Chapter 946: Hunting Ye Mo

“Huh?!” Guang Wei shrieked, seizing Liu Yuetang’s hand. “Big Martial Sister, help him! Ji Zhiyuan’s gone, and others will hunt him!”

Qin Muxin looked expectantly at Liu Yuetang.

Liu Yuetang sighed. “Master and the elders are here; let’s go see them.” Guang Wei and the others turned, seeing their master and sect elders. Helping Ye Mo became impractical.

Ye Mo, upon fleeing, sensed Ji Zhiyuan's pursuit, accompanied by two others. Ji Zhiyuan was at the peak Golden Core stage; his companions, both tertiary Golden Core stage cultivators. Even with formation disks, killing three tertiary Golden Core cultivators proved impossible; his disks were only ordinary level two. A level four disk would have sufficed; even a level three would have eliminated Ji Zhiyuan. The critical issue was the lack of time to prepare a level three formation, compounded by their superior numbers.

Sensing Ji Zhiyuan's closing distance, Ye Mo knew he needed to act decisively. He surged forward. Ji Zhiyuan sneered; a mere primary Golden Core cultivator couldn't escape him.

Ye Mo accelerated, seeking a hiding place to ambush them. Neutralizing the two others first would leave him confident against Ji Zhiyuan using his formation disks. Unexpectedly, a powerful cultivation essence approached rapidly.

Ye Mo's heart sank. Further flight was futile; he halted.

A man, appearing to be in his fifties and at the peak Golden Core stage, on the verge of soul formation, materialized before him—no weaker than, perhaps even stronger than, Ji Zhiyuan.

“You’re Ye Mo, the pill concoction hall’s number one?” The man showed no aggression.

Ye Mo nodded. Ji Zhiyuan and his companions arrived, subtly encircling Ye Mo and the newcomer.

Ji Zhiyuan, recognizing the man, his face changed. He saluted. “Elder Yan of the Immortal Treasure Tower! What brings you here?”

Ye Mo pondered, ‘Yan Zheng’s support?’ He saluted. “Qianbei, do you know Yan Zheng?” He needed to understand their connection.

The man smiled. “I am Yan Jun. Zheng’er spoke of you; I didn’t expect you to be at the primary Golden Core stage already. He has good judgment. We’re both Golden Core cultivators; call me Elder Yan.”

Ye Mo rejoiced. Yan Jun owed him a favor through Yan Zheng. He had given Yan Zheng a pill concoction opportunity.

“Thank you, Elder Yan,” Ye Mo saluted.

With Yan Jun's aid, he planned to eliminate the two tertiary Golden Core cultivators, then assist Yan Jun against Ji Zhiyuan.

Ji Zhiyuan's expression darkened; Yan Jun was aiding Ye Mo.

Yan Jun saluted Ji Zhiyuan. “Daofriend Ji, regardless of your conflict with Ye Mo, please let it go for my sake—”

“Hahaha!” Ji Zhiyuan laughed coldly. “Elder Yan, this concerns the Ghost Immortal Sect. I represent them. Can you represent the Immortal Treasure Tower to fight me?”

Yan Jun’s face fell. He could barely maintain his position within the Immortal Treasure Tower, let alone represent it. Fighting the Ghost Immortal Sect would be suicide. Yet, Ye Mo's invaluable gift necessitated protection. He concluded he couldn't intervene. Ji Zhiyuan's killing intent suggested Ye Mo's apology would be insufficient; moreover, he knew Ye Mo wouldn't apologize. Yan Jun regretted his arrival.

Seeing Yan Jun's distress, Ye Mo spoke. “Elder Yan, this doesn't involve you. I doubt Ji Zhiyuan can harm me.”

Yan Jun said, “I only represent myself. I delayed Ye Mo, allowing you to catch up. Even without helping him, I can’t stop him for you, can I?”

Unexpectedly, Ji Zhiyuan smiled. “Thank you, Elder Yan. I won’t force your hand. I’ll give him thirty seconds. You stalled him for about ten, correct?”

“Indeed,” Yan Jun sighed, relieved. Thirty seconds was negligible, but it saved face.

“Ye Mo, this is all I can do. I’m sorry,” Yan Jun turned.

Ji Zhiyuan sneered silently.

Ye Mo understood the sneer: a spirit sense mark. He didn't fault Yan Jun; he couldn't oppose the Ghost Immortal Sect. His intervention was already considerable. “Thank you, Elder Yan. Goodbye,” Ye Mo said, speeding off.

After Ye Mo departed, Yan Jun waited twenty seconds before leaving, ignoring Ji Zhiyuan. Ji Zhiyuan followed swiftly.

Ye Mo used ten seconds to flee and ten to establish a formation base. He felt Ji Zhiyuan's pursuit.

Ye Mo was furious. Ji Zhiyuan had lied! It hadn't been twenty-five seconds.

He abandoned the unfinished formation, retreated, removed the spirit sense mark, and concealed himself.

Ji Zhiyuan arrived, ignoring Ye Mo's location, launching his flying sword.

Ye Mo moved—not toward Ji Zhiyuan, but the two tertiary Golden Core cultivators behind him.