Shi Feijiao continued, "The one who attacked was a brat about Little Teng's age. He looked decent enough-fair-skinned and handsome. But his heart was truly vicious. He shot an arrow at Shoushan as if he were killing a wild beast, without the slightest ripple in his eyes. That coldness was terrifying."
"Everyone from Stone Village flew into a rage and charged forward together, but the other side refused to back down. Dozens of them quickly gathered, standing firm and meeting us head-on.
If a Suanni deep in the mountains hadn't happened to go berserk, roaring until the mountains shook and rocks tumbled down, there might have been a serious bloodbath. Both sides grew worried and quickly withdrew."
The old chief said, "It seems Bei Village has produced an exceptionally gifted youth!"
Shi Teng's expression turned icy. "Bei Village. What a fine Bei Village! I'd like to see just how formidable they are. I, Shi Teng, won't forget the debt they owe for Uncle Shoushan's severed arm!"
Worried that Shi Teng might do something reckless, Shi Linhu immediately said, "Little Teng, don't act rashly. That fellow really is strong. Even several of us together were no match for him!"
"He's strong? Then all the more reason for me to test him!"
Seeing how firm Shi Teng was,
the old chief continued, "Our two villages have always kept to ourselves, like well water that never mingles with river water. This time, they attacked us first, showing us no regard whatsoever. We absolutely cannot let this matter rest.
We in Stone Village don't stir up trouble, but we won't let anyone bully us either.
Bei Village has produced a young genius, but hasn't our Stone Village done the same?"
Shi Feijiao declared loudly, "The chief is right! Stone Village cannot let anyone bully us. Besides, Little Teng is far stronger than that youth from Bei Village!"
The old chief continued, "To be safe, Lin Hu will take a group along with Shi Teng. We can't let the enemy turn all their spearheads on Shi Teng!"
Shi Linhu nodded. "Yes. As long as someone holds off that youth from Bei Village, I can take on ten of the others myself!"
Shi Feijiao chuckled as well. "Brother Hu is right. As long as Little Teng holds off that Bei Village youth for us, I can take on six myself!"
The old chief continued, "Good. You've worked hard today, so rest for the night. Set out first thing tomorrow and show them what Stone Village is made of!
Blood debts must be paid in blood!"
"Good! Tomorrow morning it is! Blood debts must be paid in blood!"
Early the next morning, Shi Linhu led ten of the village's strongest warriors after Shi Teng toward the border between the two villages.
The group moved through the forest.
Shi Teng asked, "Uncle Lin Hu, what are these Bei Village people good at?"
"They aren't as strong as we are in Stone Village, and close combat isn't their strength. But they're good with bows. Every arrow finds its mark.
With all the thick trees in the forest, it's easy for them to hide and ambush us.
We've already fought them several times, and every encounter ended in defeat!"
Shi Teng nodded. "Don't worry. This time, we'll win a sweeping victory!"
With a slight stir of his will, Shi Teng spread his perception over the surroundings.
Shi Linhu continued, "A few days ago, Stone Village had some good luck and brought in a rich haul. We found corpses scattered across the mountains after a rampage by fierce beasts. Powerful exotic beasts had fought, devastating dozens of miles of forest. Many animals were caught in the disaster, and we reaped the windfall.
There were eight dead Dragon-Horned Elephants alone, along with several snow-white moon rhinoceroses and plenty of other enormous beasts. Dried into jerky, the meat would have fed our village for a long time.
But on the way back, we were ambushed by people from Bei Village. They injured several of our brothers.
And they took every bit of the food we'd worked so hard to bring back!"
Shi Teng nodded. "Don't worry. I'll get back ten times what you lost!"
The group reached the border between the two villages.
Shi Linhu continued, "This is the border between our villages. We always used to leave each other alone.
But lately, those fellows have often come into our territory to hunt, and they've even injured our people!"
"Then let's go meet them!
What young genius? Before me, all geniuses are trash!"
Seeing Shi Teng's slight frame, Shi Linhu spoke again. "Little Teng, why aren't you wearing any armor? Let me give you mine!
That brat never misses with his arrows, and they have tremendous piercing power!"
Shi Teng simply said there was no need.
Then he began surveying the surrounding terrain.
As expected of the border between the villages, Shi Teng could already clearly sense five or six guards lying in ambush in the distant woods.
Each tightly gripped a sharp spear with formidable piercing power.
As they watched Shi Teng slowly approach their territory,
a spear shot toward him at once, blindingly fast and carrying enough piercing force to punch straight through a fierce beast's armor.
Yet Shi Teng paid it no heed.
With a light flick of two fingers, he snapped the incoming spear.
Shi Teng called out, his voice ringing, "You're all small fry. I don't want to hurt you.
Just call out that so-called genius of Bei Village to fight me!"
Two guards exchanged a glance, then sent another two spears hurtling toward Shi Teng.
A fierce gleam burst from Shi Teng's eyes. "Die!"
Just as the spears were about to pierce his body, Shi Teng darted aside, seized them, and flung them back with a reverse sweep of his hand.
"Ah! Ah!"
Two screams rang out. The two guards' blood splashed across the ground, staining the surrounding grass and trees red.
The others were instantly dumbstruck.
This brat really did have some ability.
Shi Teng shouted again, "Go back and tell your young genius of Bei Village that I'll wait here for half an hour. If I still haven't seen her by then, I'll slaughter my way into your village!"
The remaining four quickly vanished into the forest.
Shi Linhu said, "Little Teng really is formidable. Decisive, and faster than a thunderclap gives you time to cover your ears. But you still need to be careful!"
Out of politeness, Shi Teng gave his customary nod.
Just then, a spear sliced through the air and the woods, hurtling straight toward Shi Teng.
It was incredibly fast, its tip made of a special metal with tremendous piercing power.
Shi Teng caught the spear with one hand. By the time he raised his head, the brat had already vanished.
His speed in changing positions was astonishing as well.
Shi Teng ignored the brat and headed straight into Bei Village's territory. The farther he went, the more spears came hurtling at him.
Yet every time, Shi Teng caught them effortlessly and flung them back.
He repaid them with their own methods.
In succession, he killed several people from Bei Village with their own attacks.
The people of Bei Village could no longer sit still. A figure shot out of the forest, thrusting a spear at him.
Shi Teng caught the spear with one hand and sent the wolf-riding youth flying with a kick.
Shi Teng couldn't help chuckling. "With so little ability, you actually dared attack me!"
The Bei Village youth scrambled up from the ground, a savage gleam bursting from his eyes as he thrust his spear at Shi Teng again.
It came with incredible speed.
Shi Teng sized him up. He wore a gray wolf pelt, making him difficult to spot as he moved through the forest.
Though short in stature, his eyes blazed with chilling killing intent.
Dark and cold.
Shi Teng still paid him no heed whatsoever.
He had severed the arm of an Inscription Realm expert. No ordinary cultivator, however gifted, could possibly be his match.
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