Chapter 203: Lure the Enemy

The confrontation between Lin Xiao and Wang Qi unfolded in mere moments, leaving Wan Shixuan, who was watching from the sidelines, utterly stunned.

What shocked him even more was Wang Qi finding himself at a disadvantage in the fight against Lin Xiao.

How could this be possible?

Unlike the knowledgeable woman beside him, Wan Shixuan knew little about ancient martial arts. In his eyes, Wang Qi was a supreme expert, and Lin Xiao was merely a young man. It seemed only natural that Wang Qi should have the upper hand, so why had the situation reversed?

After the initial shock, the astonishment on Wan Shixuan’s face gradually faded to a steely grimace.

His expression shifting rapidly, he glanced at Lin Xiao, who stood confidently in the center, and then at Wang Qi, who was struggling to rise from the ground. He suddenly leaned in to whisper something to the woman, whom Lin Xiao found hard to read.

The woman, well aware of Lin Xiao’s formidable capabilities, especially after hearing the tiger-leopard thunder sound emanating from him, was utterly astounded.

Normally, she would have fled immediately, but now, she looked at Wan Shixuan and then at Wang Qi, who, despite his injuries, was slowly standing up. A moment of hesitation flashed in her eyes, but she quickly steeled her resolve and nodded.

Even though Lin Xiao’s level of cultivation astounded her, she couldn’t believe that together they couldn’t at least escape, if not win.

On the floor, after spitting out a mouthful of blood, Wang Qi’s complexion turned ghostly pale.

He staggered to his feet, stared at Lin Xiao, and asked with a raspy voice, “Who exactly are you? Someone with your abilities couldn’t possibly be unknown in the ancient martial arts world.”

Their brief exchange had deeply impressed upon him Lin Xiao’s high level of skill. It undoubtedly far surpassed what he had anticipated. He was at least at the late stages or even the peak of Dark Force. Had it not been for his practice of his family’s secret external techniques, he might have been doomed.

“Oh? You’re quite resilient.”

Lin Xiao did not answer his question but instead expressed a hint of surprise.

Although Lin Xiao hadn’t used his full strength, he still exerted considerable force, using at least sixty percent of his power in that kick. Given Wang Qi’s level of Dark Force mastery, he shouldn’t have been able to withstand it. Yet, Wang Qi managed to stand up, which was unexpected for Lin Xiao.

However, Lin Xiao wasn’t particularly concerned.

“No matter how resilient you are, it’s useless. You’ll still end up dead,” he added.

“Wait… young man, I belong to the Wang family of Nandu. I acknowledge your high cultivation level, but our family is no pushover. What do you say we let bygones be bygones? We won’t pursue the matter of you breaking into the villa,” Wang Qi hurriedly proposed, seeing Lin Xiao ready to attack again.

“Not pursue it? Ha!”

Lin Xiao sneered and, without giving him another thought, charged at Wang Qi. He closed the distance in an instant. With his fingers joined like a blade, he slashes at Wang Qi’s chest.

The slash was ferociously sharp as if it were not a hand but a machete coming down.

Knowing Lin Xiao’s cultivation level, Wang Qi dared not confront the attack directly. He swayed and dodged to the side.

Lin Xiao relentlessly pressed the attack, each move aggressively forcing Wang Qi further into a corner.

While engaging with Wang Qi, Lin Xiao also kept an eye on the surroundings. The peculiar expression on Wan Shixuan’s face and the murderous intent in the eyes of the inscrutable woman did not escape his notice.

This was Lin Xiao’s concern, particularly the woman whom he couldn’t fully read. He remained highly cautious of her, otherwise, he would have already killed Wang Qi.

Having roamed the underworld, Lin Xiao was well aware of how vast the world was.

He had encountered numerous bizarre and mysterious techniques, some of which could even ensnare a Dark Force expert.

Although he had recently advanced to Flowing Force, making it nearly impossible for those techniques to threaten him, he knew it was always better to be cautious.

Watching Wang Qi become increasingly weaker, Lin Xiao’s mind was abuzz with thoughts, and he swiftly made a decision.

A loud bang echoed through the villa once again.

Their arms collided once more, and under Lin Xiao’s formidable strength, Wang Qi was forced to take a step back involuntarily.

Despite being pushed back by Lin Xiao, Wang Qi felt a surge of relief.

He noticed that Lin Xiao’s strength was diminishing, and his attacks were slowing. Previously, a similar clash would have sent him reeling back three or four steps, not just one.

‘Just as I expected, this kid may be strong, but he doesn’t have stamina. If I can just drag this out, victory will be mine,’ Wang Qi thought, his eyes alight with scheming.

His vast combat experience gave him confidence in his assessment, believing he had pinpointed Lin Xiao’s weakness.

Wan Shixuan and the woman observing the battle also noticed Lin Xiao’s condition.

Initially, Lin Xiao’s movements and hand speed were blindingly fast, too quick for them to discern clearly. But now, though still fast, they could see his movements clearly.

Wan Shixuan clenched his fists tightly, his face displaying excitement. “I knew it, this kid might be tough, but there’s no way he can stand up to Uncle Wang.”

“Xuan Yue, get ready to back up Uncle Wang. Let’s take this kid down in one fell swoop. If we succeed, I’ll fulfill your request.”

Xuan Yue, standing beside Wan Shixuan, nodded. Although puzzled by Lin Xiao’s sudden weakening, this now seemed more logical. Otherwise, Lin Xiao’s level of cultivation at such a young age would be incredibly alarming.

‘He must be using some secret technique to enhance his strength,’ Xuan Yue thought as she watched the increasingly weakening Lin Xiao.

Nevertheless, she acknowledged that Lin Xiao’s cultivation was formidable.

With that thought, she removed a hairpin from her hair. The pin was about half a foot long and as wide as a finger, made entirely of steel, looking more like a dart than a hairpin.

Xuan Yue’s hairpin was indeed a real dart.

Xuan Yue pinched the dart between her forefinger and thumb, her eyes shimmering with a fierce light as she focused on Lin Xiao’s back. She was constantly looking for his weak points, ready to strike a fatal blow at any moment.

Although Xuan Yue hadn’t yet acted, the pressure she exerted on Lin Xiao was no less than Wang Qi’s.

It would be unsettling for anyone to know they were being targeted with a dart from behind.

As Xuan Yue showed her obvious malice, Lin Xiao indeed became greatly flustered. His attacks turned chaotic. Although they remained powerful and fast, they were now riddled with flaws.

Lin Xiao’s punch missed, grazing past Wang Qi’s chest. It seemed too forceful, causing Lin Xiao to falter and nearly stumble to the ground.

“Perfect opportunity!”

Wang Qi’s eyes gleamed with a chilling intent to kill, his arms shooting out from beneath his ribs like two venomous snakes lying in wait, striking Lin Xiao’s chest with the speed of lightning.

His thumbs, forefingers, and middle fingers were bent like the fangs of a snake, slicing through the air with a hissing sound, much like a snake lunging at its prey.

This was his deadly technique, the Serpent Strike.

Just as Wang Qi unleashed his attack, Xuan Yue’s eyes briefly glinted with murderous resolve. She swung her hand, hurling the dart toward Lin Xiao’s back.

The finely crafted steel dart flew with astonishing speed, reaching Lin Xiao’s back almost instantly.