Chapter 17: Ten Lightning Marks

Chapter 17: Ten Lightning Marks

Mo Yu had no idea how powerful the words he had learned back on Earth were in affecting a woman like Ya Fei, who had long been lonely.

After leaving the auction house, he returned to the family estate, sorted through his newfound possessions, and stored the most important items in the storage ring.

The storage ring, with its three to four square meters of space, was of the lowest grade, but even so, it would cost at least ten thousand gold coins. Between the storage ring, the Shanhesh Stone, and the two second-tier magic cores, most of the fifteen thousand gold coins from the auction were gone, leaving only one or two thousand.

But Mo Yu didn't mind. Wealth meant nothing to him—resources were all that mattered.

The next day, Mo Yu took out a thousand gold coins from the storage ring and returned them to his grandfather, Mo Guanjia. He didn't give him more because it would be hard to explain where the extra money had come from.

As for the storage ring, Mo Yu decided not to wear it on his finger just yet, considering the sensitivity of his current situation. Instead, he kept it tucked safely in his robe.

After his recent trip, Mo Yu resumed his reclusive lifestyle, focusing once again on his cultivation.

…

Time flowed like water, slipping through one's fingers unnoticed. The hot summer had given way to a cool autumn, and the once lush green trees had begun to show signs of yellowing.

"Lei Gang Ti!"

The cold shout echoed suddenly in a secluded grove atop a mountain far from the Xiao family estate.

A nimble figure darted skillfully through the trees, the thick underbrush posing no obstacle.

In the next instant, the figure stopped abruptly before a large green boulder, which was the size of a crouching tiger. With a quick shift of his feet, the figure half-turned and struck the boulder with a powerful punch.

"Bang!"

There was a muffled sound, followed by an explosion of stone fragments. Cracks spread out from the point of impact like a spider's web.

With a rumble, the large boulder, now hollowed out, finally shattered.

As the stone crumbled, the agile figure leaped back and landed lightly on another boulder.

Mo Yu looked at the results of his strike, a satisfied smile spreading across his handsome face.

After reaching the ninth stage of Dou Qi, Mo Yu had obtained two second-tier magic cores. However, instead of immediately using the Zhuque Fentian Thunder to absorb them and break through to the Dou Zhe stage, he continued to train his combat skills in this secluded place.

He knew that at critical moments like this, patience was key.

During the Dou Qi stage, the foundation is most important. Rushing through it would be the worst mistake.

Although he hadn't advanced a single stage in the past three months, Mo Yu was pleased. He could feel that his Dou Qi foundation had become terrifyingly solid after months of steady cultivation.

And these three months had not been without their gains. The lightning marks on Mo Yu's right arm had now increased to ten, finally reaching the level of a Xuan-class technique.

Just now, Mo Yu had used only five lightning marks to crush the boulder into pieces. If he unleashed all ten, even a Dou Zhe would likely perish on the spot.

Satisfied with the results of his training, Mo Yu nodded to himself and returned home to prepare for the upcoming evaluation.

One month before the coming-of-age ceremony, all young members of the family were required to undergo an evaluation, which served to weed out those who had not reached the expected level of Dou Qi.

Given Mo Yu's strength and the family's recognition of his talents, the evaluation was little more than a formality for him.

The next morning, as he was finishing getting dressed, there was a gentle knock at the door.

"Mo Yu gege, are you there?"

Hearing the clear, youthful voice, Mo Yu raised an eyebrow, then slowly made his way to the door and pulled it open.

As the door opened, warm sunlight poured in, bathing the young man in a blue robe with a soft, golden glow.

Standing outside was a young girl, graceful and charming. Though not yet a great beauty, her youthful face held a hint of allure. The combination of innocence and charm made her all the more captivating.

"Ah, it's Xiao Mei. What can I do for you today?" Mo Yu asked with a gentle smile.

Since Mo Yu had defeated Xiao Ning and gained the favor of the family elders by being invited to family gatherings, Xiao Mei's attitude toward him had taken a complete turn. She now visited him frequently, asking for advice on combat techniques or just to chat. It was clear that she had suddenly become much closer to him.

Mo Yu was fully aware of her intentions but didn't mind. It wasn't that he was swayed by her charms but rather that he understood that people naturally gravitate toward those with power. Xiao Mei was just a regular person trying to connect with someone stronger.

Besides, after a long day of hard training, having a pretty girl around to chat with wasn't a bad thing.

As Xiao Mei gazed at Mo Yu, standing in the sunlight with his handsome and mature appearance, her fox-like eyes blinked, taking in his every detail.

Over the past several months, Mo Yu had undergone significant changes. His face had become more mature, his physique had grown stronger, and he had gained a few more centimeters in height. Most importantly, his demeanor had shifted from that of a cautious servant of the Xiao family to that of a confident, mysterious, and powerful young genius.

Xiao Mei couldn't deny that it was Mo Yu's talent and strength that drew her to him, but his handsome appearance was also a significant factor.

As Mo Yu stepped out of his room and shut the door behind him, he noticed Xiao Mei's eyes fixed on him without blinking. He teased, "What is it? Do I look even more handsome today?"

Xiao Mei's cheeks flushed slightly. Though she was usually bold, she quickly averted her gaze at his playful remark, feeling a bit embarrassed. "Let's go, Mo Yu gege. Today is the evaluation day, and after you defeated Xiao Ning, the family has high hopes for you."

Mo Yu casually waved his hand, unconcerned. "Alright, let's go. I think today's evaluation might turn out to be quite interesting."

As he said this, a playful smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

If his memory served him right, today would be the day that Xiao Yan would begin his first ascent.

(End of chapter)