Chapter 985: News of Mo Yue

A golden core state level eight cultivator, momentarily forgetting his peril, stared in stunned silence at the swift sword ray. He shivered at its speed.

“Insolent…” a golden core state level nine sneered, about to unleash his white ring, but felt his cultivation essence constrict. He couldn't fully activate the ring.

Confused, he attempted to flee, only to discover his cultivation essence bound. A cold sweat broke out; he knew the dire consequences. A second strike, before he could break free, would be fatal.

He expended three mouthfuls of essence blood, barely escaping the constraint. The level nine cultivator realized this wasn't a mere level six; he turned and fled. His chances of escape had vanished the moment he ran.

The second strike descended. He barely managed to block it with his ring, but was enveloped by the sword rays. Ye Mo retrieved the fallen storage ring and turned to the dumbfounded level eight cultivator.

The level eight's eyes widened. Ye Mo had eliminated a level nine cultivator with two strikes, from such a distance? Even considering their prior engagement, this was astonishing. Was Ye Mo a peak golden core state cultivator? Even then, such a feat seemed improbable.

In truth, the level nine cultivator’s terror had been his undoing. Fighting someone who could bind his cultivation essence was suicide. Had he fought on, after breaking free, Ye Mo would have taken longer to subdue him, potentially allowing an escape. But fear paralyzed him, extinguishing his will to fight after the first strike.

“You’re a peak golden core state cultivator?” the level eight finally stammered.

Ye Mo smiled. “Where are we? How far from Pei Hai City?”

The level eight, realizing he’d been saved, bowed. “My name is Li Qishan. Thank you for saving me, senior. Pei Hai City isn’t far. Ten thousand kilometers east lies Pei Qi Island. The unscrupulous Ao Cheng Merchant Association colluded with spirit beasts, luring golden core cultivators to their deaths. I must expose this, senior. I’ll leave now and return to thank you later.”

Ye Mo nodded. Li Qishan's uncertainty regarding his survival explained his delayed gratitude. Ye Mo appreciated his straightforwardness. As Li Qishan prepared to depart, Ye Mo stopped him, offering the white ring. “This mid-grade spirit artifact is yours. If you need shelter, find me in Pei Hai City. I’m Ye Mo, residing at Mo Yue.”

Li Qishan accepted without hesitation and vanished. He hadn’t heard of Mo Yue, assuming it was a small establishment.

Ye Mo set off for Pei Qi Island, intending to determine his route from there. He quickly covered the ten thousand kilometers, finding the island densely populated – more a city than an island.

He sought news of Pei Hai City and its teleportation formations. Upon arrival, he overheard exciting news: South Peace State, North Far State, and East Black State were establishing intercontinental teleportation formations.

He’d planned to acquire a large cultivation artifact flying ship after reaching the Hollow Spirit state, transporting everyone to South Peace State. This was unexpected good fortune.

Though initially intending to bypass a nearby bar, the news drew him in. The conversing foundation establishment cultivators were oblivious to his arrival.

Ye Mo knew revealing his golden core state would raise suspicion, so he masked his power, appearing as a foundation establishment level five cultivator.

“Dao friends, I’m Ye Mo. I’ve been cultivating in the deep sea. I overheard you discussing the teleportation formations; is it true?” He greeted them with a fist salute.

Three cultivators sat at the table: a black-clothed man, foundation establishment level nine; a seemingly honest youth, level seven; and a curvaceous female cultivator, golden core level eight.

His sudden appearance startled them, but his apparent low cultivation level eased their apprehension.

The female cultivator smiled. “Little brother, have a seat. It’s true. Haven’t you heard the news, being away from Pei Qi Island?”

Ye Mo nodded. “Yes, I just returned from an adventure. This news is shocking.”

“Alas, even adventuring is difficult now. Nearby islands are overrun by spirit beasts. This island is crowded because cultivators have nowhere else to go. Some golden core cultivators formed squads to venture into the deep sea, but none have returned. The journey is lengthy, and we’re too weak,” the honest youth sighed.

The black-clothed cultivator added, “I heard some golden core cultivators hired Ao Cheng Merchant Association ships for deep-sea expeditions. I wonder if they succeeded.”

Ye Mo smiled. “I heard those golden core cultivators were organized by the Ao Cheng Merchant Association, not to eliminate spirit beasts. Their true purpose is to lure cultivators, then sell them to the beasts…”

The female cultivator abruptly silenced him, glancing around nervously. “Little brother, do you wish to live? Don’t speak of such things! Ao Cheng Merchant Association agents are everywhere. You’ll die, and we’ll be implicated.”

Ye Mo understood. “Alright, let’s change the subject. How far is the North Far State teleportation formation?”

“It’s in Pei Hai City. I heard Truth Realization State cultivators helped establish it, with Disaster Transformation State cultivators overseeing it. By the way, have you heard of Mo Yue? They’re the largest merchant association in Pei Hai City, supposedly connected to a Disaster Transformation State formation master.”

Ye Mo was stunned. He knew everyone in Mo Yue. A Disaster Transformation State connection was news to him.

“I know Mo Yue, but they’re new. How could they be linked to a Disaster Transformation State formation master?”

The female cultivator elaborated. “Everyone in Mo Yue are business geniuses. In just two months, they became the top merchant association, offending the previous leader, the Yang Sea Merchant Association.”

Ye Mo grew concerned; the Yang Sea Merchant Association was a formidable opponent for Mo Yue.