Chapter 811: Pinnacle Battle

A middle-aged man materialized beside the flowerpot where Zheng Chao had fallen. Only Ye Mo witnessed his sudden appearance. This man possessed sword-like eyebrows, long black hair, and a height exceeding Ye Mo's by nearly twenty centimeters—almost 1.9 meters. His features were strikingly handsome.

"Sect Leader Wang!"

"Principal Wang!"

"Martial Brother!"

Greetings erupted from the assembled crowd. Wang Yijian, displaying impeccable manners, returned their salutations with a series of fist-bows, welcoming them to Jiu Ming Academy. The contrast with Ye Mo's demeanor was immediately apparent to onlookers.

Wang Yijian then addressed Ye Mo: "City Lord Ye, your reputation precedes you. I trust you will treat Martial Sister Cai Ji with due respect."

Cai Ji blushed, protesting, "Martial Brother Wang, it's not as you think."

Wang Yijian chuckled. "Cai Ji, your good fortune is immeasurable. We shall speak later. For now, I have a few questions for City Lord Ye."

Ye Mo sensed Wang Yijian's sincerity; this was no mere pretense. He returned the salute, smiling. "Ask away, Sect Leader Wang. I shall answer truthfully."

"I hear you visited Gourd Cave. Did you encounter Brother Ren Pingchuan?"

Ye Mo pondered whether Wang Yijian sought retribution for Ren Pingchuan before answering, "Yes, I saw him. And I killed him."

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd. Ren Pingchuan and Wang Yijian were legendary figures, considered equals in power. If Ye Mo had slain Ren Pingchuan, did this not imply his capacity to defeat Wang Yijian as well?

Wang Yijian's expression grew serious. "May I ask, had Brother Ren reached Great Heaven at the time of his death?"

Ye Mo nodded. "He had, but only just broken through. He was also legless and suffering from internal injuries. It wasn't a fair fight, but I had no choice. He would have killed me otherwise."

Reassured, Wang Yijian continued, "If you faced Ren Pingchuan now, in peak condition, would he stand a chance?"

"No," Ye Mo replied without hesitation.

Wang Yijian's gaze locked onto Ye Mo, intense and unwavering. After a long moment, he asked, "Do you believe I am no match for you either?"

"You are not," Ye Mo confirmed.

This declaration provoked displeasure among the Jiu Ming Academy members. City Lord Ye's confidence bordered on arrogance.

Unfazed, Wang Yijian frowned thoughtfully, before saluting Ye Mo again. "City Lord Ye, I know you speak truth, but I, Wang Yijian, live for the martial dao. Though I know I am no match for you, I wish to spar."

Excitement surged through the crowd. This was a pinnacle battle—a clash of titans promising a spectacular display. Few believed Wang Yijian truly considered himself outmatched; they viewed his statement as mere humility.

"City Lord Ye, if you'll permit, let us proceed to the martial grounds," Wang Yijian offered, maintaining his gentlemanly demeanor despite Ye Mo's assessment.

The martial grounds quickly filled with spectators, none willing to miss this momentous event. Wang Yijian, sword in hand, launched himself ten meters onto the stage.

Ye Mo, accompanied by Cai Ji, also observed Pang Wei's arrival. Cai Ji's fleeting glance at Pang Wei, though devoid of overt emotion, revealed a simmering hatred in her eyes.

Leaving Cai Ji to wait, Ye Mo joined Wang Yijian on the stage. "Sect Leader Wang, you may attack first."

Wang Yijian addressed Ye Mo calmly. "My life is dedicated to the martial dao. Any fight will be to the death. Before we begin, City Lord Ye, your presence here is surely not without purpose, is it?"

Ye Mo understood. Wang Yijian was offering to help fulfill Ye Mo's last wishes should he perish. He shook his head. "I have business here. I came to kill someone, someone from Jiu Ming Academy. Even if I die, you wouldn't be able to fulfill my wish. You may wish to, but you wouldn't be able to."

A flicker of anger crossed Wang Yijian's eyes. He felt Ye Mo was doubting his martial honor, but he prided himself on his integrity. He would fulfill any request, even suicide, given by Ye Mo, but Ye Mo's disbelief rendered further discussion unnecessary.

"Where is your sword?" Wang Yijian asked, unwilling to take advantage.

Ye Mo remained silent, shaking his head.

Wang Yijian, unable to contain himself any longer, unleashed his killing move—a whirlwind of sword-flowers, each imbued with lethal energy, engulfing Ye Mo. This was intended to force Ye Mo's hand; failure to draw his weapon would mean certain death. Zeng Zhengxia, now a Heaven Level cultivator, sensed Wang Yijian's overwhelming killing intent, a manifestation of his complete oneness with his sword.