Below the stage, everyone stared dumbfounded, as if struck by lightning.

The great Southern Butcher Nangong Xiu, one of the Four Grandmasters, had actually been blown apart by a young man? This... who would believe it?

Just how formidable was the Southern Butcher? Leaving aside the battle record he had established as one of the Four Grandmasters, just moments ago he had single-handedly plucked off Chen Jindou's head and, with a single palm strike from afar, turned Fang Ping into a pile of mush. In the eyes of ordinary people, this had already surpassed all comprehension.

After all, this wasn't a movie or a novel. This was reality.

But the true reality was that such an extremely powerful person had been blown apart with three punches by the young man on the stage.

He wasn't just killed. He was blown apart! His flesh and blood exploded, splattering across the ground! That body, which the Southern Butcher had claimed was impervious to blades and spears, was smashed open as easily as a watermelon!

Are this young man's fists even mightier than blades and spears?

Below the stage, everyone felt their scalps tingle, their limbs grow weak, and a chill run down their spines.

At this moment, Zheng Mingye's reverence for Lin Mu was now mixed with a new sense of terror.

Is this Lin Mu's true strength? No wonder Master Sun couldn't stop praising him.

"Old... Old Zheng, Mr. Lin, he..." Master Li was also staring wide-eyed, because the strength Lin Mu displayed was simply too domineering.

Is he even human? The youth following Lin Mu had already been terrifying enough when he sent Chang Wei's senior disciple crashing into a wall with a single punch. Who could have imagined Mr. Lin would be even more ferocious? He actually blew a man apart with just three punches!

"Excellent!" a voice boomed. "A magnificent fight!"

A major figure from Jiangling suddenly stood up, clapping his hands. "I, Baldy Xie, have never submitted to anyone in my life, but today, I'm thoroughly convinced! We have greatly underestimated Mr. Lin's strength!"

Following that, a round of applause erupted, and the crowd below the stage cheered.

Zheng Mingye sincerely exclaimed, "Mr. Lin is like a god of war incarnate, comparable to that Lin Wudi of the Martial Arts World."

"Lin Wudi..." Master Li was suddenly startled. "Old Zheng, could it be that Mr. Lin is actually that Lin Wudi?"

Zheng Mingye shuddered, his gaze toward Lin Mu filling with extreme fear. He suddenly remembered that Lin Mu also came from River City. That Lin Wudi, ranked tenth on the Heaven's List, also hailed from River City.

At that moment, Zheng Mingye felt as if he had discovered an earth-shattering secret. He suddenly dropped to his knees. "Zheng Mingye of Jiangling pays his respects to Grandmaster Wudi!"

"Grand... Grandmaster Wudi?" Master Li was startled for a moment. He looked at the man on the stage—his clothes unstained by blood, his aura overwhelming and his dominance unmatched—and his pupils suddenly shrank.

THUD!

Master Li fell to his knees and declared loudly, "Li Dajiao of Jiangling pays his respects to Grandmaster Wudi!"

Hearing the words of Zheng Mingye and Li Dajiao, everyone was stunned, turning their terrified gazes to Lin Mu on the stage.

He's Grandmaster Wudi? He's Lin Wudi?

At this moment, the crowd was shocked once again.

Who in the Martial Arts World didn't know the name Lin Wudi? Any major figure with some status knew a little about the Martial Arts World. Lin Wudi was the fierce man ranked tenth on the Heaven's List. Legend had it that he was invincible from the moment he debuted, having slain countless Grandmasters!

Even just a few days ago, it was said that he fought Heavenly Master Zhang Daoyun on Dragon Tiger Mountain. But wasn't it rumored that he lost? How could he be in Jiangling now?

Now, seeing Lin Mu's dominant display, everyone had the same startling thought.

Perhaps Lin Wudi had actually won the battle at Dragon Tiger Mountain!

Shi Potian stood below the stage watching Lin Mu's figure, a trace of envy in his eyes.

I wonder when I'll be able to catch up to Elder Brother Mu. Shi Potian clenched his fists, his eyes shining with determination.

Lin Mu ignored the applause and cheers, instead bending down to pick up a ring from the ground. The ring had fallen from Nangong Xiu's body, and Lin Mu picked it up not because he found it attractive, but because it was inlaid with a green, emerald-like object.

Moreover, this gem was emitting a strange fluctuation.

Just as I thought!

The moment Lin Mu held the ring, he understood. The gemstone on the ring was none other than a Spirit Core.

Heaven and earth brought forth myriad things. Grass, trees, fish, insects, birds, and beasts could all develop spiritual intelligence and cultivate into powerful beings if they gathered the spiritual energy of the world. It was similar to the Spirit Core of the Innate Spirit Wood that Lin Mu had obtained before. The gemstone on Nangong Xiu's ring was also a Spirit Core.

"A Netherworld Flower!" Lin Mu's eyes lit up. It was actually a Netherworld Flower Spirit Core.

Netherworld Flowers grow in places where resentful energy condenses, absorbing the world's resentment, murderous intent, and all other negative emotions. However, once a Netherworld Flower condenses a Spirit Core, it can dissolve all malevolent energy, becoming pure and untainted, and is exceptionally nourishing to the soul.

This is just perfect for Luo Li.

Lin Mu gently closed his hand around it. Qin Luoli's Life Soul had once left her body, and although Lin Mu had found a way to return it, her physical body was still affected. With this Netherworld Flower Spirit Core, the benefits for Qin Luoli after she absorbed it would be beyond imagination. Moreover, Lin Mu had already begun to temper Qin Luoli's body, hoping she could start her cultivation soon.

My luck is really good! Who would have thought that killing someone at random would yield such a fine treasure?

As he stepped off the stage, some of the bosses from Jiangling hurriedly gathered around.

Zheng Mingye and Li Dajiao took the initiative to greet Lin Mu with a cupped-fist salute. "Mr. Lin, you are unmatched in bravery!"

"Mr. Lin truly stands unrivaled in the world!"

"Greetings, Master Lin!"

In reality, these people hadn't thought much of Lin Mu at first. After all, his opponent was the Southern Butcher, one of the four Grandmasters. His strength and methods had already surpassed the comprehension of ordinary people. Coupled with Lin Mu's youth, he was simply unconvincing. But now, Lin Mu had proven himself with sheer power, simultaneously subduing these bigwigs of Jiangling. Therefore, their respect for Lin Mu was now sincere.

"Master Lin, if you ever need anything in the future, just say the word, and I, Baldy Xie, will certainly do everything in my power!" a man with a bald patch thumped his chest as he proclaimed loudly.

The crowd was somewhat surprised to hear this. Baldy Xie was a well-known figure not just in Jiangling but throughout Han River Province, with vast influence. Even the Fang Family would show him deference. Although he was slowly legitimizing his affairs, Baldy Xie still wielded immense influence in both legitimate and illegitimate circles.

Meanwhile, Zheng Mingye, Jiangling's wealthiest man, held Lin Mu in complete and utter admiration. Li Dajiao was the Vice President of the Jiangling Martial Arts Association; as for President Chen Jindou, he had already been killed.

These individuals were among the top figures of Han River Province, yet they all showed the utmost respect for Lin Mu. At this very moment, Lin Mu had become the most powerful presence in the entire province.

Thus, people began to pledge their allegiance one after another, expressing their deference.

"Mr. Lin," Li Dajiao suddenly spoke up. "Since the President of the Jiangling Martial Arts Association, Chen Jindou, has been killed by the Southern Butcher, if you would do us the honor, why not take his place as President?"

"The Martial Arts Association?" Lin Mu frowned. "Forget it. I'm used to a quiet life and don't like getting involved in such trivial matters."

"Does Mr. Lin think that the Martial Arts Association and the Martial Alliance are the same?" Zheng Mingye said with a smile. "Mr. Lin, you can rest assured. The Martial Alliance is under the jurisdiction of the Military Department, but the Martial Arts Association is organized locally. Besides, the position of President is merely honorary. To be frank, Mr. Lin, all of us here are members of this Martial Arts Association."

Li Dajiao added with a wry smile, "We'd love to join the Martial Alliance, but they wouldn't have us."

In fact, the Martial Arts Association wasn't just for martial artists; it also included many wealthy businessmen who paid hefty annual membership fees. And each president received a substantial stipend for doing nothing at all. What was not to like?

Hearing Li Dajiao's explanation, Lin Mu thought for a moment and then accepted the offer.

In doing so, I'm not only looking out for myself but also for the Qin Corporation and my future development.

With this single battle, Lin Mu had thoroughly established his footing in Jiangling. The impact of the Fang Family's eradication had been minimized to the point that no one dared to even mention it.

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