Chapter 1124: The Herbal Smell in the Swamp

“There’s an ancient ruin on Great Zhou Mountain?” Ye Mo asked after a moment.

The monkey-mouthed Foundation Establishment cultivator was momentarily dazed. He said uncertainly, “So, friend, you’re not here for the ruin? Well, there is indeed a ruin…in there…”

“Monkey Jian, you’re scamming people again!” A tall, handsome male cultivator approached Ye Mo and saluted with his fists. “Friend, it’s your first time at Mang Mountain, right? Don’t trust Monkey Jian; this guy’s tricking you. How can there be so many ruins?”

Monkey Jian’s face changed at the sight of this Foundation Establishment cultivator. He fled without another word to Ye Mo.

Ye Mo observed the handsome cultivator. He was also a Foundation Establishment cultivator, but at the peak stage. He seemed cheerful and genuine, yet Ye Mo sensed his words were less truthful than Monkey Jian’s.

“This is your first time in Mang Mountain Town, right? I’m Duan Yitai. I’ve been here a while. That guy you just saw is Monkey Jian; he scams foreign cultivators. You don’t need to believe him, friend.” Duan Yitai offered a seemingly genuine smile.

Ye Mo saluted with his fists and asked, “Then, may I ask Brother Duan if there really is an ancient ruin on Great Zhou Mountain?”

Duan Yitai smiled. “Monkey Jian isn’t entirely lying. Everyone knew about the ancient ruin on the mountain, but that’s not the case now. Ten years ago, numerous ancient ruins were revealed. Many cultivators came to search them, eventually forming a small market. Mang Mountain Town was built then.”

“In that case, how is Monkey Jian scamming?” Ye Mo asked, confused.

Duan Yitai shook his head. “Because the ruin isn’t real. Six years ago, those searching for it found a large lava pond. Almost all cultivators thought it was the entrance, but the pond exploded, and none survived. Tens of thousands perished, it’s said. Even now, you can find magic artifact shards on the outskirts, and some lucky cultivators might even find a Golden Core master’s storage ring.”

Ye Mo frowned, remembering that Xin Zhida’s grandfather had been tricked and perished in the lava pond.

Duan Yitai continued, “After the explosion, many masters investigated—even a Truth Realization cultivator—but they found nothing. Initially, people sought storage rings, but over time, fewer came.”

Ye Mo understood why the town was well-built but sparsely populated. The spiritual energy was arid and didn’t resemble a Herb King spirit range. He was certain Duan Yitai was truthful; he could easily verify the story.

As Ye Mo prepared to leave, Duan Yitai stopped him. “Though the ancient ruin is a fabrication, there are quite a few good things nearby. This isn’t the place to discuss it; please come with me.”

As a Nascent Soul state level five cultivator, Ye Mo wasn’t afraid of Duan Yitai and followed without hesitation. Duan Yitai was pleased with Ye Mo’s demeanor. They soon arrived at a luxurious small building with a respectable spirit gathering formation outside.

Inside, Ye Mo discovered a spirit rest tower. Many cultivators rested and chatted; a few Foundation Establishment cultivators loudly discussed the Pill King tournament. Ye Mo and Duan Yitai approached and listened.

“Brother Hong, is Pill King Ye really that strong?” a middle-aged female cultivator with a knife scar asked a skinny old man.

The old man looked at her with disdain and raised his voice, “He’s not just strong! When everyone thought he was a level seven spirit pill master without a rare flame, he won the first and second rounds. On the twelfth step, he produced the rare Purple Flower Fire and fought his way to the top. No Pill King could compare, not even a Half Immortal Pill King.”

“I heard of a Pill King called Jiu Qian; he seemed on par with Pill King Ye,” another cultivator said.

The old man’s face lit up. “Yes, Jiu Qian was tough! He pretended to be a level nine spirit pill master but was a level six Pill King. He even used the Heaven Flame One Purple Flare at the tenth step…”

Many cultivators exclaimed.

“But then, level seven Pill King Ye Mo produced a flame—do you know what?” the old man asked.

“What flame?” several cultivators asked.

“Hehe, another Heaven Flame: Mist Lotus Heart Fire. Its color was deeper than the One Purple Flare. Pill King Ye concocted Heaven Grade level seven pills with it, but Jiu Qian failed.”

“Brother Hong, how do you know all this?” another cultivator asked.

The old man said proudly, “Because I saw the tournament! I was only ten meters from Pill King Ye.”

Suddenly, the scarred female cultivator asked shakily, “Brother Hong, did you say Pill King Ye is Ye Mo? He’s really Ye Mo?”

The old man scoffed, “He’s Ye Mo! He used the name Luo Xiaomo before admitting it. He also owns Mo Yue City. Why would I lie? Many saw the tournament; ask around if you don’t believe me.”

The female cultivator became agitated. “Big Brother Hong, can you give me a painting of Pill King Ye? I’ll give you spirit stones!”

Ye Mo scanned the cultivator with his spiritual sense; he didn't understand her excitement over an irrelevant Pill King. He’d never seen her before. He couldn’t comprehend her reaction, but suddenly, Duan Yitai said, “Friend, we’re here.”

He opened a room; two Foundation Establishment cultivators were already inside. One was a monk; the other was of medium build, with short hair and black cultivator robes.

Duan Yitai introduced Ye Mo. “These are Lu Xiu and Li Jilei.” Then to the pair, “This is…”

Ye Mo saluted. “I’m Ning Xiaoma. Greetings.”

Duan Yitai waited for Ye Mo to sit before continuing. “Now that we’ve met, let’s be direct. Brother Ning, there’s a swamp on the outskirts of Great Zhou Mountain called Zhou River Swamp. Have you heard of it?”

Ye Mo shook his head.

“Brother Li, you can tell him; you found it,” Duan Yitai said to the short-haired cultivator.

Li Jilei nodded. “Half a month ago, I went to Great Zhou Mountain with friends to look for magic artifact shards. I smelled an aroma—definitely herbs. Just smelling it cleared my spirit; it’s at least a level seven or higher spirit herb.”

“We were excited and followed the aroma to the Zhou River Swamp. We startled a level five spirit beast. It attacked, and two friends died. Only I survived.”

Li Jilei noticed Ye Mo's attention and continued, “I returned and invited more friends, but I never smelled the aroma again. They thought I was lying. But I stayed. Hours later, I smelled it again, different this time; it lasted about eight minutes.”

Duan Yitai interjected, “After hearing Brother Li, we concluded it was an ancient herb garden, very ancient, with many types of spirit herbs.”

Li Jilei nodded. “We checked later and discovered the aroma appears only at midday.”

Ye Mo asked, “So, you want me to help you find this herb garden?”