In the hall, the stench of blood was pervasive. No one dared to speak, including the martial artist who had earlier regarded Lin Mu as an Evil Demon of the Evil Fiendish Way.

However, Lin Mu gave them no opportunity to speak. He moved forward slowly. Everyone stepped back in terror, not daring to block his path. With his hands clasped behind his back, Lin Mu slowly walked toward the second floor.

"Kill him!" a chilling and deadly voice called from the second floor. There was a subtle hint of fear within it.

It was Fang Yonglong.

"Young man, you should stop while you're ahead," an elderly voice echoed through the hall as Fang Yonglong's fell silent.

The crowd parted as an elder clad in a Daoist Robe, a whisk in his hand, stepped forward. His aura was deep and boundless, giving him a surreal air.

"Daoist Master Qing Yu!" the crowd exclaimed once again.

Compared to their fear and dread of Pei Yuanhai and Gui Hai, the crowd's shock at seeing this Daoist Master was mixed with a great deal of respect. Unexpectedly, the Fang Family had even summoned him. Daoist Master Qing Yu was a senior of great renown in the Martial Arts World, one who was always engaged in Hermitic Cultivation, unconcerned with worldly affairs. But no one dared to underestimate the seemingly frail old Daoist. His Cultivation Level had reached the Transformative Realm, and there were even rumors that he already had one foot in the Grandmaster realm.

Daoist Master Qing Yu looked at Lin Mu coldly and said indifferently, "Young man, stop now. You have committed so much slaughter that heaven can no longer bear it. It would be better for you to surrender. I can still plead with Mr. Fang on your behalf and spare your life."

The crowd was shocked. Was Daoist Master Qing Yu intending to spare Lin Mu's life? However, Fang Yonglong remained silent on the second floor, seemingly giving his tacit approval of the Daoist Master's terms. At this, the crowd suddenly understood.

Lin Mu's strength was too great; even if they all attacked together, they would suffer tremendous losses to kill him. Moreover, they were all here for fame and wealth, with little trust among themselves. If they died before Lin Mu, it wouldn't be worth the risk. If Lin Mu could be subdued without a fight, it would be the best outcome for them. At this moment, they no longer wished to lose their lives over a bit of money. After all, what good is money if you're not alive to spend it?

As expected, Daoist Master Qing Yu paused for a moment and then said, "Of course, as a condition, you must agree to one request from me."

Lin Mu looked at him, remaining silent.

Daoist Master Qing Yu continued, "Become my servant. Follow me to the mountains for cultivation to eliminate the murderous intent within you and reduce your accumulated sins."

Some people's expressions changed slightly.

So that's what this old bull-nose had in mind.

Lin Mu was not yet thirty years old, yet he possessed such strength. This indicated one thing: his talent for cultivation was a rarity in this world. No wonder Daoist Master Qing Yu intended to take Lin Mu as a servant. He had set his sights on Lin Mu's talent for the Martial Way.

"Boy, you should be honored that Daoist Master Qing Yu has taken an interest in you! Why aren't you kneeling to thank him at once?" someone shouted furiously when Lin Mu remained silent, pointing at his nose as he berated him. Daoist Master Qing Yu was a senior in the Martial Arts World with profound and unfathomable strength, and he was widely connected. This person was just trying to curry favor with him.

"Indeed! Being taken in as a servant by Daoist Master Qing Yu is an opportunity many can only dream of. Kid, I advise you not to make such a foolish mistake!"

Daoist Master Qing Yu smiled faintly and said slowly, "You have a decent talent for the Martial Way. If you could follow me in cultivation, your achievements would surely be great."

"I've heard that in River City there is a Master Lin, who, though quite young, has already become a Martial Arts Grandmaster and is revered as the Master of the Three Rivers." A peculiar light flashed in Daoist Master Qing Yu's eyes as he continued, "Just kowtow three times before me now, and I guarantee that in ten years, your achievements will be no less than that of Master Lin."

As for Lin Mu being that very Master Lin, the thought might have crossed Daoist Master Qing Yu's mind, but only for a fleeting moment. He even suspected that the so-called Master Lin was nothing more than a charlatan.

Upon hearing Daoist Master Qing Yu's words, the faces of the crowd showed their astonishment. Although they had heard rumors of a Master Lin from River City, they had never seen him and thus didn't believe it. Lin Mu was simply too young for them to ever connect the two.

"Young man, what are you hesitating for? Do you think I am not worthy?" Seeing that Lin Mu still didn't speak, Daoist Master Qing Yu's expression immediately darkened.

"Kid, the Daoist Master is talking to you!"

Seeing Lin Mu's disregard, the martial artist surnamed Zhang became furious. He quickly strode forward two steps and pressed his palm onto Lin Mu's shoulder, intending to force him to the ground to kowtow to Daoist Master Qing Yu. As for worrying that Lin Mu might erupt in violence, Zhang was not the least bit concerned. After all, with Daoist Master Qing Yu present, Lin Mu had no chance whatsoever. Moreover, he had always been very confident in his own strength.

However, as soon as his palm landed on Lin Mu's shoulder, the latter's shoulder trembled slightly, and an immense power burst forth.

"Hm?"

Zhang's palm was repelled, and his face clouded over. "So you've chosen the hard way," he snarled. "Kneel!"

The martial artist surnamed Zhang lunged again, his aura erupting violently.

An Inner Strength Martial Artist!

A cold sneer crossed Zhang's face, as he clearly had no intention of holding back. Daoist Master Qing Yu stood in place, his expression indifferent, not caring in the slightest about Zhang's attack.

A junior with no perception. No matter how talented he is, if he has no fear, then so be it if he dies.

However…

BANG!

The next moment, a figure flew backward, crashing heavily in front of Daoist Master Qing Yu. It was the martial artist surnamed Zhang. His face was now deathly pale, his chest was caved in, and his aura had become faint and weak.

"What happened?" the crowd exclaimed, having no idea what had just occurred. They didn't know how Zhang had been injured.

Meanwhile, Lin Mu slowly withdrew his palm, his expression utterly cold.

"Impudent boy, you've gone too far!" Daoist Master Qing Yu's eyebrow twitched, his eyes flashing with murderous intent. "So young, yet your methods are so cruel. It seems you cannot be left alive!"

Daoist Master Qing Yu stepped forward as a terrifying aura erupted from him like a tidal wave, his presence as imposing as a mountain.

"A Martial Arts Grandmaster!"

Some of the martial artists standing closer cried out and hastily retreated, their eyes fixed on Daoist Master Qing Yu with fervent admiration. The rumors were true; Daoist Master Qing Yu was indeed a Martial Arts Grandmaster!

"Originally, I saw that your cultivation path was not easy and intended to take you as a servant to guide you. However, you refused my kindness and injured someone instead. It seems that allowing you to live would only make you a curse upon the Martial Arts World!" Daoist Master Qing Yu's aura swelled as his murderous intent exploded. "Today, I will rid the Martial Arts World of this menace to prevent you from bringing misfortune upon the common folk in the future!"

As his words fell, Daoist Master Qing Yu transformed into a wisp of breeze, fluttering toward Lin Mu. He struck out at Lin Mu with a single palm. The strike seemed gentle and effortless, but it was imbued with terrifying Internal Energy.

This was a Grandmaster's strike—a return to simplicity itself

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