28: Sect

"Fluke?" Zhao Zhenshan took a deep breath. "You've been in the academy for barely a month, and you've gone from the Minor Achievement of Bone Forging straight to the Muscle realm, and your internal qi purity far exceeds those of the same level... Good, very good!"

His eyes were filled with approval, and even a hint of excitement.

The three Elders also exchanged glances and nodded slightly.

A Grade A-Superior Genius indeed lived up to his reputation.

In the subsequent practical Martial Skills combat, Lin Mo's opponent was a student at the Major Achievement of Bone Forging.

Using only thirty percent of his strength, he forced the opponent out of the arena in just three moves. The control of internal qi and the proficiency in Martial Skills he displayed left all the observers thoroughly convinced.

In the theoretical assessment, Lin Mo answered everything flawlessly, showing particularly unique insights in the sections on military strategy and medicine.

In the final ranking, Lin Mo took first place without any suspense.

Liu Qingyun was second, and Lei Meng was third.

After the assessment ended, Zhao Zhenshan kept Lin Mo behind alone.

"Lin Mo, your talent and speed of progress have far exceeded my expectations."

Zhao Zhenshan said solemnly, "The academy has a rule: if a student breaks through to the Muscle realm within three months of admission and their potential is rated Grade A-Superior, they can apply to enter the Hidden Dragon Academy for further studies."

"Hidden Dragon Academy?"

"That is where the Core Disciples of the academy are. The resources there far exceed those of ordinary Grade A students, and there are even Elders of the Marrow Cleansing Realm to personally guide you.

But the competition is also more intense. There are assessments every month, and those at the bottom will be sent back to their original academy."

Zhao Zhenshan looked at him: "Do you want to go?"

Lin Mo hardly hesitated: "This student wants to go."

The Hidden Dragon Academy meant a higher platform and being closer to the true core of the academy.

"Good." Zhao Zhenshan took out a purple token. "In three days, take this token and report to the Hidden Dragon Pavilion on the back mountain. Prepare well during these three days."

"Thank you, Instructor!"

Lin Mo took the token. It felt warm to the touch, neither metal nor wood. The front was engraved with the words 'Hidden Dragon', and the back featured complex cloud patterns.

Leaving the Martial Arts Training Hall, Lin Mo did not return to his courtyard but went straight to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion.

When Steward Wu saw him arrive, he was all smiles: "Congratulations to Young Master Lin for breaking through to the Muscle realm! Such speed can be described as world-shaking!"

"Steward Wu is well-informed."

Lin Mo sat down. "I came today to ask if the Hundred Treasures Pavilion has any information regarding the Hidden Dragon Academy?"

Steward Wu's expression turned serious: "The Hidden Dragon Academy... Young Master has indeed been chosen.

That is where the true foundation of the Qinglan Martial Academy lies. Past Academy Masters, Elders, and even most of the current military generals of the Qinglan Prefecture come from the Hidden Dragon Academy."

He lowered his voice: "Disciples of the Hidden Dragon Academy are eligible to access the academy's secret Cultivation Techniques and Martial Skills, and even... have the chance to observe the academy's supreme treasure."

Lin Mo's heart stirred: "The academy's supreme treasure? Is it the... meteoric iron object that Steward Wu mentioned before?"

"Exactly." Steward Wu nodded. "It is a damaged Meteoric Iron Heart-Protecting Mirror. It is rumored to have been forged from that batch of extraterrestrial meteoric iron three hundred years ago. It can automatically absorb internal qi to form a shield, making one impervious to blades and spears.

But it is severely damaged and can only be barely activated now, and the consumption is enormous."

A heart-protecting mirror... not a sword.

Lin Mo was somewhat disappointed, but then he thought that since it was from the same source of meteoric iron, perhaps there were commonalities.

"Additionally," Steward Wu's expression became solemn, "there is one more thing I need to remind the Young Master. Yesterday, my boss sent back news from the capital—"

"The National Martial Arts Competition of the Thirty-Six Prefectures has been moved forward."

"Moved forward? When?"

"It was originally scheduled for three months from now, but it has been changed to two months. And..."

Steward Wu's voice dropped even lower. "This time, His Majesty will personally attend to watch the competition and may take this opportunity to reallocate the resource quotas for each prefecture, and even... adjust the frontier generals."

Lin Mo's pupils constricted slightly.

The Emperor personally attending? Adjusting frontier generals?

This was no longer a simple martial arts examination, but a political reshuffling.

"The reason?"

"Unknown." Steward Wu shook his head. "But the atmosphere in the capital is very tense. Several princes are making frequent moves, and the voices of the pro-war faction in the court are getting louder and louder.

Friction in the northern and western borders has suddenly intensified in the past half-month. Several grassland cavalry units have already crossed the border and clashed with the frontier army."

"Is there going to be a war?" Lin Mo said in a deep voice.

"Perhaps more than that." A look of worry flashed in Steward Wu's eyes. "My boss guesses that His Majesty wants to use the name of the competition to inspect the strength of the younger generation in each prefecture and reserve talent for a possible major war.

At the same time... to warn certain Prefecture Lords who are getting too close to the Sects."

Sects!

Lin Mo caught the keyword.

"Sects... interfering in the secular Dynasty?"

"Young Master is wise." Steward Wu sighed. "On the Cangxuan Continent, dynasties change, but Sects remain forever.

Behind the Great Qian Imperial Family, there is the support of the Heavenly Sword Sect. The Golden Tent Khanate of the northern grasslands is backed by Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain. And the Great Yue Dynasty to the west is supported by the Dark Yin Cult.

The struggles between Sects are often carried out through proxy dynasties."

He finally pointed out the core of the chaotic situation.

The clues in Lin Mo's mind instantly connected: the intensified friction in the northern border, the increased defense tax, the fluctuations in grain prices, the abnormalities in the City Lord's Manor, the appearance of Death Warriors... All of this was likely due to the game between the Heavenly Sword Sect and Ten Thousand Beasts Mountain or the Dark Yin Cult, with the Great Qian Dynasty being pushed to the front line.

"Thank you for informing me, Steward Wu." Lin Mo cupped his hands solemnly.

"Young Master is too polite. My boss asked me to tell you: troubled times are coming, let the Hidden Dragon not remain hidden. The Hundred Treasures Pavilion is willing to advance and retreat with the Young Master."

Leaving the Hundred Treasures Pavilion, Lin Mo strolled through the streets of Qinglan.

Autumn was deepening, and the wind already carried a chill.

Pedestrians on the street were in a hurry, and the cries of vendors remained the same, but careful observation revealed more City Guard soldiers on patrol, their faces carrying a sense of grimness.

Long queues had formed in front of the grain shops, and the numbers on the price boards had risen by another twenty percent compared to half a month ago.

In the blacksmith shops, the furnace fires never went out day or night, and the clanging sounds were incessant.

The scent of war had quietly permeated the air.

Returning to his courtyard, Lin Mo immediately summoned all the core Death Warriors.

"Plan adjustment." He got straight to the point. "The national competition has been moved forward to two months from now, and war may break out. Our time is even tighter."

"First, the expansion of the intelligence network must accelerate. I want to know the location and stock status of all granaries, armories, and medicine storehouses in Qinglan City within a month."

"Second, the stockpiling of supplies in Qingyuan Town will become semi-public. Under the pretext of preparing for banditry, we will unite with the wealthy households in the town to store grain together. We provide the people and the money, and we take the leading role."

"Third, the Black Wolf Gang." A cold light flashed in Lin Mo's eyes. "We can't let them get in the way anymore.

Find out all their smuggling routes, warehouses, gambling dens, and brothels. Within a month, I want the Black Wolf Gang to disappear from Qinglan City."

"Fourth, the Hidden Dragon Academy." He took out the purple token. "I will enter the Hidden Dragon Academy, which is the core of the martial academy.

Four, Two, Three, you three will follow me inside as attendants. The rest of you, continue with your original tasks."

The Death Warriors solemnly accepted the orders.

Lin Mo walked into the courtyard and looked up at the darkening sky.

Two months.

Within these two months, he wanted to completely control the underworld of Qinglan City, establish the prototype of his own power, and gain a firm foothold in the Hidden Dragon Academy.

"Troubled times have arrived," Lin Mo whispered to himself.

"Then let me add more fuel to the fire."

...