31: Monthly Grand Competition

Lin Mo received a transmission from Instructor Zhao Zhenshan, asking him to go to the Deacon Hall in the front courtyard.

Inside the hall, besides Zhao Zhenshan, there was a serious-looking official from the Patrol Inspection Department.

“Lin Mo, this is Lord Liu from the Patrol Inspection Department,” Zhao Zhenshan introduced.

“They have received some reports involving the Black Wolf Gang, and some of the clues... seem to have an indirect connection to you. We've asked you here for a routine inquiry.”

Lord Liu sized up Lin Mo and spoke, “Young Master Lin, recently several properties of the Black Wolf Gang have been attacked. According to descriptions from survivors, the attackers were well-trained and coordinated seamlessly.”

“There are rumors in the streets that you once had a friction with the Black Wolf Gang. I wonder what your view on this matter is? And where have you been lately?”

It's here. Lin Mo knew in his heart that this was a probe.

His expression remained calm as he cupped his hands and said, “Reporting to Milord. I indeed had a chance encounter with the Black Wolf Gang at the Ghost Market. A dispute arose because of their forced buying and selling, but I have had no further contact with them since then.”

“I have been cultivating in the Hidden Dragon Academy recently, preparing for the month-end grand competition. My fellow Disciples and Instructors in the academy can all testify to this.”

“As for the Black Wolf Gang's affairs, I have also heard of them. That they suffered such a disaster is perhaps due to having made too many enemies in their daily dealings.”

Lord Liu stared at him for a few seconds, then suddenly smiled. “Young Master Lin, there's no need to be nervous; it's just a routine inquiry. Since you are in the Hidden Dragon Academy, you should prioritize your cultivation.”

“However...” He changed his tone, “The city is not peaceful these days. You should be more careful, Young Master, and not get involved in unnecessary trouble.”

“Thank you for the reminder, Milord,” Lin Mo said respectfully.

Leaving the Deacon Hall, Lin Mo knew he had officially entered the field of vision of certain people. But the Black Wolf Gang was already a discarded pawn.

The ninety-ninth day.

Over the past two days, under internal and external difficulties, the Black Wolf Gang had completely spiraled out of control. Its members were alienated, and its rivals were kicking them while they were down.

On his way to his mistress's residence, Di Xiong was ambushed by unknown experts. He fled back to the headquarters with heavy injuries and died that very night due to the severity of his wounds and a heart-attacking rage.

When the tree falls, the monkeys scatter; the Black Wolf Gang collapsed overnight.

Its territory and remaining forces were quickly divided and annexed by other small Gangs and well-prepared 'Crossing River Dragons'.

The underground world of Qinglan City had quietly changed hands.

Lin Mo stood on the attic of C-7 Courtyard, in the Hidden Dragon Academy, overlooking Qinglan City under the veil of night.

“The first step is completed,” Lin Mo whispered to himself.

“For the next step, it's time to step onto the stage and let the name of Lin Mo resound throughout Qinglan.”

In the darkness, the Hidden Dragon Academy token in his hand emitted a faint purple light.

The hundredth day, Zi hour.

Qinglan Martial Academy, Hidden Dragon Academy, C-rank No. 7 Quiet Room.

The aura around Lin Mo's body rose and fell like tides, and the pale white internal qi formed a faint mist on the surface of his body.

Inside his body, the pigeon-egg-sized Qi Sea Acupoint was spinning at an unprecedented speed. With every rotation, it fused the cultivation insights and power essence from ninety-eight Dead Soldiers into every inch of his Muscles, bones, and flesh.

The fluctuation of the System's summon arrived on time.

【100th Dead Soldier summon completed】

【Name: One Hundred】

【Realm: Muscle Initial Entry】

【Basic Skill: Basic Formation Identification】

【Status: Absolute Loyalty】

Power was surging.

Lin Mo clearly felt that his Muscles, bones, and Meridians were all improving at a minute but solid speed.

The physical essence of ninety-nine Dead Soldiers (thirty-six of whom were already in the Muscle Realm), after being perfectly strengthened 1.5 times by the System, was pushing his body toward a state that was difficult for mundane martial arts to comprehend.

He opened his eyes, and deep in his pupils, a golden light seemed to flash and vanish.

Without circulating his technique, just by closing his five fingers, the air in his palm was squeezed into a slight sonic boom.

“With just this strength alone...” Lin Mo looked down at his slender yet terrifyingly powerful palm, “Even without using internal qi, I should be able to punch through the protective internal qi of an ordinary Great Accomplishment of Muscle Martial Artist.”

Just three days ago, during a private test, he had punched through a half-foot-thick granite target post with pure physical strength, the cross-section as smooth as a mirror.

【Death Squad System · Level 1】

Current Total Summons: 100

Total Survivors: 99 (【Thirty-Two】 lost in battle)

Host Physical Quality Stacking: 100 × 1.5 times a healthy adult (Actual effect: Optimized Fusion of 63 Bone Forging physical bodies × 1.5 + 36 Muscle physical bodies × 1.5)

Cultivation Feedback Efficiency: 85%

Special Functions: Synergetic Commands (Available), Ability Library (Unlocked skill list)

“My actual Realm can break through to Great Accomplishment of Muscle at any time.”

Lin Mo inspected his internal state; the internal qi in his Qi Sea Acupoint was already overflowing and boiling, and the scouring and expansion of his Meridians were also approaching the next critical point.

“But the profundity of the Aperture Condensation Method lies in the fact that the thicker the Foundation, the higher the future achievements. I'll suppress it for three more days. After the journey to the secret land, I'll use the momentum to Breakthrough, and it will happen naturally.”

He firmly locked his manifested aura at the level of 'Muscle Initial Entry, but with an exceptionally solid Foundation'.

“Young Master.” Dead Soldier Four's voice sounded outside the door.

“Senior Sister Liu Qingli sent word that at the start of the chen hour, the Hidden Dragon Academy's monthly grand competition will begin at the Central Martial Arts Arena.”

“Also, an urgent report from Hundred Herbs Hall: at the Chou hour last night, about two hundred unidentified armed personnel left through the South Gate, traveling light and fast, heading straight for Qingyuan Town.”

“According to the contingency plan, I have ordered the Hidden Guards in Qingyuan Town to activate Level 1 alert, and the intelligence network along the way are monitoring them.”

Lin Mo pushed open the door and walked out. In the morning light, his figure seemed a bit more upright than usual. Even without circulating his power, he had a steady temperament like a mountain.

“Who is the leader? What is their equipment?” he asked as he walked, his voice flat.

“The leader's aura is suspected to be Great Accomplishment of Muscle, and the three deputies are all Minor Achievement in Tendon Transformation.”

“The entire team is equipped with light armor and standard steel sabers, and some carry powerful crossbows. Their formation is disciplined; they are definitely not bandits.”

Four reported quickly, “Judging from their coordination in leaving the city and their equipment, there is an eighty percent chance they are related to the City Guard, but they didn't raise any banners.”

“They finally couldn't hold back.” A cold smile curled at the corner of Lin Mo's mouth.

“The Black Wolf Gang was a discarded pawn, and now they want to directly sever my Foundation.”

“Send orders to Qingyuan Town: lure the enemy deep, wear them down in stages. Do not seek total annihilation, but aim for maximum lethality and delay them until I return.”

“Within Qinglan City, all strongholds are to enter silent mode. Strengthen monitoring of the City Lord's Mansion and the residences of the main generals of the City Guard.”

“Yes.” Four took the order, then hesitated slightly, “Young Master, the enemy is powerful. Qingyuan Town only has thirty-seven Hidden Guards, and only eleven of them are in the Muscle Realm. I fear...”

“No matter.” Lin Mo waved his hand, a flash of absolute confidence in his eyes.

“They can hold on. Besides...” He looked toward the martial arts arena, “After today, some people will re-evaluate my value. The crisis in Qingyuan Town might instead become their death warrant.”

chen hour, Central Martial Arts Arena.

More than thirty Hidden Dragon Disciples had already arrived. The weakest aura among them was at Minor Achievement in Tendon Transformation.

When Lin Mo stepped into the arena, many gazes immediately focused on him—curiosity, scrutiny, and disdain were all present.

He had been in the academy for the shortest time and had the lowest Realm, yet due to the aftermath of the Black Wolf Gang's destruction and his performance in the entrance test, he had already become a person of interest.

Zhou Chen approached while shaking his folding fan. His smile remained the same, but a trace of hard-to-detect gloom was hidden in his eyes: “Junior Brother Lin, I heard you went to the Hundred Treasures Pavilion a few days ago? Steward Wu was quite enthusiastic.”

His words were barbed, implying that Lin Mo associated too closely with merchants and had lost the noble purity of a Martial Artist.

Lin Mo glanced at him, then suddenly reached out and lightly patted his shoulder: “Senior Brother Zhou, nice fan.”

The movement was casual and natural, but Zhou Chen's whole body stiffened. He only felt an indescribable sense of weight pressing down from his shoulder, as if he had been lightly pressed by a prehistoric behemoth, and the internal qi circulating in his body even stagnated.

His face changed slightly, and he took half a step back. His folding fan snapped shut with a 'pa' sound as he gave two dry laughs: “Junior Brother Lin... good strength.”

This scene was caught by Liu Qingli not far away. A flash of surprise crossed her cold and beautiful face.

Lin Mo's pat just now seemed casual, but she clearly saw several fine cracks appear on the bluestone brick under Zhou Chen's feet.

This was definitely not something a Muscle Initial Entry could achieve!

The bell rang, and Academy Master Sun Changqing, along with Zhao Zhenshan and other Instructors, descended onto the high platform.

The grand competition began with the drawing of lots for duels.