Gao Zhouyuan was shocked yet slightly astonished. Even if Sword Master Liu Zhengming was still alive, this legendary figure, could he still have the strength to fight in his old age?
"Hmm." Liu Zhengming merely nodded gently, as if he had just woken up.
"I am aware of the situation now and my life is nearing its end. I can no longer break through to a higher realm. Let this be my last glorious battle, and my final battle for Han Country," Liu Zhengming slowly stated.
"Teacher, I'm counting on you."
President Wen bowed again, and Gao Zhouyuan also bent over at a ninety-degree angle.
The news erupted across the Martial Arts World of Han Country in an instant. Second Generation Sword Saint, Liu Zhengming, was not dead and was set to confront Lin Tanyu.
Over the last month, Lin Tanyu had rampaged across Han Country unchecked, slaughtering Martial Arts Masters, and had already ignited the rage of the Han Country Martial Arts World. However, due to Lin Tanyu's immense strength, even the Nan Family and Qian Family were annihilated by Lin Mo, leaving the Martial Arts World of Han Country severely damaged during that period.
Sword Master Liu Zhengming was hailed as the first genius of Han Country in a century. Several Sword Saints had emerged from ancient Han Country, and Liu Zhengming was the last one. Over the past century, no second Sword Saint had emerged from Han Country, even Li Yanzhen was merely considered a Sword God.
Throughout his life, Liu Zhengming had participated in countless battles, big and small. Apart from a few losses to renowned families in his youth, he later swept across the country undefeated, truly a spiritual leader of the Han Country Martial Arts World.
"Let's see how much longer this Lin Tanyu can be arrogant. With Master Liu coming forward, he could kill him with a single sword strike."
"Wasn't it rumored that Master Liu had passed away? He's still alive."
"I heard that Master Liu has been recuperating in the President's palace, unseen for decades."
"Lin Tanyu might be formidable, but he definitely is no match for Master Liu."
As the Martial Arts World of Han Country seethed, some information also reached the Huaxia Martial Arts World, igniting discussions on forums once again.
"Who exactly is this Liu Zhengming, daring to challenge Lin Tanyu? Is he seeking death?"
Many were not familiar with Liu Zhengming, particularly since he was not a Huaxian, and he had not been seen for decades.
Many people began to speculate until a user named "Venerated from Guanzhong" commented:
"Liu Zhengming is Han Country's Second Generation Sword Saint. Sixty years ago, he visited Huaxia and fought the top Martial Arts Master Ye Gutian at Kunlun Peak. He only lost by half a move and retreated back to Han Country."
This statement sent shockwaves through the Huaxia Martial Arts World.
Ye Gutian, rumored to be the first imperial guard of the Qing Dynasty's last years, had served as the personal bodyguard of Puyi. After the fall of the Qing Dynasty, he entered Kunlun Mountain alone for seclusion and cultivation. Emerging later, he defeated top masters from various sects and was acclaimed as the number one in the world. The masters of Han Country who had once ventured into Huaxia were also stopped by him alone.
The disciples of these Martial Arts Families or Sects had heard of the legendary Ye Gutian. Liu Zhengming, having lost only half a move to him, indicated his formidable skills.
Even though Lin Tanyu was currently the Strongest King on the Huaxia Qingyun List, facing a Sword Saint famous for nearly a century, everyone fell into silence.
This battle almost attracted the attention of the Martial Arts Worlds in both Han Country and Huaxia!
Zhuang Ziruo, Zhang Yesheng, and Chen Yanghao had rested in the ancient courtyard for a night and met Lin Mo, who had returned the next day.
Though this was just a small village in a county, totaling almost three thousand li from here to Seoul back and forth. Lin Mo had traveled three thousand li to slay Cui Xuanjian; the trio would likely be shocked if they knew.
"You've finally returned. Can we have a match now?" Zhuang Ziruo's cold and striking face was like an unmeltable snow mountain.
Chen Yanghao also raised his sword eyebrows, his eyes flickering with fighting spirit.
Although Zhang Yesheng was mild-mannered and scholarly, he too gazed intently.
The Strongest King—who wouldn't want to challenge him? If they could defeat him, then one could ascend to the throne of the Strongest King.
"You three are not my match; there's no need for this," Lin Mo stated calmly, hands positioned behind his back.
Zhuang Ziruo's brows furrowed, her pretty face filled with anger. As a Heavenly Beauty and inheritor of the prestigious Eyebrow Sect, she had never been so slighted.
Chen Yanghao clenched his fists even tighter, his feet generating True Qi that cracked the ground below like spiderwebs, his eyes nearly bursting with fury.
Zhang Yesheng slightly furrowed his brows, his aura undulating.
The three were all geniuses from major Sects of the younger generation in Huaxia, and today, they were all insulted by Lin Mo.
Now, Lin Tanyu's opponents were like the leader-level figures of the Second Generation Sword Saints from the Han Country Martial Arts World. Indeed, these young Martial Arts talents from Huaxia no longer captured his attention.
"Lin Tanyu, are you scared now? Scared to have a trial with us?" Zhuang Ziruo scolded sharply. The longsword behind her suddenly flew out of its sheath, hovering in mid-air and emitting a buzzing sound.
That longsword, about three chi three in length, was thin and razor-sharp, emitting bursts of cold light.
Lin Mo took a second look, and to his surprise, it was a low-grade spiritual device. For the current Earth, a low-grade spiritual device was still considered a treasure, which meant these hidden ancient sects had some depth to them.
Chen Yanghao's feet gradually gathered white True Qi, forming a Tai Chi pattern.
Zhang Yesheng slightly bent his palms and pinched two clumps of black and white Yin Yang True Qi between them.
It seemed Lin Mo had no choice but to fight them now.
But just at that moment, a sudden voice rang out, "You wretched woman, you've chased me for three days and nights, haven't you had enough?"
Zhuang Ziruo, Chen Yanghao, Zhang Yesheng, and others turned their heads outside, only to see two figures fighting in the forest, getting closer as they fought, throwing out magic spells and talismans as if they cost nothing.
"I am a man, and don't you dare insult my Master," another voice called out sharply.
These two figures fought outside the old courtyard. Lin Mo slightly frowned; both were magic masters, each possessing at least the power of an Intermediate Martial God.
At that moment, two more figures came forward.
"Mr. Wu, these two are fighting fiercely. Who do you think will win?"
"Brother Lu, I guess. After all, he's been overwhelming Kuang Diao all this way."
The two who were speaking, one dressed in a martial arts uniform and the other in ancient clothes, were both in their early twenties, appearing young and handsome.
"Wu Yihan, Li Yang?" Chen Yanghao recognized the two and called out their names directly.
The fighters were Kuang Diao from Wan Island and Lu Xing from Hong Kong. Their sects were originally branches of the mainland's Dragon and Tiger Mountain Heavenly Master Dao. However, Kuang Diao started the fight by insulting Lu Xing's master, prompting their three days and nights long duel.
"Wu Yihan, Chen Brother, Zhang Brother, and Sister Zi Ruo have all arrived sooner than us," Wu Yihan said with a smile, showing his white teeth.
Lin Mo slightly frowned as these were all Qingyun King List champions, and except for Aixinjueluo Qiyue, nearly everyone had arrived.
"This is really annoying," Lin Mo rubbed his temples.
Although he was decisive in killing, he was not vicious. Those he killed deserved it. These people, heirs of the Huaxia Martial Arts Families and sects, had no grudges against Lin Mo. They simply wanted to challenge him, so it was not possible for Lin Mo to kill them all.
Xiao Zhu and Yingzi stood behind Lin Mo. As they saw so many young and strong Huaxia fighters arriving, Xiao Zhu also showed a hint of surprise, opening her mouth.
The strength of these people might be only higher, not lower than the Sword Sect of Han Country, and they all were still quite young, bound for limitless achievements in the future.
Yingzi frowned and pouted, "These people are really annoying, following us to Han Country, hmph."
Lu Xing and Kuang Diao, both from the Heavenly Master's Tao sect of Dragon and Tiger Mountain, had split off and developed similar magic and divine skills—thunder, fireball, wind blade, illusion technique. The dazzling spells turned the ancient courtyard outside into flat ground.
"Star Binding."
Suddenly, Lu Xing performed hand seals, and his star robe lit up with twelve stars that combined into a very peculiar pattern.
"Ah."
Even Lin Mo couldn't help but show a hint of surprise on his face.
Kuang Diao's face suddenly changed. He flipped his palm, and a night pearl appeared in his hand. Instantly performing hand seals with one hand, the pearl emitted a radiant light, shining like the stars in the night.
At the same time, the pattern of starlight on Lu Xing had finished combining, forming a nebula-like chain that fiercely wrapped around Kuang Diao. It emanated an ancient aura.
The night pearl on Kuang Diao burst into light, forming a protective barrier around him, but as the nebula chain touched the illuminated barrier, it shattered like glass hit by a hammer.
The nebula whip struck Kuang Diao, sending him flying backward, breaking several trees before coming to a stop.
Blood trickled from the corner of Kuang Diao's mouth, his eyes showing shock. He lowered his head to look at his clothes; if it weren't for the treasure clothes gifted by his master, that whip could have shattered his ribs.
"Considering we share the same roots, I'll spare your life. If you dare insult my master again, I'll kill you," Lu Xing said coldly, looking at him.
Kuang Diao clenched his teeth, ultimately remaining silent. His master and Lu Xing's master were from the same sect before they separated, and there were some grievances between them, so Kuang Diao had wanted to humiliate Lu Xing upon seeing him. However, he hadn't expected Lu Xing to be so powerful, which was unsurprising as Lu Xing's master had once been told to be a rare genius in the Heavenly Master's Tao every hundred years.
Only such a genius could train such a formidable disciple.
Wu Yihan, Li Yang, Chen Yanghao, Zhuang Ziruo, Zhang Yesheng, and others also looked at each other in astonishment.
Lu Xing was the direct disciple of the master of Illusion Techniques of Hong Kong who was hardly seen, and even his disciples were hardly known, so Lu Xing's name wasn't on the Qingyun King List.
But defeating Kuang Diao, ranked fourth, indicated that Lu Xing had the strength to be in the top three at least.
"Brother Li, do you think you could have blocked that whip just now?" Wu Yihan asked, slightly furrowing his brow as he looked at Li Yang beside him.