Wandering Swordsman |

As Shen Mo finished speaking, the disheveled beggar stared at him silently, his gaze as deep and unfathomable as a still pool.

A moment later, a hint of appreciation flashed in the man's eyes, as if he had picked out a pearl from a pile of sand.

But in an instant, he regained his calm and composed expression, as if the slight fluctuation of emotion just now was merely an illusion.

"Not bad." He spoke slowly, his voice low yet gentle. "The martial world is indeed like this, full of constant strife and unpredictable human nature. The fact that you can see this shows that you not only have insight but also a heart." As he spoke, he nodded slightly, the corner of his mouth twitching as if he were smiling, or perhaps agreeing.

"You passed."

As these words fell, a wooden door in the corner of the room opened silently, and a ray of sunlight shone in from outside, reflecting on the floor like an invitation to an unknown world.

Shen Mo stood up, clasped his hands in a respectful bow, his movements clean and efficient, and said in a respectful tone, "Thank you, senior." After speaking, he turned and walked out of the room, his steps firm and light, a sense of relief and anticipation rising in his heart.

After passing through the narrow corridor, Shen Mo arrived at a spacious training ground.

The place is magnificent, surrounded by ancient trees. When the wind blows, the leaves rustle, as if applauding the upcoming test.

The ground was paved with bluestone bricks, and sunlight shone through the clouds, casting a faint golden glow on them. Scattered around were a few young martial artists—some were stretching and warming up their limbs; some were talking in hushed tones, exchanging experiences; and others were resting with their eyes closed, waiting for the assessment to begin.

As soon as Shen Mo stood still, he heard a familiar sound of footsteps behind him.

He turned around and saw that Murong Qing had also passed the test smoothly. Her white clothes fluttered slightly in the wind, and a smile appeared in her eyes. She walked towards Shen Mo with light steps and bright eyes, like a spring breeze.

The two exchanged a smile, both reading joy and anticipation in each other's eyes.

"Shen Mo, it seems we can both get into the academy," Murong Qing said softly, her tone slightly playful.

"Yes." Shen Mo nodded, his eyes full of anticipation. "The days ahead will not be ordinary."

......

As they were chatting and laughing, suddenly, the air around them seemed to freeze for a moment, and several light yet rhythmic footsteps approached from afar. The footsteps were like spring rain falling on stones, crisp and lively, unhurried yet possessing an undeniable presence.

"Young Master Shen." A voice rang out, clear and gentle, like a mountain stream murmuring softly in the morning light, carrying a hint of aloofness yet subtly revealing a gentle warmth.

Shen Mo turned his head and saw several women walking slowly towards him, their steps neat and elegant. In particular, the two leading women had faces like flowers blooming in the wind, each blossoming in their own way, yet complementing each other.

One of the women at the head of the group wore a light purple dress that flowed gracefully, like a cloud descending to earth. Her eyebrows were like distant mountains shrouded in mist, her eyes like autumn waters brimming with affection, and when the corners of her lips were slightly raised, she exuded both nobility and approachability—she was none other than Zhou Xinlian, the senior disciple of the Emei Sect and one of the four most beautiful women in the martial arts world.

Beside her stood a woman dressed in a vibrant green outfit. She was petite and delicate, with skin as white as snow, and large, clear, bright eyes that were like dewdrops on a summer morning, so translucent they could reflect one's image.

Her nose was small and straight, her lips thin and rosy, and when she smiled, the corners of her mouth turned up slightly, carrying a hint of playfulness and innocence. Her long, black hair was casually tied up, with a few stray strands falling beside her ears, making her look even more lively and adorable. She was like a nimble fox leaping through the forest, possessing both the purity of a young girl and a touch of heroic spirit.

She is Qin Wan, a disciple personally taught by the head of the Huashan Sect and also one of the four most beautiful women in the martial arts world.

"It's been a long time. This is Junior Sister Qin Wan from the Huashan Sect." Zhou Xinlian smiled slightly, her tone natural and composed. As she introduced Shen Mo, she glanced at him and said, "After I told her about you, she became very interested in you and specifically asked me to introduce you."

After Zhou Xinlian finished her introduction, Qin Wan blinked, her eyes sparkling with liveliness and curiosity. She gave a slight curtsy, her movements clean and graceful yet gentle: "Hello, Brother Shen. I am Qin Wan from the Huashan Sect. It's a pleasure to meet you. Please take good care of me."

Looking at Qin Wan before him, Shen Mo couldn't help but feel a slight stirring in his heart. Although she wasn't as dignified and elegant as Zhou Xinlian, she possessed a unique and captivating charm. Her features were exquisitely beautiful, her expression lively and natural, and her brows exuded a touch of heroism. Her every move carried a hint of girlish playfulness and frankness, like a gentle spring breeze that was refreshing and delightful.

Although he was amazed, he did not show any infatuation or loss of composure on his face. He simply returned the greeting with a gentle bow and said in a calm and sincere tone, "So you are Miss Qin from the Huashan Sect. It's a pleasure to meet you."

This simple response, without unnecessary formalities or deliberate aloofness, perfectly expressed respect and politeness, while also showcasing his inner composure and self-control.

Qin Wan was slightly taken aback, seemingly not expecting Shen Mo to be so calm and composed in the face of such a beautiful woman as herself. A strange light flashed in her eyes, and then her smile deepened.

At this moment, Murong Qing, who was standing to the side, still had a smile on her face, but the corners of her eyes narrowed slightly, and the smile on her lips seemed to have faded a bit compared to before. She quietly moved her toes half an inch to the side, standing to Shen Mo's left, and her hands, which were originally casually placed at her side, unconsciously clenched a little tighter.

A subtle mix of emotions welled up within her—she could understand Shen Mo being smitten by Situ Meng. After all, Situ Meng came from an extraordinary background and had a gentle personality; if it weren't for her, she and Shen Mo would be a match made in heaven. But now, even Zhou Xinlian and Qin Wan, two of the most beautiful women among the Four Beauties, were actively courting her… This stirred a pang of jealousy in Murong Qing that she had never felt before.

She glanced at Shen Mo without making a sound, and saw that he was listening attentively to Zhou Xinlian, looking calm and unreserved. Her feelings for him intensified.

By this time, the talented young people around had already noticed the commotion.

The three "Four Beauties" gathered together, although Situ Meng was the only one missing. Such a lineup was extremely rare among the younger generation of the entire martial arts world, and could only be described as an unprecedented spectacle.

Countless eyes were cast upon them, a mixture of jealousy, envy, and amazement.

People were whispering among themselves:

"To be able to win the favor of three of the Four Beauties at the same time, who is that kid?"

"I heard he's the son-in-law of the Murong family..."

"Is he Shen Mo?"

Shen Mo keenly sensed the subtle hostile gazes around him, and could even feel several hidden killing intents surging in the air like undercurrents.

Suddenly, a bell rang out in the distance—

"clang--"

The people in the training ground fell silent, knowing that the third round of testing was about to begin.