Chapter 14
“Hey, hey, hey! This is my disciple! You old geezer, don’t even think about poaching him.”
“I’d love to poach, but I don’t have any spots left in my sect.”
Xue Jing replied with a hint of annoyance.
Watching the boisterous Shang Wu, he felt a slight headache.
His grand-disciple was a promising talent; he hoped Shang Wu wouldn’t lead him astray.
It was one thing to lack skill, but a good kid shouldn’t pick up those bad habits.
“Xiao Mo, if you want to test your martial arts or find someone to spar with, you might as well check out the training hall down the mountain.”
Shang Wu squinted her almond-shaped eyes for a moment before nodding:
“Learning some basic techniques should be enough at the training hall.”
Li Mo: “...”
Sister, are you just too lazy to teach?
However, with the heart technique in hand, he was indeed ready to learn some martial skills.
Going to the training hall would also give him a chance to see if there were any worthy investment opportunities, making it a worthwhile trip.
---
**Chapter 12: The Outer Sect Training Hall**
The training hall.
Today’s martial arts instruction had already concluded.
On the ground paved with blue stone bricks, outer sect disciples were practicing diligently, sweating profusely.
Among them was Wang Hu.
The results of the Ascending Stone Steps weren’t measured by the highest level one reached but by the final level one stood at.
He had endured excruciating pain to climb, but in the end, he was only assigned to the outer sect.
And that was all thanks to one person!
“He must have used some trick to deceive the Ascending Stone Steps!”
“One day, I’ll expose his true colors.”
Bang—bang—
He struck the sandbag, making it thud loudly, as if he were taking out his frustrations on someone he despised.
That was the only way he could vent his anger.
After all, Li Mo was a true disciple.
Even his cousin Wang Hao couldn’t lay a finger on him.
“Wang Shidi, your cousin has made quite a bit of progress with the Six Harmonies Fist.”
“The meridians are open, and he doesn’t need me to teach him anymore.”
A blue-robed outer sect steward raised an eyebrow.
“Xiao Hu has had some talent for martial arts since childhood; he’s only practiced a bit with my uncle.”
Wang Hao smiled, but a cold glint flashed across his lips.
“He’s like Xiao Qin; he should be an inner sect disciple.”
The steward shook his head and glanced at a young man in the crowd.
The young man had an ordinary appearance, dressed in a short tunic, his eyes filled with determination.
He was practicing earnestly, drenched in sweat.
“Brother, that’s not quite right. Huzi’s talent is not something that waste can compare to.”
“He entered the inner sect with me, but he’s only gotten worse with practice; his vitality is almost at the level of someone just opening their meridians, right?”
A hint of mockery flickered in Wang Hao’s eyes.
Just then, a figure stepped into the sunlight streaming through the door.
A young man in a cloud-patterned robe appeared, his smile bright and friendly.
“Hmm?” Wang Hao raised an eyebrow.
“Li Mo?”
Wang Hu, seeing that familiar face, punched the sandbag so hard it burst.
The practicing disciples all stopped, confusion etched on their faces.
Isn’t he a true disciple?
Why is he here at the outer sect training hall?
“Li Shidi, I’m He Hongfeng. What brings you here...” The blue-robed outer sect steward stood up, his demeanor polite.
Li Mo cleared his throat and said, “Brother He, I’m here to learn some basic martial arts.”
He Hongfeng: “?”
A true disciple coming to the outer sect training hall to learn basic martial arts?
You must be joking.
“Do the elders know about this?”
“Uh, my master went to sleep, and Elder Xue sent me here.”
Li Mo nodded.
“Your master... Elder Shang Wu?”
He Hongfeng immediately recalled the beautiful elder in her fiery red palace attire, and everything clicked into place.
That makes sense.
The expressions of the crowd varied; some were gloating, some were sympathetic, and others were skeptical.
A true disciple had actually fallen to the point of learning martial arts in the outer sect.
This indicated he wasn’t held in high regard...
It made sense.
The elders each had their own true disciples, and recently, Ying Bing had been gaining a lot of attention. Many were already saying she would be the next sect leader of Qingyuan Sect, so the elders naturally gravitated toward her.
Li Mo had ended up with a master who was disliked.
It was understandable that he was being neglected.
In the crowd, the young man named Xiao Qin was wiping his sweat, feeling a twinge of sympathy.
Wasn’t his situation similar?
“Can true disciples not come to the outer sect training hall?”
“The rules don’t say that, but the basics of the fist techniques have already been taught today. If you want to learn more, you’ll need to ask the inner sect brothers who teach the techniques.”
He Hongfeng was responsible for guiding outer sect disciples in opening their meridians and refining their vitality.
“The inner sect brothers who teach the techniques...”
Li Mo followed his gaze and saw Wang Hao, who was sipping tea.
Wang Hao didn’t even look up, his tone unfriendly:
“The training hall has its own rules. I only teach outer sect disciples for one hour each day.”
“Since you’re late, no exceptions can be made.”
As he spoke, he raised his head, feigning surprise:
“Li Shidi? Aren’t you a true disciple?”
“If you insist on breaking the rules, I’ll have to give you a special session.”
That was a rather sinister remark.
If he said he wanted to learn, it would mean breaking the rules and making an exception.
Originally, everyone thought it was no big deal to teach an extra session, but once those words were out, it would seem unfair.
“Cousin, being a true disciple is impressive, huh?”
“Even in the outer sect, you have to follow the rules!”
Wang Hu chimed in, playing the role of the sidekick.
Though he hadn’t formally taken a master yet, he was practically a disciple of the floating pagoda steward.
In terms of status, he wasn’t afraid of Li Mo, who was looked down upon as a true disciple.
He Hongfeng remained silent; he was just there to oversee the training hall and didn’t want to get involved in others’ conflicts.
“Alright, alright, are you two putting on a comedy act?”
Li Mo raised his hand to silence them and said to He Hongfeng:
“Is it against the rules for me to watch others practice from the side?”
“That’s perfectly fine.”
“Good.”
Li Mo nodded and stepped into the training hall, looking around.
“He seems to be practicing quite well?”
Fixing his gaze, Li Mo walked toward the corner where Xiao Qin was.
“Tsk... these two are getting together.”
Wang Hao shot him a sidelong glance, a smirk on his lips.
Wang Hu nearly burst out laughing.
You think just watching others practice will make you good? Who do you think you are?
And of all people, you chose to learn from the outer sect’s notorious waste.
“Brother, is it alright if I watch you practice here?”
Li Mo first bowed respectfully.
“Xiao Qin, if you want to watch, go ahead. I can’t guarantee you’ll learn anything.”
Xiao Qin replied sullenly.
Li Mo smiled warmly: “Brother Xiao, just focus on your own practice; you don’t need to worry about me.”
Xiao Qin’s expression was complex.
This young man, a true disciple, didn’t carry himself with arrogance; instead, he treated him, an outer sect disciple, with respect.
After receiving so many cold stares, he rarely felt the respect of others.
For a moment, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of camaraderie.
“Shidi, this is the Six Harmonies Fist. I’ll start from the beginning; pay close attention.”
Xiao Qin spoke and deliberately slowed down his movements.
---
**Chapter 13: A New Investment Opportunity and That Damn Sense of Security**
“The Six Harmonies Fist emphasizes the unity of energy and intent, reaching in all directions.”
“Power rises from the ground; once mastered, your eyes and hands will move in unison.”
Xiao Qin meticulously demonstrated the fist techniques while also explaining the principles of martial arts.
He made it easy to understand.
As Li Mo observed, he couldn’t help but feel curious.
This brother’s understanding of the Six Harmonies Fist was quite impressive; it didn’t seem like the level of an outer sect disciple.
Before long, Li Mo had grasped the basics.
“What’s your name, brother?”
“Xiao Qin.”
Xiao Qin paused his movements.
Xiao?
Li Mo couldn’t help but associate that surname with something extraordinary.
He activated his Destiny Eye to examine the other.
【Name: Xiao Qin】
【Age: 18】
【Root Bone: None.】
【Realm: Initial Stage of Vitality Realm.】
【Destiny: Purple】
【Evaluation: Though his root bone is ordinary, his comprehension is exceptional, and his character is resilient. He appears as a rough stone but hides a beautiful jade within; he will achieve great things later in life.】
【Recent Encounter: Possesses the ancient treasure Seven Star Jade, which is ancient and requires a large amount of vitality to activate, causing Xiao Qin’s realm to continuously drop from the Vitality Realm’s ten meridians.】
...
After reading, Li Mo was momentarily stunned.
Brother Xiao Qin actually has a purple destiny!
Li Mo hadn’t expected that at all.
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