While Lin Xiao was locked in combat with Boss Hu, fighting had broken out in other areas as well. In such a cramped space, all the attacks were close-range.
As the battle began, the cultivation levels of the Tianmen disciples were fully revealed, leaving the onlookers stunned. A team so young, yet every single one of them was a Heavenly Martial expert—no wonder they dared to ignore the provocations of the two bandit gangs.
The two bandit groups were equally shocked. Not all of their members were at the Heavenly Martial level, and in a fight where the numbers were roughly equal, they would gradually fall into a disadvantage.
“Haha, I love nothing more than turning the tables on robbers! Since you’ve come to us willingly, don’t blame us for not holding back!”
On the other side, Ling Hu’s hearty laughter rang out. A vast surge of power erupted from him, giving Boss Man over there a real headache as he was forced to retreat step by step under the onslaught.
“Hmph, this level of strength isn’t enough!”
Boss Hu let out a cold shout, his arm surging with power as he pushed Lin Xiao back. He retreated a few steps, then activated his martial technique and charged at Lin Xiao once more.
“Heaven-Splitting Axe, Shatter Earth and Sky!”
The axe glowed with an even more dazzling golden light, filling every inch of the surrounding space with its brilliance. The overwhelming force made it seem as though the space itself was about to be cleaved apart by the axe, its wild aura permeating the entire area.
“If you won’t submit, I’ll beat you until you do!”
The primal energy in Lin Xiao’s dantian boiled up, a sea-like surge of power coursing through his body like a raging river, flowing into his arms and pouring into the black iron rod.
A dark, ominous black light flared up on the rod, enveloped by a wild martial intent. The entire space brimmed with a ferocious aura, and the unparalleled power contained within the rod made the surrounding space tremble.
At the same time, a vast surge of third-tier intermediate spiritual energy erupted from his mind, augmenting his arms.
“Hmph, courting death!” Seeing Lin Xiao still intent on clashing head-on, a cold smirk crossed Boss Hu’s face. As his axe swung down, Lin Xiao’s iron rod came smashing out to meet it.
“Earth Rupture!”
With Lin Xiao’s loud shout, the black iron rod, now infused with two types of power, slammed fiercely against the gleaming axe swinging towards him.
*Clang!*
A deafening metallic clash rang out, the immense force of the collision causing the space to quake. Powerful shockwaves rippled outward.
Under the force of this massive impact, a large spurt of blood sprayed from Boss Hu’s mouth, and his body was sent flying backwards.
As he was hurled through the air, an expression of disbelief spread across Boss Hu’s face.
He couldn’t fathom it—just moments ago they had been evenly matched, so how had his opponent’s power suddenly surged so much? Even with his strongest attack, he’d still been gravely injured.
*Whoosh!*
As Boss Hu was flung backwards, Lin Xiao’s body shot forward in a flash. The moment Boss Hu hit the ground, Lin Xiao was already upon him, swinging the black iron rod down with ruthless force.
“Not good!”
Boss Hu’s expression changed drastically. He hurriedly summoned the energy within him, raising his axe with both hands to block.
*Clang!*
A wave of energy rippled out. With this strike, Boss Hu’s body was smashed straight into the dirt.
That axe strike had been hasty, its power less than half of his previous blow.
Meanwhile, Lin Xiao had not only used his full primal energy but also added third-tier intermediate spiritual energy capable of matching a ninth-level Heavenly Martial expert. By comparison, Boss Hu’s strength was clearly far inferior.
In this clash, Boss Hu suffered an even greater injury.
But Lin Xiao didn’t stop. Gripping the rod with both hands, he swung it down again with brutal force.
“No!”
Boss Hu let out a scream of unwillingness and terror, only for it to cut off abruptly. With a *splat*, blood splattered everywhere as his body was smashed into a pulp.
Seeing this, the onlookers were all stunned. They hadn’t expected this young man to be so powerful and his methods so ruthless and decisive—seizing the opportunity to beat Boss Hu to death without hesitation.
This made them wary. This seemingly ordinary teenager was clearly no pushover.
After killing Boss Hu, a cold smile curled Lin Xiao’s lips. By taking down Boss Hu with such thunderous force, he’d achieved the exact intimidating effect he wanted.
Taking Boss Hu’s storage ring, Lin Xiao turned his gaze to the others still fighting.
At that moment, Boss Hu’s men were already wearing looks of shock. They’d realised that every single one of these youths was at the Heavenly Martial level or above, their overall strength slightly surpassing their own. From the moment the fight began, they’d been at a disadvantage.
And now, witnessing Lin Xiao dispatch Boss Hu with such overwhelming speed, their faces filled with dread.
They knew Boss Hu’s strength well—he’d led them to sweep through countless places. They could hardly believe that in such a short time, he’d fallen to a young man’s hands.
On the opposite side, Boss Man, who’d been pushed back by Ling Hu, was equally shocked. Already surprised by Ling Hu’s strength, his face now mirrored that same dread.
Boss Hu’s power was on par with his own—he’d struggle to defeat him himself.
Yet this young man had killed him in such a short time, proving his strength far exceeded Boss Man’s by more than just a little.
Combined with the power this youth displayed and the strength erupting from this group, Boss Man grew increasingly panicked. He shouted, “Retreat!”
“Heh heh, thinking of running now? Do you think that’s still an option?” A laugh rang out. Boss Man snapped his head up to see the sturdy young man opposite him radiating a fiery red glow, his entire body seemingly turning crimson. His arm muscles bulged, doubling in size as if transforming into tiger-like limbs brimming with explosive, barbaric power.
An ancient, primal aura emanated from the youth, its unmatched pressure shaking Boss Man’s mind.
“Wild Tiger Heaven-Slaying Blade!” Ling Hu roared, his body surging forward like lightning, kicking up a fierce gust of wind. In an instant, he was in front of Boss Man, his broad blade slashing down with ferocious, wild momentum pouring from it.
This was a powerful martial technique he’d acquired three months ago from the Saint Yuan Academy’s library. Combined with the strength of his Heavenly Flame Saint Tiger physique, its power had reached a terrifying level.
“How is this possible? How did he get so strong?!” Boss Man’s face twisted in shock. He hurriedly raised his staff to block, his protective primal energy flaring up.
*Boom!*
A loud explosion rang out as the wild, overwhelming force seemed to shatter the space itself. Unmatched shockwaves rippled outward, and Boss Man’s body was sent flying, a gush of blood spraying from his mouth.
“Windless Fatal Thrust!” But as Boss Man was flung backwards, a ghostly figure appeared as if waiting for him. Moving like lightning yet without stirring the slightest ripple, it struck from behind in the blink of an eye.
A chilling sense of death enveloped his entire body.
