"What does that mean... Holy shit, why didn’t you say so sooner?"
Reminded by Man Mountain, Wu Hao finally realized what was wrong.
Mu Qing was stunned too.
It was only then they realized they couldn’t feel the slightest bit of pressure. The area around them was so still, there wasn’t even a mosquito.
It was like they were in their own private paradise.
Mu Qing guessed, "Don’t tell me Fairy Jinghong is deliberately going easy on us?"
"Bullshit!"
Man Mountain said, exasperated, "Who do you think Fairy Jinghong is, your mother? Your father? Why the hell would she go easy on you? It has to be something else. Use your damn heads and think! What could it be?"
"Quick, look at the sky!"
A young man in their group suddenly shouted.
Hearing his shout, the group looked up at the sky. They saw the terrifying pressure roiling like a tidal wave just above their heads. The sight made them tremble, and the color drained from their faces on the spot.
If that pressure were to fall on them, they would all be crushed to a pulp.
However, the pressure didn’t descend. Instead, it was blocked by an invisible dome, preventing them from feeling even the slightest hint of it.
"This..."
The group stood frozen, looking at each other in bewilderment.
Besides Su Mo, there was no one else who could silently block the pressure of a Martial Monarch.
However, when they turned to look at Su Mo, they were all dumbfounded.
Su Mo was squatting on the ground, poking at an anthill with a stick.
Man Mountain asked, completely baffled, "Elder Su, what are you...?"
"I’m counting ants," Su Mo replied.
Huh?
’Counting ants...’
Man Mountain was so surprised he almost fell over.
’Everyone else is desperately resisting Fairy Jinghong’s pressure, and you’re just here counting ants.’
’Just how bored can you be?’
Man Mountain asked, "Elder Su, was it you who put up this dome to block Fairy Jinghong’s pressure for us?"
"Does that even need to be said? It must have been Elder Su. We would’ve been eliminated long ago otherwise."
Mu Qing said sheepishly, "Elder Su, you’ve helped us so much. I don’t know how we can ever thank you."
Su Mo waved his hand. "Don’t thank me. I didn’t help you at all."
"You didn’t help us?"
Mu Qing was completely bewildered.
Su Mo nodded. "We may be acquaintances, but I want you to participate fairly in this Holy Spirit Assembly and use it to truly hone your Cultivation. That’s why I didn’t plan on helping you from the start. You don’t blame me, do you?"
"We wouldn’t dare, we wouldn’t dare!"
Mu Qing hurriedly replied, cupping his hands.
’Su Mo was just an acquaintance, not even a friend. How could they dare blame him? Not unless they wanted Su Mo to slap them into oblivion.’
But...
Man Mountain pointed overhead and, mustering his courage, asked, "Then what is...?"
Su Mo said, "That must be the pressure I’m unconsciously emitting. If you don’t want to stay inside it, you can move away from me."
"I think I’ll pass on that," Man Mountain said, shaking his head.
’Only a complete idiot would leave Su Mo’s side.’
’Not unless they had a death wish.’
Man Mountain squatted down. "Elder Su, why don’t I help you count ants? By the way, what number are you on?"
"I’ll help Elder Su too."
"Me too!"
Mu Qing, Wu Hao, and the others all squatted down beside Su Mo to help him count ants.
"Hey, don’t you guys steal my anthill!" Su Mo shouted.
’He’d finally found an anthill, but before he’d even counted a few ants, Man Mountain, Mu Qing, and the others had stolen it.’
’So damn annoying.’
’He couldn’t get into a real fight with them over a few ants, could he?’
「Far in the distance.」
Ren Fan pushed his Realm to its limit, desperately resisting Fairy Jinghong’s pressure until his face was a twisted mask of exertion.
The Hua Celestial Sect could only help him block a portion of the pressure, because they were struggling too, panting with exhaustion.
After all, this was Martial Monarch Level pressure.
Ren Fan persevered, gritting his teeth. ’Two more minutes. As long as I can hold on, I’ll make it to the second round and enter the Holy Spirit Secret Realm!’
The Holy Spirit Secret Realm held countless opportunities.
Anyone who participated would find their Realm advancing by leaps and bounds for some time after.
’Mu Qing, you just wait,’ Ren Fan roared inwardly. ’When I get out of the Holy Spirit Secret Realm, I’m going to cripple you!’
He then scanned the plaza, searching the crowd for a glimpse of Mu Qing.
He wasn’t very hopeful, however.
’With Mu Qing’s level of strength, there’s no way he could withstand Fairy Jinghong’s pressure. He’s probably been crushed to a pulp by now.’
And just as he expected, a full scan of the area revealed no sign of Mu Qing.
Ren Fan looked deeply disappointed.
’Being crushed to death by Fairy Jinghong’s pressure... that’s letting Mu Qing off too easily.’
Just then, Su Mo’s furious roar echoed out: "Mu Qing! Man Mountain! If you dare steal my damn anthill again, I’m done with you both!"
Huh?
Hearing Mu Qing’s name, a startled Ren Fan looked toward a corner of the plaza, and sure enough, he saw him.
At that moment, Mu Qing was crouched on the ground, staring intently at an anthill.
’What is that guy doing? Counting ants?’
Ren Fan was stunned.
Mu Qing said with a cheeky grin, "Elder Su, don’t be angry! It’s just an anthill. I’ll find you another eight or ten later, and you can count them at your leisure."
"Find my ass!" Su Mo fumed.
’He was the Minister of the Imperial Court. He was only counting ants because he was bored and trying to kill time.’
’And as a result, these guys had all come to join in on the fun.’
’No matter where he went, Man Mountain, Mu Qing, and the others followed, even stealing his anthills.’
’Weren’t they doing this purely to annoy him?’
Su Mo cursed, "Can’t you guys just leave me alone for a minute? You’re even stealing my anthills. Fuck!"
Hearing the commotion, everyone else looked over in astonishment.
"Did I hear that right? Are those kids fighting over an anthill?"
"You heard right!"
"Man Mountain and Mu Qing stole the anthill from the guy in black, and he looks angry. He’s yelling at them now."
Everyone was left completely dumbfounded by the scene.
’Everyone else is fighting for their lives against Fairy Jinghong’s Martial Monarch pressure—some have even been crushed to a pulp—and you lot are arguing over an anthill?’
’How are the rest of us supposed to feel about this?’
Li Nan frowned. "What’s the deal with that kid?"
The Middle-aged Steward shook his head. "I’ve seen Mu Qing and Man Mountain around, but that young man in black is a complete stranger. I’ve never heard of him before.
"We can just check the registration roster," Li Nan suggested.
An elder beside them spoke up. "No need to check. I know that boy. His name is Su Mo, and he was recommended by Master Mo."
"To be held in high regard by Master Mo, the boy must be a prodigy," Li Nan guessed.
The elder nodded. "He must be. Otherwise, someone as proud as Master Mo would never have recommended him. Plus, he must have some special Treasure on his person to be taking this so easily."
「On the plaza.」
Chen Ge said in alarm, "He... What’s he doing here?"
He had assumed Su Mo was some old master in disguise and couldn’t possibly be participating in the Holy Spirit Assembly. He never imagined Su Mo would actually be here, and counting anthills in public, no less.
Just then, Su Mo suddenly tossed aside the twig in his hand. "Alright, since you all love counting ants so much, I’ll let you have all the anthills. You can count them to your heart’s content. I’m going to take a nap."