"Lin Mu... no, Master Lin, please spare my life! I failed to recognize your greatness and often opposed you. I hope you can be magnanimous and, for Ye Tong's sake, let me off this time."

It was Jiang Xia, and he was sick with regret. He had believed himself to be from a superior background than Lin Mu, with a more powerful network of support. Leveraging the Xia family's connection to Daoist Master Yunxu, he had targeted Lin Mu repeatedly. If he'd known Lin Mu was *that* Master Lin, a man far more formidable than Daoist Master Yunxu, he wouldn't have dared to oppose him even if he had ten times the courage.

As he knelt, Li Ping and the others immediately followed suit.

Gu Can even began slapping himself as he cried out, "Master Lin, I was blind for looking down on you! I shouldn't have mocked you. I deserve to die! Please, just treat me like I'm nothing and let me go."

Gu Can only considered himself superior because of his connection to Jiang Xia; without him, he was nothing. As foolish as he was, he wasn't stupid enough to knowingly provoke a Martial Arts Grandmaster.

Sobbing, Li Ping crawled forward on her knees. "Lin... Master Lin, I know I was wrong. Please, just let us go. How about this... as long as you forgive me, I'm willing to do anything." Her expression was odd, the suggestive meaning so obvious that even a blind person could see it.

Seeing the group kneeling on the boat, Jiang Mingyue felt a wave of relief. Thankfully, while I was a bit dissatisfied with Lin Mu at first, at least I didn't do anything excessive.

Lin Mu frowned. "All of you, stand up. Let bygones be bygones. As long as you don't provoke me in the future, I won't hold it against you."

Jiang Xia and the others were instantly overjoyed, swearing all kinds of oaths that they would be cursed if they ever crossed him again.

Li Ping, on the other hand, smiled through her tears. She wiped her eyes, shot a look at Lin Mu, and pouted, "Master Lin, you really scared me just now."

Song Wenrou wore a look of disgust. Before Lin Mu could speak, Li Ping sidled closer and whispered, "Master Lin, what I said just now... I meant it."

Seeing her act this way, Lin Mu was repulsed. He snorted coldly, "Scram. If you try to disgust me again, don't think I won't kill you!"

Li Ping turned deathly pale with fright, stumbling back several steps and not daring to speak another word. The others, including Jiang Xia, fell deathly silent, too scared to make a sound.

At that moment, Jiang Yawei suddenly spoke. "After today's battle becomes known, Master Lin will undoubtedly enter the Heavenly Ranking."

"The Heavenly Ranking?"

Lin Mu was curious. He had heard that the Martial Arts World had three rankings—Heaven, Earth, and Human—but he had only killed Yunxu. How could that be enough to enter the Heavenly Ranking?

"Indeed. The Heavenly Ranking," Jiang Yawei nodded. "When the Martial Alliance was established, it created three lists to rank the nation's martial artists by strength. The Human Ranking is only for martial arts geniuses under twenty. While talented, none have reached the level of a Martial Arts Grandmaster. The Earth Ranking is for experts who show the potential to become one. As for the Heavenly Ranking," Jiang Yawei said, a hint of reverence in his voice, "everyone on that list is a Martial Arts Grandmaster. However, not every Grandmaster makes it onto the Heavenly Ranking."

Lin Mu now understood, though he didn't really care. I am the only Cultivator in the world today. Such mundane rankings mean nothing to me.

Jiang Mingyue asked curiously, "Grandfather, how high do you think Master Lin could rank? I've heard that everyone on the Heavenly Ranking is a Grandmaster among Grandmasters."

Jiang Yawei pondered for a moment before saying, "With Master Lin's strength, he should at least break into the top fifteen."

"The top fifteen?" Jiang Mingyue's red lips parted slightly in surprise. Stealing a glance at Lin Mu, she said, "Grandfather, isn't that a bit of an exaggeration? It would be incredible enough if Master Lin could make it into the top twenty."

The words had barely left her mouth when she regretted them, afraid she had offended Lin Mu. Fortunately, his expression remained unchanged, as if he hadn't taken her words to heart.

"My girl, you're underestimating Master Lin," Jiang Yawei said gravely. "Lu Tong's strength might not be much, but Daoist Master Yunxu was a genuine Martial Arts Grandmaster. Over thirty years ago, he was already ranked twenty-third on the Heavenly Ranking. In the three decades since, his strength had become unfathomable." Jiang Yawei sighed. "And yet, a man of such power was killed single-handedly by Master Lin. So, tell me, is ranking him in the top fifteen really an exaggeration?"

Jiang Mingyue immediately started counting on her fingers. "Not at all! Not in the slightest! I think he could even make it into the top ten!"

Jiang Yawei gave a wry smile and said no more.

The top ten? Although Master Lin is a monstrous talent, breaking into the top ten would still be difficult. Even the four great Grandmasters aren't in the top ten, let alone Lin Mu. Still, give him ten years, and competing for a spot might just be possible. Thinking of this, Jiang Yawei felt a surge of anticipation, wondering what the Martial Arts World would look like in a decade.

Meanwhile, Jiang Mingyue was casting sidelong glances at Lin Mu. He was tall and carried himself well, with a striking appearance. Before, she wouldn't have given him a second glance, having seen many men like him. Now, however, she found him possessing a unique charm.

The more I look at him, the more handsome he seems. The thought made her blush. What disappointed her, however, was that from beginning to end, Lin Mu never once looked her way. For Jiang Mingyue, who had always held herself in high regard, this brought a sharp twinge of loss. Why is this guy always so cold and aloof? It's infuriating!

Women are such strange creatures. When they dislike a man, even the most expensive clothes look gaudy on him. But if they like him, the cheapest street vendor rags can look tasteful.

Soon, the boat reached the shore. After thanking Jiang Yawei and his party, Lin Mu headed for home. Before they parted ways, Jiang Yawei, unable to withstand his granddaughter's nagging, asked for Lin Mu's contact information.

Li Ping and the others, however, deliberately lagged behind, not wishing to walk anywhere near Lin Mu.

Qiao Zishan mustered his courage and shouted, "Master Lin, if you have time, please visit the Qiao Family!"

He expected to be ignored, but to his surprise, Lin Mu actually stopped. Turning slightly, he said, "If the opportunity arises, I will definitely visit the Qiao Family."

Qiao Zishan was ecstatic, completely missing the cold smirk that flickered across Lin Mu's lips.

Ye Tong, meanwhile, remained silent the entire time, her head lowered, apparently lost in thought.

***

At the same time, news of Lin Mu's battle with Yunxu on the Bolan River—and his victory—spread throughout Huaxia as if it had grown wings. In an instant, the entire Huaxia Martial Arts World was in an uproar.

The name Lin Wudi was on everyone's lips, a subject of intense curiosity. Some found the news hard to believe and were desperate for any detail about Lin Mu's identity and how the fight unfolded. Others dismissed the claims as exaggerated and openly questioned Lin Mu's strength. Unfortunately, no one had dared to secretly record the battle, so not a single image of the fight ever surfaced.

Amid the shock rippling through the Martial Arts World, another bombshell dropped: the Heavenly Ranking had been updated, and Lin Mu was on it.

"Sixteenth on the Heavenly Ranking—Lin Wudi!"

This announcement shook the Martial Arts World.

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