Unexpected Turn of Events

As a peak Ninth Rank martial artist, Lei Biao stood only one step away from Eighth Rank. Striking in fury, he was swift as lightning.

That move, the Mountain Splitting Hand, was his famed ultimate technique. Its palm force was fierce and overbearing, enough to split steles and shatter stone.

Though Lin Feng had been prepared, the disparity in their realms was immense. He felt a mountain-heavy palm force crash toward his chest, and his breathing abruptly seized.

He hurriedly raised his blade to block, while circulating Brute Ox Strength and pouring his inner force into both arms.

"Bang!"

Palm and blade collided with a dull thud.

Lin Feng felt an irresistible, colossal force travel down the blade. The web between his thumb and forefinger split open at once, blood streaming out.

The dark longsword nearly flew from his grasp. He himself seemed to have been struck by a massive hammer, his feet leaving the ground as he was sent flying backward. He slammed viciously into the stone wall by the street before sliding down.

"Pfft—"

A mouthful of blood sprayed out. His chest hurt unbearably; at least two ribs had broken, and his internal energy was in complete disarray.

"Banner Commander!"

The Squad Leaders and Strongmen behind him cried out in alarm. They wanted to rush forward, but Lei Biao's savage aura cowed them, leaving them afraid to act rashly.

Lei Biao withdrew his palm and stood tall, his face full of contempt and mockery. He patted his hands as if dusting them off.

"Tut, with only this much skill, you dared to imitate others and raid homes, wipe out families?

Lin Feng, I fear your position as Banner Commander has come to an end.

You killed that piece of trash Chen Jiong, and now you really think you're somebody?

In my eyes, you're nothing more than an ant that stepped in dog shit and got lucky!"

He slowly stepped forward, sweeping his gaze over the Imperial Brocade Guards behind Lin Feng. His voice dripped with provocation. "Zhou Gang sent a piece of trash like you here. Is he looking down on my Fierce Tiger Gang, or does he simply want you dead sooner?

Fine. Today, I'll clean house for him!"

Warning: Host has suffered severe injuries. Internal energy is in disarray.

The system prompt rang coldly in his mind.

Using his blade as support, Lin Feng endured the agonizing pain and forced himself to his feet, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.

Lei Biao's words were like poisoned thorns, but Lin Feng's will was steadfast. How could he be so easily shaken?

He gave a cold laugh, his gaze scraping over Lei Biao's arrogant face like a blade.

"Old dog, you sure bark loudly.

Killing Chen Jiong was cleaning house. Killing you... is merely crushing a stinking bug in my path."

Before his words had faded, Lin Feng focused his thoughts.

"Consume 1 Slaughter Point to upgrade Eagle Claw Skill!"

1.0 Slaughter Point consumed. Eagle Claw Skill has been upgraded to the perfected realm.

In an instant, countless methods of exerting force, grappling techniques, and killing principles related to Eagle Claw Skill surged into Lin Feng's mind like a tidal wave, swiftly becoming instinctive to his body.

His Eagle Claw Skill, which had only been at the minor mastery stage, instantly crossed the major mastery stage and reached perfection!

The bones in all ten fingers gave off faint crackling sounds, and a sharp aura seemed to flow around his fingertips.

The grievous injuries he had just suffered healed instantly!

Yet the changes did not stop.

Current martial art "Eagle Claw Skill" has reached perfection and may evolve. Requires 1 Slaughter Point. Evolve?

The system prompt appeared again.

Evolve?

Lin Feng's heart stirred, but his Slaughter Points had already been exhausted.

If he killed Lei Biao and obtained those 1.5 Slaughter Points, he could evolve Eagle Claw Skill!

Sensing the subtle change in Lin Feng's aura—especially those eyes that had suddenly become incomparably sharp—Lei Biao frowned slightly, but disdain quickly replaced it.

"Bluffing! After taking one of my Mountain Splitting Hands, what else can you do? Get down!"

He lunged forward again, still using that incomparably fierce Mountain Splitting Hand. His palm shot straight for Lin Feng's crown, intending to kill him in one blow!

This time, Lin Feng moved.

He did not use his blade again. Instead, he violently kicked off the ground, his body darting out like a hunting eagle that had spotted its prey!

He was more than twice as fast as before!

Perfected Eagle Claw Skill was not merely about the techniques of the hands, but also the coordination of one's movement technique!

"Hmm?" Lei Biao's pupils shrank. Lin Feng's speed had exceeded his expectations.

In the blink of an eye, Lin Feng evaded the deadly palm strike. The five fingers of his right hand curled into a claw, inner force flooding his fingertips. With a piercing whistle through the air, he clawed straight for the pulse gate at Lei Biao's wrist!

This claw was ruthless, precise, and fast!

Its angle was incomparably tricky!

"Paltry tricks!" Though startled, Lei Biao did not panic. He changed his palm into a fist and smashed it sideways at Lin Feng's claw, intending to break finesse with brute force.

But how could perfected Eagle Claw Skill be so easily dealt with?

Lin Feng flicked his wrist, turning hardness into softness. His fingertips wound around the fist like nimble snakes, then followed its path upward and clamped down on Lei Biao's elbow joint!

"Rip!"

With the sound of tearing silk, Lei Biao's sleeve was ripped clean off, and five bloodstains so deep that bone could be seen were carved into his arm!

Had his inner force not been deep enough for him to contract his muscles in time, that arm would likely have been crippled on the spot!

"Aaah!" Agonizing pain struck, and Lei Biao cried out miserably as he staggered back. His face was filled with incredulous horror. "Impossible! Your claw technique... how could it..."

He had clearly investigated Lin Feng. Lin Feng's greatest strengths were his blade technique and Brute Ox Strength. Where had this Eagle Claw Skill come from?

And it was so profound and vicious, undoubtedly having reached the perfected realm!

How could a young man not even twenty years old have trained a martial art to perfection?

Lin Feng pressed his advantage without mercy. How could he give Lei Biao the chance to catch his breath?

As perfected Eagle Claw Skill unfolded, his twin claws struck in relentless succession, every move aimed at vital points all over Lei Biao's body.

The claw wind was razor-sharp, tearing through the air with mournful howls.

Lei Biao's arm had been injured, greatly reducing the power of his Mountain Splitting Hand. Coupled with his shaken mind—

For a time, he was completely suppressed by Lin Feng. He could only parry in wretched desperation as new wounds constantly appeared on his body, blood staining his robes red.

The surrounding Squad Leaders and Strongmen stared dumbfounded. Their Banner Commander, who had been on the brink of disaster just moments ago, had suddenly become like a fierce tiger released from its cage.

He was beating peak Ninth Rank Lei Biao so badly that he had no power to fight back! The reversal had come too quickly, too shockingly!

"A perfected martial art... Banner Commander Lin had hidden himself so deeply!" someone muttered.

Killing intent surged in Lin Feng's eyes as his final claw shot straight for Lei Biao's throat!

If this claw landed, it would surely crush his throat bones!

Lei Biao was already at the end of his rope. Fear finally appeared in his eyes as he desperately threw his head back, trying to evade this killing blow.

At that critical moment—

"Stop!"

A furious shout came from afar, infused with inner force and shaking everyone's eardrums numb.

Immediately afterward, a figure swept over at high speed, blocking the space between Lin Feng and Lei Biao.

The newcomer was a lean, capable man dressed in the uniform of an Imperial Brocade Guard Squad Leader. He was one of Zhou Gang's trusted aides.

He cupped his hands toward Lin Feng, his tone urgent yet leaving no room for doubt. "Banner Commander Lin! Hold your hand!"

Lin Feng's claw halted in midair. He frowned deeply and looked at the newcomer. "What is it?" A bad feeling had already risen in his heart.

The Squad Leader lowered his voice. "Banner Commander Lin, Acting Battalion Commander Zhou has just sent an urgent order. You are to immediately lead the brothers back to the Northern Garrison Command. You are not to continue clashing with the Fierce Tiger Gang! This matter will temporarily be handed over to someone else!"

"What?" Lin Feng's face darkened. "Why has Uncle Zhou suddenly changed his orders? Treason is a grave crime. How can it be treated as child's play!"

The Squad Leader looked troubled. He glanced at the still-shaken Lei Biao and spoke vaguely. "Commander Zhou has his own considerations. It seems... pressure has come from above. Banner Commander, military orders are as weighty as mountains. Please withdraw at once!"

Pressure? Lin Feng understood at once. It had to be the Wang Family stepping in, just as Lei Biao had mentioned!

No wonder Zhou Gang had suddenly revoked his orders.

At this moment, Lei Biao, who had narrowly escaped death, finally caught his breath.

He heard the Squad Leader's words, then saw the ugly look on Lin Feng's face, and immediately understood.

Covering his bleeding arm, the fear vanished from his face, replaced by arrogance and venomous hatred. He threw back his head and laughed wildly.

"Hahaha! Lin Feng, did you hear that? Get lost!

You think you can touch my Fierce Tiger Gang? Is the Wang Family's power something a mere Banner Commander like you can comprehend?

Even that old bastard Zhou Gang has cowered. What, do you think you can turn the heavens upside down?"

He pointed at Lin Feng, his tone full of ridicule and provocation. "Consider yourself lucky today! But just you wait, brat!

The grudge of this injured arm will be repaid a hundredfold! Once you lose that official skin of yours, let's see how I play you to death!

And those subordinates of yours—not a single one will escape! Hahaha!"

His piercing laughter echoed through the street. Seeing that their deputy gang leader was unharmed and that the Imperial Brocade Guard seemed to be withdrawing, the Fierce Tiger Gang members also regained their courage and began jeering once more.