Chapter 496: Instant Defeat

Amid the complex and indescribable expressions of the two, Lin Xiao lifted each foot from the floor one after the other, pulling up chunks of shattered stone and leaving behind two circular pits about half a meter wide and just as deep.

Through the pits, even the twisted and deformed steel reinforcement bars were visible, and around them, enormous spiderweb-like cracks radiated outward, like the aftermath of a grenade explosion.

Once the fight ended, this corridor would likely need major repairs.

“Still want to fight?” Lin Xiao’s radiant gaze swept across the middle-aged man and woman. “I can tell you harbor no malice toward me, but if we keep fighting, I can’t guarantee I won’t hurt you.”

“Young man, we don’t want to fight you either,” the man said, flexing his hands, circulating his blood and energy to disperse the lingering impact. “I admit your strength is formidable, but do you really think you can take on both of us alone?”

“In that case, there’s nothing more to say. Let’s settle this with our fists.” Lin Xiao’s voice was calm. “You’re qualified to witness my true strength. Be careful.”

As soon as he spoke, a continuous sound of thunder echoed from within Lin Xiao’s body.

The thunder was faint and subtle, flowing like a continuous stream. If one didn’t listen carefully, it was nearly undetectable.

But the two middle-aged fighters had exceptional hearing. Almost the moment the thunder arose within Lin Xiao, both of their expressions changed.

“Boiling blood and energy! Peak dark force?”

“Such a powerful blood-and-energy surge! At the very least, it’s peak dark force. What stage has this young man reached…?”

The woman’s fingers clenched tightly around her throwing dart, her knuckles turning white.

The man was even more stunned than she was.

Only now did they realize that, although they had tried their best to overestimate Lin Xiao’s abilities, they had still underestimated him.

Lin Xiao had no interest in their inner thoughts. He only wanted to end this quickly.

This fight had already gone on too long.

As thunder rumbled inside him, his muscles and bones quaked. Internal energy surged through his limbs and bones. Every pore on his body closed tightly, locking all power within. His skin began to shimmer with a faint white glow.

Then, with a thunderous roar, an invisible and immense wave of power erupted from within Lin Xiao, shooting skyward.

In that instant, Lin Xiao became like a waking behemoth, emanating an indescribable pressure. His immensely vigorous energy surged inside him like rolling thunder, so powerful that even the two standing several meters away could hear it.

“What?!”

The middle-aged man staggered back a step as if struck by a great shock. His previous composure vanished. He could hardly believe his eyes.

“Flowing Force…”

The woman in the qipao softly parted her rosy lips and uttered two words, like a whisper.

Unlike most ancient martial artists from the southern provinces, the majority had never seen a Flowing Force master in person, and even if they had, it was likely only a brief encounter. Due to their roles, they had not only met such masters but had even been specifically trained to deal with them.

This time, Lin Xiao had not deliberately suppressed his aura. So when his power erupted, the two of them understood instantly.

Only a flowing force master could possess such immense pressure. Only flowing force could instill such helplessness deep in their hearts.

“One last warning.”

Lin Xiao, now fully serious and determined to end this quickly, spoke coldly, his voice carrying a metallic tremor.

“Get out of my way.”

The two exchanged a glance but remained rooted in place outside the conference room door.

They knew full well how terrifying a flowing force master was. They knew how foolish it was to challenge such a foe, but they had their own pride and dignity.

Even in death, they would not back down.

Seeing they had no intention of moving, Lin Xiao didn’t speak again. His figure blurred. And vanished.

He hadn’t truly disappeared. It was the illusion caused by his extreme speed, like a bullet flying through the air, invisible to the naked eye.

His speed at that moment was not much slower than a bullet.

Not only fast, but eerily silent, strikingly different from the massive commotion of his earlier clashes.

In the blink of an eye, Lin Xiao appeared before the man. Without any particular technique, he casually threw a punch straight ahead.

Extreme speed brought with it extreme force.

This punch’s power was on a completely different level from any previous strike.

The man’s back bristled with goosebumps—not from fear, but from a primal instinct of danger. Though Lin Xiao’s punch seemed ordinary, it carried a lethal killing intent.

The man crossed his arms in front of his chest and leaned back to dodge the blow, while simultaneously raising one leg to deliver a kick toward Lin Xiao’s abdomen.

Meanwhile, the woman raised both hands. Four throwing darts flew from her fingers, whistling toward Lin Xiao. At the same time, she sprang forward, her ample figure closing in rapidly. Her fists shot out like cannonballs in a move aimed at Lin Xiao’s temples from both sides.

Their reactions proved their mastery. Both were late-stage dark force experts. Even facing a hopeless battle, their will to fight did not falter.

But courage is one thing. Winning is another.

***

As Lin Xiao engaged the two of them, inside the office…

Wan Caixuan and the others said nothing. They simply listened intently, waiting for the battle outside to conclude.

The crashing sounds of combat reached them, shaking the conference room.

The handsome young man revealed a curious expression.

“That guy’s got some skill. He can actually fight Uncle Meng and Aunt Ding like that.”

“With Uncle Meng and Aunt Ding guarding the door, unless that man grows wings, there’s no way he’s getting in,” the girl added softly, glancing at the expressionless Wan Caixuan. “I’m sure the fight will be over soon.”

As if in response to her words, the sound of combat outside suddenly ceased.

And the door to the conference room remained tightly shut. It had never been opened.

“See? I told you he wouldn’t make it in. Third Sister, you didn’t believe me. He’s probably been dealt with already.”

The girl’s stunning face blossomed into a radiant smile. She grinned at Wan Caixuan.

“You lost! A bet’s a bet, don’t you dare go back on it.”

The handsome youth also rose from the couch, a sly smile tugging at his lips. With his tall, lean figure and androgynously enchanting features, he exuded an oddly ambiguous charm.

“Third Sister, that wager we made still stands, right? Don’t go back on your word,” he said.

“Oh?” Wan Caixuan raised an elegant brow. “You’re both so sure that I’ve lost?”

“The fight outside is over, and your so-called rescuer never made it in. If that’s not losing, what is?” The young man sneered. “Stop stalling, Third Sister. Manager Ning, please draft a new contract. Just as we agreed.”

“Young Master Yi, Miss Yue,” Ning Xi responded, bowing slightly but remaining seated. “Don’t you think you should wait a little longer? After all, Uncle Meng and Aunt Ding haven’t come in either. Why don’t you call them in and ask?”

“Fine, I’ll let you give up hope completely.” The girl pouted, then raised her voice. “Uncle Meng, Aunt Ding, is that troublesome guy dealt with yet? If so, then you can come in—”

BOOM!

But before she could finish, a deafening explosion cut her off.