The Qin Family of Yunyang.
It stood on the same hillside avenue as the Fang Family, only a few miles away, yet its residence occupied less than half the Fang Family's land.
Among Yunyang's five great martial arts families—Shen, Yue, Qin, Zhou, and Chen—the Qin Family ranked third. However, the Qin Family was not skilled at business, which was why it had considered marrying into the Fang Family, Yunyang's wealthiest household.
Qin Lang hung up the phone, washed his face, grabbed his clothes, and headed out, only to run into Qin Muxue, who had just returned from training outside in a white practice uniform.
Qin Muxue was truly beautiful. She was tall, over 1.7 meters, and her long legs looked exceptionally slender. Beads of sweat dotted her jade-like face, her hair was tied behind her head, and her entire bearing radiated heroic spirit.
"Xiao Lang, why are you going out instead of eating?"
Qin Muxue asked as she watched the hurried Qin Lang.
"I have something to do. I'm not eating!"
Qin Lang grinned and stopped. Leaning closer to Qin Muxue, he whispered, "Sis, Yang Jihua and the others found Fang Mo's whereabouts. I'm going over there now!"
"Why are you looking for him?"
Qin Muxue's eyes darkened slightly as she asked displeasedly.
A resentful expression appeared on Qin Lang's face. "That brat keeps telling everyone that he's my brother-in-law. Sis, you've already been specially recruited by Yunkong Martial Academy. I can't let him ruin your reputation!"
Qin Muxue frowned and said sternly:
"Don't cause trouble. The engagement has already been called off, so why are you still going to find him?"
"Don't worry about it, Sis!"
Qin Lang impatiently waved his hand and ran outside.
Qin Muxue watched Qin Lang run out the door, worry on her face. She turned to the guard beside her and said:
"Send someone after him. Don't let Xiao Lang do anything reckless!"
"Yes, Miss!"
The guard answered and turned to leave.
Qin Muxue took the warm towel handed over by the maid and wiped her hands, saying calmly:
"Have the motorcade prepare a car. I'm going to the academy after lunch. Senior Sister Luo will be visiting the academy today, and I need to accompany her!"
"Miss, you're incredible! You actually get to personally accompany the youngest Grandmaster Realm expert on the Home Planet!"
The maid immediately said enviously.
"Incredible?"
A proud expression appeared on Qin Muxue's face. She murmured, "The youngest Grandmaster Realm expert? That may not necessarily be true in the future!"
In the front courtyard of Tiger Might Martial Arts School, sunlight fell in scattered patches as Fang Mo's figure moved amid the interweaving light and shadow. Every punch and palm strike seemed to contain the untamed might and power of a fierce mountain tiger.
Sweat poured down like rain, dripping onto the dust-filled ground.
His movements gradually shifted from fierce strength to supple resilience, then erupted with astonishing explosive force from that resilience. His fist wind whistled, like tiger roars echoing through the mountains and forests, striking fear into people's hearts.
With the final move, his body abruptly stilled, his presence as deep and still as an abyss, as firm and towering as a mountain. The surrounding air seemed frozen by the silence of that instant.
[Tiger Subduing Fist: Elementary Mastery (1/1000)]—Within his mind, an old Bronze Mirror silently trembled. Golden light gleamed upon its surface, and the ancient engraved characters seemed to come alive, leaping forth to proclaim that he had entered an entirely new realm of the Tiger Subduing Fist.
At that moment, Fang Mo felt as though a warm torrent had enveloped him. Enlightenment from the depths of his soul surged forth like spring water.
Every principle of the fist, every understanding of force, soared to unprecedented heights.
That warm current rose from his Dantian and coursed through the meridians of his entire body. His bones and tendons were subtly tempered, strengthening his physique as his power quietly rose.
Fang Mo took a deep breath, feeling the surging power churning within him. An indescribable joy and sense of accomplishment rose in his heart, as if he had broken free from a cocoon and become a butterfly, shedding his restraints to fly toward a broader sky.
Encouraged by the surging power within him, Fang Mo did not rest for long before once more immersing himself in fist training.
His physical stamina had improved greatly, and both the endurance and intensity of his practice far surpassed what they had been before.
By lunchtime, he had gained another ten points of proficiency.
At the dining table, everyone was discussing "Xiongying Martial Arts School challenging every martial arts hall in the city."
"I heard Iron Eagle Martial Arts School in the southern district issued a challenge letter. They want to sweep through every martial arts hall in Yunyang!"
"Isn't that too arrogant? Can they really pull it off?"
"I know a little about it. They say the master of Xiongying Martial Arts School comes from the Eagle Claw Sect. That's a first-rate martial arts sect."
Fang Mo asked Ding Zhiyuan beside him, "Senior Brother, is the Eagle Claw Sect really that formidable?"
Ding Zhiyuan's expression turned grave as he answered seriously, "Formidable is an understatement. It is one of the Eight Gates among the first-rate martial arts sects!" Seeing Fang Mo's baffled expression, Ding Zhiyuan was first taken aback, then laughed.
"You don't even know about the Eight Gates? Well, no wonder. You bury your head in training all day long, so naturally you rarely concern yourself with matters outside."
Fang Mo chuckled foolishly and pleaded, "Senior Brother, please teach me about it!"
"Fine, then I'll tell you!"
Ding Zhiyuan set down his bowl and chopsticks. His expression became solemn as he began explaining patiently:
"The martial arts world has clear ranks, from third-rate to second-rate, then first-rate and even super first-rate. At the peak of the pyramid stand four great tiers: the One Sect, Three Academies, Five Sects, and Eight Gates."
Seeing the flames of curiosity flickering in Fang Mo's eyes, he explained in simple terms, "The One Sect refers solely to the Tianyi Sect. It stands beyond even the super first-rate sects, with hidden dragons and crouching tigers under its banner, countless powerful experts! They say it even has Heavenly Human Realm experts!"
"Heavenly Human Realm? What kind of realm is that?"
Surprise appeared on Fang Mo's face. He seemed never to have heard of this realm before.
"Do you never go online?"
Ding Zhiyuan chuckled, then added with slight helplessness, "The realms progress step by step. After Bright Force comes Dark Strength, then Hua Jin. Above that is Dan Jin, the Grandmaster Realm level. Next comes Gang Force, which is divided into the Post-Heaven Realm and the Pre-Heaven Realm. Above the Pre-Heaven Realm lies the Heavenly Human Realm."
Ding Zhiyuan's eyes shone with longing for those higher realms, while Fang Mo was deeply stirred by the vast martial arts world.
Coming back to himself, Ding Zhiyuan lightly wiped the corner of his mouth and continued, "The Three Academies—Dan Shi Mountain Buddhist Monastery, Qingyun Mountain Sword Academy, and Wugong Mountain Daoist Academy—are all super first-rate. Our hall master came from the outer academy of Dan Shi Mountain Buddhist Monastery." He lowered his voice, glanced around, and spoke in a hushed tone, revealing a trace of mystery.
Fang Mo was somewhat surprised. So the hall master was merely an outer academy disciple of Dan Shi Mountain Buddhist Monastery. Yet an outer academy disciple had already reached Hua Jin. Just how powerful would the inner academy disciples be?
Ding Zhiyuan continued, "Next, let's talk about the Five Sects!"
"The Five Sects include the Donglai Sword Sect, Chihuo Saber Sect, and three others. Their strength closely rivaled the Three Academies and far surpassed the Eight Gates."
Fang Mo's heart stirred at those words. Yue Jian's older sister, Yue Quan, seemed to be a disciple of the Donglai Sword Sect.
"The Eight Gates are the Iron Sword Sect, Five Tigers Broken Saber Sect, Vajra Sect, Five Poisons Sect, Medicine King Sect, Eagle Claw Sect, Iron Finger Sect, and Bihai Sect. All eight are first-rate powers. Remember this: when traveling outside, if you encounter disciples of these Eight Gates, you must be careful. Though their combat strength cannot compare to the Three Academies or Five Sects, they have many disciples, and the good and bad are mixed together. If you provoke them, it will bring great trouble."
Fang Mo nodded and quietly committed it to memory.
He suddenly thought of a question and asked:
"Senior Brother, then why aren't the Martial Academies included among these powers?"
Ding Zhiyuan smiled and explained:
"Martial Academies are of great importance to the Galactic Federation and are not counted among martial arts sects. They cultivate martial arts talent for the Federation. The twelve great super Martial Academies possess strength comparable to first-rate sects, and their influence permeates both the military and government!"
Fang Mo suddenly understood. One belonged to the common folk, while the other belonged to the authorities.
Ding Zhiyuan patted Fang Mo on the shoulder and encouraged him:
"If you get the chance, you should still take the Martial Academy entrance exam! You'll have an opportunity to join the military. If you can enter the Interstellar Expeditionary Force, the resources will be even more abundant."
Fang Mo smiled faintly. It was certainly tempting, but his most urgent priority was to first become a Bright Force martial artist. Otherwise, everything else was empty talk.
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