Chapter 287 286: Profound Realm

According to the three stages of body cultivation, Mu Lin was now an expert of the Profound Realm.

An expert of the Profound Realm possessed incomparably tough skin; heavy objects like hammers and clubs could not harm him.

Upon reaching the Earth Realm, ordinary blades would not be able to cut through his skin.

Even a Divine Weapon that could cleave through iron like mud would only be able to leave a small wound.

And if he grew stronger still, he could even stand against the might of a Martial Arts Grandmaster's blade.

Even with just this initial experience, Mu Lin deeply understood just how incredible this Dharma Gate truly was.

No wonder Vajra Zhenren was able to back the great families with this power.

He shook his head. 'That was too easy. I should have asked about his background. It wouldn't have been too late to kill him after getting some answers.'

'Could there be an even stronger sect behind this Vajra Zhenren? If there is, what am I supposed to do?'

The whole reason Mu Lin had spared Yang Qitian was to lure the snake from its hole and eradicate the problem at its root.

'But if completely eradicating the threat is no longer an option, then what on earth have I been doing?'

'Is there any point to it anymore?'

'A huge threat is still hanging over my head. It's ridiculous.'

'I'll ask Yang Qitian later. He can run, but he can't hide. No need to rush.'

The rest were just miscellaneous items, medicinal herbs, and bank cards.

Nothing of interest.

After cultivating for a while longer, Mu Lin prepared to return to the Li Family's Old Mansion.

Suddenly, his phone rang.

The caller was Xue Xi, Xue Yang's younger sister.

"Brother Mu, are you free? I'd like to treat you to a meal!"

Mu Lin asked in surprise, "I'd be happy to have a meal with you, of course, but... why?"

Xue Xi replied, "It's to thank you, simple as that. Is that okay?"

Her tone was surprisingly coquettish.

Mu Lin chuckled. "No problem."

No sooner had he hung up than Li Xue called.

"Why didn't you answer? Didn't I tell you to be on standby at all times?"

Mu Lin laughed. "My phone was on silent, I didn't even realize... What can you do?"

"The head of security said someone came looking for trouble this afternoon. You handled it?"

"It's handled. Just a few petty thugs who couldn't stand seeing the Li Group prosper and wanted to stir up some trouble."

Li Xue pursed her lips. That was just Mu Lin talking nonsense. She had questioned the head of security in detail; those thugs had come specifically for Mu Lin.

But since Mu Lin didn't bring it up himself, she felt it wasn't her place to press the issue. "Grandfather wanted me to ask if you're coming back for dinner."

"Not tonight. I have other plans."

Li Xue said, "Then be back early."

With that, she hung up.

Mu Lin shook his head. There had been an indefinable quality to Li Xue's words.

'What was it?'

'I'm not sure.'

Xue Xi had arranged to meet Mu Lin at Huangshang Huang. When they met up, Lao Wang came out to greet them.

Xue Xi enthusiastically ushered Mu Lin inside, saying she wanted to treat him to a proper meal.

"Just keep it simple," Mu Lin said, though his words were actually directed at Lao Wang.

'Xue Xi is just a regular office worker. Where would she get the money to splurge at a place like this?'

'One meal here could cost her an entire month's salary.'

Xue Xi led Mu Lin to private room 2022.

'Such a high-end room?'

Mu Lin thought, 'There's no way Xue Xi could afford a room like 2022. Her salary probably isn't even enough to cover the deposit!'

'There must be more to this.' But Mu Lin didn't ask, simply following quietly.

'I'm guessing she needs my help with something. But what could it be?'

'Honestly, I really can't guess.'

'But why go through all this? It's not like Xue Xi has that much more clout than Xue Yang.'

'Why come to me for something that could be solved just by talking to Xue Yang?'

Mu Lin decided to wait patiently.

'Xue Xi will get to the point sooner or later.'

The two took their seats, and Lao Wang had the servers begin bringing out the dishes.

Xue Xi suddenly said, "I'm sorry, Brother Mu."

Mu Lin frowned slightly. "What's wrong? What do you have to be sorry for? Your brother and I are colleagues. Is there something you can't tell me?"

Xue Xi lowered her head, gathering her thoughts for a moment before speaking:

"Actually, Yifang is the one who arranged this meal. I just made the reservation, but she paid for it."

Yifang was Liu Yifang, the young miss of the Liu Family.

Mu Lin thought it over. 'There isn't any major conflict between me and the Liu Family. They simply chose self-preservation when things got dangerous.'

'It's no big deal.'

'Is it really worth holding a grudge over?'

Of course, ever since that refusal to help, there had been an unresolved tension with the Liu Family. Every time Mu Lin had been in trouble, they hadn't helped, instead maintaining a considerable distance.

'But now they're trying to mend the relationship. This is probably directly related to me killing Vajra Zhenren.'

'In Anhua, the one I value most is naturally the Li Family. The old master told me to repay a debt of gratitude, so I have no choice but to see it through.'

'Next is the Zhou Family. This time, they even abandoned the Fang Family, their allies for generations, to stand with me.'

'In the future, I will definitely help the Zhou Family reach the top. The Yang Family's nearly 300 billion in assets will be completely absorbed by them. From then on, the Zhou Family will be in a league of their own among the powers of Anhua.'

'Even Wang Zuguang wouldn't dare to provoke them.'

Mu Lin viewed the situation dispassionately. He wasn't particularly angry, just... uninterested.

"It's fine. It's just a meal between friends. What's there to apologize for?"

"Are you sure it's okay? She's waiting in a booth downstairs. Should I tell her to come up?"

Mu Lin smiled. "Go ahead."

Xue Xi sent Liu Yifang a text, and a moment later, Liu Yifang slipped into the private room.

Her face was haggard; it was clear she had been through a lot recently.

"Mr. Mu! It's so good to see you again!"

Mu Lin returned an impassive smile.

'No big deal.'

"Do you suffer from insomnia often?" Mu Lin asked.

Although Liu Yifang had applied her makeup meticulously, her complexion was still quite poor.

She looked like a willow in the wind, as if a gentle breeze could knock her over.

"Yes, I've been sleeping very poorly... I just can't get a good night's rest. You saw it at a glance. You truly are a Divine Doctor."

Mu Lin said, "Miss Liu, you have too much on your mind. It's no wonder. Things will get better once you learn to let them go."

Liu Yifang, of course, knew what Mu Lin was really talking about and could only smile bitterly.

"You're right!"

She didn't dare to put on any airs in front of Mu Lin.

She didn't even dare to take a seat, remaining standing in a subservient manner.

Xue Xi quickly went to her and pulled her over. "Go on, sit! If you don't, how are we supposed to eat?"

Liu Yifang lowered her head, not daring to look at Mu Lin as she sat down.

The dishes were brought out one after another, but they were all cold appetizers, and Mu Lin had no intention of picking up his chopsticks.

He gave Liu Yifang a quick glance and asked, "Miss Liu, have you traveled recently?"

Liu Yifang was startled. "No, nowhere. I've just been attending classes here in Anhua..."

Mu Lin said, "Can I see your knee?"

Liu Yifang thought, 'You've already seen my entire body before. What's there to be afraid of just showing my knee?'

She simply lifted the fabric. Mu Lin's gaze turned solemn, but it returned to normal in an instant. "You can put it down."

"Mr. Mu, what is it? Is my illness relapsing?"

Mu Lin said, "Perhaps. But for now, it's just a minor issue. However, if you keep visiting the place you've been going to lately, I'm afraid it will indeed relapse, and I might not be able to help you then."

Xue Xi grew anxious. "Mu Lin, if that's true, does that mean my illness will relapse too?"

Mu Lin gave a faint smile. "Your situation is different. We have to consider them separately. Don't worry."

"Miss Liu, although your illness is better for the moment, if someone continues to poison you, I don't think it will be long before it flares up again."

The color drained from Liu Yifang's face. 'How is this about poison again?'

'How could I be poisoned?'

But she knew Mu Lin was probably right, and she was afraid of angering him, so she didn't say anything more.

Thinking carefully, she seemed to recall something. "I really haven't been anywhere these past couple of days, but an 'uncle' has been visiting me... quite frequently."

Mu Lin nodded slowly. "Let's eat. A small thing like this won't necessarily lead to something as serious as paralysis. Really, it's fine."

Liu Yifang watched Mu Lin's expression intently. She knew he had discovered something, but he just wouldn't say what it was.

'Why? In the past, Mu Lin would have probably just grabbed her leg and cured the illness on the spot.'

'The difference between then and now was immense.'

'The rift between the Liu Family and Mu Lin was almost palpable. What price would they have to pay to repair it?'

'Or would no price be enough?'

'The thought filled her with despair.'

The atmosphere was awkward, as if the air itself had frozen.

'I have to do something.'