"Possessing a lethal weapon yet knowing only slaughter, ignorant of benevolence and virtue... how is that different from being a beast?" Daoist Master Qing Yu shouted coldly, his large hand suddenly swooping down toward Lin Mu. He moved as if to create a small Daoist heaven and earth, intending to trap Lin Mu within it.

"Hmph, you foolish child, your death is certain!"

Witnessing Daoist Master Qing Yu make his move, a look of wild joy spread across Zhang Xian's pale face. He was immensely pleased with himself, his expression tinged with a cold, venomous resentment. A moment ago, he didn't even understand how he had been defeated, assuming only that Lin Mu must have used some underhanded trick. Now, with Daoist Master Qing Yu stepping in—though for his own reasons—it was under the guise of defending him.

Therefore, Zhang Xian was quite excited. After all, how many people under the heavens could have a Martial Arts Grandmaster step in on their behalf? I, Zhang Xian, am one of them!

"That goes without saying! Daoist Master Qing Yu is a Martial Arts Grandmaster. Dealing with a mere boy will be effortless for him," a Martial Artist chimed in, agreeing with Zhang Xian. He wasn't the least bit worried that Daoist Master Qing Yu might fail, nor did he find anything wrong with Zhang Xian's smug satisfaction. After all, this was a Martial Arts Grandmaster!

"It's a good thing Daoist Master Qing Yu is here. Otherwise, taking this person down ourselves would have been a real hassle."

Their words implied that they weren't worried, believing that even without Daoist Master Qing Yu, Lin Mu would be no match for them. And they weren't entirely wrong. As strong as Lin Mu was, he had killed nearly twenty of their fellow Martial Artists, but dozens still remained. If each of them spat on him, it would be enough to drown him.

Daoist Master Qing Yu also wore an indifferent smile, his demeanor calm and composed, as if he wasn't taking Lin Mu seriously at all. In his mind, Lin Mu was at most a Martial Artist at the Inner Strength level. To possess such a cultivation level at his age was a sign of truly exceptional talent. He had originally intended to take him as a servant and bestow upon him a great fortune. Unfortunately, this junior didn't know how to appreciate kindness. In that case, he couldn't be blamed for being ruthless and subduing him. As for what would happen after, Daoist Master Qing Yu had plenty of methods to make him submit.

His palm strike seemed casual and devoid of power. However, this was because his True Qi had reached the realm of ultimate simplicity. It was usually inconspicuous, but once unleashed, it could transform into an imprisoning force, trapping his enemy within.

His calculations were excellent, but he had neglected one thing: Lin Mu was also a Grandmaster!

Facing the descending palm, Lin Mu tilted his head, a scornful curve appearing at the corner of his mouth.

"Do you think you're so impressive?" Lin Mu spoke, uttering his first words since the fight began.

However, his words made Daoist Master Qing Yu's pupils constrict and his expression change dramatically.

"An ant who has only just stepped half a foot into the Martial Arts Grandmaster realm… what gives you the right to demand my submission? Are you even worthy?"

The crowd was stunned. Has this boy gone mad? How dare he speak to Daoist Master Qing Yu like that? What does he mean, only half a foot into the Grandmaster realm? Daoist Master Qing Yu is a genuine Martial Arts Grandmaster!

Daoist Master Qing Yu offered no explanation, instead bellowing, "You're seeking death!"

His aura exploded as he brought his palm down from above. An endless torrent of True Qi erupted, and the many Martial Artists who sensed its ocean-like power retreated frantically, fearing they would be caught in the blast. Their faces were masks of shock and awe.

Is this the power of a Martial Arts Grandmaster? It's terrifying!

Amidst all this, Lin Mu's expression didn't change in the slightest. He simply, slowly, extended a hand.

"A bunch of frogs at the bottom of a well. Allow me to show you what a true Martial Arts Grandmaster is."

As his voice fell, Lin Mu threw a punch.

The punch seemed gentle and weak, but it was imbued with the momentum of heaven and earth itself. The other Martial Artists naturally couldn't sense it, but Daoist Master Qing Yu, being a Half-step Grandmaster, felt it most acutely.

He suddenly cried out in alarm, "You're a Grandmaster?!"

However, before he could react, Lin Mu's fist had already thundered toward him.

BOOM!

The entire club was rocked by a deafening roar. From the two men at the center, a terrifying force surged wildly in all directions.

"Run!" the crowd screamed, scrambling to get away. They watched in horror as the force of the impact obliterated the hall's tables and chairs, reducing them to splinters.

CRACK!

A pillar in the hall, one that had stood firm for many years, was instantly covered in a web of cracks.

CREAK!

The entire club groaned, sounding as if it might collapse under the strain.

Everyone's face turned pale, but before they could react, a figure shot backward out of the epicenter of the blast. It was Daoist Master Qing Yu!

While still in mid-air, Daoist Master Qing Yu violently spat out a mouthful of blood, his face as pale as paper.

THUD!

He crashed heavily against the hall's wall, the impact making a dull, heavy sound.

SLUMP!

Daoist Master Qing Yu crumpled to the floor. He coughed up another mouthful of blood, his aura completely dissipating.

At that moment, Daoist Master Qing Yu bore no trace of his former air of an ethereal sage. His face was as pale as snow, one arm dangled uselessly at his side, and his robes were in tatters. Even his carefully tied topknot had come undone, leaving his hair disheveled and framing his face in a picture of utter defeat. The most shocking sight of all was the pool of bright red blood spreading out before him.

And all of this was caused by just one punch from that man!

Everyone's gaze involuntarily turned in the same direction. There, a figure slowly retracted his fist. He lifted his foot and began walking unhurriedly toward Daoist Master Qing Yu. He revealed no aura, yet his every step carried a natural, authoritative presence.

At that moment, an unbelievable answer finally emerged in everyone's minds. Grandmaster! This man is a Martial Arts Grandmaster!

No one dared to speak. Everyone watched Lin Mu with a cautious fear, terrified of offending the Martial Arts Grandmaster.

"Fellow Daoist... *cough, cough*..." Daoist Master Qing Yu struggled to lift his head, his eyes filled with shock and terror as he looked at Lin Mu. He had thought he was strong enough, that taking down Lin Mu would be an insignificant task. He never imagined that this young man was, in fact, a deeply hidden Martial Arts Grandmaster.

So young, yet so powerful... could it be...

Daoist Master Qing Yu trembled all over. Staring at Lin Mu in disbelief, he exclaimed, "You are the Master of the Three Rivers... Master Lin?!"

Lin Mu smirked. "So, you're not completely stupid."

Although some had speculated, upon hearing Lin Mu's confirmation, everyone gasped in unison and dropped to their knees.

"We greet Master Lin!"

"Please, Master Lin, spare our lives!"

Lin Mu paid them no attention and continued walking toward Daoist Master Qing Yu.

Daoist Master Qing Yu's expression changed drastically. After a moment of panicked hesitation, he suddenly threw himself to the ground and kowtowed repeatedly.

"Master Lin, this old Daoist was blind to have offended you! Please, be the bigger man and forgive my ignorance!"

Lin Mu's expression remained unchanged.

Daoist Master Qing Yu's voice shook as he pleaded, "If Master Lin spares my life, from this day forward, Qing Yu will be your beast of burden, your loyal slave, ready to obey your every command!"

All who witnessed this scene felt a sense of unreality. The man who had just presented himself as an aloof, otherworldly master was now on his knees, begging for his life and offering to be a servant. It was deeply ironic. But then, as they looked at the figure standing before Daoist Master Qing Yu, they all fell silent.

After all, this was a true chosen one, a man born with the bearing of a king.

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