"Modu?"
Song Qiao murmured the name a few times, his thoughts drifting.
In the last century, Modu was a place where many ambitious figures rose to prominence, and also where many fell.
He wondered if Modu would be the former or the latter for him.
A burning anticipation flickered in Song Qiao's eyes.
"It truly makes one look forward to it!"
Song Qiao finished his tea in one gulp, then couldn't help but sigh with sweet emotion.
"Mr. Song, I know you are skilled."
"But Modu, after all, has a hundred years of history and is a place where tigers and dragons lie hidden."
"I believe Mr. Song will surely display his prowess when the time comes!"
As Mo Ling spoke, a look of longing appeared on her face.
Having carried out missions for many years, coupled with her background in security, she had heard of and seen files of many masters.
Were those people all show, all fame and no substance, or hidden dragons in the abyss?
Like Song Qiao, Mo Ling felt a subtle restlessness thinking of the myriad masters in this vast world.
"Perhaps then, I will be able to witness Mr. Song's true strength!"
Mo Ling looked at Song Qiao with a hint of adoration in her eyes.
"When soldiers come, we block them; when water comes, we cover it with earth!"
"I, Song Qiao, have walked the martial world for half my life. Why should I fear a powerful opponent?"
Song Qiao spoke to himself, a mighty aura emanating from him.
"This aura!"
Mo Ling's beautiful eyes narrowed. The aura Song Qiao displayed was far beyond what his appearance suggested!
Song Qiao was far more complex than she had imagined!
Having been saved by Song Qiao once, Mo Ling was immensely curious about his strength, and now was a good opportunity.
"Mr. Song, why don't we spar on the training platform?"
"I'll call everyone over!"
"It'll be a good opportunity for everyone to learn from each other."
Upon hearing Mo Ling's suggestion, Song Qiao stood up and replied humbly:
"As you wish!"
Five minutes later, at Mo Ling's summons, all the trainees gathered.
"I've never seen Miss Mo's skills, I'm really looking forward to it!"
"For her to be here as a woman, I'm already very impressed! And she's achieved quite a few battle merits, it really puts us to shame!"
"Calling Mo Ling the 'War Goddess of China' wouldn't be an exaggeration!"
"..."
Below the training platform, many trainees were engaged in lively discussion.
Mo Ling had changed into a martial arts outfit.
Her simple and unadorned tube top revealed her smooth, firm skin. Faint scars were visible on her smooth back.
On any other woman, these scars might detract from her attractiveness, but on Mo Ling, they added a touch of wild beauty.
On the training platform, Song Qiao stood with his hands behind his back and addressed the trainees below:
"Let me check on your recent progress."
As soon as Song Qiao finished speaking, the trainees below exchanged glances.
"I'll go!"
A trainee in his early thirties volunteered, tore off his shirt before stepping onto the platform, and said to Song Qiao:
"Please guide me!"
Song Qiao returned a fist salute, and the first trainee attacked.
As they circled each other, searching for openings, Song Qiao did not make a move, nor did he give the other party any opportunities.
After more than two minutes of circling, silence fell upon the crowd.
The first trainee's eyes gradually grew serious. After two minutes of intense concentration, his opponent had given him no openings, and he had given none either.
Even without any direct hits, the constant tension was unbearable for anyone.
The onlookers, all connoisseurs, stopped their discussions and held their breath to watch.
Swoosh!
An opportunity flashed by!
The trainee feigned a move and closed in on Song Qiao. At close range, he spun and delivered a flying kick. His right leg was like a sharp blade, slicing towards Song Qiao's head.
Mo Ling crossed her arms over her chest, her eyes fixed on Song Qiao's next move.
Whoosh!
To everyone's astonishment, Song Qiao bent backward at an angle incomprehensible to ordinary people, dodging the fatal kick!
Before the trainee's right leg could land, Song Qiao's elbow had already struck his abdomen.
Bang!
Fortunately, the protective measures of the training platform were soft, and the trainee was not seriously injured.
"Brother Jiang, your strength has increased significantly recently!"
"A fatal blow is good, but your speed is too slow, exposing too many weaknesses!"
"The fastest wins, it's a principle everyone understands, but hard to achieve."
"Brother Jiang, speed is your advantage, keep practicing!"
Song Qiao bent down to help up the first trainee and astutely pointed out his flaws.
The trainee, whom Song Qiao addressed as Brother Jiang, gave a wry smile:
"After practicing for so long, I still can't touch your clothes."
"It's alright, you're much better than last time."
"Who's next?"
Seeing Song Qiao's skill, Mo Ling's fighting spirit surged, and she slowly walked onto the training platform.
"Mr. Song, please guide me!"
The spar between Song Qiao and Mo Ling was not filled with fancy moves; they immediately engaged in a direct fistfight.
"Miss Mo's punches are so fast!"
"Her arms look slender, but pay attention, her muscles are very strong!"
Mo Ling, standing around 1.68 meters tall, was petite yet explosive. She not only broadened the trainees' horizons but also made Song Qiao gasp in surprise.
"Miss Mo, you've tested my basic skills enough."
"Let's get serious!"
As Song Qiao spoke, Mo Ling's rapid attacks all missed.
"Not good!"
"He was just playing with me before!"
Mo Ling bit her lip. Song Qiao's casual demeanor clearly indicated that her previous moves had posed no real threat.
"Again!"
Mo Ling shouted, then immediately changed her attacking strategy.
Her small, pink fists aimed directly at Song Qiao's vital points, her speed so great that she left only an afterimage for the trainees below.
For the sake of her future happiness, Song Qiao instinctively covered himself.
A smug smile flickered across Mo Ling's lips.
Bang!
Mo Ling's punch lacked real power, as she was actually gathering strength in her leg.
A whip kick shot diagonally towards Song Qiao's head.
"This..."
"Monster!"
"..."
Song Qiao tilted his head slightly. Mo Ling's calf grazed his temple, and her smile froze.
Song Qiao was completely unharmed?
The trainees below also widened their mouths, their eyes filled with disbelief.
"Is his head made of gold particles?"
"..."
Seeing this, no one knew what to say.
Song Qiao's resilience had surpassed their understanding of human limits.
After three rounds, Song Qiao had a good grasp of Mo Ling's strength.
"Then I won't go easy on you!"
Whoosh!
Song Qiao struck Mo Ling's abdomen with a palm.
Mo Ling fell to the ground.
"Miss Mo, can my strength still impress you?"
Song Qiao asked with a light smile as he helped Mo Ling up.
"When did you start cultivating?"
"Why is your inner energy so potent?"
"Even the old monsters I've met aren't as unfathomable as you!"
A chill ran down Mo Ling's spine. Song Qiao had given her too many surprises!
Fortunately, he wasn't her enemy!
"This is not inner energy!"
"This is the result of my cultivation!"