HISS!

A sound like the hiss of a giant python echoed as the massive Fire Python was split in two.

PFFT!

A figure shot out from the sparks—it was the old crone. At this moment, however, she looked utterly wretched. Her snake-headed staff was broken in two, her hair was singed, her clothing was tattered, and she reeked of a burnt stench. As she appeared, all the disciples of the Fire Cloud Sect spewed blood, their faces turning pale with shock and horror.

"How is this possible... How is this possible!" the old crone cried in disbelief, her hoarse voice roaring at Lin Mu. "How did you do it!?"

Lin Mu clasped his hands behind his back and looked at her indifferently. "The glow of a firefly dares to compete with the brilliance of the moon. I don't know whether to call you arrogant or just foolish."

"COUGH! COUGH!" Provoked by Lin Mu's words, the old crone coughed violently, spitting out a mouthful of blood.

"Lin Wudi, a warrior can be killed but not humiliated!" the old crone said coldly. "Don't push us too far!"

"And what if I do?" Lin Mu's eyes narrowed. "Are you going to kill me?"

"You..." The old crone sprayed out another mouthful of blood, her breathing ragged.

Lin Mu said flatly, "Enough. Have the Sect Leader of the Fire Cloud Sect come out. You are not my opponent."

"Lin Wudi, you are too presumptuous!" the old crone fumed. "Who do you think our Sect Leader is? Someone you can see just because you wish it?"

Lin Mu's stance was domineering. "If he doesn't come out, I'll personally invite him out myself!"

His aura surged as he prepared to make his move.

"Stop!" a roaring voice commanded. A streak of firelight shot toward them, materializing before Lin Mu. It was the red-robed elder from Fang Tang's study.

"Great Elder!"

"The Great Elder is here!"

"We're saved!"

The appearance of the elder ignited a wave of excitement among the Fire Cloud Sect disciples. After the Sect Leader, the Great Elder was the strongest in the entire sect, having reached the Transformative Realm. No one in the Fire Cloud Sect dared to underestimate him. So what if Lin Wudi was formidable?

"Who are you to trespass on our sect's grounds and harm our elders and disciples? Do you think the Fire Cloud Sect is defenseless?" As the Great Elder spoke, a terrifying pressure burst forth, enveloping Lin Mu.

However, Lin Mu's expression didn't change in the slightest; he simply watched the Great Elder with an indifferent gaze.

Who exactly is this person? How can he withstand my oppressive aura? A sliver of shock entered the Great Elder's heart.

The old crone at his side said, "Great Elder, he is Lin Wudi!"

"What?" the Great Elder exclaimed, stunned. "You are Lin Wudi?!"

"Indeed," Lin Mu replied calmly.

Taking a deep breath, the Great Elder said with a grave expression, "Lin Wudi, as I recall, there is no enmity between you and the Fire Cloud Sect, correct?"

Lin Mu remained silent.

The old crone recounted the preceding events to the Great Elder. After listening, his expression turned exceedingly ugly.

"So that's what happened," the Great Elder sighed. A cold light flickered in his eyes as he said to Lin Mu, "Lin Wudi, both our sides are at fault. Can we stop here?" Fearing refusal, he quickly added, "Rest assured, the Fire Cloud Sect will give you a satisfactory explanation."

"Great Elder!" the old crone protested, her expression changing.

The Great Elder shot her a cold glance. She flinched and immediately fell silent.

"An explanation?" Lin Mu said with a smile that wasn't a smile. "I wonder what kind of explanation the Fire Cloud Sect can give me?"

"This..." The Great Elder was momentarily at a loss for a suitable answer. He was only trying to stall for time.

Lin Mu spoke again. "Don't bother stalling. I came here today for one purpose only." A cold smirk played on his lips. "To annihilate your entire Fire Cloud Sect!"

As his words fell, the faces of all the Fire Cloud Sect disciples changed dramatically, their expressions filled with utter horror.

"Lin Wudi, are you truly determined to do this?" the Great Elder said in a frigid tone. "Have you considered the consequences? If we clash, it will start a blood feud!"

"A blood feud?" Lin Mu said dismissively. "You really think too highly of yourself. Now that I'm here, do you believe I'd let a single person from the Fire Cloud Sect escape?"

First, the Fang Family of River City had invited members of the Fire Cloud Sect to help them, and he had killed them. Afterward, the Jiangling Fang Family and the Fire Cloud Sect had colluded to destroy his foundation in River City and harm his loved ones. If Lin Mu hadn't arrived in time, who knows what would have happened. From that moment, Lin Mu had sworn to eradicate both the Fire Cloud Sect and the Fang Family.

Today, he would start with the Fire Cloud Sect.

"Lin Wudi, if you do this, aren't you afraid the Martial Alliance will come after you?" the Great Elder raged, shocked that Lin Mu was so impervious to reason.

"The Martial Alliance?" Lin Mu scoffed. "The Martial Alliance has an ironclad rule: ancient martial sects and Martial Artists are forbidden from harming ordinary people. When your Fire Cloud Sect and the Fang Family conspired to wreak havoc in River City and harm my wife, did you ever consider this day would come?"

"This..." For a moment, the Great Elder was at a loss for words. It was, after all, an unassailable law established at the Martial Alliance's founding.

"Hmph, a few mere mortals. If they die, they die." Just then, a disdainful voice rang out, dripping with arrogance and indifference.

"Major General Liu!" Hearing the voice, the Great Elder was overjoyed and let out a long sigh of relief. Thank goodness, the reinforcements had arrived.

A middle-aged man in a major general's uniform walked over, a mocking expression on his face. "Master Lin, Lin Wudi. We meet again."

The newcomer was Liu Xiu. However, this Liu Xiu was different from the one Lin Mu had met in River City. Dressed in full military attire, he radiated an imposing aura. Most importantly, flanking him were two tall men also in uniform, their insignia marking them as colonels. The two exuded an aura of iron and blood, their gazes as sharp and piercing as eagles.

"Major General Liu, you've finally arrived!" The Great Elder's expression relaxed, and he even wore the smug smile of a man whose cunning plan had succeeded.

"Rest assured, Great Elder. The Fire Cloud Sect is a renowned ancient martial sect in Jiangling and an indispensable force within the Martial Alliance. I would never stand by and watch someone harm a single disciple of your sect," Liu Xiu declared, glancing dismissively at Lin Mu. "Should anyone dare to violate the laws of the Martial Alliance, I, Liu, will certainly see that justice is done for you!"

BANG!

With a wave of Liu Xiu's hand, the two colonels behind him drew their pistols and fired a shot into the air.

Shortly after the crisp gunshot faded, everyone felt the ground begin to shake. Within minutes, the pupils of the Fire Cloud Sect disciples constricted, their mouths falling agape in astonishment. Row after row of armed soldiers appeared in the Fire Cloud Sect's plaza, surrounding Lin Mu completely.

CLICK!

In unison, the soldiers raised their rifles and aimed them at Lin Mu. A single command from Liu Xiu was all it would take for them to open fire and turn Lin Mu into a sieve.

HISS!

The disciples of the Fire Cloud Sect all drew a sharp breath, their faces etched with disbelief. The reinforcements the Great Elder had summoned were an actual army!

The Fire Cloud Sect was saved!

A faint smile touched Liu Xiu's lips as he looked at Lin Mu, his tone dripping with mockery. "Well, Master Lin? Do you still wish to continue with the annihilation of the Fire Cloud Sect?"

Faced with Liu Xiu's mockery and rows of soldiers aiming their weapons at him, Lin Mu's expression remained unchanged. Only the curve of his lips grew wider.

"What are you laughing at!" Seeing Lin Mu smile, Liu Xiu flew into a rage. He hated Lin Mu's smile more than anything. Ever since River City, this man had been nothing but defiant, repeatedly challenging his authority. It was outrageous!

Lin Mu looked at Liu Xiu and grinned. "I'm laughing at your sheer stupidity for rushing over here, so eager to die."

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