"Xue’er, where are you? Everyone else, make way!"

Mu He arrived, his voice cold and filled with killing intent.

The crowd immediately parted, opening a path.

Everyone knew Mu He was a warm, good-natured man. He had a gentle temper and was usually very approachable.

But when it came to Mu Xue, he would transform into an overprotective maniac, becoming unbelievably domineering.

Mu Xue had once said there was only one way to win her over: be stronger than her.

A few years ago, a new star disciple took an interest in Mu Xue. He challenged her to a duel and ultimately won by using a deceitful trap.

Mu Xue was seriously injured as a result.

When Mu He heard about it, he immediately went to find that disciple. Shedding his usual kindness, he brutally shattered the boy’s Dantian, cut off his limbs, and threw him out of the Imperial Academy—all in front of the disciple’s own teacher.

The teacher had intended to intervene, but Mu He was prepared. He had stolen a powerful weapon from Mu Kongfu’s treasury and, threatening to take everyone down with him, scared the teacher into submission.

Mu He’s actions were undoubtedly a major taboo. According to the Imperial Academy’s rules, the lightest punishment was to have one’s Cultivation crippled before being expelled. The most severe was execution.

In the end, Mu Kongfu had to step in to save him, but he was still sentenced to a full year of confinement.

From then on, everyone knew that if you wanted to court Mu Xue, you didn’t just have to win her over—you also had to get through her protective older brother, Mu He.

When enraged, Mu He was so ruthless he wouldn’t recognize his own family. No one dared to get on his bad side at a time like this.

As the crowd parted, they all cast sympathetic glances at Mo Qi.

Compared to Mo Qi, Mu Xue was actually more nervous.

She knew her brother better than anyone. When he went berserk, no one could get through to him except their adoptive father, Mu Kongfu.

Mo Qi naturally saw Mu He as well, but his gaze only paused for a moment before landing on the two beautiful figures behind him.

Deep affection, longing, and joy filled his heart.

’Sister Kexin... and Ruyan. It’s been a long time.’

"Sister Kexin, do you think Brother Mo will recognize me?" Liu Ruyan secretly communicated with Niu Kexin.

"Will he blame me for deceiving him before?"

Mo Qi had never seen her true face, nor did he know about her relationship with Liu Hong, so Liu Ruyan was both expectant and a little worried.

"Isn’t the look in his eyes telling you everything?" Niu Kexin chuckled. "Besides, Ruyan, you’re so adorable and beautiful. Even if he wanted to be angry, he wouldn’t have the heart to."

Niu Kexin’s words made Liu Ruyan blush uncontrollably.

Although he had never seen her true face, Liu Ruyan’s every frown and smile, every glance, every small movement, and even the rhythm of her breathing felt deeply familiar to Mo Qi. How could he possibly not recognize her?

The only thing that surprised Mo Qi was how Liu Ruyan had appeared here. And how did she end up with Niu Kexin?

He had assumed the two of them wouldn’t recognize this External Incarnation, but their meeting of eyes said it all.

Just as he could recognize Liu Ruyan, how could the two women possibly not recognize him?

After confirming each other’s identities with a brief look, Mo Qi sent a telepathic message: "Sister Kexin, Ruyan, this is an incarnation of mine. His name is Qin Daye for now. My main body is in a very safe place and will be back soon, so don’t worry."

"See? He recognized you at a glance," Niu Kexin said teasingly.

Liu Ruyan felt a sweet warmth spread through her heart, but she feigned composure on the outside. Her flushed face, however, gave her away.

"Xue’er?!"

When Mu He saw Mu Xue’s miserable state, he froze on the spot as if struck by lightning.

A moment later, a bone-chilling killing intent erupted from his body, forcing the crowd to back away in terror, afraid to get near him.

"Who did this?"

Mu He’s voice was ice-cold, his expression grim.

"Brother, I’m fine." Mu Xue quickly stepped forward and hugged Mu He’s arm.

’Fine?’

Mu He was confused. He looked down and saw the wound on Mu Xue’s forehead, the bloodstain so scarlet and glaring.

’And all those overlapping shoeprints... What the hell does she mean, "fine"?’

His anger surged uncontrollably.

He immediately stirred his True Essence, flinging Mu Xue away.

Mu Xue was both angry and anxious. Strangely enough, although Mo Qi had indeed hit her, she didn’t hate him at all right now.

Instead, she desperately didn’t want Mu He to cause trouble for him.

’I told him I’m fine, why won’t this stubborn mule listen!’

Li Xuemiao, who had just finished her Medicinal Pill, said nothing. She silently took out a mirror and held it up to Mu Xue.

Looking at herself in the mirror, Mu Xue was shocked. Only now did she realize just how disheveled she looked.

At the same time, she could only give a bitter smile. No wonder Mu He was so angry.

"I’ll ask you one last time. Who did this?"

Mu He scanned the crowd. He was a volcano on the verge of erupting; the slightest tremor would unleash its cataclysmic fury.

All the disciples looked at Mo Qi in unison and quickly moved away from him.

This left Mo Qi standing conspicuously alone in the crowd.

"You’re courting death!"

Mu He wasted no more words. With a flicker, his body turned into an afterimage as he threw a punch at Mo Qi.

For anyone who dared to harm his sister, there would be death, not just injury.

"Brother, stop! It’s just a misunderstanding!" Mu Xue cried out in alarm, leaping to intercept Mu He.

But Mu He was a step faster than her.

"Misunderstanding? Hmph, I don’t care what kind of misunderstanding it is. He hurt you, so he has to pay the price!"

Not even Mu Xue’s own words could stop him now. He wasn’t called an overprotective maniac for nothing.

’It’s over!’

Mo Qi might have outmatched Li Yuanhao in combat skill, but Mu Xue didn’t believe for a second that he was a match for Mu He.

After all, the age difference between them was obvious. Mo Qi was only sixteen, while Mu He was already in his early twenties and had entered the Early-stage Vajra Realm.

Among young geniuses, a four-year age gap was an almost insurmountable chasm.

The moment Mu He attacked, Mo Qi knew he was no match for him.

His External Incarnation couldn’t be injured and had no reason to fear the attack. Still, Mo Qi had no desire to be thrashed in front of a crowd, especially not in front of Niu Kexin and Liu Ruyan.

He glanced at the Cultivation Room behind him. ’The only thing to do now is find a way to lure him in there.’

Just as Mo Qi was about to act, a petite figure, moving second but arriving first, appeared in front of him.

Mu He’s heavy fist was closing in. A faint golden light emanated from his body, and its overwhelming power made the air scream.

A slender hand, as smooth and white as jade, reached out to meet the fist with an open palm.

PAK!

A soft sound echoed as fist met palm.

The delicate white hand didn’t budge an inch. Just like that, Mu He’s full-force attack had been effortlessly blocked.

"You dare attack my Brother Mo? You need to be taught a lesson!"

The owner of the small hand wrinkled her delicate nose, reversed her grip to grab Mu He’s wrist, swung him up as easily as a straw doll, and then slammed him viciously into the ground.