Chapter 201: This Ye Yan is Far More Powerful Than Xiao Fan
Shen Mo said calmly, "The Corpse Shade is completely unharmed, yet you falsely claim to have injured it. Have you no shame?"
Ye Yan's expression remained unchanged, making it seem as though he was about to speak.
Yet, in the next instant, he attacked without warning.
A heavy halberd appeared out of nowhere, blazing with fierce flames.
In an instant, a dragon of fiery flames formed in midair, its jaws wide open, lunging toward Shen Mo with intent to consume him whole!
This strike was meant not only to kill Shen Mo but to utterly destroy the entire cargo ship, erasing any evidence.
Shen Mo raised an eyebrow.
True to his ruthless and domineering nature.
No words, just immediate action, leaving no time for his opponent to react.
Had Shen Mo been an ordinary cultivator, he wouldn't have had time to respond before Ye Yan's attack reached him.
In that case, he would have immediately fallen into a disadvantage, forced into a retreat.
However, Ye Yan had clearly underestimated Shen Mo.
Whoosh!
As the fiery halberd approached, two towering evergreen trees manifested in front of Shen Mo.
Their branches were lush, their trunks a vibrant green.
The two trees stood firm, blocking the fiery halberd's light.
The leaves quickly turned to ash under the flames, but the trunks remained standing, unyielding.
The trees had given Shen Mo enough time.
He quickly summoned four mystical gates.
Three large bronze gates and one gate of flame materialized before him.
Boom! Boom! Boom!
By now, the two evergreen trees had been reduced to charred remains, crumbling to ash.
The fiery halberd light finally struck, crashing into the mystical gates and forcing Shen Mo to take only a few steps back.
In an instant, the flames dispersed.
Shen Mo remained completely unharmed.
Ye Yan's expression shifted slightly as he hovered in midair.
He looked at Shen Mo intently for a few moments before retreating, using his martial arts to vanish into the dark night.
Shen Mo smiled faintly.
In their brief exchange, each had gauged the other's strength.
Ye Yan realized he couldn't guarantee Shen Mo's death.
Shen Mo also understood that Ye Yan's fate was strong; he wouldn't die so easily.
Ye Yan had made a quick decision based on the situation.
He abandoned the Yin Sha Pearl without hesitation.
After all, there were countless opportunities in this world.
There was no need to risk everything for a single Yin Sha Pearl.
"Act when you should, retreat when necessary."
"This Ye Yan is far more formidable than Xiao Fan used to be."
"Hmm… but Xiao Fan has now fully integrated his past life's memories. His personality should have changed quite a bit too."
"I hope next time we meet, Xiao Fan will bring me a few surprises."
Shen Mo smiled slightly and turned his gaze away.
Mei Haihe, who had been crying with gratitude, said, "Thank you, senior, for saving my life!"
Guo Long and Guo Yi also knelt, expressing their thanks, "Thank you, senior!"
Shen Mo waved dismissively. "It was nothing; after all, I'm also on this ship."
He looked at Mei Haihe and casually placed his palm on his chest, releasing a wisp of fire energy.
Mei Haihe spat out a mouthful of black blood with a gasp.
The pallor on his face faded considerably.
Delighted, Mei Haihe exclaimed, "Thank you, senior, for detoxifying me!"
The poison from the Corpse Shade's icy arrows was extremely toxic.
Only pure fire energy could force it out.
Even if Mei Haihe had made it to Jade Sea City while injured, the poison would have seeped into his organs, requiring nine or ten years to recover — if he survived.
Without treatment, he might even lose years off his lifespan.
Shen Mo's assistance had saved his life once more.
"Guo Long, Guo Yi, after delivering the cargo to Jade Sea City, immediately go into hiding."
Shen Mo advised casually.
Guo Long was puzzled. "Why?"
Shen Mo pointed to the ship's hold. "Do you know what you're transporting?"
"It's dried Black Frost Flowers," Guo Long replied.
"Black Frost Flowers have a cold nature, something evil spirits are particularly drawn to," Shen Mo explained. "Even dried, their scent can attract malicious beings."
Guo Long gasped.
He and his son were quick thinkers.
They immediately realized the situation.
They had likely been used as bait to lure the Corpse Shade!
"Your kindness will not be forgotten, master!" Guo Long and Guo Yi kowtowed to Shen Mo.
Shen Mo waved them off. "Keep the ship moving. We can't afford any delays."
"Yes, sir!"
…
Three days later.
A battered cargo ship appeared at the port of Jade Sea City, drawing the attention of many onlookers.
Its mast was broken, and the deck was shattered…
The fact that it could still make it safely to port despite such severe damage was truly a testament to the resilience of this ship.
Shen Mo stepped onto the deck and gazed at the bustling port, nodding slightly.
As expected of one of the largest cities in Yuzhou Province.
It was far more prosperous and lively than Divine Sword City or Great River City in Xuanjiang Prefecture.
On the river, numerous other ships were arriving, and the air was filled with the shouts of sailors and fishermen.
After bidding farewell to Shen Mo, Guo Long and his son Guo Yi quietly slipped away, not even daring to collect their wages.
"Why are you still following me?" Shen Mo glanced at Mei Haihe, who was lingering behind him.
Mei Haihe blinked and grinned, "Guo Long and his son might be hunted down, and I could be too."
"I think it's safer to stick with you, senior."
Shen Mo smiled faintly.
Although this man wasn't particularly powerful, he had a wealth of knowledge and connections.
Moreover, he was genuinely decent.
During the attack by the Corpse Shade, he hadn't abandoned Guo Long and his son; instead, he had given them his spiritual artifact for protection.
"You've lived over three hundred years. Don't you have any techniques for disguise or concealing your aura?" Shen Mo asked lightly.
Mei Haihe shook his head repeatedly, "I do, but mainly I'd rather follow you and find a way to make a living."
Shen Mo chuckled, "I'm new here and unfamiliar with Jade Sea City. You can be my guide."
Mei Haihe nodded eagerly, "Of course, of course."
"Where would you like to go, senior?"
"Jade Cauldron Sect."
Mei Haihe immediately responded, "The Jade Cauldron Sect has a branch here in Jade Sea City called Jade Sea Hall. I know that place well. I'll lead the way!"
"Good."
As they walked, Shen Mo asked casually, "By the way, the spiritual artifact you gave to Guo Long and his son—did you craft it yourself?"
Mei Haihe chuckled, "To be honest, back in my younger days, I traveled widely and came across a master of artifact crafting who took me under his wing."
"That master saw some talent in me and gave me a scroll to study closely."
"That artifact, called the Water Bubble, was something I learned from that scroll."
Mei Haihe reached into his storage ring and took out a booklet. "If you're interested, I can hand it over to you."
Shen Mo smiled lightly, "Let me have a look."
He took the booklet and, as they walked, skimmed through its contents.
The ideas recorded within were rather fanciful, not exactly standard artifact crafting techniques.
However, there were a few concepts that might prove useful.
For example, the Water Bubble itself might be of little use to a Nascent Soul cultivator.
But if one were in the depths of an extremely deep waterway, a place even Nascent Soul cultivators would struggle with, the Water Bubble could play a crucial role.
Shen Mo recalled that Ye Yan had a fortuitous encounter that required him to venture deep underwater.
"Senior, we've arrived. Ahead is Jade Sea Hall," Mei Haihe said respectfully, pointing to a tall building nestled among shady trees.
Shen Mo nodded, "Let's go."
Mei Haihe hesitated, "You intend to go inside? That's not allowed. The hall master of Jade Sea Hall has a rule: only disciples of the three major sects can enter. Smaller sect disciples or rogue cultivators must wait outside."
"If you go in uninvited, their cultivators will treat you with hostility!"
Shen Mo chuckled, "Oh? Such a rule exists? Don't worry. Just follow me."
With that, he strode confidently toward the entrance.
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