Chapter 40: The Standard of the Strongest Is Too Low

King Zhao said angrily, “Brat, who are you? How dare you talk to me like that? Tell me your name!”

“Lin Ran.”

Everyone looked at each other in puzzlement. This name didn’t ring a bell.

“Who is Lin Ran? I’ve never heard of such a person.”

After a while, someone said with uncertainty, “He seems to be the champion of the Martial Arts Competition. After the new emperor ascended the throne, he was sent to Mount Sword to be a mountain guardian…”

Initially, everyone was vigilant. After all, under such tight security, this person could actually sneak in without anyone knowing and even dared to provoke King Zhao. It seemed like he had some ability.

At this moment, when they learned of Lin Ran’s identity and background, they were immediately full of disdain and mockery.

“I was wondering who it was. It turns out that he’s just a small official guarding the mountain.”

“Emperor Sheng Yuan is apparently at his wit’s end. He actually sent someone like you to try to convince us. Do you really think we’re three years old?”

Everyone looked down on Lin Ran even more and thought that he must have snuck in through a secret passage. His strength was nothing to be afraid of.

“If you go back now and tell Emperor Sheng Yuan to surrender and stop resisting, we might consider sparing your life.”

Lin Ran remained perfectly collected and calm even if everyone was looking at him with mockery and sneer.

“Instead of living your life in this peaceful era, you chose to start a war and cause the innocent subjects to suffer. I advise you to give up while it’s not too late.”

Lin Ran didn’t want to make a move. It was naturally best if no one got hurt.

Unfortunately, the group of people in front of him did not think so.

King Zhao and the others immediately burst into laughter.

“Did I hear that right? What did this kid say? He really thinks he’s the savior and wants us to give up. Who do you think you are?”

“Do you think you’re the Sword God who can make us stop? You are just an insignificant mountain guardian. Stop embarrassing yourself.”

Elder Xie sized up Lin Ran. The news of the Sword God’s death and the compliments of everyone made his ambitions soar.

He sneered. “Kid, you’re really full of nonsense. Do you know that in this world where the strong prey on the weak, strength is everything? Whoever is stronger has the final say. You have no right to speak here.”

Lin Ran only glanced at him indifferently. “It seems like you’re very powerful.”

When he met that dark gaze, Elder Xie felt a chill run down his spine, as if he was being stared at by a ferocious monster.

Before he could react, someone else spoke for him. “You ignorant thing. Without the Sword God, Elder Xie is now considered the strongest in the world.”

Lin Ran’s tone immediately became playful as he said,

“Are the standards of the strongest in the world so low now? A grandmaster can actually be the strongest. Even if the Sword God dies, this position of the strongest is not something you people can dream of.”

Everyone was stunned by his arrogant attitude, not knowing what to say. WIth no Half-Saints currently known to the world and most Senior Grandmasters in seclusion, a Grandmaster could naturally be considered the strongest.

Elder Xie’s face turned livid when he was looked down upon by a nobody.

Before he broke through, he was already powerful and no one dared to provoke him. After he broke through, he was more respected by everyone. Even King Zhao treated him with respect.

It was the first time he was insulted like that.

He said through gritted teeth, “How dare you!”

If not for his pride, he would have already made a move. After all, he was a grandmaster and it was naturally not right for him to deal with someone who had no cultivation.

King Zhao’s face darkened as he gave the word. “Instead of living your life, you came to seek death. Soldiers, take him down!”

The surrounding soldiers immediately swarmed forward.

However, in the next second.

“Boom!”

A powerful force swept out from Lin Ran as the center like a violent wind, sending all the soldiers flying away.

“This kid is probably hiding his strength!”

Seeing this, Elder Xie no longer cared about his pride and made a move. He slashed in the air, and a huge palm appeared in midair. It was like a mountain that carried a terrifying pressure.

Under the huge palm, Lin Ran was as small as an ant, and it looked like he could easily be crushed to death.

The sound of the Heavenly rang, releasing extremely powerful and formidable energy.

“Crush him!”

Even the onlookers were in awe, let alone Lin Ran, who was in the center. He stood rooted to the ground and did not even have the intention to dodge.

Everyone mocked, “Is this kid scared silly? He can’t even move now.”

“It seems like it. He’s doomed today. Even if he runs, the palm will still crush him.”

Seeing that the giant palm was about to land, Lin Ran finally made a move.

Without warning, a sharp sword energy soared into the sky. Everyone shuddered. They did not even see it clearly. They only saw a dazzling ray of light flashing by.

“Boom!”

The huge palm was split into two.

When they looked up, the sky was already shrouded by countless sword intent, making one feel like they were in a different world. For a moment, they were shocked.

Elder Xie took half a step back and fought back the blood that was surging up in his throat. His face revealed an expression of disbelief as he said with his eyes wide open, “How can this be?!”