The newcomers wore uniform black robes, each sporting Shengyuan Academy disciple badges alongside “Mo” insignia. Leading them were two familiar faces—Mo Fei and the other disciple Lin Xiao had thrashed.
Trailing behind was a ragtag crowd in assorted garb, loosely gathered, clearly here for the show.
“The Mo Alliance is here!” Lin Xiao remarked calmly, eyeing the aggressive group. He’d expected their arrival.
Their bold approach suggested they aimed to make an example of him.
“The Mo Alliance? You’ve crossed them?” Ling Hu’s face flashed with shock. Unlike Dragon Tiger Gate, the Mo Alliance ranked in the top twenty—a far stronger force, backed by inner court heavyweights.
Lin Xiao, in just one day, had clashed with them before ousting Dragon Tiger Gate?
Glancing at Lin Xiao, Ling Hu found him increasingly enigmatic. His brow furrowed as he eyed the Mo Alliance.
“You’re Lin Xiao?” The speaker was a youth in his twenties at the group’s center, his gaze locked on Lin Xiao.
Lin Xiao assessed him—stern-faced, with a two-star badge. His cultivation radiated Heavenly Martial Eighth Layer.
“That’s me,” Lin Xiao replied evenly. He didn’t seek trouble, but he wouldn’t shy from it either.
At his calm response, the youth’s eyes chilled. The scattered onlookers buzzed with chatter.
“That’s Lin Xiao—the guy who made Mo Alliance lackeys lead him in on day one?”
“Plain-looking, but bold. Beat Mo Alliance folks, then took Dragon Tiger Gate—fortieth-ranked! How’d he pull that off?”
“Wang Long, their strongest, is in Thunder Qi Tower’s second floor. Kicking out Dragon Tiger Gate wasn’t too hard without him.”
“Ba Hu’s no slouch either. Taking them down shows skill, but acting this brash right off the bat? He’s in for a rough ride. Wang Long’s not even back yet, and the twentieth-ranked Mo Alliance is already here.”
“Heh, I hope Mo Alliance roughs him up but keeps him around. Imagine Wang Long’s face when he finds his gate stolen!”
The crowd pointed and snickered, reveling in the drama—a staple of academy entertainment.
Lin Xiao ignored them. Gawkers were inevitable anywhere.
“How’d you take the Shengyuan Token from the Ninth Prince?” The two-star youth glared, his tone menacing.
“Want to know?” A mocking smirk curved Lin Xiao’s lips. “No chance.”
“Chi!” The youth’s face darkened instantly.
“No pushover—daring to talk to Mo Xuan like that!”
“Zero respect! Mo Xuan’s the weakest of Mo Alliance’s top three, but he’s still Heavenly Martial Eighth Layer. Not Wang Long’s level, but way above Ba Hu!”
“He probably doesn’t know who Mo Xuan is—perfect, more fun to watch!”
“He’s not buying Mo Xuan’s clout. Humiliating him and the Mo Alliance in public—let’s see how he handles this.”
The crowd buzzed with excitement, their words stoking Mo Xuan’s growing fury.
“You’ll regret those words!” Killing intent glinted in Mo Xuan’s eyes as his Heavenly Martial Eighth Layer aura flared, raw anger on display.
“Kid, who do you think you are, talking to Brother Mo Xuan like that?!” Mo Fei barked beside him.
“If not for academy rules, you’d die here today!” Another disciple jabbed a finger at Lin Xiao, fuming. Normally, few dared defy Mo Alliance disciples—let alone Mo Xuan, one of their top three. To him, this newbie’s audacity was suicidal.
“Clueless fool! I don’t even need Brother Mo Xuan—I’ll handle him!” A burly youth stepped forward, his Heavenly Martial Seventh Layer aura surging.
Ling Hu’s brow creased, a fierce glint in his eyes. “Lin Xiao, let me take this one!”
Lin Xiao held him back. “I’ll deal with the Mo Alliance.”
He waved Ling Hu and Hu Yue aside.
Seeing Lin Xiao’s calm resolve, Ling Hu nodded and stepped back.
“That guy’s asking for it!” Hu Yue grumbled, retreating too.
Though brash, Hu Yue trusted Lin Xiao implicitly after their journey, confident in his strength.
“Big talk!” The advancing Mo Alliance youth snarled, his aura intensifying. He drew a long blade, channeling ferocious vitality into it. A dazzling golden glow erupted, blindingly bright.
“That’s Mo Ming, a two-star disciple! His Supreme Golden Mysterious Blade is wicked strong—even Ba Hu couldn’t touch him. Lin Xiao beat Ba Hu, but Mo Ming’s another beast!”
The onlookers gaped, whispering warily at the display.
The crowd mirrored their caution. Mo Alliance members were no joke. They’d hoped Lin Xiao could defy them, but that seemed unlikely now.
Getting past Mo Ming alone would be a stretch.
Yet Lin Xiao’s expression didn’t flicker. From his storage ring, he drew a half-zhang black iron staff.
Raising it with both hands, vast vitality poured in. A radiant black beam shot skyward, stretching into a solid, shimmering staff aura. A terrifying, mountain-crushing force pulsed outward, gripping hearts.
“What a move!” The crowd marveled at the black radiance.
Mo Ming’s brow furrowed, his eyes flashing colder. Gripping his blade, he charged with blazing gold light, slashing ruthlessly at Lin Xiao’s face.
