Chapter 308: Practicing Fist Techniques

After deciding to make a move, Wang Changguang finally revealed the depth of his foundation as a late-stage Dark Force expert.

The change in his aura was shocking, but what was truly astonishing was the transformation of his body.

Wang Changguang’s aged, thin body expanded at a speed visible to the naked eye. His withered muscles, as if inflated, swelled several times over within mere seconds. In the blink of an eye, he transformed from a frail, skinny old man into a tall and robust warrior.

The wrinkles on his face smoothed out. He instantly looked over a decade younger. His complexion turned ruddy, his expression vigorous, and his graying hair stood upright, strand by strand. His sharp gaze and overwhelming presence pressed down upon those around him.

At this moment, Wang Changguang was practically a different person compared to before.

The powerful energy emanating from his body surged like rolling waves, crashing toward Lin Xiao!

A crisp series of sounds rang out as Wang Changguang’s ten fingernails abruptly straightened, each extending more than two inches. Their tips were razor-sharp. Their surfaces gleamed with a dark luster, appearing even sharper than an eagle’s talons.

Wang Changguang flicked his nails, his eyes fixed on Lin Xiao.

“Young man, you make the first move. Don’t say I didn’t give you a chance,” he said. His voice, as deep and resonant as a great bell, shook the eardrums of those present.

Under the crushing pressure of Wang Changguang’s aura, Lin Xiao, for the first time, felt immense pressure.

If Wang Changguang was a tiger, then Duan Changhan and Yang Changtai standing behind him were merely cats. The difference in presence was too vast.

However, Lin Xiao’s will was like iron, his resolve like steel.

No matter how great the pressure, it could never crush him. Instead, it would only make him unleash even greater strength.

“Good,” Lin Xiao said calmly.

His hands, hanging at his sides, suddenly clenched tightly. Internal energy coursed through his entire body as he exerted force.

With that surge of power, his clothing rippled despite the absence of wind, and a deep, thunderous rumble resonated from within his body.

Faced with a master like Wang Changguang, Lin Xiao became slightly more serious. He still wasn’t going all out—if he did, Wang Changguang probably wouldn’t last more than a few exchanges.

Since encountering such an expert was a rare opportunity, Lin Xiao wanted to temper his techniques properly.

Thus, he adjusted his cultivation level to the late stage of Dark Force Energy, matching Wang Changguang’s level, to ensure this would be a true training experience.

The sound of thunder grew louder and more frequent. Lin Xiao’s eyes shone increasingly bright. When the thunderous roar reached its peak, an explosion rang out in the quiet martial hall. A force no weaker than Wang Changguang’s burst forth from Lin Xiao’s body.

Wang Changguang’s eyes narrowed slightly, a flicker of surprise flashing across them. His previously relaxed expression became somewhat solemn.

“This… Late-stage Dark Force?”

Zhao Changlei, standing behind Wang Changguang, was so shocked that his eyes widened like saucers. The sheer astonishment altered his voice as he exclaimed, “Is this kid a monster? He’s barely in his twenties and already at this level!”

It wasn’t just Zhao Changlei—Yang Changtai and Xu Changjun were equally stunned. Only Duan Changhan, who had already suspected something, remained expressionless. Yet the killing intent in his gaze toward Lin Xiao intensified.

“Truly a rare martial genius. Reaching this level at such a young age… I’ve seen much in my lifetime, but I’ve never even heard of such a thing.” Wang Changguang clicked his tongue in admiration.

However, in his heart, his killing intent surged. A talent this terrifying—if they became an enemy, they had to be eliminated. Otherwise, the consequences would be disastrous.

“But, young man, don’t think that just because you’ve reached late-stage Dark Force, you can do as you please. Even within this realm, there are levels of strength.”

“Master Wang, no need to worry. Who is stronger has yet to be decided.” Lin Xiao’s expression remained unchanged as he assumed the starting stance of Chen-style Fist.

“Be careful, I’m making my move.”

Before the last word fully fell, a thunderous boom erupted as the floor beneath Lin Xiao’s feet suddenly shattered. In the next instant, his figure flickered and vanished from sight.

Of course, Lin Xiao hadn’t truly disappeared—his speed was simply too fast for the human eye to capture.

Can the human eye clearly see a bullet fired from a gun?

Of course not.

Lin Xiao’s current speed was already comparable to that of a bullet.

Even Zhao Changlei and the others, who were watching Lin Xiao intently, could only see a faint afterimage. Instantly, their scalps tingled, and their hair stood on end!

Only now did they realize that Lin Xiao had been holding back when he fought them.

Swish!

In a flash, Lin Xiao traversed three meters, appearing before Wang Changguang. His iron-like fist, carrying overwhelming force, blasted straight toward Wang Changguang’s chest.

Chen-style Fist—Combination Form.

Lin Xiao had been practicing Chen-style Fist for quite some time. Though he had mastered it, he had never had the chance to test it in real combat. No matter how well-trained in seclusion, it would still be theoretical.

Only through actual battle could he uncover weaknesses and perfect his timing. This was precisely why he had continued using Chen-style Fist since arriving at the Golden Claw Sect.

This punch was utterly ferocious, slicing through the air with an explosive whoosh. A muffled shockwave followed, and then came the earth-shaking roar of a tiger.

Faced with Lin Xiao’s thunderous strike, Wang Changguang’s expression grew serious. He dared not take it head-on. His feet moved, and in the blink of an eye, he shifted sideways by several feet, narrowly dodging Lin Xiao’s attack.

Lin Xiao’s fist brushed past Wang Changguang’s chest. The sheer force of the punch lifted Wang Changguang’s robe, as if threatening to sweep him away.

But as a seasoned late-stage Dark Force expert, Wang Changguang possessed immense strength and battle experience. With Lin Xiao only matching him in cultivation level, there was no way he would be defeated so easily.

Seizing the moment when Lin Xiao’s punch missed, Wang Changguang’s eyes flashed with killing intent. From within his sleeve, a concealed hand shot out like lightning, palm poised like a blade, stabbing upward at Lin Xiao’s throat.

“Hiss!”

Wang Changguang’s fingernails, over two inches long, had been reinforced by Dark Force Energy, making them as hard and sharp as real steel. Like a genuine dagger, they aimed to pierce through Lin Xiao’s throat.

This technique was called Sleeve-Hidden Blade—in Wang Changguang’s hands, its concealment, ruthlessness, and lethal precision were executed to perfection.

Even before the attack landed, Lin Xiao felt a sting at his throat. With his formidable physique, if Wang Changguang’s strike connected, only death awaited him.

Lin Xiao didn’t have time to think—his body reacted instinctively. He stomped the ground hard, shattering the floor beneath him. His left foot sank deep into the ground, abruptly halting his forward momentum.

For an ordinary person, such a sudden transition from extreme motion to stillness would be unbearable. But Lin Xiao remained unfazed, displaying his extraordinary physical resilience.

The instant he stopped, he shifted his body to the side and leaned backward.

Swish!

Wang Changguang’s blade-like fingers narrowly swept past Lin Xiao’s cheek. The sharp wind from the strike hit Lin Xiao’s face but seemed to be blocked by something, leaving him unscathed.

Unfazed, Lin Xiao took advantage of his backward lean, straightened his spine, and rammed into Wang Changguang’s chest!

Chen-style Fist—Shock Form!

“Good!” Wang Changguang’s eyes widened like a wrathful Vajra, his voice booming like spring thunder.