Lin Mo turned and returned to his school. After the evening classes, he went back to rest at the school.
The next day, Ma Bo sought Lin Mo out personally.
It was regarding the matter of the Azure Gang Tournament.
Soon, Ma Bo personally drove Lin Mo to the Martial Arts Hall of the Azure Gang Tournament.
About half an hour later, they arrived at the entrance of the Martial Arts Hall.
However, as they were halfway there, they heard a mocking voice from behind:
"Yo, isn't this Principal Ma from Tian Nan University?"
"Good grief, Tian Nan University is the only one that's not a top-tier famous school yet gets to participate in the Azure Gang Tournament."
Upon hearing this, Ma Bo's face slightly darkened. The man speaking was a middle-aged man named Zhou Hui.
Last time, because of Tian Nan University, because of this school, they missed the chance to enter the top ten of the Azure Gang Tournament.
He had always harbored resentment in his heart.
Beside him followed a young man named Liu Qiang.
He held a strong grudge against Tian Nan University as well. In his opinion, a university like Tian Nan, when compared with other top-tier famous schools, was simply insignificant.
What right did they have to participate in the Azure Gang Tournament?
Isn't it just because of Lu Chendong?
Lu Chendong was Lu Gucheng's son, which is why Tian Nan University had such an opportunity and qualification.
But now, Lu Chendong hadn't come; instead, Ma Bo brought a teenager around seventeen or eighteen years old.
Instantly, Zhou Hui's face grew more scornful:
"I heard your school's Lu Chendong seems to have gotten into some trouble."
"It seems you've found a last-minute substitute?"
"Hehe, I see how Tian Nan University can make it into the Azure Gang's top ten this time."
"Look at this kid. He's younger than Lu Chendong, his Martial Power must be far inferior to Lu Chendong's."
"Hahaha... Heaven is truly just, this time the top ten of the Azure Gang Tournament definitely has a place for our Mufeng University!"
At this moment, that young man Liu Qiang standing beside Zhou Hui was even more full of disdain:
"Last time, I lost to Lu Chendong, but this time, I will absolutely not lose to you, kid."
"In my eyes, if Tian Nan University doesn't have Lu Chendong, it's trash!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Mo's eyes slightly lifted. From beginning to end, his face remained calm. But these two people popped up out of nowhere, constantly mocking and provoking.
As if they were too full of themselves.
Lin Mo glanced at him and said indifferently, "Stop your prattling in front of me, otherwise, before we even enter the arena, I'll incapacitate you."
Hearing this, Zhou Hui's face suddenly darkened, and he turned to Ma Bo saying:
"Ma Bo, where did you find such a substitute? He's even more arrogant than Lu Chendong!"
Ma Bo, however, snorted coldly and spoke bluntly: "Zhou Hui, he's much stronger than Lu Chendong. You'd better not talk too much, otherwise, if the person you brought gets disabled by Lin Mo, don't blame me."
"Kid, you think you're Lu Chendong? Pretending to be what?"
Liu Qiang, full of arrogance, stepped in front of Lin Mo with a challenging look in his eyes: "Kid, you think you're strong, huh? If you're so capable, why don't you have a one-on-one duel with me right now?"
Lin Mo simply turned around and walked towards the inside of the Martial Arts Hall.
"Stop right there!"
Liu Qiang, however, was relentless as he dashed in front of Lin Mo, sneering, "Turns out you're just a big-talking shrimp—I thought you were something special."
Lin Mo glanced at him and said indifferently, "You're not even qualified to challenge me."
At those words, Liu Qiang flew into a complete rage, "You're asking for death!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Liu Qiang charged toward Lin Mo with explosive force, his punch causing the air itself to tremble as if it happened in an instant.
His hand and fist simultaneously struck out at Lin Mo, giving Lin Mo no chance to react.
Seeing this, Zhou Hui's smug expression intensified, and he said to Ma Bo, "See that? Liu Qiang is much stronger than he was at the last Azure Gang tournament. This kid might have had something to brag about if he were Lu Chendong, but unfortunately, he is not."
However, Ma Bo just shook his head.
Seeing this, Zhou Hui immediately asked, "Why are you shaking your head? Could it be that you know this kid is finished?"
"No," Ma Bo chuckled bitterly, "I'm just afraid that with one kick, your man might end up completely useless."
"What?" Zhou Hui was taken aback, entirely puzzled by Ma Bo's words.
The next second, however, his pupils dilated in shock, because before Liu Qiang's strike could even get close to Lin Mo, there was a loud bang, and Liu Qiang was swept away.
He was flung a dozen meters away and crashed into a nearby flowerbed, causing it to partially collapse and break apart.
"How... how is this possible?"
Zhou Hui's eyes were filled with disbelief and astonishment, thinking his eyes must be playing tricks on him.
Yet, all of it was happening with undeniable reality.
Suddenly, Zhou Hui's face fell completely, "It's over! There was still a chance to fight for the top ten in this year's Azure Gang competition, but now it looks completely hopeless."
Zhou Hui's face was full of regret; why had he and Liu Qiang ever provoked and challenged such a freak?
Soon, Lin Mo and Ma Bo walked inside together.
At that moment, when Lin Mo entered, he immediately caught the attention of many esteemed professors and university presidents.
"Is it really him?"
"My God! It's Lin Mo!"
"I hadn't expected that he's not only a peerless genius in his studies, but it seems his martial power is also impressive—truly excelling in both literature and martial arts."
For a time, many professors and presidents took the initiative to approach Lin Mo.
Seeing this, the youths participating in the Azure Gang competition not far away immediately frowned.
Some looked envious, others jealous, some scornful, and still others hostile.
In short, hardly anyone looked pleased.
After all, wasn't everyone who participated in the Azure Gang competition exceptional?
Yet, even if they were outstanding, they didn't receive such treatment.
In no time, many of them had grown resentful towards Lin Mo.
Meanwhile, not far off, a tall young man with a chilling gaze glanced at Lin Mo and said to the young man in white beside him with profound respect, "My lord, that kid is really here."
Xuanyuan Chen's lips curled into a hint of a smile, "I hope this Azure Gang competition won't be too disappointing. Perhaps, with this kid joining, it will become a little more interesting."
Zhang Hao, however, sighed, "My lord, what if this kid doesn't even make the top five?"
Xuanyuan Chen looked at him and scoffed, "Even if he doesn't make the top five, if I, Xuanyuan Chen, cripple him in public, who would object?"
"It would be perfect to make an example of him at the Azure Gang competition to establish my authority. Afterward, let's see who dares to disrespect me, Xuanyuan Chen—they'll end up just like him!"
"Yes, my lord," Zhang Hao replied with a tremor in his voice, nodding emphatically.