News of a battle between two Grandmasters spread throughout the entire Martial Arts World before dawn.

Shock! It was nothing but pure shock.

Countless people were startled awake. After carefully confirming the news was true, they erupted in a series of astonished exclamations.

"Does anyone know which two Grandmasters were fighting?"

"It's unclear. Some suspect it was River City's Lin Wudi, but no one dared to get close enough to watch, so we don't know who was involved!"

"River City's Lin Wudi? Impossible! Don't you realize how little time has passed since his battle with Yun Xu? Is he trying to overturn the Heavenly Rankings?"

"But that's what the reports say. He originally intended to wipe out the Fang Family, but then a mysterious Grandmaster appeared, and the two of them ended up in a massive battle."

"This is all too strange. It can't possibly be Lin Wudi!"

No one believed Lin Wudi was one of the two Grandmasters because the idea was simply too preposterous. It wasn't that they thought Lin Mu was incapable, but Lin Wudi had just slain Yun Xu on the Bolan River and subsequently accepted a challenge from Dragon Tiger Mountain's Heavenly Master, Zhang Daoyun. Instead of properly entering seclusion to cultivate and increase his strength, he was getting into fights with other Grandmasters? It completely defied common sense.

When later reports emerged, people were once again convinced that the person involved was not Lin Wudi, but another Martial Arts Grandmaster. This was because the one who had annihilated the Fang Family of River City was just the owner of a small company. Rumor had it that this man was quite powerful and was backed by a Grandmaster. Thus, when another Grandmaster appeared, a battle broke out, and the newcomer was slain.

The person who had been killed was none other than Western Poison Xiao Ouyang, one of the four great Grandmasters!

Even if Lin Wudi were strong, how could he possibly be a match for Xiao Ouyang? Putting aside the difference in their strength, the gap between their rankings on the Heavenly Rankings was substantial. Furthermore, Xiao Ouyang was a famed veteran who was most adept at killing.

Lin Wudi just wasn't at that level yet.

To be capable of slaying Western Poison Xiao Ouyang, this person had to be one of the top ten figures on the Heavenly Rankings. Only then would it be possible! Because the top ten were known as Great Grandmasters!

As this speculation spread, the prevailing opinion throughout the Martial Arts World began to shift. People accepted this version as the truth, no longer suspecting Lin Wudi at all. Many even began to theorize that the only reason Lin Wudi could have become a Grandmaster before the age of thirty was due to his connection to this Great Grandmaster who had slain Xiao Ouyang.

Besides this possibility, no one could imagine any other reason why two Grandmasters would be present in the same place, let alone why they would have such a deep connection. Although the top ten Great Grandmasters on the Heavenly Rankings were not well-known to the public, their power was beyond question.

However, as this realization dawned on them, people were left reeling in shock. The Martial Arts World had recently been struck by one major event after another. In such a short period, two Grandmasters had fallen. Now, this latest incident even involved one of the top ten Great Grandmasters.

People began to speculate again. Was the one-year challenge set by Zhang Daoyun actually related to this Great Grandmaster? Or perhaps, Zhang Daoyun never intended to challenge Lin Wudi at all, but rather the Great Grandmaster standing behind him.

All sorts of rumors began to fly throughout the Martial Arts World.

「The Capital.」

"Commander, is all this really necessary?" the young man asked, rolling his eyes at Elder Xiao beside him, completely bewildered.

He truly didn't understand why the commander had to release this information and twist the entire narrative. A Great Grandmaster of the Martial Way? One of the top ten on the Heavenly Rankings? It was all just a story deliberately released by Elder Xiao.

The one responsible for everything was Lin Wudi.

Is the commander trying to protect Lin Wudi?

The youth knew full well how highly Elder Xiao regarded the young man from River City, but he never expected him to use his personal connections to suppress the matter. He had even deliberately muddled the situation to encourage public speculation.

Hearing the youth's question, Elder Xiao let out a gruff chuckle. "You think I wanted to do this? If it weren't for Lin Wudi causing so much trouble, do you think I'd be taking this huge risk to muddy the waters?"

The youth understood. Elder Xiao was protecting Lin Wudi.

A tall tree catches the wind. Lin Wudi had first slain Yun Xu, then accepted Zhang Daoyun's challenge. If the world were to find out now that he had also killed Western Poison Xiao Ouyang, wouldn't the Martial Arts World descend into chaos?

Elder Xiao had served the country his entire life. He commanded the Military Department and the Martial Alliance, and his long career in the army was a testament to the passion he had dedicated to his nation and its people. With the Military Department currently facing some instability and the Martial Alliance growing restless, Elder Xiao absolutely could not allow the Martial Arts World to fall into disarray. If chaos erupted, there would be no one left to suppress it.

An even more important reason was... Elder Xiao was very old. Old age meant he didn't have much time left. For many years, the old man had been searching for a successor. But his own casual nature, Shen Lang's pride, and the weakness of the others made them all unsuitable. As time wore on, the old man had slowly begun to give up.

But ever since that person from River City had appeared, the youth had seen a glimmer of light return to the old man's cloudy eyes.

The youth knew that glimmer was hope.

Looking at the white-haired elder, the youth suddenly felt a pang of heartache.

"I will make a trip to River City as soon as possible," the youth said, looking toward Jiangling. Lin Wudi, I hope you don't let Elder Xiao down.

Elder Xiao also gazed in the direction of River City, a faint smile on his face.

Youngsters, grow up quickly. When you've grown up, our nation and our people will have hope. I can't hold on for much longer. But this old man promises that until you are ready, I will fight with everything I have to protect our country and its people, to keep them from the slightest harm! This life is worth living. What an incredible honor it has been.

「Jiangling. The Fang Family Estate.」

"What? Fang Cheng is dead?" Fang Tang, the Fang Family Head, was in disbelief as he listened to the butler's report.

"Yes, sir. It's said that a Great Grandmaster was involved." A trace of shock still lingered in the butler's voice. When he had first heard the news, he too thought he had misheard. But according to the information he received, it was the truth.

"Have you found any connection between this Great Grandmaster and the one who killed Fang Cheng?" Fang Tang asked with a solemn expression. If a Great Grandmaster was involved, he would have to reconsider his next move carefully.

The butler shook his head. "None at all. Fang Ting stated herself that there is no connection!"

"Good!" Fang Tang said in a deep voice. "We don't need to concern ourselves with the Great Grandmaster's business, but the killer who wiped out a branch of our Fang Family must die!"

"Yes, sir!"

「River City. The Qiao Family Estate.」

"Is the madam still in her room?" Qiao Tianhao glanced at the tightly locked door, his brow furrowing slightly.

"Yes, sir. Ever since the madam returned, she has locked herself in her room. It's been several hours now," the servant said nervously.

"I see. You may go," Qiao Tianhao said with a nod. After the servant left, he knocked on the door.

"Darling, it's me."

After a long moment, the door finally opened. But when Qiao Tianhao saw Fang Ting, his expression changed drastically.

"Darling, what's wrong with you?"

At that moment, Fang Ting's face was deathly pale. She was trembling all over, her disheveled hair making her look utterly wretched. She was completely distraught, as if she had just witnessed something terrifying.

Fang Ting looked at Qiao Tianhao with hollow eyes, then suddenly threw herself into her husband's arms and began to sob in despair.

"Tianhao, Zishan... he's caused a terrible disaster..."

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