"Luo Yu has seen the Sky Group Chief Instructor!" Luo Yu entered, bringing his legs together, and gave a standard military salute.
Lin Mo smiled and said, "We are all familiar acquaintances, and, as you know, I am not fond of this formality."
"Sima Zining," called Lin Mo as she stood at the doorway, her crystal-clear eyes misted with tender fog, a simple gaze conveying a complex array of emotions.
"It's been a long time," Lin Mo's face revealed a faint smile.
Compared to the Sima Zining he had seen before, the current Sima Zining, having been tempered by military training, had undergone a certain transformation in both appearance and temperament. The long-term combat and martial arts training had sculpted her figure to be exceedingly fit and curvaceous—truly, she was an enthralling sight, with an added touch of heroic femininity.
"Mhm, it has been a long time," Sima Zining's cheeks blushed with a touch of light longing, feeling quite happy within.
The most dreaded thing is the sudden stillness of the air...
With a gentle cough, Luo Yu interjected, "Chief Instructor Lin, Minister Shangguan asked me to bring you a message."
Luo Yu slowly spoke, revealing that the Security Bureau had been closely monitoring both the Martial Arts World and the Magic World. They were well aware of the existence of the Heavenly Sect and even had dedicated teams analyzing the capabilities of the Heavenly Sect People. However, recent frequent activities of the Heavenly Sect People had escalated the Security Bureau into combat readiness.
With the Security Bureau's strength and advanced super-technology weapons, they were not intimidated by the people of the Heavenly Sect. But it was not necessary to engage in battle as long as the Heavenly Sect did not disrupt the mundane world's stability and pose a risk to the nation; in such cases, the Security Bureau would maintain a position of neutrality.
"Minister Shangguan and the Dragon Emperor are both aware of your circumstances. However, for the sake of stability..." Luo Yu bit her lip and did not continue.
Lin Mo nodded, understanding that the Security Bureau could not offer him assistance. After all, the people of the Heavenly Sect had not disturbed social harmony, and the implications of waging war against the Heavenly Sect were unpredictable.
"However, Minister Shangguan said he would deploy people to protect the safety of your family and friends," Luo Yu added.
Lin Mo responded with composure, "Please thank Minister Shangguan for me. As long as my family and friends are safe, I will have no worries."
Lin Mo had not taken ruthless action against the people of the Heavenly Sect precisely due to such concerns—inflaming them could have dire consequences. Although he was not afraid, he was unable to protect his loved ones everywhere at once.
Now, with the Security Bureau's protection, the people of the Heavenly Sect would have to consider the threat posed by modern weaponry.
Shortly after, Luo Yu left first, as she had orders to report back on. Sima Zining, however, stayed behind. Having not seen Lin Mo for a long time, she had many things she wanted to tell him. But now, faced with the object of her inner yearnings, she found herself unable to utter a single word.
"Turns out Sister Mengdie lost her memory. That Miao Xue Divine Palace dared to harm her; don't worry, Lin Mo, I believe one day she will remember you," Sima Zining said comforting Lin Mo after hearing his story.
"I hope she will come to understand my difficult choices," said Lin Mo, a trace of bitterness in his expression.
Witnessing the fleeting sorrow in Lin Mo's eyes, a slight pain coursed through Sima Zining's heart. She looked down but soon lifted her gaze, her eyes shining with firmness, though her cheeks carried a hint of blush.
"Lin Mo, don't be sad, I... I will be here for you, always," she said, her voice barely audible by the end.
Having said that, Sima Zining stood up and walked towards the door, "It's getting late, I should go back to my room to rest."
Although Sima Zining's last sentence was very soft, Lin Mo was no ordinary person; how could he not hear it?
Lin Mo's face showed a look of helplessness, and he shook his head.
In the early hours of the next morning, Qinghai saw an influx of special individuals from the Martial Arts World and Heavenly Sect. It had become common knowledge that Lin Tanyu, the number one figure in the Martial Arts World, was about to challenge Qing Xuan, and people were rushing from all over to witness it.
The coastal area had already been sealed off, with ordinary people unable to enter or leave.
When Lin Mo arrived at the coast with Yingzi and Sima Zining, there were already hundreds of people gathered. There were mysterious old men in white riding giant pythons and elegant young ladies standing on the heads of massive toads. Some were clad in strange attire, fully cloaked from head to toe, while a few figures stood suspended in the air, feet off the ground, all of them experts from the ordinary world or the Heavenly Sect.
"Brother Lin."
Ye Beichen had already arrived with people from the Duanmu Family. Seeing Lin Mo, he immediately stepped forward and called out.
However, Ye Beichen quickly noticed Sima Zining by Lin Mo's side and couldn't help thinking, "Damn, another beauty."
"Master Ye from the Heavenly Sect," Lin Mo introduced, "Sima Zining, my friend."
"Brother Lin, all your friends are beauties," Ye Beichen said with a raised eyebrow and a teasing smile.
Lin Mo wore an expression of helplessness.
"They've all arrived," Ye Beichen said seriously, his gaze falling on the dark sea surface in the distance where gusts of salty sea wind were blowing toward them.
On the sea, which resembled a giant beast, Qing Xuan, Wu Yue, Yao Lei, and Ouyang Xinghe were already standing firm, treading on the waves. Their clothes billowed in the wind, rustling with strength.
Snake Lord and Miao Xin stood at the shore; upon seeing Lin Mo's arrival, Miao Xin's eyes briefly darted to the side, catching sight of an unfamiliar but beautiful girl by his side. She subconsciously bit her lip, an indescribable emotion welling up inside her heart.
"Lin Mo, be careful," Sima Zining cautioned.
"Master, good luck," Yingzi expressed with a cute smile, waving her pristine fists, her demeanor instantly endearing.
Lin Mo nodded and with a step, charged into the sea against the wind, leaving a long, white trail behind him.
Ye Beichen followed closely behind, both men running into the sea together.
Lin Mo and Ye Beichen stood together, facing Qing Xuan and the others.
"Lin Mo, the Strongest King of the Martial Arts World's Qingyun List, how dare you kill my servant? Today I will kill you to strike fear into these monkeys of the Martial Arts World!" Qing Xuan tore away his gentle, gentlemanly facade, revealing a ferocious expression.
"According to the meteorological bureau's forecast, Qinghai is expected to experience heavy rain and strong winds tonight. Citizens are advised not to walk by the seaside and should stay in the urban areas or at home," the announcement came on.
In a seaside villa, a woman with bare feet, wearing casual pajamas, was lying on a sofa with a white Bichon Frise in her arms, watching the TV at home.
"Didn't they say the weather would be clear this morning? How could there be a storm tonight?" Tong Zhen frowned, glanced at the still-open window, and scuttled over barefoot to close it. But as she looked towards the distant sea, she could vaguely see some figures standing there; however, due to the distance and lighting, the view wasn't clear.