World's Strongest Martial Warrior

After a moment of contemplation...    

He nodded, his gaze fixed on Lu He with a hint of confusion. "Indeed, he's a young man in black named Peter Parker. Does Young Master Lu He recognize this Peter Parker?"    

"I am indeed searching for someone named Peter Parker. I'm just not certain if he's the same individual you're referring to."    

Lu He spoke deliberately, "Elder Luo, could you show me what Peter Parker looks like?"    

Without hesitation, Luo Changkong gestured with his hand, and the power of a Heaven Immortal coalesced into a dark silhouette before Lu He.    

Who could this shadow be, if not Peter Parker?    

"It really is him!"    

Lu He's gaze was locked onto the illusory figure before him, one he knew all too well. A wave of disbelief washed over him.    

This was completely unexpected.    

The Peter Parker Luo Changkong mentioned was, in fact, the very same Peter Parker he was seeking!    

But how...    

In less than a month since ascending to the Immortal World from the lower realms, how had he evolved from a mere pretender to a True Immortal of the Fourth Grade? Moreover, he possessed the formidable power to slay a Ninth Grade True Immortal.    

If this was indeed true, then Peter Parker's talent was nothing short of petrifying.    

In that moment,    

Lu Ming came to a stark realization as to why Lu Feng, whom he had dispatched to pursue Peter Parker, had vanished without a trace.    

A Fourth Grade True Immortal capable of defeating a Ninth Grade True Immortal was a force to be reckoned with. Even at the False True Immortal level, he was far beyond the capabilities of a mere Third Grade True Immortal like Lu Feng.    

"We must deal with this young man immediately!"    

The thought of Peter Parker's alarming rate of advancement sent a shiver of cold intent through Lu He's eyes.    

In under a month, he had ascended from a False True Immortal to a Fourth Grade True Immortal, a feat not even an average Ninth Grade True Immortal could match.    

Such extraordinary talent surpassed even the most gifted prodigies from the major Luo factions in Cang Yun Province.    

His past actions had already set him at odds with Peter Parker.    

Should this young man reach his full potential, he would spell an unprecedented calamity for the Lu family.    

Contemplating the situation, Lu He couldn't resist looking up at Luo Changkong and said, "Elder Luo, I'll take this matter to Big Brother. Please, all of you go ahead and await my update."    

The Luo River Merchant Union stood as one of the three formidable Golden Immortal forces within Heavenly Water Immortal City. Even with Luo Qianqiu wounded, a dying camel remains larger than a horse.    

Moreover...    

As an ally to the Luo River Merchant Union, the Ning Clan couldn't just stand by.    

Should the Lu Family decide to act, they'd need to tread with caution.    

"We'll have to impose on Ivan Redick for everything then."    

Luo Changkong respectfully bowed with his hands clasped before Lu He. "I trust your Lu family will reach a swift decision. If not, confronting Luo Qianqiu once he's healed will prove even more challenging."    

With his piece said, Luo Changkong turned and departed.    

He had an inkling that the Lu Family might be preoccupied with more pressing matters, hence their lack of eagerness to join forces against the Luo River Merchant Union.    

In the past, such an overture from him, the Great Elder of the Luo River Merchant Union, would not have been overlooked by the Lu family.    

For his own security, he knew he had to plan ahead and secure an exit strategy.    

Watching Luo Changkong and his own retreating figure, Lu He's gaze sharpened momentarily before he pivoted and made his way decisively toward the Lu Family compound.    

Before long, Lu He arrived at a grand courtyard nestled deep within the Lu Family estate, a place he knew well.    

This courtyard served as the home of Lu Ming, Lu He's elder brother and one of the Lu Family's three esteemed Golden Immortals.    

"Big Brother, are you there?" Lu He entered the courtyard and called out.    

In response to his voice, a middle-aged man bearing a resemblance to Lu He materialized before him.    

Clad in white, the man's keen features and bright eyes were striking, his white hair gleaming like snow, and a mysterious emblem glowed upon his forehead.    

This was Lu Ming, one of the Lu Family's revered Golden Immortals.    

"Weren't you overseeing the Guiding Immortal Platform? What brings you here so unexpectedly?"    

Lu Ming regarded Lu He with a slight frown.    

"Big brother, I recently led a group of ascenders from the lower universe, and we encountered some complications..."    

Lu He, in the presence of his elder brother, didn't dare conceal any details and promptly recounted the events to Lu Ming.    

He relayed news of a prodigy from the lower realms who, in under a month, had ascended from a False True Immortal to a Rank 4 True Immortal. This individual also possessed the formidable ability to overpower a Rank Nine True Immortal. Even Lu Ming, as a Golden Immortal, found the notion of suppressing a Rank Nine True Immortal astonishing, and his eyes betrayed his barely concealed shock.    

"Big brother, Peter Parker's talent is unnaturally formidable. We must eliminate him."    

A cold glint appeared in Lu He's eyes. "With the Great Elder of the Luo Water Merchant Union seeking an alliance, we can seize this chance to strike at them and take out that upstart. It's a perfect two-for-one strategy."    

Lu Ming shook his head, "Given that the Family Head and the others haven't returned, I'm currently the sole Golden Immortal in the Lu Family. We mustn't be hasty."    

The question of whether Luo Changkong genuinely sought collaboration with the Lu Family was secondary; even if his intentions were sincere, Lu Ming wouldn't be impulsive.    

After all, the extent of Luo Qianqiu's injuries was unknown.    

Should Luo Qianqiu be gravely wounded, any aggressive move by the Lu Clan against the Luo River Merchant Union would not go unnoticed by the Ning Clan.    

A rash action could fail to weaken the Luo River Merchant Union and instead embroil the Lu Clan in unnecessary conflict.    

Upon hearing this, Lu He pressed, "Big brother, with Luo Qianqiu injured and Luo Changkong open to working with us, we're presented with a golden opportunity we shouldn't miss."    

"Don't underestimate the Luo Water Merchant Union. If they were so easily vanquished, they wouldn't have endured to this day," Lu Ming replied with a measured look at Lu He. "Rest assured, I have plans of my own. For now, go and oversee the Guiding Immortal Platform."    

Realizing Lu Ming was resolute, Lu He, though reluctant, had no choice but to comply and take his leave.    

A sharp glint involuntarily flashed in Lu Ming's eyes as he watched Lu He walk away.    

Without hesitation...    

He swiftly formed a hand seal and issued a command.    

Despite his natural caution and reluctance to make hasty decisions based on Lu He's unilateral claims, this didn't prevent him from seeking to understand the current state of the Luo Water Merchant Union.    

Moreover...    

Lu Ming found himself deeply intrigued by the prodigy from the lower universe that Lu He had mentioned.    

This individual's potential seemed even greater than that of the most esteemed prodigies from the Great Luo. Provided no unforeseen events occurred, their future accomplishments were bound to be staggeringly impressive.    

At the very least, Lu He had a point.    

If this prodigy could not be swayed to the Lu family's side, they would need to neutralize the threat before it fully developed!    

With that in mind,    

Lu Ming resolved to dispatch someone to the Luo Water Merchant Union to gather more intelligence.    

He was eager to determine whether the Luo Water Merchant Union would align with the Lu family or stand against them over Peter Parker.