The Next Day.
The finals had reached the fourth round. Lin Mu went to draw lots as before, and this time he drew an academy from the Star Luo Empire.
However, before the match even started, the opposing team directly chose to concede.
Although the Royal Fighting Team had only played twice, both matches were crushing victories. The strength of the other academies was even weaker than that of Godwind Academy, so naturally, they had no chance of winning. Rather than being completely humiliated, it was better to concede and save face.
Similarly, the team drawn by the Spirit Hall Golden Generation team also conceded. After all, Dai Mubai's fighting style was too brutal, and if they faced him, they would easily suffer serious injuries.
In addition, the other two teams decided their winners, and Thunderclap Academy ultimately entered the top three.
This was beyond Lin Mu's expectations.
He thought that either Godwind Academy or the Star Luo Royal Academy would enter the top three, but unexpectedly, both teams were eliminated before they even got started, and Thunderclap Academy managed to pick up the scraps.
However, given the overall strength of Thunderclap Academy, even if they were lucky enough to enter the top three, they would only be a supporting team.
As the fourth round of the competition ended, Lin Mu was preparing to return to his inn to cultivate.
Having condensed his Soul Core, his Soul Power had broken through to level eighty-nine, only one level away from becoming a Titled Douluo.
Once he broke through to Titled Douluo, his strength would undoubtedly experience a qualitative leap.
However, Lin Mu had barely left the rest area when a gentle voice rang in his ears.
"Lin Mu, I am five hundred meters to your southeast. Come quickly."
'What does Qian Daoliu want with me?'
Lin Mu frowned, a sense of unease rising in his heart. Could it be that this old man knew Tang San's identity and wanted revenge for his son?
"No."
After a moment, Lin Mu shook his head, directly rejecting this guess.
This is Spirit City, where most of the Titled Douluos of Spirit Hall are located. If Qian Daoliu wanted to make a move, he wouldn't need to find him separately; he could just attack directly.
Even if Lin Mu could protect himself with his speed, he couldn't guarantee his disciple's safety. Although his strength had increased somewhat after condensing his Soul Core, it was unrealistic to truly compete with Qian Daoliu.
"Thinking so much is useless; let's go check it out first."
Immediately, Lin Mu used his Hurricane Armor, flying southeast like a streak of cyan light.
In an instant, he arrived at a tall building.
At this moment, Qian Daoliu was standing high up, looking down at where Lin Mu had just been. Before he could even react, Lin Mu had already appeared beside him.
Feeling this astonishing speed again, Qian Daoliu couldn't help but exclaim, "You're clearly just a Soul Douluo, yet you possess near-teleportation speed, and with such low energy consumption. I really don't know why your Martial Soul is so unique."
"Just normal."
Seeing Lin Mu's nonchalant attitude, Qian Daoliu's lips twitched.
If he possessed such terrifying speed, he could definitely crush Tang Chen, and might even win Bo Saixi's favor.
The most outrageous thing was that although Lin Mu only had one Martial Soul, he could switch between various elemental armors, which were even stronger than the Seraphim Martial Soul.
It should be noted that the Seraphim Martial Soul is already a God-level Martial Soul, considered a God-class existence. However, Lin Mu's armor Martial Soul far surpassed the Seraphim Martial Soul, making it hard not to suspect that this guy might be related to some god.
Thinking of this, Qian Daoliu became even more determined in his previous decision.
Seeing that Qian Daoliu didn't reply for a long time, Lin Mu could only take the initiative to ask, "What do you want with me?"
Hearing this, Qian Daoliu finally came to his senses.
Suppressing his thoughts, he looked up at Lin Mu, his eyes filled with complex emotions, but his tone remained calm as he stated, "I've come to see you mainly because of your disciple."
Hearing this, Lin Mu frowned slightly, thinking to himself, 'As expected, the Blue Silver Emperor is too easily exposed.'
However, judging from Qian Daoliu's reaction, it wasn't a fight to the death.
After a brief moment of thought, Lin Mu directly confessed, "That's right, Little San is indeed Tang Hao's son."
Upon hearing this, Qian Daoliu was momentarily stunned.
He had considered many possibilities, but he hadn't expected Lin Mu to admit it so readily, catching him somewhat off guard.
"In that case, you should know that the former Pope of Spirit Hall was severely injured by Tang Hao."
"Of course, I also know he's your son," Lin Mu said calmly.
Seeing this, Qian Daoliu was completely bewildered; why wasn't this guy playing by the rules?
After a brief pause, Lin Mu changed the subject, solemnly stating, "Back then, Spirit Hall sent numerous powerful figures to besiege Tang Hao for the purpose of hunting a transformed Soul Beast, which was perfectly justified."
"And Tang Hao's resistance to protect his wife was equally justified. There's no right or wrong between them; whoever is stronger is right."
Hearing this argument, Qian Daoliu was stunned.
This seemed to make some sense.
But upon closer inspection, he quickly found a flaw and retorted, "Then it's perfectly justified for me to avenge my son."
"That's right, you're welcome to try. Although I'm not your match now, who knows in a few years."
From beginning to end, Lin Mu hadn't intended to persuade Qian Daoliu with grand principles. In matters of this kind, right and wrong were irrelevant; only strength mattered.
Sensing the threat in Lin Mu's words, Qian Daoliu's expression turned serious. Given Lin Mu's growth rate, his strength would definitely reach his level within a few years.
After a moment, Qian Daoliu sighed, "Very well, I can refrain from harming Tang San, but how can you guarantee that once Tang San grows up, he won't be detrimental to Spirit Hall?"
"I can guarantee that," Lin Mu patted his chest, promising.
"My disciple is discerning and won't readily seek to destroy Spirit Hall."
In his view, Spirit Hall's existence was more beneficial than harmful, greatly benefiting the common people. With changing dynasties, the interests of the nobility wouldn't be significantly affected, but without Spirit Hall, even awakening a Martial Soul would be a problem for the common people.
With Lin Mu's assurance, Qian Daoliu felt relieved.
Although Tang San's potential wasn't as terrifying as Lin Mu's, it was still far ahead of his peers. Given another ten years or so, he would definitely become a top expert.
At this moment, Qian Daoliu suddenly thought of a question and asked, "Whether it was our last meeting or this one, you showed no fear of me. Is it because you are confident in your own strength, or are you simply fearless?"
Faced with this question, Lin Mu was startled, realizing he hadn't been able to hide anything from this old man. He truly lived up to his reputation as one of the two pillars of the Soul Master world.
Then, Lin Mu's lips curled into a smile, and he declared confidently, "Of course, it's both."
Hearing this answer, Qian Daoliu was instantly furious, glaring fiercely at Lin Mu. He had truly lost both his granddaughter and his plans for revenge for his son.
He never imagined that his granddaughter, after so many years as an undercover agent, would be so easily manipulated by someone her own age.
[TL/N: Only two pillars, because most people don't even know who Bo Saixi is or whether Sea God Island even existed.]