Chapter 313: Unexpected Encounter

Lin Xiao walked out of the Golden Claw Sect headquarters and glanced around.

A large crowd had gathered at the martial hall entrance, mostly curious onlookers, along with some martial artists with calm breathing and sharp gazes.

As the stronghold of the Golden Claw Sect, such a major incident today—even the sect’s plaque had been kicked to pieces—was bound to cause a stir.

Naturally, Lin Xiao, the challenger, had attracted most of the attention from the start.

Seeing Lin Xiao walk out of the Golden Claw Sect headquarters alive, the crowd erupted into loud discussions.

“Who is this young man?”

“Isn’t he the one who challenged the Golden Claw Sect? Such courage! Such audacity!”

“He actually walked out of the Golden Claw Sect unscathed? Does that mean he defeated them all?” A tall man in a white training uniform exclaimed in shock.

“Impossible! The Golden Claw Sect is renowned throughout Jiangdong Province. They have five or six experts at the Dark Force level, and their sect master, Wang Changuang, is a top-tier Dark Force expert. He’s a towering figure in Jiangdong Province. Even if this young man had trained since birth, he couldn’t possibly defeat Wang Changuang!” a middle-aged man beside him scoffed.

“Then how do you explain him walking out unharmed?”

The tall man pointed at Lin Xiao’s retreating figure.

“Don’t tell me the Golden Claw Sect showed mercy and let him go. Given their domineering style, they never spare challengers. Haven’t there been past cases where challengers were beaten to death?”

Hearing this, the middle-aged man scratched his sparse hair, looking puzzled.

“This is too strange. Could this young man really be so powerful that he even defeated Wang Changuang? He doesn’t seem like one of Jiangdong’s young elites. Perhaps he’s from another province. I need to find out what happened at the Golden Claw Sect!”

“Count me in. If the Golden Claw Sect really lost to this young man, things are going to get interesting…”

The crowd’s chatter reached Lin Xiao’s ears. As the center of attention, he maintained his calm pace and composed expression.

The crowd instinctively parted, watching as Lin Xiao walked farther away.

‘Today’s gains are substantial,’ Lin Xiao thought to himself with some satisfaction after leaving the martial hall.

Scenes from the recent battle flashed through his mind.

As the sect master of the Golden Claw Sect and a late-stage Dark Force martial artist, Wang Changuang was no ordinary opponent.

Though Wang Changuang’s cultivation level was far below Lin Xiao’s, his techniques had reached perfection, especially his mastery of bright and Dark Force, which greatly enlightened Lin Xiao.

Moreover, Wang Changuang’s disciples were also Dark Force practitioners. Fighting them gave Lin Xiao valuable combat experience against ancient martial artists.

The previously flawed Eagle Claw Technique was now perfected, and Lin Xiao had fully mastered the Chen-style Fist. His next step was to integrate the Thunderbolt Fist.

Once accomplished, the weaknesses in his techniques would be sufficiently covered.

However, analyzing Wang Changuang’s moves and refining the Eagle Claw Technique had left Lin Xiao mentally exhausted. He decided to find a place to rest.

Spotting a long bench, Lin Xiao leaned back, slowly closed his eyes, and began to recuperate.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

It was unclear how much time had passed when the ringtone from Lin Xiao’s phone in his pocket startled him awake.

Lin Xiao took out his phone, squinting at the screen, then answered the call with a tired voice: “Auntie Xin, what’s the matter?”

“Lin Xiao, can Caixing stay with you tonight?” Huang Xinyu’s sweet, gentle voice came through the phone. “I’m away on a business trip and can’t return home tonight. I don’t feel comfortable leaving her alone.”

“No problem, Auntie Xin. I’ll pick her up when I return to Jinghai,” Lin Xiao replied, taking a deep breath to steady his voice. “If there’s nothing else, I’ll hang up now.”

“Lin Xiao, are you okay? You sound exhausted. Where are you?” Huang Xinyu noticed the fatigue in Lin Xiao’s voice.

“I’m in Linjin City, Jiangdong Province, handling some matters. Everything’s settled now, and I’m preparing to return to Jinghai,” Lin Xiao said casually. “Don’t worry, Auntie Xin. I’m just a bit tired and need some rest.”

Huang Xinyu’s voice suddenly rose, filled with surprise and delight, “Lin Xiao, you’re in Linjin City?”

“Yes.”

“Why did you suddenly go there? I’m in Linjin City, too,” Huang Xinyu spoke quickly. “Where are you? Do you know the Aerospace Hotel? Come meet me there for lunch.”

“Sorry, Auntie Xin. Let’s have lunch together another time. I’m heading back to Jinghai soon.” Not wanting to trouble her, Lin Xiao declined without hesitation.

“No problem if you don’t know the Aerospace Hotel. I’ll come find you.” Despite Lin Xiao’s refusal, Huang Xinyu remained persistent. “Don’t say no, or I’ll be really upset. Or are you hiding something from me?”

Her tone carried a hint of playful reproach.

Given her insistence, Lin Xiao had no choice but to share his current location.

“Alright, wait there. I’ll be right over,” Huang Xinyu said hurriedly before hanging up.

Since she was coming, Lin Xiao no longer rushed to leave and leaned back on the bench, closing his eyes to rest.

Half an hour later.

A red Ferrari sped down the road and stopped near Lin Xiao. The car door opened, and out stepped a stunning woman whose age was hard to determine.

She possessed the pure charm of a twenty-year-old and the mature allure of a thirty-year-old. Her glossy black hair was elegantly tied into a simple bun, revealing her slender, snow-white neck and exquisite features.

She wore a sky-blue blouse and a pink long skirt, paired with red high heels—a captivating sight that immediately drew the attention of passersby.