Song Hao Apologizes

The students were all too aware of the dangers of the Abyss Church—from history books, from their teachers' descriptions, and from the testimonies of those who had lived through it.

Especially the students of the past few years. The Beast Tide five years ago—they had all witnessed it firsthand, seen the terror of the Abyss Church and the ferocious beasts. Every single one of them harbored a deep, visceral hatred.

So when Song Hao claimed that Chen Mo had been in contact with Abyss Cultists, their instinctive reaction was disgust.

As for drugs that could skyrocket one's blood energy, the Abyss Church naturally had their own research. Taking them would cause blood energy to surge, but the side effects were severe.

Without the corresponding suppressants, the pain would be unbearable. Once triggered, the user would become a killing machine.

As a teacher, Zhao Qiankun naturally wouldn't allow Song Hao to casually slander someone. His opinion of Song Hao dropped a few notches.

Zhao Qiankun quickly spoke up:

"Song Hao, don't speak recklessly! Whether Chen Mo has taken banned substances can be easily checked."

"Jumping to conclusions without evidence—that kind of behavior is excessive."

"Just now, Jiang Tao said that Chen Mo's Basic Saber Technique has reached Perfection. Blood energy can be boosted with banned drugs, but comprehension cannot. The textbook descriptions of Abyss Cultists—you all know them well."

Finally, Zhao Qiankun turned to Chen Mo. "Chen Mo, are you certain your Basic Saber Technique has reached Perfection? If so, demonstrate it in front of everyone now. That will clear your name."

Chen Mo's expression was calm. He glanced at Song Hao, then looked away:

"Teacher, I am innocent. After I prove it, I request that Song Hao apologize to me. What he said just now was slander. Asking him to apologize—is that reasonable?"

"Reasonable! If you say something wrong, you should apologize!" Zhao Qiankun glanced at Song Hao. Song Hao was the top student in the class, and he had high hopes for him. He didn't want an irreconcilable conflict between the two.

But he also couldn't allow Song Hao to slander someone without cause. That kind of thing was not permitted under his watch.

"Song Hao, you have no objections, do you?"

"No!" Even though he was reluctant, Song Hao lowered his head.

But inside, his hatred for Chen Mo grew a little more.

In this test, he had thought he would take first place. He never expected to be overtaken by the second-place student. The attention from his classmates was no longer admiration.

Losing to Lin Xiaoyan, who was in second place, was one thing—after all, her family had martial artists and ample cultivation resources.

But he never expected that Chen Mo, who had always been at the bottom, would steal his spotlight!

A classmate who had always lingered in the back ranks—how dare he stage a comeback!

Damn it! To have an epiphany at a time like this, claiming to have mastered Basic Saber Technique to Perfection in a single day—this was trampling my face into the dirt!

Then what does that make me, a genius like me?

Trash?

That was why he was targeting Chen Mo so viciously.

There was another reason: the teacher hadn't taken his side. He had been the top student in the class for three years!

For three years, did anyone know how much hardship I endured to hold onto that number-one spot?

And in the end, I'm the one who gets humiliated.

Song Hao even began to resent Zhao Qiankun.

But Zhao Qiankun was a martial artist—he dared not retaliate against him. Chen Mo, however, was a different story.

Given the chance, he would teach Chen Mo a lesson, make him understand who the real top student in the class was.

Chen Mo naturally noticed the shift in Song Hao's expression and could roughly guess his thoughts, but he didn't care.

He hadn't provoked Song Hao. Song Hao had jumped out on his own, seeking humiliation.

Slandering him—of course, an apology was due. Chen Mo was not the magnanimous type.

Chen Mo looked at Zhao Qiankun, who understood his meaning. With a wave of his hand, he led everyone to the Training Ground.

The Training Ground was simply the place where everyone practiced martial arts—a wide, open space. On the weapon racks nearby, various types of weapons were displayed.

Chen Mo walked to the weapon rack, picked up a Tang Dao, and stepped onto the open ground, looking at Zhao Qiankun.

"Teacher, I'm ready. I can begin anytime."

"Good, begin!" Zhao Qiankun genuinely hoped that Chen Mo's Basic Saber Technique had truly reached Perfection.

If so, his class would have another genius.

In the entire school, not a single student had achieved Perfection in a Basic Martial Technique!

So Chen Mo would be the first. The only one.

Chen Mo didn't waste time. He drew the Tang Dao and began his demonstration.

Swish, swish, swish...

The blade moved like the wind, fast as a blur, yet heavy and powerful. The sound of it cutting through the air rang out in succession.

The air around Chen Mo seemed to split like water, rippling outward and stirring up a gale.

Seeing this scene, everyone present understood immediately—this was indeed the Perfection-level Basic Saber Technique!

Whether it was the demonstration their teacher had given or the one in the instructional videos, it was exactly the same as Chen Mo's display.

At the sight, everyone was stunned speechless.

They had no choice but to accept reality—Chen Mo's Basic Saber Technique had reached perfection!

In other words, Chen Mo had experienced a breakthrough in understanding, not taken banned substances.

Song Hao still refused to accept reality, inwardly shouting that it was impossible.

But the facts were right before his eyes; even if it were him, he couldn't have demonstrated such flawlessness.

He practiced the sword, yet his sword technique hadn't reached perfection—only Major Accomplishment.

"This Chen Mo, why does he have to oppose me? Can't you just stay invisible as you always have? Why must you steal the spotlight at a time like this!"

"No, I have to suppress Chen Mo. I absolutely cannot let him keep showing off. So what if his saber technique is perfect? When the Challenge Match comes, I'll crush you hard!"

Having made up his mind, Song Hao's mood improved considerably. He absolutely could not let Chen Mo steal the limelight.

Because he had been first place for years, he often sparred in actual combat with Lin Xiaoyan, who ranked second, so he knew her very well. He was confident he could beat Lin Xiaoyan.

After he defeated Chen Mo, then beat Lin Xiaoyan, his throne as number one would still be his!

So what if his basic scores surpassed mine? So what if his Basic Martial Technique was perfected?

I'm still first place!

Thinking this, Song Hao's spirits lifted, and the anger that had been pent up in his chest mostly dissipated!

"Clack!"

At that moment, Chen Mo sheathed his saber, standing straight as an arrow, his face neither flushed nor his breath ragged. He cupped his hands toward Zhao Qiankun:

"Teacher, the demonstration is complete!"

"Good, good, good!"

Zhao Qiankun said "good" three times in a row. "Everyone has seen Chen Mo's saber technique, haven't they? It's indeed at the perfection level! There's no doubt about that!"

"So, Chen Mo really has had a breakthrough! However, Chen Mo, although you've awakened, don't get arrogant. Perfecting the Basic Saber Technique is indeed impressive at the martial apprentice stage."

"But such a saber technique still cannot harm a martial artist. Only by breaking through to martial artist can you be considered to have officially stepped onto the martial path!"

"Thank you for your guidance, Teacher. I understand!" Chen Mo still clearly remembered the power of the teacher's casual punches earlier—how could he possibly become arrogant?

Chen Mo's attitude pleased Zhao Qiankun greatly, so he turned his gaze to Song Hao:

"Song Hao, come over and apologize to Chen Mo."

His tone was calm, yet undeniable.

Song Hao could only steel himself and apologize:

"Chen Mo, I'm sorry. I apologize for what I said earlier."

"It's fine. I forgive you." Chen Mo noticed the venom flashing in Song Hao's eyes and grew wary in his heart, resolving to be more careful in the future.