“Bang!”
When the two fists collided, a deep, heavy thud echoed. The powerful force swept away all the dust on the nearby ground.
After the two fists met, the crushing defeat everyone expected did not occur. Lin Dong’s body stood firm on the ground like a bedrock, surprisingly able to withstand a punch from Lei Li, who possessed the strength of the ninth level of Body Tempering.
“Swish!”
The two fists separated immediately after contact, and both figures retreated heavily. Lei Li took two steps back, while Lin Dong took three. All in all, Lei Li’s punch did not achieve the decisive effect everyone had imagined.
“He actually blocked it…”
Seeing Lin Dong and Lei Li seemingly matched in strength, both the younger generation of the Xie family and the Lin family showed shock in their eyes. Lei Li’s reputation in Qingyang Town was truly considerable; many speculated that he would likely break through the ninth level of Body Tempering and enter the Earth Yuan Stage within half a year, at which point the Lei family’s strength would undoubtedly rise a step further.
Among the younger generation in Qingyang Town, Lei Li was undeniably number one. Yet today, this so-called number one was stopped by a younger junior from the Lin family, a sight that caused many to waver in their perception.
Xie Yingying and Xie Ting’s expressions also subtly changed at this moment. A look of solemnity even rose in Xie Yingying’s eyes. It seemed Lin Dong, who had recently risen in the Lin family, indeed possessed genuine skill.
Xie Yingying’s pupils flickered, though she quickly regained her composure. While Lin Dong blocking Lei Li’s punch earlier had indeed surprised everyone, it didn’t mean he truly had the qualifications to contend with Lei Li.
Regardless, Lei Li still possessed the strength of the ninth level of Body Tempering, which was incomparably more formidable than Lin Dong’s eighth level. Moreover, in their previous exchange, Lin Dong had used a martial art, while Lei Li had not!
Therefore, if they were to truly fight, Lin Dong’s defeat was inevitable.
“Nine Echoing Back-Connecting Fist? Not bad…”
Lei Li retreated, his gaze on Lin Dong holding a hint of surprise, then he chuckled faintly, his arms slightly bent. “I wondered why you were so arrogant. Turns out you do have some ability. However, next, you might not be so lucky…”
As his voice fell, Lei Li raised his clawed hand, and a dense light immediately flared, with Yuan Power fluctuations spreading outwards. From the looks of it, he, too, was about to unleash a martial art to face his opponent.
Seeing Lei Li’s move, the joyous expressions that had just appeared on Lin He and the others’ faces due to Lin Dong’s performance instantly vanished. From the looks of it, Lei Li seemed intent on truly making a move.
Lin Dong’s expression remained calm. There was indeed a significant gap between the eighth and ninth levels. Even if he had fully unleashed the Ten Echoing Back-Connecting Fist earlier, he would have only managed to barely match Lei Li in strength. And Lei Li had clearly cultivated a martial art; given the Lei family’s background, its grade was likely not low. If they were to continue fighting, Lei Li’s chances of victory would probably be higher.
Lin Dong, of course, also had confidence. Even if Lei Li could defeat him, it would be a bitter victory!
“Hoo…”
Lin Dong let out a breath, his ten fingers twitching lightly. He really wanted to test how much power the Qi Men Seal, which he had just mastered, would unleash if he used it with all his might. Although it was only the first stage of the Qi Men Seal, which Lin Xiao and Lin Zhengtian had deemed useless, Lin Dong’s first stage of the Qi Men Seal had been perfected by the Stone Talisman’s light projection, so its power was naturally far greater than when they had used it.
Seeing the tension in the arena rise once more drew even more people to gather, watching the two face off with great interest. They were eager to know if this recently emerged genius of the Lin family was willing to challenge a young, already renowned genius like Lei Li…
Lei Li’s palm subtly clenched, and a sharp glint slowly appeared in his eyes as he stared at Lin Dong. The Lei family was considered the most established power in Qingyang Town. Therefore, he harbored a certain disdain for the Lin family, an outsider force and an upstart. If he couldn’t utterly defeat Lin Dong in front of everyone today, his reputation as Qingyang Town’s top young talent might become a laughingstock.
“Heh heh, it’s really lively here…”
However, just as the Yuan Power within Lei Li’s body began to circulate, a discordant laugh suddenly rang out. Then, about ten figures leaped down from a nearby pavilion, directly entering the arena.
These ten or so newcomers were all young teenagers, around sixteen or seventeen years old. They were all dressed in identical clothing. On their chests, there was an emblem, embroidered with a great saber seemingly dancing in a fierce wind.
“Berserk Saber Martial Hall.”
The moment he saw these people, Lin Dong was slightly taken aback. He easily recognized their identity from their emblems. They were none other than the Berserk Saber Martial Hall, a power on par with the Lei and Xie families in Qingyang Town.
Leading the group of arrogant youths was a slightly thin-looking young man. His hands were notably broad and covered in calluses, clearly from frequent saber practice. At this moment, the young man first shot a sidelong glance at Lei Li, then, with a squinting smile, gave Lin Dong a thumbs-up and said:
“You’re Lin Dong of the Lin family, right? You’ve got guts, not bad at all.”
“Wu Yun, this is between him and me, don’t meddle in other people’s business for now!” Lei Li glared at the mocking young man, his expression darkening slightly, and shouted.
“If I don’t meddle a little in this matter… aren’t you guys just trying to turn Qingyang Town into your own backyard?” Wu Yun rolled his eyes and sneered. From his demeanor, it was clear he also strongly disliked Lei Li and his group.
“Heh heh, Lei Li, if you like fighting so much… wouldn’t it be better if I played with you instead?” As his laughter faded, a fiery glint suddenly appeared in Wu Yun’s eyes. He stared at Lei Li, licked his lips, and said.
Hearing those words, Lei Li's expression darkened again. It wasn't that he couldn't defeat Wu Yun; it was just that this person had always been known as a scoundrel, and moreover, he loved to fight like his life depended on it. Once a fight started, it would be endless, like a madman, which was why even Lei Li usually didn't want to get into a scuffle with him.
"Wu Yun, Brother Lei Li simply doesn't want to fight with you. Is such brazen troublemaking truly the style of your Mad Blade Martial Hall?" Xie Yingying said indifferently.
"Whether it's the style of the Mad Blade Martial Hall, I don't know," Wu Yun said, nodding quite seriously in response to the sarcasm in Xie Yingying's words. "But this is indeed my style. If you have any opinions... just say them, though I definitely won't accept them."
Xie Yingying bit her full red lips, her face taking on a slight greenish tint. Truly, nothing was going her way today. First, she encountered Lin Dong, a sharp-tongued fellow who showed no mercy, and now she met a scoundrel. This filled her with seething anger.
Lin Dong, listening to Wu Yun's reply, couldn't help but laugh. He felt a certain fondness for this rather amusing speaker.
Lei Li's face also creased, his expression somewhat grim.
Just as the tense atmosphere was disrupted by Wu Yun, a helpless voice drifted down from the upper floor. "Alright, you brats, you've caused enough commotion," it said. "Why don't you all go home? We still have business to do here." Everyone looked up, only to see a middle-aged man high above, staring down at them. Behind him, a group of burly men stood in attendance.
"That's the manager of this trading hall, named Wang Jing. He's an Earth Yuan Stage master," Lin Xia whispered from behind Lin Dong. At this moment, she also breathed a sigh of relief. If this person had stepped forward, it seemed this farce should come to an end.
Seeing Wang Jing appear, Lei Li furrowed his brows. He knew he wouldn't be able to make a move smoothly today, so he could only immediately disperse the Yuan Power fluctuations in his palm. He glanced at Lin Dong and said indifferently, "Consider yourself lucky today. But don't worry, when the hunting competition comes, I'll 'take special care' of you. As for Ting'er's slap, since I said I'd help her get revenge, just you wait and see..."
"Also, Wu Yun, during the hunting competition, I'll let you have a good fight. Just don't try to avoid me then..."
As soon as he finished speaking, Lei Li let out a cold laugh, then turned and left with Xie Yingying and her group. During this time, as long as he broke through to the Earth Yuan Stage, by then, even if Lin Dong and Wu Yun joined forces, he could easily deal with them.
Watching Lei Li's retreating back, Lin Dong's eyes narrowed, and the corners of his mouth curved slightly upwards. A hunting competition, huh? He was also somewhat looking forward to making his mark...