Chapter 282 281: The Perfected Being Makes a Move

"This kid is treacherous and cunning. He deliberately waited until Grandmaster Chen was away to come and cause trouble for the Li Family."

"My grandson, Li Tianxiang, went to Anhua to mediate with them, but he was killed."

"That Mu Lin is utterly heartless!"

"I... I'm an old man. I should be enjoying my golden years with my family, but that Mu Lin... he killed my grandson..."

"I beseech you to take action and execute this boy to uphold justice!"

"Of course. It would be an offense against nature itself not to kill someone so despicable."

Vajra Zhenren waved his arm, and a powerful aura unleashed a violent gust of wind throughout the room. "I won't lie to you. I came here specifically for this Mu Lin. With or without your involvement, he was already a dead man!"

"He killed my junior martial brother, Jin Guangshi. How could I possibly let him live?"

Li Tian was overjoyed. 'With new hatreds piled on top of old grudges, it's virtually impossible for Mu Lin to survive now!'

'I can finally get my revenge!'

Li Tian immediately said, "With you taking action, success is guaranteed! There's nothing more to be said!"

Vajra Zhenren laughed heartily. "Let's wait a bit. My second and third junior martial brothers won't arrive in Di Yang until tomorrow. Once we've gathered, we'll head to Anhua. How does that sound?"

"You call the shots!" Li Tian said at once. He wouldn't dare question Vajra Zhenren; as long as Mu Lin died, he was fine with anything.

Deep within the mountains, inside a pool of water.

Mu Lin continued his cultivation.

'The old man mentioned it before, I think. When ordinary people train their physical bodies, there are three tiers: Heaven, Earth, and Profound.'

'Vajra Zhenren is already in the Celestial Realm... That's incredibly powerful...'

'Can I even take them on with my current abilities?' Mu Lin wondered for a moment. The answer seemed to be no.

He'd had a hard enough time dealing with Vajra Zhenren's junior martial brother and disciple. Vajra Zhenren himself was certain to be in a completely different league.

A direct confrontation would be brutal.

'So what should I do?'

Mu Lin thought for a moment. The only option was to get stronger.

'I still have some fire-attribute Spirit Medicines left. Might as well take them.'

The only thing that bothered him was that he could build a tolerance to the Spirit Medicines, and soon they would lose their effect.

Eventually, he would need to take double, or even ten times the dose to achieve the same effect.

Not even a reincarnated God of Wealth could afford that kind of consumption.

But right now, he had no choice. If he didn't get stronger, he would probably lose his life.

He didn't hesitate.

Mu Lin threw open the jade box and shoved the medicine into his mouth.

In a single gulp, tens of millions vanished. Who could possibly afford this?

He immediately began to frantically absorb the energy.

After some time, Mu Lin let out a long breath.

He had finally gotten much stronger. He still wasn't very confident, but his chances had improved, if only by a sliver.

Outside the mountain, Long Qingshan suddenly jolted awake. He sensed that something was different. 'What just happened?'

It felt as though something terrifying was brewing within the mountain.

Just then, Mu Lin slowly walked out. As Long Qingshan stared at him, a chill ran down his spine, and he instinctively took a few steps back.

Mu Lin gave Long Qingshan a curious look. "What's wrong? Are you afraid of me?"

Long Qingshan swallowed hard. "I don't know. I just have a feeling that you're very dangerous right now, Mr. Mu!"

Mu Lin sighed. "Please, just call me Mu Lin. You're my elder, after all. Addressing me so formally feels like you're cursing me to a shorter life!"

Long Qingshan nodded, but he had no intention of changing how he addressed him.

"Uncle Long, you said I've become terrifying? Is it true?"

Long Qingshan nodded. "It's true, it's just a feeling I have. Then again, I could be mistaken. Your cultivation level is higher than mine, so it's only natural that I would feel something."

Mu Lin returned to the Li Residence, took a shower, and immediately received a call from Lin Shishi.

"Mu Lin, you have to be careful! Vajra Zhenren has already gone to the Di Yang Li Clan! He's heading to Anhua this afternoon."

'Coming to Anhua?' Mu Lin mused. 'Isn't he coming straight for me?'

"It's nothing. I'll just be waiting for him."

Lin Shishi was frantic. Mu Lin's nonchalant attitude did nothing to calm her nerves.

"Aren't you scared at all? This Vajra Zhenren is incredibly powerful! My dad hired a Grandmaster to intercede, hoping to convince Vajra Zhenren to show mercy, but Vajra Zhenren just got angry and sent him flying. He nearly beat him to death... The man almost died."

Mu Lin frowned. "Uncle Lin got someone to speak on my behalf? Why? My conflict with Vajra Zhenren is a fight to the death. There was obviously no point in trying to mediate."

Lin Shishi said, "What are you talking about? You're the man who saved my grandfather's life! Supporting you isn't about calculating gains and losses. The Lin Family stands behind you unconditionally!"

"..." Mu Lin was speechless.

"I'm sorry. I understand," Mu Lin sighed.

"However, trying to mediate was the wrong move from the start. This is a fight to the death between me and Vajra Zhenren. There's no room for negotiation."

Lin Shishi was taken aback. "Oh, so that's how it is... In that case..."

'Then sending a Grandmaster to mediate must have been seen as a provocation. The man was lucky he wasn't killed.'

"Mu Lin, you should run! Come to my family's home. We still have some influence; Vajra Zhenren wouldn't dare to act recklessly there!"

Mu Lin sighed. "If I were all alone in the world, I would. But my roots are here in Anhua. As the saying goes, the monk can flee, but the temple cannot. I can't just run. Unless I take everyone with me to Di Yang, but that's impossible."

"I appreciate the offer, but I really can't."

"I've been preparing for this fight. Tell Uncle Lin not to worry. I'm not afraid."

Lin Shishi pursed her lips. She really didn't know what to say to Mu Lin anymore.

"I understand. Please, be careful. If something happens to you..."

Mu Lin paused. "What if something happens?"

Lin Shishi said, "Nothing!"

'How boring.'

Mu Lin hung up.

「At noon.」

A plane landed at Di Yang Airport. Several high-ranking members of the Li Family were there to receive Vajra Zhenren's two junior martial brothers, and they drove off.

Then, the Li Family's motorcade set off for Anhua.

Upon hearing the news, many of Nanjiang's powerful families also sent representatives to Anhua.

They all wanted to see what kind of a display Vajra Zhenren, who had been in seclusion for many years, would put on.

「The Lin Family Residence.」

After receiving the compiled reports from Lin Jin, Lin Tian let out a long sigh.

"I'm afraid Mu Lin won't overcome this trial. It's not that I don't want to help him, but this is simply too difficult."

Lin Jin asked, "Dad, if Vajra Zhenren is adamant about killing Mu Lin, whose side are we on?"

Lin Tian remained silent, lost in a difficult internal struggle. Lin Jin understood his father's turmoil and waited patiently by his side.

Lin Tian heaved a long sigh. "He is our savior, after all... If..."

Lin Jin said, "Dad, I understand! I understand! Let me handle what comes next!"

'He understood. It was a choice between the family's interests and the debt owed to their savior. It was a difficult decision for his father, Lin Tian.'

「The Ning Family Residence.」

An old man sat in an armchair, resting with his eyes closed.

Several young women stood behind him, fanning him.

The old man said, "Tell Vajra Zhenren he can have the kill, but I want Mu Lin's head when he's done."

"Understood."

The subordinate gave a slight bow and exited.

A storm was brewing over Anhua City, and the hearts of all those in the know were filled with dread.

First, Vajra Zhenren had challenged Dong Wu. Then came the grandstanding announcement that he was heading to Anhua.

It was so high-profile that it seemed less like an act of vengeance and more like a tour to flaunt his power.

And Mu Lin was to be the main event.

「The Zhou Family Residence.」

A group of people had arrived. They were all from the Di Yang Fang Family.

Their leader was the same Mr. Fang whom Zhou Qianfan had previously asked to intercede for Mu Lin—a request he had handled with a dismissive, perfunctory effort.

His name was Fang Longzhi, and he wielded immense influence in Nanjiang.

The Zhou Family's ability to thrive in Nanjiang was in no small part due to their relationship with Fang Longzhi.

Fang Longzhi led his men into the Zhou family home and sat down on the sofa as if he owned the place.

"Mr. Fang!" Zhou Qianfan exclaimed, but he was powerless against Fang Longzhi's arrogance.

The entire Zhou Family survived at the mercy of the Fang Family. To the Zhous, the Fangs were their sky.

Without the Fang Family, the Zhou Family would have ceased to exist long ago.

"Zhou Qianfan, you're getting a little too close to Mu Lin. You'd best be careful."

Zhou Qianfan replied, "Mr. Fang, it's true that the Zhou Family would never have achieved its current status without the Fang Family's patronage, and we are willing to follow your orders. However, who the Zhou Family chooses to associate with is surely not your concern, is it?"

Mr. Fang said coldly, "It's not that simple. You will sever all ties with Mu Lin immediately. Otherwise, if Vajra Zhenren comes looking for trouble with the Fang Family over this, don't blame me when I pin all the responsibility on you."

Zhou Qishan stood up unsteadily and cupped his fist toward Fang Longzhi. "Mr. Fang, Mu Lin is a kind person and a superb physician. He's a very promising young man..."