"Sister Xu, Brother Mo Yang, let's go out and have some fun!" Su Feier tugged at Xu Xin's arm, her eyes curving into crescent moons.
Just then, Long Wu from the Dragon Pool Pavilion walked over. With a faint smile and graceful steps, she headed straight toward Mo Yang.
Long Wu glanced at Su Feier and Xu Xin, nodding slightly in greeting before turning her gaze to Mo Yang. Her lips parted, revealing an indescribable charm as she said, "Brother Mo, may I have a word with you in private?"
"Uh..." Mo Yang looked bewildered. He had only faced Long Wu once in the arena; they were strangers otherwise.
Xu Xin and Su Feier were stunned, then looked at Mo Yang with suspicion. They hadn't even figured out the mystery of the woman in white yet, and now, the top beauty of the Dragon Pool Pavilion, a genius disciple in her own right, was approaching Mo Yang in private. Faced with a woman possessing both beauty and strength, even Xu Xin felt uncharacteristically insecure.
Su Feier hesitated, then grabbed Mo Yang’s arm as if staking a claim, lifting her fair chin to ask, "Do you have business with Brother Mo Yang?"
Xu Xin also frowned at Long Wu. The four sects usually kept to themselves, and their disciples rarely interacted. She didn't know what Long Wu’s intentions were—could she be looking for trouble? After all, during their arena match, Mo Yang had shown no mercy, forcing her to concede with a casual wave of his hand.
A strange glint flashed in Long Wu's eyes, then the corners of her mouth curled up. "I naturally have my reasons for seeking Brother Mo." She looked at Mo Yang again, "Brother Mo, could we step aside?"
Mo Yang frowned and said to Xu Xin and Su Feier, "You two go on ahead; I’ll find you later."
Su Feier didn't want to leave, but Xu Xin pulled her away.
Watching their retreating figures, Long Wu smiled. "It seems Brother Mo is quite popular in the Lingxu Sect."
Mo Yang glanced around, noticing many cultivators whispering in the distance. He cleared his throat. "Just say what you have to say."
Long Wu scanned the surroundings. "Shall we walk while we talk?"
Mo Yang frowned but walked forward. The crowd had not yet fully dispersed, and many were still watching him. Long Wu followed, lowering her voice. "I haven't seen you at previous martial arts tournaments of the four sects, Brother Mo. You must not have been in the Lingxu Sect for long."
Before Mo Yang could respond, she added, "Would you be interested in joining our Dragon Pool Pavilion?"
"So, Sister Long Wu, you're trying to recruit me," Mo Yang realized.
Long Wu chuckled. "If you join the Dragon Pool Pavilion, we will do everything in our power to help you raise your cultivation!"
Seeing no reaction from Mo Yang, she frowned slightly and continued, "Perhaps you don't know, but last year I was only at Level 1 Earth Profound Realm. I reached my current level because our sect possesses a Spirit Energy Pool." She paused, then added, "With your talent, if you cultivate in the Spirit Energy Pool, you might break through to the Heaven Profound Realm and become a Grandmaster in just a few years!"
Mo Yang wasn't interested. Could a mere pool be stronger than the Star Emperor Pagoda inside him? A measly spirit pool? What a joke! If Long Wu knew he was a useless waste who couldn't cultivate just three months ago, she wouldn't even have the courage to mention the pool. The Star Emperor Pagoda not only contained engraved Ancient God runes and the inheritance of the Star Emperor Scripture, but also the Creation Furnace. And those were just what he knew of so far; there were surely other mysteries yet to be revealed.
However, Mo Yang was curious. He frowned and asked, "Is there a formation in that Spirit Energy Pool?"
Having studied the divine runes in the Star Emperor Pagoda, he understood something of those mysterious energy-channeling patterns. One of those runes could gather spirit energy, and since runes and formations shared the same origin, it was highly likely to be a formation pattern.
Long Wu looked at him in slight surprise, clearly not expecting him to guess that. She nodded. "Last year, one of our elders accidentally activated an ancient formation in the Spirit Energy Pool. Though incomplete, it remains incredibly mysterious."
She looked at him with anticipation. Faced with such a temptation, any cultivator in their right mind would be moved. A constant flow of spirit energy was a dream for any practitioner. Yet, Mo Yang remained completely calm, showing no signs of being swayed. Long Wu was baffled and didn't know what to say.
Mo Yang smiled. "I'm afraid you'll be disappointed. I have no such ambitions; I’m content living as I please."
The disappointment on Long Wu's face was impossible to hide. She fell silent, unable to find the words. Mo Yang gave her a strange feeling—in his calm words lay an unshakable resolve, and deep within those steady eyes seemed to burn two raging fires.
"Then I hope we can be friends in the future!" After a moment, her face regained its composure.
Mo Yang smiled and said nothing. If everything went as planned, this would be his last time participating in the four-sect tournament; it was unlikely they would have much interaction in the future.
After Long Wu left, Mo Yang walked alone on the street. As darkness fell, he felt something strange, as if a pair of eyes were constantly watching him from the shadows. The feeling was unsettling, carrying a subtle, lingering sense of danger.
*Chapter 36: Hero Saves Beauty*
Instinct told Mo Yang he was being targeted by an expert, someone shadowing him. He calmed his mind and walked on. The night in Xuantian City was still bustling with activity due to the influx of cultivators for the tournament. Yet, no matter how many streets Mo Yang turned down, the feeling of being watched remained.
"Could it be an elder from one of the other three sects?" Mo Yang pondered. The disciples of the other three sects had suffered greatly at his hands, losing face for their factions. If someone wanted to strike, it would most likely be an elder leading one of those sects. The most probable suspect was the elder from the Xuan Sect.
"The Xuan Sect elder is at Level 4 Heaven Profound Realm. A fight with him would be life-or-death... but surely he wouldn't dare strike inside Xuantian City."
He hadn't walked far when the commotion ahead caught his attention. Not far down the street, a crowd had gathered, and Mo Yang faintly heard Su Feier’s angry shouts. He frowned and walked over, finding several Xuan Sect disciples surrounding Su Feier and Xu Xin.
Su Feier’s face was flush with anger, and a five-finger print was visible on her fair cheek.
"Little bitch, who do you think you are? You dare to act tough with me? Mo Yang made our Xuan Sect lose face, and you think your Lingxu Sect will have it easy? Today I’ll strip you bare and let everyone watch!"
As Mo Yang pushed through the crowd, he heard Pang Long’s voice. Xu Xin was also furious, pulling Su Feier behind her. "Pang Long, you wouldn't dare!"
"Hmph, get lost, Xu Xin! If you get in my way, I'll strip you too!"
Pang Long looked ferocious. Having nowhere to vent his frustration from the tournament, he had jumped at the chance when he saw the two women alone without Mo Yang. He never expected Su Feier to talk back. With that, he threw a punch that sent Xu Xin staggering back, then lunged toward Su Feier’s dress.
The crowd buzzed with discussion. While many disapproved of Pang Long's actions, no one dared to intervene, and some even jeered.
Just as Pang Long's hand was about to reach her, a figure suddenly appeared in front of Su Feier. Pang Long froze, looking up to shout, but his expression changed instantly when he saw who it was.
It was Mo Yang, his expression cold, a rare hint of killing intent in his eyes.
*Slap!*
Without a word, Mo Yang swung his hand, the force spinning Pang Long in a circle. Before Pang Long could react, another slap landed on his face. In an instant, both his cheeks swelled up, marked by two crimson handprints. The other Xuan Sect disciples turned pale; Mo Yang had left a deep shadow in their minds during the arena battles. To them, he was a monster.
"Come on, don't you like slapping people? Let's trade blows!" Mo Yang said, delivering two more heavy slaps. Pang Long was dazed, unable to dodge or even track Mo Yang's movements.
"Mo Yang, you're courting death!" Pang Long spun in place, his face twisted with rage as he glared at Mo Yang, looking as if he wanted to tear him apart.
"I’ve been waiting for you to say that!" Mo Yang snorted. He took a step forward, and before Pang Long could even move, he threw a punch.
*Boom!*
Pang Long flew backward, crashing into several onlookers and sending them sprawling with cries of shock. He hit the ground ten meters away, blood spilling from his mouth, his chest sunken, clothes stained with crimson.
Mo Yang remained expressionless, walking toward him step by step. The onlookers gasped; Mo Yang clearly intended to kill. Everyone could see Pang Long was severely injured; the sound of his ribs snapping had made the crowd’s scalps tingle. The other Xuan Sect disciples panicked, rushing to block Mo Yang. "Mo Yang, think carefully! This is Xuantian City, our Xuan Sect elder is still..."
Before he could finish, Mo Yang slapped him away. The others instinctively retreated, filled with anger but too terrified to stop him.
Mo Yang reached Pang Long and kicked him hard in the stomach, sending him flying another ten meters. The crowd grew, shocked. Was Mo Yang really going to kill him? If Pang Long, a genius of the Xuan Sect, died here, even the City Lord might punish Mo Yang.
Xu Xin recovered and cried out, "Mo Yang, don't..."
Before she could finish, Pang Long was kicked again. Pale and vomiting blood, Pang Long tried to struggle to his feet, but another slap sent him sprawling back to the ground.
"Junior of the Lingxu Sect, you are too arrogant!" A roar echoed, and a figure charged into the crowd, blocking Mo Yang.
"Arrogant? You’ve been stalking me in the shadows, haven't you been looking for a chance to get rid of me?" Mo Yang looked at the figure and sneered.
The crowd was baffled, but many were alarmed. Mo Yang’s performance in the tournament had been too prominent, causing the Xuan Sect to lose all face; it wasn't impossible that an elder would take action.
A flash of surprise crossed the Xuan Sect elder’s eyes, but he remained calm. "A mere junior, how dare you spout such nonsense? Why would I, an elder, need to stalk you? I only can't let you get away with wounding our genius in public. If I spare you, justice will not be served!"
"Old man, get lost, or I'll beat you too!"
Mo Yang’s face turned icy. The crowd was stunned. Mo Yang’s courage was truly extraordinary. Although strong, he was no match for this elder. Xu Xin’s face paled. She knew that months ago, even at Level 1 Earth Profound Realm, Mo Yang had dared to fight elders in the sect. She didn't doubt his intent. The problem was that the Third Elder wasn't here, and the consequences of such a fight were unthinkable.
*Chapter 37: Sixth Senior Sister Strikes*
The street was packed, and the crowd was stunned. Mo Yang had been arrogant on the arena stage, but no one expected him to speak to a Xuan Sect elder this way.
Pang Long lay curled on the ground, pale as paper, his face twisted in agony, unable to stand. The Xuan Sect elder was furious, glaring at Mo Yang. "Ignorant child, you are courting death!"
Before the tournament, Pang Long had been injured by Mo Yang, and the Xuan Sect had lost face. The elder had been harboring rage and had indeed been following Mo Yang, hoping to find a secluded spot to eliminate him, knowing that if Mo Yang lived, the Xuan Sect would never rise again. He never expected Mo Yang to be bold enough to insult him in public, giving him the perfect excuse to act.
"Old wretch, come and try it!" Mo Yang’s expression was cold, his eyes locked on the elder with killing intent. Although the opponent was at Level 4 Heaven Profound Realm, Mo Yang was at the peak of Level 1 Heaven Profound Realm. He wasn't acting on impulse; he had weighed the risks and was truly ready to fight because he was genuinely furious.
Xu Xin was filled with worry. With the Third Elder absent, they couldn't intervene in a battle of the Heaven Profound Realm. "Junior Sister, go find the Third Elder!" she urged. Su Feier, panicked, glanced at Mo Yang and fled.
*Boom!*
A dull thud sounded; the battle had begun. The Xuan Sect elder held nothing back, seeing this as the perfect chance to kill Mo Yang.
One exchange, and Mo Yang was forced back. He was secretly shocked; the gap in cultivation levels truly made a difference. But the elder was even more shocked. He realized he had underestimated this youth; his arm was already numb from the collision. It felt more like he was fighting someone at Level 4 Heaven Profound Realm rather than someone at the peak of Level 1, as Mo Yang’s explosive strength far exceeded his cultivation.
"Old man, are you getting old? Is this all your Level 4 Heaven Profound Realm power is?" Mo Yang sneered.
The onlookers were speechless. Mo Yang’s behavior was truly unique.
Murderous intent burned in the elder's eyes. If he let Mo Yang live, the Xuan Sect would be disgraced forever. "Since you seek death, I will grant it!"
He roared, his aura exploding. The crowd retreated in fear of being caught in the crossfire. Xu Xin turned pale, but before she could react, Mo Yang had already lunged.
Mo Yang moved like a blur, an astonishingly sharp aura radiating from him. He had condensed a sword aura in his hand. The Xuan Sect elder, grim-faced, quickly pulled a curved saber from his storage ring and slashed at Mo Yang.
*Clang!*
A piercing metallic sound rang out, making everyone's ears buzz. Mo Yang was forced back ten steps, his sword aura shattered. However, the elder also retreated several steps. His face went pale with shock—there was a thumb-sized notch in his curved saber.
How could a single sword aura be that terrifying? If he hadn't seen it with his own eyes, he wouldn't have believed a junior could condense an aura as hard as tempered steel.
Mo Yang felt a rush of blood in his chest. He sighed internally; a Level 4 Heaven Profound Realm expert, with all his battle experience, was far tougher than the previous opponents. Mo Yang hesitated—should he use the God-Slaying Art? If he combined it with his movement technique, he could surely inflict heavy damage, if not kill the elder.
But he didn't get the chance.
Just as the elder prepared to strike again, a sword aura swept down from the sky, instantly piercing through the elder’s chest.
Time seemed to freeze. A deathly silence fell over the street. No one understood what had happened; even Mo Yang was stunned. The elder froze in place, then slumped to the ground.
Mo Yang turned to look at the sky, where a white-clad figure was slowly descending like a fairy from another realm.
"Walking through the air... is that the Battle King?" someone whispered in shock.
Mo Yang stared at the figure—it was none other than the mysterious woman who had scammed him and stolen his silver notes: the Sixth Senior Sister of the Qian Sect!
"I hate people like this the most," the woman in white said. Her voice was as cold as her face, pushing everyone away.
After the initial shock, the crowd retreated, filled with confusion.