The silver energy needle dug into Mo Bai's back — no blood, no scream. The large man began engraving the right side of Mo Bai's back from top to bottom with meticulous care.
His gaze never shifted. Eyes locked on the skin before him, he traced the flowing lines with steady hands, drawing a pattern akin to a tattoo.
'I can't feel anything. This sedative is really strong... I don't even want to imagine what this would feel like without it,' thought Mo Bai, his body completely paralyzed, yet his mind running endlessly.
Time passed slowly.
Half an hour of silence, save for the sound of energy etching into flesh. The man carved without pause, fully immersed in his work. At last, he straightened up.
"The first engraving to enhance your body is complete," he said, flexing his stiff fingers. "You still feel nothing because of the sedative. I gave you a strong dose — you'll need it. I'm going to give you two engravings, not one."
'Good. One more to go,' Mo Bai thought, a flicker of satisfaction passing through his mind, though his face remained expressionless.
While Mo Bai quietly advanced his strength in his own way, far across the compound, Mo Shen sat cross-legged in a private underground room.
On a mat of fine wool, his eyes closed, his presence calm and tranquil.
Then, a soft knock at the door — so gentle, one would miss it unless fully focused.
Mo Shen opened his eyes instantly.
"Enter," he said in his composed, measured tone.
The door creaked open. A lean, middle-aged man stepped inside and bowed deeply.
"Master, today's report contains something out of the ordinary. I came immediately to inform you."
"Something out of the ordinary?" Mo Shen's voice was calm, his face unchanged — unreadable. But in his mind, he was thinking:
'What have you done now, Mo Bai? Don't let it interfere with the plan.'
"Yes, Master. Young Master Mo Bai, along with Mo Fan and three others, fought against 206 disciples — excluding the top ten — and defeated them. They took one Nia Stone from each."
"That's what happened?" Mo Shen replied flatly. "You may go. If anything else unusual happens, report to me at once."
"Yes, Master." The man bowed again and left.
The moment the door closed, a wide smile slowly spread across Mo Shen's lips.
"That boy... I truly underestimated him."
"He's showing me he can advance the plan on his own... gaining strength without relying on me. A miracle — no, a miracle crafted by human hands, forged from years of planning and hardship. He will turn this world upside down someday."
Back in the engraving room, Mo Bai finally stood as the numbing effect faded. Two silvery marks — distinct, intricate — adorned both sides of his back. Only a narrow strip down the middle remained untouched.
"So, how does it feel? Incredible strength, right?" the engraver said with a grin, clearly proud of his work.
'This feeling... I've become so much stronger. I could probably crush my old self with a single punch.'
Mo Bai clenched and unclenched his fists, testing the sensation of power coursing through him.
'And my senses... my vision's sharper, and I can hear insects crawling around. Not clearly, but still — a massive improvement. I could definitely beat those 200 alone now, as long as I don't run out of stamina. Though... my stamina isn't enough for that yet.'
He could feel every inch of his enhanced body — his strength, his senses — and a small smile flickered across his lips for a second before vanishing just as quickly.
"Thank you," he said in his usual cold tone, putting on his shirt and heading for the door.
"Finally, a reaction! Well, it's my job, after all," the engraver chuckled, clearly pleased.
Mo Bai left without looking back or saying another word.
As he arrived home, his usual maid greeted him — but this time with a message.
"Young Master, the Lord is waiting for you in his study. He asked that you go to him immediately upon your return."
"Understood," Mo Bai replied calmly, not showing the slightest hint of surprise, thinking:
'Of course he knows already. Let's see what he has to say.'
In Mo Shen's office, a heavy atmosphere hung in the air. He sat in his chair with his signature piercing gaze. The pressure radiating from him would break most men. But Mo Bai? He was used to it. It was just another day.
Mo Bai sat down and waited silently.
"You've made a bold move, Mo Bai," Mo Shen finally said. "Stealing from others to gain resources. You know I would have provided everything according to the plan. Why the rush?"
Without hesitation, Mo Bai answered, voice calm and steady, reclining slightly in his chair.
"There's no need to follow the plan to the letter. If I see a chance to accelerate our progress, why not take it? It only benefits us."
Mo Shen's brows furrowed. His voice grew even colder — sharper than his usual glacial tone.
"This may speed up progress in the short term, but have you considered the risks? Damage to the clan's image? You can handle that. Dealing with the clan leader? You're capable of managing that, too."
"But the real risk is something else — revealing your true self."
He paused, letting the weight of his words settle.
"The clan leader will know this wasn't Mo Fan's idea. His grandson isn't capable of such planning. He'll realize someone else is behind it. One of you four. And with just a little thought, he'll know it's you."
"That will make him cautious of you."
Mo Bai straightened in his seat, his calm cracking for the first time. Eyes widened slightly. Tension gripped his face. His heart pounded.
"Damn," he muttered under his breath.
'How did I not see that coming?'
'I let my desire to prove myself to Father cloud my judgment. Now I've made a mistake... and I need to fix it fast. If the clan leader grows wary of me — if he stops seeing me as just Mo Fan's friend — it'll complicate everything.'
At that very moment, in the clan leader's residence, the man himself sat alone in his study. Mo Fan had just left, wearing a bright smile.
As the door shut behind the boy, the old man rubbed his temples, speaking in a low voice.
"Mo Fan clearly didn't come up with that plan. Even the way he explained it sounded rehearsed."
"There's someone else pulling the strings behind the scenes. Who is this cunning child?"
"He could be a great asset... or a dangerous threat. Either way, I must find out who he is — and soon."