Chapter 70: The True "Master of Many Treasures"

The lowest grade is Earth-level. As soon as these words left his mouth, except for Lin Nan, who remained as composed as ever, everyone else widened their eyes, staring at Hu Mo in utter disbelief.

“What? You still don’t believe me? Heh, Earth-level martial techniques are hardly that rare,” Hu Mo said nonchalantly. To him, these Earth-level martial skills and arts were indeed nothing special; the techniques he’d obtained from the Three Treasures could fill carloads, and still there would be more. So, truly, he could let them choose whatever Earth-level martial skills they wished.

Blackiron looked at Hu Mo with a foolish grin. “Marshal, your words are truly shocking. Earth-level martial skills and arts are scarce even across the entire Continent of War. It’s said that the Hu family only possesses the Fire Dragon Art and Fire Dragon Slash as their strongest techniques, and even among Earth-level skills, those are but mediocre. Nevertheless, the old Marshal conquered half the Empire of Heavenly Fire with just those. Now you make Earth-level skills sound so easy to come by, of course we’re all stunned.”

Hu Mo couldn’t help but sigh. With a few casual taps in the air, countless characters appeared, along with detailed diagrams and even animations.

“This is the Flame God’s Cleave, an intermediate Earth-level fire technique,” Hu Mo smiled, pointing to the glowing red text.

“This is the Frost Leg, an intermediate Earth-level water technique,” he added, gesturing at the blue-lit words, his tone composed.

“This is the Wood God’s Rebirth Art, an intermediate Earth-level wood technique.”

“This is the Goldstone Art, an advanced Earth-level metal technique.”

“And this is the Thousand Peaks Crash, an advanced Earth-level earth technique.”

Hu Mo indicated the five glowing descriptions with effortless calm. Even Lin Nan, who had maintained his serenity all along, could not help but let his expression change.

Everyone gazed at Hu Mo as if beholding a deity, their reverent stares making even him feel uncomfortable.

“There are really so many Earth-level martial skills and arts… I’ve truly broadened my horizons today,” Blackiron muttered to himself, drooling in a daze, a reaction shared by many others.

Seeing them like this, Hu Mo almost had the urge to spit at them. If this was how they reacted to Earth-level skills, what would they do if he showed them Heaven-level ones? Would they simply die from the shock?

“All right, enough. Stop drooling, or you’ll flood the Hu estate. Remember my words: as long as you perform to my satisfaction this time, you may choose any of these martial techniques or arts. And these are just the ones before you—there are as many as you could ever want,” Hu Mo declared, not boasting in the least. At this moment, he truly was a “merchant of treasures,” a walking treasury.

“Yes, sir!” all the members of the Star Battalion—except Lin Nan—roared in unison, their voices shaking the heavens.

Hu Mo’s gaze fell on Lin Nan, who had remained silent.

“Lin Nan, don’t you want to go?” Hu Mo asked softly, a trace of puzzlement in his tone. Was Lin Nan truly uninterested in these martial arts and techniques?

Lin Nan nodded slightly. “Indeed, I have no desire to go to the Sacred Flame Forest. That place isn’t suited to me.”

His voice was calm and natural, his eyes fixed on Hu Mo with unwavering resolve, leaving Hu Mo at a rare loss for words.

“You really don’t want to go? That’s the only place to obtain these arts and techniques,” Hu Mo pressed again.

“It makes no difference. Greed leads to indigestion. Practicing human-level techniques is the same,” Lin Nan replied expressionlessly, his words leaving Hu Mo speechless. It was as if he were seeing Cang Ling again, that cold demeanor, that attitude, that tone—Hu Mo felt increasingly uneasy.

The members of the Earthshade Squad looked anxiously at their captain, wondering if he’d lost his mind to refuse such an opportunity.

Hu Mo shook his head and sighed. “Very well, if you don’t want to go, you need not. But you must make arrangements for the Earthshade Squad. If anything goes wrong, I’ll hold you accountable. From now on, you’ll follow me directly, and I’ll spar with you myself. Agreed?”

Hearing Hu Mo’s sincere words, Lin Nan could not bring himself to refuse. He gave a quiet assent and turned back to organize his squad. As captain, he had to ensure everything was settled; otherwise, if something happened, he’d never forgive himself—even if Hu Mo spared him.

For some reason, Hu Mo found it impossible to be angry with Lin Nan. Perhaps it was the man’s pure water affinity, which made Hu Mo view him in a new light—or maybe it was something else entirely, something even he couldn’t name.

The departure was set for the next day. After Hu Mo announced the dismissal, everyone but Lin Nan left to prepare. A month in the Sacred Flame Forest was no small matter; insufficient preparation might mean never returning at all.

Hu Mo arranged new quarters for Lin Nan, intending to keep him nearby for the month as his personal guard. Only by staying close could Hu Mo truly understand him, for there was still a lingering suspicion in his heart.

By the time Hu Mo returned to his room, night had fully fallen. He walked absentmindedly, pondering solutions to other problems. Just as he was about to approach his door, a strange sensation arose within him. Instinctively alert, he dodged aside, narrowly avoiding a blade of light. Before he could shout, a rain of multicolored light swords cascaded down upon him.

“Are you kidding? Isn’t this a bit much?” Hu Mo exclaimed, hurriedly channeling his Gale Step technique to evade the onslaught. He summoned the icy power of Chaos Water with a wave of his right hand, freezing the light swords solid.

Clap, clap, clap.

A few claps sounded, and Cang Ling emerged from a corner, smiling with evident satisfaction.

“Your control over Chaos Water is quite refined, and I’ve seen your Chaos Fire as well. Not bad at all,” Cang Ling spoke in the manner of a teacher, making Hu Mo almost want to reply, “Thank you for your praise, teacher.”

He shook his head to dispel the thought, coughed lightly, and said, “Elder Sister Cang, you flatter me. I’m just a frog at the bottom of a well; the road ahead is long.”

She burst out laughing. “You still remember that saying? Good, very good. I like people who know their own limits.”

“But in the future, don’t call me Elder Sister Cang. I’m your master—how could you address your master without respect? If you don’t call me Master, I’ll tell your grandfather you’ve been flirting with me. I wonder how he’ll ‘reward’ you then…” Cang Ling’s laughter was full of delight as she traced a finger across his face, making Hu Mo retreat in surprise.

“Truly, nothing is more poisonous than a woman’s heart,” Hu Mo thought, suddenly grasping the wisdom of the old saying.

“How could a man of my stature be threatened by a woman? I might as well just take her down!” he mused, a wicked grin forming in his mind. But when he saw Cang Ling’s innocent, sweet smile, he found himself utterly unable to act.

“Well, what’s your plan? Speak your mind. Are you going to take me down, or call me Master?” Cang Ling gently played with her hair, gazing at the uneasy Hu Mo. Strangely, she felt an unexpected sense of contentment.

“Ma…Master,” Hu Mo struggled to utter the word, then darted into his room and shut the door tight.

Seeing his reaction, Cang Ling laughed. “Good disciple, why bar the door so tightly? Your master hasn’t even come in yet!”

Hu Mo’s scalp tingled. He hurried to the table, gulped down a cup of water, and called out, “It’s late, and your disciple is tired. Tonight is not suitable for training. Master, please go wherever you like.”

“But what if I want to stay here?” Cang Ling’s voice suddenly sounded right next to him. Turning, Hu Mo saw her calmly sipping tea, looking perfectly at ease.

“Ah—how did you get in here, you—”

“My dear apprentice, has something gone wrong with your head?” she teased. “I’ve always come and gone as I please in your room. When have I ever needed you to open the door for me?” She clicked her tongue and patted his head affectionately.

He realized how foolish he’d been; indeed, as she said, Cang Ling had always appeared and disappeared at will. He groaned, put down his cup, walked to the bed, and sprawled out.

“Master, do as you please. I surrender—I won’t resist…” The pitiful look he wore was truly the picture of resignation.

Cang Ling nearly spat her tea in laughter. Hu Mo’s current pose was so comical, like a tender bud waiting to be plucked.

“Hurry, I’m short on time. I want a good night’s sleep,” Hu Mo urged impatiently, his tone almost desperate. The sight of him so aggrieved made Cang Ling laugh all the harder; tonight, she revealed her truest self, unrestrained by decorum.

“Short on time? Are you sure?” Cang Ling really did appear beside his bed, gently stroking his face, making his whole body flush with heat.

But just as his desire peaked, an icy chill shot through his bones. He opened his eyes to see Cang Ling’s hand hovering over his forehead.

Before he could speak, a wave of heat surged from his core, as the Greenwood King Cauldron within him unleashed torrents of Chaos Fire.

“What are you doing? This feeling…”

“It feels good, doesn’t it? Since you’re in such a hurry, let’s make our training quick. I’ve activated both Chaos Water and Fire within you—try to pacify them. Ha ha…” Cang Ling’s words were straightforward, and Hu Mo was left completely at her mercy.