Lin Qingmo, You Have Courted Death!

A teasing curve lifted at the corner of Lin Qingmo's lips.

"Is that all your attack amounted to?"

His voice was gentle, yet laced with icy mockery.

The moment he finished speaking, he took a step toward Tang San.

His stride looked leisurely, like a stroll through a courtyard.

Yet with the next step, his figure closed the distance like a ghost!

"Not good!"

Alarm bells exploded in Tang San's heart, and a chill suddenly rose within him!

His footwork shifted sharply as the Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track sprang into action.

Afterimages trailed behind him, attempting to confuse his opponent's vision.

"Cheap tricks."

Lin Qingmo chuckled, a faint blue glint flashing in his eyes.

He was completely unaffected by the illusions as his right hand shot out like lightning.

Crack!

With flawless precision, he seized Tang San's true body by the wrist!

"What?!"

Tang San's pupils abruptly contracted as turbulent waves surged through his heart.

The Ghost Shadow Perplexing Track had been seen through so easily?!

He gritted his teeth and exerted himself, the inner force of the Mysterious Heaven Skill flooding into his arm.

A faint jade glow emerged beneath his skin.

"Break free!"

Tang San growled and struggled with all his strength.

Yet that slender hand was like shackles forged from stars.

It did not budge in the slightest; instead, an even more terrifying grip tightened around him.

"Argh—"

The searing pain brought cold sweat to Tang San's forehead.

The skill he had always been so proud of vanished like a mud ox into the sea!

An unprecedented terror seized his heart.

His left hand silently slid toward the Twenty-Four Moonlit Bridges at his waist.

His fingertips touched the cold Godly Zhuge Crossbow.

I can only use this!

A vicious gleam flashed through Tang San's eyes.

Once the Hidden Weapon was unleashed, life and death would no longer be in his control.

But at this moment, he absolutely could not lose!

"Heh."

A soft scoff sounded beside his ear, like ice water poured over his head.

Lin Qingmo seemed to have been waiting for this all along.

"Can't win, so you want to resort to these underhanded tricks?"

His voice was filled with undisguised ridicule.

Tang San's movements stiffened, and his heart turned cold.

Could he even know about this...

Before the thought was finished, a fist rapidly enlarged before his eyes!

Bang!

A heavy, muffled impact rang out alongside the groan of bones.

"Ahh—!"

Tang San cried out miserably, stumbling backward.

His vision was instantly filled with countless golden stars and darkness.

Half his face went numb with burning pain, followed by agony that exploded through him.

He felt as though his cheekbone had cracked, and a bloody sweetness spread through his mouth.

"This punch is to teach you the rules."

Lin Qingmo shook out his wrist, his tone calm.

"This is Academy Sparring. Who allowed you to use something that could kill someone?"

"I..."

Tang San wanted to argue, but the pain made him suck in a breath.

"This kick is payback for that arrogance of yours."

Lin Qingmo gave him no chance at all and raised his leg to kick!

Thump!

Tang San's abdomen took a heavy blow, and his stomach churned violently.

He curled up like a shrimp, tears and snot streaming down his face.

"That's for provoking me!"

"That's for those filthy eyes of yours!"

Lin Qingmo's words came with fists and kicks, raining down like a storm.

"That's for acting so cocky!"

Bang! Bang! Wham!

Every blow landed solidly, dull impacts echoing across the Training Ground.

Tang San desperately shielded his head and face, but he could not protect the rest of his body.

His Mysterious Jade Hand was like brittle paper before that absolute strength.

He was battered about like a sandbag, utterly unable to fight back.

"A-Qing! Hit his left side!"

"Yes, yes, yes! Kick his lower body! His footwork's a mess!"

Xiao Wu bounced about at the side, her pink eyes shining brightly.

She waved her little fists as she excitedly directed the "battle."

It was as though she were watching an incomparably thrilling show.

"Wow..."

The students watching around them all stood with their mouths agape.

Several upperclassmen rubbed their eyes in disbelief.

"T-Tang San is being beaten up like this?"

"Just who is that blue-haired guy?!"

"He hasn't even summoned his Martial Soul... That's terrifying."

Those who had originally favored Tang San were now completely silent.

It was absolute suppression, domination without the slightest suspense.

Lin Qingmo's movements were simple, efficient, and even... elegant.

Yet they carried a suffocatingly violent beauty.

The crackling sounds continued for quite some time.

Finally, Lin Qingmo stopped and released his hand.

Tang San collapsed to the ground with a thud, dust covering his entire body.

Blood streamed from his nose, while his cheeks were swollen like steamed buns.

His eye sockets were bruised black, narrowed into two slits, with tears mixed with blood and grime.

His splendid clothes had become tattered and covered in footprints.

There was no trace left of the "Innate Full Soul Power genius" he had been moments ago.

"Whew—"

Lin Qingmo let out a long breath and flexed his fingers.

Sunlight fell over his deep-blue hair, glimmering with faint light.

He looked down at the utterly miserable Tang San on the ground.

An incomparably "kind" smile suddenly blossomed across his face.

"If you want to spar next time, remember to tell me in advance."

"I'm always free to 'guide' you."

His tone was so gentle that it was as if they were discussing the weather.

Yet Tang San shuddered all over, humiliation biting into his heart like a venomous snake.

"Xiao Wu, let's go."

"Coming!"

Like a cheerful little rabbit, Xiao Wu hopped over in just a few steps.

She naturally linked her arm through Lin Qingmo's.

The two left side by side, their backs looking especially harmonious beneath the sunlight.

The surrounding crowd silently made way for them, their expressions complicated.

There was awe, curiosity, and a trace of fear.

Only after they had gone far away did the whispers erupt all at once.

Tang San was left alone where he was, curled up on the ground.

Through the slit of his swollen eyes, he stared fixedly in that direction.

His nails dug deeply into the flesh of his palms, drawing blood.

The pain throughout his body was not even a fraction of the hatred in his heart.

"Lin... Qing... mo..."

He forced out the name through clenched teeth, every syllable steeped in poison.

Boundless resentment and killing intent grew wildly within his chest.

"You... have courted death!"

High above Notting Academy, deep within the clouds.

An exquisitely beautiful figure cloaked in black robes stood quietly.

The breeze brushed past, outlining breathtaking curves.

Bibi Dong's violet eyes were fixed on the scene below.

Everything that had just happened had fallen into her gaze without missing a detail.

"His temper has certainly grown."

Her red lips parted slightly, her voice languid and magnetic.

Seeing Lin Qingmo deal with his opponent so cleanly and decisively, an almost imperceptible hint of satisfaction flashed through her eyes.

Young people ought to possess such sharpness and decisiveness.

But when her gaze fell upon the arm that pink-haired girl had linked...

The temperature of the surrounding air seemed to drop several degrees at once.

"Hmph."

A very soft, cold snort.

"Not long after leaving, he has already learned to attract bees and butterflies."

Her slender fingers lightly brushed her sleeve, and no emotion could be heard in her voice.

Her powerful spiritual power spread soundlessly like spilled mercury.

She carefully sensed every trace of aura in Nuoding City and its surroundings.

There is no fluctuation of Tang Hao's Soul Power... That man is being cautious enough.

Bibi Dong's slightly furrowed brows eased somewhat.

She had Spirit Hall Soul Masters patrol this region regularly.

In order to hide his son, Tang Hao truly did not dare come near here.

This made her feel a little more at ease regarding Lin Qingmo's current safety.

Then, her gaze settled on Xiao Wu.

Pink hair, lively eyes, and utterly unguarded intimacy...

"A hundred-thousand-year Soft Bone Rabbit..."

She murmured to herself, confirming what Lin Qingmo had said in the group.

Her transformation was indeed perfect, and she had concealed her aura exceptionally well.

Had Bibi Dong not already suspected it, even she would have needed to investigate carefully before confirming it.

Watching Xiao Wu's natural dependence and delight toward Lin Qingmo.

Bibi Dong suddenly thought of another figure.

That person from many years ago, equally gentle as water, who had ultimately...

Ah Yin.

Especially the way Xiao Wu had blurted out, "A-Qing."

It was natural and familiar, carrying an unconscious intimacy.

It vaguely overlapped with a name in her memories that was gradually becoming clearer.

"A Rogue Rabbit..."

Bibi Dong's eyes darkened, rippling with thought.

If she truly was that person from the group, then this was rather interesting.

"Looks like I'll have to find a time to 'get acquainted' with this Rogue Rabbit."

A faint yet chilling curve touched her lips.

At last, her cold gaze swept over Tang San, sprawled on the ground like a beaten dog.

Killing intent flashed through her eyes before quickly subsiding into calm.

Now was not the time.

"I'll let you be A-Qing's stepping stone."

Her black robes fluttered slightly, and her figure vanished into the clouds like a phantom.