"What was that? Did you see it?"

At the Chu Family's villa, everyone stared at the mountain behind them, their faces filled with panic and shock.

"I can't see clearly, but something terrible must have happened up there!"

"No kidding! It's not even winter, but the whole mountain is frozen solid. Something horrible must have happened."

"What could possibly have such terrifying power that it can affect the climate?"

"I don't know."

The event was so world-shakingly bizarre that no one dared go up the mountain to investigate. Besides, with the mountain encased in ice, you couldn't even get close without suffering from the cold.

"Look! The ice is melting!"

At that moment, someone cried out in surprise as the thick frost on the mountain began to melt. Before anyone could react, their eyes widened in unison. A look of pure shock appeared on their faces because, from within the now-melting mountain, two figures were slowly walking down.

The man in the lead was dressed in casual attire with his hands clasped behind his back. He looked as if he were returning from a leisurely stroll to view the scenery, his expression serene and composed.

With every step he took, the frost on the ground receded. It was as if the very ice was afraid of him.

"This... this..." Even Elder Fan, who was worldly and experienced, stared wide-eyed and drew in a sharp, cold breath at the sight.

The ice and frost melted away from his every footstep! What kind of power was this? Magic? A supernatural ability? It was simply terrifying!

THUD.

With his next step, Lin Mu was standing in the Chu Family's courtyard. Behind him, the mountain had already returned to its original state.

Seeing Lin Mu, Elder Fan's face twitched, and his voice trembled. "Young... Young Master Mu!"

Lin Mu? Could he be the famous Young Master Mu of Handong Province? Upon hearing Elder Fan, everyone stared at Lin Mu in utter shock.

When Lin Mu had gone up the mountain earlier, no one had gotten a clear look at him. But seeing him now, so young, left everyone astounded.

He can't be thirty yet, can he? And he's already famous throughout Handong Province?

They had just been asking about the rumors surrounding Lin Mu, but seeing him in person was still a shock. He was just so young.

In the whole of Handong Province, every major figurehead was a balding, gray-haired man well into middle age. Never in history had there been a powerhouse as young as Lin Mu.

"Fan Buwei of the Fan family pays his respects to Young Master Mu!"

Elder Fan stepped forward and gave Lin Mu a fist-and-palm salute, his posture extremely deferential. He couldn't help it; Lin Mu's status was simply too overwhelming.

"Hmph! What 'Young Master Mu'? I don't buy it!" a portly middle-aged man sneered as he stepped forward. Eyeing Lin Mu sideways, he asked, "Kid, are you really this 'Young Master Mu' character?"

Lin Mu gave a slight nod.

An arrogant expression on his face, clearly not taking Lin Mu seriously, the middle-aged man continued, "I hear you have some sway in Handong and started that Coiling Dragon Bay project. I'm quite interested in it. Shall we talk?"

Though he framed it as a talk, his demeanor was haughty and even aggressive.

"And who might you be? Why should I talk with you?" Lin Mu asked, a smile playing on his lips that didn't quite reach his eyes.

"On the strength of these three words: Shen Qianhao!" he declared, full of himself.

Hearing this name, the crowd was taken aback.

"Shen Qianhao? *The* Shen Qianhao?"

"You don't know Shen Qianhao? He's from Suzhou and a man with a formidable background. The Shen Family is big in local real estate and non-ferrous metal development. They have deep roots and widespread influence; they're not people you can afford to provoke."

"Hiss... I had no idea Chu Zhengbo managed to invite him. I didn't see him here earlier."

"Well, what you might not know is that Chu Zhengbo and this Shen Qianhao are close business partners. It's only natural he'd come to congratulate him on such a joyous occasion."

Anyone who can secure the development rights for non-ferrous metals must have a powerful background. No wonder he dared to speak to Lin Mu that way.

A mix of tension and excitement crossed everyone's faces. They were tense because both men were major figures you couldn't afford to offend. They were excited to see who would come out on top if these two were to clash.

"If you're smart, you'll take the initiative and give up a slice of Coiling Dragon Bay. There's money for everyone to make, right?" Shen Qianhao said with a smug smile. "After all, stick with me, Shen Qianhao, and you won't lose out."

Lin Mu glanced at him indifferently. "Stick with you? Are you even worthy?"

Lin Mu's words startled everyone. This Young Master Mu was just as domineering and aggressive as the rumors claimed. He didn't even regard Shen Qianhao as significant.

Logically, they were all in the world of business. No matter who Shen Qianhao was, Lin Mu was his junior and shouldn't have been so confrontational. Besides, Shen Qianhao was known for his explosive temper.

Sure enough, the moment the words left Lin Mu's mouth, Shen Qianhao snorted coldly. "You've got some nerve. I only call you 'Young Master Mu' out of courtesy. Without it, what the hell are you?"

A cold, disdainful smile crept onto his face. "If your little project at Coiling Dragon Bay weren't somewhat interesting, do you really think I'd pay any attention to you? Piss me off, and I'll make sure you lose every penny!"

First, state your identity. Second, promise benefits. If that fails, resort to threats. This was Shen Qianhao's signature style.

Lin Mu smiled faintly. "Spirit Seer, teach him the meaning of respect."

"Yes, Master!"

The Spirit Seer stepped forward, carelessly tossing Chu Zhengbo to the ground before reaching for Shen Qianhao.

"Hmph?"

Shen Qianhao's expression shifted, but he only sneered. "Rip his arms off for me!"

"Yes, sir!"

Two men stepped out from behind Shen Qianhao. They were his personal bodyguards, both powerful experts of the Martial Way. They exchanged glances and advanced on the Spirit Seer, cold smirks on their faces.

An old fossil with one foot in the grave dares to pick a fight like some young punk? He must be looking for death!

"A mere firefly dares to challenge the radiance of the moon!" the Spirit Seer snorted. With a single slap, the two experts at the Internal Energy Early Stage spat out mouthfuls of blood and were sent flying.

"How is that possible?"

The two men clutched their chests, staring at the Spirit Seer in pure shock.

"Who are you? How can you be so powerful?"

The Spirit Seer smiled coldly. "I am the Spirit Seer. Perhaps you've heard the name?"

"What?"

One of the Martial Artists exclaimed. After a closer look, his eyes went wide with recognition. He scrambled to his knees and began kowtowing frantically. "Master, spare my life! This junior was blind and failed to recognize your greatness! I have offended you, Master, please spare me!"

"Get lost. If I see you again, I will kill you on the spot!"

The Spirit Seer commanded coldly. The two Martial Artists scrambled to their feet and fled, looking as pathetic and panicked as stray, beaten dogs.

Shen Qianhao stared blankly as his two bodyguards disappeared into the distance. When he finally snapped out of it, he roared, "You worthless cowards! What are you running for?"

"If we didn't run, we'd be waiting to die! That's the Spirit Seer, renowned throughout the Southeast Five Provinces! Boss Shen, if you don't want to bring disaster upon the Shen Family, you'd better get on your knees and apologize, fast!" A voice drifted back as they vanished from sight.

Shen Qianhao's face was a mask of horror as he stared at the Spirit Seer. An icy chill ran down his spine, his limbs feeling weak and boneless.

The Spirit Seer? How could it be him? The terrifying figure venerated as a living god across the Southeast Five Provinces?

"Kneel and apologize to the Master!" the Spirit Seer commanded coldly. Shen Qianhao's legs turned to jelly, and he collapsed to his knees with a thud.

"Master... spare my life!"

The once-arrogant Shen Qianhao was now kneeling on the ground, begging for his life without a shred of his former pride.

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