiqi's ability to discern truth from falsehood; she sensed Ye Mo's honesty.

Qiqi continued, "Martial Brother Ye, you misunderstand my martial sister. Combat is forbidden within the valley; they must wait until outside. My sister simply wishes to invite you to our sect. We won't harm you, but others might."

Ye Mo's spirit sense detected Ji Zhiyuan, glaring at him. Though he hadn't yet approached, Ye Mo knew Ji Zhiyuan would pursue him if he left.

Ye Mo's spirit sense also located the bitter-faced cultivator, who wasn't currently focused on him, but Ye Mo knew an attack was imminent, having sensed the cultivator's spirit sense scans multiple times. Another observer was a level-eight Golden Core cultivator from the God Sword Sect.

Unexpectedly, while others merely watched, Zhe Qiushui of the Dual Heart Sect approached, saluting him. "Brother Ye, I knew I'd see you soon. Please visit Dual Heart Valley when you have time. I greatly respect and thank you for saving my life."

"You harbor no enmity?" Ye Mo looked at Zhe Qiushui strangely, recalling taking half his herbs.

Zhe Qiushui laughed. "I admire your talent, those herbs are insignificant! Besides, you saved my life."

Ye Mo, sensing the man's sincerity, nodded. "I will visit Dual Heart Valley if time allows."

Liu Yuetang approached again, smiling. "Brother Ye, you're quite remarkable. Zhe Qiushui is proud; you took his herbs, yet he still holds you in high regard."

Seeing Ye Mo's impatience, Liu Yuetang smiled. "Martial Brother Ye, our sect sincerely invites you. If you leave, Ji Zhiyuan won't let you go, but he dares not approach our sect. Even offending the Ghost Immortal Sect holds no fear for us."

Ye Mo weighed his options. Ji Zhiyuan, from a five-star sect, wouldn't be his only pursuer. However, Liu Yuetang's words implied a favor she expected repaid. Accepting meant acknowledging the debt.

Qin Muxin sighed, understanding Ye Mo well. Her senior sister hadn't even helped him, yet already planned to extract repayment. Knowing Ye Mo's nature, she knew refusal was inevitable.

Indeed, Ye Mo sneered. "Thank you, Senior Sister, for your good intentions, but I require no protection. Farewell."

He then soared into the sky on Zi Xu. He didn't disdain the women of her sect, but Liu Yuetang's intentions were too transparent.

Liu Yuetang murmured, "He really dares to leave?"