Genius Duel

How could a lineage survive in the chaotic Great Wilderness tribes? By relying on the ties of blood. Without that bond, with everyone fighting for themselves, it would be difficult to endure for long.

Meanwhile, the transaction between Yang Jinhe and the Redcoat Bandits had reached a critical juncture.

"Third Leader Liu, count the spirit stones." Yang Jinhe stood with his hands behind his back, neither servile nor overbearing. He did not let the bandits' imposing momentum diminish the Yang family's dignity.

That was necessary as well. These bandits were the sort who feared the strong and bullied the weak. The more frightened one appeared, the more they would treat one like a soft persimmon ripe for squeezing.

The Third Master Bandit inspected the spirit stones in the Storage Bag, weighing it slightly before taking a careful look. Only then did he click his tongue and say, "Patriarch Yang truly is a man of integrity. Five thousand spirit stones—we of the Redcoat Gang will accept them."

"Since you have accepted them, may the brothers of the Redcoat Gang leave now?" Yang Jinhe asked calmly.

Whether it was Yang Jinhe or the other members of the Yang family, all of them regarded the Redcoat Gang as baleful stars. They paid money to avert disaster; the sooner these people left, the sooner they would be rid of them.

Yet things did not go as they wished. The Redcoat Gang did not seem to intend to leave immediately.

"Hehe, Patriarch Yang, why the hurry? I see that your Yang family's Coming-of-Age Ceremony is so lively today. Why not let us of the Redcoat Gang join in the fun?" The Third Master Bandit narrowed his eyes, revealing his blackened yellow teeth. His smile brimmed with sinister cunning.

Yang Jinhe's expression changed slightly.

Still, he was the head of a family, and he quickly calmed himself. "Liu Third Master, our Yang family's little temple cannot accommodate a great Buddha like you."

The Third Master ignored the hostility Yang Jinhe had already made plain. He yawned slightly, then said, "Patriarch Yang, we are only playing around. What are you worried about? Haha, are you afraid I will swallow your Yang family whole? Xu Hu, come out and stretch your legs!"

"Yes, Third Master!" A young boy of only thirteen or fourteen suddenly leaped down from a fine horse nearby.

There was a murderous air between Xu Hu's brows. Clearly, he was a young bandit born and raised in a bandits' den. When he landed from the horse, his gaze swept across the crowd, his eyes carrying an icy chill.

Compared to Xu Hu, the Yang family's young boys immediately showed the gap between them.

The Third Master grinned. "Yang Family Patriarch, I see that your Yang family has quite a few outstanding youngsters at this Coming-of-Age Ceremony. Why not let them come forth and compete? Xu Hu was trained by me since childhood. He is exceptionally fierce and battle-hardened."

Upon hearing this, Yang Jinhe's expression finally changed drastically.

How could he fail to understand what the Third Master meant?

The man was openly plotting against him.

Xu Hu had clearly clawed his way out of a bandits' den. He had witnessed countless killings and fights since childhood. Judging from his eyes, the souls who had died by his hand likely numbered far more than one or two. How could such a person compare to the Yang family's youths, who had not even passed their Coming-of-Age Ceremony?

There was no comparison.

Even if their martial cultivation levels were the same, had the Yang family's youths ever killed anyone? Had they ever fought a hard battle?

Third Leader Liu was clearly using this contest as a pretext, intending for Xu Hu to cripple the Yang family's geniuses during the match.

"Damn it." Veins bulged across Yang Jinhe's forehead as he shouted, "Third Master, there is no need for such a contest, is there?"

The Bandit Gang's resources were stronger than even those of large tribes. The geniuses they raised already had the Yang family beaten by more than half before the match even began.

"Why is there no need? Could it be that Patriarch Yang is unwilling to give me even this much face?" The Third Master narrowed his eyes, a flash of viciousness passing through them.

Yang Jinhe suddenly woke from his anger. After weighing the pros and cons, he knew that as a mere medium-sized tribe, he had no ability to contend against the Redcoat Bandit Gang.

If they truly gave the other side something to seize upon, the Yang family would find it difficult to gain any advantage. Especially since Third Leader Liu's martial cultivation made him deeply wary.

At this point, he had no choice. He swept his gaze over the Yang family's youths and said, "Yang Wu, go forward and give it a try."

After considering it over and over, he still felt that Yang Wu had more combat experience. Besides, whether it was a mule or a horse, it had to be led out for a walk eventually.

Yang Wu had no idea what sort of task he had taken on. Yang Chen had stolen the limelight from him, and he was eager to step forward and prove himself. Upon hearing Yang Jinhe's words, he immediately jumped out.

"Patriarch!" Yang Wu said excitedly.

Yang Jinhe furrowed his brow. "Xu Hu is no easy opponent. You must be extremely careful when fighting him."

He had already prepared himself to step in and rescue Yang Wu should Yang Wu lose.

However, Yang Wu did not understand the meaning behind his words at all. He even thought Yang Jinhe looked down on him, so he patted his chest. "Patriarch, rest assured. I, Yang Wu, am no easy opponent either."

Once those words fell, Yang Wu did not listen to another instruction from Yang Jinhe. With one step, he arrived at the open space ahead and stood facing Xu Hu.

Seeing this, Yang Jinhe frowned. Why was Yang Wu so impatient? He had not even let him finish speaking.

The Third Master Bandit bared his teeth. "Yang Family Patriarch, we may begin now, yes?"

"We may." Yang Jinhe sighed. "Begin."

The moment his words fell, Xu Hu suddenly moved, striking with the speed of the wind.

"So fast!"

Yang Wu was startled. He had never expected Xu Hu to attack so swiftly. Fortunately, his reaction was timely enough. At the instant Xu Hu moved, he assumed a defensive posture as well. His arms tensed, blocking Xu Hu's first punch, which came whistling through the air like a violent gale.

"Long Arm Fist!" Yang Wu grunted, attempting to unleash his martial technique.

Everyone watched the exchange between Yang Wu and Xu Hu, and Yang Chen was no exception.

With his hands behind his back, he carefully observed the battle, countless thoughts stirring in his mind.

"What I lack most right now is actual combat experience," Yang Chen muttered.

In his previous life, he had seen no one knew how many fierce, exhilarating battles. If it came to grasping the flow of battle, he might not be lacking. Yet the ability to adapt to changing circumstances in a real fight was precisely what he lacked most.

Of course, that did not mean his eye for battle was poor.

Yang Chen shook his head inwardly. Yang Wu probably will not last much longer. In speed and strength, Yang Wu is more than two levels below Xu Hu. Moreover, Yang Wu relies too heavily on martial techniques. Xu Hu is different—every move Xu Hu makes is meant to kill.

Just as he had expected.

Yang Wu's Long Arm Fist was indeed formidable and did cause Xu Hu some trouble. Yet after merely four or five exchanges, Xu Hu swiftly discovered the flaw in the Long Arm Fist.

Then Xu Hu suddenly changed direction like a leopard and arrived at Yang Wu's right side.

"Careful!" Yang Jinhe detected the danger and shouted.

However, his warning came too late.

Bang!

"Ah!" Yang Wu's defense failed, and Xu Hu smashed his arm. It instantly went numb.

That was not the end. Xu Hu clearly fought with no intention of stopping until someone was dead. As he seized Yang Wu's right arm, he yanked it viciously. Blood sprayed everywhere, and Yang Wu's right arm was torn directly from his body, falling to the ground with a slap. The sight was horrifying.

Yang Wu flew backward, staring in terror at Xu Hu, who licked his lips. Trembling, he said, "You... you are in the Body Refining Realm... the Body Refining Realm Fifth Level!"

Xu Hu's martial cultivation had shockingly reached the Body Refining Realm Fifth Level.

Yang Jinhe, standing nearby, was appalled. "Stop right now!"

In the next instant, he seized the right moment and reached out, rescuing Yang Wu, whose entire body was convulsing as he screamed without end. If Yang Jinhe had not acted, Yang Wu would certainly have died here today.

These bandits would never show mercy.

Still, although Yang Wu had been saved, he had lost an arm. He was now little different from a cripple.