"The goal of this battle isn't to win, but just to survive?"

Lin Mu slowly shook his head, not wanting to speak.

Seeing Lin Mu's somewhat perfunctory gesture, the young man said seriously, "Although this Dragon Guard Order can't help you defeat Zhang Daoyun, it can ensure your survival!"

Lin Mu raised an eyebrow.

This guy has absolutely no confidence in me.

"Lin Wudi, there's not much time left. You must seize the moment to enhance your cultivation level," the young man continued. "The rumors claim Zhang Daoyun was seriously injured in his battle with Sword God Shen Lang, forcing him to seclude himself for a year before challenging you. But that was merely time that someone fought to buy you."

The young man paused, his eyes deep as he looked at Lin Mu, and said in a pleading tone, "Lin Wudi, I'm begging you, you must not die!"

He bowed deeply to Lin Mu, his voice tinged with sadness. "Because his time is running out."

Sensing the atmosphere had grown heavy, the young man smiled. "Don't feel pressured. With your exceptional talent, losing this battle isn't a death sentence. After all, there's no shame in losing to Zhang Daoyun! We value your potential far more than anything else!"

Lin Mu gave a wry smile.

Pressure? To be honest, I don't feel much pressure for this battle. Zhang Daoyun might be strong, but does that mean I'm weak? The outcome is uncertain until we fight.

"Rest assured, you don't need to worry about anything before your decisive battle with Zhang Daoyun. Someone will take care of everything for you," the young man explained earnestly, seemingly determined to alleviate any pressure on Lin Mu. "You only have one job right now: improve your strength as quickly as possible."

"You must keep this Dragon Guard Order safe. It's not convenient to disclose its specific functions right now, but there is one aspect that might help you," the young man said proudly. "As long as you hold this Dragon Guard Order, you can mobilize three thousand troops anywhere!"

Mobilize three thousand troops? This Dragon Guard Order is that powerful? It seems this was a gift from some big shot in the Military Department.

The young man said, "The Dragon Guard Order has many other functions, so you must keep it safe and never, ever lose it! The token and the person are one! That's the rule!"

Having said so much, the young man felt his mouth was dry. He sighed helplessly and said, "It's such a hassle just to deliver something. I'm off. Oh, by the way, my name is Han Xiaochuan. If you're ever in the Capital, you can look for me."

...

Lin Mu didn't snap back to reality until long after the young man had left.

Zhang Daoyun chose to challenge me a year from now because someone bought me that time? And that person is running out of time?

Lin Mu suddenly felt the token in his hand weighed a thousand pounds.

His palm slowly closed over the token. Lin Mu smiled faintly and thought, "Since they came all this way to deliver it, I might as well accept it."

With a flip of his hand, the Dragon Guard Order disappeared, stored away in his Mountain and River Cauldron.

"The affairs in River City are more or less settled. It's time to go into seclusion."

Lin Mu glanced in the direction of the Capital, a faint smile touching his lips. "This battle is just about survival? A pity. What I want is to win. Not just to win, but to win beautifully!"

...

「The Capital.」

Elder Xiao was brewing tea while Han Xiaochuan stood by, his face etched with anxiety.

"Have a taste." Elder Xiao pushed a cup of tea toward Han Xiaochuan, his face radiating a kind smile.

"Ah." Han Xiaochuan took the cup and gulped it down.

Elder Xiao watched with a pained expression. "Like a cow chewing a peony. A complete waste of good tea."

"Commander, I..."

Elder Xiao said plainly, "I know. You lost."

Han Xiaochuan's jaw dropped. That's not what I was trying to say, is it? And how did I even lose?

"But it doesn't matter," Elder Xiao said cheerfully. "As long as the item was delivered, that's all that matters."

Han Xiaochuan wanted to cry but had no tears. My Commander, is that really what I meant?

"Commander, I mean the Dragon Guard Order's locator signal has disappeared," Han Xiaochuan said urgently.

"Disappeared?" Elder Xiao was stunned. Every Dragon Guard Order was equipped with a tracking system that could pinpoint the exact location of its holder.

"Yes," Han Xiaochuan said. "Commander, should I make another trip?"

He was shaken. Lin Mu actually had a way to block the Dragon Guard Order's tracking system. How were they supposed to monitor him now? What if something happened to him?

"No need." Elder Xiao poured a cup of tea, changing the subject. "Xiaochuan, what do you think of him?"

Han Xiaochuan thought for a moment, then said seriously, "He is a prodigy of divine talent. Given time, he will definitely become a Grandmaster!"

"Good!" Elder Xiao's eyes lit up, and he drained his teacup in one gulp.

Drinking this tea was like downing strong liquor!

Han Xiaochuan stared, dumbfounded. Commander, what was that you just said about me?

Elder Xiao sighed, his voice wistful. "A Grandmaster... how long has it been since we last had one? Ten years? Twenty? Or a hundred?"

"The nation grows stronger by the day, but the strength of our Martial Artists is in decline." Elder Xiao thumped his knee and muttered to himself, "Of the top ten on the Heavenly Ranking today, the Ancient Martial World accounts for more than half. The rest are all getting on in years."

Han Xiaochuan pouted. "Commander, when you say things like that, could you please consider my feelings?"

Elder Xiao gave Han Xiaochuan a strange look. "You never used to talk this much. What, did that kid get to you?"

Han Xiaochuan crossed his arms and huffed, "That kid? I could beat him black and blue with a few punches."

Elder Xiao laughed heartily, pointing at him. "You punk. If you lost, you lost. What's so hard to admit? Just listen to his moniker, Wudi. Invincible is as invincible does."

Han Xiaochuan's face stiffened. The memory of being so intimidated by a single punch that he conceded defeat filled him with a complex mix of feelings. "Hmph, so what if he's invincible? Can he beat Zhang Daoyun?"

At his words, the smile vanished from Elder Xiao's face, replaced by a deep sigh.

Realizing his mistake, Han Xiaochuan quickly tried to console him. "Commander, don't worry too much. That guy's talent is terrifying. Even if he can't win this time, give him ten years, and he'll have a place on the Heavenly Ranking for sure!"

Elder Xiao was deeply moved and said solemnly, "You're right. In ten years, he will become a Grandmaster!"

...

「Zun City, known as the ancient city.」

It was a famous tourist destination in Southern Sky. Now, in the heart of a clear summer, countless tourists flocked to Zun City to enjoy its unique, old-world charm.

"Boss, another bowl!"

In a cool alley, Lin Mu set down his empty bowl and called out to the busy owner.

"The usual! Extra chili and vinegar!"

Lin Mu's words made the customers at the other tables stare in shock. This was already his tenth bowl. Even if it was just cold jelly noodles, that was way too much to eat.

"Alrighty!" The owner, however, thought differently. He had been making these noodles for decades and knew they wouldn't cause a stomachache no matter how much a person ate. Besides, the more his customers ate, the better his noodles must be!

The owner was a short man in his sixties, his face carved with the deep lines of time. He had worked hard for years to raise several daughters, putting them through college, watching them get married and buy homes. Though his body was still robust, his hands and feet were no longer as nimble as they once were.

"Boss, hurry up! How long have I been waiting?" a customer complained, his face a mask of impatience.

"Yes, yes! Coming right up!" the owner replied cheerfully before carrying a bowl of noodles over to Lin Mu.

"Damn it, old man! What's the meaning of this?" The angry customer shot to his feet, kicking his stool away. "Coming up, coming up! Do you even want to stay in business?"

At this scene, the other customers quickly got up, put their money down, and hurried away. These men clearly spelled trouble, and it was best not to get caught in the crossfire.

Soon, the only person left in the alley was Lin Mu, who was still eating his cold jelly noodles, savoring every bite to his heart's content.

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