Chapter 990: Injured Twice
Considering this, Ye Mo bypassed Pei Hai City and flew to Two Horn Island. He had been here before and knew a smaller island lay a few thousand kilometers away, sufficient for his purposes.
Reaching the island swiftly on his flying ship, Ye Mo began laying down formations. Ao Qilong would be furious if he knew this trap was intended for him.
Ye Mo chose a trap, not an attack, formation because of the formidable golden core peak cultivator among Ao Qilong's companions. He was confident of dispatching the other three without any formations, but the peak cultivator’s stealth and powerful chi, reminiscent of Dong Tianya, posed a significant threat. Dong Tianya, fourth in the South Peace State's golden core hall of fame, was a formidable opponent, even for Ye Mo. This cultivator's strength necessitated the trap. He needed to prevent the man's escape. A level three formation, the best he could manage in the short time available, would suffice.
Despite Ye Mo's improved formation skills, Ao Qilong and his two companions arrived as soon as the base was complete.
Seeing Ye Mo standing unmoving, Ao Qilong sneered, "Keep running! Weren't you so cocky at the auction? Where's that cockiness now?"
Ye Mo smiled, "Young Master Ao, which eye saw me running? Which eye saw me not being cocky?"
Ao Qilong was speechless. This upstart remained remarkably calm and showed no inclination to flee.
"Very well," Ao Qilong laughed, enraged. "Tong Zhong, incapacitate him, but don't kill him yet."
His subordinate, Tong Zhong, readily obeyed, unleashing a massive octagonal mace—or rather, what appeared to be an octagonal ball—lacking a handle. Upon release, it transformed into a colossal metal mountain, engulfing Ye Mo. Ye Mo appreciated the cultivator’s technique; the mace created an oppressive atmosphere, but he effortlessly dispelled it using his cultivation essence. The binding was pathetically weak, easily broken by even an ordinary tertiary-stage golden core cultivator.
Thud
Ye Mo was hurled hundreds of meters into a large rock, spitting blood and seemingly immobilized. He found the necessity of faking injury unbearable, but knew that without such a pretense, the cunning Ao Qilong would readily retreat. Stopping such a powerful cultivator in retreat, even with a trap formation, would be impossible. Furthermore, anyone fleeing would leave traces, regardless of the Nine Transformations, a risk Ye Mo refused to take. He also couldn't kill Ao Qilong directly; his backer was at least a Hollow Spirit cultivator, and the disparity between Hollow Spirit and Nascent Soul realms was immense. He suspected spirit sense tracking on Ao Qilong; killing him would invite repercussions. Therefore, he needed the lurking cultivator to eliminate Ao Qilong.
"Hahaha! So this is your strength? Keep bidding; maybe a higher offer will earn your freedom... Idiot! You're just an upstart, daring to act cocky on Pei Qi Island!" Ao Qilong approached, sneering. "Don't worry, I won't kill you now. I'll take you back for… proper treatment."
In Ao Qilong's eyes, Ye Mo was a fool awaiting torture. Ye Mo silently observed; Ao Qilong's lack of combat experience would eventually be his undoing. If he truly possessed such limited power, he wouldn't have dared lure them to their deaths.
"Brother Long, why not kill him and take his ring? Let's see how many spirit stones this upstart has," the golden core level two woman suggested, softly stroking Ao Qilong's arm, avarice evident in her gaze.
"Wait…" The golden core peak cultivator sensed something amiss. Ye Mo's audacity suggested more than he displayed. But before he could speak, Ye Mo sprang up, launching a massive seal that expanded to the size of a small mountain, crashing toward Ao Qilong.
The peak cultivator reacted but was too late.
Ao Qilong sneered, "Pathetic trick!" He unleashed a silver broadsword, expanding into a three-meter-wide silver light, cleaving the seal thousands of meters away.
Ye Mo was sent flying, crashing into rocks and spitting more blood. He was furious. The peak cultivator, witnessing his swift defeat, remained hidden. Helpless, Ye Mo could only continue his ambush, displaying only the strength of a golden core level five cultivator. If the hidden cultivator didn't fall for it, he would unleash his full power, though success wasn't guaranteed.
"Is this your confidence? A mere golden core level five daring to ambush me!" Ao Qilong scoffed. "Perhaps you finally understand the difference between level nine and mid-stage golden core. A pity it's too late."
Ye Mo was speechless; he'd deliberately revealed his cultivation and attacked only after provoking Ao Qilong's response, yet the man brazenly highlighted the power discrepancy.
Tong Zhong relaxed, then grew wary, turning around.
A sigh echoed. The three realized a new arrival.
Ye Mo felt relief; the final player had arrived. He could finally let them fight each other. The peak cultivator's belief in his act wasn't due to cleverness, but an underestimation of his threat.
"Indeed, an upstart, a golden core level five at that. Such grand ambitions! You came here, set up a trap, attempting to kill two golden core level nine cultivators. A pity you lacked the time to complete it." The golden core peak cultivator approached casually, then turned to Ye Mo. "I knew your first injury was feigned. But with your power, even pretending is unconvincing. You intended to trap them with your formation, did you? Keep dreaming!"