Chapter 1017: Don’t Flaunt Your Excellence
Ye Mo saw a one-armed Golden Core Stage cultivator seated amidst the crowd on the expansive deck—a space larger than several football fields. Tens of meters away stood another cultivator, a swirling flying sword hovering above his head, clearly the perpetrator of the maiming. Oddly, the armless cultivator was a level nine Golden Core Stage, while his assailant was only level eight, and seemingly young. Even more surprising, the injured cultivator, still capable of fighting, simply looked down, avoiding the other's gaze.
The young cultivator, noticing his severed arm near Ye Mo, pointed and barked, "You, pick up the severed arm!" His words carried a chilling intensity, like spat ice shards.
The crowd’s gaze shifted to Ye Mo, then to the ordinary passage he'd emerged from. Ye Mo realized the level eight cultivator likely perceived him as an easy target, an opportunity to assert dominance. A level eight daring to lord it over a level nine? It was unprecedented.
Ye Mo, while averse to trouble, wasn't afraid. He'd resisted even Feng Honest's attempts on his life. He picked up the arm and tossed it back to its owner, landing precisely on the wound.
The cultivator, unexpectedly relieved, nodded gratefully, offering an apologetic glance. After ingesting pills and employing healing spells, he still avoided the young cultivator's gaze.
This blatant act of defiance enraged the level eight cultivator. "You're asking to die…" he snarled, his flying sword humming menacingly.
Suddenly, the ship lurched violently, its massive frame tilting precariously. An unprecedented event for a vessel of this size. A sharp howl pierced the air, revealing the source of the chaos.
"A level eight Sea Rain Dragon!" someone shouted. The appearance of such a creature in the Inner Sea was inexplicable, and their situation dire.
Panic ensued. Cultivators attempted escape, only to be repelled by the ship's defensive restrictions. The dragon's massive head breached these defenses, devouring dozens of cultivators before they could react. With the restrictions shattered, a frantic exodus began.
Ye Mo, witnessing the dragon's devastating power—easily capable of consuming even Hollow Spirit Stage cultivators—didn't delay. He knew cauldron-filling cultivators in Mo Hai City could subdue the dragon, but their arrival was uncertain.
Launching himself from the ship, Ye Mo fled. Though many escaped, many more became the dragon’s prey. After covering tens of thousands of kilometers, he paused, turning around.
"You must not have much patience to keep chasing after this long," Ye Mo mused.
A long-haired man materialized behind him, sneering, "Not bad, you noticed me. You have the makings of a hero, but unfortunately, you’re unlucky."
Ye Mo calmly responded, "A mere level eight Golden Core Stage cultivator dares to pursue a level nine master? You’re very bold…"
The long-haired cultivator erupted in laughter, seemingly amused by the absurdity.
"A mere level eight, and you, a level nine master? Tian Aofeng has never heard such audacity," the cultivator boomed. "You’ve got guts."
Ye Mo shook his head impatiently. "No need to flaunt your name. I have no time for games. I need to register at the trial square."
"Very well, you've annoyed me," Tian Aofeng said, unsheathing a long blue sword, its eerie blue light sealing off Ye Mo's escape. Even Ye Mo felt a spatial constraint, but he'd always faced stronger foes and never considered those weaker a true threat.
Ye Mo drew Zi Xu. Purple sword rays clashed against the blue sword chi in a violent explosion. Space seemed saturated with killing intent.
Ye Mo was shocked. He had underestimated Tian Aofeng, the strongest Golden Core Stage cultivator he'd encountered—even surpassing Mo Qianli, whom he could now easily defeat. Tian Aofeng, equally surprised by Ye Mo's power, questioned his identity.
Ye Mo dismissed his query. "If you want to fight, fight! Where's your boasted superiority?"
Tian Aofeng sneered, producing a blue bead. It rapidly expanded to fist size and beyond, and he roared, "Lin!"