Chapter 971: Jingwen Wakes Up
Shadowless, instead of consuming essence blood, nestled on Ye Mo's hand and fell asleep. Ye Mo deposited Shadowless in the golden page world and began collecting the spoils. Li Jingwen had already slain the Foundation Establishment cultivator and was engaged with two primary-stage and one mid-stage Golden Core cultivators, yet held the advantage.
The bandits, incredulous at their leader's swift defeat, found themselves overwhelmed after Ye Mo eliminated the level-nine Golden Core cultivator. Their advantage lost, and their leader dead, they attempted a desperate retreat, but Li Jingwen swiftly dispatched the two primary-stage Golden Core cultivators. Ye Mo then finished off the remaining mid-stage cultivator.
As Ye Mo rejoined the battle, Li Jingwen confessed, "My combat prowess is too weak. If I were stronger, this wouldn't have dragged on so long."
Ye Mo shook his head. "These bandits are experienced fighters. Unless you significantly surpass them, the outcome remains uncertain. Your current cultivation method also plays a role, but don't worry. Once you reach Nascent Soul stage, I'll provide a superior method."
"I can reach Nascent Soul?" Li Jingwen asked, overjoyed.
Ye Mo smiled. "Of course." He'd already committed to helping Li Jingwen; failing to elevate such a talented cultivator to Nascent Soul would be a disgrace to his title of Pill King.
Li Jingwen, suppressing his excitement, remained silent. His primary goal in following Ye Mo was advancement, and Ye Mo's assurance removed any doubt.
"Wait here. I'll inspect that flying ship," Ye Mo said, landing on the bandits' vessel. A mid-grade spirit artifact was invaluable.
Inside, he discovered a sizable ship with nearly twenty rooms and a large storage depot brimming with spirit stones, magical artifacts, ores, and herbs—all of which he swiftly transferred to his ring. The bandits likely stored the loot for distribution among their cultivators.
Ye Mo found only one occupied room: a captive Foundation Establishment primary-stage cultivator. He couldn't understand why the bandits held him prisoner. The cultivator, eyes filled with despair, looked up in shock upon seeing Ye Mo.
"You're Ye Qianbei? Ye Mo Ye Qianbei?" he gasped.
Confused, Ye Mo didn't recognize him. The cultivator quickly explained, "Ye Qianbei, I know you. I arrived via the Xin Jia Mountain teleportation formation; I hail from the Magical Continents. I've long admired your power since your exploits on the Magical Continent Mountain."
Ye Mo realized, "So you're from the inner hidden sects?"
"Yes, I'm Yu Qiyang of the Liu Li Sect. After the Xin Jia Mountain teleportation formation activated, I traveled with others. I was fortunate to meet a kind Golden Core master who instructed me. However, these bandits killed my master two months ago…"
Yu Qiyang paused, staring at Ye Mo in shock. "Ye Qianbei, this ship belongs to bandits… why are you…"
Ye Mo understood. "I'm not a bandit; they intercepted my ship, so I eliminated them. I simply found you here. But how did you survive after they killed your master?"
Yu Qiyang, dazed, stared, momentarily forgetting to answer. After a long silence, he asked, "Ye Qianbei, are you already a Nascent Soul cultivator?" He quickly corrected himself. "Thank you for avenging me, Ye Qianbei."
Ye Mo prevented him from kneeling, awaiting his explanation; Yu Qiyang was his senior.
"I studied formations in the Liu Li Sect, and the bandit leader, learning of my knowledge, kept me to discuss formations," Yu Qiyang explained.
Ye Mo understood; the leader kept him alive to further his understanding of sword formations. Yu Qiyang's achievement of Foundation Establishment in a single year was remarkable.
"Is your talent exceptional?" Ye Mo asked, curious about his own stagnation at Golden Core level two, a level achieved only after many life-or-death struggles.
Yu Qiyang shook his head. "While my talent isn't poor, my rapid advancement is due to my master, who taught me a method to transform inner qi into cultivation chi, saving considerable time."
Ye Mo nodded; Yu Qiyang's master was indeed clever.
"I'll take this ship. What are your plans?" Ye Mo inquired.
"I wish to follow Ye Qianbei. I know no one here; you're the only person I know," Yu Qiyang replied.
"Very well," Ye Mo agreed. Expanding China Pharmaceuticals required more personnel; Yu Qiyang's formation knowledge made him a valuable asset.
…
Ye Mo piloted the bandit ship, bringing Yu Qiyang to his own vessel and introducing him to Li Jingwen. Yu Qiyang's knowledge and affinity for flying ships led Li Jingwen to allow him to operate the ship while providing guidance and cultivation advice.
Upon returning, Ye Mo immediately began concocting pills. Combining Du Lan Chun Xiao with other herbs, utilizing his whirlpool method and stalagmite marrow, he created a new pill – six on his first attempt. Their aromatic scent indicated no loss of potency. After testing one, he felt the potent spirit silk reach his soul, strengthening it.
"Indeed potent, heaven-grade level one," Ye Mo exclaimed, naming it the Du Stalagmite Pill. He anxiously administered one to Su Jingwen, his nervousness palpable. He waited, concern mounting as minutes passed with no response. Just as he was about to examine her, she opened her eyes. Relief washed over him, but he allowed her time to recover.