Chapter 304: Disobedience

“You are not my opponent.” Though Fan Changlin’s tone was ruthless, Lin Xiao remained unmoved, standing firm as a mountain. “Do you really think your martial arts are stronger than Duan Changhan’s?”

Hearing his name mentioned, Duan Changhan’s smile faded, his face darkening as his gaze flickered.

Among the five present, only he had fought Lin Xiao. Only he knew how powerful Lin Xiao truly was.

He should have warned the others to be cautious. However, remembering the mockery and indifference he had endured earlier in the hall, he ultimately chose to remain silent.

‘Didn’t they say I lost to this guy because my strength had declined? Then let them experience it firsthand,’ Duan Changhan sneered inwardly.

“Hmph! Don’t think you can sow discord between us. Senior Brother Duan lost to you only because he was careless at the time.”

Regardless of what he truly thought, Fan Changlin still found a way to save face for Duan Changhan.

“You say I’m not your opponent? Kid, I hope you can still say that after I kill you!”

“If you don’t believe the truth, then let’s settle it with our fists.” Lin Xiao curled his finger, beckoning. “I’ll stand right here. Show me whatever tricks you have.”

Fan Changlin had never in his life seen someone speak to him in such a tone. He couldn’t help but laugh from sheer anger.

“Kid, if you’re trying to provoke me, you’ve succeeded. Since you’re in such a hurry to die, I’ll grant your wish.”

As he spoke, Fan Changlin’s body trembled, his bones cracking audibly. His frame stretched taller by several inches as a powerful aura surged from within him. Both of his hands spread open, fingers extending like claws. His nails, now over an inch long, stood straight as daggers.

Just as he was about to pounce, a sudden voice rang out behind him.

“Junior Brother Fan, wait.”

Fan Changlin halted his charge with great effort, turning back with a frown.

“Senior Brother Duan, what is it?”

“Before fighting, have the disciples clear out. That way, you can go all out without any restrictions,” Duan Changhan said expressionlessly.

Fan Changlin’s eyes brightened. “Senior Brother Duan is thoughtful as always. I almost forgot about that.”

He turned to the remaining disciples at the edge of the hall.

“What are you all standing around for? Hurry up and move them.”

“Yes, Master!”

“Understood, Uncle Fan!”

The uninjured disciples rushed forward, dragging the wounded aside, quickly clearing a large space.

Fan Changlin narrowed his eyes, crossing his hands over his chest. His nails scraped together, producing a faint metallic sound.

“Kid, do you have any last words?”

“I might be feeling merciful today, so I’ll give you one last cha—”

Before the word “chance” left his mouth, Fan Changlin suddenly lunged forward. His speed was astonishing. In an instant, he was right in front of Lin Xiao, hands curved like talons, clawing straight for Lin Xiao’s chest.

Indeed, a family shares the same habits—the Golden Claw Sect disciples were all masters of ambush tactics.

A sharp tearing sound split the air.

Fan Changlin’s hands had turned an eerie green-black, as though forged from iron. His ten nails gleamed with an icy light.

He dared to fight Lin Xiao alone because he had confidence in his trump card—his honed claws.

To amplify the power of his Eagle Claw Technique, Fan Changlin had also trained in Iron Sand Palm, merging both styles into a devastating force capable of crushing stone and shattering bones.

No one had expected him to strike so suddenly, nor had he shown any signs before attacking. He fully embodied the Eagle Claw style’s principle of striking when least expected.

Against such a near sneak attack, even an average Dark Force master might have suffered a loss.

Unfortunately, his opponent was Lin Xiao.

Just as Fan Changlin’s claws were about to reach Lin Xiao’s chest, the unmoving Lin Xiao finally reacted.

His right hand, which had been hanging at his side, clenched into a fist. His inner strength surged through his arm as he punched forward like lightning!

It had been silent until now, but when Lin Xiao struck, the impact was like thunder.

The sound of roaring thunder reverberated through the martial hall. Even Duan Changhan and the others, standing over seven meters away, clearly heard it.

Apart from Duan Changhan, the other three men’s faces instantly changed.

“This is…?”

The broad-shouldered man sucked in a breath, his gaze toward Lin Xiao turning grave. Even though they hadn’t taken the punch directly, as Dark Force masters, they could still sense its power.

“He can generate a thunderous boom from a single punch? This Lin Xiao is no ordinary opponent.”

The tall, slender man beside him also looked apprehensive. “Junior Brother Fan is in danger.”

Hearing his companions’ murmurs, Duan Changhan sneered in silence, feeling a faint sense of satisfaction.

Compared to the onlookers’ shock, Fan Changlin’s reaction was far more intense.

The moment Lin Xiao’s punch was thrown, Fan Changlin felt a powerful wave of wind pressure rushing toward him, momentarily halting his attack. And beyond that wind pressure—a force so terrifying it made his heart tremble.

“Not good!”

Fan Changlin’s battle-hardened instincts screamed in warning. Without hesitation, he abandoned his attack and pushed off the ground, retreating rapidly.

Lin Xiao remained expressionless, completely unsurprised by Fan Changlin’s retreat.

He knew the strength of his punch. If Fan Changlin had not retreated, he would have died.

Lin Xiao shot forward like an arrow. In a blink, he was in front of Fan Changlin again.

His right fist withdrew—his left fist swung out.

Another explosion of thunder.

Against an opponent like Fan Changlin, Lin Xiao held an overwhelming advantage in power, speed, technique, and battle experience. He didn’t need to change tactics. Because even with just one move, Fan Changlin couldn’t withstand it.

Fan Changlin never imagined Lin Xiao’s strength would be this monstrous.

Now, he finally understood why Lin Xiao had been so composed.

Because from the start, Lin Xiao had never taken them seriously.

But even as realization struck, Fan Changlin had no time for regret or anger. All he saw was Lin Xiao’s iron-like fist, consuming his entire vision.

‘I must not get hit!’

That was the only thought in his mind.

But reality did not bend to his will.

Lin Xiao’s fist grew larger in his sight, then it smashed his chest.

A deep imprint formed on Fan Changlin’s chest, his ribs shattering as he was sent flying. He tumbled across the ground for seven or eight meters, only stopping when he crashed into a stone pillar.

“Ugh!”

Blood gushed from Fan Changlin’s mouth. His face was pale, his gaze unfocused. He raised a trembling finger toward Lin Xiao, trying to speak, but before a single word came out, his head slumped to the side, unconscious.

Lin Xiao shook his head, looking at the fallen Fan Changlin.

“I told you to fight me together, why won’t you listen?”

As Lin Xiao’s arrogant words echoed through the hall, two furious roars followed.

“Bastard! You’ve gone too far!”

“How dare you hurt my junior brother! Prepare to die!”

With furious shouts, two figures leaped into the air. Their killing intent surged as they pounced toward Lin Xiao.