Chapter 164: The Clash Begins!

Lin Xiao stopped three meters from Jiang Linfeng, letting his arms hang loosely at his sides. He looked every bit the average young man who would blend into a crowd, without any hint of a master’s aura.

“Jiang Linfeng, are you prepared?” Lin Xiao asked in a calm tone.

“Prepared for what?” Jiang Linfeng was momentarily confused before his face twisted into a snarl. “Kid, who do you think you are, speaking to me like that?”

“Who am I? You’re about to find out.”

Jiang Linfeng burst into derisive laughter, pointing at Lin Xiao, “Just you? I could squash you with one hand. You’re overconfident to the point of absurdity. This is the world’s biggest joke.”

Then, Jiang Linfeng’s laughter came to an abrupt halt. His mouth split into a sinister grin, his demeanor that of a predator eyeing its prey, “Kid, in a fight, there’s no telling where a blow might land. If you insist on facing me and end up dead, it’s on you.”

“No worries on that account.” Lin Xiao rolled up his sleeves, revealing his muscular, bronze-colored arms, and smiled coldly, “Enough chit-chat. Let’s begin.”

Jiang Linfeng flicked his fingernail dismissively and then pretended to blow away dust that wasn’t there. “I’ll give you the honor of striking first. That way, when I crush you later, you’ll have no grounds for complaint.”

“As you wish,” Lin Xiao said icily.

No sooner had the words left his mouth than Lin Xiao’s left leg powered into the ground, his body surging forward like an arrow released from a bow.

With a thunderous boom, the stone slab beneath Lin Xiao’s feet shattered.

The explosive power from his left foot blew a hole nearly a foot wide in the ground, sending fragments of stone and dirt flying in all directions. This fierce momentum showcased the sheer force of Lin Xiao’s charge.

The distance of three meters vanished in the blink of an eye.

Before Jiang Linfeng could react, Lin Xiao had already charged in front of him. Lin Xiao’s left fist, clenched and as hard as steel, gleamed with a metallic sheen as it hurtled toward Jiang Linfeng’s chest.

This punch was delivered with extreme ferocity and dominance.

As it tore through the air, it emitted a sharp, whistling sound, akin to the long blast of a steam whistle.

The wind generated by the punch was like a sudden fierce gale, blowing Jiang Linfeng’s black robe backward and even distorting his face with its force.

A series of crashes echoed as tables and chairs toppled over. The moment Lin Xiao launched his attack, the spectators sprang from their seats.

Their faces registered shock and disbelief.

No one had anticipated that the unassuming and ordinary-looking Lin Xiao would exhibit the prowess of a world-class master with just one strike.

His attack was so sudden and powerful that it was like a bolt from the blue.

At the critical moment of Lin Xiao’s lightning-fast strike, Jiang Linfeng didn’t have time for a single regretful thought. Just as Lin Xiao’s fist was about to connect, Jiang Linfeng leaned back and swiftly retreated.

Lin Xiao’s fist grazed Jiang Linfeng’s chest, the passing wind causing a painful sting, but he narrowly dodged the punch.

However, before Jiang Linfeng could catch his breath in relief, Lin Xiao’s other fist, with even more ferocious momentum, thundered toward him.

Once again, Jiang Linfeng found himself forced to retreat.

Lin Xiao, seizing the advantage, gave Jiang Linfeng no opportunity to recover. In one fluid motion, he advanced three steps forward, each accompanied by a punch, relentlessly pursuing Jiang Linfeng.

Each step he took caused the ground to explode into a shallow crater.

Jiang Linfeng hadn’t anticipated his momentary lapse would put him in such a dire predicament, unable to counterattack, merely on the defensive against Lin Xiao’s relentless assaults, leaving him with a profound sense of frustration.

“Dark Force!”

The audience, utterly astounded, watched the unfolding scene.

Now, it was clear to everyone, even to a blind person, that Lin Xiao was not merely demonstrating the Bright Force they had speculated about. He wasn’t courting death but was, in fact, a master of Dark Force, just like Jiang Linfeng.

Only a master of Dark Force could unleash such overpowering force, pressing Jiang Linfeng, another master of the same caliber, into such a corner.

“God! Is this young man really at the Dark Force stage?”

“Damn, this is absolutely insane. It feels like I’m dreaming. No wonder Chen’s Martial Arts Hall didn’t concede, they had such an ace up their sleeve.”

“This exchange meeting was well worth the visit. It’s rare to see one Dark Force master in Jiangnan Province, let alone two appearing today, tsk tsk…”

“Indeed, and to think one of them is so young, completely defying our expectations.”

The crowd murmured among themselves as they watched Lin Xiao.

As everyone reeled in shock, Jiang Linfeng found himself forced back step after step by Lin Xiao’s onslaught.

Jiang Linfeng harbored a bitter sentiment he couldn’t express. He didn’t wish to retreat but was left with no choice. His body simply couldn’t withstand Lin Xiao’s punches, each one forged as though from steel and packed with terrifying power. Even a single hit could grievously wound him.

Jiang Linfeng was baffled by how this seemingly young man, even after mastering Dark Force, possessed such extensive combat experience.

One might attribute cultivation levels to innate talent and resources, but combat experience was garnered only through enduring battles and rigorous training over time. It seemed illogical for Lin Xiao, so young, to not only have reached the Dark Force stage but to also boast such profound combat expertise.

Unbeknownst to him, Lin Xiao’s extensive military training and mission execution had equipped him with combat experience rivaling that of the seasoned veterans.

Jiang Linfeng found himself retreating breathlessly over seven or eight meters and, in a moment of desperation, rolled on the ground to evade Lin Xiao’s assault, casting aside any concern for his image.

His appearance was disheveled after the roll. His clothes were dust-laden, sweat drenched his body, and he gasped for breath.

In stark contrast, Lin Xiao remained composed, showing no sign of exertion, as if he hadn’t engaged in any physical activity. His hands rested naturally by his sides.

That fierce offensive seemed to have left no impact on him.

Indeed, Lin Xiao had been merciful. With his profound mastery of the Dark Force and above, a full-powered strike could have easily incapacitated Jiang Linfeng.

Masters of Dark Force were exceedingly rare. Even in Lin Xiao’s previous encounters in the underground world, he seldom came across, let alone clashed with, such individuals. Now faced with one, he relished the opportunity for a worthy challenge, hence opting to engage Jiang Linfeng using only the essence of his Dark Force.

At this moment, Lin Xiao’s zeal for battle soared to its zenith. His calm, deep gaze gleamed with a brilliance as sharp as lightning.