January 28.
Crouching Tiger Manor.
The small courtyard where Mo Yun lived.
The setting sun spilled its lingering light, dyeing all of Crouching Tiger Manor crimson.
Mo Yun was training in the courtyard, still practicing Black Tiger Leap and the Body-Guarding Art.
Black Tiger Leap was nimble and fluid, his movements like lightning streaking forth.
The Body-Guarding Art was powerful and imposing. With the slightest stirring of force energy, a faint golden radiance emanated from Mo Yun's body, making him look like a miniature sun.
After ten-odd days of arduous training, both techniques were on the verge of a breakthrough.
During those ten-odd days, he had gone on only one mission, and that had been in a nearby town. He had encountered neither danger nor demons.
He had devoted all his remaining time to training.
After practicing the Body-Guarding Art, he practiced Black Tiger Leap; after practicing Black Tiger Leap, he practiced the Body-Guarding Art.
As he trained, Mo Yun suddenly sensed something.
"Body-Guarding Art, break through!"
He drew a deep breath. Dark force surged wildly within him, circulating rapidly along the force-channeling paths of the Body-Guarding Art.
In an instant, the pale golden radiance around him blazed brighter, as though a golden bell had enveloped his body, giving off a low hum.
At the same time, golden light flowed across his skin. Patterns resembling runes faintly emerged, then vanished beneath his skin.
"It worked! Let me try-"
"Huh? Black Tiger Leap seems ready to break through too!"
The Body-Guarding Art had barely broken through when Mo Yun sensed another stirring. After drawing a deep breath to steady himself, he began darting and weaving through the courtyard.
"Black Tiger Leap, break through!"
At a certain instant, his footwork abruptly changed. He moved like a fierce tiger leaping across a ravine,