Breaking the Doubt

Lin Feng's gaze swept past the grim-faced Wang Xiong and Li Wanshan, piercing Nalan Qing like cold lightning. His tone was laced with undisguised mockery.

"Does the Nalan Family Head mean to insist I, Lin Feng, fabricated my achievements, or are you openly questioning the authority and judgment of the Commander?"

He raised his hand, pointing to the ferocious tiger head on the ground, his voice suddenly rising in volume.

"The head of Cao Meng, the bandit leader of Black Wind Stronghold, is right here, his demonic energy still lingering – irrefutable proof! As for the remaining scum in the stronghold, the Northern Garrison Command will handle their eradication according to established procedures. Why the clamor now?"

He scanned the room, his gaze finally returning to Nalan Qing, his words growing sharper.

"If we were to follow the esteemed opinions of all you family heads, does it mean that from now on, every achievement by our Northern Garrison Command must wait until the seas are calm and the world is free of thieves before rewards can be given? If such absurd logic becomes the norm, wouldn't it chill the hearts of all the soldiers who sacrifice their lives on the front lines for the country? The Northern Garrison Command's laws and authority are sacred; when did it become the place for outsiders to point fingers!"

These words were like knives, not only targeting Nalan Qing directly but also cruelly nailing the obstructionist actions of the three family heads onto the pillar of shame for challenging the Northern Garrison Command's system and Shen Mo's absolute authority.

The atmosphere in the hall suddenly froze.

Shen Mo, seated upright, his expression as dark as water, finally spoke again. His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable decisiveness, instantly suppressing all undercurrents. "Enough."

His deep gaze slowly swept over the changing faces of Wang Xiong and the other two, finally settling on the standing Lin Feng, his tone resolute.

"Lin Feng's slaying of the Black Tiger Demon Cao Meng is a great merit, beyond doubt. Merit shall be rewarded, and transgression punished; this is the law of the court, and also the iron rule of our Northern Garrison Command! I will immediately dispatch a six-hundred-mile urgent report to the court to request your commendation."

He paused slightly, then stated, word by word, "With your merit of slaying a great demon and pacifying Black Wind Stronghold, a promotion to Commander is not impossible."

"Commander?!"

Wang Xiong, Li Wanshan, and Nalan Qing all exclaimed almost simultaneously. Their pupils contracted to the size of needle tips, the color draining from their faces, leaving them looking extremely unsightly.

They knew all too well the weight of a substantive Commander within the Northern Garrison Command. Such a position was enough to stir up immense power ripples in Black Rock City and even the entire province, severely shaking the fundamental interests of their Three Great Families!

Shen Mo, ignoring their reactions, continued his announcement.

"As for the present, the primary merit for suppressing the bandits should also receive immediate reward. I will first grant you—special permission to enter the Northern Garrison Command's armory and select one Earth-grade martial art as a token of my appreciation!"

An Earth-grade martial art!

At this declaration, not only did Lin Feng's eyes flicker, but a wave of suppressed gasps and exclamations erupted from the hall. The highest-grade martial art Lin Feng currently practiced was merely the Profound-grade superior Ocean Overturning Mountain Splitting Palm!

Earth-grade and Profound-grade, though only differing by one rank in name, were in reality a qualitative leap, with a vast difference in power. Any Earth-grade martial art was enough to become a treasured heirloom for the foundational heritage of a great family!

Shen Mo's reward was undeniably significant.

Overwhelmed by intense jealousy and the panic of vested interests being harmed, Nalan Qing could no longer maintain his outward composure. He suddenly took a step forward, his aura surging, his eyes fixed on Lin Feng. His voice, strained by extreme envy and resentment, became sharp.

"An Earth-grade martial art? Based on him?! Lord Shen! It's not that I, Nalan Qing, doubt your judgment, but this matter is far too bizarre!"

He pointed at Lin Feng, sternly stating, "That Cao Meng was notoriously fierce, his strength comparable to a Sixth-Rank martial artist at perfection, a true killer forged in mountains of corpses and seas of blood! How could he, Lin Feng, a junior who has just entered the Seventh Rank and whose foundation is unstable, possibly slay him? In my opinion, there must have been immense luck involved, or... he used some underhanded and despicable means! Or perhaps, he colluded with that demon to gain such a tremendous advantage!"

His tone suddenly shifted, becoming aggressive, his gaze locking onto Lin Feng like a hook.

"Lin Feng! Mere words are not enough! If you truly killed Cao Meng with your own strength, openly and honorably, do you dare to spar with me, Nalan Qing, here and now? If you can't even get past me, what face do you have to claim you killed Cao Meng? This immense merit of yours is, in my eyes, a complete fabrication, a means to deceive the world and steal fame!"

Almost the instant Nalan Qing issued his challenge, a cold, emotionless prompt sounded directly in the depths of Lin Feng's mind:

[Slaying the Nalan Family Head will yield 2000 Slaughter Points]

A cold glint flashed in Lin Feng's eyes, too quickly to be caught. He met Nalan Qing's provocative gaze, his tone terrifyingly calm, yet carrying a heart-chilling sharpness.

"Since the Nalan Family Head insists on testing my abilities, Lin Feng... will be happy to oblige."

He changed tack: "However, since it's a public spar, it would be rather dull without stakes. Why not add some wagers to make it more enjoyable for everyone."

He paused, then clearly stated.

If I lose, I, Lin Feng, will not claim a single bit of the merit from this eradication of Black Wind Stronghold. I will willingly cede it all to the Nalan Family! And then," his voice suddenly rose, like the clash of metal, "if I win... I don't want any other wealth from your Nalan Family. I only ask that your Nalan Family also produce one Earth-grade martial art and hand it over with both hands! How about it, Nalan Family Head? Do you dare to accept the wager?"

"Arrogant junior! You don't know the immensity of heaven and earth!" Nalan Qing was so enraged by this counter-move that he laughed in anger, his facial muscles twitching slightly. "Good! Good! Good! It shall be as you say! Everyone present has heard clearly. I request Lord Shen and the two family heads, Wang and Li, to bear witness together!"

If you can't find the book title, you can try searching for the author, maybe the name has changed!

"I'd like to see how you, a mere child, reveal your true colors later!"

He didn't believe Lin Feng had any chance of winning, thinking it was a desperate bluff. This was the perfect opportunity to snatch the immense credit for himself, or at least nullify it on the spot!

Shen Mo, seated above, frowned almost imperceptibly. Seeing that both sides had stated their case and the bet was set, he spoke no further, merely saying calmly, "Since that is the case, let the battle commence here in the hall. Remember, stop when it's enough."

Nalan Qing could no longer hold back. The formidable aura of a Sixth-Rank Martial Master erupted without reservation!

True Essence surged, stirring the surrounding airflow. His robes fluttered as if in a strong wind, and a heavy oppressive feeling, far surpassing that of a Seventh-Rank Martial Artist, spread outwards like a tide.

He had been immersed in the Sixth-Rank realm for many years, accumulating profound True Essence and possessing rich combat experience. He was by no means comparable to an ordinary Seventh-Rank Martial Artist.

"Kid, if you kneel and surrender now, admitting to falsely claiming credit, you can still save your life!"

A cold, sinister smile played on Nalan Qing's lips, his eyes filled with contempt.

"Please."

Lin Feng's expression remained unchanged. He slowly adopted the starting stance for the Ocean Overturning Mountain Splitting Palm, his aura settling, like a mountain overlooking an abyss.

The battle erupted instantly!

Nalan Qing clearly had no intention of prolonging the fight. His first move was the Nalan family's renowned ultimate skill – the Gale Claw!

As he moved his claws, sharp tearing sounds filled the air. The claw winds howled, seeming to rip through the very atmosphere. Every strike aimed at Lin Feng's vital pressure points.

His cultivation realm was a full tier above Lin Feng's. His True Essence was more abundant and refined, and he held a clear advantage in both speed and strength. From the outset, he intended to crush Lin Feng with sheer power.

Lin Feng responded calmly with the Ocean Overturning Mountain Splitting Palm.

The palm winds whistled, exuding a majestic aura, imbued with the fierce killing intent of splitting mountains and cleaving peaks.

His palm techniques were exquisite, and his comprehension of their intent far surpassed his peers. However, facing the absolute disparity in strength and speed, he was ultimately outmatched.

Though he could barely hold his ground and counter each move using his rich combat experience and extraordinary comprehension of palm intent.

Under Nalan Qing's relentless, storm-like assault, he was inevitably forced to retreat step by step. His defensive palm circle continuously shrank, his movements becoming somewhat disheveled, clearly at a disadvantage.

"Hahaha! Is this all the meager skill you possess? You dare to boast so boldly before me?!"

Seeing this, Nalan Qing's last shred of doubt vanished. His attacks became even more ruthless and merciless, his taunts incessant.

"You can't even get past me, and you dare to claim you killed the notorious Cao Meng? Truly a fraud who deceives the world!

Your merit in suppressing bandits will belong to my Nalan family after today! Take this claw!"

Before his words even finished, his claw wind intensified by another third, narrowly grazing Lin Feng's clothes and skin several times, leaving shallow bloodstains. The situation was precarious.

Wang Xiong and Li Wanshan, watching from the sidelines, exchanged glances. Expressions of schadenfreude and mockery appeared on both their faces, as if they could already see Lin Feng's crushing defeat and the complete loss of his credit.

However, under the immense pressure and the deluge of claw shadows, Lin Feng's eyes grew colder and more indifferent, like a bottomless, unmoving abyss.

While he struggled to maintain his defense with sheer willpower and exquisite palm techniques, he simultaneously diverted a sliver of his consciousness to rapidly scan the few items he had obtained from Cao Meng's storage bag, which he hadn't had time to examine closely.

Suddenly, a simple, ancient manual caught his eye. Its material was unusual, neither metal nor leather, and its cover bore an image of a proud azure dragon soaring towards the heavens. A vast, ancient aura emanated from it, causing his heart to tremble –

Azure Dragon Transformation Art (incomplete scroll), a Heaven-grade body-refining martial art!

This was it!

Lin Feng's heart settled, and he hesitated no longer. With a mere thought, the system prompt sounded:

[Ding! Consumed 2000 Slaughter Points, Azure Dragon Transformation Art has been upgraded to the perfected realm!]

The next instant, a boundless surge of Bloodline Power, vast as a rushing river, along with countless profound insights into this divine body-refining technique, violently flooded his limbs, bones, sea of consciousness, and soul!

It was as if he had poured decades of arduous cultivation into this technique, his understanding and application reaching a state of consummate skill, almost instinctive perfection!

He was now only one step away from the supreme realm of Unity of Man and Heaven!

All these changes and advancements occurred in the blink of an eye, completely imperceptible to those outside.

In the arena, Nalan Qing's assault grew even more ferocious and violent. Seeing Lin Feng barely holding on under his claws, teetering on the brink of disaster, the smug and ruthless look on his face intensified, as if victory was already assured.

"Be utterly defeated!"

He suddenly let out a deafening roar, pouring all his True Essence into his right claw without reservation, causing its wind to suddenly accelerate by another third, becoming even sharper than before!

This claw tore through the air with a piercing howl, aiming directly for Lin Feng's throat. It was clearly a heavy blow, intended to end the fight in one strike, perhaps even… take his life!

And at this critical juncture!

The surging Bloodline Power from the perfected realm Azure Dragon Transformation Art erupted within Lin Feng!

His body, which had been slightly sluggish and slow under the immense pressure, suddenly became incredibly agile and swift, like a dragon in flight!

A terrifying power, deep as a mountain and irresistible, emanated from his body. It was as if an ancient beast, now awakened, lay dormant beneath his slender frame!

Facing Nalan Qing's life-seeking, soul-chasing claw strike, Lin Feng neither dodged nor retreated. He stood his ground!

He suddenly brought his right palm together. Within the originally sharp and majestic intent of the Ocean Overturning Mountain Splitting Palm, a hint of an ancient, majestic, and boundless dragon's roar was subtly integrated!

He didn't use any complex or flashy moves. With simple directness, he pushed his palm, now imbued with terrifying power, straight forward to meet the tearing claws!

"Buzz—!"

Palm and claw collided fiercely!