Chapter 153: Lord of the Three Rivers Area!
The Twelve Forms of Slaying Gods and Demons and Punishing Immortals was a set of fist techniques that Lin Mu had created upon attaining enlightenment. It consisted of twelve forms: the Godslayer Finger, Deicide Palm, Deicide Fist, Demonslaying Hand, Demonslaying Claw, Demonslaying Seal, Immortal Slaying Secret, Immortal Slaying Sword, and the Immortal Slaying Formation.
Each form possessed heaven-shattering power. Ultimately, the entire set could be combined into one, forming a grand killing formation that would shake the world. However, with his current strength, Lin Mu could only execute the first three forms of this art. But to deal with a Martial Arts Grandmaster of Liu Xianhe’s caliber, a single Godslayer Finger was more than enough.
Between heaven and earth, only that one finger could be seen, slowly descending. Nothing else existed.
Liu Xianhe was completely immobilized by the terrifying aura. He couldn’t move his body in the slightest and could only watch helplessly as the finger gradually descended.
"No... I don’t want to die!" Fear finally appeared in Liu Xianhe’s eyes. He pleaded with Lin Mu, hoping he would be spared, but Lin Mu paid him no mind.
"Boy, do you really want to fight me to the death?" Liu Xianhe yelled. "Do you have any idea who I am?"
Lin Mu glanced at him, his eyes filled with disdain.
Suppressing his fear, Liu Xianhe said, "I am an Outer Elder of the Ancient Martial Faction’s Crane Immortal Sect. If you kill me, there will be no place for you in this vast world!"
The Ancient Martial Faction was a collective term for all ancient martial sects. For example, the Dragon Tiger Mountain Celestial Master Mansion, where Zhang Yan was from, was one of these sects. Hidden from the mundane world, they possessed the power to influence every aspect of it, just like Dragon Tiger Mountain. The Crane Immortal Sect, to which Liu Xianhe belonged, was also a colossal power not to be underestimated.
"Master Liu is an Outer Elder of the Crane Immortal Sect?"
Some of the martial artists present, who knew of the power these ancient martial factions wielded, were so shocked they were rendered speechless. After all, they were among the weakest in the Martial Arts World. Compared to those ancient martial sects that might not make an appearance for a hundred years, they were utterly insignificant. In their eyes, the Crane Immortal Sect was a supreme existence they wouldn’t even dare to look up to.
Given Lin Mu’s considerable strength, he surely understood the weight an Outer Elder of an ancient martial sect carried.
"The Crane Immortal Sect?" Lin Mu suddenly sneered. "Let alone a mere Outer Elder like you. So what if the Sect Leader of your Crane Immortal Sect came in person? If I want to kill you, no one can stop me!"
These words shocked everyone. Was Lin Mu really going to kill Master Liu? How could he dare?
Liu Xianhe was even more astonished, shouting, "You dare! Boy, if you kill me today, you too will die without a burial ground!"
His tone then softened. "But if you let me go, not only will I forget today’s events, I can even recommend you to the Crane Immortal Sect. With your strength, securing a position as an Elder wouldn’t be difficult."
Liu Xianhe’s words instantly kindled flames of envy and jealousy in the eyes of the crowd. They couldn’t even dream of becoming menial workers in an ancient martial sect, yet Liu Xianhe was now promising to recommend Lin Mu. What a tremendous opportunity! At this thought, their feelings toward Lin Mu turned from simple envy to respect. Only those with absolute strength could ever hope to be noticed by such sects.
Guan Chengye’s expression shifted constantly. If Lin Mu truly accepted, it would be an absolute disaster for the Guan Family. After all, if Lin Mu joined the Crane Immortal Sect, he and Liu Xianhe would be fellow sect members. Would Lin Mu still step in to stop Liu Xianhe from wiping out the Guan Family then?
Even someone as naive as Guan Jiaojiao understood this, and her face turned deathly pale.
Everyone waited for Lin Mu’s decision. They all thought they knew what he would choose, as the choice seemed far too simple and easy.
However, to everyone’s surprise, Lin Mu shook his head.
His calm voice echoed out. "What virtue or ability does your insignificant Crane Immortal Sect possess that would warrant my joining?"
A wave of astonishment swept through the crowd, though many also breathed a sigh of relief. Guan Jiaojiao’s face lit up with joy, her eyes curving into crescent moons. Guan Chengye sighed, a sound mixed with relief and regret. The others, however, thought Lin Mu was either absurdly arrogant or a complete fool for giving up such an incredible opportunity. But they all knew that no one who reached the rank of Martial Arts Grandmaster could possibly be a fool.
Liu Xianhe couldn’t believe his ears. Staring at Lin Mu in shock, he stammered, "You... you refused? How could you refuse?"
Lin Mu replied indifferently, "And why shouldn’t I?"
Liu Xianhe flew into a rage. "Boy, do you realize what a great opportunity you’ve just thrown away? Countless people wish to join my Crane Immortal Sect but don’t even qualify to be servants! If I hadn’t seen your talent and offered to recommend you, when would you ever get a chance like this?"
"Who do you think you are to say such a thing?" Lin Mu’s tone was dismissive. "I am the one who grants opportunities to others. Your insignificant Crane Immortal Sect is not worthy."
As his voice fell, so did his finger.
"It’s time. Be on your way."
The Godslayer Finger descended. Liu Xianhe let out a terrible scream as a series of sickening CRACKS echoed from his body, and blood spurted from his mouth and nose.
BANG!
The next moment, Liu Xianhe’s head exploded. His shoulders, arms, torso, and legs then blew apart in succession. In the blink of an eye, the renowned Grandmaster Liu Xianhe was completely obliterated.
Lin Mu waved a hand, and a gentle breeze swept through, returning peace to the world. He then descended slowly onto the fighting stage, his expression tranquil, as if killing Liu Xianhe hadn’t affected him in the slightest.
Only then did the crowd awaken from their stupor.
Liu Xianhe was dead? Lin Mu really dared to kill a member of the Crane Immortal Sect? Did this man have a death wish?
"Hahaha! Boy, you killed a member of the Crane Immortal Sect! Your life is forfeit!"
A burst of wild laughter suddenly rang out. The crowd then realized that Zhang Yan wasn’t dead. He was staring at Lin Mu with a venomous expression. "Boy, I’ll tell you the truth! The Crane Immortal Sect and my Dragon Tiger Mountain have connections. Since you killed Liu Xianhe today, the Crane Immortal Sect will surely hunt you down for revenge!"
"Oh? Then let them come."
Lin Mu waved his hand. A Thunder Dragon shot from his sleeve and pierced directly through Zhang Yan’s body, leaving not even a trace of him behind.
Everyone stared, slack-jawed, their minds completely blank. Lin Mu had not only killed a man from the Crane Immortal Sect, but one from Dragon Tiger Mountain as well?
This... the Martial Arts World was about to be turned upside down!
"Elder Guan, my apologies," Lin Mu said to the stunned Guan Chengye. "I had intended to give you Liu Xianhe’s head to use as a wine jug, but I seem to have accidentally blown him to bits. You don’t mind, do you?"
Guan Chengye finally snapped back to his senses, shaking his head frantically. "Not at all, not at all! Master Lin’s abilities are heaven-defying! Liu Xianhe got what he deserved."
At this thought, Guan Chengye suddenly dropped to his knees and declared, "From this day forward, the Three Rivers Area will honor Master Lin as its supreme authority!"
Lin Mu’s gaze swept across the crowd, carrying an invisible pressure. Everyone trembled, jolted back to reality, and thunderously fell to their knees.
"From now on, we pledge our allegiance to Master Lin, the Master of the Three Rivers!"