Chapter 15: A Punch
967 Words
Amidst the eager gazes of the crowd, Li Changming walked directly to the center of the martial arena.
After scanning the surroundings, he spoke, "Participants, come to me for the draw. Those who draw the same number will compete against each other."
With a reassuring look from Lin Mo to Li Nuo, he stepped forward. Behind him, Li Shaoyu followed, and simultaneously, Li Qingyang and others from behind also concluded their conversations and joined.
"Lin Mo, do you think you'll embarrass yourself in the first match? Won't that bring shame to our Li family?" Li Shaoyu sneered behind Lin Mo.
A slight curve formed at the corner of Lin Mo's mouth as he replied, "I'm not the one who will bring shame to the Li family."
"Hmph, I'll make sure you lose face later," Li Shaoyu coldly hummed.
As two hundred Li family disciples gathered in the center of the martial arena, Li Changming cast a glance at Lin Mo. With a swift motion of his sleeve, he released two hundred slips from the spatial bag.
Swoosh! Swoosh! Swoosh!
The slips flew towards the participants. The contestants immediately activated their elemental power to catch the slips hurtling towards them.
"Prepare for the first round of combat for those who drew numbers one to ten. The rest can step down and wait," Li Changming declared in a stern voice.
Lin Mo opened his palm, revealing a slip with the number one written on it. He then proceeded towards the first arena. After a brief moment, most people went down from the stage, leaving only twenty participants behind.
Upon seeing the two individuals on the first arena, the spectators erupted into murmurs.
"Haha, Lin Mo, this useless guy is really unlucky, encountering Shaoyu in the first match."
"Yeah, even the heavens dislike him. It's destined for him to become a menial laborer in our family."
"Hmph, he enjoyed the privileges of being a young master for so many years; it's time for him to contribute to the Li family."
Li family juniors who hadn't awakened their martial spirits freely discussed their opinions.
In the crowd, Li Mengxue, wearing a white dress, furrowed her brows slightly. "How did Lin Mo end up facing Shaoyu so soon?"
Though Lin Mo repeatedly assured her not to worry, she couldn't help but feel that he was merely comforting her. Besides, she doubted Lin Mo's ability to match Shaoyu's progress without the abundant resources of the family.
In the spectator stands, a shadowy figure from the Fang family, a thin and emaciated young man, sighed, "It seems there's no chance to teach this kid a lesson."
On the side of the Li family, there were cold smiles on the faces of many elders, indicating their satisfaction at witnessing Lin Mo's potential defeat.
Family head Li Changkong glared fiercely at Li Changming, his eyes filled with anger. He could see that his third brother must have played a part in arranging this situation. However, Li Changming pretended ignorance, leaving Li Changkong furious.
Li Nuo, standing nearby, turned pale with anger.
On the first arena, Li Shaoyu sneered, "Lin Mo, do you want to kneel and beg for mercy now? I can allow you to enter my Lingyu Pavilion and be a servant. It's not bad compared to being assigned to the lower ranks."
During each family gathering, two hundred juniors participated, and only those who won two matches could enter the top fifty. Those who failed would be assigned to the lower ranks and regain the qualification to participate in the family gathering after two years. Despite the cruelty, it motivated the younger generation to practice diligently.
In Li Shaoyu's view, Lin Mo was destined to lose the first match and be assigned to the lower ranks.
Lin Mo shook his head helplessly, saying, "You should thank your father..."
"Of course," Li Shaoyu interrupted, arrogantly assuming Lin Mo was conceding defeat.
"We're going to give you a taste of life as a menial worker," Lin Mo continued, finishing the sentence.
"What did you say? Experience life as a menial worker? You, a waste like you, dare to say you'll make me experience the life of a menial worker?" Li Shaoyu couldn't accept this cruel reality. Those who had mocked Lin Mo earlier now found their faces stiffening.
Li Mengxue's concerned gaze turned into astonishment. At this moment, she realized that Lin Mo had indeed possessed such strength all along.
Meanwhile, Li Changming, who had been contemplating how to persuade the family not to assign Lin Mo to menial tasks, was shocked. Lin Mo had defeated Li Shaoyu with just one punch.
"How... how is this possible?" Li Shaoyu spat out blood, his eyes staring blankly, unable to accept this harsh reality.
The juniors who had mocked Lin Mo before were now paralyzed with shock. Wasn't this the same Lin Mo they had called useless? How could he be so strong?
Li Mengxue's initial worry transformed into awe as she witnessed Lin Mo's performance.
Li Changming, who had been contemplating how to persuade the family not to assign Lin Mo to menial tasks, was shocked. Lin Mo had defeated Li Shaoyu with just one punch.
"How... how is this possible?" Li Shaoyu spat out blood, his eyes staring blankly, unable to accept this harsh reality.
The juniors who had mocked Lin Mo before were now paralyzed with shock. Wasn't this the same Lin Mo they had called useless? How could he be so strong?
Li Mengxue's initial worry transformed into awe as she witnessed Lin Mo's performance.
At this moment, Lin Mo, indifferent and composed, uttered words that would linger in the minds of the spectators, "Get ready to experience life as a menial worker." Lin Mo walked towards Li Nuo, leaving behind a memorable silhouette.
- Writer
