Chen Mo's solo performance earned him the recognition of most disciples. Even the elders who had previously opposed him now held a favorable impression of him.
In essence, Chen Mo's talent, in a way, symbolized the future of the Yunlan Sect.
The elders would not deliberately suppress such a talented disciple based on their previous perceptions of him.
On the contrary, they would focus on nurturing him, hoping he would soon become a pillar of the Yunlan Sect.
Therefore, the elders did not manipulate the outcome of the duel between Chen Mo and Mo Li.
"You seem to harbor a lot of hostility towards me?" Chen Mo said indifferently.
Mo Li's eyes narrowed, and he smiled, "Junior brother, you must be joking. Your performance just now was truly astonishing. Since we've been matched against each other, I must take this opportunity to learn from you."
The slightly sarcastic tone made Chen Mo uncomfortable. Drawing from his past life's experience with various TV dramas, he knew that people who spoke like this were often wolves in sheep's clothing.
Chen Mo casually adjusted his robe and said, "Let's begin then."
"Junior brother, you first," Mo Li maintained his image of a refined gentleman.
As they spoke, the referee shouted, "Begin!"
Chen Mo didn't hold back. His Dou Qi surged out, enveloping his entire body. With a loud bang from his feet, his body transformed into a black shadow, charging fiercely towards Mo Li.
"Random Strike."
Since he was in this world, he had to follow its customs. Chen Mo decided to name his moves, and for his first attack, he used a technique from his past life.
"Random Strike? What kind of Dou Skill is that?"
Hearing Chen Mo's low roar, Mo Li was filled with confusion. Watching the charging figure, he thought, "This Dou Skill has so many openings?"
Mo Li didn't dare to be careless. He prepared to use his rich experience to counter this seemingly incomprehensible Dou Skill, using soft force to neutralize the seemingly fierce power.
Spotting one of the openings, he reached out with both hands, preparing to grab the incoming punch and redirect it to the side.
Boom!
Fist met palm.
Chen Mo's first move was easily blocked by Mo Li.
The square suddenly fell silent, as if a flock of crows had flown over everyone's heads. Almost everyone wore the same expression.
"Is this it? Just this?"
"Ahem," Chen Mo coughed dryly.
Mmp, I've lost face big time.
But Chen Mo had no choice.
Up to this point, Chen Mo had only mastered one Dou Skill, the Nethergod Spear, which he had specifically prepared to deal with Nalan Yanran.
Mo Li also looked incredulous. These openings were indeed real openings.
Although Mo Li didn't understand how he had so easily countered the move, he was very good at seizing opportunities.
He twisted Chen Mo's wrist and pulled it towards his own body, while his other hand clenched into a fist, delivering a heavy blow towards Chen Mo.
He didn't hold back this punch, unleashing the full power of a five-star Dou Master, with Dou Qi swirling around his fist.
He wanted to knock Chen Mo down with a single punch.
The onlookers around the square couldn't bear to watch, covering their eyes. If this punch landed, not only would Chen Mo be defeated, but he would also suffer severe injuries, disqualifying him from the subsequent battles.
The top sixteen, with two spots left for the top ten.
Originally, based on the strength Chen Mo displayed in his solo performance, there was still a good hope for him to make it into the top ten. However, if he were to suffer severe injuries now, there would be no hope for the later stages.
Mo Li wanted Chen Mo to fail to enter the top ten.
"How ruthless," Yun Hai couldn't help but exclaim.
Chen Mo could keenly feel that this punch was aimed directly at his lower abdomen, targeting his dantian. In front of everyone, Mo Li wouldn't destroy his dantian, but causing a disorder in the Dou Qi within it, making him unable to continue in the competition, was entirely possible.
As the fist got closer to its target, a smug smile appeared on Mo Li's lips.
However, his smile froze in the next moment.
With a whoosh, a scorching Purple Flame burst out from all over Chen Mo's body, instantly enveloping him.
"It's so hot!" Mo Li quickly released his grip on Chen Mo's wrist.
"What is this?" Mo Li's expression changed. Before he could even feel the intense heat, Chen Mo had already launched a counterattack.
"Divine Skill, Groin Kick."
Even though his wrist was released, at such a close distance, Chen Mo had no time to dodge. He could only counterattack, instantly kicking out with a fierce leg strike, his foot wrapped in Purple Flame, aimed directly at the area between Mo Li's legs.
If this kick landed, even if it didn't cripple him with its force, the Purple Flame wrapped around it would surely burn him.
This was the rhythm of a one-for-one trade at the limit!
If you don't back off.
I might be severely injured, but your little brother will definitely be crippled.
"Despicable!"
Mo Li's face turned pale with fear. Gritting his teeth, he endured the backlash from retracting his fist and activated his Movement Technique. Being of the wind attribute, he instantly distanced himself from Chen Mo.
"Pfft!" Mo Li spat out a mouthful of blood, his eyes filled with murderous intent as he glared at Chen Mo.
The crowd around the square was stunned by what they had just witnessed.
"I originally thought Senior Brother Mo Li was ruthless, but Junior Brother Chen Mo is even more ruthless."
"Somehow, I feel a chill between my legs."
"Chen Mo is so despicable. Senior Brother Mo Li, beat him to death for us."
"Senior Brother Mo Li is spitting blood. Chen Mo, how could you do this?"
A wave of female disciples began to voice their support for Mo Li.
"This guy," Yun Yun patted her forehead, feeling both relieved that Chen Mo had resolved the crisis and helpless at his methods.
"Is that a Strange Fire?" Miteer Tengshan asked, somewhat uncertain.
"No, that's not a Strange Fire. It seems more like a powerful Beast Fire," Fa Ma said in surprise. In fact, he had noticed the Purple Flame during Chen Mo's solo performance, and now it was confirmed.
For Alchemists, even though this wasn't a Strange Fire, they still had an innate fascination with such flames.
"Although Beast Fire isn't as difficult to refine as Strange Fire, the process is still extremely complicated," Pill King Gu He said with a smile. "This is quite interesting."
"This kid has some tricks up his sleeve," Mu Chen muttered, then turned to Nalan Su and said, "Nalan Su, I think this kid would be a good match for your daughter."
Nalan Su smiled calmly, but his gaze was fixed on Nalan Yanran, who had been watching Chen Mo the entire time.
"You've provoked me."
Mo Li drew a three-foot-long sword from his Storage Ring, a faint red light flashing by. At the hilt of the sword, a third-tier Magical Beast's Magic Core was prominently embedded.
"Three Thousand Sword Rain."
Mo Li tossed the sword into the air. Contrary to Newton's laws, the sword did not fall but instead hovered mid-air.
With a resonant hum, the sword trembled, splitting from one into two, then four, then eight...
A full thousand swords stood upright above Chen Mo's head.
"Senior Brother Mo Li's renowned Dou Skill, Three Thousand Sword Rain."
(End of Chapter)