Finally Knowing the Beauty's Face

At last, he saw the beauty's true face. Pfft!

Shen Songyang's body jolted violently. He spat out a mouthful of blood and staggered backward, only managing to steady himself after several steps.

"What was that?"

Many people in the stands shot to their feet, their eyes filled with shock.

"Dark Strength?"

"My heavens, Dark Strength—a Dark Strength martial artist at such a young age!"

The people in the dining hall were equally stunned, horror in their eyes. Though they were not Dark Strength martial artists themselves, they had seen their Senior Brothers spar before.

Fang Mo was shocked as well. Qin Muxue had actually reached Dark Strength.

So she truly was a heaven-blessed daughter. No wonder the Qin Family had been so resolute about breaking off the engagement, even willing to give up the Fang Family, that enormous source of wealth.

It turned out Qin Muxue had broken through to Dark Strength.

To reach Dark Strength at her age—barring any mishap, she was certain to become a Dan Jin Grandmaster in the future, perhaps even a Post-Heaven Realm Great Grandmaster.

Among Yunyang's several million people, only a dozen or so Dan Jin Grandmasters had emerged over the past hundred-odd years.

A single Grandmaster could sustain a family's martial legacy for a century.

Quite a few people were already considering how to draw closer to the Qin Family. One person could raise up an entire household; Qin Muxue's appearance might allow the Qin Family to develop at lightning speed.

"So you had already broken through to Dark Strength!"

Shen Songyang clutched his chest and slowly wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with one hand. His pale face carried both disappointment and envy.

"I merely got lucky."

Qin Muxue smiled faintly and lightly brushed back the strands of hair over her forehead. "Senior Brother Shen, my apologies."

"There's nothing to apologize for. I admit defeat!"

Yet Shen Songyang had become composed. With a faint smile, he clutched his chest and limped toward the edge of the arena.

The Shen Family members hurried forward to support him. Being injured by Dark Strength was extremely dangerous; he needed treatment as soon as possible, or lasting damage might remain.

"What a spectacular battle! We have witnessed the birth of a new genius in Yunyang—the youngest Dark Strength martial artist in Yunyang!"

"Now, on behalf of the tournament, I announce that Qin Muxue is the champion of the Eight Great Martial Academies of Yunyang competition! Everyone, cheer!"

The host onstage shouted excitedly. In the stands, many people erupted into cheers. Qin Muxue stood upon the arena, beautiful as jade, a faint smile on her face as she looked proudly in all directions and enjoyed this moment beneath the gaze of the masses.

"That's exactly her personality. She likes the glory of being the center of attention."

Fang Mo watched Qin Muxue standing amid flowers and applause on the television, sighing inwardly.

"Now, let us welcome the genius student of Ningjiang Yunkong Martial Academy, the current number one on the Hundred Academies Heaven Ranking, the youngest Dan Jin Grandmaster on the Home Planet of our Galactic Federation in three hundred years—Ms. Luo Jiangyan—to present awards to the top three of the martial academy competition!"

At that moment, the host shouted again. The image shifted, settling on the white-clothed woman seated among the crowd on the main platform.

At once, everyone's breath caught in their throats.

This woman's beauty was like a peerless painting drawn in an immortal realm. Her exquisite features seemed to have been outlined by nature's most delicate brushwork, every curve revealing Heaven's favor.

The tailored white martial uniform clung closely to her graceful body. Rather than seeming the least bit restrictive, it cleverly accentuated the valiant, dashing bearing unique to a martial artist.

Her elegance seemed innate, as though every lift of her hand and every step she took could stir the spiritual aura in the air around her. One could not help but believe that she did not merely walk among mortals, but moved with effortless ease atop the misty, intangible summit of martial arts.

Amid the crowd, she was like a white lotus just beginning to bloom, rising leisurely from the pond—transcendent and untainted, making everything around her pale by comparison.

Qin Muxue was beautiful, but beside this woman, she seemed far more ordinary. It was not merely a matter of facial features; she lacked that unique aura.

One was a beauty of the mortal world; the other, a mystic immortal of the Ninth Heavens!

"It's her!"

Fang Mo felt as though he had been struck by lightning. That hazy face immediately surfaced in his mind, and he recognized her. This woman seemed to be the fairy he had seen after crossing over.

So her name was Luo Jiangyan—the youngest Dan Jin Grandmaster on the Galactic Federation's Home Planet in three hundred years.

He had heard of her before. She had even been on television. She seemed to be only twenty-two this year!

Fang Mo clicked his tongue inwardly. He had not even reached Bright Force yet—when would he ever make it to Dan Jin?

They belonged to two entirely different worlds!

Yet for some reason, as the face on the television merged with the image in his mind, a fierce fighting spirit suddenly surged within him.

A Dan Jin Grandmaster was all she was!

He believed it would not take long. One day, he would surely stand before her and ask, "We meet again!"

If he had once trained like mad solely to pursue martial arts, Fang Mo now had one more goal.

His motivation grew stronger. He quickly wolfed down his meal, found a quiet place to rest with his eyes closed for a while, then returned to the courtyard to train once more.

That afternoon, Guan Lie returned with the disciples!

Guan Lie's expression was not very pleasant. During this visit to watch the martial academy competition, every Martial Hall had been utterly crushed by the academies. Not only were there seven or eight Bright Force peak experts, there was even an eighteen-year-old Dark Strength expert. It left the Martial Hall practitioners feeling rather humiliated.

"What are you all standing around for? Get training! Every day, all you know is how to shut yourselves away and build carts behind closed doors. Now you've seen the gap between yourselves and others—aren't you going to chase after them with all you've got?"

His stern gaze swept across the disciples. Then, with his hands clasped behind his back, he stalked angrily into the rear courtyard.

Feng Qingyuan, Miao Ping, and the others looked at one another, feeling as though disaster had fallen on them for no reason. If they had known, they would not have gone to watch. They had truly brought this unpleasantness upon themselves.

Still, everyone had taken quite a blow. Usually, they all thought they were rather formidable.

But after today's comparison, the gap was truly far greater than a little.

Thus, they gritted their teeth and trained hard, putting in even more effort than usual.

Normally, by the time Fang Mo finished training at eight, everyone else had already left. Yet today, several people were still training when he finished.

He left at the usual time, went home to soak in a bath, ate dinner, and could train for another three hours.

[Tiger Subduing Stance: Entering the Hall (285/5000)]

[Tiger Subduing Fist: Beginner (78/100)]

Looking at the Bronze Mirror's information in his mind, Fang Mo saw that the Tiger Subduing Fist would enter its next realm tomorrow. However, training both at once had still affected his progress somewhat. If he trained only the Tiger Subduing Fist, he could enter the next realm in two days.

"Uncle Liu, ten more buns!"

Fang Mo arrived at the bun stall and called out to Uncle Liu, who was busy at work.

"Coming!"

Uncle Liu walked over and swiftly took ten steaming buns from the steamer, saying with a smile, "These beef buns were just wrapped today—they're fresh!"

"Thank you, Uncle Liu!"

Fang Mo handed over the money and took the buns.

"Move aside! Move aside!"

Just then, two hooligans came over and shoved two women buying buns aside. Fang Mo's brows furrowed slightly.

When the two hooligans saw Fang Mo and noticed the Martial Hall uniform he wore, they did not shove him aside like the others. Instead, they went around him and stepped forward.

"You, come here. Have you seen this person?"

One of the hooligans pointed at Uncle Liu, holding a photograph in his hand. Fang Mo's eyes narrowed slightly. It was actually an old photograph of himself.

The two hooligans he had beaten to death last time had been carrying just such a photograph.

Uncle Liu craned his neck to look at it under the lamplight, then could not help glancing at Fang Mo before chuckling. "Never seen him!"

"You really haven't? If we find out you have seen him and chose not to tell us, you'll be in for a world of hurt!"

The hooligan glared viciously at Uncle Liu.

"Really haven't. If I had seen him, wouldn't I tell you gentlemen?"

Uncle Liu said with a chuckle.

Only then did the hooligan let it go, staring at Uncle Liu as he said, "If you spot this man, notify our Great Wind Gang. There'll be something in it for you!"

"Yes, yes, yes! If I see him, I'll definitely notify you!"

Uncle Liu hurriedly nodded and bowed.

Only then did the two hooligans turn and leave. As they went, they kicked a stool at the side away, frightening the people buying buns into hastily dodging aside.

Uncle Liu quietly signaled Fang Mo to leave quickly.

Fang Mo felt grateful. If Uncle Liu had said a single word just now, he would have been exposed. He nodded gratefully, then turned and left.

His heart grew heavy. It seemed the aftermath of killing those two men had arrived.

Looks like I can't stay here any longer!

These people had investigated this far. Before long, they might trace things back to him.

After all, quite a few people had seen him when he first arrived.

He quickened his pace, returned to the small courtyard, packed some necessities, and prepared to leave early the next morning.