Chapter 358: Breakthrough in Realm, the Twelve-Fold Towers!
"On what grounds?"
In the hall, Qin Luoli’s expression was grim as she looked at the man on the stage.
East China Technology, Xinglong Real Estate, Fan’s Enterprises... so many companies were actually preparing to terminate their cooperation with Qin Corporation? And they even wanted her to hand over all her previous shares?
Don’t these people fear Lin Mu coming back to cause them trouble?
"On what grounds?"
Standing atop the platform, Chen Wen spoke coldly, "Because your Qin Corporation forcibly took all of these assets. Asking you to hand them over is merely returning them to their rightful owners!"
Chen Wen was Chen Xinlan’s older brother and the current head of the Chen Family. This conference was just one part of a series of plans against the Qin Corporation.
"And what if I refuse?" Qin Luoli clenched her fists, glaring coldly at Chen Wen. "Are you really going to try and force my hand?"
Chen Wen sneered, "Of course not. Someone else will simply be here to uphold justice."
The doors to the hall were suddenly flung open, and a figure slowly walked in. He was young, only in his early thirties, but he carried an imperious air about him.
"Let me introduce him. This is Fang Shaoning from the Jiangling Fang Family. Young Master Ning!" With a fawning smile, Chen Wen said, "Young Master Ning has come to River City regarding the matter of Fang Cheng and his family."
At these words, Qin Luoli’s expression subtly changed.
The Jiangling Fang Family! They actually came.
The expressions of everyone else in the hall changed as well. Rumor had it that the River City Fang Family was annihilated by Lin Mu, and Lin Mu was Qin Luoli’s husband. The purpose of Fang Shaoning’s visit to River City was self-evident.
As expected, Fang Shaoning slowly ascended the platform. He looked down imperiously at Qin Luoli and said, "Qin Luoli? I’ll give you one chance. Hand over Lin Mu, or prepare for the Qin Corporation to be destroyed!"
"Choose one." His tone was domineering, carrying an authority that brooked no argument.
"The Qin Corporation has stood tall until today, and we have never feared anyone!" Qin Luoli declared, meeting Fang Shaoning’s gaze without a trace of fear. "If you dare harm a single hair on the Qin Corporation, I, Qin Luoli, will never let you go, even if you are from the Jiangling Fang Family!"
The audience held its breath. Qin Luoli truly lived up to her reputation as the Empress of River City, showing no fear even when facing the Jiangling Fang Family. But the Jiangling Fang Family was not something the small Qin Family of River City could possibly resist.
"Hmph." Fang Shaoning nodded. "I’m not here for your opinion. You have three days. Either hand over Lin Mu or prepare for the Qin Corporation to be annihilated!"
Having said this, Fang Shaoning turned and strode away. As he reached the door, he paused and added coldly, "This is the consequence for daring to harm my Fang Family!"
Only after Fang Shaoning had left did everyone awaken from their shock. This seemed to be the prelude to war. Many gazes filled with pity and sighs turned toward Qin Luoli. No matter how powerful the Qin Corporation was, it was merely a slightly larger ant before the Jiangling Fang Family.
What would she choose? While the crowd sighed, some also took delight in her misfortune.
If there’s anyone to blame, it’s Qin Luoli for her poor judgment in choosing a man like Lin Mu. See? Hasn’t he brought disaster upon the Qin Corporation?
From the shadows, Chen Xinlan watched Qin Luoli’s pale face, her eyes filled with satisfaction.
Qin Luoli, I told you I’d make your downfall a miserable one!
"Qin Luoli, let me give you some advice. Don’t fight the Jiangling Fang Family. You can’t win," Chen Wen said, feigning kindness. "Lin Mu destroyed the Fang Family, so they will certainly not let him off. I hope you make a wise choice."
"Hmph, he brought this on himself!" Chen Xinlan couldn’t help but interject. "Just because he knows a little kung fu, he goes around killing whomever he pleases. Now that a catastrophe is upon him, he’s run off to save his own skin. Lin Mu is no man at all!"
BANG!
As soon as Chen Xinlan finished speaking, a loud sound echoed as a dark shadow flew through the air and crashed into her.
"Ah!"
Two screams rang out. Everyone saw Chen Xinlan lying on the ground, pinned beneath another person. The man on top of her was a bloody mess, looking as if he were dead.
Luo Jinping! It was none other than the Young Master of the Luo Family, Luo Jinping! But now, one of his hands was mangled, and one of his legs was bent at an unnatural angle, as if it had been twisted off.
"I warned you not to bully Sister Qin!" A figure slowly walked into the hall, standing protectively in front of Qin Luoli. It was Shi Potian.
"Kid, you’re courting death!" Chen Wen stared at Shi Potian, his eyes filled with an icy chill. This boy had already struck his sister before, and now he dared to do it again. Did he think the Chen Family were pushovers?
"Men! Cripple him for me!" Chen Wen roared, and several bodyguards instantly charged toward Shi Potian.
"Sister Qin, stay close! I’ll get you out of here!" Shi Potian grabbed Qin Luoli’s arm. "These people want to harm you. I heard everything!"
"Don’t let them go! Stop them!" Chen Wen’s expression changed as he ordered the bodyguards to intercept the pair.
"Chen Wen, if you lay a hand on me, Lin Mu will not let you off when he returns!" Qin Luoli said coldly.
A flash of killing intent appeared in Chen Wen’s eyes. "You should worry about yourself first! If Lin Mu dares to come back, he is as good as dead!"
Qin Luoli’s face paled slightly. She turned to Shi Potian and said, "Xiao Tian, hurry, let’s go!"
"Alright!"
Shi Potian grabbed Qin Luoli, sent a bodyguard flying with a single punch, and charged toward the exit. But countless more bodyguards swarmed forward, encircling them. Seeing this, the guests hastily scrambled out of the way. The Chen Family had gone completely mad, daring to attack Qin Luoli in public!
Watching the surrounded Qin Luoli, Chen Wen’s eyes were filled with murderous intent. "Qin Luoli, if you must blame someone, blame Lin Mu!"
...
「Southern Sky.」
「Thunder Mountain.」
Lin Mu’s eyes snapped open, a cold glint shooting three feet from his gaze. While in seclusion, he had felt an inexplicable sense of unease.
Could Luo Li be in trouble?
He trusted his instincts. Once a cultivator’s strength reached a certain level, they developed a Heavenly Sense. He would be able to feel it if someone close to him was in danger.
The Magic Artifact I gave Luo Li can block several deadly attacks, and Shi Potian has awakened and gone to the Qin Family.
When Lin Mu had slapped Shi Potian, it was to help awaken his spirit and pass the Indestructible God-Devil Body technique to him. He believed that Shi Potian could handle even the greatest of dangers. Still, a strong sense of unease lingered in his heart.
I can’t wait any longer. I must leave my seclusion and return to River City!
At that thought, Lin Mu took a great breath. The spiritual energy in the heavens and earth suddenly surged toward him in a frantic torrent, which he swallowed into his body.
BOOM!
A muffled sound erupted from within Lin Mu.
Qi Refining Eleventh Layer!
BOOM! BOOM!
Immediately after, two more sounds rang out in unison, and Lin Mu’s aura skyrocketed.
Twelfth Level of Qi Refining!
As Lin Mu’s cultivation level shot straight to the Twelfth Level of Qi Refining, all the spiritual energy within a hundred-mile radius of Thunder Mountain swarmed toward him, triggering a strange phenomenon in the heavens and the earth.
Lightning flashed and torrential rain poured down, as if it were the end of the world. For a time, everyone in the realm of Southern Sky felt a sense of impending doom