Conflict

Deep within the pavilion was a plaza, surrounded by all kinds of shops: ones selling Spiritual Medicine, weapons, armor, and even martial arts manuals. Everything could be found here.

This was one of the more high-end areas of the Trade Fair. Most people who came here held some status in Qingyang Town. At this moment, quite a few people had gathered around the edge of the plaza, watching the two groups of young men and women facing off inside.

Neither side was very old, yet the tense atmosphere between them was especially intense.

The Xie Family and the Lin Family were both major powers in Qingyang Town. Most people also knew that the Lei and Xie Families had been suppressing the Lin Family and the Mad Saber Martial Hall, so no one was surprised to see their younger members confronting one another.

"Lin Xia, I advise you to hand over that Fox Crystal Chain. Otherwise, don't even think about leaving here standing today."

At the head of the Xie Family's younger generation stood a tall girl, looking mockingly at Lin Xia with a proud expression.

"Give it to you?" Lin Xia sneered. A bright red handprint still marked her cheek, left there when the woman before her had taken advantage of the chaos to slap her earlier.

As soon as she spoke, she tore the chain in her hand apart. Lin Xia understood that the chain was merely an excuse. Given Xie Ting's status, how could she possibly lack such an item? The other side was deliberately picking a fight!

Sure enough, when Xie Ting saw Lin Xia tear the chain apart, she showed no anger at all. Instead, she said with a faint smile, "What a stubborn temper. It seems you insist on going against me today?"

"Xie Ting, don't go too far!" Lin Hong shouted angrily from Lin Xia's side. He looked somewhat disheveled as well, clearly having gained no advantage in the earlier fight.

"Oh? And what if I do? If it weren't for the charity of my Xie Family, would your Lin Family still be able to keep its footing in Qingyang Town?" A curve rose at Xie Ting's lips.

"Bullshit. Isn't it just that you have no way to deal with our Lin Family and the Mad Saber Martial Hall? If your Xie Family truly had that ability, would you still watch us divide Qingyang Town's profits?"

Lin Changqiang looked at Lin Dong in surprise. As far as he remembered, this seemed to be the first time Lin Dong had ever cursed.

The sudden interruption made Xie Ting frown. She turned toward the voice and saw four figures hurrying over. The one in front was Lin Shan, who had earlier fled in a miserable state after being beaten.

"It's Lin Changqiang and Lin Dong!" Seeing the people behind Lin Shan, Lin Xia and Lin Hong's eyes lit up as though they had found their backbone.

"Are you all right?" The group walked forward and looked at Lin Xia and the others. When Lin Dong saw the shocking red mark on Lin Xia's cheek, his brows immediately drew together tightly.

He was about to turn around and teach the other side a lesson, but the next moment, he discovered in astonishment that Lin Changqiang had already raised his right hand expressionlessly.

"Five Fireball Technique."

His tone was utterly calm, yet it sent a chill down Lin Dong's spine.

The moment the words fell, Lin Changqiang mobilized all the yuan power in his body and crazily poured it into his right hand. Fireballs the size of basketballs sprang up one after another like bamboo shoots after rain—five, ten, fifteen!

Not only did he use all the yuan power in his body, he even immediately squeezed out the twenty percent yuan power Holy Light Protection had just restored. Only then did he barely manage to cast the Five Fireball Technique three times. Fifteen fireballs in total poured down like a violent storm upon Xie Ting and the others, who were still standing there stunned and had not yet had time to react!

"Stop! Stop! Don't fight anymore!"

"Bang bang bang bang bang..."

The instant the fireballs flew out, a shrill, urgent cry rang out. What followed, however, was the repeated sound of fireballs colliding with flesh. For a time, wails filled the entire plaza.

"Too bad, you said that too late." Lin Changqiang glanced at the newcomer and smiled indifferently.

Once the smoke cleared, countless eyes stared at Xie Ting and the others in disbelief. Every Xie Family junior had been beaten until their clothes were in tatters, vomiting blood as they collapsed to the ground, their bodies bearing injuries of varying severity. Xie Ting and several others who had stood in front and been struck by multiple fireballs had been blasted away and knocked unconscious. The air was filled with the smell of scorched flesh.

If he had not been worried that the Xie Family would fly into a rage and affect the hunt, causing Lin Dong's future sworn brother in life and death to die young, he would have liked nothing better than to exchange the Scholarship Gem for an iron sword and blow those little bastards to death!

Ruthless and decisive!

Many people silently gave Lin Changqiang that assessment.

Lin Xia and the others had likewise been stunned by Lin Changqiang's actions. They had not expected him to attack without a word, much less to have mastered such a powerful martial art. But when they saw the miserable state of the Xie Family members, the shock in their hearts turned into delight and waves of warmth.

"Bastard!" Not far away, the girl who had just shouted for them to stop also saw the scene. Her willow brows stood on end with fury, and her whole body trembled. "What you just did will bring catastrophic disaster upon your Lin Family!"

"She is Xie Yingying of the Xie Family." When the girl appeared, Lin Xia quietly told Lin Changqiang and Lin Dong who she was. "She is also the most outstanding among the Xie Family's younger generation and has already reached the Eighth Layer of Body Tempering."

Lin Changqiang was about to step forward, but someone gently pressed his shoulder. He turned around in confusion and saw Lin Dong give him a look before stepping out himself.

"Right, I never told Lin Dong about Holy Light Protection because I wanted to spend less time practicing martial arts every day. He must think I've exhausted all my yuan power." Lin Changqiang's face darkened as he silently took a step back.

"Don't spout such high-sounding nonsense. In the end, it is simply a matter of whose fists are bigger. She hit someone from our Lin Family, so we hit back. If you want to stand up for them, then just make your move. Saying such unrealistic nonsense only makes you look ridiculous."

Lin Dong's words made quite a few people around them nod slightly. The Lin Family had developed rapidly over the past few years. Although they had never clashed with the Lei and Xie Families, anyone who knew the details understood that the Lin Family's strength was not much weaker than either of them.

Only by joining forces could the Lei and Xie Families firmly suppress the Lin Family. Yet the Mad Saber Martial Hall, another major power in Qingyang Town, would certainly not stand by and watch. After all, once the Lei and Xie Families destroyed the Lin Family, the Mad Saber Martial Hall would be next.

Thus, the four great powers had always maintained this fragile balance. Claiming they would destroy the other side truly did sound somewhat childish.

Lin Dong's words left Xie Yingying completely speechless, and her expression immediately turned unpleasant.

"Hahaha, well said. Bigger fists are the only hard truth."

Just as Xie Yingying was rendered speechless, laughter suddenly rang out from the second floor. Everyone looked toward it and saw a figure leap down. The moment he appeared, many of the Lin Family juniors felt a pressure descend upon them.

"It's Lei Li!"

Looking at the tall man in fitted martial clothing before them, Lin Xia and the others' expressions instantly changed, their eyes filling with worry.

"Lei Li... is he Xie Yingying's fiancé, the one known as the strongest among Qingyang Town's younger generation?"

Lin Dong frowned slightly, but soon relaxed again.

"Perfect. I can test what effect the Mysterious Gate Seal has when it hits a person!"