Don't You Come Any Closer

Beaten black and blue.

These few words were enough to summarize the grand spectacle at the Dragon Tiger Arena today.

The main theme was everyone being beaten black and blue.

On the martial arts training ground, a group of Daoist priests sat haphazardly. Every single one of them had a bruised face, wincing and baring their teeth as they rubbed their sore spots.

If it weren't for the disciples who had already enjoyed a round yesterday skillfully brewing medicine and handing out water, everyone's face would probably look like a swollen pig's head right now.

Zhang Gonglian's strength was gradually recovering. Even with the heavy restrictions Lin Mo had placed on him, preventing him from using even a tenth of his power, it was still more than enough to crush these ordinary disciples.

Because of this, Lin Mo had to temporarily add a few more shackles on him depending on the strength of the disciple stepping into the ring.

Only when the elders took the stage would Lin Mo slightly loosen a shackle or two.

Hiss... This kid's fists are getting more and more ruthless.

Daoist Priest Gongyue covered his bruised eye socket and sat back in his seat full of grievances, yet a hint of a smile couldn't help but creep onto his lips.

Another elder beside him nodded in deep agreement. Isn't that the truth? Back in the day, we could still use our status as senior brothers to rub his face in the dirt. Now look, it's completely reversed.

Even before he inherited the position of Celestial Master, we were already no match for him.

Despite saying this, the elders felt quite thrilled in their hearts.

To be able to have a hearty fight with this astonishingly talented junior brother again and feel that long-lost sense of oppression—such an opportunity would probably be hard to come by in the future.

This tournament indeed brought to light quite a few skilled fighters who usually went unnoticed.

The talent these disciples displayed would earn them better guidance from the Celestial Master Mansion in the future, giving them a bit more capital to preserve their lives when they went down the mountain to gain experience.

All in all, this beat up the Celestial Master event could be considered a multi-win situation.

At the very least, Lin Mo had a great time watching.

As the last disciple was sent flying out of the ring by a wave of gentle force, this tag-team battle finally came to an end.

The sun set in the west, and magnificent fiery clouds covered the sky, dyeing the entire Dragon Tiger Arena in a warm golden hue.

Lin Mo stood up from his rattan chair, cleared his throat, and his voice spread throughout the arena.

Very good! This year's beat up the Celestial Master tournament has come to a perfect close. Go eat if you need to eat, cultivate if you need to cultivate. Strive for an early breakthrough and become Super Saiyans.

Just as he finished speaking and prepared to wave his hand to dismiss the crowd, an untimely voice suddenly rang out from within the crowd, full of vigor.

Referee! Not yet! You haven't fought!

This shout was like a massive boulder thrown into a calm lake, instantly stirring up a thousand ripples.

Very well, these Zhengyi Sect Daoists—who could eat meat and get married—just loved to stir up trouble.

With their emotions and desires unhindered, their curiosity and eagerness to watch a good show were naturally exceptionally strong.

They had long seen through it; throughout the afternoon, although Zhang Gonglian was strong, he was constantly bound by invisible shackles.

And the only person in the entire arena who could lock up the Celestial Master and also unlock him was right there.

What they wanted to see was a true beat up the Celestial Master match!

Get in the ring! Get in the ring! Get in the ring!

It was unknown who took the lead, but immediately after, the clamor of the entire martial arts arena converged into a torrent that pierced the clouds.

Those bruised and battered disciples forgot their pain, and the elders forgot their status. One by one, they shouted at the top of their lungs, fearing that the world wasn't chaotic enough.

Their own Celestial Master was going to be brutally beaten by an outsider?

That would be way too interesting!

On the stage, Zhang Gonglian, who had remained standing tall the whole time, stiffened imperceptibly when he heard this tsunami-like roar.

He slowly turned his head, his deep eyes deadlocked on Lin Mo.

There was no battle intent in his eyes, only a silent plea:

Do not come over here!

I'll just let you be the Celestial Master!

Receiving that pleading look, Lin Mo helplessly rolled his eyes.

Who cares about being your lousy Celestial Master?

He took a step forward and shouted at the group of disciples jeering the loudest, You Daoists, do you really not feel sorry for your own Celestial Master?

A young Daoist with a bruised and purple face stiffened his neck and retorted, We do! It's precisely because we care that we want the referee to personally take the stage and properly instruct the Celestial Master! Lest the Celestial Master become arrogant and complacent in the future!

That's right! Please instruct the Celestial Master, Referee!

Instruct the Celestial Master!

Well then, they were even using words like instruct.

Lin Mo completely lost his temper, his gaze crossing over the noisy crowd to lock onto Zhang Gonglian on the stage once more.

Looking at the other party's tragic expression of if you dare come up, I'll die right here, Lin Mo suddenly felt that this matter had become much more interesting.

He rolled his wrists, producing a few crisp cracks of his joints.

Alright then.

The corners of Lin Mo's mouth curled up slightly.

Since you are all so enthusiastic, then I will... grant everyone's wish!

Before his voice had faded, he had already landed lightly on the arena ring. The entire process showed not the slightest fluctuation of spiritual energy; it was a pure explosion and control of physical strength.

Zhang Gonglian felt a faint sense of impending doom. He looked at Lin Mo, his eyes screaming, Can't you let me off?

Lin Mo spread his hands with an innocent look. It's hard to decline such great hospitality, and there are so many people watching down there.

He paused, then added, How about this, I won't use any power. I'll fight you relying solely on my physique.

If I use even a tiny bit of spiritual energy, it counts as your win.

As soon as these words came out, Zhang Gonglian didn't breathe a sigh of relief; instead, his heart sank even further.

Relying purely on physique?

This guy's physique was probably harder than a magical artifact!

He gritted his teeth, fighting for the last bit of advantage. You're not allowed to use divine sense either!

Divine sense could grant insight into opportunities and see through the flaws in moves; it was the foundation he relied on to hold his ground.

If Lin Mo used divine sense, he wouldn't even be able to see how the other party attacked.

Deal. Lin Mo agreed crisply and decisively.

Zhang Gonglian took a deep breath, forcefully suppressing the fear in his heart.

After the tempering of these hundreds of matches, he indeed felt that his combat skills had improved greatly. He was no longer the person who became complacent and neglected cultivation after breaking through a realm.

Thinking about it now, his previous attitude was also wrong.

This was an opportunity—an opportunity to validate himself, and also an opportunity to face his fears directly.

Pardon my offense!

Zhang Gonglian's gaze focused, and without further hesitation, he abruptly raised his right hand. Bringing his index and middle fingers together, he used his blood as a guide to rapidly draw a complex talisman in the center of his palm!

Bind! Fix! Divide! Scatter! As swiftly as the law commands!

Four archaic talismanic characters instantly lit up, linking with one another, and ultimately merged into a brilliantly golden composite talisman seal!

Buzz!

The air let out an overwhelmed wail as that talisman seal, carrying the spiritual energy from within Zhang Gonglian's body, transformed into a streak of flowing light that shot straight toward Lin Mo's face!

This was his trump card at the bottom of the box—the convergence of four seals into one!

Facing Lin Mo, he had to attack with his strongest stance.