The Unveiling of Lin Mo’s True Strength

Ten!

A collective gasp rippled through the crowd!

Such audacious recklessness!

Ascending the steps was not merely a test of one’s compatibility with a cultivation method. It was, more crucially, an assessment of a disciple’s true strength!

Many among those present had witnessed the harrowing ordeal Lin Mo endured during his ascent.

Yet now, he brazenly declared he would face ten opponents?

It was ludicrous!

It was infuriating!

“Does he truly believe that simply by becoming a personal disciple and cultivating the Bright Jade Profound Yin, he can ascend to heaven in a single bound?”

“How many days has it been, and he’s already so full of himself?”

Beneath the high platform, a scoff erupted from the ranks of the Jia-grade disciples.

A crimson-clad figure stepped forward.

She was Jing Ru, Elder Haoyue’s chief disciple, a cultivator at the Great Perfection stage of Qi Condensation.

At this moment, spiritual energy crackled at her fingertips, interwoven with faint streaks of orange-yellow flame.

Clearly, she had already touched the threshold of Foundation Establishment.

With her spiritual root attribute solidified, breaking through to Foundation Establishment was merely a matter of time.

With a sharp glint in her eyes, she challenged, “When you ascended the Steps of Clarity, you were drenched in blood. Had your will not been so tenacious, you would have long since tumbled to the bottom of the platform! Now you dare to challenge ten people? Do you even deserve to?”

“If you’re worthy, then you’re the Sect Master’s personal disciple, not I,” Lin Mo retorted with a faint smile, striking a stance. “More words are useless. Why don’t we see what your hands can do? I’m in a hurry; I still have to deal with the next person.”

This dismissive tone instantly ignited Jing Ru’s fury!

Already disliking Lin Mo, being openly mocked like this was utterly intolerable.

With a flash of light from her storage ring, a long whip materialized in her hand.

As she powerfully swung her right hand, the whip sliced through the air, emitting a piercing shriek before lashing violently against the ground.

The whip’s body was enveloped in a visible aura of spiritual energy.

A faint thread of flame, like a glowing wick, was drawn taut along its length.

A faint hiss reached Lin Mo’s ears, as if the whip possessed an extreme heat, scorching the very ground beneath it.

Jing Ru’s eyes blazed with fierce intent; her grip held no trace of reservation!

This swing of the whip was no longer a mere display of power, but a full-fledged attack.

Indeed, much like Lu Ping’an before her, Qi Condensation disciples at this stage couldn’t fully envelop both their weapon and body.

Their limited spiritual energy could only focus on one.

At this moment, the principle of ‘a longer weapon, a stronger reach’ was demonstrated to its fullest.

The long whip, brimming with spiritual energy and scorching heat, tore through the air, hurtling towards Lin Mo’s body!

Even without the spiritual energy, a single strike from this whip would undoubtedly tear a gaping wound across one’s flesh!

Lin Mo sidestepped, but a fraction of a second too slow, and a piece of fabric was instantly sliced from his shoulder!

In an instant, the airborne cloth ignited, sparks scattering as it burned to ashes and vanished in a single breath.

“Trying to escape?” Jing Ru sneered, enraged by Lin Mo’s evasiveness.

“Kneel!”

In Jing Ru’s hands, the whip moved like an extension of her own arm, controlled with such fluidity it seemed imbued with life.

With a sweeping motion, it swiftly coiled, aiming to ensnare Lin Mo’s ankle!

However, Lin Mo’s figure remained as agile as a swimming fish, hazardously weaving through the intricate net woven by the orange-yellow fiery whip!

Yet, no matter his agility, he consistently failed to close even half a step’s distance with Jing Ru.

Even more critically, as the whip’s assault intensified, layers of whip-shadows began to envelop the entire space.

They formed an impenetrable, high-temperature net of fire!

Lin Mo’s escape routes in other directions were completely sealed, leaving him no choice but to retreat continuously under the relentless assault!

At this moment, on the viewing platform, Qiu Yue supported one hand with the other, covering her mouth and nose, her gaze sharply fixed on the battle below.

“How could this Lin Wan’er…” Nangong Xuan murmured, a hint of suspicion in her voice. “The person who effortlessly dispatched my two maids that day, how could they possess only this level of combat prowess, allowing an opponent to push them to such an extent?”

Abruptly, Nangong Xuan heard a sharp intake of breath.

She quickly turned her head, only to realize that, besides Qiu Yue, no one else nearby could have made such a sound.

‘That hand she’s using to cover her mouth and nose… wasn’t that the hand she shook with Lin Mo earlier?’

“Indeed, one must look at a scholar with new eyes after three days apart,” Qiu Yue mused.

“Have you discerned anything?”

Nangong Xuan furrowed her brow, observing Lin Mo.

She only saw a figure desperately evading attacks, lacking the imposing presence they had displayed that day, and could only shake her head.

“Miss Nangong, you’ve likely witnessed too many battles, becoming accustomed to the transparent spiritual energy of the Qi Condensation stage, which is difficult for the naked eye to discern.”

“Most Qi Condensation cultivators, when fighting, will envelop their entire body with spiritual energy—a technique known as ‘Protective Qi Aura,'” Qiu Yue’s voice was muffled, her hand still covering her mouth and nose.

“But look at Lin Wan’er. Does he possess a ‘Protective Qi Aura’?”

At these words, Nangong Xuan instantly understood the source of her unease!

‘Protective Qi Aura!’

‘Lin Mo has no Protective Qi Aura!’

The realization sent a chill down Nangong Xuan’s spine!

‘Because… this is practically courting death!’

While the physical body of a Qi Condensation cultivator was vastly superior to that of a mortal, it remained, at its core, flesh and blood!

When facing attacks of an equivalent level, it was utterly inadequate!

Especially when the opponent wielded a weapon!

A single blow from that whip, and merely losing a layer of skin would be considered fortunate!

A Protective Qi Aura wasn’t just an outer layer; it permeated from within.

Even if the outer layer shattered, it wouldn’t necessarily damage the internal organs.

Furthermore, a Protective Qi Aura offered more than just defense; it also enhanced the physical body.

Though constantly covering the entire body led to wasted spiritual energy, it was undeniably the safest approach!

‘Fool!’

Yet, no sooner had the insult formed in her mind than she realized something was amiss.

‘If that were truly the case, then wouldn’t it mean…’

“‘Lin Wan’er’s physical body… could keep pace with Jing Ru’s speed?'”

“‘How terrifying is that!'”

“No, it’s far more terrifying than that,” Qiu Yue’s voice drifted over, devoid of her usual composure, now heavy with gravity.

“He was just struck on the shoulder, yet only a piece of cloth was sliced off, with not a single scratch to his skin.”

“Precisely. Lin Wan’er’s method is utterly insane.”

“He only adjusts the spiritual energy’s location according to his immediate needs.”

“Instead of a full body cover, he only defends the area about to be struck.”

“Imagine the immense spiritual energy he can freely mobilize, and the incredible burst of power that would unleash!”

“Moreover, he is a practitioner of the Bright Jade Profound Yin Method.”

“No wonder her maids were instantly defeated; how could spiritual energy spread thinly across the body withstand spiritual energy concentrated to a single point!”

Just then, Qiu Yue suddenly let out another gasp!

At that very moment, a collective cry erupted from the arena!

Nangong Xuan immediately looked, her gaze falling upon the combat platform!

Lin Mo’s heel was perilously perched on the very edge of the platform.

Half of his foot was already suspended in mid-air!

Only the front half of his sole desperately clung to the precarious balance, teetering on the brink!

“Hiss—!”

This life-on-the-line spectacle instantly ignited the Yi-grade disciple seats—gasps exploded in unison!

Even the faint-hearted frantically covered their eyes and turned away, unable to bear the sight of the tragic fall that might occur at any second.

In stark contrast, the Jia-grade disciples burst into a sudden uproar of cheers!

“Senior Sister Jing Ru is fighting so well!”

“Show her what for!”

Their shouts of approval resonated, filled with the exhilaration and triumph of crushing an opponent!

“This, this is already being forced to the edge, but is there still hope?”

“He’s just playing,” Qiu Yue said airily.

Yet, in her heart, she knew better than anyone that Lin Mo was… observing his opponent, waiting for a weakness to appear.

From the very beginning, he had prepared to face ten opponents.

Even his recent evasions were merely him concentrating spiritual energy in his legs to dodge the fierce attacks.

What appeared to be a frantic, perilous evasion was, in reality, all meticulously calculated.

His aim was to… expend the least amount of effort to avoid the attacks.

Though it sounded simple, the difficulty of executing it was… ten times harder.

The tension and pressure of constantly hovering at the brink of life and death—if it were her, could she remain as composed as he?

‘My beloved… is not just handsome, fragrant, and powerful.’

‘It seems he’s also steadily growing to a point where I can no longer underestimate him.’

Especially that courage and audacity, daring to stand before her instead of fleeing in disarray.

This clearly indicated that Lin Mo understood she couldn’t simply seize him at present.

His current uncharacteristic high profile was clearly a tactic to place himself in the spotlight, thus preventing her from acting rashly, wasn’t it?

Qiu Yue chuckled softly, inhaling the lingering scent of Lin Mo on her hand.

She smiled, anticipating just how much he would grow within this month.

Or rather, how much more of his true self did he still conceal, unknown to her?

Qiu Yue held her breath, her eyes shimmering with a mix of eagerness and tension.

As if to validate her anticipation, in a flash, a heart-stopping scene unfolded!

All that could be heard was Jing Ru’s roar echoing from the platform.

“It’s over! You arrogant fool!”

The long whip descended, and a blazing inferno instantly engulfed its length!

“Fire! It’s fire!”

“Spiritual Energy Imbued! This whip’s power is immense! It’s utterly irresistible to anyone of the same cultivation level!”

“I never imagined Senior Sister Jing Ru, still only at the Qi Condensation stage, could imbue spiritual energy! Foundation Establishment is just around the corner!”

“Disciple Lin is definitely going to lose!”

The Jia-grade disciples grew increasingly excited, as if victory was already within their grasp!

“But!”

Lin Mo’s right hand, enveloped in a faint, icy-blue luminescence, brazenly shot out.

With unerring precision, he seized the whip’s body, which was still wreathed in roaring orange-yellow flames!

“Hiss—!”

The imagined tearing of flesh and scorching by fierce flames did not occur.

Instead of the expected sizzle of spiritual fire burning flesh, there was only a dull, peculiar thud of impact!

Beneath the muscles of Lin Mo’s palm, an indiscernible layer of profound ice crystals seemed to instantly form, stubbornly resisting the terrifying heat and impact!

Moreover, Jing Ru felt an extreme frigid energy pierce through the whip with lightning speed!

“What?!”

Jing Ru’s mind reeled, her pupils contracting sharply in extreme astonishment!

A sense of utter absurdity instantly shattered her understanding!

‘How is this possible? It’s utterly impossible!’

‘Her full-force strike, imbued with all the spiritual power of a Great Perfection Qi Condensation cultivator and channeled into the whip, possessed the might to shatter stone monuments and melt metal!’

‘How could it be captured bare-handed by someone three or four cultivation layers below her, a fellow who was still drenched in blood just days ago during his ascent?!’

The sensation instantly feedback to her was not that of gripping a flexible whip, but rather striking against profound ice as hard as refined steel!

This unbelievable shock was not Jing Ru’s alone!

The entire martial arts arena instantly erupted like boiling water poured into hot oil!

Boom—!

The Yi-grade disciple seats exploded with thunderous gasps and cries of alarm!

Innumerable disciples stared wide-eyed, as if unable to believe the scene unfolding before them.

Those who had covered their eyes earlier were now frozen in stupefied silence.

“Spiritual Energy Imbued!? Disciple Lin… is only at a few layers of Qi Condensation… yet he can also imbue spiritual energy?”

“Fool! That’s due to his cultivation method!”

“That’s still impressive! To be able to make a cultivation method manifest its inherent attributes at such a stage, doesn’t that mean Disciple Lin has already mastered the Bright Jade Profound Yin Method?”

At this moment, the roles were reversed, and it was finally the Yi-grade disciples’ turn to beam with joy.

Meanwhile, the Jia-grade disciples, who a second ago had been roaring with cheers and convinced of victory, saw their smiles and shouts instantly freeze!

As if an invisible giant hand had gripped their throats, the entire area fell into an eerie silence!

Only their ragged breaths betrayed the tumultuous waves within their hearts.

However!

An even more soul-shaking scene immediately followed!

“Get over here!”

A beast-like ferocity flashed in Lin Mo’s eyes, and a suppressed growl rumbled deep in his throat!

The slender arm that had seized the whip’s body suddenly erupted with terrifying strength!

“Ah—!”

Jing Ru felt an irresistible, colossal force surge violently through the whip!

Whoosh—!

Her delicate body, whip and all, was instantly yanked off her feet by Lin Mo, soaring into the air like a kite whose string had been cut!

What astonishing, earth-shattering brute force!

In a flash, the world spun!

The sensation of weightlessness, like a basin of ice water, slammed onto Jing Ru’s head, instantly evaporating all her ability to think!

She could only watch helplessly as the bluestone ground beneath her rapidly receded, while Lin Mo, who should have been knocked off the platform by her strike, rapidly grew larger in her vision!

A suffocating terror and an unprecedented sense of crisis instantly engulfed her!

Immediately after, Lin Mo delivered another sweeping kick!

Jing Ru, a Jia-grade disciple, Elder Haoyue’s personal disciple, a cultivator at the Great Perfection stage of Qi Condensation, was directly kicked off the platform by Lin Mo!

Instantly, the entire audience fell silent.

Silence descended once more!