Chapter Seventy-Four: Formidable Misfortune, an Even More Formidable Azure Spirit

Before dawn broke, Hu Mo had already completed the cultivation exercises assigned by Cang Ling. The special training over these past two nights had made him far more adept at wielding the power of the Three Treasures, especially the forces of Chaotic Water and Fire.

Observing his own strength, Hu Mo realized that his cultivation had unconsciously advanced to the level of a Fourth Tier Battle King. If Hu Yihu were to learn of his current progress, he would certainly be so shocked as to cry out in disbelief. They would never doubt that Hu Mo had been hiding his true strength all along.

Yet, what disappointed Hu Mo was that the fourth layer of the Ripple Step remained shrouded in mystery—he could not discern a single word. He couldn't help but wonder silently to himself: just how far must he progress before he possesses the strength to cultivate the fourth layer? And if he were to reach its highest level, what kind of power would he wield then?

Surpassing even the Ninth Tier Battle God? He could hardly believe it, even if his life depended on it.

Cang Ling still slept in a most unruly fashion, clutching the quilt in her arms as though it were an enormous teddy bear, kicking away the covers as if it were her habit.

Watching the adorable girl sleeping in his bed, Hu Mo was suddenly overcome by a strange sensation—a faint sense of contentment. If he hadn't seen Cang Ling’s true nature before, he might well have been deceived by her current display of innocence. No one would ever suspect that such a lovely and beautiful girl could unleash such terrifying killing intent.

"What are you thinking about?" A soft voice sounded in Hu Mo’s ear, fragrant breath brushing past, making him nearly melt on the spot.

This time, Cang Ling did not pretend to be asleep. She sat up gracefully on the bed, gazing at Hu Mo whose expression had turned awkward, secretly delighted by his discomfort.

"Ah? Oh, nothing, just reflecting on last night’s cultivation. Tsk tsk, this training method really is something." Hu Mo laughed off her question, looking for all the world like a child caught sneaking a snack, fidgeting uncomfortably.

"Reflections on cultivation? Heh, did you have to think so deeply that you started drooling?"

"…"

Hu Mo was speechless. He reached to wipe his mouth and, sure enough, found a tide of drool there.

"Ahem, the weather is really fine today. Master, please get up soon. Oh, and today is the day of the Celestial Fire Ladies’ Gala. If we’re late, we might miss out. I’ll go prepare and we can head out together later!" he blurted out in a single breath, then fled the room as if escaping for his life.

Cang Ling covered her mouth and chuckled softly, yawning before lazily crawling out of bed.

"Sigh, I’m sleeping more and more these days. If I keep depleting my power like this, I’m afraid… Ah, best not to dwell on it. Let fate take its course," she murmured to herself, straightened her clothes, and walked out the door.

The first thing Hu Mo did after leaving was look for Lin Nan. He trusted Cang Ling not to deceive him, but until he saw Lin Nan with his own eyes, he couldn’t rest easy.

However, he hadn’t gone far when he saw Lin Nan approaching at a slow pace. Hu Mo paused, observing her silently.

On the surface, Lin Nan seemed little changed from before, but Hu Mo noticed subtle differences in her aura. Indeed, the battle power within her was being suppressed by a formidable force, as if she were cloaked in a mantle of mystery that concealed the water-elemental strength of her true form.

Though Lin Nan’s face remained expressionless, Hu Mo could sense a quiet joy within her, convinced she actually preferred this new state.

"You're up? Heh, rather early," Hu Mo greeted her with a meaningless smile, walking over.

"Yes, it's early," Lin Nan replied with her usual brevity, leaving Hu Mo’s outstretched hand hanging awkwardly in the air.

Lin Nan had always tried to avoid him, fearful that her misfortune might rub off on Hu Mo. But Hu Mo was the opposite: the more she withdrew, the more he pressed forward.

"Stay away from me unless you wish to die." Lin Nan, now aware that Hu Mo knew the truth, spoke bluntly.

Hu Mo was momentarily taken aback, but then he smiled. "I don’t want to die, but there’s no reason I should be afraid of my friends."

With that, the hand he’d extended fell onto Lin Nan’s shoulder. Suddenly, he sensed a powerful surge of danger and instinctively swept his left hand through the air, sending out a gust of force.

A cacophony of shrill cries erupted as feathers rained down from above—along with a shower of bird droppings, leaving Hu Mo utterly dumbfounded.

"Come on! Was that really necessary?" Hu Mo quickly summoned his water-elemental battle power, freezing the bird droppings into ice, which crashed to the ground and shattered his beloved red iron tree.

He wanted to laugh and cry at the same time—this was just too much. Yet he recalled the scene when he’d replenished Lin Nan’s power before, and wondered: why hadn’t anything happened then?

"Have you tested enough? Do you understand now? Marshal, you’re too precious to risk. Best avoid me lest more trouble comes your way. Bird droppings are the mildest result—if you end up like my brother, struck dead by lightning, don’t say I didn’t warn you." Lin Nan spoke with her customary emotional detachment, leaving Hu Mo both helpless and amused.

"Don’t worry, if I lack anything, it’s not luck. What’s a pat on the shoulder? If I held you in my arms, nothing would happen. If you don’t believe me, watch—"

Boom—

A muffled thunderclap suddenly rumbled across the previously serene sky, making the houses tremble. Hu Mo’s outstretched arms froze midair—pressure, the pressure of the heavens!

Lin Nan shook her head. "Go ahead, if you aren't afraid of lightning. I forgot to mention: the thunder won’t stop until it strikes someone. Feel free to test it if you like."

Hu Mo was filled with bitter resignation. Was this a joke? A mere embrace would bring down lightning—what if he kissed her, or dared a more intimate gesture? Would it spell the end of the world?

"Hey, what are you playing at? Mind if I join?" Cang Ling called out from a hundred meters away, yet as her words fell, she was suddenly at Hu Mo’s side.

To Hu Mo’s surprise, Cang Ling now treated Lin Nan like a real sister, showing her great affection. The thunder rolled ominously above, its threat undeniable.

Yet Cang Ling simply smiled, pointing at the clouds with a hint of annoyance. "If you’re bored, go back to sleep! Meddle in my affairs again and you’ll regret it!"

Watching Cang Ling berate the heavens so fiercely, Hu Mo couldn’t help but smile. But no sooner had his smile appeared than a bolt of lightning split the sky.

"Looking for death, are you?" Cang Ling’s expression changed. Her white sleeve extended, wrapping the blue-violet lightning completely. With a sharp cry, she hurled the electric energy back at the black cloud, shattering it with a thunderous explosion.

Still not satisfied, Cang Ling was about to charge into the sky when Hu Mo grabbed her, holding her back.

"Let go! I’m going to settle things with that blind fool!" Cang Ling shouted boldly, as if she truly intended to storm the divine realm and slay a god.

The poor God of Thunder, who hadn’t noticed Cang Ling at first, realized his mistake only after being struck by her lightning. Of all his calculations, he had never foreseen encountering such a troublesome being.

Upon hearing Cang Ling’s threat, he fled at once. Hu Mo was about to speak when the thunder faded and the dark clouds drifted away.

"Wait, even the God of Thunder is afraid of you? Master, are you… a god yourself?" Hu Mo looked at Cang Ling in disbelief. In that instant, her power soared even higher in his mind.

"What’s so strange about that? The divine realm is full of cowards. So-called immortals are sometimes less than mortals. Just thinking about it is infuriating. Come, let’s leave the manor—I’m quite interested in this Ladies’ Gala," Cang Ling said with a bright smile, her true thoughts hidden from all.

Lin Nan passively allowed Cang Ling to drape an arm over her shoulder. Dressed in men’s attire, the two of them standing together looked for all the world like an affectionate couple.

Hu Mo walked behind them, feeling rather alone. This time, however, he brought plenty of guards as they left the Hu estate, heading straight for the gala’s venue—Phoenix Song Pavilion.

Phoenix Song Pavilion was a tavern, but also the private property of Zhu Xinluo. Since every Ladies’ Gala had been held here, it was commonly known as the Ladies’ Pavilion.

Much like the previous Ten-Thousand Beasts Gala, Hu Mo thought this could just as easily be called the Ten-Thousand Wolves Gala. He hadn’t even arrived before seeing a stream of young noblemen crowding the streets, leering with lascivious smiles, discussing their plans for the debauchery to come. Wolves and cads, the lot of them!

Witnessing this, Hu Mo felt a wave of distaste. The so-called "Ladies’ Gala" had thoroughly tarnished the meaning of its name in his heart.

This time, Hu Mo was wiser—Cang Ling was bundled into a palanquin, her face veiled, to avoid causing another sensation in the city. She didn’t seem to mind, but Hu Mo was uncomfortable with the predatory eyes that seemed determined to strip others bare.

Lin Nan, still in men’s clothing, drew her own share of attention—this time from women and girls of every age, all entranced by her looks. Hu Mo, who always fancied himself a dashing young man, felt deeply mortified; this was even more humiliating than being paraded through the streets.

Just as they reached the entrance to the Phoenix Song Pavilion, a clear voice rang out. Zhu Xinyue, resplendent in formal attire, bounded over to Hu Mo, unable to hide her excitement.

"Brother Hu Mo, you’re finally here! I’ve been waiting for so long!"

It’s happening! Four chapters today—the next one at 4 o’clock, the fourth at 7 p.m. Brothers, can you show even more support and shower Old Tiger with votes and favorites?