"Protective Gang Qi! Only a Grandmaster can manifest that!" Liu Su's expression turned serious, and with a soft hiss, she thrust her sword forward once more.

"This..." Guan Chengye was stunned. Just as he was about to speak, Liu Su's cold voice cut through the air.

"Since you claim to be a Grandmaster, then face another one of my strikes!"

CLANG!

The Sword Intent rang out, sharp and chilling, making the air feel even colder. A Hundred-Color Longsword materialized before everyone. Its three-foot Qing Feng blade, coated in frost, emanated a cold and powerful Sword Intent.

What terrifying Sword Intent! Zhuang Yu's face was stricken with horror. Forget about blocking that strike; surviving it at all would be a miracle.

The disciples of the Crane Immortal Sect, however, were thrilled. The young men and women clenched their fists, silently cheering for their master. Guan Jiaojiao's face was pale, worried that Lin Mu couldn't possibly handle such an attack.

"Be careful!" Liu Su warned, her wrist flicking as she brought the sword down.

CRACK! CRACK!

Tiny, perfectly neat fissures spiderwebbed across the ground.

"The sword is good, but the wielder's strength is a bit lacking," Lin Mu suddenly said. Without any perceptible motion, he simply raised a hand and brought two fingers together. "Freeze."

Just like that, the frost-covered longsword hovered three inches from Lin Mu's face, unable to advance any further.

Liu Su's expression changed, her eyes filled with disbelief. She bit her lip, and an immense aura erupted from within her, sweeping out in all directions.

"A Half-step Grandmaster!" Zhuang Yu cried out, his face a mask of shock.

He had suspected as much, but to feel the true depth of Liu Su's power still made his heart pound. He hadn't seen her in over a decade, and she had already reached this level. A Half-step Grandmaster was on par with his own senior brother, Lu Tong.

And she was a woman! A female Grandmaster, in any dynasty or era, was an unparalleled genius worthy of being recorded in the annals of history.

Wait... something about her Half-step Grandmaster aura seems... incomplete.

As Liu Su's Internal Energy surged, she let out another soft hiss, and her Sword Intent intensified. The longsword, frozen in midair, began to tremble violently as a frigid wave rushed toward Lin Mu.

Lin Mu's brow furrowed.

This Liu Su is quite relentless. If that's how she wants to play it...

BOOM!

An intimidating presence instantly burst forth from Lin Mu. Being the closest, Guan Chengye and Guan Jiaojiao felt it most profoundly. An incredibly terrifying Sword Intent was pouring out of Lin Mu. It was vastly different from Liu Su's—it was filled with a sharp, boundless power, making them feel as if they were facing a true Sword Immortal.

With no time for further thought, Guan Chengye grabbed Guan Jiaojiao and retreated frantically. They only felt a sliver of relief when their backs hit the wall, but the piercing, razor-sharp Sword Intent from Lin Mu continued to wash over them like a tide of fire.

"What a terrifying Sword Intent," Guan Chengye muttered, his eyes wide with shock. He was, once again, completely stunned by Lin Mu's capabilities.

Guan Jiaojiao, on the other hand, was utterly captivated. In her eyes, Lin Mu was like an omnipotent god.

But of everyone in the courtyard, the most shaken was Liu Su. As a sword cultivator herself, she was extremely sensitive to Sword Intent. The moment Lin Mu's Sword Intent had erupted, a primal fear gripped her, and she had the overwhelming urge to flee. Yet, at the same time, a stubborn pride surged from deep within her, and her gaze grew resolute.

Why is it that men can reach the pinnacle of the Martial Way, but women cannot? Why can men tread this path, while women are expected to stay home, serve their husbands, and raise children? I refuse to accept it! In this life, I, Liu Su, will walk the Martial Way, become a Grandmaster, and trample all of you men under my feet!

And so, Liu Su had stepped onto the Martial Way at the age of five, achieved External Strength at ten, entered the realm of Inner Strength at sixteen, and attained Internal Energy Mastery by twenty. Now, not yet forty, she was only a hair's breadth away from the Half-step Grandmaster realm. Throughout history, how many men could boast such an achievement?

Years ago, she had battled her way through an entire region with a single sword, earning the name Ice Heart Sword Liu Su. Today, she had emerged from her seclusion not to avenge Liu Xianhe, but to let the Martial Arts World know that a female Grandmaster like her existed!

As indignation and ambition warred in her heart, Liu Su felt her Internal Energy circulate with even greater smoothness. Under the pressure of that sharp and fierce Sword Intent, her own Sword Intent slowly weakened, yet it grew more solid, more pure. With her True Yuan flowing freely and her Sword Intent consolidating, Liu Su felt a vast power surge from her chest, rushing up her throat before bursting forth.

"HA!"

A cry that seemed to shake the heavens echoed out. Zhuang Yu and his men stumbled backward. Weaker cultivators like Zhuang Qing were sent flying, spitting out mouthfuls of blood.

In the entire courtyard, only two people remained standing.

Liu Su stood with her arms at her sides, her eyes lightly closed, her body trembling faintly. Her disciples, worried, started to move forward to check on her but were held back by their companions. Zhuang Yu's expression flickered, and he too almost stepped forward, but a cold glare locked him in place. He froze, a cold sweat breaking out all over his body.

BOOM!

A moment later, a muffled sound came from within Liu Su. Her eyes snapped open. A volcanic aura briefly flared to life before vanishing completely.

Lifting her head, Liu Su looked at the calm figure of Lin Mu, who stood on the steps with his hands behind his back. Her expression was complicated as she cupped her fist and bowed.

"Liu Su of the Crane Immortal Sect thanks Master Lin for granting this opportunity."

Just moments ago, when Lin Mu had unleashed his Sword Intent, Liu Su was sure she was going to die. But at the critical moment, he had retracted his power just enough to allow her to break through and take that final, crucial step. Her True Yuan now flowed as she willed it, and her Sword Intent was contained within her, giving her an air of profound simplicity.

Finally, on the brink of death, Liu Su had broken through to the Half-step Grandmaster realm. And it was all because of the man standing before her.

Therefore, her bow was one of sincere, heartfelt submission, filled with both relief and gratitude.

Lin Mu accepted it calmly.

Liu Su hesitated for a moment before asking, "Master Lin, could you tell me... what was that Sword Intent?"

"That was the Infinite Sword Intent," Lin Mu replied slowly. "Now that you have used my Sword Intent to achieve your breakthrough, you should contemplate its true meaning and strive to enter the Grandmaster realm soon."

He had initially planned to teach the woman a lesson, but at the critical moment, he had seen her unyielding martial spirit and ambition that could rival any man's. So, Lin Mu simply went with the flow, using his Sword Intent to force her breakthrough while also allowing her to comprehend a sliver of the essence of the Infinite Sword Intent. As long as Liu Su wasn't a fool, it was only a matter of time before she became a true Grandmaster.

Liu Su understood this as well. That Sword Intent was the opportunity of a lifetime. Realizing this, she bowed deeply to Lin Mu once more. "Thank you, Master Lin, for the gift of your Sword Intent."

Everyone present was dumbfounded. Liu Su's disciples, in particular, found the scene completely surreal. Their master had come to teach the man a lesson, so how had it ended with her thanking and bowing to him? Brother Zheng opened his mouth, wanting to say something, but he sensed a change in his master and didn't dare to speak.

As for Zhuang Yu and the others, they were so terrified they didn't even dare to breathe too loudly. To help someone achieve a breakthrough to the Half-step Grandmaster realm with nothing but a display of Sword Intent... just who in the world was this Lin Mu?

Liu Su glanced at Zhuang Yu, raised an eyebrow, and said, "Master Lin, would you like me to get rid of these people for you?"

Zhuang Yu was instantly on high alert.

"No need." Lin Mu shook his head. Liu Su was merely trying to repay the favor, but Zhuang Yu and his followers weren't even worth his notice.

"In that case, I will take my leave," Liu Su said. She offered one more martial salute, then turned and left with a graceful air.

When she reached the gate, she paused and turned her head slightly. "In as little as a year or two, or as long as three to five years, I, Liu Su, will certainly seek Master Lin's guidance again!"

With that, she strode away without a second glance.

Who says only men can be gallant heroes? There are women who can rival any man.

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