The reputation of "Mortal Iron Fist" resounded increasingly throughout Falling Wind City, spreading even beyond the rogue cultivator circles. The incident where Mộc Phàm single-handedly knocked out a late Qi Condensation cultivator sent shockwaves, making many begin to question: Could a mortal truly reach such a realm?
However, the attention didn't just come from the curious. The two major powers vying for Falling Wind City, the Heavenly Sword Sect and the Profound Yin Valley, finally couldn't sit still. They began dispatching stronger cultivators to approach Mộc Phàm, no longer with disdainful glances but with scrutiny and probing intentions.
Mộc Phàm maintained a humble, reserved demeanor, but internally, he remained on high alert. He knew these individuals weren't simply looking to recruit him. A mortal with extraordinary strength was always an anomaly, a potential threat to the cultivation order that had existed for tens of thousands of years.
One evening, as Mộc Phàm was cultivating in his humble rented room, a Mid-Foundation Establishment cultivator from the Heavenly Sword Sect suddenly appeared. He made no attempt to conceal his aura, creating an invisible pressure that enveloped the room.
"You are Mộc Phàm, the one called 'Mortal Iron Fist'?" Cultivator Xiao, his eyes sharp as swords, stared directly at Mộc Phàm. "I want to know, what cultivation technique have you practiced to achieve this strength without spirit roots?"
Mộc Phàm calmly stood up. "This humble one is merely a bit stronger than average, I have not cultivated any techniques." He had no intention of revealing the secret of the stone and the "Mortal Body Hundred Forgings Art."
Cultivator Xiao coldly snorted. "Do not lie! Your strength far surpasses what any mortal can achieve. Do you know that your existence challenges the heavenly dao we adhere to?"
The pressure from Cultivator Xiao intensified, pressing down on Mộc Phàm until his bones audibly creaked. His Body Core circulated frantically, trying to resist the spiritual pressure. Mộc Phàm felt as if a mountain was crushing him, but he gritted his teeth and endured, refusing to retreat.
"This humble one does not know what your heavenly dao is," Mộc Phàm said, his voice hoarse, "but this humble one only wishes to survive, to grow stronger to protect myself and my loved ones. Is there something wrong with that?"
Mộc Phàm's words touched upon something cultivators seemed to have forgotten. In their world, might was right, weakness was wrong. Spirit roots decided everything.
Just then, another figure appeared outside the door. A young female cultivator from the Profound Yin Valley, her face cold but her eyes showing a hint of curiosity. "Senior Brother Xiao, what's the use of throwing your weight around with a mortal? Or has the Heavenly Sword Sect run out of people?"
"Profound Yin Valley! Do you meddle in my affairs again?" Cultivator Xiao growled.
The confrontation between the two sects began, and Mộc Phàm, the object of attention, was caught in the middle. He realized this was an opportunity.
"Esteemed Immortals," Mộc Phàm suddenly spoke, drawing the attention of both sides. "This humble one is just a mortal whose family was annihilated, with no place to belong. If you wish to understand my strength, why not let me prove my worth in this dispute?"
He made a bold offer. "If this humble one can help either of your sects gain an advantage in Falling Wind City, I am willing to offer my cultivation method. Otherwise, please allow me to be at peace."
Mộc Phàm's words caused a ripple of shock. Offer his cultivation method? A mortal having a cultivation technique to offer a sect? Both Cultivator Xiao and the Profound Yin Valley female cultivator were surprised. For them, this was a huge bargain. If he truly possessed a unique cultivation method that required no spirit roots, it would be an invaluable treasure.
After a heated debate, the Profound Yin Valley finally decided to accept Mộc Phàm's offer, partly out of curiosity, partly to inconvenience the Heavenly Sword Sect. Cultivator Xiao, though displeased, had no choice but to agree.
Mộc Phàm officially stepped into the conflict between the two powers. He didn't join the Profound Yin Valley as a disciple but as a special "ally," a "pawn" that both sides wished to control. This not only granted him access to more resources but also provided a temporary shield against baseless persecution.
In the days that followed, Mộc Phàm was assigned the most dangerous missions by the Profound Yin Valley, primarily breaking through the Heavenly Sword Sect's defensive lines or dealing with low to mid-level cultivators. He used no magic, relying solely on his "Body Core" strength and astonishing close-combat abilities. He was like a tireless fighting machine, inflicting heavy losses on the Heavenly Sword Sect.
Each time he defeated a cultivator, Mộc Phàm remembered Mộc Loan village burning, and the faces of his parents. He didn't kill indiscriminately, but every punch, every kick, carried the suppressed rage within him. He fought not just for the Profound Yin Valley, but to vindicate his mortal status, to prove that mortals could also stand at the pinnacle, without spirit roots, without immortal arts.
His reputation was no longer "Mortal Iron Fist," but "Mortal Body Berserker"—a madman who fought with his mortal body, crushing everything in his path.