Chapter 966: Follow

Jia Renjiu, already displeased with Ming Yujiang's exorbitant prices and his own recent trade with Ye Mo (a top-grade flying spirit artifact for a crisp green vine), confronted him: "Ming Yujiang, I hear you're breaking the social's rules. Do you think I can't kill you?"

Ming Yujiang, intimidated, subsided. Sun Houchang, however, remained unconvinced that Ye Mo lacked the Du Lan Chun Xiao. His failure to sabotage Ye Mo only intensified his hatred upon learning of Ye Mo's possession of blue wen pills, finally understanding Li Jingwen's earlier request for blue wen herbs. He resolved to kill Ye Mo, enlisting Ming Yujiang's aid afterward. Even without this help, he felt confident in victory with Li Jingwen on his side.

Despite his intent to kill Ye Mo later, Sun Houchang seized the present opportunity. "Dao friend Jia, esteemed Dao friends, that golden core state level two cultivator clearly stated Dao friend Ming could choose one of two options, yet now refuses. Isn't this a blatant challenge to our social's rules?" He then addressed Ye Mo directly: "A mere golden core state level two daring to defy our rules! Even if others forgive you, I will not. Though a spirit pill master, and not a combatant, I demand justice!"

Sun Houchang's words, a calculated appeal to the assembly, were transparently self-serving. No one present was foolish; they understood his maneuver. While some felt no need for Sun Houchang's assistance, none wished to offend a spirit pill master over a trivial matter. Even Jia Renjiu remained silent.

Ye Mo responded coldly to Sun Houchang: "Scum, show me what you've got."

Sun Houchang, enraged, was about to retort, but Big Sister Lian intervened, cutting him short: "Sun, a measly level six spirit pill master, what's there to boast about? What concerns you? Ming Yujiang clearly rejected the bid. Are you deaf, or do you think everyone else is? The Dao friend called you scum, and even scum is too kind a word."

Sun Houchang, his face ashen, dared not challenge Big Sister Lian's superior power. He knew his network, built on his pill-making skills, consisted largely of inferior cultivators. A level seven spirit pill master would have commanded a far different reception.

Big Sister Lian's words sparked a wave of derision. All knew Ming Yujiang and Sun Houchang would pursue Ye Mo later, but no one intervened. Sun Houchang, though fuming, remained seated, biding his time until the social's conclusion.

The social concluded swiftly, with few additional bids from Ye Mo, who had already made his presence known. Sun Houchang's frustration deepened, noticing Li Jingwen did not produce the blue wen herbs.

At daybreak, the cultivators departed Miao Xiang Tower. Li Jingwen approached Ye Mo, stating, "Brother Ye, I have nowhere to go. If you don't mind, I'll follow you."

Ye Mo understood Li Jingwen's concern—fear of ambush by Ming Yujiang and Sun Houchang—and also his underlying ambition, seeking to benefit from association with a pill king. Trusting Li Jingwen's character, Ye Mo cautioned, "Brother Li, I'm in hiding. The forces hunting me are far greater than you can imagine. Staying with me may bring misfortune."

Li Jingwen replied, "Brother Ye, without this courage, I'm unworthy to follow a pill king. Even reaching the peak of the golden core stage, nascent soul remains a distant prospect. I may as well follow you."

Ye Mo agreed. He revealed his plan to travel to Pei Hai City, but was awaiting instructions from Big Sister Lian concerning the Du Lan Chun Xiao outside the city. He suggested they might separate after obtaining it.

Li Jingwen concurred, suggesting they retrieve the Du Lan Chun Xiao together, then part ways, meeting later in Pei Hai City, anticipating pursuit by Ming Yujiang and Sun Houchang.

They found Big Sister Lian waiting near a small garden east of Gan Shuo City. She presented Ye Mo with a jade box containing eight Du Lan Chun Xiao. Ye Mo, in turn, offered payment – the initially agreed-upon three blue wen pills, plus an additional two and a spirit crystal.

Big Sister Lian, surprised by the generous addition, commented on Ye Mo's eloquence. Upon discovering the pills were special grade, her astonishment deepened. Ye Mo's calm demeanor revealed his indifference to her initial price; his interest lay elsewhere. Big Sister Lian, intrigued by this golden core state level two cultivator, made a suggestive offer of assistance.

Ye Mo, aware of Ming Yujiang and Sun Houchang's pursuit, was about to decline, but the arrival of a third party changed his mind.