Chapter 470: Ruthless

“Let go!”

Zhang Li roared furiously, his body springing upward on the spot. He lashed out with a flurry of kicks, aiming for Lin Xiao’s chest.

Realizing he had fallen into Lin Xiao’s clutches, Zhang Li began to resist with everything he had. He channeled his qi into every kick, each blow carrying tremendous power—enough to break a tree trunk as thick as a soup bowl.

But before his kicks could land, his body was forcibly yanked down from midair.

Caught off guard, Zhang Li’s knees buckled. He dropped to one knee in front of Lin Xiao.

The spectators were stunned.

Especially those from the Scarlet City Sect. They looked as though they had been struck by lightning, eyes wide and mouths agape, unable to utter a word.

“Senior Brother Zhang… lost?” a disciple of the Scarlet City Sect muttered to himself, voice filled with disbelief.

“I must be dreaming. Yeah, this has to be a dream. How could Senior Brother Zhang lose?” Another disciple slapped himself across the face repeatedly until his cheeks were swollen. “Why haven’t I woken up…”

“Senior Brother Zhang is one of Scarlet City Sect’s rare geniuses, someone with the potential to reach Flowing Force third on the Elite Ranking… how could he lose to that guy?” A female disciple couldn’t accept the reality before her. She shook her head vigorously. “That guy must’ve used some underhanded trick. He sneak attacked Senior Brother Zhang. That’s the only explanation!”

She repeated the claim, trying to convince herself with increasing insistence.

It wasn’t just those from Scarlet City who couldn’t believe it. People from other sects were equally shocked.

Even Lei Wen, who believed he had a decent grasp of Lin Xiao’s strength, hadn’t expected the outcome to be like this.

“That guy Zhang Li… is actually this useless?” Lei Wen felt a surge of absurdity rise in his chest. “He got taken down that easily? What a joke. Or… is that Lin Xiao guy’s strength actually far beyond Zhang Li’s?”

Across the arena, Jiang Long had similar thoughts. Her sharp eyes were locked onto Lin Xiao, attempting to discern the truth behind his strength.

Crack!

On the grand seat, Chunyu Yan’s expression was dark enough to drip water. He stared coldly at Lin Xiao’s back as his grip crushed the hard armrest into splinters, which fell like dust from his clenched fist.

He was about to leap onto the stage to stop the match between Lin Xiao and Zhang Li when Tian Junliang, seated on the other side, spoke leisurely.

“Hall Master Chun, the rules of the ring are clear. Unless one side concedes or is forced off the platform, no one may interfere. Do you intend to break the rules?”

Chunyu Yan froze, his voice stiff, “Master Tian, my disciple is on that platform.”

“No need to tell us; we’re all aware,” Tian Junliang replied calmly, eyes lowered. “Your disciple Zhang Li broke the rules first, rushing the platform to challenge someone unprovoked. Are you, as his master, going to follow in his footsteps?”

Tian Junliang’s words were sharp and unyielding, showing no courtesy.

Chunyu Yan’s eyes flashed with anger. A cold, oppressive aura surged from his body, rippling outward from his center. His voice grew icy.

“And what if I insist on going up there? Will Master Tian try to stop me?”

“I will.” Tian Junliang raised his eyes, tilting his head toward Chunyu Yan. Electric light flickered in his gaze. “To uphold the Martial Alliance’s rules and authority, if Master Chun insists on interfering, don’t blame me for being impolite.”

“The Martial Alliance’s authority and rules? Hmph, more like West Sea Sect’s authority and rules.”

Chunyu Yan glared at Tian Junliang, inwardly tempted to tear things open with him—but he didn’t dare.

Though both were at the peak of Dark Force, the difference between them was significant. Tian Junliang was unquestionably the stronger one. In a true fight, Chunyu Yan had no confidence of winning.

His eyes flickered with indecision, then he hissed through gritted teeth. “Forget it. Since Master Tian insists, I’ll keep watching.”

Tian Junliang gave a faint smile and looked away.

***

On the platform—

Lin Xiao looked down at Zhang Li, his eyes filled with disdain.

Zhang Li was all too familiar with that look.

He had often used it himself, looking down on so-called trash with condescension.

Now, being looked at by Lin Xiao in the same way made Zhang Li feel unbearably humiliated. His face flushed red, and he clenched his teeth, trying to stand up.

But Lin Xiao’s hand was as heavy as a mountain, pinning him down like Mount Tai. He couldn’t move an inch.

“Master, save me!”

Zhang Li could no longer bear the humiliation and cried out, his voice laced with desperation.

He was like a beaten child. His first instinct wasn’t to admit defeat but to call for a parent.

Hearing his voice, Chunyu Yan finally couldn’t sit still. His body soared into the air, tearing toward the ring like a bolt of lightning.

“Stop right there,” he shouted.

Tian Junliang moved slightly but ultimately chose not to stop Chunyu Yan.

Though he wanted to damage the Scarlet City Sect’s prestige, he didn’t truly want to turn hostile with them.

As for Lin Xiao, his talent was impressive, but he wasn’t from the West Sea Sect. A stranger wasn’t worth paying such a high price for.

If Lin Xiao were a West Sea disciple, Tian Junliang would have acted without hesitation and never let Chunyu Yan lay a finger on him.

‘Still, wasting such talent under Chunyu Yan’s hand is unfortunate. Let him injure the kid first, then we can bring him under our wing.’ Tian Junliang silently calculated.

On the platform—

Lin Xiao ignored Chunyu Yan’s shout. A hint of mockery flashed in his crimson-tinged eyes. He suddenly twisted Zhang Li’s fist with brutal force.

The sickening sound of bones breaking echoed through.

Zhang Li’s entire arm was twisted like a damp rag. Bone fragments jutted out from his wrist and elbow, and blood sprayed violently.

Zhang Li let out a heart-piercing scream. His eyes rolled back. Snot and tears flowed. Veins bulged on his forehead. He nearly fainted on the spot.

Chunyu Yan’s eyes nearly popped from their sockets as he charged the ring, murderous intent erupting from him like a tidal wave. Each step left deep imprints on the floor, and he launched himself ten meters at a time, racing toward Lin Xiao at incredible speed.

But Chunyu Yan was still dozens of meters away, with several platforms in between. Even with his speed, it would take at least two seconds to reach Lin Xiao.

Two seconds seemed short—but for experts, it was more than enough to do a great deal.

Lin Xiao’s expression was like iron, eyes devoid of mercy. One arm extended like a dragon’s claw, seizing Zhang Li’s throat, fingers tightening suddenly.

“Ugh…”

Zhang Li’s screams were cut short. He couldn’t make a sound. His remaining hand flailed wildly, but it was a desperate struggle of a dying beast.

A fierce light flashed in Lin Xiao’s eyes. He smashed Zhang Li down hard.

Zhang Li’s head slammed into the marble floor.

Blood exploded.

His once proudly straight nose caved in. Several teeth shattered. His formerly handsome face was now unrecognizable.

The spectators sucked in a collective breath.

Lin Xiao’s movements were so decisive, so ruthless—it sent chills down spines.

“You little bastard! I told you to stop!”

Behind Lin Xiao, Chunyu Yan’s furious bellow rang out again. His killing intent surged like an angry tide.

Now only ten meters away, Chunyu Yan was within striking range.

Lin Xiao turned his head to glance at him. His eyes were as cold as ice. A sinister smile curved at his lips.

Then… he lifted his left foot and stomped down hard on Zhang Li’s spine.