New Investment Target: This Damn Sense of Security

"The Six Harmonies Fist emphasizes channeling energy through all six harmonies, with intent reaching the eight directions."

"Power rises from the earth. Once mastered, your eyes and hands move as one."

Xiao Qin meticulously demonstrated the fist techniques while simultaneously explaining the martial principles—a masterclass in making the profound simple.

As Li Mo observed, curiosity stirred within him.

This senior brother’s grasp of the Six Harmonies Fist was impressive—far beyond the level of an outer disciple.

Before long, Li Mo had roughly memorized the techniques, though his understanding remained superficial.

"Senior Brother, what should I call you?"

"Xiao Qin."

Xiao Qin halted his movements.

Xiao?

The surname alone screamed "extraordinary," and Li Mo couldn’t help but make the association.

Activating his Heaven’s Eye, he scrutinized the young man.

[Name: Xiao Qin]

[Age: 18]

[Root Bone: None.]

[Cultivation: Newly entered the Qi-Blood Realm.]

[Fate: Purple]

[Evaluation: Though his root bone is ordinary, his comprehension is exceptional. Resilient by nature, he appears unremarkable on the surface but hides jade within. A late bloomer destined for greatness.]

[Recent Circumstance: Possesses the rare treasure Seven Stars Ancient Jade. This artifact, requiring vast amounts of qi-blood to activate, has caused Xiao Qin’s cultivation to regress from the tenth meridian of the Qi-Blood Realm.]

After reading, Li Mo froze for a moment.

Xiao Qin… actually had a purple fate!

He hadn’t expected it.

After all, the young man was just an outer disciple, seemingly unremarkable.

If not for his skilled fist techniques and that conspicuous surname, Li Mo might have overlooked him entirely.

Well, maybe I should just hunt down people with certain surnames for investments. Round up all the Xias, the Yes…

It also highlighted something:

Even those with exceptional fate weren’t guaranteed smooth sailing. They might face trials and tribulations. Overcoming them could strengthen their fate, while failure might diminish or erase it entirely.

As Li Mo pondered, Xiao Qin suddenly frowned, glancing at Wang Hu in the distance.

"Junior Brother Li Mo, if you have issues with Wang Hu, you should leave soon."

"Oh? Why’s that?" Li Mo asked, puzzled.

"The Martial Hall has another rule."

"Disciples can challenge each other for sparring, and the challenged cannot refuse."

Xiao Qin’s expression darkened.

"What kind of rule is that? Aren’t they worried about injuries?"

Li Mo raised an eyebrow.

So, Wang Hu was planning to challenge him?

"With that supervising elder watching, nothing too serious will happen. At worst, minor injuries and some humiliation."

Xiao Qin sighed, his tone suggesting he’d suffered such treatment before.

Li Mo nodded thoughtfully.

The rule made sense.

The sect didn’t want disciples who were all talk. Better they learn harsh lessons here than die outside.

Combat was encouraged—as long as no one was crippled or killed, it was fair game.

"If you want to learn the fist techniques, come back tomorrow. For now, you should go."

"No need. What’s there to fear?"

Li Mo smirked, utterly unfazed.

Xiao Qin frowned.

Was Junior Brother Li Mo relying on his status as a true disciple, assuming Wang Hu wouldn’t dare act?

Just then—

"You. Come here. Fight me."

Wang Hu cracked his knuckles and shoved an outer disciple forward.

The disciple clenched his teeth and engaged.

But having only just begun learning the fist techniques, his form was shaky at best.

His punches barely differed from wild flailing.

"Pathetic. Did you skip breakfast?"

Wang Hu sneered, effortlessly deflecting the strike before sweeping the disciple’s legs out from under him.

Thud—

The disciple collapsed to his knees.

On the platform, He Hongfeng frowned.

Sparring was one thing, but Wang Hu was clearly bullying a weaker opponent.

Yet after a glance at Wang Hao, he held his tongue.

"You—"

"What? Not satisfied? We can go again!"

"N-no… I yield…"

"Trash. Train harder next time. Get lost."

Wang Hu rolled his neck, bones popping, before turning.

"Oh? Almost forgot—we’ve got a precious true disciple here."

"Come on, let’s see what makes you so special."

He stomped forward, shoving aside anyone in his path.

Li Mo: "…"

Despite Wang Hu’s aggressive approach, Li Mo felt no fear.

After all, he could instantly pour years of martial insight into the Six Harmonies Fist.

How many should he add?

Twenty? Would that be too much? Might he accidentally kill the guy?

Then—

Swish!

A frigid branch sliced through the air like a blade.

Wang Hu’s face paled as he desperately dodged.

Too late.

The branch grazed his neck, drawing blood instantly.

The crowd gulped, feeling the phantom sting themselves.

All eyes turned to the entrance.

There stood Ying Bing, her expression frostier than winter.

That "branch" had been her doing.

A single, casual flick—yet it had nearly taken Wang Hu’s head off.

Li Mo: "!"

What is this absurd sense of security?!

"She—she tried to kill me!"

Wang Hu trembled, voice shaking.

Wang Hao’s eyes gleamed with desire as he stared at the stunning figure.

Mastering an advanced sword technique on the first day?

Peerless talent, breathtaking beauty, and that ice-cold demeanor—perfect.

But with Wang Hu wailing pitifully, Wang Hao put on a stern face.

"Junior Sister Ying Bing, how could you attempt to kill a fellow disciple?!"

"You owe me an explanation."

He was ignored.

"What brings you here?" Li Mo asked, surprised.

"Passing by on my way to the Scripture Pavilion."

Ying Bing’s brows furrowed briefly before smoothing out.

She seemed to understand why Li Mo was in the Martial Hall.

"Opened your meridians?"

"Yeah. Though unlike you, I haven’t learned any sword arts yet."

Li Mo was both curious and shocked.

That strike hadn’t been beginner-level.

Nor could a freshly opened meridian channel that power—Ying Bing had clearly unlocked another primary meridian.

Damn. Red fate is terrifying.

Almost as broken as my cheats.

"Return to Autumn Water Pavilion."

Ying Bing’s voice was cool, like jade striking stone.

Without waiting for a response, she turned to leave.

"Right."

Glancing at the still-stunned Xiao Qin, Li Mo decided there was no rush.

The guy wasn’t going anywhere. He could invest tomorrow.

Their casual exchange unfolded as if no one else existed.

Nearby, Wang Hao’s face darkened like storm clouds.

"Junior Sister Ying Bing! You nearly killed my cousin!"

"Even as a true disciple, you can’t act so recklessly!"

Ying Bing paused.

The fly’s buzzing had finally annoyed her.

Without turning, her voice cut through the air:

"When I kill, I don’t ‘nearly’ do anything."

With that, she walked out the door.

None of the outer disciples along the way dared to meet her gaze.

Li Mo: "!"

Yes, exactly—this was the feeling he remembered.

"You—"

Wang Hao was instantly left speechless, his gloomy expression shifting several times.

Her unyielding tone actually made him feel a flicker of conviction.

"Senior Brother He, are you just going to stand there and watch?"

"Junior Sister Ying hasn’t broken any rules. Your cousin is howling with plenty of energy—hardly the sign of a life-threatening injury."

"Besides, he was the one who demanded a challenge against a true disciple. Well, here she is."

He Hongfeng chuckled.

Did they think he was stupid?

Even if Junior Sister Ying tore down the Martial Training Hall, he’d still cover for her.

"Stop howling already, she’s gone," Wang Hao snapped, his mood inexplicably foul as he kicked Wang Hu in the rear.

Only then did Wang Hu realize—he just had a shallow cut on his neck.

It looked terrifying, but it was nothing serious.

But for a moment, he had truly felt the brush of death, as if his head had been severed from his body!

"Li Mo, you coward! Hiding behind a woman!"

"If you dare show your face in the Martial Training Hall again, I’ll make you regret it! She can’t protect you forever!"

Wang Hu roared furiously toward the exit.

Suddenly, he noticed Xiao Qin in the corner, shaking his head with a faint, mocking smile.

"You worthless trash, laughing at me? Weren’t you the one teaching Li Mo how to fight earlier?"

Wang Hu’s temper flared instantly.

"Since you’re such a great teacher, come on—let me learn a thing or two from you."

Xiao Qin narrowed his eyes, bracing himself.

He didn’t have Li Mo’s luck.

He’d have to rely on himself.