"A high-quality Essence of Mother Qi."
Ming He lowered his gaze to the peculiar pearl in his palm, the corners of his mouth lifting slightly. He glanced across the battlefield, ignored the Origin Race members whose courage had long since shattered, summoned his talisman token, and turned to leave this world.
Outside, a figure stood atop the peak with his hands behind his back. Seeing Ming He emerge from the vortex, he gave a slight nod. "Junior Brother, did you get it?"
"Yes, Ninth Senior Brother. I got it." Ming He stepped forward and handed him the pearl.
The man examined it briefly before handing it back. "Good. Its quality is excellent, just right for refining a superior split soul. In that case, let us head back."
"Yes."
Ming He lowered his head in acknowledgment, a peculiar gleam quietly flashing through his eyes.
Youxuan Peak, main hall.
Chu Mo withdrew his gaze and slowly opened his eyes.
"Ming He, Nether River. It seems the cultivator who inherits this Daoist title is very important to Xuanming..."
He had not refined Ming He into an other-self aspect. Instead, through the boon bestowed by the Essence of Mother Qi, he had used All Beings Aspect to observe him in secret. After all, Xuanming was far too close to Upper Mound. Who knew whether his disciple carried an "interest-bearing loan"? That was something he absolutely could not touch.
One major prerequisite for the Hezhen Society's support was that he had never borrowed from the Upper Mound Commerce Association.
"Although I cannot make Ming He into [me], given our current karmic ties, influencing him would not be difficult."
As he pondered this, Chu Mo's expression suddenly shifted.
The Identity Token at his waist vibrated faintly.
Chu Mo took it off and extended his divine thought