"Sir, are you going to Han Country?"
Jin Taihe and Xiao Zhu exchanged glances, both detecting the alarm in each other's eyes.
They hadn't returned to Han Country for the past few days precisely because Li Mingjun had died in Huaxia. They couldn't go home to explain to Li Mingjun's family and had thus remained in Huaxia looking for a solution. Meanwhile, they had also collected some information about Lin Tanyu.
He annihilated the Northeast Joy Sect and the Green Dragon Gang, killed three geniuses, and slaughtered the Old Green Dragon and the Great Elder of the Joy Sect. He stood unmatched, and according to the intelligence, Lin Mo had risen in the past year, which was quite unbelievable.
It could be said that Lin Mo was now the most famous youth in Huaxia. As for the power behind him, Jin Taihe had sent people to investigate. Lin Mo was merely a scion from an ordinary small family in the Imperial City, and even his life seemed not so good in the past few years. However, he had suddenly risen strongly in the last year or two, hiding too many secrets.
"I want to go to Han Country and see which big shot is interested in my cousin."
Lin Mo looked up, his Adam's apple moving as he drained the glass of red wine in one gulp, a trace of brilliance flickering in his bright eyes.
"If sir is willing to go to Han Country, I can take you to meet the eldest son of Li Mingjun's family," Jin Taihe said, a glint flashing in his eyes.
After saying this, Xiao Zhu added, "Sir may not know the situation of Li Mingjun's family. Although they have pledged allegiance to that big shot, they have always been trying to rid themselves of his control. In reality, Li Mingjun was nothing more than a puppet of Li Mingjun's family and his death is of little consequence to them."
"Good, in a few days, I will accompany you to Han Country."
After speaking, Lin Mo rose to his full height and left the hotel.
Currently unable to find any resources in the country, Lin Mo planned to go to Han Country for two reasons: to eliminate the last danger for Shanshan, and to see if there's anything special about the Cultivation World there.
"Brother Tai He, are we really going to go back with him?"
After Lin Mo left, Xiao Zhu frowned and asked quietly.
"Without him, we would have no way to explain to the Li family, and we also need to report to that big shot. If Lin Mo returns with us, at least that big shot won't trouble us," Jin Taihe murmured, squinting his eyes.
Xiao Zhu was stunned for a moment, then quickly realized, "You mean, as long as Lin Mo goes to Han Country with us, we can at least explain things to the Li family."
"Yes, as for what he wants to do in Han Country, that's none of our business," said Jin Taihe, the corners of his mouth lifting in a sinister curve.
...
During the days when Lin Mo stayed in Xiazhou, the underground forum that had been quiet for a short while exploded once again.
The Old Green Dragon had stepped into the rank of Advanced Martial God but was killed by Lin Mo in the vast sea of Xiazhou.
The Great Elder of the Joy Sect, whose Magic Cultivation was profound and enigmatic, was rumored to have conjured a golden Buddha over the sea, showing divine might. Yet he was cleaved in half by a sword from Lin Mo, killing the Great Elder of the Joy Sect.
Lin Mo's strength was reassessed by everyone. Capable of killing a Vigorous Martial Master and a Magic Master, his strength could no longer be that of a mere Grandmaster; he must be at least a Vigorous Martial Master.
A youth of barely eighteen or nineteen years old had stepped into the realm of an Advanced Martial God, enough to shake the entire Martial Arts World.
"Could Lin Tanyu be the reincarnation of an Immortal? Otherwise, it's impossible for someone so young to have reached the realm of a Vigorous Martial Master."
"I think the ranking list is unfair. Why is Lin Mo only ranked as the ninth King? I think he should be in first place."
Many people were discussing Lin Tanyu on the forum, and even a netizen directly listed the events that had unfolded with Lin Mo over the past two years. In just a short span of two years, Lin Mo had slain several strong warriors, as well as a few Magic Masters, and even wiped out the entire assassin organization ranked tenth internationally.
One or two years isn't considered a long time for a martial artist, and for those with only average talent, two years is merely enough to lay a solid foundation.
But Lin Mo emerged out of nowhere in just two years' time, directly ascending to the status of an Advanced Martial God.
Many people on the forum were discussing Lin Tanyu's background. Some said he was the heir of an old monster who never appeared publicly, others said he was the reincarnation of an Immortal from another world, and still others believed he possessed an extraordinary talent, a one-in-a-million martial arts practitioner.
Amidst the heated discussions, someone suddenly exclaimed, "Holy shit, everyone go check the rankings right now."
"What's going on, what happened?"
"Damn, that's freaking awesome."
The Qingyun List, which sprawled across the top of the homepage, had been updated. Upon clicking, the name at the top was displayed in two large golden characters—Lin Tanyu.
Lin Tanyu had actually risen to first place, crowned as the Strongest King. The previous rankings remained unchanged, with Aixinjueluo Qiyue, who was initially at the top, now moved down to second place. Following him in third was Li Yang from the ancient martial arts family in Chuannan.
Fourth was Kuang Diao from Wan Island, fifth was Chen Yanghao from Taiji Sect, followed by Zhuang Ziruo from Emei Mountain, Wu Yihan from Baji Sect, Wudang Zhang Yesheng, and more.
Lin Mo was initially ninth after defeating Ning Xuan but was directly listed as the Strongest King after slaying the Old Green Dragon and the Great Elder of the Joy Sect in Xiazhou.
"The Strongest King? Who awarded him that title?"
"Lin Tanyu has the strength to hold the position of the Strongest King."
On the forum, groups both supportive and opposing Lin Tanyu argued non-stop.
In the boundaries of Chuannan, within a mountain villa estate, a white-haired elder in a white mandarin jacket stood next to an aged willow tree. At that moment, a dashing young man walked out of the room, dressed in white training attire.
The young man, about twenty-five, with sword-like eyebrows and piercing eyes, was tall and straight. Sporting a ponytail and thin lips slightly pursed, he said, "Lin Tanyu, the Strongest King? I, Li Yang, would like to see if you truly possess that strength."
"Young master, where are you off to?" The elder was taken aback upon seeing the youth step out, noticing that after a year of seclusion, the young master's aura had become more condensed and inscrutable.
"I've been in seclusion for too long, and I want to take a stroll." Li Yang's eyes narrowed slightly, a sharp glint emanating from his pupils. "By the way, don't tell the old master that I've gone out." The youth then stepped forward and walked towards the entrance of the villa.
A similar scene took place in a tranquil villa in Shan Province.
"Han, where are you off to with your stuff packed?" A noblewoman frowned upon seeing her son holding a suitcase, "Didn't you just go traveling last month? You've only been back a few days and you're off again."
"I'm going to visit some friends, I'll be back soon. Don't worry about me, Mom." After speaking, the young man carried his suitcase and left the house.
"Then take care of yourself, this child." The beautiful woman shook her head helplessly.
Stepping out of the house, the young man looked up at the clear blue sky, eyes brimming with a strong will to battle, "The Strongest King, huh? I'm curious to see if you're really as powerful as they say."
This individual was Wu Yihan, the successor of the Baji Sect.
At the same time, a tourist posted on social media that while touring Emei Mountain, they saw an incredibly beautiful woman, dressed in an ancient long skirt and cloth shoes, carrying a show sword on her back like a fairy descending to the mundane world.
There were also rumors of a long-haired man playing a jade flute, descending from a mountain peak thousands of meters high.
Off the coast where Wan Island and Xiazhou meet, fishermen spotted someone riding on a large eagle, circling a few times over Jingmen before returning to Wan Island.