Chapter 165: The Hidden Weapon

Not even a minute had passed since Lin Xiao and Jiang Linfeng commenced their duel. Yet, for Jiang Linfeng, these brief seconds stretched on like endless centuries.

Springing up from the ground with the agility of a carp, Jiang Linfeng’s expression was gloomy, his eyes ablaze with intensified killing intent. Any prior underestimation of Lin Xiao was now gone, replaced by a chilling desire to kill.

Without a word, Jiang Linfeng spread his fingers wide, his palms and arms up to a foot’s length from his hands instantly turned a ghastly shade of blue-black, resembling the iron fists of a demonic specter.

This transformation was indicative of mastering the Iron Fist technique to an advanced degree.

Jiang Linfeng, who regularly practiced on live cattle, could with a mere punch pierce a buffalo’s hide or twist off its neck with his hands, demonstrating the formidable power of his Iron Fist.

Acknowledging Lin Xiao’s mastery of Dark Force, Jiang Linfeng shed all traces of complacency and was ready to use his most profound skills.

With a thunderous boom signaling his attack, Jiang Linfeng launched into action. He soared meters into the air, his face twisted in rage as he pounced toward Lin Xiao.

Mid-leap, Jiang Linfeng struck with both arms—one hand shaped into a claw, slashing toward Lin Xiao’s crown, the other clenched in a fist, driving straight for his brow.

Charged with the energy of Dark Force, Jiang Linfeng was certain that even if Lin Xiao’s skull was made of steel, he could still gouge out five holes.

Lin Xiao faced Jiang Linfeng’s deadly assault with unshaken calm, making no move to evade.

He dropped into a low stance, legs braced as if astride a steed, hands curling into tiger-like claws before thrusting them upward.

As his fists rose, a thunderous roar tore through the air—like lightning cracking from deep within him, shaking the hearts of all who watched.

Thunderbolt Fist!

Lin Xiao’s move once again astounded all present, marking another moment of awe.

The Thunderbolt Fist, the only attack technique documented in the Thunderbolt Decree’s fragmentary volume, was merely an introductory technique detailed in the Qi Initiation section. Yet, its power was far from ordinary.

Mastering this technique harmonized the internal and external, unified the mind and spirit, and channeled divine energy throughout, ensuring coherence between the upper and lower body. A casual strike carried the weight of a thousand pounds, and a full-force blow could shatter a fake hill four to five meters tall.

At this moment, Jiang Linfeng, suspended in mid-air, sensed an overwhelming terror approaching.

As Lin Xiao’s fists thundered upwards, Jiang Linfeng felt as though facing an erupting volcano. The massive force, blasting from beneath, seemed ready to hurl him into the air, instilling unprecedented fear.

But at this time, he could neither hide nor avoid it. A shrill scream escaped his lips as he funneled all his strength into his hands for a direct confrontation with Lin Xiao.

The collision of Lin Xiao’s steel-like fist against Jiang Linfeng’s famed iron fist produced a thunderous boom akin to an exploding tire, sending a gale force in all directions.

Underneath Lin Xiao, the stone slab shattered once more, his feet embedding deeply into the ground, with debris flying amidst the aftershocks.

Yet, Lin Xiao stood unscathed.

Jiang Linfeng’s plight, however, was dire. His renowned Iron Fist, when faced with Lin Xiao’s Thunderbolt Fist, crumbled under a single blow.

Blood splattered across his fists. The right hand, formed into a claw to strike Lin Xiao’s, met an unyielding force—half his fingers were crushed on impact. Flesh was mangled, fingertips stripped bare, and the nails had vanished as if never there.

Jiang Linfeng was hurled backward by the force. Struggling to maintain his balance after landing, he staggered back several steps before finally collapsing onto the ground.

The adage that each finger is connected to the heart rings true here, with the breaking of his fingers causing excruciating pain. In the midst of severe agony, Jiang Linfeng’s face twisted into an even more grotesque and terrifying expression.

His martial prowess lay in his hands, and now with his hands rendered useless, it signified that a significant portion of his skill was effectively gone. Even if they could be somehow mended, returning to his prime was impossible.

Realizing this, Jiang Linfeng’s eyes suddenly filled with bloodlust, a mad desire to dismember Lin Xiao consuming him.

Lin Xiao, sensing Jiang Linfeng’s deep-seated hatred, remained unfazed.

His extensive experience in the military had taught him that mercy toward an enemy was cruelty to oneself.

To him, the outcome of this confrontation was predetermined. Allowing Jiang Linfeng to last this long was merely an opportunity to gain some combat experience.

At that moment, a glint of malice flashed in Jiang Linfeng’s eyes. His right hand, previously at his side, suddenly shot up, flicking something forward. A tiny steel needle, almost invisible to the naked eye, launched from his fingernail straight toward Lin Xiao’s heart.

Jiang Linfeng’s stealthy release of the needle, coupled with its minuscule size, initially went unnoticed by Lin Xiao.

Had Lin Xiao been merely a martial artist of the Dark Force stage, he might indeed have fallen prey to this hidden weapon. However, his cultivation level was far beyond Jiang Linfeng’s estimation.

“What’s this?”

As the steel needle came within a meter of Lin Xiao, his intuition as a master-level practitioner automatically triggered a warning. Although it was dangerously close, for Lin Xiao, this distance was more than sufficient to evade.

With a slight sidestep, he dodged the attack of the hidden weapon, then extended his right hand, swiftly scooping forward to catch the two steel needles.

This action, occurring in the blink of an eye, went unnoticed by most spectators, leaving them baffled by Lin Xiao’s motion. Only Jiang Linfeng, who launched the hidden attack, grasped Lin Xiao’s true intention.

“This… this is impossible!”

His eyes wide with disbelief, Jiang Linfeng stared at Lin Xiao. His secret technique had previously injured several opponents, including a master of Dark Force. Yet, Lin Xiao had effortlessly evaded it.

Moreover, Lin Xiao had managed to capture the hidden weapon, utterly shattering Jiang Linfeng’s preconceptions.

The hidden weapons were infused with internal energy and, given the short distance, not only was their force tremendous, but their speed surpassed that of a bullet.

While masters of Dark Force might not fear bullets, capable only of dodging them, the notion of catching bullets bare-handed was beyond consideration, let alone a hidden weapon that was even faster.

At that moment, as Jiang Linfeng observed Lin Xiao, who appeared unruffled and utterly composed as if he had merely participated in a leisurely game rather than a fierce duel, a flicker of disbelief crossed his eyes.

He might not have been the strongest among the masters of Dark Force, but he was certainly no weakling. For another master of Dark Force, it seemed implausible for Lin Xiao to defeat him with such ease. There could only be one explanation.

“You… you…”