Faced with the oppressive aura of the Golden Core cultivator, Lin Mo didn’t even frown.

There was no denying that the gap between the Foundation Establishment and Golden Core realms was vast.

But that also depended on who was involved.

Ever since Lin Mo had awakened his Sword Spiritual Root, it had perfectly complemented his Sword Heart Clarity physique.

Not only had his cultivation speed skyrocketed far beyond that of his original self, but more importantly, the very quality of his true qi had evolved.

The attributes of true qi were determined by one’s spiritual root.

For example, someone with a Heavenly Fire Spiritual Root would receive a unique boost when cultivating fire-based techniques. Their true qi would also inherit the properties of fire, making them far superior to someone with dual-elemental roots practicing the same fire technique. Their attacks would be stronger, their qi purer.

This applied to all other elemental spiritual roots as well.

Now, this so-called powerful cultivator flaunting his strength?

His cultivation might have reached the early Golden Core stage, but his aptitude was only three-elemental roots, and worse, the core within him was the lowest-grade—First Grade.

Not to mention, his actual age had already exceeded two hundred years.

Sure, technically, he was still a Golden Core cultivator—but in a real fight?

He wouldn’t stand a chance against Lin Mo.

At this very moment, Lin Mo’s true qi had already been refined to the absolute limit—he could break through to the Golden Core stage anytime he wanted!

But he had two reasons for holding back.

He was aiming for a Nine-Grade Core—but he hadn’t gathered enough Regret Points before, so he had delayed the breakthrough.
Now that he had enough Regret Points, he realized that the longer he nurtured his true qi, the higher his chances of forming a high-grade Golden Core, and the less Regret Points he would have to spend.
If he could save a fortune, why should he let the system scam him out of extra Regret Points?

He wasn’t in any hurry to advance—so he’d let his true qi mature for as long as possible.

Lin Mo glanced at his junior martial sisters.

Seeing that they were all completely fine, he wasn’t the least bit surprised.

Xia He walked up to him, shaking a small jade bottle of pills.

“Hey, stop pretending already. If you’re feeling uncomfortable, I don’t mind giving you a high-quality ‘Calm Qi Pill’.”

The Calm Qi Pill, as the name suggested, helped stabilize one’s qi and focus the mind.

It was precisely the reason why Xia He had remained so calm despite the Golden Core cultivator’s pressure.

Lin Mo wasn’t surprised. After all, these girls were all second-generation immortal sect disciples—it wasn’t strange for them to have access to such resources.

“I don’t need it. Keep it for yourself.”

“Hmph! Keep pretending, then!” Xia He scoffed. She was certain Lin Mo was just acting tough—there was no way a Foundation Establishment cultivator could remain unfazed under the pressure of a Golden Core expert.

She stuffed the pill bottle back into her sleeve—only to suddenly freeze in place.

Her eyes locked onto a figure in the crowd.

It was a handsome young man, his features strikingly refined, exuding a noble air.

He slowly stepped forward, making his way toward the Golden Core cultivator who had been pressuring the crowd.

The Golden Core cultivator immediately took notice of him.

The young man spoke in a calm, composed tone:

“In a gathering filled with so many mortals, don’t you think your actions are a bit excessive?”

The Golden Core cultivator narrowed his eyes.

“Who are you? I’d advise you to stay out of this!”

Though his words were harsh, he didn’t dare make a move—because he could tell this young man was also at the Golden Core stage.

The young man smiled faintly and announced:

“I, Nangong Xu, will handle this matter.”

The moment his voice fell, a surge of powerful qi erupted from his body.

In a single motion, without even drawing his sword, he struck out with the scabbard alone—

And in the blink of an eye, the arrogant Golden Core cultivator was sent flying through the doors of Jiangyue Tower!

BOOM!

The dust settled, and Nangong Xu’s cold voice echoed through the now-silent hall:

“If you want to die, step back inside and try me.”

The defeated Golden Core cultivator turned pale.

Realizing he was outmatched, he didn’t even bother saving face—he immediately turned and fled.

Within moments, the entire hall erupted in cheers.

Many of the women in Jiangyue Tower had their eyes fixed on Nangong Xu, their admiration undisguised.

Among them—was Xia He.

Lin Mo took a few steps back, distancing himself from the love-struck Xia He.

“What are you doing?” Xia He snapped out of her daze and frowned when she noticed the look of disgust on Lin Mo’s face.

“I’m just making sure your drool doesn’t get on my clothes,” Lin Mo replied honestly.

“That’s nonsense! I wasn’t—” slurp.

Realizing her mistake, Xia He quickly wiped the evidence away—she would never admit to such an embarrassing display.

“Xia Xia, I totally saw that~!” Qu Ruyan grinned mischievously, a piece of osmanthus cake still hanging from her lips. “I drool over delicious food all the time, there’s no shame in it!”

Lin Mo corrected her with a smirk, “It’s different for her—she’s drooling over a man.”

Qu Ruyan tilted her head curiously. “Hmm? But when I see good food, I drool because I want to eat it. So, Xia Xia, does that mean you want to—”

Of course, she wanted to.

Lin Mo couldn’t hold back his laughter. This girl was the perfect wingman!

“Yes, yes, I like Young Master Nangong! So what? He’s not only handsome but also incredibly talented. He’s a recognized genius of the younger generation in the cultivation world! He reached Foundation Establishment at ten, broke through to Golden Core at twenty, and now at twenty-five, he’s already on the verge of advancing to mid-Golden Core! No matter how you look at it, he’s way more impressive than you, an old man still stuck at Foundation Establishment!”

The more she spoke, the redder Xia He’s ears became, but somehow, she still managed to throw shade at Lin Mo.

Lin Mo’s mouth twitched. Old man? He was also twenty-five!

This girl was completely blinded by love.

There was no point in arguing with her.

Lin Mo turned away, choosing peace of mind over unnecessary debates.

As for Nangong Xu?

Lin Mo could tell at a glance—he was fake.

If he was such a righteous hero, why didn’t he step in earlier when that Golden Core cultivator was exerting his pressure?

Why wait until half the guests had already suffered internal injuries, and most had fled, before stepping forward like some grand savior?

If that wasn’t performative heroism, what was?

And yet Xia He couldn’t even see through such a simple act.

Total romantic fool.

Just then, the first round of the competition began.

“The first test is about to start!”

“The Mistress of Jiangyue Tower has set the theme—herself.”

“Within one incense stick’s time, each participant must compose a poem based on their impressions of her.”

The brothel madam held a thick stack of blank papers, which were quickly distributed by the pavilion’s courtesans.

Lin Mo glanced at the blank sheet in his hands.

Unlike the others, who immediately began writing, he remained still.

Xia He, who had already finished her poem, saw her chance to mock him.

“Hah! Can’t even write a poem? And you had the nerve to bring us to this competition?”

Lin Mo ignored her completely.

Truth be told, he really couldn’t write poetry.

But… he could copy one.

His gaze lingered on the elegant figure of Yan Ruyu on the upper floor.

He studied her for a while, waited until the very last few seconds, and only then put his brush to paper.

Seeing him scribble something at the last moment, Xia He smirked, confident that whatever he wrote had to be terrible. There was no way he would pass the first round.

Once time was up, Yan Ruyu didn’t bother having anyone collect the papers.

Unlike mortals, cultivators didn’t need to manually flip through each submission—

A simple sweep of her divine sense over the entire Jiangyue Tower was enough for her to make a decision.

With a light wave of her hand, only a small selection of responses floated into her grasp.

She spoke coldly:

“I have reviewed all submissions. Those whose works I did not select may leave.”

Xia He blinked.

She looked down at the paper still in her hand, then turned to Lin Mo—who had none.

She must have misheard.

“Woohoo! I passed too!”

“Huh? Xia Xia, you didn’t pass?”

Qu Ruyan’s clear and innocent gaze landed on Xia He, her tone full of genuine surprise.

Xia He’s expression darkened instantly.

Never mind Lin Mo—she could live with him passing. But Qu Ruyan?!

She had seen her submission.

The so-called “poem” was just a list of food items!

In fact, it wasn’t even a poem!

How the hell did she make it through?!

Up on the pavilion’s upper floor, Yan Ruyu’s lips curled into an almost imperceptible smile.

Yes.

She did it on purpose.