Chapter 211: The Retaliation of the Martial Alliance!
The Sky List.
It was created by the Martial Alliance, and most who know of it are extraordinary martial artists. Those who can enter the Sky List are one in ten thousand; all of them are Martial Arts Grandmasters. This list, which encompasses the entire Huaxia Martial Arts World, contains only fifty names.
One could only imagine the storm it would create in the Martial Arts World once it was published.
The Sky List had not been updated for nearly twenty years, and every update caused a sensation.
When numerous martial artists opened their computers and logged into the heavily encrypted martial arts forum, their breathing grew heavy as they stared at the bold, golden characters hanging at the top of the homepage.
"The Huaxia Sky List!"
Everyone subconsciously swallowed and clicked on it with feverish excitement.
"Sky List, 50th Place—One-Armed Blade Feng Biyuan. Age: 51. Realm: Martial Arts Grandmaster. Twenty years ago, he shocked the world with his domineering blade technique, known for its wide, sweeping, and overwhelmingly powerful style. He was later defeated by Beiming Qingyan."
"Sky List, 49th Place—Outer Barrier Silver Spear Qiu Yuhai. Age: 47. Realm: Martial Arts Grandmaster. His family’s spear technique has reached a state of perfection..."
"Sky List, 21st Place—Dragon Tiger Mountain Yun Xu. Age: 67. Realm: Martial Arts Grandmaster. Skilled in Thunder Law, versed in talismans, and proficient in swordsmanship. Thirty years ago, he failed in his bid for the title of Heavenly Master. He later challenged various Martial Arts Grandmasters, securing the twenty-first spot on the Sky List. Died at the hands of Lin Wudi on the Bolan River and was removed from the Sky List the following day."
"..."
"Sky List, 20th Place—Northern Blade Beiming Qingyan. Age: 41. Realm: Martial Arts Grandmaster. Her blade technique has reached the pinnacle. She often practices in the wilderness of the Northern Ridges and has been undefeated since her debut. She once defeated the One-Armed Blade Feng Biyuan."
"Sky List, 19th Place—Southern Butcher Nangong Xiu. Age: 55. Realm: Martial Arts Grandmaster. A merciless and vicious man. During his debut, he killed every opponent he challenged."
"Sky List, 18th Place—Western Poison Xiao Ouyang. Age: 45. Realm: Martial Arts Grandmaster. Adept at using poison and can command various venomous creatures."
"Sky List, 17th Place—East Madness Dong Feng Potian. Age: unknown. Rumor has it that he debuted early, challenging masters ranked below twentieth on the Sky List. After being defeated by the Sword God Shen Lang, he went to the East Sea to practice his boxing."
...
"Sky List, 16th Place—River City Lin Wudi. Age: 30. Realm: Unknown. Suspected Martial Arts Grandmaster. His appearance in the martial arts world was sudden. He challenged, defeated, and killed Yun Xu on the Bolan River. Hailed as the Master of the Three Rivers and known as Lin Wudi."
"Sky List, 15th Place—Shu Land Yang Wen..."
"Sky List, 14th Place—Shu Land Yang Wu..."
"Sky List, 13th Place—Xing Ge Da Wa of the Tibetan Lands..."
"Sky List, 12th Place—Demon City Qin Chuan..."
"Sky List, 10th Place—Southern Sky Xing Zirong..."
The rest of the list remained unchanged. As is the custom of the Martial Alliance, ranks one through ten are hidden from the public.
After finally going through the list, everyone was utterly shocked.
No one could have imagined that Lin Wudi would jump to sixteenth place after just one battle.
"Sixteenth place—Lin Wudi!"
Once this list was published, the world was astounded.
"How is this possible?"
"Although Lin Wudi did slay Yun Xu, does that really qualify him to be ranked in the top sixteen?"
"I think it’s perfectly normal. Have you all forgotten how Yun Xu died? Lin Wudi killed him with a single hand. Moreover, Lin Wudi completely suppressed Yun Xu from start to finish."
"Heh heh, but did none of you notice something interesting? Lin Wudi is now ranked ahead of the Four Great Grandmasters. And those four, now behind him, were all considered top-tier Grandmasters on the previous list. That’s something to think about."
"..."
"Huh, now that you mention it, I didn’t notice. The Four Great Grandmasters have been famous for a long time. Although they haven’t made an appearance in years, they were once formidable and renowned figures on the Sky List. The Martial Alliance’s decision to rank them this way is very telling."
Amid their shock, everyone else noticed the issue.
With this move, the Martial Alliance was essentially making Lin Wudi a target.
You had to understand, never mind the Grandmasters from rank eleven to fifteen, but the four famous ones now ranked just behind him—East Madness, Western Poison, Southern Butcher, and Northern Blade—had been undefeated since their debuts.
Some people almost laughed out loud.
There were rumors that Lin Wudi had once severed the arm of Lu Tong, a Helmsman of the Martial Alliance, with a single sword strike on the Bolan River. Furthermore, it seemed Mr. Liu from the Military Department, who had gone to River City to observe the battle, was also knocked into the water by Lin Wudi.
Considering the new rankings, it wasn’t hard to see that this was the Martial Alliance’s deliberate retaliation against Lin Wudi, with the Military Department likely involved as well. After all, the Yang brothers from Shu Land, Yang Wen and Yang Wu, were both from the Military Department.
Then there was Qin Chuan from Demon City, another master of the Sword Dao, who called himself the ’Little Sword God’ and specifically challenged other sword experts. He would naturally seek out Lin Wudi.
It seemed there was a good show on the horizon.
「Late at night.」
In a lavishly decorated private room of the River City Grand Hotel, a number of people were gathered. If an outsider saw this scene, they would be shocked speechless.
Those present were all the patriarchs and heads of River City’s most powerful families.
There was the Patriarch of the Guan Family, Guan Chengye; the Liang Family Head, Liang Yue; the Patriarch of the Song Family, Song Wen...
However, at this moment, these powerful figures were perched on the edge of their seats, looking respectfully at a young man in the seat of honor.
The young man had his head down and was using his chopsticks to feast on a table laden with rare delicacies. The battle during the day hadn’t consumed much of his energy, but Lin Mu still felt a bit hungry.
Only after he had nearly finished all the dishes did Lin Mu put down his chopsticks, let out a satisfied burp, and look up at the others.
After the plates were cleared and a pot of fine tea was brought in, Guan Chengye asked tentatively, "Master Lin, may I know why you have summoned us here tonight?"
Lin Mu took a sip of tea before speaking. "Gentlemen, I’ve called you here at such a late hour to offer you a great opportunity. I also have something to tell you."
A great opportunity?
Despite the offer, the men were more concerned about what Lin Mu was about to say.
"Master Lin, please feel free to speak your mind," Elder Guan coughed, taking the initiative.
Song Wen, who was beside him, quickly nodded. "Yes, Master Lin, if you have any instructions, please do not hesitate to ask."
He had heard about the day’s battle from his granddaughter, and his words were now laced with hints that he hoped his granddaughter could grow closer to Master Lin.
Lin Mu took a small porcelain bottle from his clothes. It was transparent, and inside, several smooth, white, round objects rolled about.
In an instant, all eyes were drawn to the small porcelain bottle.
What is this?
"Master Lin, could this be..."
Only Elder Guan seemed to realize what it was, his expression turning to one of excitement as he exclaimed, "These are elixirs!"
The moment he saw the porcelain bottle, Guan Chengye remembered that Lin Mu had taken out a similar one when treating his son, Guan Xinhe. Given Lin Mu’s abilities, any elixir he provided would surely be extraordinary.
Lin Mu nodded. "Correct. These are the Essence Cultivating Pills I have concocted. Not only can they eliminate hidden ailments, but they can also help you break through your current cultivation realms."
Instantly, everyone’s breathing became ragged, their faces flushing as they stared greedily at the porcelain bottle in Lin Mu’s hands.
Lin Mu placed the bottle on the table. "Gentlemen, please, have a taste of my Essence Cultivating Pills."
While the others were still hesitating, Guan Chengye impatiently grabbed the bottle, tipped out a round elixir, and swallowed it in one gulp.