Subduing Hao Meng

"You... you... why are you looking at me like that?"

Hao Meng felt a chill under Ling Mu's stare. The Second Young Master of the Ling family looked at him with undisguised desire in his eyes. Remembering all the rumors about him, Hao Meng broke out in a cold sweat.

"Brother, I can see you're strong and vigorous, a true powerhouse in the making. Might I ask your name?"

Ling Mu sized Hao Meng up from head to toe. In his eyes, Hao Meng had already turned into a tempting quest reward.

The Simulation System was Ling Mu's greatest asset for carving his path through the Immortal Realm. Ever since he crossed over, whether it was mastering the Shadowless Sword or completing the Three Basic Sword Techniques, it was all thanks to the system's help.

So Ling Mu took the time to organize what he knew about this mysterious system.

First, the system had a multitude of functions, all based on the most popular online games from his original world, but the conditions for unlocking them were unknown.

Second, every currently available function—whether it was the shop modeled after the Canyon Game, the Talent Tree from the character world game, or the newly opened quest system from the goddess Seliya of the Arad continent—wasn't free. In other words, everything required an equivalent exchange. The shop's goods needed money, the Talent Tree needed Talent Points, and the brand-new quest system required completing tasks.

Third, the system was a huge help to his current cultivation progress. Ling Mu had wasted the golden decade of his path to immortality, and if he wanted to catch up, he had to rely on the system.

So he concluded that for now, he only needed to focus on three things: earn money to buy equipment, improve his strength to exchange for Talent Points, and complete all kinds of quests.

Once he figured that out, Ling Mu's gaze at Hao Meng grew even more fervent, almost to the point of drooling.

"Brother, my little sister Zhu'er here likes strong, mighty, and invincible warriors. How about this—you and I have a match right here. The winner gets the right to stand by Qingzhu's side. What do you say?"

Ling Mu had long seen through that this rough-looking, straightforward man had come for Lin Qingzhu. If he wanted to complete his quest and spar with him, then using his little sister Zhu'er as bait was the most effective method.

Standing to the side, Lin Qingzhu heard Ling Mu drag her into this and shot him a glare. Though she didn't know why her Brother Mu wanted to spar, she had to support him in public no matter what.

"No... I... Senior Sister..."

Hearing Ling Mu see through his intentions right in front of the goddess of his heart, Hao Meng's face turned bright red, and he couldn't even speak properly anymore.

Lin Qingzhu had known this Junior Brother Hao back at the academy, but she had never seen him like this before.

Watching Hao Meng flustered, not even knowing where to put his hands, she couldn't help but laugh. A delicate smile half-hidden behind her hand—truly, heroes have a hard time getting past beauties. That laugh directly set Hao Meng off.

"Fine! A fight it is. I, Hao Meng, am a man of hot blood, and I can't stand a playboy like you who flirts with every girl. If I win today, you're not allowed to pester Senior Sister anymore."

Firm and decisive, without a hint of hesitation. Hao Meng only felt his scalp tingle and his blood surge, but this burst of boldness was something he had never experienced before.

"This fool. I provoked him for ages, but it took one laugh from Zhu'er to get him going. Ah, heroes really do fall for beauties."

Having achieved his goal, Ling Mu secretly gave Lin Qingzhu a thumbs-up, which earned him another big glare.

Hearing about the duel between Ling Mu and Hao Meng, the bustling crowd instantly scattered, leaving an open space for the two. Some onlookers even pulled out snacks, clearly eager to watch the show.

"Since we'll both be studying at Qinglan Academy from now on, our bond as classmates is paramount. Let's keep it to one move each. Whoever can't block the other's move loses. How about that?"

Ling Mu thought for a moment and proposed the method of sparring. Hao Meng agreed.

So the two stepped back a few paces and began this "battle for the beauty."

"Senior, shouldn't you go easy on a junior who hasn't even enrolled yet? Otherwise..."

Ling Mu was about to crack another joke when he suddenly swallowed his words. Because he realized the man standing across from him had changed.

The nervous, even slightly goofy Senior Hao was gone. The Hao Meng standing on the field had become eerily silent and cold, like an unfathomable deep pool, radiating a dangerous aura.

Right. How could he forget? He was the eldest son of the Hao family. There was no way he was mediocre.

Qinglan City, the Hao family. A lineage spanning a thousand years, living in Qinglan City long before Ling Yubai led the Ling family to rise.

In their long history, they had even produced a Nascent Soul Realm powerhouse. But in the last hundred years, their talents had dwindled. Still, with their deep foundation, they managed to hold a place in Qinglan City.

Fifteen years ago, a baby was born into the Hao family with a cry so loud it echoed through all of Qinglan City. That child was Hao Meng.

From a young age, Hao Meng showed astonishing cultivation talent. By the age of ten, he had already trained the Hao family's ultimate technique, the Dragon Tiger Fighting Saint Fist, to the fifth level, and entered the Heaven Tier Class of Qinglan Academy with a cultivation level just one step away from the Core Formation Realm.

In his class back then were Ling Yue, Lin Qingzhu, and others—all geniuses with the greatest hope of breaking into the Core Formation Realm.

But the path to immortality is full of twists. Nine out of ten who seek it their whole lives never truly set foot on the immortal road.

After entering the academy, Hao Meng quickly reached the Half-step Core Formation Realm. But from then on, five whole years passed, and he still couldn't cross the most important bottleneck on the path to immortality. Without forming his golden core, he was still just a mortal body.

Watching classmates one by one form their cores and leave, watching new peers break through one after another, the once proud genius grew self-deprecating and timid. Fortunately, his Dao heart remained unbroken. Every time he thought of his parents' hopes and his clan's heavy expectations, Hao Meng gritted his teeth and kept accumulating. He believed that one day, he would burst forth from his reserves and achieve the immortal path.

This was the "good old Senior Hao," the "Big Meng" that the students talked about. His persistence was enough to move anyone.

Silently putting on a pair of silver-white Steel Fist Gloves, Hao Meng's aura climbed steadily. His eyes, calm as an ancient well, conveyed an unshakable will to win. This senior treated every battle with full effort.

By now, Li Mu had also put away his playful expression. An opponent like this deserved his all-out effort.

"Big brother is sure to win. Everyone mocks him for being stuck at Half-step Core Formation for years, but I know he's never slacked off a single day. Once he breaks through, he'll still be the strongest."

Watching from the side, Hao Xiaomeng couldn't help clenching her little fists, cheering for her brother in her heart.

"Young Master Li, I'm your senior and have studied at the academy for years. This fight already puts me at an advantage. You make the first move."

Hao Meng's aura had now reached its peak. Everything was ready, and he signaled for Li Mu to strike first.

Li Mu didn't refuse. Facing an opponent like Hao Meng, the battle spirit was already burning in his chest. Only by giving his all could he show the greatest respect.

The Shadowless Sword seemed to feel Li Mu's intent, trembling slightly in its sheath as if craving battle.

One step forward. It was nothing more than a simple thrust, but it was shockingly fast. A flash of sword light, and in an instant, a violent force was already upon Hao Meng.

The sword momentum, surging like a storm, didn't throw Hao Meng off balance. He planted his foot in a bow stance, crossed his arms, and with a furious roar, punched out. A similarly overwhelming fist momentum, carrying immense power, collided with Li Mu's sword.

This was a clash between Sword Intent and Fist Intent, the energy unleashed causing everyone present to turn their heads. One was a playboy in everyone's eyes, the other a fallen former genius. No one would have imagined that their exchange would escalate into such an evenly matched, all-out battle.

One Sword. Li Mu had only struck with one sword. Since they had agreed to a single move, he had to abide by it. Hao Meng was far stronger than anticipated. He had originally thought that with his Three Basic Sword Techniques at Perfection, he could already walk sideways below the Core Formation Realm. Now it seemed he was still a frog at the bottom of a well—beyond the mountain, there is always another mountain; beyond the man, there is always another man.

"Senior, your fist technique is excellent. Li Mu admires it. Now, please let Senior make your move."

Li Mu's sword was swift, and the release of his Sword Intent had indeed caused Hao Meng considerable trouble. This was no mere playboy indulging in romance and pleasure. From this single sword strike alone, Hao Meng knew that without years of accumulation, such a feat would be absolutely impossible.

"Junior, your sword is excellent. No matter who wins this match, I acknowledge your right to stand beside Senior Qingzhu. Now then, Junior, please receive my strike."

Hao Meng clasped his hands in a salute to Li Mu, then tensed every muscle in his body. Explosive power gathered in his right arm, veins like writhing flood dragons spreading across his limb. With a leap, he punched mid-air.

It was the Hao Family's ultimate technique, the first form of the Dragon Tiger Fighting Saint Fist—Fierce Tiger Descends the Mountain.

Hao Meng, soaring through the air, had completely locked onto Li Mu. There was simply no way to dodge.

"Such a powerful fist momentum. If I take this head-on with my current physical strength, I'll likely be severely injured on the spot."

Li Mu marveled at the might of Hao Meng's punch, while also realizing that his current weakness was precisely his physical strength. He understood clearly that he could not possibly withstand this strike. However, since he had proposed the rules of the match, Li Mu had obviously prepared in advance.

With a flip of his palm, a small blue short sword appeared in his hand. It was entirely crystalline, flowing with a mysterious luster.

Time rewound to before the match. Li Mu had awakened the Shop System in his mind, spending his remaining one hundred gold coins to exchange for this short sword, named: Famous Sword: Fate. Effect: Blocks one attack below the Core Formation Realm.

This was a consumable Martial Artifact, capable of blocking only a single attack, yet costing a full one hundred gold coins. On any ordinary day, Li Mu would never have exchanged for it, but the activation of the Quest System and its generous rewards made him grit his teeth and trade for this weapon.

In the blink of an eye, Hao Meng's fist arrived before Li Mu. With his right hand, he crushed the short sword in his grip, while his left hand transformed into a palm, directly blocking the sharp Fist Intent. A flash of blue light passed, and the once unstoppable fist was steadily caught by Li Mu.

"Junior is truly formidable. Hao has put his full strength into this punch. This match is yours, Junior."

Withdrawing his fist and bowing, Hao Meng admitted his defeat. This junior's strength had convinced him wholeheartedly.

"Senior flatters me. I merely used a trick to catch Senior's punch. Senior's skill is profound, and I, Li Mu, am full of admiration."

Having cheated, Li Mu quickly humbly clasped his hands and bowed to Hao Meng. This senior's character and strength both earned his deep respect, and he silently resolved to build a good friendship with him after enrollment.

"Heavens, did you see that punch? It was actually caught by the Second Young Master of the Li family?"

"Unbelievable. That punch felt like it was almost at the Core Formation Realm, and Li Mu just casually neutralized it."

Everyone was stunned by such a brilliant battle. It was only after a long while that they began to buzz with discussion, their words acknowledging the strength of both fighters, but mostly expressing sheer disbelief.

"Silence! This is the academy gate. No private duels. If you don't want to go home, behave yourselves."

A low voice came from the academy gate, drawing everyone's attention. The speaker had red hair and a youthful face—it was Mu Bai.