Chapter 457: The Taller Tree in the Woods, Wind Will Destroy!
"Lin Wudi?"
In a luxurious suite inside a four-star hotel in Xiangxi, Yao Kuohai, Dongfeng Po Tian, and a tall middle-aged man were carefully looking at a screen. The video was quite blurry, likely recorded secretly.
On the screen, all that could be seen were two indistinct figures facing off against each other with thunder rolling above their heads, but it was impossible to make out any specific details.
"What a pity this video is too blurry. Coupled with the Great Array being active on Dragon Tiger Mountain, it’s completely impossible to gauge their strength," the middle-aged man said, his brows deeply furrowed as he analyzed the footage carefully.
The battle at Dragon Tiger Mountain had triggered the activation of the Great Array. Since there were no eyewitnesses, the outcome was unclear, especially when viewed through a secretly recorded video. At that time, the Celestial Master Mansion had sealed off the entire Dragon Tiger Mountain, strictly forbidding anyone from ascending or filming.
Although they had used the most advanced equipment, the video quality was so poor it was blurrier than a low-quality film. If it got out, no one would be able to identify the figures as Zhang Daoyun and Lin Wudi.
"However, it’s vaguely evident from the video that Zhang Daoyun’s strength is truly profound. He has reached an extremely high level." The middle-aged man was also filled with shock as he looked at the vast manifestation of will on the screen.
"Even I am no match for this sort of technique," the middle-aged man murmured. "It seems it’s true after all. Lin Wudi lost."
Yao Kuohai spoke from the side, "Of course. Zhang Daoyun admitted it himself—how could it be untrue?"
The middle-aged man’s brows furrowed slightly, clearly indicating some doubt.
"Although Lin Wudi has slain several Grandmasters since his debut, even killing Xing Zirong who was tenth on the Heavenly Ranking, how could he possibly stand a chance against Zhang Daoyun?"
Yao Kuohai said, "Moreover, Po Tian and I were waiting at the foot of Dragon Tiger Mountain, and we didn’t see anyone come down. Lin Wudi must have died at Zhang Daoyun’s hands."
"That’s not right," Dongfeng Po Tian suddenly said. "Although Dragon Tiger Mountain has been sealed off, you can tell from the video that no one died in battle. At most, Lin Wudi was defeated."
"Hmph, even if he isn’t dead, he’s gravely injured," Yao Kuohai snorted coldly. "It would be better if Lin Wudi had died. If he’s not dead, I’ll make his life a living hell!"
Lin Wudi had destroyed the Fire Cloud Sect and killed Liu Xiu and Zhao Dalong, which enraged Yao Kuohai immensely. Everyone in the Martial Alliance and the Military Department knew. The Fire Cloud Sect was a traditional martial arts sect fostered by Yao Kuohai, and Liu Xiu and Zhao Dalong were his people planted in the Military Department. With all three gone, it was like losing one of his arms.
"Dead or not, why don’t we test it and find out?" the middle-aged man suddenly smiled. "Draft a letter of challenge for me. Send it to Lin Wudi and say that I, Nangong Xiu, wish to battle him. Of course, if he’s recovering, I’ll give him time. I will seek him out whenever he has recovered."
The middle-aged man was none other than the Southern Butcher Nangong Xiu, known as one of the four great Grandmasters.
No one knew that he had an extremely good relationship with Western Poison Little Ouyang. The two could be considered martial brothers. With Ouyang Ming killed by Lin Mu, Nangong Xiu naturally had to seek revenge for him.
Dongfeng Po Tian said, "Nangong Xiu, shouldn’t you reconsider?"
"Reconsider what?" Nangong Xiu responded with a faint smile. "Just because Lin Wudi fought Zhang Daoyun, does that mean no one dares to challenge him anymore? I, Nangong Xiu, refuse to believe that!"
"Excellent!" Yao Kuohai slammed the table. "Spoken like the Southern Butcher Grandmaster! Rest assured, this Lin Wudi is nothing but a clown seeking attention. I even suspect that his battle with Zhang Daoyun was just an act they put on together."
Dongfeng Po Tian was surprised. "You mean..."
Yao Kuohai laughed coldly. "That old fellow Xiao deliberately suppressed the news of Liu Xiu’s death, and that was followed by Lin Wudi’s battle with Zhang Daoyun. How could there be no connection between these two incidents?"
Currently, the Huaxia Martial Arts World was divided into several factions. The royalist faction, led by Elder Xiao, was the weakest but had the Sword God watching over them, so the other factions didn’t dare to act rashly. Meanwhile, the extremist faction, led by Yao Kuohai and others, was the strongest and had the most members. The likes of Liu Xiu and Lu Tong belonged to the extremist faction and frequently opposed the royalists.
Dongfeng Po Tian and Nangong Xiu could now be considered part of the extremist faction, viewed by Yao Kuohai as his right-hand men.
Elder Xiao only had the Sword God, Shen Lang, under him. His cultivation level was extremely high, but his personality was such that he disliked dealing with these matters. Therefore, Elder Xiao was continuously trying to cultivate a successor.
Unfortunately, the several individuals he had high hopes for either mysteriously perished or proved to be of little use.
Now there was only Lin Wudi!
Strike him while he’s down!
That was Yao Kuohai’s goal.
"I am now only a step away from that threshold. If I don’t have a formidable opponent to grow stronger through battle, I don’t know how long it will take for me to break through," said Nangong Xiu. "Only a battle of life and death can push me further!"
Dongfeng Po Tian nodded. Lin Wudi’s fame in the Martial Arts World was currently unrivaled. A battle with him would not only stimulate one’s own potential but could also build a great reputation. This was the lifelong pursuit of every martial artist. Dongfeng Po Tian was no exception. However, he truly did not wish to take advantage of another’s predicament, so he had no intention of fighting Lin Wudi.
Just then, Dongfeng Po Tian and Nangong Xiu simultaneously turned to gaze out the window. A bright light flashed across the sky as a piercing Sword Qi soared to the heavens.
"Such powerful sword intent!" Dongfeng Po Tian said with a solemn expression. "Such sword intent can only belong to the Sword God, Shen Lang!"
...
"Commander, in the battle at Dragon Tiger Mountain, Lin Wudi was victorious!" In Jiangling, Shen Lang stood before Elder Xiao, his expression slightly excited.
"Good!" Elder Xiao laughed heartily. "Call that boy and tell him that tomorrow morning, this old man will personally pay him a visit."
Shen Lang’s expression changed. "Commander..."
Elder Xiao smiled faintly. "I helped him suppress news of his victory. That boy is probably complaining about me in his heart. It’s only right that I go and tell him in person."
After a pause, Elder Xiao suddenly narrowed his eyes and smiled. "I hear the kid has created some kind of Cave Heaven Blessed Land. I might as well go take a look and see if there’s anything he needs that I can provide."
Shen Lang was caught between laughter and tears. If you want to take advantage of the situation, just say so. Why dress it up so nicely?
"Then I won’t accompany you, Commander. I have other matters to attend to, so I’ll be leaving now." As soon as Shen Lang finished speaking, he turned and left.
Watching Shen Lang’s retreating figure, Elder Xiao shook his head with a smile. "Little Shen, you’re a Sword God Grandmaster, but you’re too concerned with saving face."
Shen Lang picked up his pace.
Elder Xiao laughed heartily, appearing extremely pleased. "The tallest tree in the forest will be toppled by the wind? You, Lin Wudi, are not one to fear trouble."
Elder Xiao’s smile faded, and he sighed. "But sometimes, it doesn’t hurt to exercise a little forbearance."
「The next morning, at the crack of dawn.」
Jiangling trembled.
The Fang Family had been eradicated