The Martial Arts Arena lay on the western side of Stone Bamboo Shoot Mountain's main peak, an extremely broad plaza paved with hard blue-gang stone. Reinforcement formations had been set around it, enough to withstand full-force attacks from anyone below the Foundation Establishment stage.
By the time Mo Yuan arrived, nearly a hundred inner sect disciples had already gathered in the arena, vaguely divided into several groups according to their cultivation levels.
There were only a little over twenty late Qi Refinement disciples, standing at the front with auras clearly stronger than the rest.
Mo Yuan's seventh level of Qi Refinement was no longer considered weak among these inner sect disciples. He silently walked to the edge of the late Qi Refinement disciples' area and stood there, calmly sweeping his gaze across the arena.
He could feel quite a few gazes falling upon him, carrying scrutiny, curiosity, and even a hint of defiance.
After all, he had joined the sect only recently, yet due to his master's breakthrough and the events in the Provincial City, he had already gained quite a reputation within the sect.
The gathering was presided over by a stern-faced, imposing middle-aged martial uncle named Xuan Ji, who was responsible for sect discipline and disciple assessments.
His gaze swept across the crowd like lightning, and the noisy discussions immediately fell silent.
"There are two main reasons for gathering you here today."
Martial Uncle Xuan Ji's voice was resounding and utterly emotionless. "First, to assess the results of your recent cultivation. Second, three months from now will be the once-every-five-years Three Sects Tournament, in which the younger disciples of Maoshan, Dragon Tiger Mountain, and Ge Zao Mountain will participate. At that time, the elite Qi Refinement disciples will be selected to represent the sect in battle and bring glory to Maoshan!"
The disciples below immediately stirred, excitement and longing appearing in many of their eyes.
The Three Sects Tournament was not only an opportunity to make a name for oneself, but also a shortcut to generous rewards and the sect's recognition.
"Now, we will begin assessing your cultivation results. The old rules apply: late Qi Refinement disciples may freely challenge one another and exchange techniques, stopping before real harm is done." Martial Uncle Xuan Ji was brief and direct.
As soon as he finished speaking, a tall, burly Qi Refinement eighth-level disciple with an arrogant expression stepped out from the crowd, his gaze locking directly onto Mo Yuan.
He cupped his hands and said, "You must be Junior Brother Mo Yuan. Though you joined late, your reputation has already spread far and wide. I am Zhao Gan, at the eighth level of Qi Refinement. I would like to exchange a few moves with you and see whether your reputation is deserved!"
Zhao Gan clearly intended to use Mo Yuan, this "celebrity," as a stepping stone.
The surrounding disciples immediately looked eager for a show. They too wanted to see just how capable this rumored junior brother really was.
Mo Yuan's expression did not change. He stepped out of the line and returned the salute. "Please, Senior Brother Zhao."
The two entered a marked circular area in the center of the arena. Zhao Gan clearly wanted to end things quickly. With a low shout, earth-yellow spiritual power erupted from within him. Forming hand seals, he caused several sharp stone spikes to burst from the ground, thrusting toward Mo Yuan from different directions like an earth dragon turning over.
This was the earth-element spell Earth Spike. It was quite powerful, covered a wide area, and was difficult to evade.
However, under Mo Yuan's spiritual perception, far superior to those of his peers, the trajectories of those stone spikes were perfectly clear.
He did not use the Thunder Dragon Evil-Slaying Spear. Instead, he activated the Ghost Shadow Footwork beneath his feet. His body moved like willow fluff dancing in the wind, evading every stone spike by a hair's breadth at the last possible instant, graceful and composed.
When Zhao Gan's attack missed, his expression darkened slightly. He brought his palms together, and a heavy gravitational field spread outward from him, attempting to restrict Mo Yuan's speed. "Gravity Art!"
Mo Yuan immediately felt his body grow heavier, his movements slowing slightly.
Seizing the chance, Zhao Gan lunged forward. His fist was covered in thick rock armor as it smashed toward Mo Yuan with a piercing howl. "Take this—Stone Crushing Fist!"
Facing that mighty, heavy blow, a sharp light flashed in Mo Yuan's eyes. He no longer retreated.
The Divine Dragon Body Refining Art circulated silently. His blood and vitality surged like a dragon as he threw out his right fist as well. There was no dazzling spiritual light, yet it contained terrifying physical strength and supreme control over power!
"Bang!"
The two fists collided with a muffled boom.
The scene Zhao Gan had imagined, where his opponent would be sent flying, did not occur. Instead, he felt a mountain-toppling force surge from Mo Yuan's fist. Cracks instantly spread across his rock armor, and his entire arm went numb with searing pain. He staggered back seven or eight steps before barely managing to steady himself, his face filled with shock!
The entire arena fell silent.
Everyone had seen it clearly. Mo Yuan had relied purely on physical strength to meet Zhao Gan's earth spell-enhanced heavy punch head-on—and won completely.
"Thank you for yielding, Senior Brother Zhao." Mo Yuan withdrew his fist and stood calmly, his breathing steady.
Zhao Gan's face alternated between green and white. In the end, he cupped his hands in dejection. "Junior Brother Mo Yuan is truly formidable. Zhao is impressed!" He knew Mo Yuan had already shown mercy. Otherwise, that punch would have been enough to cripple one of his arms.
After easily defeating Zhao Gan, who was at the eighth level of Qi Refinement, Mo Yuan's strength received initial recognition. The gazes that had once carried doubt now turned grave and wary.
Afterward, two more seventh-level Qi Refinement disciples stepped forward to challenge him. One specialized in fire spells, while the other was skilled with wind blades, but both were defeated by Mo Yuan's exquisite footwork, powerful body, and the occasional low-level spell whose might far exceeded the ordinary.
He had not even used talismans or magic artifacts.
After several exchanges, Mo Yuan had thoroughly established his footing among the inner sect disciples.
As Martial Uncle Xuan Ji watched Mo Yuan, a barely noticeable trace of approval appeared on his stern face.
After the assessment ended, Martial Uncle Xuan Ji announced the preliminary list of disciples selected for the Three Sects Tournament. Mo Yuan's name was prominently among them.
This meant that he would receive more concentrated training and a greater allocation of sect resources from now on.
Just as everyone thought the gathering was over, a Daoist acolyte hurried over and whispered a few words into Martial Uncle Xuan Ji's ear.
Martial Uncle Xuan Ji nodded, then turned his gaze toward Mo Yuan once more. "Mo Yuan, the Sect Master has ordered you to proceed immediately to the side hall of the Three Purities Hall for an audience."
The crowd erupted in astonishment. The Sect Master was personally summoning him just after the assessment ended. Such treatment was rare indeed.
Envious, curious, and even faintly jealous gazes focused on Mo Yuan.
Mo Yuan's heart stirred, but his expression remained composed. He bowed to Martial Uncle Xuan Ji. "This disciple obeys."
He once again walked toward the towering Three Purities Hall, but his feelings were entirely different from the first time he had come.
This time, he was being summoned alone by the Sect Master as one of Maoshan's elite inner sect disciples.
When he arrived at the side hall, he found it much smaller than the main hall, with more elegant furnishings.
Sect Master Shi Jian was still dressed in purple robes, seated in a sandalwood chair with a cup of clear tea beside him. His aura was restrained, making him seem even more unfathomable. Martial Grand-Uncle Qian He was also present.
"This disciple Mo Yuan greets Sect Master Martial Grand-Uncle and Martial Grand-Uncle Qian He." Mo Yuan bowed respectfully.
"Mm. Rise."
Shi Jian set down his teacup. When his gaze fell on Mo Yuan, it held less scrutiny than before and more calmness. "Your performance at the Martial Arts Arena just now was good. Your foundation is solid, and your ability to adapt in battle is also commendable."
"You flatter me, Sect Master Martial Grand-Uncle. This disciple does not deserve such praise," Mo Yuan said humbly.
"I summoned you here because there is something I must tell you."
Shi Jian spoke slowly. "The Three Sects Tournament is approaching. Since you are on the list, you must cultivate diligently and not grow lax. Your master, Lin Fengjiao, is highly accomplished in lightning arts. Since you possess talent in lightning arts, you may seek more guidance from him. Furthermore..."
He paused, took out a purple jade slip from his sleeve, and handed it to Mo Yuan. "This contains some of the key teachings from the Qi Refinement section of the Nine Heavens Thunder Talisman Scripture. It is one of Maoshan's secret lightning arts, not passed down lightly. Take it and study it well. I hope you can gain some insight before the tournament and do not tarnish the reputation of Maoshan's lightning arts."
Mo Yuan's heart shook as he accepted the jade slip with both hands. The Nine Heavens Thunder Talisman Scripture! This was one of Maoshan's core inheritances! The Sect Master had actually bestowed part of its key teachings directly upon him. The favor was immense!
"Thank you, Sect Master Martial Grand-Uncle, for this generous gift! This disciple will certainly study it diligently and live up to your expectations!" Mo Yuan said solemnly.
"Very well. Go now. Cultivate properly." Shi Jian waved a hand.
Mo Yuan bowed once more and withdrew from the side hall. Holding the warm purple jade slip in his hand, he could sense the vast thunderous intent and profound information contained within.
Martial Grand-Uncle Qian He escorted him out and smiled as he spoke in a low voice. "Senior Brother Sect Master has high hopes for you. Even many long-standing inner sect disciples may not receive the key teachings of the Nine Heavens Thunder Talisman Scripture. Make good use of this opportunity."
"This disciple understands. Thank you for your guidance, Martial Grand-Uncle Qian He." Mo Yuan understood clearly that this was both an opportunity and pressure.
The Sect Master's actions carried the intent to nurture him, but likely also to observe his true potential and loyalty.
When he returned to Listening Thunder Abode, Uncle Nine had also emerged from seclusion, his aura even deeper and more restrained.
Upon hearing that the Sect Master had bestowed the key teachings of the Nine Heavens Thunder Talisman Scripture, he was slightly surprised. Then he said solemnly, "Senior Brother Sect Master's actions carry extraordinary meaning. You must work even harder and must not disappoint this regard. This thunder talisman scripture is profound and mysterious. If you encounter anything you do not understand while studying it, come ask me."
"Yes, Master."
Mo Yuan returned to his room, set up restrictions, and impatiently sank his spiritual sense into the purple jade slip.
In an instant, countless insights regarding thunder, the formation of runes, and methods of circulating spiritual power flooded into his mind.
Unlike before, when he had relied on Primordial Comprehension to deduce things on his own or learn ordinary spells, the Nine Heavens Thunder Talisman Scripture was a systematic supreme method that pointed directly toward the Great Dao of thunder.
Although it was only part of the key teachings from the Qi Refinement section, it had already shown him an entirely new and vastly more boundless world of lightning arts!
He immersed himself in the mysteries of lightning arts, utterly entranced.
With this orthodox top-tier inheritance, combined with his Dragon Essence, the Thunder Dragon Evil-Slaying Spear, and Primordial Comprehension, he believed that his strength would undergo a qualitative leap before the Three Sects Tournament.
Before you continue