Genius Duel

How can a clan survive in the chaotic tribes of the Great Wilderness? It relies on the bonds of blood. Without these ties, fighting individually makes long-term survival difficult.

Meanwhile, Yang Jinhe's transaction with the Redcoat Bandits had reached a critical juncture.

"Third Leader Liu, please count the spiritual stones," Yang Jinhe said, hands behind his back, maintaining a demeanor that was neither servile nor overbearing. He didn't let the bandits' imposing presence diminish his own family's dignity.

This was necessary, as these bandits were bullies who preyed on the weak. The more fearful you appeared, the more they would treat you like a pushover.

The bandit's third leader, upon seeing the spiritual stones in the storage bag, gave them a slight weigh before examining them closely. He then clicked his tongue and said, "Clan Head Yang is indeed a man of his word. Five thousand spiritual stones, our Redcoat Gang accepts."

"Now that you have accepted them, may the brothers of the Redcoat Gang depart?" Yang Jinhe asked calmly.

Both Yang Jinhe and the others in the Yang Family viewed the Redcoat Gang as a menace. Paying them off to avoid trouble was the best course of action, and the sooner they left, the better.

However, things did not go as planned. The Redcoat Gang seemed to have no intention of leaving immediately.

"Heh heh, Clan Head Yang, why the hurry? I see the Yang Family's Coming-of-Age Ceremony is quite lively today. Why don't we from the Redcoat Gang join in the fun?" the bandit's third leader said, narrowing his eyes and revealing his yellowed teeth. His smile was filled with sinister cunning.

Yang Jinhe's expression shifted slightly.

However, as the head of the family, he quickly regained his composure and said, "Third Leader Liu, our humble Yang Family abode cannot accommodate you."

The third leader ignored Yang Jinhe's evident hostility. He yawned slightly and then said, "Clan Head Yang, it's just a bit of fun. What are you worried about? Haha, are you afraid I'll devour your Yang Family? Xu Hu, come out and show them a thing or two!"

"Yes, Third Leader!" Suddenly, a young boy, no older than thirteen or fourteen, jumped down from a nearby warhorse.

This boy exuded an aura of killing intent, clearly a young bandit raised in a bandit den since childhood. As he dismounted, his eyes swept over everyone, radiating extreme coldness.

Compared to this young Xu Hu, the young men of the Yang Family seemed to pale in comparison.

The third leader grinned. "Clan Head Yang, I see your Yang Family's Coming-of-Age Ceremony has many outstanding young talents. Why not have these youngsters come out and compete? Xu Hu was trained by me from a young age, and he is the most valiant and skilled fighter."

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

He understood perfectly what the third leader meant.

The man was playing an open game of manipulation.

Xu Hu was clearly someone who had crawled out of a bandit den, having witnessed countless fights since childhood. Judging by his eyes, he had likely killed more than one or two souls. How could such a person be compared to the youths of the Yang Family who hadn't even undergone their Coming-of-Age Ceremony?

There was no comparison.

Even if their martial cultivation was the same, had the Yang Family's youths ever killed anyone? Had they ever fought in a real battle?

Third Leader Liu was clearly using the guise of a competition to have Xu Hu cripple their Yang Family's geniuses.

"Damn it," Yang Jinhe's veins bulged as he shouted, "Third Leader, this kind of competition is unnecessary."

The bandit gangs had better resources than major clans, and the geniuses they cultivated were far superior. The Yang Family had already lost more than half the battle before it even began.

"Why unnecessary? Does Clan Head Yang refuse to give even this small favor?" The third leader narrowed his eyes, a flash of ruthlessness appearing.

This jolted Yang Jinhe to his senses. Weighing the pros and cons, he knew that as a mid-tier clan, they had no ability to resist the Redcoat Bandit Gang.

If the other party found a handle, it would be difficult for the Yang Family to gain any advantage. Especially since Third Leader Liu's martial cultivation was something he deeply feared.

With no other choice, he scanned the young men of the Yang Family and said, "Yang Wu, you go forward and try."

After careful consideration, he felt Yang Wu had more combat experience. And ultimately, they had to test him out.

Yang Wu, unaware of the task he was undertaking, had his moment stolen by Yang Chen and was eager to step forward and prove himself. Upon hearing Yang Jinhe's words, he immediately jumped out.

"Clan Head!" Yang Wu exclaimed with great excitement.

Yang Jinhe frowned. "This Xu Hu is no easy opponent. You must be extremely careful when you fight him."

He had already prepared himself to rescue Yang Wu if he failed.

However, Yang Wu didn't understand the meaning behind his words and hoped Yang Jinhe underestimated him. He patted his chest, "Clan Head, rest assured, I, Yang Wu, am no easy opponent either."

With those words spoken, Yang Wu didn't wait for Yang Jinhe to give further instructions. He stepped forward, entering the open space, and stood facing Xu Hu.

Seeing this, Yang Jinhe frowned. Why was Yang Wu so impatient, not even listening to him finish?

The bandit's third leader grinned. "Clan Head Yang, can we begin?"

"We can begin," Yang Jinhe sighed. "Let's start."

As soon as the words fell, Xu Hu suddenly attacked with the speed of the wind.

"So fast!"

Yang Wu was startled. He never expected Xu Hu to be so swift. Fortunately, his reaction was timely. The moment Xu Hu moved, he assumed a defensive posture. His arms tensed, suppressing Xu Hu's first punch, which carried a whistling gale.

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

Everyone watched Yang Wu and Xu Hu's exchange, including Yang Chen.

He stood with his hands behind his back, carefully observing the battle, his mind racing with thoughts.

"What I lack most right now is actual combat experience," Yang Chen murmured to himself.

In his past life, he had witnessed countless exhilarating battles. When it came to controlling a fight, he was perhaps not lacking. However, the ability to react spontaneously in the heat of battle was precisely what he lacked.

Of course, this didn't mean his eyesight was poor.

Yang Chen shook his head internally. "This Yang Wu probably won't last long. In terms of speed and strength, Yang Wu is at least two levels below Xu Hu. Moreover, Yang Wu relies too much on martial skills. Xu Hu is different; every move Xu Hu uses is a killing technique."

It turned out exactly as he had thought.

Yang Wu's 'Long Arm Fist' was indeed powerful and did cause Xu Hu some trouble. However, after only four or five exchanges, Xu Hu quickly discovered the flaw in the technique.

Immediately after, Xu Hu, like a leopard, sharply changed direction and moved to Yang Wu's right side.

"Be careful," Yang Jinhe sensed the danger and shouted loudly.

However, his warning came a bit too late.

"Bang!"

"Ah!" Yang Wu's defense was inadequate, and his arm was struck by Xu Hu, instantly going numb.

That wasn't all. Xu Hu's attack clearly indicated a fight to the death. As he grabbed Yang Wu's right arm, he yanked it hard. Blood splattered instantly, and Yang Wu's right arm separated from his body, falling to the ground with a sickening thud, a truly gruesome sight.

Yang Wu flew backward, staring in terror at Xu Hu, who was licking his lips. Trembling, he stammered, "You, you're in the Body Refining Realm... the Body Refining Realm Fifth Level!"

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

This caused Yang Jinhe, standing nearby, to turn pale with shock. "Stop this at once."

The next moment, he seized the opportunity, reaching out with one hand and rescuing Yang Wu, who was convulsing and screaming incessantly. If he hadn't intervened, Yang Wu would surely have died here today.

These bandits would never show mercy.

However, even though Yang Wu was rescued, he had now lost an arm, rendering him almost completely useless.