“Since you can’t make me unlucky, it’s your turn to be unlucky!” A faint smile curled on Lin Xiao’s lips. With a twist of his fingers, a sharp “clang!” rang out as the tip of Bi Zhu’s sword snapped off.
The crowd’s hearts jolted. Bi Zhu’s sword—broken by Lin Xiao’s fingers.
Immediately after, Lin Xiao threw a punch, landing heavily on Bi Zhu’s body.
Bang!
Blood sprayed as Bi Zhu’s right chest caved in half an inch. His body flew backward, blood gushing from his mouth, before crashing dozens of metres away, unconscious.
The crowd gasped. What immense physical strength and power, to punch into Bi Zhu’s flesh, leaving him gravely injured and comatose.
As Lin Xiao had said, Bi Zhu was now the unlucky one. Though not fatal, he’d likely be bedridden for ten days to half a month.
“Anyone else want to step up?” Lin Xiao’s gaze swept the crowd, his tone calm.
The crowd faltered. With Bi Zhu in such a state, who would dare step forward? Crossing such a powerhouse for Yu Xiang wasn’t worth it.
More crucially, they lacked confidence in defeating Lin Xiao. Stepping up would only mean suffering for nothing.
“Hmph, Lin Xiao, don’t think you’re all that. The Holy Origin Academy has plenty who can deal with you. This debt will be settled sooner or later!” Yu Xiang gritted her teeth, glaring at Lin Xiao in fury.
Today, Lin Xiao had thoroughly humiliated her. She’d come to shame Tianmen’s disciples, only to be shamed herself.
“Exactly. At the grand competition, ranks won’t be restricted. Xiahou Jing will be there, and then we’ll see how you fare!” Jia Chao, equally enraged, threatened viciously.
“Let’s go!” Yu Xiang snapped. With no one present likely able to handle Lin Xiao, staying would only lead to more humiliation. Better to leave quickly.
The crowd sighed inwardly. Yu Xiang, Jia Chao, and their group had arrived so arrogantly, only to leave like this.
But as they turned to go, Lin Xiao’s voice rang out, “Did I say you could leave?”
Yu Xiang and her group froze, hearts trembling. Yu Xiang snorted at Lin Xiao, “Hmph, what more do you want? We’re not the same rank. Are you really going to attack me?”
“Heh!” Lin Xiao gave a mocking smile, his gaze shifting to Jia Chao and another youth beside Yu Xiang. “I won’t touch you, but I’m going to deal with the people next to you.”
At his words, the youth beside Jia Chao’s heart sank. Of the three first-rank Martial Kings they’d brought, all had been injured by Wang Long. He was the only one unscathed, but it seemed Lin Xiao had no intention of letting him walk away.
At that moment, Lin Xiao moved, his body flashing like lightning toward them.
The youth’s body stiffened. He couldn’t possibly defend against Lin Xiao’s attack.
But he couldn’t just sit idly either, hastily summoning protective vital energy to block what he could.
Jia Chao’s brows twitched. Lin Xiao was ruthless, not sparing a single first-rank Martial King.
Yet as Lin Xiao reached the youth, his fist suddenly veered, smashing toward Jia Chao’s chest.
“I…” Jia Chao’s eyes widened in shock. He hadn’t expected Lin Xiao to target him. Lin Xiao’s fist redirected too quickly for him to muster much defensive power.
In a panic, Jia Chao summoned protective vital energy, but his hastily formed barrier couldn’t withstand Lin Xiao’s punch.
“Bang!” A loud crash echoed. In full view of the crowd, Jia Chao’s body was sent flying backward.
Like Bi Zhu, Jia Chao’s right chest was caved in half an inch by Lin Xiao’s fist, his breastbone seemingly shattered, blood spraying as he spewed a mouthful from his mouth.
The crowd was stunned. They’d all thought Lin Xiao was targeting the first-rank Martial King youth, only for him to strike Jia Chao.
“You—you dare attack me!” Jia Chao nearly fainted from rage and pain.
A dignified second-rank Martial Venerable veteran disciple, beaten like this by a first-rank Martial Venerable newcomer—it was infuriating to even think about.
“Holy City rules allow same-rank fights without restriction, and low-ranks can attack high-ranks freely, right?” Lin Xiao’s lips curled into a deeply mocking smile.
Jia Chao was nearly choked with anger.
The others caught on.
Indeed, same-rank fights were unrestricted—no challenge or consent needed, as long as no one was crippled or killed. Low-ranks could even attack high-ranks freely.
It was just rare for anyone to challenge higher ranks, as higher cultivation typically meant greater strength.
So when Lin Xiao charged, their first assumption was that he was targeting the first-rank Martial King, including Jia Chao.
But Lin Xiao’s fist had aimed for Jia Chao.
Lin Xiao had seized this opportunity. Though he didn’t fear facing Jia Chao head-on, this was quicker and more satisfying—a single punch to send him flying.
The youth beside Jia Chao breathed a quiet sigh of relief, thinking Lin Xiao’s fist wasn’t aimed at him. But the moment he relaxed, Lin Xiao’s fist swung again.
Bang!
The youth’s body was sent flying far back.
“Ruthless!”
The crowd sucked in a breath, silently resolving never to cross Lin Xiao, this fierce figure. As he’d said, if you couldn’t make him unlucky, you’d be the unlucky one.
After the strike, Lin Xiao’s gaze turned mockingly to Yu Xiang, his lips curling into another sarcastic smile.
Seeing his expression, Yu Xiang’s heart jolted, and she said nervously, “You—you wouldn’t really attack me, would you? You know, high-rank attacking low-rank comes with a heavy price!”
“I said I wouldn’t touch you!” Lin Xiao teased with a grin.
Yu Xiang quietly sighed in relief. She’d genuinely feared Lin Xiao might break the rules to attack her.
Since he couldn’t, she had nothing to fear. Her confidence surged, and she snapped at Lin Xiao, “If you don’t dare, then get out of my way!”
“Slap!”
But the next moment, a resounding slap echoed. A girl’s figure appeared beside Yu Xiang.
“Wow, this wench’s face is thick,” said Hu Yue, her tone dripping with mockery.
All eyes froze. This girl had slapped Yu Xiang and called her a wench with a thick face?
“You… you dare hit me, I…” Yu Xiang nearly choked with rage. In all her time in the Holy City, no one had ever disrespected her like this. Now, an underdeveloped Heavenly Martial seventh-rank girl had slapped her.
Yu Xiang was on the verge of exploding, but the next moment, another slap landed hard on her face.
“Slap!”
The sound was crisp, ringing through the area. Everyone could clearly see five red finger marks on Yu Xiang’s face.
