Recognition

Although he now held the status of a Mo Clan Guard, a Third-Class Guard did not have the authority to enter and leave Mo Family Fortress at will, so he could only use money to pave the way.

Ten Gold Coins bought him passage from the gate guards. Someone even specially led him to the training grounds where Commander Mo Ran was.

It was not that the gate guards were particularly attentive, but that they feared Mo Tang might wander around the fortress and offend some noble person. If that happened, their jobs would be finished as well.

After going through quite a bit of trouble, he finally met Commander Mo Ran.

Looking at the middle-aged man leisurely drinking tea from the seat of honor, Mo Tang maintained a respectful expression.

"Speak. You went to such lengths to come find me. What is it?"

Mo Ran's faint voice drifted down from above, and Mo Tang promptly took out the wooden box he carried with him...

"Commander! This is a gift that Manager Chen Lin of East Twelve Districts in Iron Refining City asked this subordinate to deliver. Please inspect it!"

Interest flashed through Mo Ran's eyes, and he gestured for the latter to bring it over.

When he opened the wooden box and saw the pair of gloves made from unknown beast hide and special metal plates inside, a hint of surprise appeared on Mo Ran's face.

"Eh? It's actually Milled Iron?"

Milled Iron was a metal refined through special methods. It was not steel in the true sense, but it possessed a certain ability to conduct Earth Attribute Dou Qi. Thus, it was considered a rare metal specifically used to forge weapons for those who cultivated Earth Attribute Dou Qi.

"You've certainly put thought into this."

Mo Ran played with the gloves in his hands, a smile appearing on his face.

Clearly, he was very satisfied with the gift.

"Manager Chen prepared all of this. This subordinate merely ran an errand," Mo Tang said.

"Oh?"

Mo Ran suddenly became somewhat interested in the young man before him.

"What is your name? When did you become a family guard?"

If an ordinary Third-Class Guard heard that a commander had taken the initiative to ask about his identity, he would surely have been overwhelmed with excitement.

Yet Mo Tang's expression did not change. He calmly replied, "This subordinate is Mo Tang. I passed the family assessment one month ago."

"Eh? You only just passed the assessment?" Mo Ran finally showed surprise.

"To think you broke through to become a Dou Zhe in just one month. It seems you're quite the little genius."

Since he had become a Third-Class Guard, it meant that during the assessment, he could have been at most at the ninth stage of Dou Qi.

Yet in only a month, he had successfully condensed a Dou Qi Vortex on his first attempt through his own cultivation and become a Dou Zhe. Such talent was undoubtedly exceptional.

"What attribute is your Dou Qi? Have you cultivated a cultivation method?" Mo Ran continued asking.

"This subordinate possesses Lightning Attribute Dou Qi and has already cultivated a cultivation method."

Upon hearing Mo Tang's answer, Mo Ran's interest suddenly deepened.

"Oh? What rank cultivation method?"

Under normal circumstances, collateral branch disciples had to apply to the family to enter the Dou Qi Pavilion and select a cultivation method.

Moreover, the highest-grade cultivation method collateral branch disciples could choose was only Yellow Rank Mid-grade. If they wanted higher-ranked cultivation methods or Dou Techniques, they could only wait for the family to reward them after earning merit.

Mo Tang naturally understood this well. He had deliberately wanted the other party to ask, so that he could use his Father's name...

"This subordinate cultivates a Yellow-tier High-grade Cultivation Method left behind by my father!"

Mo Ran's expression finally changed. Looking at the young man before him, he asked in a deep voice, "Who is your father?"

"My father is Mo Yun!"

"Mo Yun!"

Mo Ran raised his brows. "So it's him! No wonder..."

As a former confidant of Great Elder Mo Cheng, Mo Ran naturally knew who Mo Yun was. Back then, Mo Yun had even been his superior...

He simply had not expected to meet Mo Yun's son today.

"Come with me! Let me see your strength!"

As he spoke, Mo Ran abruptly rose to his feet. He did not even look at the gloves again, directly leading Mo Tang out the door.

A faint smile flashed through Mo Tang's eyes, and he immediately followed.

When he learned that Mo Ran was the person Chen Lin intended to curry favor with, an idea had already formed in Mo Tang's mind.

For someone like Chen Lin, perhaps he could only grovel like a lapdog and painstakingly make the other party happy, in exchange for his master tossing him a bone to gnaw on.

But Mo Tang was different...

He could rely on strength!

Though his genius status was fake, no one else knew that!

Together with the little bit of influence left behind by his cheap Father, this was his true chance to rise!

"Come! Use your strongest attack and let me see your strength!"

Standing proudly in the center of the courtyard, Mo Ran slightly raised his right hand and spoke to Mo Tang.

You really know how to show off... without leaving a trace.

Still, as an Eight-Star Dou Shi with Earth Attribute Dou Qi, he had the qualifications to show off before a Dou Zhe.

Mo Tang drew his Sharp Spirit Blade, his gaze gradually turning solemn.

"My lord, then this subordinate will offend you!"

Triple Blade Qi!

With a low shout in his heart, silver arcs of lightning faintly leaped across Mo Tang's long blade. Then, facing the figure before him, he burst forward!

"Good! Quite powerful!"

Facing the lightning arcs shooting toward him, Mo Ran, whose body was wrapped in Yellow Dou Qi, laughed heartily.

His massive fist clenched tightly, Yellow Dou Qi wildly gathering over it.

With his fist clenched, he suddenly punched out. A fierce gust of wind mixed with savage force, crashing directly into the lightning-wreathed blade.

As the two collided, Mo Ran's fist almost effortlessly crushed Mo Tang's blade light before barely stopping before the latter's face.

The violent fist wind swept past Mo Tang's ears, causing his face to turn pale.

Sure enough, even compared to a Dou Shi, his current self still had an enormous gap to overcome!

However, Mo Ran, who had withdrawn his fist, was now filled with appreciation. He was highly satisfied with the attack power Mo Tang, a One-star Fighter, had been able to unleash.

"Not bad, not bad! As expected of Lightning Attribute Dou Qi, renowned for its offensive power. And the Dou Technique you used just now should have been Yellow Rank High as well, correct?"

Hearing the question, Mo Tang hurriedly suppressed the disappointment in his heart and immediately replied, "Yes! It is also the only Dou Technique my father left me."

"Very good! A Yellow-tier High-grade Cultivation Method and a Yellow-tier High-grade Dou Technique. Your current combat strength is likely stronger than that of an ordinary Two-star Fighter!"

Mo Ran swept his gaze over the young man before him. After a moment, he said, "I happen to be short on men under my command. Since you've already advanced to become a Dou Zhe, remain under me from now on as a Second-Class Guard."

Excitement appeared on Mo Tang's calm face. "Thank you for your appreciation, my lord!"

"Mhm. Go for now. Come back tomorrow, and I'll have someone take you to update your registration information and collect a new guard badge."

"Yes. This subordinate takes his leave."