Chapter 841: Number Two in the Hall of Fame

Rumble, rumble—Ye Mo watched as the Chi Gathering Peak cultivator hurled a rune paper that transformed into a colossal boulder, larger than a small mansion. It smashed into the Metal Spine Crocodile's head, sending the creature howling hundreds of meters before it landed, convulsing. Half its head was pulverized.

The cultivator then dispatched his flying sword, severing the crocodile's head with a single, clean slice. Even Ye Mo acknowledged the sword's remarkable power; cleanly severing the crocodile's head, given its thick hide, was no mean feat. He estimated the cultivator had used at least a level 5 boulder rune.

After killing the crocodile, the cultivator ignored the carcass and beast pill, instead approaching Ye Mo with a cold stare. "Did you think you could act cocky in front of me simply because I was occupied with the Metal Spine Crocodile?"

Before Ye Mo could respond, the cultivator continued, his voice icy, "Seeing as we're from the same sect, I'll let you live. Leave your storage bag behind, shatter your dantian, and leave an arm. Then you can leave."

This was tantamount to killing Ye Mo. They were in the All Herbs Mountain Ranges, but Ye Mo felt no anger; it was the law of the jungle here.

"By the way, my name is Li Bailin. Don't make the wrong enemy when you come for revenge in your next life," the Chi Gathering Peak cultivator laughed.

"Martial Brother Li, you're quite generous today," remarked the other Chi Gathering cultivator, collecting the corpse.

So that was Li Bailin! The number two in the Hall of Fame. Ye Mo considered him significantly stronger than the average Chi Gathering disciple, but still killable. However, Li Bailin's elder brother, Li Baisen, was a Foundation Establishment Peak cultivator, a fact requiring caution.

Ignoring Li Bailin, Ye Mo addressed Tong Zhentan, who observed from the sidelines. "Tong, if you wish to steal the Purple Lotus, that's fine, but—"

Li Bailin interrupted, glaring at Tong Zhentan. "Martial Brother Tong, you said you'd offended the Metal Spine Crocodile for the Rainbow Golden Flower, yet it seems otherwise. It's for the Purple Lotus! Excellent, excellent!"

The other cultivator immediately sealed Tong Zhentan's escape route.

Ye Mo, having achieved his objective, remained silent. Though these cultivators weren't a match for him, anything could happen in the cultivation realm. If he could incite a fight between them, why not? Even Ye Mo wasn't entirely confident he could have dodged that level 5 rune.

"I underestimated you," Tong Zhentan said coldly to Ye Mo, then addressing Li Bailin, "I obtained five Purple Lotus seeds, fighting for them with my life. Since Martial Brother Li is also here, I'm willing to give you two."

Li Bailin was taken aback. The Purple Lotus was a perfect spirit herb for cultivators below the Foundation Establishment stage. Yet, before he could act, Tong Zhentan offered him two.

How could he refuse such a treasure? Li Bailin smirked. "Martial Brother Tong, seeing as we're from the same sect, I won't ask for more. I'll even help you kill your enemy, but you must leave the Purple Lotus behind."

As if expecting this, Tong Zhentan calmly nodded and produced a bag.

Just as Li Bailin anticipated receiving it, Tong Zhentan unexpectedly tossed it to Ye Mo. "I obtained this from Ye Mo."

Before it landed, Ye Mo turned to leave, stating, "It's not mine. Whoever wants it, feel free."

Tong Zhentan's face fell. He'd anticipated Ye Mo fleeing, pursued by Li Bailin, allowing his own escape. Instead, Ye Mo's cunning move had left the bag on the ground. Having no time, Tong Zhentan fled.

But as he took his first step, Li Bailin's flying sword pierced his back. Clearly, Li Bailin had understood Tong Zhentan's intentions.

Ye Mo watched, sneering. He was certain the small bag did not contain the Purple Lotus.

Li Bailin's flying sword, imbued with a sharp metallic chi, emitted piercing sounds with each slice. Ye Mo noted the difference between their fighting styles: he used cultivation essence to restrain opponents, while Li Bailin possessed a complete sword technique. The sword moved like falling leaves, leaving no escape. Even from a hundred meters, Ye Mo felt the chilling killing intent.

Ye Mo's eyes narrowed. Li Bailin hadn't used his full power against the crocodile. He could have killed it easily, so why the rune?

"Li Bailin, you didn't use your full power!" Tong Zhentan also realized Li Bailin's power was far greater than previously demonstrated, his body already bearing several wounds.

Li Bailin sneered. "Tong Zhentan, others may not know you, but I do. Would you offend a Metal Spine Crocodile for a mere Rainbow Golden Flower? Do you think I'm an idiot?! Did you use your full power? I think you were saving it to run away."

Tong Zhentan glared hatefully at Ye Mo and Li Bailin, aware of his perilous situation.

Suddenly, Tong Zhentan approached Ye Mo, fighting as he spoke. "Ye Mo, do you think Li Bailin will let you go after killing me? Even if you escape today, can you evade his brother?"

Seemingly believing Tong Zhentan, Ye Mo suddenly unleashed his flying sword.

Overjoyed, Tong Zhentan saw a chance to escape if Ye Mo could hold Li Bailin back. Even distracting the other cultivator would suffice.

The cultivator guarding Tong Zhentan immediately shifted his attention to Ye Mo.

Secretly, Tong Zhentan produced a transmission rune, ready for his escape. Yet, as he prepared to activate it, he felt his dantian grow cold. He stared in disbelief at Ye Mo and the flying sword that had just pierced his dantian.

Even at death's door, he couldn't understand why Ye Mo had attacked him instead of aiding him against Li Bailin. Did he really think Li Bailin wouldn't kill him?

Li Bailin and his companion were similarly stunned by Ye Mo's actions. They still intended to kill Ye Mo regardless.

In their momentary confusion, Ye Mo retrieved Tong Zhentan's storage bag.

Li Bailin laughed, shaking his head at Ye Mo. "Are you incredibly bold, simply naive, or just foolish? You dared to steal something in front of me."

Ye Mo sneered, his flying sword unleashing multiple sword rays that surrounded the cultivator blocking his path.

The cultivator, dismissing Ye Mo, a Stage 8 cultivator, as a threat, was about to intercept the flying sword when he found himself immobilized. Powerful cultivation essence bound him as countless sword rays pierced his body.

"Foundation Establishment state," the cultivator muttered, his body reduced to a mangled mess.