Chapter 978: Standing Ground in Pei Hai

Fifteen minutes later, Li Yuqian's pale face flushed. She felt her nascent soul breaking free, a long-forgotten sense of freedom surging as the frost receded.

Li Yuqian looked at Ye Mo with surprise and joy. His actions astonished her; the injury that had plagued her for half a year vanished completely. Even though the frost wasn't as potent as initially, Ye Mo's ability to dispel it with only the power of a Golden Core state level two cultivator was remarkable. His cultivation essence likely rivaled that of a Golden Core state level seven or eight cultivator, she mused.

When Ye Mo removed his hand from her wrist, she'd recovered approximately 80% of her power. Immediately rising, she circulated her cultivation essence, then said with gratitude, “Ye Mo, thank you. You continually surprise me; there seems to be no problem you can't solve.”

Ye Mo, equally pleased, bowed. “Sister Li, I should be thanking you. Without you, Song Yangzhu and the others wouldn't be here.” He knew Li Yuqian, if she chose to flee, could not be stopped even by two Nascent Soul state cultivators. Her injury stemmed from protecting Song Yangzhu and Ye Ling.

He then presented her with two bottles. “Sister Li, you need these pills to aid your recovery.”

“Life essence pills?” Li Yuqian exclaimed, shocked. Even Hollow Spirit state cultivators could benefit from these invaluable pills, and Ye Mo had given her two bottles.

When Ye Mo and Li Yuqian emerged, Li Jingwen, Su Yue, and Sheng Yizhong had returned. A wave of emotion passed between Su Yue and Su Jingwen upon their reunion, unexpected on this vast Luo Yue continent. The group felt the joy of being together.

“What did the Pei Hai city manager say?” Ye Mo asked Li Jingwen.

“Manager Wang said we performed admirably; such individuals wouldn't be tolerated,” Li Jingwen replied.

“Bullshit,” Ye Ling scoffed. “When our store was repeatedly scammed, no one acted.”

Her words silenced the others. Their past experiences highlighted the harsh reality: in this world, only strength mattered. The city lord's attitude mirrored this—the stronger its inhabitants, the better.

Ye Mo's smile dispelled the gloom. “With Sister Li here, those troublemakers won't dare act again. Sheng Yizhong and Su Yue, prepare for foundation establishment; Sister Zhen, refine your core. Our strength is our protection. Let's find a new location; this store is too small.”

Everyone agreed. In this brutal world, might made right.

Li Jingwen announced, “Sect Leader, Manager Wang mentioned the Treasure Tower is available for rent.”

“Why now?” Su Jingwen asked.

Ye Mo smiled. “They're testing our strength. We need more space, and they want to gauge our power. Renting it shows we're worth their notice; otherwise, we're insignificant. But we don't know its size or location.”

Sheng Yizhong spoke up, “I know it. It's near the city border, damaged by several beast tides. It’s cheaper than other properties, but not affordable for ordinary people. It’s sizable, but undesirable.”

“The last owner was a Nascent Soul state tertiary stage cultivator who never returned from the sea,” Su Yue added. “The land covers over 100,000 square meters.”

Ye Mo nodded. “How much did Manager Wang say it costs?”

Li Jingwen shook his head. “Two hundred to three hundred thousand top-grade spirit stones annually.”

Ye Ling gasped.

Ye Mo fell silent, then declared, “No need to rent. Tell him we’ll buy it for three million or less. We'll rename it Mo Yue—the foundation of our Mo Yue City.” He possessed around six million top-grade spirit stones and intended a long-term investment.

“What? You're buying Treasure Tower?” the manager stammered, astonished that even a Hollow Spirit state cultivator would struggle to acquire several million spirit stones.

Li Jingwen replied calmly, “Yes, Manager Wang. Our sect leader desires a long-term investment; buying is preferable to renting. However, if you’re unwilling to sell…”

“Sell? Of course! The sale price is thirty times the annual rent—six million. Even with a discount…”

Li Jingwen faltered; Ye Mo had only authorized three million.

Seeing Li Jingwen's hesitation, Manager Wang remained patient, intrigued by the mysterious boss.

Li Jingwen considered, then said, “My apologies, Manager Wang. Our boss offered 2.5 million, significantly less than expected.”

Manager Wang shook his head. “2.5 million isn't half the price. This transaction seems impossible.”

“Unfortunately,” Li Jingwen replied, rising to leave.

“Wait,” Manager Wang called, quickly departing.

Li Jingwen waited patiently, knowing Ye Mo wasn’t bound to this purchase, but lacked the time to seek alternatives.

Manager Wang returned, apologizing. “The lowest price is 3.5 million.”

“Three million,” Li Jingwen interrupted. “If you accept, I’ll provide the spirit stones and sign immediately.”

“Agreed. Three million it is!” Manager Wang exclaimed, relieved.

Li Jingwen felt a pang of bitterness; he’d been outmaneuvered.

Manager Wang, however, was elated; even two million would have been profitable.

Though the location was less desirable than a city-center property valued at ten million, Li Jingwen signed the contract. He reflected that even with four million, he might have still fallen short.

Ye Mo listened to Li Jingwen’s report and chuckled, patting his shoulder. “You learned a valuable lesson; this won't happen again. Sometimes, losing is winning. I’ll entrust Mo Yue’s development to you. Find builders and utilize my blueprint.” He knew Li Jingwen lost money but this was a necessary lesson. He and Yu Qiyang would handle most future negotiations, and he needed to prepare them.