Chapter 1148: Wen Caiyi’s Unhappiness

Many were still awestruck by Ye Mo’s decisive strike, now stunned by his tender reunion with Susu. The bloody body remained on the ground, a jarring contrast to the intimate scene. Fan Lianzhu, witnessing her usually stoic disciple’s affection for Ye Mo, was bewildered. Even considering their marriage, Susu's behavior seemed inappropriate. Being in the cultivation realm, Susu's mortal attachments should have faded, if not vanished entirely. Relationships in the cultivation world were largely for dual cultivation; Fan Lianzhu couldn't comprehend this display of romantic affection.

Ye Mo, lacking the inclination to continue the challenges, pulled Susu and Beiwei back to their seats. After a lengthy conversation, Susu's worry about the hall's events resurfaced. She and Tang Beiwei prepared to greet their master and sect leader, but Ye Mo halted them, instructing, "Don't go now." Luo Susu, though respectful of her master, would choose Ye Mo without hesitation. Tang Beiwei remained seated as well. Fan Lianzhu sighed, acknowledging her misjudgment; Susu clearly prioritized Ye Mo far above her.

Luo Fei called out, "Susu, Beiwei." Tang Beiwei responded, surprised, "Luo Fei, how are you here?"

The hall, no longer silent, buzzed with the cleanup, yet everyone remained quiet while Ye Mo spoke. Tang Beiwei's shocked question echoed through the hall: "What? Sword Valley was annihilated by Infinity Sect? What about Sister Ziyi?" Such audacity from anyone else would have drawn He Ling's wrath, but silence reigned. Yang Feicheng's expression remained grim; his only recourse was to challenge Ye Mo.

Luo Fei, eyes fixed on Infinity Sect, declared, word by word, "Yes. I will get justice for my sect." Ye Mo remained silent, aware of his limited ability to protect himself and his companions; revenge against Infinity Sect remained a distant prospect.

Yan Guan, relieved, observed that only fools or those with a personal vendetta would dare challenge Ye Mo now. He announced, "Since City Lord Ye has stepped down, those wishing to fight, please come forth. The competition continues."

A long silence followed, the impact of Ye Mo's prowess still reverberating. Then, a Black Ice Sect disciple, Zhan Shuiyong, rose, bowing to Yan Guan, the elders, and sect leaders. He announced, "Humble Black Ice Sect disciple, Zhan Shuiyong, I agree with Goddess Wen's decision; those with similar sentiments may challenge me."

Zhan Shuiyong, unassuming and scholarly, didn't even glance at Wen Caiyi; his gesture was a diplomatic move to alleviate his sect leader's awkward position, not an act of admiration. A nascent soul state level five cultivator, his youth made his pursuit of Wen Caiyi futile.

Wen Caiyi understood this, and glared at Ye Mo and Luo Susu, her anger inexplicable. She felt Ye Mo had used her as a pretext from the beginning, killing Nan Jinsheng for Susu and now publicly displaying his affection. Ye Mo, a formidable level seven pill king and Pill City's city lord, easily dispatched opponents of higher cultivation. A genius among geniuses, his talent far surpassed even the gifted Yuan Guannan.

Ranked equally with Luo Susu among the South Peace State's ten beauties, Wen Caiyi realized that regardless of the competition's outcome, no victor could compare to Ye Mo. Her past criticism of Susu's equal ranking now stung. Zhan Shuiyong's lack of interest further fueled her unhappiness. Her former vow to steal and discard Luo Susu’s husband now felt hollow; City Lord Ye was utterly uninterested, even repulsed by her.

Wang Dutan, a nascent soul state level six cultivator from Heaven Yan Sect, stepped forward, saying, "Heaven Yan Sect's Wang Dutan—Brother Zhan, please go easy." He too didn't seek Wen Caiyi, not due to her unattractiveness but the impossibility of success. A 7-star core sect member reaching nascent soul state level six in under sixty years, he sought to gauge the difference between himself and 9-star sect members of comparable cultivation.

Their sparring match, devoid of killing intent, was flashy but ultimately meaningless to Ye Mo. Zhan Shuiyong, cunning and resourceful, proved less adept than the cultivation-focused Wang Dutan, losing after eight minutes. This defeat, though not personally concerning to Zhan Shuiyong, upset other Black Ice Sect disciples.

Before Wang Dutan descended, Zhang Wu, another nascent soul state level six cultivator from Black Ice Sect, challenged him, initiating a serious fight. Sword and hammer clashed, forcing the elders to quickly set protective restrictions. Wang Dutan, already weary, was defeated within seven minutes.

A nascent soul state tertiary stage cultivator from Heaven Yan Sect was about to retaliate when an elder intervened, wisely preventing the resumption of hostilities between Ye Mo and the Infinity Sect. Except for Zhan Shuiyong, no one mentioned Wen Caiyi; clearly, the contenders sought neither her affection nor her approval. Wen Caiyi's face fell—the South Peace State's number one beauty was utterly disregarded. Finally, Yu Tong, a nascent soul state level nine cultivator from God Wind Valley, stepped forward, stating, "God Wind Valley Yu Tong, I came for Goddess Wen, Brother Wu, please."