Subduing Hao Meng

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

Hao Meng felt a little unnerved under Ling Mu's stare. The Ling family's Second Young Master was looking at him with naked desire in his eyes. Thinking of all the rumors about him, cold sweat began to break out all over Hao Meng's body.

"This brother, I see that you are strong and sturdy, brimming with the vigor of dragons and tigers. You must surely be a formidable expert of your generation. May I ask how you are addressed?"

Ling Mu kept sizing Hao Meng up from head to toe. In his eyes, Hao Meng had already become an enticing quest reward.

The Simulation System was Ling Mu's greatest reliance for galloping through this Immortal Realm. Since crossing over, whether it was the Shadowless Sword or mastering the Three Basic Sword Techniques, all of it had been thanks to the system.

Thus, Ling Mu carefully sorted through everything he knew about this mysterious system.

First, the system possessed many functions, all based on the hottest online games from Ling Mu's original world. However, the conditions for unlocking those functions remained unknown. The Great Dao Returned Home latest chapters.

Second, none of the currently unlocked functions were free. Whether it was the Shop System based on Canyon Game, the Talent Tree from character-world games, or the Quest System of the goddess Seliya from the newly unlocked continent of Arad, all required an equivalent exchange. Shop items required money, the Talent Tree required Talent Points, and the brand-new Quest System required completed quests.

Third, the system was immensely helpful to his current cultivation. The previous Ling Mu had wasted the golden ten years of his path toward immortality. If he wanted to catch up, he had to rely on the system's help.

Therefore, he reached a conclusion. Right now, he only needed to think about three things: making money to buy equipment, increasing his strength to earn Talent Points, and completing every kind of quest.

Once he had figured all that out, Ling Mu's gaze at Hao Meng grew even hotter. He was practically drooling.

"Brother, my little sister Qingzhu likes warriors who are strong, mighty, and invincible. How about this? Let us have a match right here. Whoever wins will earn the right to stand at Qingzhu's side. What do you say?"

Ling Mu had long seen that the straightforward, rough-looking fellow before him had come for Lin Qingzhu. Since he wanted to complete the quest by sparring with him, making a small use of his little sister Qingzhu was naturally the most effective method.

Standing to the side, Lin Qingzhu rolled her eyes at Ling Mu when she heard him drag her into it. Though she did not know why Brother Mu had proposed a sparring match, in front of such a large crowd, no matter what, she had to support him.

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

Hearing Ling Mu expose his thoughts in front of the goddess in his heart, Hao Meng's face flushed crimson, and he instantly could not even speak properly.

Lin Qingzhu had known this junior brother Hao back when she was at the academy, but this was truly the first time she had seen him like this.

Seeing Hao Meng so embarrassed that he did not even know where to put his hands, she could not help laughing. Her lovely face smiled faintly, half-hidden from view; heroes had always struggled to pass the beauty's gate. That single laugh directly set Hao Meng ablaze. You Are the King latest chapters.

"Fine! Then let's fight! I, Hao Meng, am a hot-blooded man. I simply can't stand dandies like you who flirt with every flower and pluck every blade of grass. If I win today, you are not allowed to pester Senior Sister ever again!"

Resolute and without the slightest hesitation, Hao Meng only felt his scalp tingle and his blood surge. Yet this boldness was an experience he had never known before.

"This fool, honestly. I provoked him for so long, yet it could not compare to one laugh from Zhu'er. Ah, since ancient times, no one has ever passed the beauty's gate with ease."

Having achieved his goal, Ling Mu did not forget to secretly give Lin Qingzhu a thumbs-up. Naturally, he received another huge eye roll in return.

Upon hearing of Ling Mu and Hao Meng's arranged battle, the originally bustling crowd instantly scattered, voluntarily leaving an open space for them. Among the spectators forming a circle, some had even pulled out snacks, clearly looking delighted at the prospect of more chaos. Powers of the Chaotic Age latest chapters.

"How about this? We will both be studying at Qinglan Academy from now on, and the bond between classmates is greater than the heavens. Today, we will stop at the right point. We each make one move, and whoever fails to receive it loses. How does that sound?"

Ling Mu pondered for a moment before proposing the rules of the spar. Hao Meng also agreed.

Thus, the two each retreated several steps and began this battle to "win the beauty."

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

Ling Mu had originally intended to crack a few jokes, but he suddenly swallowed the words that had not yet left his mouth, because he realized that the man standing opposite him had changed.

The nervous, even somewhat adorably foolish Senior Hao was gone. Hao Meng, standing in the field, had become extraordinarily silent and cold, like a bottomless pool. Danger radiated from his entire body.

Right. How had he forgotten? Hao Meng was, after all, the Hao Family's eldest son. How could he possibly be some mediocre nobody?

In Qinglan City, the Hao Family had been passed down for a thousand years. Long before Ling Yubai led the Ling family to rise, the Hao Family had already lived in Qinglan City.

In its long history, the family had once produced experts of the Nascent Soul Realm. Though talents had withered over the past century, its deep foundations still allowed it to retain a place in Qinglan City.

Fifteen years ago, a baby was born into the Hao Family. His loud cries rang throughout all of Qinglan City. That child was Hao Meng.

From an early age, Hao Meng displayed astonishing cultivation talent. At ten, he had cultivated the Hao Family's supreme art, the Dragon Tiger Fighting Saint Fist, to the fifth level, and entered Qinglan Academy's Heaven Tier Class with cultivation only a step away from the Core Formation Realm.

Ling Yue and Lin Qingzhu had also been among his classmates that year. All of them had been geniuses most likely to step into the Core Formation Realm.

Yet the path of immortality was filled with countless twists and turns. Of those who sought it for a lifetime, eight or nine out of ten could never truly set foot upon the immortal path.

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After entering the academy, Hao Meng soon reached the Half-step Core Formation Realm. Yet from then on, a full five years passed, and he still could not cross the most important bottleneck on the path of cultivation. Without forming a golden core, he was ultimately still a mortal vessel.

Watching his peers form cores one after another and leave, watching even newly arrived classmates break through in succession, the former favored son of heaven gradually became insecure and timid. Fortunately, his Dao heart had not shattered. Whenever he thought of his parents' hopes and his clansmen's heavy trust, Hao Meng would grit his teeth and continue accumulating strength. He believed that one day, he would build up for a long time and burst forth at last, achieving the immortal path.

This was Senior Hao, the "nice old fellow" and "big Meng" of the students' mouths. His perseverance was enough to move anyone.

Silently putting on a pair of silver-white Steel Fist Gloves, Hao Meng's aura rose steadily. What his tranquil, ancient-well-like eyes conveyed was an unwavering belief in victory. This senior truly went all out in every battle.

At this moment, Li Mu also put away his playful smile. An opponent like this was worthy of his utmost effort.

"Brother will definitely win. Everyone mocks Brother for being Half-step Core Formation for ten thousand years, but I know that he has never slackened for even one day all these years. Once he breaks through, Brother will once again be the strongest."

Hao Xiaomeng, watching from the side, could not help clenching her little fists as she silently cheered for her brother.

"Young Master Li, I am your senior and have cultivated at the academy for many years. This battle already gives me an advantage over you. You should make the first move."

Hao Meng's momentum had now reached its peak. Everything was ready, and he indicated for Li Mu to attack first.

Li Mu did not decline. Faced with an opponent like Hao Meng, fighting spirit had already begun burning in his chest. Only by giving his all could he show the greatest respect to both of them.

The Shadowless Sword seemed to sense Li Mu's intent as well, trembling faintly in its scabbard as though yearning for battle.

He took one step forward. It was merely the simplest of thrusts, yet it was so fast that it shocked everyone. Sword shadows flickered, and in the blink of an eye, a violent force had already arrived before Hao Meng.

The sword force rushing in like a raging storm did not throw Hao Meng into disorder. He planted himself in a bow stance, hooked both arms back, and blasted forward with an angry roar. An equally majestic fist force, wrapped in tremendous power, collided with Li Mu's sword.

This was a clash between Sword Intent and Fist Intent. The energy that erupted made everyone present turn their heads. One was a playboy in everyone's eyes, the other a fallen former genius. No one had expected their exchange to become such an evenly matched, all-out battle.

One Sword. Li Mu had only used one sword strike. Since they had agreed to compare only one move, he had to abide by it. Hao Meng was far stronger than expected. Li Mu had thought that with the Three Basic Sword Techniques at Perfection, he could walk sideways beneath the Core Formation Realm. Now it seemed that he had been a frog at the bottom of a well. Beyond mountains lay other mountains, and beyond people lay greater people.

"Senior, what excellent fist techniques. Li Mu admires you. Now it is Senior's turn to attack."

Li Mu's sword was fast, and the released Sword Intent had indeed brought Hao Meng tremendous trouble. How was this a dandy obsessed with wine and women? With this single sword, Hao Meng knew that it could never have been achieved without years of accumulation.

"Junior Brother, what an excellent sword. No matter who wins this match, I acknowledge that Junior Brother has the right to stand beside Senior Sister Qingzhu. Then, Junior Brother, please receive one move from me."

Hao Meng cupped his hands toward Li Mu in salute. Then every muscle in his body tensed, explosive power gathering in his right arm. Thick veins spread across Hao Meng's arm like coiling dragons. Then he leaped into the air and threw a punch.

It was the Hao Family's supreme art, the first form of the Dragon Tiger Fighting Saint Fist—Fierce Tiger Descending the Mountain.

The airborne Hao Meng had completely locked onto Li Mu. There was simply nowhere to dodge.

"What a powerful fist force. If I take this head-on, with my current physical strength, I will probably be severely injured on the spot."

Li Mu marveled at the might of Hao Meng's punch. At the same time, he understood that his current weakness was physical strength. He also knew that he absolutely could not receive this move. But since he had proposed the rules, Li Mu had clearly prepared for it long ago.

With a flick of his hand, a tiny blue shortsword appeared in his palm. Its entire body was crystalline and translucent, flowing with a mysterious radiance. Immortal Path of Dharma Forms latest chapters.

Time rewound to before the match. Li Mu had awakened the Shop System in his mind and spent his last one hundred gold coins to exchange for this shortsword: Famous Sword: Fate. Its effect was to block one attack below the Core Formation Realm.

This was a consumable weapon that could only block one attack, yet it cost a full hundred gold coins. Under ordinary circumstances, Li Mu would never have exchanged for it. But the opening of the Quest System and its generous quest rewards made him grit his teeth and obtain the weapon.

In the blink of an eye, Hao Meng's fist reached Li Mu. Li Mu crushed the shortsword in his right hand and directly used his left palm to block the sharp Fist Intent. Blue light flashed, and the previously unstoppable fist was steadily caught by Li Mu.

"Junior Brother truly is formidable. I have already put my full strength into this punch. This match shall count as Junior Brother's victory."

Withdrawing his fist and saluting, Hao Meng admitted defeat. This junior brother's strength had made him accept the loss wholeheartedly.

"Senior flatters me. I only received Senior's punch through a trick. Senior's strength is formidable, and I, Li Mu, truly admire you."

Having cheated, Li Mu hurriedly returned the salute with humble cupped hands. This senior's character and strength had both won his deep respect. Li Mu secretly resolved that after entering the academy, he would certainly become good friends with this senior.

"Heavens, did you see that punch just now? The Ling family's Second Young Master caught it just like that?"

"Unbelievable. I felt that punch was almost at Core Formation Realm strength, yet Li Mu neutralized it so easily."

Everyone had been stunned by such a spectacular battle. Only after a long while did they begin discussing it excitedly, their words carrying recognition of both men's strength, but even more disbelief.

"Quiet! This is the academy entrance. Private fighting is forbidden. If you do not want to roll back home, then behave yourselves."

A deep voice came from the academy gates, drawing everyone's attention. The speaker had red hair and a youthful face. It was Mu Bai.

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