Ling Fan stood with his back to the golden hall.
Then he looked around.
He saw Ji Hong, Ji Yan, and Liu Han.
He also saw Hua Yue.
He saw Bai Hao, Su Long, and others beside Hua Yue.
And Master Long Duo, along with many unfamiliar faces.
These people, if placed in the Tian Chu Province, would all be renowned figures or notorious villains and criminals.
Yet, at this moment, all of them presented a posture of bowed heads and utter submission.
With just a word from Ling Fan.
These individuals would immediately kneel at his feet, supporting him as the new overlord of the entire underground world of Tian Chu Province.
At that time, the immense profits of the Tian Chu Province's underground world would fall into his hands.
This was the respect and authority brought by power.
However, how could the mere underground world of Tian Chu Province be of any concern to Ling Fan?
Let alone the underground world of Tian Chu Province.
Even Tian Chu Province.
Even the Liuyun Kingdom.
And even the entire Lower Realm.
When had any of these ever been placed in Ling Fan's eyes?
Ling Fan said, "The Dark Martial Hall harmed my friend. Today, I have come to destroy the Dark Martial Hall. Does anyone have any objections?"
"We dare not!"
"We dare not!"
The strongmen of the underground world all prostrated themselves like a receding tide.
Bai Hao, Su Long, and the others, their legs trembling with fear, quickly followed suit and knelt down.
Su Long even reached out to pull Hua Yue.
"Yueyue, hurry and kneel! This Ling Qingyun is a devil who kills without blinking. He cleaved a Grandmaster with a single sword. If he dislikes us, he might kill us too!"
Hua Yue hesitated for a moment.
She also knelt down.
On the other side.
Liu Han and Ji Hong, their eyes filled with fervor and admiration, respectfully knelt before Ling Fan.
Ji Yan, however, was somewhat unwilling. A woman like her was most competitive and never yielded to anyone.
Even the Four Great Young Masters of Tian Chu City, she would strive to compete and contend with.
But today, she finally let out a long sigh. Her fiery body prostrated on the ground, revealing breathtaking curves.
Under normal circumstances, this would surely make countless men swallow their saliva.
But now, all the strongmen kept their heads deeply bowed, daring not to harbor any lecherous thoughts.
"Grandmaster Ling upholds justice by destroying the wicked and evil force of the Dark Martial Hall. This is a righteous act! We are grateful to Grandmaster Ling, how could we possibly have any objections!"
"The Dark Martial Hall is destroyed. We implore Grandmaster Ling to lead us. The dragons cannot be without a head for a single day."
"Indeed, indeed! We are willing to nominate Grandmaster Ling as the new martial arts leader of the underground world! Grandmaster Ling, you might not know, but the Dark Martial Hall has controlled the underground world of Tian Chu Province for years, amassing profits and treasures like a veritable treasure mountain! With our support from now on, and with your strength, you will only gain more, not less!"
A strongman of the late Xuan Gang Realm in the underground world said persuasively.
On the surface, he was considering Ling Fan's interests.
In reality, he was harboring his own selfish intentions.
In his opinion, although Ling Fan possessed strength, he was ultimately just an inexperienced youth. With his cunning and methods, he could easily manipulate this young man and make him a puppet.
Just as he was feeling immensely pleased, as if envisioning his own rise to prominence.
Suddenly, his breathing hitched, and a sharp pain shot through his brow.
A bloody hole appeared on his forehead.
He looked up at Ling Fan with disbelief, and what met his eyes was Ling Fan's indifferent, utterly ruthless face, as if he looked down upon all living beings.
"You... why did you kill me!"
"You think you're smart enough to scheme against me?"
Ling Fan flicked his fingers and said calmly.
The strongman's eyes revealed infinite regret.
He had actually tried to scheme against a monstrous talent like a celestial dragon...
He thought the other party was young and easy to bully.
In reality, his thoughts had long been seen through.
How ridiculous.
The man tilted his head and died instantly.
The surrounding strongmen of the underground world were startled. They lowered their heads even further, almost pressing them against the ground, not daring to breathe.
"I have no interest in dominating the underground world of Tian Chu Province. Do not presume to fathom me with your petty schemes!"
Ling Fan said lightly.
"Yes, yes, yes!"
The strongmen of the underground world quickly kowtowed vigorously, their faces covered in cold sweat.
Who would dare to treat Ling Fan as an inexperienced youngster now?
Didn't they see the fate of that fool just now?
That was his end!
However, Ling Fan said he had no interest in dominating the underground world of Tian Chu Province.
Didn't this mean their opportunity had arrived?
For a moment, many strongmen and overlords of the underground world began to stir with ambition.
Since Ling Fan disdained the profits of this region, wouldn't the profits of the Dark Martial Hall ultimately fall into their hands, to be divided among them?
At this moment, Ling Fan said, "Liu Han, you will take the lead in integrating the Dark Martial Hall and the entire underground world of Tian Chu City."
Liu Han looked up in disbelief, pointing at himself, "Me?!"
His tone held a hint of self-doubt.
Although he was the deputy protector of the Dark Martial Hall's underground trading post, his status and position were not low. However, to command such a colossal entity as the entire Dark Martial Hall, he still seemed to lack the strength and seniority.
Ling Fan, however, said, "What, you dare not, or you believe you are incapable?"
Provoked by Ling Fan's words, a spark of ambition ignited in Liu Han's eyes.
He said, "Thank you, Grandmaster Ling. Liu Han will do his best."
"Good."
Ling Fan nodded slightly.
He looked around and said, "My words, who agrees, who opposes?"
A vast expanse of strongmen, not a single person dared to utter a word of dissent.
"Very well, since you all agree, if I hear of anyone daring to disobey Liu Han's command in the future, I will pay them a personal visit. I hope you will all conduct yourselves wisely."
Ling Fan said calmly.
But this statement sent shivers down the spines of those strongmen.
Especially those arrogant individuals who harbored unspoken dissent, they jolted awake. Recalling the consequences of Ling Fan paying a visit...
They no longer dared to harbor any further thoughts.
If they provoked this person to visit them, the outcome would be self-evident.
Young Master Mo Xie of the Dark Martial Hall was killed with a single finger from Ling Fan merely for intending to execute Ji Hong, and the entire Dark Martial Hall was implicated and destroyed.
The six great protectors were dead, and even the master of the Dark Martial Hall, a martial arts Grandmaster, had perished.
What about them?
At their level, they probably couldn't even withstand a fraction of Ling Fan's wrath.
For a time, countless people envied, resented, and hated Liu Han, the lucky one.
Such a massive windfall falling from the sky and landing on his head, this incredible luck was unmatched.
Simply because he had a better relationship with this Grandmaster Ling!
Why hadn't they established a good relationship with this Grandmaster Ling earlier? Perhaps they could have reaped some benefits now.
They regretted it deeply!
The Dark Martial Hall was not inferior to the Governor's Mansion, Miyun Mountain, or the Seven Star Cave; it was a behemoth comparable to them.
Even if Ling Fan had merely let a sliver of its bounty slip through his fingers, it would have been enough for them to become immensely wealthy.
"Disperse."
As everyone was still lost in their thoughts.
Ling Fan's single word pulled them back to reality. The crowd dispersed with disappointment.
"Let's go, Yueyue, let's hurry!"
Su Long pulled Hua Yue, casting a guilty glance at Ling Fan. Seeing that Ling Fan was not paying attention to them, she quickly said to Hua Yue.