CHAPTER 458: CHAPTER 186: LITTLE THIEF, DON’T MESS AROUND! THE EMPRESS BABY’S SPECIAL REWARD!_2

Zi Lianji pondered for a long time and asked, "So what if you lose?"

Chen Mo waved his hand and said, "You can set the conditions as you like."

"I think..."

Zi Lianji glanced at Ling Ningzhi, hesitated for a moment, but ultimately changed his mind and said, "If you lose, after this matter is settled, you will go with me to Martial Saint Mountain."

?

Chen Mo asked puzzled, "Why would I go to Martial Saint Mountain?"

Zi Lianji said, "It’s not that I want you to go, it’s my master who wants to meet you."

This statement left everyone stunned.

Zi Lianji’s master is the Sect Leader of Martial Saint Mountain, one of the strongest beings known as the "Martial Saint of the Era," whose status can rival the Daoist Venerable!

The two have no prior interactions, why the sudden interest in meeting him?

Shen Zhixia inquired, "Brother Zi, did Master mention why he wants to meet my brother?"

Zi Lianji replied frankly, "I don’t know either, but Master is indeed very interested in Mr. Chen."

"..."

Chen Mo didn’t seem to mind.

No matter what the Martial Saint’s intentions are, it doesn’t matter to him, because he absolutely cannot lose.

"Let’s settle it that way then."

"Okay, I’ll wait for you outside."

Zi Lianji turned and walked out of the lecture hall.

Seeing the excitement brewing, everyone followed him out.

The Empress looked somewhat worried and whispered, "Seeing that guy so confident, he must be prepared for this. Maybe it’s better to forget about it..."

She didn’t want Chen Mo to get hurt because of this.

Chen Mo pinched her small foot, "Rest assured, Your Highness, I know what I’m doing."

Noticing the curious glances from several young women, the Empress’s face reddened slightly, and she lowered her head without saying more.

...

...

In the open space outside the lecture hall.

The crowd gathered three layers deep inside and outside, creating a bustling and noisy atmosphere.

The duel between the Cloud Top Ranking’s number one and number three was a rare spectacle, drawing not only Sect Disciples but also many students from the Imperial College who heard the news.

"Who do you think will win between Mr. Chen and Chief Zi?"

"Isn’t it obvious? Mr. Chen is the top of the Cloud Top Ranking; his weight speaks for itself. Besides, Chief Zi used to be defeated by Mr. Chen."

"That was in the past, this is now. Chief Zi seems well-prepared this time."

"At this level of martial artists, victory or defeat is decided by a hair’s breadth. It’s really hard to say."

Being fellow sect members, most people secretly hoped Zi Lianji would win. After all, the sect had been overshadowed by the court during the Heavenly Human Martial Exam.

As for the few young women, they knew Chen Mo’s strength well and weren’t worried about his defeat. They were more concerned he’d injure Zi Lianji and get into trouble...

The Empress wrapped in a wide black cloak stood in a corner shadow, watching the scene from afar.

She had already made up her mind.

In the upcoming match, if Chen Mo shows any hint of weakness, she’ll reveal her identity and stop the two from fighting... Though it might cause some trouble, it’s better than watching that little thief get injured.

Yu Hongyin shook her head and muttered, "Zi Lianji really doesn’t learn, courting trouble himself."

Back in Tiannan State, she had witnessed Chen Mo’s terrifying power firsthand.

Breaking through forcefully during battle, withstanding the Devouring Element Blood Melting Array, and tearing open a chasm in the Blood Net that gathered Essence Blood from tens of thousands... In terms of combat power, he’s far beyond what a normal Fourth Rank can match!

Zi Lianji indeed is a top-tier Heavenly Pride, but Chen Mo is a monster; conventional logic simply doesn’t apply!

...

...

By the shimmering waters of Pan Water, two figures faced each other.

Zi Lianji stood with his sword, unmoving like a boulder, his pitch-black eyes deep as a pool.

In contrast, Chen Mo appeared relaxed, somewhat nonchalant in his stance.

Not that he disrespects the opponent; he simply feels a bit bored...

"Last time in the Cangyun Mountain Secret Realm, I was severely injured by you, nearly damaging my foundation. I thought my cultivation would stop there, but Master’s words awakened me," Zi Lianji said solemnly: "Master said: Destruction leads to regeneration; that is the beginning of transformation."

"A hundred refinements yield pliable steel; even a broken sword can still sound like a dragon’s roar."

"This time I came to Tiandu City to face the past; only by defeating you can I clear my mind and focus on breaking through to the Heavenly Human Realm."

Zi Lianji slowly drew his long sword, its blade as cold as autumn water.

"Same as last time, I’m only preparing one strike; hope you stay focused and watch carefully!"

Feeling the intense sword intent, Chen Mo also showed a bit of seriousness, his eyes filled with purple-golden light, staring at the suspended figure of Zi Lianji.

He raised his long sword high, his back whipped up an invisible wind, at that moment, the world seemed to dim, and the golden-armored warrior’s silhouette appeared again.

However, compared to its previous towering form, the silhouette had shrunk significantly, becoming only about three yards tall, but its body grew more solid, the aura several times stronger!

"No wonder you’re so confident, you truly have grown much stronger."

Chen Mo hooked his finger, and the Broken Jade Blade fell into his palm.

True Yuan surged wildly within, flowing with Dragon Devouring Star Daoism, amplified through seven acupoints, continually infused into the blade.

Like jade, the blade subtly trembled, emitting a buzzing sound.

"This sword is named Slaying Immortal, embodying my entire comprehension of swordsmanship..."

"Be careful."

As Zi Lianji’s voice echoed, the warrior silhouette behind him slowly opened its eyes.

Its gaze like a spotlight fell on Chen Mo, and overwhelming pressure descended instantly, as if the surrounding air froze, making even moving a finger extremely difficult!

"Only Fourth Rank, yet able to harness the might of the world. As expected of the Saint General’s chief, truly remarkable..." Chen Mo nodded approvingly.