Hit Hard, Show No Mercy

Crack!

Lin Bei crushed his teacup in his hand.

He was furious!

Niu Er might have spoken without thinking and even been a little vain, but... at heart, he was honest and kind!

Niu Er had never bullied anyone and had always enjoyed helping others in the village.

He had put considerable effort into building the Martial Arts Grounds.

Whenever Lin Bei complained about the food, he would find ways to bring grain and vegetables, and even go hunting in the mountains.

When Niu Er had gotten into trouble, Lin Bei might have gone to gather information, but he had also genuinely wanted to visit him.

Just then.

An angry shout rang out from outside the Martial Arts Grounds.

"You little brat, Zhang Teng! You challenged my martial hall while I was away? Well, I'm here now! Get your ass out here!"

Lin Bei pushed open the door and stepped outside.

As soon as he reached the Martial Arts Grounds, he saw over a dozen martial artists blocking the entrance.

The burly man leading them held the barely breathing Niu Er in one hand.

Zhang Teng was glaring furiously at the martial artist holding Niu Er.

"Cheng Lu, you old bastard! If you want to challenge us, then challenge us! You're a dignified Dantian Sea Realm martial artist, yet you're using an ordinary man as a shield. Have you no shame?"

Hall Master Cheng sneered and casually tossed Niu Er aside.

"Didn't you want Zhao Bao to apologize? Unfortunately, this Niu Er wasn't blessed enough to receive a martial artist's apology!"

The apprentices hurriedly dragged Niu Er away, bringing him to the wooden corridor of the Martial Arts Grounds.

Lin Bei strode toward Niu Er.

"Master..."

Seeing Lin Bei approach, Zhang Teng lowered his head, seemingly holding back a chest full of rage.

"You taught me not to compete for supremacy, but to cultivate myself and nurture my temperament. But today, please forgive your disciple for being unable to obey."

At that moment, Lin Bei happened to reach Zhang Teng's side. He paused, then replied in an utterly cold voice.

"Cultivators do not delight in competing for supremacy. They prefer to cultivate themselves and nurture their temperament... but above all, they value keeping their thoughts unfettered!"

At this point, Lin Bei's voice became frighteningly low.

"As long as your conscience is clear... nothing is forbidden!"

Zhang Teng froze for a moment. This was the first time he had ever heard Lin Bei say that nothing was forbidden!

It was practically... an instruction.

Hit hard!

Show no mercy!

"Your disciple obeys!"

With that.

Zhang Teng rolled his neck.

His bones and joints crackled.

"Cheng Lu... Hall Master Cheng."

As he spoke, Zhang Teng walked toward Cheng Lu.

"Since you've chosen to challenge us, allow me to experience your finest techniques!"

Zhang Teng stopped less than three meters in front of Hall Master Cheng.

"Please enlighten me!"

Seeing Zhang Teng brimming with murderous intent, Cheng Lu sneered and raised a hand, signaling the martial hall members behind him to retreat.

Then he flung his long fur coat aside, revealing his powerful muscles.

"Zhang Teng, I heard you were quite arrogant at the Six Harmonies Martial Hall. You dragged our reputation through the mud."

Cheng Lu said darkly, "If I don't break all four of your limbs today, the hatred in my heart will never be appeased!"

The martial artists from the Six Harmonies Martial Hall behind him all wore mocking expressions.

Especially Zhao Bao...

He knew perfectly well that Hall Master Cheng Lu wasn't here to challenge them. He was merely using the challenge as a pretext to seize Zhang Teng!

"That depends on whether you have what it takes!" Zhang Teng glared back without a trace of fear.

The atmosphere instantly grew taut.

Finally!

After a brief standoff, Hall Master Cheng struck first.

With a light push of his feet, he lunged straight at Zhang Teng like a savage beast.

The instant he closed in, Cheng Lu curled one hand into a claw, bending his five fingers slightly before raking viciously at Zhang Teng's face.

His opening move was the Six Harmonies Martial Hall's signature technique, Tiger-Form Claw, one of the Six Harmonies Martial Arts.

Unhurried, Zhang Teng traced a Taiji semicircle with one foot, turned slightly sideways, and leaned back.

The strike swept past, almost brushing his face.

Stone chips flew.

Five finger marks, each half a finger deep, appeared in the ornamental rock behind Zhang Teng.

The sight made the apprentices' scalps prickle!

Tieniu, in particular, swallowed in terror.

That ornamental rock was made of blue rock, an incredibly sturdy material, yet the claw had gouged finger marks into it?

Before anyone could finish marveling, Hall Master Cheng shifted his footing after his missed strike and drove his right arm into Zhang Teng like a massive elephant.

This was Iron Elephant Crash, one of the Six Harmonies Martial Hall's Six Harmonies Martial Arts!

Zhang Teng reacted with incredible speed, crossing his fists to block almost instantly.

The next second, he was knocked several meters through the air against his will. After landing, he retreated another few steps before finally dissipating the force.

Zhang Teng's expression instantly grew grave.

According to rumors, the Six Harmonies Martial Arts had been developed by mimicking the forms of six ferocious beasts.

Only now, after exchanging blows, did he realize they were more formidable than he had imagined.

"Skin gleaming with gold, hard as vajra."

A trace of astonishment appeared in Hall Master Cheng's eyes.

"If I'm not mistaken, you've advanced beyond bronze skin and iron bones to the legendary indestructible vajra state, haven't you? No wonder you dared to fight me!"

The moment he finished speaking, Hall Master Cheng crouched like a hunting leopard.

Is this... a leopard imitation?

Zhang Teng's gaze sharpened. He took a deep breath and cleared his mind.

He understood that if he grew restless and failed to track Hall Master Cheng's movements, defeat was certain.

Sure enough!

The next second, cracks spread through the floor beneath Hall Master Cheng's feet.

He hurtled forward like a hunting leopard.

Moving like a leopard, attacking like a tiger!

His tiger claw went straight for Zhang Teng's throat.

Zhang Teng remained calm, as though he had already seen through the attack. Dodging left and right, he evaded several strikes in succession.

"So fast!"

"Heavens... will Senior Brother Zhang be all right?"

The apprentices at the Martial Arts Grounds panicked...

This was their first time seeing martial artists fight, and it was terrifying.

At that moment.

A cold gleam suddenly flashed through Zhang Teng's eyes, and he caught Hall Master Cheng's attack with one hand.

With Taiji Push Hands, he immediately redirected the force, then gave a gentle tug!

Four ounces deflecting a thousand pounds!

Hall Master Cheng instantly lost his balance! Seizing that opening, Zhang Teng unleashed Inch Force, striking him squarely on the chin.

Hall Master Cheng was launched two meters into the air before crashing heavily to the ground.

Although he quickly scrambled back to his feet, he swayed slightly, clearly not yet recovered.

Zhang Teng seized the moment, pressing in close and instantly gaining the upper hand.

Meanwhile.

Lin Bei watched everything. Although he appeared as calm as a light breeze beneath wispy clouds, inwardly he was deeply anxious.

Despite Zhang Teng's advantage, he clearly couldn't finish the fight anytime soon. He might not even win!

Besides...

There were still plenty of martial artists from the Six Harmonies Martial Hall here. What if they all rushed in at once?

Stay calm!

Lin Bei took a deep breath, his mind racing.

Seeing Hall Master Cheng fall behind, the martial artists from the Six Harmonies Martial Hall immediately began stirring restlessly.

Zhao Bao, standing at their head, stared fixedly at the fight, looking ready to step in at any moment.

What he feared was exactly what came!

My cheat seems to be deduction. If I can deduce how the battle will unfold, perhaps we can win.

But how do I use it?

Lin Bei pondered as he watched the fight.

Just then.

The voice he had long been waiting for sounded in his mind.

[Deducing the battle.]