Chapter 84: With Zhu Shiyao above, Gu Qingxue behind, and Qu Ruyan below, what can you, Ye Kai, do?
Azure Spirit Sect,
Canglan Peak lies amidst the Twelve Peaks, the tallest among them, soaring above the clouds.
It could be said that all Twelve Peaks revolve around Canglan Peak.
Although the Azure Spirit Sect has no overall sect leader, the peak master of Canglan Peak, True Lord Fengqing, is the pivotal figure orchestrating the relationships within the Twelve Peaks.
On Canglan Peak, there is a vast open space that has been developed into a martial arts arena over the years.
This arena is significantly larger than those on the other eleven peaks, hence it also serves as the venue for the Sect Grand Competition.
Today is the day of the Sect Grand Competition.
Lin Mo, along with a small group of disciples from Azure Bamboo Peak who are there to spectate, heads towards Canglan Peak.
Participating in the competition, besides Lin Mo, are Yin Susu and their fourth junior brother, Fang Bo, who was summoned back to Azure Bamboo Peak after a recent period of training outside.
Although this fourth junior brother’s cultivation level has not yet reached Golden Core, he is at the Great Perfection of Foundation Establishment, just like Yin Susu.
Normally, he gets along well with Lin Mo, but he is somewhat taciturn and prefers to go his own way.
“Brother Lin Mo, this peak looks so much more imposing than Azure Bamboo Peak,” Gu Qingxue remarked upon arriving at Canglan Peak. She noticed that both the grand halls and the disciples’ living quarters on Canglan Peak were constructed far more luxuriously than those on Azure Bamboo Peak.
“Indeed. Canglan Peak is considered the best developed among the Azure Spirit Sect’s Twelve Peaks,” Lin Mo replied.
“Then, how does Azure Bamboo Peak’s development rank within your Azure Spirit Sect?” Gu Qingxue inquired curiously.
“Azure Bamboo Peak lags behind the other eleven peaks in all aspects. It ranks last in the Azure Spirit Sect,” it wasn’t Lin Mo who answered this time, but Yin Susu.
Lin Mo had heard that since the founding of the Azure Spirit Sect, Azure Bamboo Peak had always been the weakest of the Twelve Peaks.
Despite having had four or five peak masters over the generations, its situation had never improved.
The reason for this was likely related to the personality of the first peak master, who always passed the position to the disciple with the highest cultivation level.
These disciples, influenced by their predecessors, never reformed Azure Bamboo Peak’s development.
This resulted in a vicious cycle. Otherwise, how could the position eventually have been passed down to his Master, True Lord Yuehua?
Furthermore, when Lin Mo first arrived at Azure Bamboo Peak, there was actually a senior martial uncle. However, he was too old and his cultivation level was only Golden Core. He had passed away without breaking through to Nascent Soul.
Lin Mo inwardly speculated if True Lord Yuehua had only managed to ascend to the position of peak master by outliving her fellow disciples.
Of course, such thoughts could only remain in his mind; they could not be spoken aloud.
The original owner had been by True Lord Yuehua’s side for so long, yet besides her name, he knew nothing else.
True Lord Yuehua had never spoken to the original owner about her life experiences, nor had she ever removed her veil. The original owner didn’t even know her age.
However, the original owner had never asked either.
The original owner rarely asked questions, and his Master rarely offered information. The two of them seemed quite compatible in their personalities.
“Master, will the food on Canglan Peak be better than on Azure Bamboo Peak?” Qu Ruyan, in her cat form, was always concerned about food.
When addressing Lin Mo, she would call him Senior Brother Lin Mo in front of acquaintances, but in front of a crowd, she would change to calling him Master.
This was something Lin Mo had instructed her to do.
“The food is about the same,” Lin Mo said.
This was thanks to the original owner’s subsidies. Otherwise, the food on Azure Bamboo Peak would truly be the worst among the Twelve Peaks.
The original owner, as the eldest senior brother, had been dedicated and diligent.
In Lin Mo’s personal opinion, he was a complete pushover and a sucker. He had gone too far in his efforts to improve relations with Azure Bamboo Peak.
“Brother Lin Mo, why don’t disciples from other peaks greet you?” Gu Qingxue observed.
As they walked, Gu Qingxue noticed that disciples from other peaks would greet those of higher status. However, when it came to Lin Mo, disciples from other peaks seemed to tacitly agree to pretend not to see him.
In her eyes, Lin Mo was the eldest senior brother of Azure Bamboo Peak. Those people must have known that, and it seemed as if they were deliberately distancing themselves from her Brother Lin Mo.
Yin Susu also found it strange. Although she knew that disciples from other peaks looked down on Azure Bamboo Peak disciples, in previous years, she had seen Lin Mo and people would occasionally greet him proactively. Unlike now, where despite the mountain of disciples from various peaks gathered on Canglan Peak for the Sect Grand Competition, not a single one stepped forward to greet him.
Being a straightforward person, she casually pulled over a disciple from another peak who was about to ignore Lin Mo and asked with a frown, “Why don’t you greet my senior brother?”
“Oh, oh, oh, my apologies. So it’s Senior Brother Lin Mo from Azure Bamboo Peak. I didn’t see you. I’m truly sorry,” the disciple from another peak said, only after being pulled over by Yin Susu. However, his tone was extremely casual; after the greeting, he quickly left, using various excuses.
“This is simply outrageous!” Yin Susu was also very displeased with the other disciple’s attitude. She stepped forward and pulled over another passing disciple. But the attitude was the same as the previous one.
Seeing Yin Susu’s posture, as if she intended to forcibly make anyone from another peak who passed by greet them, Lin Mo quickly said, “Junior Sister Yin, that’s enough. No need to ask further. The result will be the same.”
“Why?” Yin Susu couldn’t understand. She had only been out for a few years, and upon her return, it was as if all the disciples from other peaks had an issue with her senior brother.
“There are no problems. It’s just that some people believe your senior brother is unapproachable, violent, and has severely injured fellow disciples,” Lin Mo said with a light laugh, as if he couldn’t care less about the matter.
As soon as he said this, half of the Azure Bamboo Peak disciples following behind Lin Mo lowered their heads guiltily. This all started from the incident involving Yuan Li. At the time, they had believed whatever they heard without discerning right from wrong, and spread it outwards, making it common knowledge throughout the Azure Spirit Sect. To be honest, they felt regret. But as the saying goes, spilled water cannot be gathered. Weren’t the words they spread like spilled water? Although they truly regretted it, they didn’t know how to explain it to others.
Lin Mo, as expected, received more Regret. He knew, of course, the reason behind this. These junior brothers and sisters from Azure Bamboo Peak were merely short-sighted, indecisive opportunists. The true culprit behind the rapid defamation of his reputation was Ye Kai. Of course, Shen Ke’er was not present. She lacked the audacity to appear here. If she were present, she would not feel any regret. Currently, Shen Ke’er believed she was on the verge of death, and Lin Mo had refused to help her, calling him heartless and cruel. Furthermore, a few days prior, when Lin Mo had ripped off her veil, exposing her disfigured face to many Azure Bamboo Peak disciples, the seed of hatred that had already been sown in her heart had sprouted. It could be said that she now hated Lin Mo to the bone.
Yin Susu frowned upon hearing Lin Mo’s words, “Senior brother, is what you’re saying true?”
Lin Mo merely smiled, “Just consider it a joke.”
“Such a joke is not funny.”
“If you are unapproachable and violent, then how many people in this world are kind?”
“You manage everything on Azure Bamboo Peak, and you often go to the Great Continent Mountain Range to hunt to supplement the disciples’ livelihood. Without you, Azure Bamboo Peak would have long since collapsed.”
Yin Susu was the most capable of understanding Lin Mo’s hard work and hardships. Before, when she had only helped Lin Mo with some of Azure Bamboo Peak’s trivial matters, she hadn’t felt anything significant. But in the past few months, while Lin Mo was away at the Lin Family, she had handled all of Azure Bamboo Peak’s affairs, big and small. Normally, she struggled to manage her own workload, and after a day of hard work, she could barely complete what Lin Mo used to do. And when she thought about how Lin Mo had managed these affairs alone for nearly ten years, Yin Susu felt both heartache and shock that her senior brother could bear such a burden alone for so long.
Most importantly, she was utterly impressed by her senior brother’s capabilities. After all, not only did he manage Azure Bamboo Peak’s affairs, but he still had time to cultivate, tend to the Spirit Fields, and go hunting in the Great Continent Mountain Range. As for herself? Let alone going hunting in the Great Continent Mountain Range, after finishing the management of Azure Bamboo Peak, it was extremely difficult for her to even squeeze out any time for cultivation. This was enough to demonstrate her senior brother’s competence.
Yin Susu’s words caused the junior brothers and sisters following behind them to lower their heads even further.
At this moment, Lin Mo secretly transmitted a message to Yin Susu: “After this, be careful of Ye Kai. If possible, torment him to death. Don’t let him gain influence on Azure Bamboo Peak. He is too hypocritical and not as simple as he appears.”
Yin Susu replied with a secret transmission: “Senior brother, is it Junior Brother Ye who tarnished your name?” She hadn’t interacted with Ye Kai for very long. Ye Kai had joined Azure Bamboo Peak not long before she went out to train, and only returned recently.
“Just do as I say,” Lin Mo replied. He didn’t have concrete proof against Ye Kai and couldn’t say too much. Moreover, he knew that Yin Susu would not leave Azure Bamboo Peak.
Yin Susu silently noted down Lin Mo’s words. She knew her senior brother’s character; he would not casually slander others, nor would he ever speak ill of anyone in private. Since her senior brother had said so, Ye Kai must not be a good person. In her heart, her senior brother’s words were never wrong.
By this time, quite a crowd had gathered at the martial arts arena on Canglan Peak. When Lin Mo arrived, disciples from other peaks turned their gazes towards him. Most of them displayed disdain. Some even began to whisper amongst themselves.
“Isn’t that the scumbag of Azure Bamboo Peak’s senior brother?”
“Don’t say that. He’s a Golden Core cultivator, after all.”
“What’s the use of high cultivation if your character is so utterly terrible? I feel disgusted just looking at him.”
“Exactly. He didn’t even care when his own junior sister, whom he raised, was poisoned. He even tore off Shen Ke’er’s veil in front of everyone, exposing her poisoned and disfigured face, and humiliated her. Doesn’t he know how important a face is to a woman? What’s the difference between that action and killing Shen Ke’er?”
“That’s right. I wonder how such a scumbag could have managed to find such a stunning woman by his side.”
“Either he sweet-talked her into it, or she’s like him, also a scumbag…”
As he said this, the male disciple’s words suddenly froze. He saw Lin Mo staring coldly at him from a distance. A terrifying killing intent surged towards him, and an indescribable fear spread throughout his body. Cold sweat streamed down his back, leaving him too terrified to utter a single word. He was even more bewildered. From a thousand meters away, speaking so softly, how could Lin Mo have heard him?
“What’s wrong?” the man he was talking to asked, patting him on the shoulder when he suddenly stopped moving. It was only this pat that made his legs go weak, and he knelt on the ground.
Seeing this, Lin Mo withdrew his killing intent.
“Why are you kneeling for no reason?” the man he was talking to said teasingly. The disciple kneeling on the ground was still unable to speak. Only he knew that his kneeling was completely involuntary. For a moment, he no longer dared to gossip about Lin Mo.
On Lin Mo’s side, he had finally understood the problem. The incident with Shen Ke’er spreading so quickly must have had someone instigating it. Lin Mo even suspected that Ye Kai was lurking within the Azure Spirit Sect, and this matter was definitely related to him.
Ye Kai, observing from the shadows, was highly satisfied with the current attitude of the Azure Spirit Sect towards Lin Mo. However, for a brief moment, for some reason, he felt a chill down his spine and couldn’t help but shiver.
The young girl Wanwan in the ring jokingly asked, “Shaking around for no reason, is your kidney deficient?”
Men hate it the most when others say they are incapable, even if the speaker is a demon. He couldn’t help but retort, “Say I’m incapable, do you believe I’ll take you down in one step?”
The moment the words left his mouth, he felt his stomach being squeezed in someone’s hand, causing him immense pain.
He quickly begged for mercy, “Wanwan, I was just kidding. My mouth slipped.”
“You joke with a demon and you’re not afraid of death,” Wanwan chuckled lightly.
Ye Kai’s stomach pain finally subsided.
He thought to himself, ‘When I completely become a demon one day, I will definitely capture this Wanwan and discipline her severely.’
His innermost thoughts could be heard clearly by Wanwan.
Wanwan was not angry; demons have very little emotional fluctuation.
Ye Kai was merely her plaything, and observing the psychological changes of her plaything was also an interesting thing.
Since the Sect Grand Competition was being held at Canglan Peak, it would undoubtedly be managed by True Lord Fengqing, the Peak Master of Canglan Peak.
Seeing Lin Mo approach, True Lord Fengqing smiled and asked, “Is your Master in seclusion again?”
Lin Mo looked at the elder with white hair and a youthful complexion before him and nodded, “Yes, my Master is currently attempting to break through to the Nascent Soul Stage.”
True Lord Fengqing sighed, “Your Master has a heart demon and has been stuck at the Nascent Soul Stage for a long time. He was already in the late Nascent Soul Stage fifty years ago, and has yet to break through. If he doesn’t sever his heart demon, it’s likely this attempt will also be in vain.”
Well, Lin Mo gained a piece of useful information from this.
True Lord Yuehua must be over fifty years old.
“Your Master is obsessed with cultivation, you must have worked hard, his eldest disciple. You’ve been managing Azure Bamboo Peak alone all these years; it must have been very difficult.” True Lord Fengqing was also aware of the peculiar management of Azure Bamboo Peak.
There was still no detailed division of management.
But that was Azure Bamboo Peak’s business, and he couldn’t say much.
“It is indeed quite difficult,” Lin Mo replied.
True Lord Fengqing then began to examine Lin Mo.
The last time they met was at the Sect Grand Competition five years ago.
He clearly remembered that Lin Mo was only at the Foundation Establishment Stage back then.
And now…
“Lin Mo, did you have an extraordinary encounter?” To go from Foundation Establishment to late Golden Core in five years, True Lord Fengqing couldn’t think of any other reason besides a fortuitous encounter.
Lin Mo knew his cultivation level had been seen through and nodded with a smile, “I had an extraordinary encounter. I received the legacy of a senior sword cultivator.”
He had no intention of hiding anything about himself.
After all, he couldn’t avoid using a sword in the upcoming competition, right?
It was better to fabricate a reason for starting his sword cultivation here.
“You are indeed blessed with great fortune. True Lord Yuehua is truly fortunate to have a disciple like you,” True Lord Fengqing said with a smile.
No elder would dislike a shrewd, capable, and sensible junior. True Lord Fengqing also liked Lin Mo very much.
Indeed, to cultivate and achieve longevity, talent was only the foundation.
Fortune and innate aptitude were both extremely important.
He remembered Lin Mo was not even thirty years old.
His aptitude seemed to be Dual Spirit Root.
Although he didn’t know what grade Lin Mo’s Golden Core was, looking into the future, even with Heavenly Spirit Root aptitude, achieving late Golden Core cultivation before the age of thirty was exceptionally rare and could be considered a prodigy.
Although it was said to be due to his great fortune, there was a saying that luck is a part of strength.
He just didn’t know what Lin Mo’s talent in the way of the sword was.
True Lord Fengqing thought to himself, ‘Perhaps the strength rankings of the disciples from the Twelve Peaks will change in this Sect Grand Competition.’
While True Lord Fengqing was thinking, Lin Mo retreated to the Azure Bamboo Peak seats at the competition arena and waited.
A total of thirty-six people participated in the Sect Grand Competition.
The competition would only take three days.
Actually, at first, Lin Mo had planned to slack off, pretend to spar a few moves, and then concede defeat.
After all, the reputation from this competition was irrelevant to him. He was already planning to leave the sect, so why bother fighting so seriously?
However, it seemed that was not very feasible at the moment.
This True Lord Fengqing of Canglan Peak seemed to be at the Nascent Soul Stage.
He had seen through Lin Mo’s cultivation level with a single glance.
If he intentionally let up, it might arouse suspicion from other Peak Masters, and it would be difficult to explain.
Besides…
“Brother Lin Mo, you will definitely win first place in the Sect Grand Competition, right?” Gu Qingxue’s eyes were filled with anticipation.
Well, this made it even more difficult for Lin Mo to hold back.
In the time it took for an incense stick to burn, the Sect Grand Competition began.
Lin Mo was not interested in watching. It wasn’t that he was arrogant, but none of these disciples could match him.
They weren’t even as good as Xia Qianqiu and the others.
Soon, it was time for Azure Bamboo Peak’s match.
“Senior Brother Lin, I’ll go up first.”
Yin Susu’s opponent was a female disciple from Pan Yue Peak.
She was also at the peak of Foundation Establishment.
After several exchanges, Yin Susu gradually fell into a disadvantage.
In the end, Yin Susu lost the match.
“I’m sorry, Senior Brother. I didn’t win…” Yin Susu said with a face full of apology.
“It’s alright. You specialize in artifact refining, and you can’t bring artifacts into the competition. That female disciple from Pan Yue Peak is a magic cultivator and has learned an Earth-tier Fire cultivation technique. It’s not shameful that you lost to her.”
“In a real fight, she would definitely not be your opponent,” Lin Mo said.
These were not just comforting words.
Yin Susu had spent a long time adventuring outside and had many magical artifacts on her. Coupled with her constant battles with demonic beasts for artifact refining materials, her practical combat experience was top-notch. Killing that female cultivator from Pan Yue Peak would not be a problem.
Yin Susu also knew this and smiled helplessly, “For the remaining matches, it will be up to Senior Brother Lin and Junior Brother Fang.”
After a few more matches, it was Azure Bamboo Peak’s turn again.
Fang Bo glanced at Lin Mo and Yin Susu and went up to the stage without saying a word.
Although his entrance was very cool, he was defeated just as quickly.
Lin Mo was not surprised by his defeat.
After all, his opponent was the Senior Sister of Dashi Peak, Bai Ling.
She was at the middle Golden Core Stage.
It was quite easy for her to defeat a cultivator at the peak of Foundation Establishment.
Seeing that Azure Bamboo Peak had lost two matches in the Sect Grand Competition, the junior disciples of Azure Bamboo Peak looked dejected.
“As expected, Azure Bamboo Peak will be at the bottom of the Sect Grand Competition again this year?”
“Sigh, it seems we’ll be looked down upon by other peaks for another five years.”
“Senior Brother Lin hasn’t competed yet. You should believe in Senior Brother Lin.”
“It’s not that we don’t believe him, but Senior Brother Lin specializes in cultivation techniques for health preservation. Even with Golden Core, it’s hard to win matches…”
This last sentence was the sentiment of all the junior disciples.
It was truly frustrating that Azure Bamboo Peak was always at the bottom.
Lin Mo suddenly felt that it would be quite good to win first place for Azure Bamboo Peak before he left.
When it was Azure Bamboo Peak’s last match.
Lin Mo took to the stage, and the atmosphere in the entire arena became extremely strange.
At first, female disciples from other peaks were complimenting his appearance.
After someone told them about Shen Ke’er, their gazes towards Lin Mo turned to that of trash.
Lin Mo’s opponent was Liu Bao from Dashi Peak.
As soon as he stepped onto the stage, the entire crowd erupted in cheers.
“Go, Senior Brother Liu!”
“Senior Brother Liu, make this scumbag Lin Mo suffer a little.”
“Yes, yes! You must beat this kind of ruthless and cold-blooded person to death, Senior Brother Liu!”
…
With someone leading the way, the competition arena exploded.
Whether they knew the details or had only heard rumors, they had all already branded Lin Mo as a scumbag.
Only a few people remained silent, not swayed by the prevailing sentiment.
Lin Mo sneered inwardly. Frankly speaking, human nature was truly ugly.
Even though these people didn’t know the full story, they still chose to go with the flow and join in the heckling before the truth was revealed.
What was the difference between this situation and those who only watched online bullying in his previous life?
Moreover, there were also a group of people who didn’t understand what was going on and were simply there to join the fun.
Ye Kai, lurking in the darkness, was laughing his heart out.
He also wanted Liu Bao to teach Lin Mo a harsh lesson and have some fun first.
Meanwhile, the disciples of Azure Bamboo Peak who had a good relationship with Lin Mo began to speak up for him proactively.
However, their voices were drowned out by the curses from the disciples of the other eleven peaks.
Yin Susu gritted her teeth, clearly angered, “From beginning to end, Senior Brother poured his heart out for Junior Sister Shen. The only reason he couldn’t save Junior Sister Shen was that Senior Brother was helpless. It was Junior Sister Shen’s mistake for not listening to Senior Brother’s words and secretly going to the Great Continent Mountain Range to hunt that led to this situation. Yet these people are blaming Senior Brother without knowing the facts?”
“I really want to rip their brains out and see if they’re filled with water, and clear them out.”
“So, are most of the disciples of the Azure Spirit Sect like this?” Gu Qingxue also frowned. Having been in Azure Bamboo Peak for so long, she had learned a lot.
For example, Lin Mo woke up early and worked late, not only handling many matters for Azure Bamboo Peak but also occasionally going hunting to subsidize Azure Bamboo Peak’s economy.
She also learned a lot about his kindness towards Shen Ke’er from Yin Susu and Gu Zi.
Honestly, hearing it made her heart ache a little.
She wondered what was wrong with Shen Ke’er. Lin Mo was so good, yet she distanced herself from him because of a man she had only known for a year?
This was truly ungrateful, a complete white-eyed wolf and a leech.
She even got injured going to the Great Continent Mountain Range out of spite, and now she expected Brother Lin Mo to clean up her mess?
It was akin to finding an injured, dirty pigeon on the road. After you took good care of it for a long time, it not only recovered but also became very beautiful. Seeing her yearn for the outside world, although you were reluctant, you still prepared to let her fly.
A few days ago, she would still come back after going out for a walk. Until one day, she didn’t come home. You searched for her for several days outside and found her being fed by someone else, acting very intimately with the feeder.
Would you feel good?
After some time, she got injured and only then remembered your kindness and returned to you. Would you still nurse her back to health?
Fortunately, Brother Lin Mo woke up quickly.
It was indeed not worth staying in this sect, and it was right not to continue being close to this junior sister.
Liu Bao looked at Lin Mo, rubbing his fists together, “Lin Mo, your reputation is truly terrible.”
“Last time I wanted to beat you, and now it’s just right, I can beat you openly.”
“There are no eyes on my fists. If I accidentally cripple you, don’t blame me.”
Bai Ling transmitted a message to him from outside the arena, “Junior Brother Liu, be careful. I’ve told you before, Lin Mo is not that simple.”
Liu Bao was extremely confident and transmitted back, “Senior Sister Bai, don’t worry. I’m also at the Golden Core stage now, my Golden Core is fifth grade, and my Fire Cloud Palm has reached the seventh level. Beating Lin Mo will be as easy as lifting a finger.”
Bai Ling frowned tightly. Previously, she could still see through Lin Mo a little, but now she found herself completely unable to do so.
Her foolish junior brother, who looked down on the opponent so much, would probably suffer a bitter lesson…
When the match began, Liu Bao stopped his nonsense and first launched a Fire Cloud Palm towards Lin Mo.
Facing the Fire Cloud Palm, Lin Mo shook his head.
Its power was far inferior to Xia Qianqiu’s Blazing Palm.
He didn’t even bother to draw his Liuli Sword. With his own Spiritual Energy, he effortlessly dispersed the fire palm before him, then flashed behind Liu Bao.
He raised a foot and kicked hard at his waist.
Liu Bao was still in shock as to why his Fire Cloud Palm was so easily dispersed. Then he felt a pain in his lower back, and his entire body shot out of the arena like an arrow loosed from a bow.
It was quiet,
very quiet.
Everyone in the Azure Spirit Sect had heard that Liu Bao cultivated a Fire attribute Cultivation Technique, and his Fire Cloud Palm was practiced to perfection, making him one of the top disciples.
He lost so easily?
Didn’t that Lin Mo cultivate a health-preserving Cultivation Technique?
When did he become so powerful?
Among those present, only True Lord Fengqing of Azure Peak could see clearly.
Lin Mo hadn’t used any Cultivation Technique at all; he blocked Liu Bao’s Fire Cloud Palm and defeated him solely with his spiritual energy.
His eldest disciple, Feng Kaihuai, asked, “Master, why can’t I see through this Lin Mo?”
Feng Kaihuai was also filled with surprise. He was the strongest among the younger generation of the Azure Spirit Sect.
He possessed a Wood attribute Heavenly Spirit Root, late Nascent Soul Cultivation Level, Rank 7 Golden Core, and his swordsmanship was immaculate.
Although he was confident he could defeat Liu Bao in a short time, it would be under the condition that he could use his sword.
Unlike Lin Mo, who defeated Liu Bao so easily with just his body and spiritual energy?
It was simply unimaginable.
True Lord Fengqing slowly said, “Lin Mo had a fortuitous encounter, and his strength has likely surpassed yours.”
Feng Kaihuai was inwardly unconvinced. Among the younger generation, even geniuses from Rank 1 Sects, he was confident he could contend with them, except for Zhu Shiyao of the Spiritual Sword Sect; truthfully, he feared no one.
After defeating Liu Bao, Lin Mo said nothing and returned to the Azure Bamboo Peak seating area.
The expressions of the disciples from Azure Bamboo Peak changed completely when they looked at Lin Mo.
During the last Sect Grand Competition, their senior brother had lost so quickly.
Who would have thought that after five years, their senior brother would be so formidable?
Yin Susu also looked incredulous and asked, “Senior Brother, did you take medicine???”
She hadn’t seen her senior brother make a move for about two years, so how was he so ferocious?
It was like an old driver flying a plane, incredibly awesome.
Lin Mo didn’t intend to be modest in front of his own people and chuckled, “Among the disciples in this Sect Grand Competition, there is no opponent who can make me take medicine.”
Yin Susu looked at the man beside True Lord Fengqing and asked, “Senior Brother, is that Feng Kaihuai also not your opponent?”
“He is not.”
Lin Mo knew Feng Kaihuai was also a Sword Cultivator with considerable skill.
However, compared to himself, he was still far too weak.
He doubted Feng Kaihuai could even withstand his Three Thousand Sword Art.
Today’s matches had concluded, and Lin Mo, having nothing else to do, had no intention of staying longer.
Ye Kai, hiding in the shadows, narrowed his eyes and asked the girl in the ring, “Wanwan, how strong is Lin Mo now?”
Wanwan replied, “Last time, when my main body saw him, although I couldn’t discern his Golden Core rank, based on the immense spiritual energy and demonic energy within him, no disciple in this Sect Grand Competition is his match.”
“If he also possesses a Heavenly grade Cultivation Technique, killing a Nascent Soul cultivator wouldn’t be difficult.”
Ye Kai frowned as he listened.
Wanwan continued, “Furthermore, the Spirit Pet accompanying him is not simple; it’s at the Nascent Soul realm.”
Upon hearing this, Ye Kai was extremely envious. Lin Mo’s luck was truly incredible to have acquired a Spirit Pet at the Nascent Soul realm.
He worried, “Then, is there anyone in the Azure Spirit Sect who can take him down?”
He currently had two main objectives: one was to seize True Lord Yuehua’s cultivation, and the other was for Lin Mo to die.
If Lin Mo were to escape, it would feel like a cockroach had entered his house, leaving him uneasy.
Wanwan said, “You can rest assured. After all, the Azure Spirit Sect is a Rank 2 Sect and has its foundations. That old man from Azure Peak possesses a Soul Severing realm cultivation, not to mention the peak masters of the other eleven peaks.”
Hearing this, Ye Kai felt relieved.
Even if Lin Mo’s luck was good, if Lin Mo exposed his demonic cultivation later and took the blame, the Azure Spirit Sect would surely not let him go.
He didn’t believe Lin Mo could be so strong as to defeat a Soul Severing cultivator who was two major realms higher.
It seemed his plan could begin.
At night, Shen Ke’er waited for Ye Kai to return from Azure Bamboo Peak as usual. When he didn’t, she prepared to return to her peak to rest.
On her way back, she witnessed a shocking sight.
She saw her senior brother, Lin Mo, with his eyes reddened and black energy emanating from his body, absorbing the spiritual energy of a disciple.
She yelped in fear and quickly covered her mouth, “So the demonic cultivator who has been harming fellow disciples recently is actually my senior brother???”
When did her senior brother cultivate demonic arts?
Her mind was in chaos, and she didn’t know how to decide, so she crept back to her room on her peak.
Meanwhile, Ye Kai, seeing that his objective had been achieved, was preparing to end the life of the disciple before him.
Wanwan reminded Ye Kai, “I say, you are truly stupid.”
“Wouldn’t it be better to leave him with a breath of life?”
“Is your head filled with excrement?”
“Leaving this disciple with a breath of life and letting her report it herself would be even better!”
“Shen Ke’er can only play a supporting role. This also leaves you an escape route for your plan.”
Ye Kai suddenly realized and, following Wanwan’s suggestion, deliberately left the female disciple with a breath of life.
The next day, Lin Mo went to Azure Peak to continue participating in the Sect Grand Competition.
To his surprise, Shen Ke’er also joined the spectator group today.
Seeing Shen Ke’er following in the group without coming up to disgust him as usual, Lin Mo didn’t say anything.
Today’s Sect Grand Competition still consisted of three matches.
Yesterday, many people thought Lin Mo’s victory over Liu Bao was a fluke.
But today, seeing Lin Mo, his opponents in the first two matches were defeated almost the instant the fight began.
They were completely shocked by Lin Mo’s strength.
The disciples of Azure Bamboo Peak praised Lin Mo to the skies.
However, only Shen Ke’er remained unmoved.
She looked at Lin Mo’s figure, her eyes filled with complex emotions.
She had already confirmed that Lin Mo had cultivated demonic arts; otherwise, how could he so easily defeat two senior brothers and senior sisters who were both at the Golden Core stage from other peaks?
No one noticed that on Azure Peak, a blue-clothed maiden was looking down at the ongoing matches.
The blue-clothed maiden shook her head, “Fellow Daoist Lin Mo’s sect still has no one who can fight, just like before.”
The blue-clothed maiden was Zhu Shiyao. She had arrived today.
Her original intention was to find Lin Mo for a sparring session.
She hadn’t expected that the Azure Spirit Sect was holding its Sect Grand Competition.
Thinking she had nothing else to do, she had been observing the level of the Azure Spirit Sect’s Grand Competition, hoping to find some powerful individuals.
However, she became increasingly disappointed. After a good part of the day, her fellow disciples of Lin Mo were too far behind him in skill.
‘It seems I can only wait until Fellow Daoist Lin Mo finishes his matches before seeking him out for a spar.’
The opponent in the final match was Bai Ling, the senior disciple of Great Stone Peak.
Lin Mo had an impression of Bai Ling and politely greeted her, “Greetings, Senior Sister Bai.”
Bai Ling had a good impression of Lin Mo. She was one of the few present who did not blindly believe the evaluations of Lin Mo.
Her standard for judging people was to assess them after personal contact.
And in her impression, Lin Mo was not a cold and merciless person who harmed fellow disciples.
She returned the greeting, “Junior Brother Lin, it’s been half a year since we last met, and I can’t see through your cultivation level now.”
“Just got lucky and had a fortuitous encounter,” Lin Mo chuckled.
“I know I’m no match for you now, but out of past acquaintance, grant me the favor and draw your sword.”
“I know you are a Sword Cultivator.”
Bai Ling’s voice was not low, and everyone present heard her clearly.
“What’s going on? Senior Sister Bai Ling hasn’t even fought yet, and she’s already admitting she’s not Lin Mo’s opponent?”
“Hey hey hey, no way, Senior Sister Bai Ling got second place in the last Sect Grand Competition.”
“Could it be that Senior Sister Bai Ling is being humble towards this scumbag?”
“What I care about is that Senior Sister Bai Ling said Lin Mo is a Sword Cultivator. That’s too outrageous!”
Due to Lin Mo’s performance just now, he used no weapons and no spells, so everyone present believed Lin Mo had switched to body cultivation. After all, he had previously cultivated health-preserving Cultivation Techniques, which made perfect sense.
However, Bai Ling’s words now left them even more bewildered.
Outside the arena, Feng Kaihuai looked at his Master, who was also his grandfather, and asked, “Master, is Lin Mo really a Sword Cultivator?”
True Lord Fengqing replied, “You who practice the sword, can’t you tell?”
No, Feng Kaihuai could tell, he just didn’t want to believe it.
If Lin Mo was truly a Sword Cultivator and could defeat opponents so easily without using a sword, then his strength was indeed likely superior to his own.
…
Lin Mo, naturally, took out his Liuli Sword from his storage ring.
Even if Bai Ling hadn’t mentioned it, he would have taken out his Liuli Sword.
Those disciples from before, like Liu Bao, blindly followed rumors and already regarded him as scum.
Therefore, Lin Mo had no need to give them any face.
But Bai Ling was different. Seeing that she treated him the same as before showed she clearly hadn’t believed the negative rumors about him.
He naturally wanted to show Bai Ling some respect.
The moment he held the Liuli Sword, the Liuli Sword began to make noise.
“Little Li feels it, Mistress Shiyao’s aura.”
“That’s right, there’s Mistress Shiyao’s aura; she’s nearby.”
Lin Mo believed the Liuli Sword’s sensing ability.
Sword spirits were inherently better at sensing than humans, not to mention that this Liuli Sword was obsessed with Zhu Shiyao and would not be mistaken.
Lin Mo’s only thought now was, ‘Zhu Shiyao has come to find him for a spar!’
Otherwise, why would she come to this godforsaken place like Azure Spirit Sect?
It seemed after his match, he still had to spar with this little demon, Zhu Shiyao.
Lin Mo sighed inwardly. This was all the fault of True Lord Yuehua. When he was about to leave the sect, she chose to go into seclusion to attempt breaking through to the Soul Severing realm.
If it were just normal cultivation seclusion, it would only take a few days.
In that case, he would have already left the sect, and Zhu Shiyao wouldn’t have had reason to seek him out.
“Junior Brother Lin, your sword aura is truly terrifying.” Bai Ling, the moment Lin Mo held his spiritual sword, sensed that his aura had changed.
It was the sharpness unique to Sword Cultivators, and it was several times stronger than when he sparred with Feng Kaihuai.
She didn’t overthink it, only hoping to last a few more moves under Lin Mo’s hand; it wouldn’t be too embarrassing.
Seeing Lin Mo standing still with his sword, Bai Ling knew he was letting her make the first move.
She didn’t think Lin Mo was arrogant. In this world, strength was everything.
Thinking this, she decided not to hold back. She summoned her spiritual sword and thrust it forward.
At that very moment, ten terrifying auras descended from the sky towards them.
“What’s going on? Why have all the peak masters come together?”
“Could something major have happened?”
The surrounding disciples saw the faces of their respective Masters filled with anger as they flew towards them.
Suddenly, fear gripped them…
Except for True Lord Fengqing and True Lord Yuehua.
The peak masters of the remaining ten peaks stopped between Lin Mo and Bai Ling.
They all glared at Lin Mo coldly.
True Lord Tianchen spoke first, “Lin Mo, how dare you cultivate demonic arts!”
…
At the same time, within the Ice Palace.
Gu Qingxue had Jiang Yanran enter the Ice Palace’s Cold Abyss.
As long as she could endure the trials in the Cold Abyss, her foundation would not only recover but become even better.
This was a right only enjoyed by the successive Palace Masters of the Ice Palace.
The reason Gu Qingxue allowed Jiang Yanran to enter was that she felt indebted, not having taken good care of this disciple.
“Since the matters at hand are now settled, it’s time to go to the Azure Spirit Sect to retrieve my external clone.”
……..
