Chapter 151: The Battle of Grandmasters!
The Thunder Dragon and the Vermilion Crane clashed in the sky, engaging in a fierce battle high above the earth.
This spectacle was naturally astounding. If word of it were to spread, the entire world would be shocked, and it might even incite uncontrollable panic.
But neither Lin Mu nor Liu Xianhe cared.
Lin Mu genuinely didn’t mind. As for Liu Xianhe, he had his own methods for handling such things.
"I did underestimate you!" Liu Xianhe said, his gaze turning dark as he stared at Lin Mu.
He was clearly taken aback that Lin Mu’s Thunder Dragon could fight autonomously. Of course, his Vermilion Crane was no simple beast, either. Within his Sect, it was revered as a guardian beast, with strength even greater than his own.
My confidence in seeking revenge on Guan Chengye doesn’t rest on my strength alone. Would the Martial Alliance have allowed me to challenge an Imperial Guardian of the marshal rank if they didn’t fear the power behind me?
However, it was evident that Lin Mu, who was aiding Guan Chengye, was also no simple individual.
"Make your move. Let me see just how strong a Martial Arts Grandmaster truly is," Lin Mu said, his hands clasped behind his back as he faced Liu Xianhe.
A murderous glint flashed in Liu Xianhe’s eyes. This kid is far too presumptuous.
"You’re young, but you have quite an attitude!" Liu Xianhe said coldly. "Don’t worry, I will personally break your neck and show you the true meaning of a Grandmaster’s techniques!"
Lin Mu replied indifferently, "Then make sure you don’t disappoint me."
Without another word, Liu Xianhe fiercely shook the horsetail whisk in his hand. In the sky above, countless strands of Internal Energy materialized, instantly weaving themselves into a vast net.
"Energy Materialization?!" an observing Inner Strength Martial Artist exclaimed, his face etched with shock.
Someone nearby asked, "Elder Zou, what is Energy Materialization?"
The man, addressed as Elder Zou, suppressed the shock in his heart and explained in a trembling voice, "Energy Materialization is a powerful technique achieved when one has so thoroughly mastered the True Qi in their body that they can manifest it into anything. Even an ordinary Martial Arts Grandmaster cannot accomplish this."
"Is Master Liu that powerful?"
"Powerful is an understatement. He’s terrifyingly strong."
Elder Zou sighed. "Master Liu may not have a great reputation in the Martial Arts World, but he’s still considered a formidable expert. Who would have thought that after his seclusion, he would emerge so mighty?"
I just don’t know if Master Lin is his match, one of the onlookers thought.
The crowd’s expressions shifted, a current of excitement running through them. After all, not everyone was fortunate enough to witness a battle between Grandmasters. Regardless of who won or lost, this fight would undoubtedly shake the world. As eyewitnesses, they considered it the kind of rare good fortune that only comes once a century. With this in mind, many were so exhilarated they could hardly contain themselves, their gazes riveted to the battle in the sky, afraid of missing the slightest detail.
Internal Energy filled the air, each strand as sharp as a sword, slicing through the very void. One could only imagine the danger lurking within that enormous net.
Liu Xianhe’s gaze was icy as he sneered, "Kid, try and take this!"
With that, Liu Xianhe pointed his whisk at Lin Mu. The great net plummeted, descending upon Lin Mu as if intending to shred him to pieces.
"Mere Energy Materialization. How hard could it be to break?" Lin Mu chuckled softly. His clothes stirred as he slowly raised a hand and pressed it toward the sky. With no visible display of Internal Energy, it looked like a deceptively simple palm strike.
Seeing this, a flash of disdain crossed Liu Xianhe’s eyes. My Internal Energy Great Array is not so easily broken. It was a technique inspired by an ancient Formation. These strands of Internal Energy may look ordinary, but each one is as sharp as Sword Qi. One misstep, and your body will be shredded by a thousand blades.
Clearly, Lin Mu has overestimated himself, Liu Xianhe thought.
Below, the countless onlookers slowly shook their heads. I thought he had some real skill, but it seems he’s all talk after all.
However, the situation changed in the very next moment.
As Lin Mu’s palm pressed down, the great net of Internal Energy began to melt away like snow in boiling water. The entire process was silent, not even causing a ripple in the air. The massive net vanished completely.
Everyone was struck dumb, like ducks with their necks wrung, unable to make a sound.
"PFFT!"
As his net of Internal Energy was broken, Liu Xianhe spat out a mouthful of blood. His face turned ashen, completely drained of color.
How... how is this possible? he muttered to himself, looking as though his very soul had fled his body. He had thought it was his most invulnerable attack, yet his opponent had dismantled it with ease. In that instant, Liu Xianhe nearly lost his will to fight.
But it wasn’t over.
"SCREECH!"
A sharp, agonizing scream pierced the heavens, and blood rained down from above. A massive figure plummeted from the sky and crashed to the ground.
THUD!
The ground trembled as feathers scattered everywhere. A Vermilion Crane lay in a pool of its own blood, not a single feather on its body left intact.
The Vermilion Crane... is dead? the crowd thought in disbelief.
"ROAR!"
The Thunder Dragon bellowed and charged toward Liu Xianhe.
"Not good!" Liu Xianhe cried out. He shot away, dodging the Thunder Dragon’s attack and landing on a distant mountain peak. But his eyes were bloodshot. The Vermilion Crane was dead.
He snapped his head up to glare at Lin Mu, his eyes brimming with killing intent.
"You deserve to die!" Liu Xianhe growled. The Internal Energy around him surged, whipping up a violent wind that made the surrounding trees and buildings groan under the strain.
THUMP!
Liu Xianhe stomped on the ground, his body becoming a blur as he shot into the sky toward Lin Mu. With a wave of his hand, Lin Mu recalled the Thunder Dragon and calmly watched him approach.
Liu Xianhe’s whisk splayed open, its thousands of hairs shooting forward like countless beams of sword light, trying to pierce Lin Mu.
"Break," Lin Mu said simply, extending a single finger and tapping it lightly in the air.
An extremely sharp gust of wind shot from his fingertip, colliding with the whisk. The next moment, the whisk snapped, its broken segments drifting to the ground.
Staring at the bare whisk handle in his hand, Liu Xianhe’s face went pale, his eyes filled with terror.
"How... How can you be so strong?"
This was the question everyone wanted to ask.
How can Lin Mu be this strong? Even the esteemed Grandmaster Liu Xianhe has been defeated at every turn. He’s too strong!
Countless people shook their heads, all of them thinking that with Lin Mu’s incredible power, Liu Xianhe stood no chance.
"Is that all the strength you have?" Lin Mu asked, not bothering to hide his disappointment. "I had thought you could give me a real fight, but it seems you have greatly disappointed me. Since that’s the case, I won’t waste any more time. I’ll kill you in a single blow."
As soon as he finished speaking, the entire audience was stunned.
Even if he is that strong, killing a Martial Arts Grandmaster in one move... that’s just a lunatic’s dream, right?
"Insolent fool!" As expected, Liu Xianhe was enraged. A murderous aura erupted from him as he fixed his gaze on Lin Mu. "Do you really think that’s all I’ve got? If that’s what you think, then watch how I kill you!"