Chapter 82: A Battle of Life and Death

This Daoist in the azure robe was named Gu Yue, a third-rank Spirit Array Master within the imperial city. His cultivation had already reached the Golden Core stage—such a figure was formidable even before the royal family, never losing his composure.

Yet none of the spectators could have imagined that someone of such stature had become Ye Tian’s backer, and that Ye Tian himself seemed to have joined the Spirit Array Master Guild within the imperial city. All those gathered drew a sharp breath; this was the Spirit Array Master Guild of the imperial city! Spirit Array Masters, akin to Alchemists, were powerful and esteemed professions in this world. Possessing such a title meant being received as an honored guest wherever one went.

Moreover, the guild formed by Spirit Array Masters was a formidable force, rivaling the Alchemist Guild of Flowing Fire City in influence. Now, Ye Tian had joined this guild—and in the imperial city, no less. How could they not be stunned?

“Thank you, Master, but as for that scoundrel Li Jian San, I wish to settle the matter myself,” Ye Tian said. “I want to defeat Li Jian San openly in the arena, to vent the hatred in my heart. I’ll wait here until that brute arrives.”

Ye Tian bowed slightly to Gu Yue. His gesture was respectful, but his words were chillingly cold.

“Very well,” Gu Yue replied with a smile. “I came here today to fulfill your wish, to strengthen your martial heart. I suspect that once you return, your cultivation will rise to a new level.”

Suddenly, a smug voice rose from the rear of the crowd: “Who do you think you are, daring to disrespect my young master? You’re just a defeated foe—don’t you remember how my master taught you a lesson before? You little bastard, it’s barely been a few days and you’ve already forgotten the pain! Dare to act so outrageously here, are you looking for trouble? If my young master hadn’t said he wanted to deal with you himself, I’d have been unable to resist killing you!”

Everyone turned to look. A servant in green, small-eyed and brimming with confidence, stood straight-backed behind Li Jian San.

“Xiao Shunzi, how many times have I told you?” Li Jian San scolded publicly. “We are civilized people. Don’t stoop to converse with those ill-mannered sorts—it’s undignified. But I’ll let it go today, since it’s your first offense.”

Though Li Jian San appeared to be reprimanding Xiao Shunzi, anyone with discernment could see who his true target was.

“Yes, young master, your lesson is well taken. I’ll amend my ways,” Xiao Shunzi replied meekly.

“Never strike the face, never curse with foul words—young master’s eloquence is truly remarkable.”

“Haha, I can’t stop laughing! Where did young master find such a treasure?”

After Li Jian San’s display, the surrounding disciples burst into laughter, some even curious about the origins of his servant. This servant, Xiao Shunzi, had been purchased by Li Jian San at an extravagant price of three gold and nine silver. The retorts he delivered were lines Li Jian San had rehearsed beforehand—how else could a local have such quick wit?

“Young master, who is that brat being so arrogant, daring to make a scene at Shengjing Sect? Is he the ill-mannered person you mentioned?” Xiao Shunzi asked knowingly, provoking Ye Tian’s wrath on the stage: “Shut your mouth, or I’ll beat you till you’re crawling!”

“Young master, look at your status and his. You bullied him before, that was his fortune. Yet this brat is so ungrateful, boasting here to challenge the sect. He’s clearly disrespecting you—slapping you in the face!”

Xiao Shunzi ignored Ye Tian’s threats and continued his sycophantic act before Li Jian San.

Ye Tian replied coldly, “I’ve now joined the Spirit Array Master Guild. If you keep spouting nonsense, I’ll beat you like a dead dog!”

At Ye Tian’s words, Chu Xier—standing beside Li Jian San—spoke up: “Ye Tian, when did you become like this? Abusing your position, vulgar in speech, cruel by nature. I am truly disappointed in you. What has Senior Brother Li ever done to offend you, that you…”

Ye Tian exploded in fury: “Silence! If you hadn’t allied yourself with him, I’d never have been forced into this situation. But thanks to you, I gained this opportunity. For old times’ sake, return to me now and I’ll forgive the past.”

Ye Tian cast a lecherous glance at Chu Xier. She’d grown more beautiful in the time since they last met—he thought she would be amusing to toy with.

At his expression, Chu Xier’s face turned cold.

“I’m now part of the Spirit Array Master Guild in the imperial city. What good is following Li Jian San? Can he compare to me? If you spend tonight with me, I promise you a life of riches and honor.”

“Ye Tian, you scoundrel!” Chu Xier retorted icily. “Can Li Jian San compare to you? You’re not even fit to stand alongside Senior Brother Li. He’s now a second-rank Spirit Array Master. Not just in the imperial city—even throughout Jiang Nation, no one so young holds such a rank. Senior Brother Li is destined to become a mighty power. Never mind you—even nobles and princes can hardly compare. After today, the fate of Jiang Nation may change…”

Moments later, Ye Tian spoke with chilling resolve: “Li Jian San, you bastard, dare you come up here to face death? Come up, and I’ll slice you a thousand times, grind your bones to dust, to vent my hatred. If you don’t die today, heaven itself will protest!”

Ye Tian’s fists clenched, knuckles cracking with crisp sound; veins bulged on his forehead, writhing like earthworms in a muddy pit—grotesque and terrifying. His eyes, gloomy and nearly bloodshot, brimmed with boundless resentment and murderous intent.

Ye Tian had returned with an oath: today, Li Jian San must die—none could stop him! This hatred could not coexist under heaven!

“Good! As promised, kill this wretch and rid the world of his evil!”

“Damn, this brat is too arrogant—young master, teach him a lesson!”

“I heard he had no talent before, nearly a useless fool. If young master hadn’t recommended him, he’d never have entered Shengjing Sect. Who’d have thought he’d turn out so heartless and ungrateful?”

“No way—look at him now, he’s a Spirit Array Master. Doesn’t seem like a waste.”

“Hmph, you don’t know—he stole our sect’s Nine-Turn Pill and fled. He probably gained his talent from the pill.”

“What? If that’s true, this bastard really is scum!”

“Young master, kill this wretch and purge Shengjing Sect!”

“Shameless! Stealing the sect’s treasure—he’s a disgrace to the master. Kill him now!”

With these discussions, several disciples of Shengjing Sect had their emotions stirred, filled with righteous indignation and denouncing Ye Tian.

“Enough talk! A duel to the death—come up here and meet your end!”