Tie Qi, Bai Jinghong, Hidden Dragon Ranking Prodigies

The wandering cultivators in the martial world immediately perked up. After all, the Qingyuan Sect was still the foremost major sect in Purple Sun Prefecture.

Then, from the foremost carriage reserved for the sect leader, a young man and woman stepped out.

The young woman was as pure and cold as the moon, her breathtaking beauty carrying an oppressive aura that left the crowd momentarily speechless—whether out of awe or fear, no one could say.

Beside her stood a young man with a gentle and refined demeanor, exuding a sunny and easygoing temperament.

The two seemed to be conversing.

"Such young disciples... even they’ve come? They look no older than seventeen or eighteen."

"Clearly, you’re out of touch, my friend. That’s the current chief disciple of the Qingyuan Sect, the Mistfrost Sword Sovereign. Rumor has it that even her senior sisters in the sect can’t withstand a single move from her, and she’s even slain cultivators in the Observation Divine Realm."

"That sounds too outrageous. I’m from out of town—don’t try to fool me."

"A true disciple of a major sect—wouldn’t defeating us take just one move?"

"That at least sounds plausible. Then what?"

"The gap between Qingyuan Sect’s true disciples and us is the same as the gap between Ying Bing and Qingyuan Sect’s true disciples."

"What about the young man beside her? To stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Ying Bing, he must be another prodigy, right?"

"What are they talking about? Could it be some profound martial arts discussion?"

......

In the eyes of the wandering cultivators, they were inscrutable.

Every word and gesture carried an air of profundity.

But in reality...

"Tsk tsk, the watermelons back home are still the best. It’s perfect timing to return right when they’re in season."

"Mhm."

"I’ll leave some chilled watermelon in your room tonight. Oh, have you ever had ice cream?"

"Ice cream?"

"I’ll teach you tonight when I come to your room."

Li Mo spoke, feeling a pang of nostalgia for his backyard—though he couldn’t return just yet.

He had written a letter home explaining the situation and would need to ask someone from Dongli Village to deliver it for him.

The Qingyuan Sect’s procession entered the village.

The three elders—Xue Jing, Qian Bufan, and Yin Huaxuan—were ushered away by a high-ranking member of the Fenyu Forest faction for discussions.

Before leaving, Old Xue shot Li Mo a meaningful glance.

"The rain will get heavier soon."

"This disciple understands."

Li Mo nodded.

After the elders departed, the disciples headed to the main hall for the banquet.

The hall was still quite empty, likely because the Qingyuan Sect had arrived early.

As the chief disciple, Luo Yu stood at the entrance to greet guests, with a chattering young girl hovering around him—none other than Luo Yao.

"Brother, is the Northwest Hammer King here today?"

"How would I know?"

"Then did you find out about the Hard Hammer Gang for me?"

"I’m working on it. If you want to join the commotion, go inside the hall. I’ll tell you when I find out."

Luo Yu’s head was practically spinning.

His little sister was perfect in every way—except for the fact that she had a mouth and loved stirring up excitement.

The moment she heard that Dongli Village was gathering talents from all over, she insisted on tagging along, claiming she wanted to broaden her horizons and meet the heroes of the world.

"Haha."

A laugh sounded from nearby.

Luo Yu turned, his expression immediately souring.

It was Li Mo.

He was holding a small notebook and a brush.

"What are you doing here?" Luo Yu grumbled.

Li Mo smiled. "You still owe me a favor."

Luo Yu: "......"

Remembering the two sticks of candied hawthorns, he silently turned away.

Li Mo didn’t press further and got down to business.

He opened his notebook, revealing densely packed rows of names.

All were gathered through the Heavenly Fate Divine Eye—though for now, only those from the Qingyuan Sect.

He had compiled brief profiles on each person, categorizing them meticulously.

This was both for investment purposes and preparation for entering the secret realm.

He also hoped to stumble upon that Han Zhen by chance.

"Brother Luo."

A burly man approached from a short distance away, his upper body rippling with muscles while thick clothing concealed his lower half.

Behind him followed fellow disciples, each just as brawny—built like bears.

Hmm.

A whole sect of muscle-bound brothers—no need to guess, they were clearly specialized in... physical training.

[Name: Tie Qi]

[Age: 27]

[Physique: Iron Skin and Steel Bones, Born with Divine Strength]

[Realm: Observation Divine Realm, Two Apertures]

[Fate: Blue]

[Evaluation: Lost his legs in his youth but earned the admiration of the Gangdou Sect’s leader through sheer perseverance, becoming the current head disciple.]

[Recent Circumstances: Hearing rumors of the Blood Phoenix’s miraculous ability to revive the dead and regenerate limbs, he came seeking a chance to restore his body. Known for his heroic spirit and hatred of evil, outsiders call him "Big Brother of the Gang Sect."]

Li Mo: "......"

Alright, setting aside that bizarre nickname...

This muscle-bound brother was actually worth investing in, with one of the higher blue-tier evaluations.

"Eh?"

"I saw you writing earlier—do you know all these people?"

Luo Yao sidled up to him. Her brother was too busy to entertain her.

Another reason was...

She couldn’t shake the feeling that this young man, bent over his notes, looked familiar—yet she couldn’t recall where she’d seen him before.

"I do."

Li Mo answered, then preemptively added:

"I don’t know the Northwest Hammer King. Seriously, never met him."

"Then..."

"There’s no such thing as the Hard Hammer Gang either."

"Oh..."

Luo Yao’s head drooped dejectedly.

Li Mo’s lips twitched. "Why are you so fixated on finding him?"

Luo Yao sighed.

"I said the Northwest Hammer King is the greatest genius in the Eastern Wasteland, but no one believes me. They even called me delusional."

"Could I just take that? Of course not! I have to find Big Brother Hammer and shove it in their faces!"

She’d seen plenty of so-called prodigies and talents in her time.

None could hold a candle to Big Brother Hammer.

Too bad no one believed her.

Big Brother... Hammer?

Watching the little girl clench her fists, utterly starstruck, Li Mo wondered if the martial world had any mystical treasures capable of erasing memories.

Please, just forget about me.

Young Li Mo preferred his image in the eyes of the world to be that of an elegant, dashing swordsman.

He’d even come up with a fitting epithet.

"By the way, what’s your name?"

"My sword’s aura spans thirty thousand miles, its light chills nineteen provinces. You may call me Li—Jade Capital Sword Immortal—Mo."

Li Mo puffed out his chest, declaring it without a hint of shame.

The Scarlet Mist Sword trembled slightly, as if embarrassed for him.

Perhaps the epithet was a bit too long.

The little girl blinked blankly.

"Li what Mo?"

"Jade Capital Sword Immortal."

"Li Jade Capital what Mo?"

"Sword Immortal."

"What Jade Capital Sword Immortal?"

"......"

So how is it you remembered "Northwest Hammer King" and "Hard Hammer Gang" perfectly in one go?

Li Mo wondered if the problem was his—maybe the epithet was too wordy?

"Heh..."

A disdainful chuckle came from the side.

Li Mo glanced over to see a strikingly handsome man in white robes, his features near-perfect—save for a pair of narrow, triangular eyes that lent him a sharp, unkind air.

In his arms, he cradled a sword sheathed in what looked like crystalline jade, its sharpness palpable even through the scabbard.

He wasn’t alone; an elder stood beside him, appearing much more amiable.

[Name: Bai Jinghong]

[Age: 24]

[Physique: Hanguang Sword Body]

[Realm: Observation Divine Realm, Six Apertures]

[Fate: Blue with hints of Purple]

【Evaluation: The third seat of Hengyun Sword City in Langya Province, ranked eighty-ninth on the Hidden Dragon Ranking at a young age. Radiates sharpness, arrogant by nature, and fiercely competitive.】

【Recent Events: Having heard of Ying Bing's mastery of "Inner Breath Slash" in the Observation Divine Realm and her unparalleled swordsmanship, he seeks to temper himself against her and hopes to obtain the "Blood Phoenix Observation Divine Diagram" from the Blood Phoenix Secret Realm.】

Both Hengyun Sword City and Bai Jinghong carried resounding reputations.

The moment he stepped in, countless flattering glances were cast his way, yet his gaze never wavered—he couldn’t even feign interest in pleasantries.

Li Mo: "?"

How is it that everyone’s heard about Ying Bing slaying the Laughing Arhat?

Which damned loudmouth spread the news?

Achoo!

Luo Yu suddenly sneezed.