"Take one strike from my sword, and this matter is settled?"

How skilled was Liu Su's swordsmanship? Others might not know, but Zhuang Yu knew best. Otherwise, the saying, "In Jiangling, there is not one man," wouldn't have circulated to this day. Nor would Liu Su have been able to suppress all of Jiangling with just her sword, remaining undefeated.

Back then, although the older generation of experts were too proud to intervene, Liu Su was unmatched in strength among her peers. Now, more than a decade later, her strength and swordsmanship must have risen by countless levels.

So, could Lin Mu be her opponent? Zhuang Yu waited eagerly to see.

As for Guan Chengye, he wanted to say something, but when he opened his mouth, he didn't know how to begin. Although he was a Martial Artist, he wasn't part of the Martial Arts World. The Martial Arts World had its own rules.

Today, Liu Su had challenged Lin Mu with her sword. If Lin Mu accepted, the matter with Liu Xianhe would be settled, with no debts owed on either side. But if Lin Mu can't take it, the consequences...

No matter how confident Guan Chengye was in Lin Mu's strength, he couldn't help but feel his resolve waver. Female martial artists were already a rarity in the Martial Way, and one with Liu Su's temperament and way of speaking was even rarer. Judging by Zhuang Yu's earlier reaction, this woman must be extraordinary.

Guan Chengye glanced at Lin Mu, his heart a tangle of complex emotions. This whole affair, after all, started because of my Guan Family. By all rights, I should be the one to bear the responsibility.

Thinking this, Guan Chengye stood up and moved to Lin Mu's side, about to speak. However, before a word could escape his lips, a hand stopped him.

"Take one strike from you?" Lin Mu looked at Liu Su and shook his head. "You're too weak. Go train for another ten years. Perhaps then you'll be qualified to challenge me."

Guan Chengye: "..."

Zhuang Yu: "..."

Everyone: "..."

"Arrogant fool!"

"Utterly shameless!"

Before Liu Su could even speak, her disciples began to rail against him, with Brother Zheng being the loudest. "Who do you think you are? You think beating me makes you better than my Master? What a joke!"

"If my Master were to act, even a wisp of her Sword Qi would be enough to kill you!"

"..."

Facing the torrent of accusations, Lin Mu's expression remained unchanged. He simply shook his head slowly while looking at Liu Su. "It's not impossible for you to challenge me, but you'll have to defeat her first."

Beside Lin Mu, someone shivered and pointed a finger at herself.

"Me?" Guan Jiaojiao's beautiful eyes widened in utter disbelief.

It wasn't just her; everyone felt the same.

"That's right." Lin Mu nodded, confirming what she'd said.

Guan Jiaojiao immediately jumped to her feet, waving her hands frantically. "No, how can this be? I can't do it." She was not only shocked but terrified. She didn't know any martial arts; if her opponent struck her with a sword, she would probably die.

Guan Chengye's expression also changed. "Young friend Lin, this..."

"Elder Guan, rest assured. I have my own plan," Lin Mu said with a faint smile, his gaze returning to Liu Su. "Think carefully before you answer me."

Liu Su stared fixedly at Lin Mu, a ripple of emotion disturbing her bright eyes.

"Are you insulting me?!" Liu Su uttered each word through clenched teeth, looking as if she wanted nothing more than to cut him down on the spot.

Lin Mu shook his head. "I have no intention of insulting you, but in my eyes, you are indeed too weak. I'm afraid I might accidentally injure you."

As soon as he said this, the disciples of the Crane Immortal Sect gasped. This man—does he know what he's saying? To think our Master is too weak? He's afraid of injuring our Master?

"How outrageous!" a female disciple cried out, flushed with shame and anger. With a sharp sound, she unsheathed her longsword and pointed it at Lin Mu. "I'll cut you down!"

She pushed off the ground with her toes, her body leaping gracefully as she thrust her blade at Lin Mu.

"Stop!" Liu Su's expression shifted slightly as she tried to call her back.

But it was too late. The young woman was quite fast, and the distance to Lin Mu was short. She arrived before him in an instant, bringing her sword down.

Lin Mu didn't even look at her. He merely lifted a hand and flicked a finger.

CLANG!

With a light ring, the young woman cried out in shock as her longsword was sent flying, landing askew in the ground. After landing, she stumbled back several steps, about to fall.

Liu Su let out a soft huff and moved with light steps, appearing behind the disciple in two strides. She placed a hand on her shoulder, helping her steady herself.

"Hmph."

Although the young woman was now steady, the shock had roiled her qi and blood, and her face was a little pale. At least she wasn't injured. She looked up, staring at Lin Mu in horror. Her small face was a mask of pure shock. He's so strong!

"This is getting tedious." Lin Mu waved a hand with some irritation. Looking at Liu Su, he said, "Stop sending your disciples one by one to make fools of themselves. If you want a fight, I'll fight you."

"You said this matter would be over if I took one strike from you, didn't you? Let's begin."

Sensing the impatience in his tone, Liu Su's expression changed, and she let out a cold snort. "You want to fight now? I refuse."

Her gaze swept across the courtyard, and the corner of her mouth curled up. "I'll be back tomorrow."

With that, Liu Su waved her hand. "Let's go."

Zhuang Yu and the others were stunned. The disciples of the Crane Immortal Sect were leaving? This Lin Mu is really lucky. I thought for sure today would be the day he'd suffer a downfall, but that Liu Su... she's as capricious as they come.

"What, do you think this place is somewhere you can come and go as you please?"

However, just as Liu Su and her group were about to depart, Lin Mu made it clear he wasn't going to let them leave so easily. Qin Luoli needed time to recover from her injuries, and Lin Mu needed to find the medicinal herbs for the Ever Youth Pill. If these people were to show up and provoke him time and time again, he simply wouldn't have the time.

Therefore, Lin Mu decided to make a decisive show of force to intimidate the Martial Alliance and this Crane Immortal Sect.

At Lin Mu's words, Liu Su's steps halted as promised. She turned, her brows furrowed. Her eyebrows, as sharp as swords, trembled slightly.

"Are you courting death?"

As her words fell, the temperature within a radius of dozens of meters plummeted. The sky turned a hazy white, and a bone-chilling cold descended from above.

CHING!

A crisp sword cry rang out. In an instant, a majestic Sword Intent erupted from a single point.

SIZZLE!

The flowers and trees in the courtyard were sheared apart by the invisible Sword Qi, and numerous sword marks scarred the ground.

CLANG!

With a flash of cold light, a streak of white light shot out from the dense mist, slashing directly at Lin Mu. It was a manifestation of Sword Intent, filled with a glacial, grim aura.

Guan Chengye was standing very close and felt its power most deeply. His face changed. He knew he could not withstand that Sword Intent.

Zhuang Yu's expression was no better. Though he could likely take it, he would be left in a sorry state. Has Liu Su already become this strong? Now, all that was left was to see if Lin Mu could withstand it. A cold smirk once again touched Zhuang Yu's lips.

The Sword Intent descended swiftly, aimed directly at Lin Mu.

Just as everyone assumed Lin Mu would either shatter the Sword Intent with a powerful technique or evade it with nimble footwork, he did the unexpected. He stood perfectly still, allowing the Sword Intent to fall upon him.

CLANG!

However, with a clear ringing sound, the Sword Intent was repelled by an invisible force before it could even touch him.

"That's..."

"Condensed True Qi! It's Protective Gang Qi!"

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