Chapter 955: Scamming Each Other

Just as Ye Mo sat down, a surge of furious energy filled the hall. “Kid, where’s the ruin’s key? Get it out now!” a voice roared, its tone like grinding metal.

Ye Mo felt a wave of relief. This was indeed a seal. He couldn't see the speaker or gauge their power, only their immense anger and his own insignificance. His relief stemmed from the certainty that the being was still sealed; otherwise, he'd be dead.

He took a life essence pill, then rose. “This is a ruin? I see only an empty hall. Aren't ruins supposed to be full of treasures?”

The voice sneered. “Insolent brat! Return the key to its place; the ruin will open, revealing the treasures. You haven't even opened it yet!”

Ye Mo sneered. This was clearly a seal, yet this entity claimed it was an ancient ruin. He didn't need to argue, though; his priority was escape, not proving the other wrong.

“I won't believe it's a ruin until I see the treasures,” Ye Mo said, strolling around the hexagonal hall.

The voice, sensing Ye Mo's lack of seriousness, fell silent for a moment. The anger subsided somewhat. “What treasures do you want?” The tone, though less furious, remained sharp.

Ye Mo pondered. Who had released the key, tricking him into nearly opening this seal and losing his life? Yet, perhaps he could leverage this entity's words.

“A method to accelerate cultivation! And an escape technique. If I can't defeat my enemies, I need to run,” Ye Mo said.

The voice sneered. “Such things are plentiful within the ruin. Open it, and you'll have whatever you desire.”

Ye Mo ignored the remark, continuing his search for an exit. A moment later, a clap echoed; two objects fell into a corner. He telepathically retrieved them: a heaven-grade level 5 five-element mobility cultivation method and a bottle of pills with a potent, unfamiliar aroma.

The voice spoke again. “That's a heaven-grade level 5 five-element mobility method, common within the ruin. The pills are Heaven Ascension Pills; one bottle allows you to reach the peak of the Golden Core stage within half a year.”

Ye Mo was astounded. Even with blue wen pills and daily spirit marrow pond immersion, that wouldn't be possible. The Heaven Ascension Pills were incredibly potent.

He didn't doubt their efficacy, but that didn't mean he'd use them. He'd prefer to refine such pills himself, wary of tampering. The five-element mobility method, however, was greatly appealing.

He stowed the pills and method, feeling somewhat relieved. Seeing Ye Mo still hadn't retrieved the key, the voice grew impatient. “Why haven't you opened the ruin yet?”

Ye Mo surveyed his surroundings. “A flying cultivation artifact would be nice. Does the ruin contain any?” He craved a middle-grade flying spirit artifact, but a cultivation artifact would be far superior.

The voice scoffed. “Flying cultivation artifacts are common. Don't think I'm trying to trick you. I need something from within as well: a level 9 spirit herb, the Immortal Curl Flower. There are plenty; I just need one. Being a spiritual body, I can't approach it, so I need your help. You give me one after you obtain it.”

Ye Mo sneered. A mixture of truth and lies. He sensed the entity knew about his Rare Flame and his pill-master skills.

The Immortal Curl Flower, a level 9 spirit herb surpassing that classification – an Immortal Herb – was a coveted treasure, especially for its body-building properties. Ghost cultivators or spiritual bodies could create perfect physical forms with it, and even non-ghost cultivators had a chance to rebuild their bodies. It was legendary, with none ever found before. However, a weak spiritual body without a ghost core would be devoured if it approached the flower. They could only use already plucked flowers. This entity hoped to make Ye Mo believe he was weak and easily manipulated.

Regardless, Ye Mo remained unconvinced.

“So, you haven’t formed a ghost core yet?” Ye Mo asked pointedly.

The voice hesitated. “But I’ll form one within a few decades.”

Only a fool would believe that. Ye Mo shook his head. “Actually, I’m only interested in a flying cultivation artifact.”

The entity realized Ye Mo was lying, that everything was a ploy, and perhaps he even knew this was a seal. Yet, Ye Mo was his only hope. “This is a level 10 Nine Feathers Golden Perch. Its feathers can create extreme-grade cultivation artifacts. My power is limited; I can't move some of the artifacts.”

Ye Mo immediately snatched the feather, its azure brilliance and immense power stunning him. He carefully placed it in a jade box within his golden page world.

Ignoring him again, the voice exploded. “Will you open the ruin already?!”

“Extreme-grade spirit stones would be interesting. Are there any?” Ye Mo exclaimed with feigned excitement.

“Insect! Are you mocking me?” the voice finally lost its patience.

Ye Mo, seeing he could extract no more, turned cold. “Are you a ghost? A ghost who can see my Rare Flame?”

“When did I see that?” the voice instinctively replied.

“Then how did you know I’m a pill master?” Ye Mo pressed.

The voice, realizing its mistake, fell silent. Ye Mo had deduced his ability to sense the Rare Flame after the mention of the Immortal Curl Flower. His cunning was evident.

The voice conceded. “You’re right. I shouldn’t have mentioned the Immortal Curl Flower.”

Ye Mo sneered. “Even without that, I wouldn't break the seal. A ruin? You can fool others, but not me.”