Chapter 253: I Will Make Sacrifices to My Sword

Translator: Tim Editor: Chrissy

“Xiao Bei, you’re quite cocky. I didn’t expect your qing gong to be so excellent. But no matter how good your qing gong is, or how much you talk, this is the end. I’m afraid Broken Fist Hall will kill you first, so I’ll do it myself,” Zhang Zhihui said, drawing the long jian from his back. He swung it, unleashing a sharp sword ray.

Ye Mo watched coldly, surprised the old man still had such moves. Clearly, these Earth Level masters weren’t to be trifled with; they weren’t as easily angered as they appeared. He understood Zhang Zhihui’s murderous intent stemmed from the Liu Blue Carrot.

A head-on confrontation with Zhang Zhihui would be disastrous for Ye Mo. However, as a cultivator with a flying sword, direct combat was unnecessary.

Ye Mo raised his hand, and a faint purple flying sword swiftly intercepted the incoming sword ray.

Clank! Zhang Zhihui’s sword ray vanished, and a fifteen-centimeter piece of the jian’s tip fell to the ground. In a single move, Zhang Zhihui’s long jian was broken. Ye Mo felt a surge of satisfaction, recalling Zhang Zhihui’s previous damage to his own sword.

“A flying sword…,” Zhang Zhihui stared, dumbfounded. He clutched his broken jian, speechless.

After a long moment, he looked at Ye Mo with utter shock. “You can actually use a flying sword… Who are you?”

Ye Mo sneered. “Old fart, weren’t you trying to rob me? Now you look like a coward? You dare rob me? You think you’ve lived long enough?”

Zhang Zhihui’s face turned green, but he dared not move. He knew the flying sword above his head would instantly decapitate him if he did.

He never imagined anyone could wield a flying sword; it was the stuff of fairy tales. He would have called anyone claiming to have seen one a fool, but now, he had witnessed it firsthand.

“Since you have nothing to say, I’ll use your head to sacrifice to my sword,” Ye Mo sneered. The flying sword swirled gracefully in the air before settling on Zhang Zhihui’s neck.

“Please, spare me…” Zhang Zhihui abandoned his bravado. He could dodge this attack, but what about the next, and the one after that? The flying sword meant certain death.

Ye Mo controlled his sword and said flatly, “Any last words? Or perhaps you’d like to tell me which sect you belong to? I’ll annihilate them all.”

Zhang Zhihui no longer doubted Ye Mo’s power to destroy an entire sect.

“Please have mercy! I belong to the Xuan River Zhang Family, one of the hidden sects,” Zhang Zhihui pleaded, knowing a wrong word would be fatal. The sword’s proximity felt like a searing brand on his skin. He didn't dare lie; his affiliation within the hidden sects was widely known.

“Xuan River Zhang Family?” Ye Mo repeated, sheathing his sword. He had heard of them—one of the five great families, unusually headquartered in Xuan River rather than Beijing, though they maintained a presence there as well.

No wonder they were the foremost family; possessing an Earth Level Middle Stage master gave them an undeniable advantage. Before acquiring his flying sword, even Ye Mo wouldn't have dared to confront such a master.

Ye Mo pondered whether to kill Zhang Zhihui or extract some benefit.

Anticipating his thoughts, Zhang Zhihui quickly said, “Though our family isn’t particularly powerful, we have ample manpower, and we can provide whatever Qian Bei requires.”

Ye Mo smiled, understanding. “Ample manpower” meant substantial wealth accumulated over generations. Zhang Zhihui’s Earth Level cultivation was undoubtedly fueled by the Zhang Family’s resources.

Ye Mo’s cultivation progress was slow. Access to the Zhang Family's wealth, and their resources for procuring herbs, would be mutually beneficial.

Sheathing his sword, Ye Mo said, “I’ll let you go for now. But if you prove useless, I will kill you.”

“Yes, I will obey your every command,” Zhang Zhihui said, wiping the sweat from his brow, relieved to be alive.

He understood Ye Mo's reluctance to expose himself publicly. Last time, killing him would have been easy, but it would have revealed the flying sword. The Space Association’s actions against him, and his seemingly accidental fall from the cliff, felt calculated, implying they knew of his abilities.

Zhang Zhihui’s quick thinking saved his life. Otherwise, he wouldn't have survived, let alone reached the Earth Level Tertiary Stage. He suspected Ye Mo was much older than he appeared, possibly a legendary master; the Face Preserving Pill could mask his true age.

“Brother Zhang…” Ye Mo offered a respectful address, befitting Zhang Zhihui’s age. However, he wouldn’t call him “Qian Bei.”

Zhang Zhihui shuddered. “Please, Qian Bei, call me Zhang Zhihui.”

In his mind, Ye Mo was a master far surpassing Earth Level, perhaps centuries old.

Ye Mo smiled. He spared Zhang Zhihui for the Zhang Family’s wealth and Zhang Zhihui’s knowledge of ancient martial arts, a subject Ye Mo needed to learn more about.

Seeing Ye Mo silent, Zhang Zhihui waited nervously, his heart pounding. He saw Ye Mo as a magical being; gaining his favor could bring unimaginable benefits.

After a moment, Ye Mo asked, “Zhang Zhihui, you’re Earth Level Middle Stage. After Earth Level Peak, is it the Heaven Stage?”

Zhang Zhihui stared, bewildered. “Qian Bei, haven’t you surpassed Earth Level? It’s not the Heaven Stage; it’s the Great Heaven Level.”

Ye Mo’s face flushed slightly. He’d made a mistake. He couldn't show weakness, though. He smiled. “My cultivation transcends ancient martial arts. My current power is equivalent to the Heaven Stage.”

To maintain control, he couldn't admit his relatively low power. Though he was barely Earth Level, his flying sword made him invincible against ordinary Earth Level masters.

Zhang Zhihui’s awe deepened. His suspicions were confirmed; only someone who could wield a flying sword could be so extraordinary.

“And after Great Heaven Level?” Ye Mo pressed, seeing Zhang Zhihui’s shock.

“After Great Heaven Level?” Zhang Zhihui murmured, shaking his head. “No one has reached that stage, let alone surpassed it.”

“What? No Great Heaven Level martial artists? Earth Level is the highest?” Ye Mo asked, surprised.

Zhang Zhihui nodded seriously. “Yes. Among those who cultivate martial arts, including the hidden sects, Earth Level is the peak. There may be a few hidden Great Heaven Level masters, but even Earth Level Tertiary Stage masters are exceedingly rare.”

Ye Mo breathed a sigh of relief. His flying sword should ensure dominance. Noticing Zhang Zhihui was about to speak, Ye Mo said, “If you have something to say, speak now.”

“Yes,” Zhang Zhihui quickly replied. “It’s said that Wu Dao Monk of Wuliang Mountain is halfway to the Great Heaven Stage. He’s probably the strongest among the hidden sects.”

“Wuliang Temple? On Wuliang Mountain?” Ye Mo was eager to test his flying sword against this monk.

Zhang Zhihui shook his head. “The Wuliang in Wuliang Temple is different from Wuliang Mountain. Wuliang Temple’s location is unknown; it’s essentially lost.”

Ye Mo waved his hand. He had a general understanding of the hidden sects and had no intention of searching for Wuliang Temple. He asked, “You said the Broken Fist Hall is nearby?”

Zhang Zhihui replied, “Yes, Qian Bei. When I arrived, I saw Broken Fist Hall members outside, claiming you killed their elder.”

Ye Mo grasped the flying sword and glared at Zhang Zhihui. “I will make sacrifices to my sword. Take me to those clowns.”