Outer Gate Martial Arts Hall

The Martial Training Hall.

Today's martial arts instruction session had already concluded.

On the bluestone-paved floor, outer sect disciples trained diligently, their sweat pouring down as they practiced. Among them was Wang Hu.

The results of the Ascending Stairway Trial were not determined by the highest step one reached, but by the final step one stood upon.

Despite enduring excruciating pain to climb further, he had still only been assigned to the outer sect.

And it was all because of one person!

"He must have used some trick to deceive the Ascending Stairway!"

"One day, I'll expose him for what he really is."

Thud—thud—

He pounded the sandbag as if it were the very person who filled him with resentment.

This was the only way he could vent his anger.

After all, Li Mo was now a true disciple.

Even his cousin, Wang Hao, couldn’t lay a hand on him.

"Junior Brother Wang, your cousin has developed quite a grasp of the Six Harmonies Fist."

"His meridians are open, and he no longer needs my guidance."

A blue-robed outer sect steward remarked with a raised brow.

"Little Hu has always had some talent for fist techniques. He picked up a thing or two from my uncle’s casual training," Wang Hao replied with a smile, though a cold glint flashed at the corner of his lips.

"Like Xiao Qin, he should have been an inner sect disciple."

The steward shook his head, his gaze shifting to a young man in the crowd.

The youth had an ordinary appearance, dressed in simple short robes, his eyes filled with unwavering determination.

He trained meticulously, his entire body drenched in sweat.

"Senior Brother, you’re mistaken. Hu’s talent is far beyond that waste’s level."

"He entered the inner sect in the same batch as me, yet he’s only grown weaker—his qi and blood have nearly regressed to the level of a freshly opened meridian."

Wang Hao’s tone dripped with mockery.

As they spoke, a figure stepped into the sunlight streaming through the hall’s entrance.

A young man in cloud-patterned robes, his smile warm and easygoing.

"Hm?" Wang Hao’s brow twitched.

"Li Mo?"

Wang Hu’s fist tore through the sandbag at the sight of that familiar face.

The other disciples paused their training, confusion written across their faces.

Wasn’t he a true disciple?

Why had he come to the outer sect’s Martial Training Hall?

"Junior Brother Li, I am He Hongfeng. What brings you here...?" The blue-robed steward stood, his manners impeccable.

Li Mo cleared his throat. "Greetings, Senior Brother He. I’ve come to learn some basic martial arts."

He Hongfeng: "?"

A true disciple, coming to the outer sect to learn basic martial arts?

Are you joking?

"This matter... do the elders know?"

"Well, my master is asleep, but Elder Xue sent me here."

Li Mo nodded.

"Master... Elder Shang Wu?"

He Hongfeng’s thoughts drifted to that fiery, palace-robed beauty of an elder, and suddenly, it all made sense.

Ah. That explains it.

The disciples in the hall reacted differently—some gleeful, some pitying, others resentful.

A true disciple, reduced to learning martial arts in the outer sect.

It meant he wasn’t highly regarded...

Which made sense.

The elders all had their own true disciples, and with Ying Bing’s recent rise in prominence, many whispered that she would be the next sect master of Qingyuan Sect. Naturally, the elders flocked around her.

Li Mo, meanwhile, was stuck with a master even dogs would avoid.

Being neglected wasn’t hard to understand.

Among the crowd, the youth named Xiao Qin wiped his sweat, a sigh escaping his lips.

His own situation wasn’t much better.

"Are true disciples not allowed in the outer sect’s Martial Training Hall?"

"The rules don’t forbid it. However, today’s basic fist techniques have already been taught. If you wish to learn, you’ll need to ask the inner sect senior brother responsible for instruction."

He Hongfeng’s duty was to guide outer sect disciples in opening their meridians and refining their qi and blood.

"The inner sect senior brother teaching fist techniques..."

Li Mo followed his gaze and spotted Wang Hao sipping tea nearby.

Wang Hao didn’t even look up, his tone less than welcoming:

"The Martial Training Hall has its rules. I only lead outer sect disciples for one hour each day."

"If you’re late, no exceptions can be made."

Then, as if just noticing, he feigned surprise.

"Junior Brother Li? Aren’t you a true disciple?"

"If you insist on breaking the rules, I suppose I’ll have to make an exception for you."

His words were deliberately provocative.

If Li Mo pressed further, he’d be seen as demanding special treatment.

What might have seemed like a minor request now felt unfair to the others.

"Cousin, true disciples think they’re so special!"

"Even in the outer sect, they should follow the rules!"

Wang Hu played along, acting as the perfect foil.

Though he hadn’t officially become a disciple yet, he was practically guaranteed to be taken under Steward Futu’s wing.

Status-wise, he had no reason to fear Li Mo, an unpopular true disciple.

He Hongfeng stayed silent. As long as no trouble broke out in the hall, he had no intention of getting involved in personal conflicts.

"Alright, alright, you two sound like a comedy duo."

Li Mo waved them off and turned back to He Hongfeng.

"Can I just watch others train? That doesn’t break the rules, does it?"

"Of course not."

"Good."

Li Mo nodded and walked into the hall, scanning the area.

"He seems to be doing well?"

His eyes settled on Xiao Qin in the corner, and he approached.

"Tch... those two, together now."

Wang Hao smirked, watching from the side.

Wang Hu nearly laughed aloud.

Did he think he could learn just by watching? Who did he think he was?

And of all people, he’d chosen the outer sect’s most infamous failure.

"Senior Brother, would you mind if I observed your training?"

Li Mo first offered a respectful bow.

"Xiao Qin. Watch if you want, but I can’t guarantee you’ll learn anything."

Xiao Qin replied gruffly.

Li Mo smiled warmly. "Just focus on your training, Senior Brother Xiao. Pay me no mind."

Xiao Qin’s expression softened slightly.

This young man, despite being a true disciple, didn’t flaunt his status. Instead, he treated an outer sect disciple like him with courtesy.

After enduring so much disdain, he rarely felt such respect from others.

For a moment, he felt a strange kinship with Li Mo.

"Junior Brother, this is the Six Harmonies Fist. I’ll start from the beginning—watch closely."

Xiao Qin slowed his movements deliberately for Li Mo’s sake.