Chapter 1145: Fight to Be Husband
Other sect cultivators envied Le Yao; had they known, they would have acted similarly. However, some sects, mindful of Sword Valley's recent annihilation, held back. Only Le Yao, also from a 9-star sect, dared to assist Ye Mo.
Ye Mo then proposed, “After I become a level nine pill king in ten years, I can provide Black Ice Sect with two cauldrons of Truth Realisation pills. I believe Black Ice Sect can wait ten years, correct? That’s only part of my proposal. Secondly, I will give the Black Ice Sect pill master the Spirit Weaving Pill concoction method and prioritize providing them with Heaven Glory pills. Furthermore, if Black Ice Sect needs spirit ranges, I can borrow a few.”
A collective gasp filled the air. While borrowing spirit ranges might seem like a boast, it was easily achievable with his Pill City connections; procuring several low-grade ranges would be simple.
Ye Mo’s offer far surpassed Infinity Sect’s. Infinity Sect offered a single spirit range, while Ye Mo offered the Spirit Weaving Pill recipe—a gift of immeasurable benefit to Black Ice Sect. It was the difference between giving money and teaching someone how to make money.
The Infinity Sect elder sneered, “It’s all bluster.”
Ye Mo smiled, remaining silent; he trusted Black Ice Sect's leader's judgment.
Even Yan Guan was impressed, unconvinced Ye Mo was bluffing. Even if Ye Mo failed to reach level nine pill king in ten years, he could still concoct Kun Filling pills, sufficient for Black Ice Sect. The efficacy of Infinity Sect's Truth Realisation Pill was uncertain, whereas Ye Mo offered a consistent supply. The superior offer was clear.
Seeing Yan Guan's reaction, the Infinity Sect elder realized their proposal was inferior. Before Yan Guan could respond, he quickly said, “Then, we’ll fight for her hand, as with Wen Caiyi.”
Ye Mo sneered. “Wen Caiyi chose that method; Luo Susu did not. You have no right to decide; only Susu can.”
Yan Guan favored Ye Mo's proposal. Facing imminent divine damnation and unable to reach disaster transformation state peak, Ye Mo's ten-year timeframe was ideal. Even if he couldn't fulfill it personally, he could commission a Pill City pill king. Yan Guan harbored no doubt.
However, Infinity Sect, a powerful 9-star sect, was not to be trifled with.
Yan Guan, recognizing his authority, turned to Fan Lianzhu. “Elder Fan, perhaps you could summon Luo Susu?”
Fan Lianzhu stubbornly replied, “Susu is in solitary cultivation; she cannot be disturbed. She is my disciple, and I will not allow her to marry an incompetent man. We will proceed as Infinity Sect suggested: a fight for her hand. If Wen Caiyi could choose this way, why not Susu? Even if she leaves cultivation, she wouldn't object.”
Turning to Ye Mo, she said pointedly, “City Lord Ye, you’re a significant figure, are you not? I doubt you would fear a fight for Susu.”
Clearly angered by Ye Mo's perceived disrespect, she, a genius and peak leader of Black Cloud Peak, demanded respect. She wouldn't allow Susu to marry someone so seemingly flippant.
“Wen Caiyi sought a worldly prodigy and chose this method. My disciple Susu is her equal. Surely, City Lord Ye wouldn't consider Susu inferior to Caiyi, and therefore, you wouldn't dare to compete for her?” Fan Lianzhu pressed, worried Ye Mo would refuse.
She adopted a more measured approach; even Infinity Sect had failed to force their hand, leaving her to rely on subtle manipulation.
While Ye Mo did not believe Susu was inferior to Wen Caiyi, he retorted, “My worth is for others to judge. Self-proclamation is mere boasting. In combat, I am not inferior to anyone. However, I am only at hollow spirit state level one; are you going to pit me against an ancient being?”
“Don’t worry,” Fan Lianzhu said coldly. “Your opponents will be close to your age. Susu is my disciple, and I will not allow her to marry an old man. You are not the only genius on Luo Yue Continent. Following Wen Caiyi’s rules, contestants will be geniuses under sixty years old.”
Ye Mo remained silent. While sixty was advanced for him, it was merely the beginning in cultivation. He believed that failure against a cultivator under sixty would discredit the Three Birth Chant.
While unsure about body condensation state cultivators under sixty, he knew hollow spirit state tertiary stage cultivators existed. Jing Yingli, at only thirty, was already hollow spirit state level one. An equivalent opponent would surely reach hollow spirit state peak.
“Very well, since City Lord Ye agrees,” Yan Guan quickly said, “we shall proceed.”
Wen Caiyi stepped forward, bowing to Yang Feicheng and then Yan Guan. “Yan qian bei, while I have no right to speak, this concerns my life; permit me to offer a suggestion.”
Yan Guan nodded. “Caiyi, speak freely. You will be one of us.”
Wen Caiyi bowed again. “Since Martial Sister Susu is choosing a husband through combat, as I did, I propose combining our competitions. Many prodigy sect members are present. Contestants should not be limited to Black Ice Sect members; any sufficiently young prodigy may participate. Martial Sister Susu and I may choose our husbands ourselves. What do you think, Yan qian bei?”
Yang Feicheng was silent. Ye Mo's actions had already damaged the South Alliance prospects, rendering a marriage alliance unnecessary.
Yan Guan, having abandoned the alliance with Infinity Sect due to recent events, was enthusiastic about Wen Caiyi's suggestion.
“Excellent!” Yan Guan exclaimed. “Caiyi, your suggestion is superb. With so many prodigies gathered at Black Ice Mountain, we can witness the younger generation's prowess. All prodigies present may participate, provided Caiyi and Susu agree.”
The assembled prodigies buzzed with excitement. The prospect of dual cultivation with Wen Caiyi seemed a stroke of unparalleled luck. Regarding Luo Susu, many harbored desires, but Ye Mo's actions made it clear their chances were slim; even if they defeated him, their sects would likely prevent the marriage. Wen Caiyi, however, was unattached and had initiated the competition herself.