In the 21st century, information technology was incredibly advanced; news from one second could be shared with tens of thousands via the internet in the next. The clash between Lin Mo and Qing Xuan at the Jia Auction quickly spread like wildfire across the Martial Arts Forum.
Lin Mo was the Strongest King on the Qingyun List, and now he represented the entire Mortal Martial Arts World and the Magic World.
Although Lin Mo had killed a Heavenly Sect disciple in Kunlun Mountain, that disciple was merely an ordinary one from the Qingxuan Sect. But this time, Lin Mo had a dispute with Qing Xuan, the master of the Qingxuan Sect, and they agreed to duel over Qinghai Lake. This was not just a fight between two people but also a battle for the dignity of the Martial Arts World.
Cultivators from the Heavenly Sect had always looked down upon the Mortal Martial Arts World, even comparing its populace to 'apes,' causing widespread anger yet helplessness among the community. After all, the ones currently emerging from the Heavenly Sect were only the younger generation; no one knew whether the old monsters inside would take action if provoked.
If Lin Mo could defeat Qing Xuan, the people of Heavenly Sect would naturally no longer underestimate the strength of the Martial Arts World.
Suddenly, news of the upcoming duel spread throughout the entire Martial Arts World, and even the national Security Bureau caught wind of it.
The Martial Arts Forum was completely abuzz.
"Lin Tanyu is really amazing now; he's just become the number one figure in the Martial Arts World, and he's already tangled up with Qingxuan Master of the Heavenly Sect. I've heard that the Qingxuan Sect is a major sect of the Heavenly Sect."
"I've been sick of those Heavenly Sect people for a while now with their holier-than-thou attitudes. This time we must teach them a lesson and show them that our Martial Arts World is not to be trifled with."
"I agree. A few days ago, a disciple from the Heavenly Sect came out and crippled my master and senior brother. I really want revenge!"
"The people from the Heavenly Sect stole many medicinal herbs from our sect. If Lin Tanyu wins this time, they certainly won't dare to be so outrageous!" Many felt dissatisfied with the Heavenly Sect but also feared their formidable strength. After all, even those at the same cultivation level were far superior in combat ability, as the Heavenly Sect was the orthodox place for Cultivation with significantly better Cultivation Techniques and resources than the Mortal World.
"I'm not sure Lin Tanyu can win this time. After all, a few days ago on Kunlun Mountain, a Heavenly Sect disciple had everyone bowing their heads, and only Lin Tanyu could kill him. But this time it's the Qingxuan Master, and we don't know how strong he is."
"Yeah, if even Lin Tanyu loses, then there'll be no one left in the Huaxia Martial Arts World to stand up."
"If the people from Heavenly Sect really get too arrogant, I wonder if that person will show up."
"The person mentioned by the previous post has been in hiding for decades; we don't even know if he's alive or dead, alas!"
Most Martial Artists on the forum naturally hoped that Lin Mo would defeat Qing Xuan to vindicate the Huaxia Martial Arts World, but there were also many who were skeptical, for the strength of those emerging from the Heavenly Sect was so great that it had already shattered many people's confidence.
"Gossip has it that Lin Tanyu and Qing Xuan are fighting over a woman," a user with the handle 'Little Lingtong' suddenly posted.
This caused quite a stir among the site's browsing Martial Artists.
"What woman?"
"Could this be a publicity stunt?"
"Bro, pics or it didn't happen!"
Little Lingtong continued: "I saw it with my own eyes at the auction today. Lin Tanyu not only snatched items from three people of the Heavenly Sect but also competed with Qing Xuan for a Silver Snow Grass, which he bought and then gave to the Goddess of the Miao Xue Divine Palace. It seems that the Goddess is Qing Xuan's fiancée."
With Little Lingtong's revelation, the Martial Arts Forum came alive once more, as no one had expected this twist to the tale.
Even those in the Martial Arts World were mortals with a penchant for gossip, and discussions were abuzz.
"The Goddess from Miao Xue Divine Palace is really pretty, apparently, she's got something to do with Lin Tanyu."
"Now, Lin Tanyu is my idol. Not only does he want to slap Heavenly Sect in the face, but he also wants to snatch someone else's girl. Awesome."
"Ha-ha, Qingxuan is probably green with envy by now."
"Lin Tanyu dares to snatch someone else's wife; I bet Qingxuan will kill him," Young Master Wei butted in again.
"If you didn't speak, nobody would think you're mute. If you're so capable, why don't you stand up for the Martial Arts World?" Yue Luohua retorted immediately.
Here was that woman's alter ego popping up again; Young Master Wei immediately led his online army to start a flame war with her.
At this moment, within a hidden Iron Blood Military Academy deep in the mountains, Sima Zining angrily snapped her laptop shut and bit her teeth, "No, I must find Lin Mo."
Having said that, Sima Zining quickly got dressed and rushed out of the dormitory. As soon as she stepped out, she saw a familiar silhouette and called out hastily, "Sister Luo Yu."
Dressed in a camouflage suit, the woman turned her head; her short hair to her ears, delicate features, her willowy waist bending in the wind, she was spirited and dashing—it was Luo Yu, a member of the Emperor Group.
Luo Yu and Shangguan Liuyun had been teaching at the military academy these past few days, and Sima Zining knew her as well.
"Zi Ning, why did you come out? Shouldn't you be resting in the dormitory?" Seeing her jogging over, Luo Yu frowned slightly, as if she had thought of something.
Sima Zining ran over, her chest heaving with breaths, and she asked with her cherry lips parted, "Sister Luo Yu, have you heard something?"
Luo Yu hesitated for a moment, then nodded and said, "Yes, I've already found out. The instructor has asked me to find Lin Mo immediately to discuss the affair concerning Heavenly Sect."
"Can you take me with you? Please, Sister Luo Yu," Sima Zining begged with hopeful eyes.
Luo Yu was a bit troubled and said, "But without the instructor's order, if I take you away from the academy on my own, I'll definitely be punished."
"Sister Luo Yu, whatever punishment it is, I'll take it. I haven't seen Lin Mo for a long time," Sima Zining said pitifully, looking at Luo Yu. As a woman herself, how could Luo Yu not understand what she was feeling? She nodded and said, "Alright then, later we'll take a military helicopter and go directly to Qinghai."
"Thank you, Sister Luo Yu," Sima Zining's face immediately lit up with joy.
After nightfall.
Lin Mo was resting in his hotel room.
"Master, Miss Sima and Sister Luo Yu are here," Yingzi's voice rang out like a silver bell.
Lin Mo ended his cultivation and got up; Luo Yu's arrival was within his expectations, after all, people from Heavenly Sect had suddenly appeared, and such a big event had taken place in the Martial Arts World. Luo Yu, being from the Security Bureau, would definitely bring instructions from Minister Shangguan.
However, what Lin Mo didn't expect was that Sima Zining would also come along.
Lin Mo met Sima Zining for the first time, and then a series of events took place. Sima Zining had spent the past year at the military academy, Dragon Team, and Emperor Group, leaving little time to meet. All in all, it had been about a whole year since he had seen Sima Zining.
And now, as for Sima Zining's feelings towards him, how could he not be aware?
The room opened, and Sima Zining, Luo Yu, and Yingzi, the three of them, walked in.