Chapter Forty-One: A Miracle (Today's Read-Throughs Determine Recommendations, Very Important! Please Read Through)

Chen Mo leaped into the air, a trace of blood at the corner of his mouth, his body curved like a bow.

He clenched one fist, his body poised as if to pluck the moon from the Ninth Heaven.

In an instant.

His fist came crashing down!

Bang!

The moment the force of his punch landed, the opponent's raised guard shattered.

The force then slammed into his chest. He spat out a mouthful of blood, and his body flew beyond the boundary like a fledgling with a broken wing. He rolled more than a dozen times before finally coming to a stop.

Chen Mo, on the other hand, landed and quickly steadied himself. He wiped away the blood that had seeped from the corner of his mouth after his opponent struck his shoulder, then slowly got back to his feet.

"Hiss..."

Gasps rose all around them.

Chen Mo had defeated Zhang Chong?!

The spectators could hardly believe what they were seeing. In their eyes, Zhang Chong was strong enough to secure a place in the top ten, with a very good chance of making the top five.

But now... Zhang Chong was the one lying on the ground, while Chen Mo was still standing.

At that moment, they looked like rows of geese craning their necks, astonishment written all over their faces.

"A miracle! It really is a miracle!"

Someone began to shout.

"He reached Dark Jin overnight, and just after breaking through, he defeated someone in the late stage of Dark Jin. Tsk, tsk. We haven't seen someone like this in years, have we?"

"I wonder if he can take on the strongest, Xie Jinyou?"

Chen Mo heard the voices around him, but felt little stir within. He only glanced at Zhang Chong, who was struggling to his feet with the help of several Zhao Family servants. His face, chest, hands, and feet were all scraped and bleeding.

A terrifying fist-shaped imprint stood out on his chest.

Zhang Chong looked just like Yue Lun had the day they carried him away.

As Zhang Chong was helped off, the spectators beside the training ground parted to let him through, afraid of getting caught up in anything.

Chen Mo looked around.

The young women who had been utterly smitten with Zhang Chong were now ashen-faced, standing there one by one as if their souls had left their bodies.

Not far away, Zhao Huayuan's face had turned a dark blue-green. Their gazes met in midair, and the other man suddenly gave a cold laugh.

Chen Mo looked away and headed toward the edge of the training ground.

Just then, the people from Tianqing Martial Hall rushed over and swarmed around him.

Ji Chang even lifted him high into the air, only to tug at the wound on his shoulder and make him grimace in pain.

Seeing this, Yin Shanshan hurriedly told Ji Chang to put him down, then asked anxiously, "Your wound... are you all right?"

Chen Mo shook his arm, then shook his head. "It's nothing. I can keep competing."

Yin Tianqing said nothing, but let out a relieved breath.

The humiliation Zhang Chong and the Zhao Family had inflicted was now hurled back at the Zhao Family by Chen Mo alone.

"Zhang Chong is among the top three in this tournament. He's sure to place in the top ten, and will definitely make the rankings..."

"Your little disciple named Chen Mo might have gotten lucky and won his first match, but he won't get much further..."

Zhao Huayuan's earlier taunts echoed above Yin Tianqing's head, then slowly faded away.

Just then, a silver-haired elder walked toward Chen Mo, smiling warmly. "Master Yin, young friend Chen Mo, I'm Qi Sheng of the Qi Family."

Qi Sheng was the second head of the Qi Family of Anyang.

Yin Tianqing immediately cupped his hands in greeting. "So you're an elder of the Qi Family. A pleasure to meet you."

Qi Sheng waved his hand. "We're of the same generation. There's no need to call me elder. Just treat me as a brother."

He paused, then continued, "I saw young friend Chen Mo defeat Zhang Chong earlier. Zhang Chong is one of the strongest contestants this year, among the top three. That means young friend Chen Mo belongs among the top three as well. I'll get straight to the point: I'd like to invite you to train at the Qi Family. You'll have all the resources you need."

Hearing Qi Sheng's offer, Chen Mo's fellow disciples couldn't help but envy him.

The Qi Family of Anyang was a powerful clan with a long and distinguished history.

Even a guest of the Qi Family received a stipend and resources beyond the reach of other small families.

What's more, Qi Sheng was inviting Chen Mo to train with the Qi Family without requiring him to take on any duties.

Yin Tianqing looked silently at Chen Mo, saying nothing.

He wanted Chen Mo to make his own decision.

Qi Sheng, too, waited quietly at his side.

After giving it some thought, Chen Mo looked up. "Thank you for your generous offer, Elder Qi. I'm deeply honored, but this is a major decision. I'd like to give it some careful thought first."

Qi Sheng didn't seem disappointed. His smile remained. "That's perfectly fine. Once you've made up your mind, if you're interested in joining the Qi Family, come find me."

With that, Qi Sheng turned and left.

Truthfully, Chen Mo couldn't tell whether refusing the Qi Family was right or wrong. After all, the Qi Family was one of the great clans in Anyang County, and an opportunity like this was hard to come by.

A great clan meant deep waters. Before he understood the family's circumstances, agreeing rashly could drag him into some kind of feud.

Still, he wasn't born into the Qi Family; he would only be training there. So any effect on him would be limited.

Besides, even if he did get caught up in something, as the saying went, bare feet weren't afraid of shod ones. He could just dust himself off and walk away.

At that thought, Yin Tianqing suddenly asked, "Are you struggling with the decision you just made?"

Chen Mo nodded. "I hope you'll guide me, Master."

Yin Tianqing continued, "Based on what you've shown over the past two days, even the Xie and Qi Families of Anyang will want you. So when the time comes, you'll be choosing them, not the other way around."

"That's because a Dark Jin martial artist who has broken through twice, and can defeat someone in the late stage of Dark Jin while still in the early stage himself, has limitless potential."

"You didn't agree right away in front of everyone just now. That shows you're more levelheaded than most. You did the right thing!"

Chen Mo was enlightened.

Though Yin Tianqing hadn't reached Hua Jin, he had spent years at the peak of Dark Jin. He had experienced and seen ten times more than Chen Mo.

So Chen Mo trusted that his words were right.

Just then, Xie Jinnian hurried over, his face alight with a smile. "Brother Chen, starting today, you'll be famous throughout Anyang County! Having a friend like you is something I can boast about over drinks for years to come. You'll be the talk of my table!"

"Is it really that dramatic?" Chen Mo asked, looking doubtful.

Xie Jinnian nodded like a pecking chick. "To be honest, the elders of the Xie Family already know about your achievements. Since you've only just arrived in Anyang County, they told me to make sure you're well looked after."

Chen Mo's expression turned complicated.

He hadn't expected his master's words to come true so quickly.

The Xie and Qi Families had both made their move.

If they bet right, they would gain a gifted young martial artist.

Even if they bet wrong, they would only lose some resources, a drop in the ocean for great clans like theirs.

Chen Mo immediately cupped his hands. "Brother Xie, I still have another match to fight, so I should focus on preparing for it. Once the competition is over, I'll have a long talk with you."

Xie Jinnian readily agreed and patted him on the shoulder. "You're already among the top fourteen in the Technique Trial. Everyone here is an outstanding young talent from one of the major powers. But unless you run into my cousin, I'm confident you'll win. Hahaha!"

Chen Mo laughed along with him.

He did a quick calculation in his mind. Even if he lost his next match, combined with his results in yesterday's Strength Trial, he should still make the top ten.

He just wondered how strong Xie Jinyou, who was at the peak of Dark Jin, really was.