7: I give up

Lin Mu did not want to get entangled in the Tao Family Ancestor's questions.

He spoke with an indifferent tone, "Tao Family Head, I have never heard of the person you mentioned, nor am I interested in who he is."

"I just want to know if Tao Rong's promised reward still counts?"

Hearing this, the Tao Family Ancestor's expression froze!

Doesn't he know him?

Does he truly not know him, or does he have another motive?

The Tao Family Ancestor was hesitant, unable to make up his mind for a moment.

He said vaguely, "Young Master Lin has been kind to my clan's disciples, so naturally, we must thank him. My Tao Family would never do something ungrateful."

"As for the reward, Young Master Lin, you are unaware."

At this point, the Tao Family Ancestor inadvertently glanced at the Black-clothed Old Man again.

"My Tao Family has many disciples and is prosperous, requiring spirit stones for all aspects. The clan's treasury indeed does not have that many."

"Oh? Tao Rong didn't say that!" Lin Mu looked unkindly at Tao Rong, who was sitting at a nearby table.

Tao Rong quickly stood up: "Ancestor, I..."

"Silence! How dare a junior like you interrupt your elders when they are speaking? Step back!"

The Tao Family Ancestor quickly interjected to stop Tao Rong, seeing he still wanted to speak.

Tao Rong saw his ancestor's anger and dared not retort, so he could only sullenly retreat to his seat.

"I don't care about your family matters. Not a single spirit stone that Tao Rong promised me can be less."

"Fifty thousand spirit stones, I want to see them now."

"Young Master Lin, isn't that a bit of an exorbitant demand?"

Tao Zhi, the Tao Family Head, who had been silent all this time, interjected.

Lin Mu looked at Tao Zhi contemptuously: "Who truly calls the shots in the Tao Family? I only speak to those who can make decisions."

The Tao Family Ancestor naturally couldn't disrespect the Family Head: "His words are also what I wanted to say."

"So, there's nothing to discuss."

Lao Mo suddenly extended his right hand, forming a claw with his palm, and a spiritual force shot straight towards Tao Rong.

Lao Mo's speed was as fast as lightning.

Everyone reacted too slowly, watching as Tao Rong was seized by Lao Mo and pulled before him.

At this moment, Lao Mo was tightly gripping Tao Rong's throat with one hand, awaiting Lin Mu's next instruction.

"Stop!"

Tao Zhi and the Tao Family Ancestor shouted simultaneously.

The Tao Family Ancestor hadn't expected Lin Mu to turn hostile so quickly, catching him off guard.

"Young Master Lin, what is the meaning of this? Do you really think my Tao Family is easily bullied?"

The Tao Family Ancestor's form of address changed back to Young Master Lin.

Things had come to this, there was no need to continue feigning civility.

Lin Mu said indifferently, "I can do without the things you promised me, but you cannot refuse to give them."

"Since you all believe that the lives of these three are not worth fifty thousand spirit stones, I'll just take them back!"

The Tao Family Ancestor quickly said, "Wait a moment."

He didn't think the lives of three disciples were worth fifty thousand spirit stones; he was currently upholding the dignity of the entire Tao Family.

When Lao Mo made his move just now, he had already confirmed it.

That Man in Black was definitely a master of the Spirit Roaming Realm.

Releasing spiritual power externally, this was one of the hallmarks of the Spirit Roaming Realm.

Facing the threat of a Spirit Roaming Realm expert, he had to take it seriously.

Even if Lin Mu was not from the Yunzhou Lin Family, he did not want to fight to the death.

"Young Master Lin, please calm down."

"Even if the Tao Family had those fifty thousand spirit stones now, it would be impossible to give them all to you."

"Now, this old man has a proposal. I wonder if Young Master Lin would be willing to hear it?"

"That's interesting, tell me!" Lin Mu said indifferently.

The Tao Family Ancestor's spiritual power suddenly surged, and the surrounding tables and chairs were overturned by his aura.

He looked solemnly at Lao Mo.

"I observe that your companion is also in the Spirit Roaming Realm. How about this old man competes with him?"

"If this old man is fortunate enough to win even a single move, I am still willing to offer ten thousand spirit stones as a reward, and this matter will be dropped."

Lin Mu asked with icy eyes, "And if you lose?"

"If this old man loses, from this day forward, the entire Tao Family will pledge allegiance to you, never to betray you for all eternity."

"Ancestor, you cannot!"

The elders all cried out in unison upon hearing this.

If a dignified one of the Four Great Families were to truly submit to a mere youth, how could they ever hold their heads high in Hancheng City again?

Only Tao Zhi understood the crucial point!

If the Ancestor won, though he would lose ten thousand spirit stones, he would have gained the respect of a Spirit Roaming Realm expert.

If the Ancestor lost, losing to a guard or servant, and such a strong individual was willing to be a servant.

Then what did it matter if his Tao Family submitted to Lin Mu?

Lin Mu seemed to have seen through the Tao Family Ancestor's intentions.

However, he did not expose him.

He also needed some eyes and ears to do things for him.

Most importantly, he really liked this residence!

"Good, it's settled then."

Upon hearing this, Lao Mo released Tao Rong.

Tao Rong stumbled and knelt on the ground, coughing incessantly.

The Tao Family Ancestor glanced at Tao Rong, saw that he was unharmed, and then rose and rushed out into the courtyard.

With a few leaps, he landed on the training ground.

Then he shouted loudly, "Brother/Esteemed Sir, please!"

Lao Mo pushed off the ground, his body flashing to the training ground.

The Tao Family crowd followed, surrounding him.

Lao Mo naturally understood Lin Mu's intentions at this moment.

He said indifferently, "I'll let you make the first move. You only have one chance!"

The Tao Family Ancestor heard this and was not angered.

With a flick of his wrist, a green longsword appeared in his hand.

He frantically channeled all his spiritual power.

Under the enhancement of spiritual power, the longsword immediately crackled with lightning, transforming into various fierce beast forms.

This was the Tao Family Ancestor's most powerful killer move, which he relied on for protection.

It was called the Formless Sword Art.

He had surprised and defeated opponents numerous times with this sword move.

The Tao Family Ancestor's sword move was fully charged.

But Lao Mo still stood in place, without any defense on his body.

He couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

"Arrogant and conceited. Today, this old man will let you experience the price of arrogance."

He slightly bent his body, and the longsword suddenly swung forward.

He shouted loudly, "Go!"

The lightning-transformed fierce beast shot out from the longsword, reaching Lao Mo's front in the blink of an eye.

The violent aura seemed capable of tearing apart all obstacles.

Below the stage, the excitement on the faces of the Tao Family members was hard to conceal.

Some of the younger generation even shouted out.

"Ancestor is mighty!"

But then something utterly surprising happened.

The lightning-transformed fierce beast actually stopped dead, less than a foot away from Lao Mo.

No matter how it roared, it couldn't move forward an inch.

At this moment, in front of Lao Mo, an oval-shaped shield made of spiritual energy had appeared at some unknown time.

The fierce beast's sharp claws struck the shield, emitting a piercing sound.

But the shield showed no signs of breaking.

"Nothing more than this. Now it's my turn to attack!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Lao Mo also conjured a green longsword in his hand.

He merely swung a single sword casually, and the fierce beast before him immediately dissipated.

Lao Mo's hands did not stop; he injected spiritual power into the longsword.

Immediately, lightning flashed on the longsword, and a more ferocious beast visibly condensed.

The fierce beast roared to the sky, baring its fangs and claws as it charged towards the Tao Family Ancestor.

The Tao Family Ancestor stood frozen in place, his eyes wide with shock.

What was happening?

This Black-clothed Old Man could actually use the same move as him.

And judging by its power, it was countless times stronger than his own.

The Tao Family Ancestor knew the power of this move well.

If he were hit, he would definitely be torn to shreds by the fierce beast.

"I surrender!"