It can't be that he came here for me?
Behind him, six eighteen-year-old teenagers followed. Most of them were all at the First Stage of Origin Awakening, only one of them was at the Second Stage. As for the teenager with silk clothing, he was at the Third Stage of Origin Awakening.
Tian Mo felt a knot growing in his stomach, however he ignored it thinking maybe he just eneded running into him. It a large sect everyone goes to the same places. He still believed in the good nature of others, and maybe, just maybe, Zhao Kang wasn't as bad as he appeared.
"Greetings Senior, classmate." He cupped his fist.
While Tian Mo didn't panic Feng Hao His eyes narrowed, scanning the group closely, his gaze hardened when it fell on the teenager in silk clothing. He had recognized he was the other group that Xing Lin, made attack each other to steal there stuff.
They have a total of eight people, two at the Second Stage of Origin Awakening and four at the First Stage of Origin Awakening. As for him and Tian Mo, they were both only at the First Stage of Origin Awakening. If things were to escalate into a fight, then they would certainly ended up being abused.
Feng Hao knew that the teenager in silk clothing must be a young master from one of young master of a nearby city family. These people possess both authority and power.
While they don't really have power in this sect, unless in the outer courtyard to kill, they were certainly capable of crippling others on a regular basis.
"What's the meaning of this?" Feng Hao question out, traces of anger evident within his words.
"I heard that someone was taking my brother Lu Zhi gift I want to see who dare take it infront I Zhao Kang." The classmate roared while pointed at himself.
Usually these young masters of families, the lives of their underlings were of no consequence. However, their reputation was another matter. Moreover, the underling had reported that he had already see Tian Mo taking something out the pavilion. This was what caused the teenager in silk clothing to become enraged, because it was something special.
Tian Mo of course never heard of Lu Zhu nor know about Zhao Kang names or reputations, he felt that why there was people creepy looking at him as he left. But what did he take so he felt, the underling most likely fabricated this in order to prove Zhao Kang. So Tian Mo felt what ever was happening has nothing to do with him.
At that same time, Tian Mo really wanted to leave so he can find out if this technique was really worth taking, on the other hand he didn't want to leave Feng Hao incase he was bullied again, then again he can't do anything.
Considering the bigger picture, winning here would also bring him trouble. Once matters escalated and he was forced to fight and get beat up again, then the next source of trouble would come from Zhao Kang reputation. He is the young master of the Kang family there always arrogant. Tian Mo highly doubt that such a kind of individual would be interested in sitting down and engaging in a civilized discussion with him.
For this he can't cause trouble or trouble will retunr double.
'What a pain.' He thought.
He just didn't know why was Zhao Kang so angry, it was because Lu Zhi a inner discple holds a position of power and influence within the sect. Zhao Kang, being a young master from a prominent family, is constantly looking for ways to climb the social ladder and secure more resources. Aligning himself with someone like Lu Zhi would grant him access to greater cultivation resources, techniques, and potential opportunities that would significantly enhance his own growth.
Tian Mo pondered. Suddenly, a spark lighted up within his mind, he had thought of a way to resolve this problem. Facing Zhao Kang, his chine rasied slightly. "Then, what do you really want?"
After laughing for a good while, Zhao Kang finally stopped and said. "Are you deaf, or just plain stupid?...I warned you already now you dlthere take the flute for my senior brother."
Hearing Zhao Kang talking about flute, his fists clenched he felt that really some secret regarding the, that he really giving it his senior brother as a gift, he gaze at Feng Hao he really felt grateful about listening to him, helping him.
"Junior brother, let's give him the flute...you can get another weapon." Feng Hao saying about to walk foward.
Feng Hao knew that they would have to suffer miserably today. All he could do was hope that Tian Mo give up the flute to get away. He can't end up being crippled, that would be a huge blow to him. He may never be able to recover their cultivation state even with the help of rare herbs.
Also he was initially enraged when he sees Zhao Kang and his group confront Tian Mo. His anger was from the good grace to Tian Mo trying to help him he wanted to help, which are heightened by the ongoing bullying from Zhao Kang. He is angry not only because of the evil situation but also because he sees how helpless Tian Mo might be in this scenario, just as he was.
While he thought so he didn't know that Tian Mo not will to give up thing to benefit to get his revenge.
"Right...Xun Min listen to you senior...before." Zhao Kang warned.
Tian Mo pulled Feng Hao back and spoke to Zhao Kang softly. "So, what you wanted were those things you said earlier? Very well, as long as you can beat me in a martial arts duel, I will accept your conditions." Though there was a slight hesitation in his words, he didn't want to escalate things.
Truth be told he was feeling flustered its just he would rather fight one for a reward or loss that all for the pain and mutiple loss.
Feng Hao gripped Tian Mo's shoulder tightly,"Brother Mo, you…" He became anxious. Even though he believe that Tian Mo would become a highly accomplished person in the future after finding a secret book, the current Tian Mo is only at the First Stage of Origin Awakening. How could he defeat Zhao Kang who is at the Second Stage of Origin Awakening?
Tian Mo glanced at Feng Hao, his voice steady but firm. "Trust me. I have my reasons." Deep down, his heart pounded like a drum. He wasn't sure if his plan would work, but he'd rather risk a calculated fight than endure a senseless beating. The rumors about gaining strength through combat at the early stages echoed in his mind. If there was even a chance to turn this disaster into an opportunity, he had to take it.
"A martial arts duel? You think you are qualified to duel with me?" Zhao Kang had never expected Tian Mo to suggest something like this, only being here one day and already suggesting a duel.
Within Eternal Soul Sect, the elder would not intervene in the fight between discples because they simply becauseits practice also they challenged each other and agreed to it. Thus, the conflicts between discples would end up being settled in a combat arena. Only as long as both sides agree, they would place down the terms of victory and defeat. After the duel, the conflict would be settled between both parties and neither one of them would pursue the other anymore. Unless the something way more beneficial that before.
Considering Zhao Kang level of strength, which was one stage above Tian Mo, he did not believe that he would lose. He simply felt that the act of engaging in a martial arts duel with Tian Mo easily defeated.
Tian Mo frowned, his voice soft but unyielding. "It's not about whether you're ready or not. If you don't try, how will you ever know?"
"Hmph, naive words from someone who doesn't understand their own limits. Trying without strength is just asking to fail."
'I back down now, I'll only regret it later. I have to stand my ground, even if the odds are against me.' Tian Mo thought, before saying. "If you say so, let us proceed to the grounds."
While walking, Tian Mo feared that Zhao Kang would go back on his words and attack before he reach the grounds. However, if they were to duel before Elder Fei Ling, even a thick faced have no way of eacapinng his punishment. Unless, he no longer wants to be a discple in Eternal Soul Sect.
Inside the devils combat grounds, Tian Mo shivered just from standing inside of it he felt sick by the blood and its energy he wonderd how were it built? Because he can see that there still some discple item down here like it doesn't get cleaned. He even beard what sounded like a sream of a soul by his ear.
The Devil Combat Grounds, an ominous and foreboding arena located deep within the Eternal Soul Sect, carries with it a long and bloodstained history that has left an indelible mark on the sect's legacy. The grounds were constructed many years ago, during the earliest days of the sect's rise to prominence. It was once meant to serve as a training ground where disciples could engage in controlled combat to test their strength and resolve. Over time, however, the purpose of the grounds evolved...its original intent became overshadowed by darker, more brutal traditions.
As the sect expanded and gained influence, the elders began to view the arena less as a place for training and more as a venue to settle disputes, punish disobedient disciples, or even stage cruel trials for those who were deemed unworthy of their position.
Still a duel between discples is always a remarkable sight and the ground would never be lacking in observers. In just moments, many discples have started gathering there; even some elder were mixed in amongst the observers. Seeing the two contestants, the crowd started talking.
"Looks like this guy is back to picking on others again. I can't help but wonder which poor family this disciple belongs to...how unlucky."
"A First Stage Origin Awakening trying to take on a Second Stage? There's no way he stands a chance."
"That junior disciple must be new here. And he's already caught Zhao Kang's eye? What a shame...he's probably going to end up crippled."
Zhao Kang reputation within Eternal Soul Sect, was not good and most of the people held sympathy for those who are weaker. Still there more who wanted to see the fight and evil, even then after all what he did in the sect he haven't faced consequences yet.
The more people came, the more unhappy Zhao Kang happy. After all, it will continue his reputation also a good word for his senior breother fighting for the flute. Still a Origin Awakening Second Stager beating a First Stager was nothing to be proud of in the eyes of the elders, it mean you can't progress outside of the sect if you run into someone stronger.
In addition, there was the fact that his opponent's identity was far below him.
Zhao Kang said impatiently. "What are you waiting for? Let us duel. After that, go break your own tendons. I will let you understand the gap between us."
Tian Mo stood firm, the tension thick in the air. He had no desire for conflict, but the injustice before him was too much to ignore. If a fight was necessary to settle things, then he would face it. He wouldn't back down...this was about doing what was right for his future.
'This place feels wrong, but I won't let it break me. I have get something no matter how small.'
Seeing the high number of people gathering around, Tian Mo faced Zhao Kang and replied. "Naturally, we will start the duel. However, if I lose, I would be at your mercy. Then, what happens if I win?"
Zhao Kang smirked, but Tian Mo's calm gaze sent a ripple through the crowd could he actually stand a chance?