Chapter 998: Using Lightning to Kill You

When the five cultivators could no longer see outside, they realized Ye Mo had trapped them. However, they remained unconcerned, believing Mo Yue wouldn't dare harm the Yang Hai Merchant Association. Soon, the five could not even see each other.

"Not good, we're trapped! Let's work together and break the formation!" the peak Golden Core cultivator yelled.

But his call went unanswered; the formation had separated them. The peak Golden Core cultivator grew worried. It seemed Mo Yue disregarded their affiliation with the Yang Hai Merchant Association.

Just as he was about to call out Ye Mo's name, the sky darkened. Nine chopstick-sized lightning bolts flashed.

While helping Li Jingwen strengthen the spirit-gathering formation, Ye Mo had also set up a lightning attraction formation. This time, it targeted the five Golden Core cultivators, not himself. He had previously assisted Li Yuqian in absorbing lightning bolts; now, it was the five cultivators' turn.

Ye Mo knew they couldn't absorb lightning energy like he could. A direct strike would be fatal. Li Jingwen's situation differed from Li Yuqian's; he possessed two top-grade defensive spirit artifacts and the five altruistic Golden Core cultivators. Ye Mo harbored no concern.

After setting up the formation, Ye Mo exited, unwilling to remain and arouse suspicion.

Seeing Ye Mo emerge alone, everyone was bewildered, but the intensifying lightning storm quickly diverted their attention from the missing cultivators.

"Association Leader Ye, why haven't our men from the Yang Hai Merchant Association emerged?" another peak Golden Core cultivator demanded disrespectfully.

Ye Mo sneered, raising his voice, "Your words are peculiar. I was assisting my manager with a defensive formation and instructed your men to leave. They refused, claiming this wasn't Mo Yue's territory and I lacked authority. I accepted this, and left. Yet, you now reproach me? This is blatant provocation. Will you find fault regardless of my actions?"

Many onlookers were appalled. While hesitant to openly offend the Yang Hai Merchant Association, whispers spread. Ye Mo's loud voice ensured most cultivators heard, cursing the Yang Hai Merchant Association for their arrogance.

The two Golden Core cultivators from the Yang Hai Merchant Association realized their unreasonableness. Everyone had heard the five cultivators' refusal to leave.

The formation rumbled within. Even suspecting foul play, they lacked evidence. Besides, only Li Jingwen remained after Ye Mo's departure; he couldn't combat five Golden Core cultivators while forming his Nascent Soul.

Rumble rumble

Lightning flashed incessantly. Some cultivators found it odd that Ye Mo had incorporated a stealth formation into the defensive formation, deeming it useless against divine tribulation and a waste of spirit stones.

As more lightning struck, the rumbling subsided.

Crack

The final, thumb-sized bolt struck, and a massive spirit energy whirlpool formed in the sky, signifying Li Jingwen's successful breakthrough.

Ye Mo swiftly dismantled his formation, concealing the lightning attraction array. Removing the formation flags ensured its purpose remained unknown. Even if his involvement were suspected, there was no proof.

Upon seeing the five cultivators, everyone gasped. They were charred corpses.

"They're dead?" the Golden Core cultivator who questioned Ye Mo exclaimed, pointing at him. "You… you dared kill members of the Yang Hai Merchant Association! You…"

His rage rendered him speechless.

Ye Mo, prepared to use a shadowless strike if anyone survived, found it unnecessary. He sneered, saluting those nearby. "Friends, I invited those five to leave, but they refused. They perished in a divine tribulation; am I to blame? Is the Yang Hai Merchant Association so unreasonable?"

"Yes, the Yang Hai Merchant Association is being unreasonable! Association Leader Ye barely spent any time setting up the formation; he couldn't have killed five Golden Core cultivators so quickly. They were clearly struck by the divine tribulation."

"Haha, we all know that. They're just after Mo Yue's land."

"A fifth-level Golden Core cultivator instantly killed five much stronger cultivators! The Yang Hai cultivators only seem to know business."

…

Though fearing the Yang Hai Merchant Association, the onlookers openly discussed the incident.

The two Yang Hai cultivators fumed; no one supported them, the truth being plain for all to see. The comment about them only knowing business was particularly galling, as it mocked their martial prowess.

Li Jingwen rose, howling. His clothes were tattered, but his top-grade spirit artifacts remained intact. His triumphant howl confirmed his Nascent Soul cultivation.

Under admiring gazes, Li Jingwen donned fresh clothes and approached Ye Mo. "Association Leader, I did not disappoint you. I've reached the Nascent Soul state."

Ye Mo rejoiced. Mo Yue was growing stronger, yet he knew his involvement in the five cultivators' deaths was evident to shrewd observers. This location was no longer safe. Upon returning, he would plan his response to the Yang Hai Merchant Association.

Their refusal to leave Li Jingwen's divine tribulation range had sealed their fate. Ye Mo had already retreated from the business aspect, but the Yang Hai Merchant Association relentlessly pursued them. Mo Yue had no other choice but to fight, and he would fight now.

Seeing Li Jingwen finish, Ye Mo said, "Let's go back and talk."

"What? You intend to leave after killing members of the Yang Hai Merchant Association?" An icy voice cut through the air.