Chapter 951: Enemies Meet Again
Ye Mo watched them leave, then waited a day before carefully packing his belongings. He took the jade card and departed, finally able to rest easy. By directing the Ghost Immortal Sect members to Xia Shan City, Li Yuqian and his associates had lost a significant enemy.
Ye Mo longed to go to Pei Hai City, but knew he needed to bolster his strength. Though a level two Golden Core cultivator, capable of facing even a level eight opponent, he had numerous, far stronger adversaries. He resolved to go to the All Herb Mountain Ranges.
The All Herb Mountain Ranges, one of the North Far State's ten largest mountain ranges, served as a proving ground for lower-level sect members. Ye Mo had previously obtained the Rainbow Golden Lotus there, achieving Foundation Establishment, and it was also where he’d killed Li Bailin. Lacking his flying pike, travel was inconvenient. While Zi Xu was swift, the pike saved considerable time and effort. He planned to acquire a superior flying artifact in a larger city.
Many days later, Ye Mo returned to the All Herb Mountain Ranges. Despite the constant presence of low-level sect members undergoing trials, much of the area remained unexplored. His map detailed the ranges' depths. He spent three days navigating to the marked location, skillfully avoiding several level-five beasts. He felt confident in facing such beasts, but a confrontation would attract unwanted attention.
The spiritual energy was dense, but Ye Mo expected even greater concentration near the ruins he sought. Instead, the marked spot was barren, composed only of rock and peaks. The map indicated the entrance was near a large stalagmite. Just as he was about to investigate, he sensed cultivation essence fluctuations.
Someone was present. Ye Mo detected four cultivators, all stronger than himself. He immediately concealed himself. All four were Golden Core cultivators, soon arriving at the location. They appeared to be searching for something.
Three men and a woman comprised the group. The woman, young yet cold, possessed striking beauty and elegantly styled hair. She was at least a level seven Golden Core cultivator. Of the two men before her, one was strikingly handsome—Zhang Chengfeng, the River State City lord, to Ye Mo's shock. Ye Mo despised the hypocrite who’d taken his pill but offered no reciprocal aid. Zhang Chengfeng had advanced from level six to level seven Golden Core.
The leading man projected an air of innocent sincerity. A level eight Golden Core cultivator, he seemed unremarkable, yet his arrogance was evident. He appeared to be the leader, though Ye Mo sensed a greater threat from the man behind him.
That old man, also a level eight Golden Core cultivator, possessed a stooped posture and emanated a palpable sense of danger. All four were tertiary-stage Golden Core cultivators; none were at peak or middle stage.
Ye Mo's confusion regarding their presence was broken by Zhang Chengfeng's inquiry: "Brother Fei, we've searched five days. Have you perhaps misremembered the location?"
The seemingly honest man replied calmly, "No. I learned of this accidentally. The individual opposing me fled the market after killing a Foundation Establishment cultivator, Gu Yuhuo, stealing his Nine Creviced Sword and a map to ancient ruins. The map indicated the All Herb Ranges, but the young man isn't here."
The cold woman interjected, "But after this long search, could your informant have been mistaken?"
"No, he's Gu Yuhuo's brother, a mere Chi Gathering cultivator. I soul-searched him; he didn't lie," Fei affirmed.
Ye Mo recognized Fei Cijiang, the Hidden Sword Sect cultivator who’d previously contested the Stone Stool at Nan Shan Market. He'd been surprised by Fei’s seemingly innocent demeanor. The disguise of Nine Transformations had saved him from detection.
Understanding how Fei Cijiang knew of him, Ye Mo remained silent as the others continued their search. The presence of the others would be tolerable, but he intensely desired Fei Cijiang’s death.
As Ye Mo hesitated, the old man gazed at the large stalagmite. "There's a concealed formation beneath," he said, "Let me open it." They'd found the location, but Ye Mo remained unperturbed; they lacked the key.
"Haha, a hidden formation indeed! Brother Luo found the right person. Who else would set a formation here?" Zhang Chengfeng chuckled, attacking the formation with his sword.
The formation vanished, revealing a stone door.
"A spatial portal!" the old man exclaimed excitedly.
"A spatial portal! We're rich!" Fei Cijiang's hysterical laughter clashed with his innocent façade. Even the woman and Zhang Chengfeng showed excitement.
Zhang Chengfeng quickly regained composure. "What now?"
Fei Cijiang ceased his laughter. "Brother Luo, set a hidden formation outside the portal. Let's enter first."
The old man nodded, deploying formation flags. Fifteen minutes later, a new hidden formation concealed the four and the door from Ye Mo's sight.
Confirming their entry, Ye Mo emerged. The simplicity of the concealing formation surrounding the complex spatial portal struck him as odd. Many inconsistencies existed, but he pressed on, knowing the old man’s barely level three formation wouldn’t deter him. Ye Mo entered, setting a trap formation outside the hidden formation before proceeding.