“Clang!”
“Pfft!”
A loud metallic clash and the sound of a shattered chest rang out simultaneously. Everyone saw the skeleton’s bony palm shattered by the blade, while the skeleton’s fist smashed into the youth’s chest, caving it in half an inch, blood spraying wildly.
The youth’s body was sent flying back, his aura weakened.
“This…”
The youth, flung backwards, had a look of terror on his face. He never expected the skeleton to fight in such a life-for-life manner.
A lifeless object trading blows with a living person naturally put the living at a disadvantage.
Moreover, the skeleton’s strength was far greater than his!
But regret was useless now. His injuries were too severe, and he began to lose consciousness.
“You, merely testing its strength, yet you dare to severely injure someone!” Jin Wuhuan roared, a wave of pressure surging forth. “Sorry, this lifeless object isn’t fully under my control. I can only command it to fight. Perhaps, after its companion was destroyed, it felt threatened and fought desperately to protect itself. Luckily, it didn’t use too much force and didn’t kill your man!” Lin Xiao cried out in mock grievance.
Jin Wuhuan’s face darkened further. Anyone could tell Lin Xiao was mocking their earlier destruction of his skeleton.
A skeleton is a lifeless object, what “destroyed unjustly”?
But Lin Xiao’s words left Jin Wuhuan unable to make an issue of it, and Zi Jinchen certainly wouldn’t let him act freely.
The crowd below fell silent, sensing the growing tension between the Jin and Zi families.
“This lifeless object isn’t initial Martial King strength but mid-tier Martial King strength,” Jin Wuhuan suddenly found an excuse, recalling the earlier scene.
“Sorry, my mistake, I took out a mid-tier Martial King strength object. The initial Martial King one was already shattered by you,” Lin Xiao explained with feigned apology.
“You! Fine!” Jin Wuhuan’s body trembled with rage, almost speechless.
“Elder Jin, shall we test the strength of the other two lifeless objects?” Lin Xiao asked Jin Wuhuan.
“No need, your Zi family wins this round!” Jin Wuhuan said grimly, waving a hand to signal someone to retrieve the injured youth, administering a pill and taking him away.
“Conceded!” Lin Xiao waved, recalling all three lifeless objects.
The onlookers were stunned. They knew the Jin family had tried to cheat in this round, only to be thoroughly outplayed by Lin Xiao.
This greatly satisfied the Zi family, a resounding slap to Jin Wuhuan’s face.
“This kid…” Zi Jinchen was at a loss for words, sighing in admiration.
“He’s not one to take a loss. If he hadn’t held back, that guy would’ve been dead,” Zi Ling remarked from the side.
“The Jin family’s third round: one with martial intent, one with a special bloodline, one with a special physique, under twenty-two years old…” Jin Wuhuan’s voice rang out again, his face twitching at the thought of Lin Xiao’s two martial intents.
Lin Xiao would take the stage again, which was infuriating to even think about.
“A twenty-year-old with martial intent, the Zi family doesn’t have, but I’ll fight for them,” Lin Xiao’s voice followed as soon as Jin Wuhuan finished.
“This round goes to the Zi family,” Jin Wuhuan said with a grim face, forced to concede. With Lin Xiao’s martial intent, the first match didn’t even need to be fought, as no one could defeat him.
This round’s martial intent was designed for Jin Bihui, but who could’ve predicted he’d lose to Lin Xiao, who also met the challenge criteria?
“Next, one with…” Jin Wuhuan began, but before he could finish, a youth’s voice interrupted, “Hold on!”
It was Ling Hu, stepping forward and addressing Jin Wuhuan, “I, Ling Hu, possess a special physique. Do we still need to fight this round?”
With that, Ling Hu’s body radiated a fiery red glow, his entire form turning crimson. His arm muscles bulged, doubling in size, resembling tiger limbs brimming with explosive, barbaric strength.
“Roar!”
A tiger’s roar echoed, an ancient, primal aura emanating from Ling Hu, its unmatched pressure awe-inspiring. He seemed to transform into an ancient ferocious tiger, the entire space trembling under his wild, violent momentum, shaking all directions.
“Heavenly Flame Sacred Tiger physique!” Jin Wuhuan’s eyes narrowed, his voice trembling with shock.
“What, Heavenly Flame Sacred Tiger?”
The crowd was stunned. This guy had the Heavenly Flame Sacred Tiger physique, a heaven-defying talent with the potential to become an emperor or saint…
They thought Lin Xiao was already monstrous, but Ling Hu seemed even more so!
Ling Hu’s strength was shown in the first round, blasting Jin Quankun away with one punch, without even using his Heavenly Flame Sacred Tiger physique.
His combat power might even rival Lin Xiao’s.
The Jin family likely had no one under twenty-two with a special physique capable of matching Ling Hu.
“You must be Ling Xiao’s son, right? Ling Xiao serves our Jin family. Would you consider joining us?” To everyone’s surprise, Jin Wuhuan’s voice suddenly rang out.
“What, Ling Hu’s father serves the Jin family? Will Ling Hu switch sides mid-battle?”
“If Ling Hu joins the Jin family, this round will go to them.”
“Who would’ve thought? His father works for the Jin family, yet his son is fighting for the Zi family.”
…
The crowd buzzed with discussion, finding the round even more thrilling. If Ling Hu defected, the Zi family’s expressions would be a sight, absolutely dramatic.
At this, the Zi family’s faces grew grim. This was completely unexpected.
They never imagined Ling Hu’s father served the Jin family.
At the mention of Ling Xiao, Ling Hu’s eyes hardened, a killing intent radiating, “You’re the ones who captured my father, aren’t you? What does the Jin family want with him?”
“Nephew Ling Hu, you may have misunderstood. The Jin family didn’t force your father; he willingly serves us,” Jin Wuhuan softened his tone, “Few forces serve our Jin family, and we don’t mistreat those who do. Recently, your Ling family must have received the Jin family’s Martial Emperor decree of protection, yes?”
“What, a Martial Emperor decree? The Ling family received the Jin family’s Martial Emperor protection?”
“A Martial Emperor decree is as good as the emperor’s personal word. What kind of background does the Ling family have to earn such regard from the Jin Emperor?”
“Like father, like son. With Ling Hu’s Heavenly Flame Sacred Tiger physique, his father must be remarkable, enough to catch the Jin Emperor’s eye.”
…
The crowd erupted in discussion again.
The Zi family frowned further. If the Jin family sent a Martial Emperor decree to the Ling family, it showed a close relationship. At this moment, both the Jin and Zi families, along with the onlookers, stared at Ling Hu, waiting to see his decision.
