Everyone was momentarily stunned, then began to ponder.
Rumours had it that the Xu family had a hidden mysterious genius, possibly the most powerful among the Xu family’s four great talents, who had never shown their face.
Hearing Cao Yuhua’s shout, people connected the dots, the Xu family’s most mysterious genius was likely the one with the greatest talent and cross-tier combat strength, not necessarily the one with the highest cultivation or strength.
Moreover, this youth wore a mask, which tied into the “mysterious” aspect, concealing their appearance and identity.
In this region, apart from the Xu family’s mysterious genius, who else could achieve the feat of a Second Stage Martial Venerable overpowering Cao Yuhua?
Thus, many associated Lin Xiao with the Xu family’s mysterious genius, though perhaps only Lin Xiao and Xu Hao thought otherwise.
Because Xu Hao knew the mysterious genius, and it wasn’t as people imagined, most importantly, that genius was definitely not a Second Stage Martial Venerable.
“Xu Changkong? Heh, I’m not him,” Lin Xiao replied with a smile.
From start to finish, he never claimed to be from the Xu family, it was just their wishful thinking that painted him as such.
Of course, this was the effect he intended.
“Hmph, you think hiding behind a mask means you can keep your identity secret forever?” Cao Yuhua clearly didn’t believe Lin Xiao, as he couldn’t imagine anyone else in this region with such formidable combat strength, a Second Stage Martial Venerable fighting across tiers against his Sixth Stage.
“If you don’t believe me, there’s nothing I can do,” Lin Xiao said helplessly.
These days, why doesn’t anyone believe the truth?
The Cao family shouldn’t blame him later, he never said he was from the Xu family.
Lin Xiao chuckled inwardly.
“Hmph, if you’re not, then I’ll defeat you and make you a guest at the Cao family, let’s see if the Xu family jumps!”
Cao Yuhua snorted coldly, a glint of menace flashing in his eyes, his fist clenched, terrifying primal energy surging as he unleashed the Cao family’s core martial technique.
He knew the opponent relied on powerful physical strength to repel him, so avoiding a direct physical clash would nullify their advantage.
“Sky-Splitting Fist, Thousand Cracks of Light!”
With a thunderous shout, Cao Yuhua threw a punch, his fist as if pushing a mountain, carrying unmatched force of countless tons, stirring the entire space.
Dazzling light radiated from the front of his fist, condensing into a beam of fist energy like a pillar of light across the sky, surrounded by transparent force that seemed to tear the void, piercing through with the sound of snapping bamboo.
“The Cao family’s core martial technique!”
“Cao Yuhua’s execution is truly terrifying, countless times stronger than Cao Shi’s!”
“If that Xu Changkong lacks a powerful counter, he’ll likely be torn apart by this force, won’t he?”
Seeing the terrifying fist energy, the onlookers were startled, the sheer power making even spectators feel a chill.
Feeling the surging, tearing fist energy, Lin Xiao’s expression grew serious, he had to admit, the talents in this region had some real skill.
In their earlier clash, he could tell, he had used his strongest physical strength, augmented by fourth-grade advanced spiritual force, yet only managed to repel Cao Yuhua and draw a trace of blood.
Moreover, his fist felt slightly numb.
After being tempered by heavenly thunder and refined by Martial Emperor blood, back when he was a First Stage Martial Venerable, he could block a full-force sword strike from Fifth Stage Martial Venerable Xiahou Li barehanded.
This alone showed that the combat strength of talents in the Southeast Region far surpassed the Martial Venerables of the Chaotic Lands.
“Reverse Chaos, Second Form!”
Lin Xiao muttered inwardly, vast primal energy surging within him, he threw a punch with the Reverse Chaos Second Form, countless streams of chaotic primal energy bursting forth, converging into a rolling pillar of chaotic fist energy, piercing through the air.
Where the fist energy passed, the surrounding space seemed to warp in chaos.
“Boom!”
The two terrifying fist energies collided, a thunderous roar erupting, a light brighter than the sun bursting forth, illuminating the heavens and earth, almost blinding to behold.
Vast, ocean-like energy erupted in that instant, sending rolling waves surging in all directions.
It was as if a hurricane swept through the air, energy raging everywhere, if this clash had occurred on the ground instead of midair, the entire Cao family courtyard would likely have been levelled.
“What!” Seeing Lin Xiao’s punch match his full-force Cao family core technique, Cao Yuhua’s brows furrowed deeply.
Now, he was certain this was Xu Changkong, no one else could have such heaven-defying combat strength at Second Stage Martial Venerable.
What shocked him was that, facing his core technique, the opponent didn’t even use the Xu family’s core technique?
“Hmph, you have your opportunities, but do I not?”
Cao Yuhua sneered inwardly, drawing a jade sword, over half a zhang long, emanating a faint chill upon being unsheathed.
“Jade Hua Sword Intent!” With a cold shout, Cao Yuhua gripped the sword with both hands, a jade-like glow radiating from the blade, a subtle chill spreading across the surroundings.
“Sword Intent!”
Lin Xiao was slightly surprised, sword intent, like his Berserk Martial Intent or Thunder Martial Intent, was a manifestation of martial will, enhancing corresponding attributes, only achievable by those with strong will and exceptional talent.
He hadn’t expected Cao Yuhua to possess such talent, no wonder he was among the Cao family’s three top geniuses.
His strength wasn’t just piled up with pills.
At this moment, Lin Xiao drew the You Tian Demon Pillar, though he had used it in the Chaotic Lands against the You Tian Demon Palace.
Even if the Cao family got news from the Chaotic Lands, they hadn’t truly seen the You Tian Demon Pillar, so even if he revealed it, they likely wouldn’t recognise it.
In such a short time, sending someone to the Chaotic Lands and relaying information back, the Cao family’s knowledge of him was likely not detailed enough to cover every technique or weapon.
Of course, this was Lin Xiao’s guess, but he didn’t use overly distinctive moves.
Like the Shaking Light Sword Technique, Thunder Sword Technique, or spiritual abilities, renowned in the Chaotic Lands.
Thus, he drew the You Tian Demon Pillar, preparing to use the You Tian Demon Art.
As for the You Tian Demon Art, it was merely a cultivation method, harnessing dark energy with demonic attributes, not a specific attack technique, even if the Cao family investigated and learned of this domineering art in the Chaotic Lands, they likely wouldn’t recognise it.
Moreover, with the Cao family’s intense rivalry with the Xu family in this region, they probably hadn’t focused much on him.
