"Who are you?"
Seeing the newcomer, Xu Xiaodao frowned, a trace of gravity appearing in his eyes.
Though he had not used his full strength in that punch just now, and the other party had struck suddenly as well—
When experts traded blows, they could gauge each other's strength the moment they made a move.
The newcomer was no weaker than him.
The man glanced at Xu Xiaodao but paid him no heed, instead smiling at Guo Hong and the others.
"Everyone, I just heard you say that Lin Mo is your teammate?"
"Yes, he is our teammate."
The sudden appearance of this middle-aged man left everyone stunned.
However, since the man treated them warmly and greeted them with a smile, Wang Ling nodded in reply.
"Then... where is he now?"
"Little Brother Lin Mo... may have been killed."
Mentioning Lin Mo, Wang Ling choked up again.
"What! What exactly happened?"
The middle-aged man flew into a rage at those words, his voice rising several notches.
"It was all because of him. If he hadn't drawn over the Thunder Horn Wolf King, Lin Mo wouldn't have gone to lure the Wolf King away for us. It's been three hours, and he still hasn't come out..."
Through sobs, Wang Ling explained the situation in fits and starts.
"Bastard!"
After hearing it all, the middle-aged man was furious beyond measure. He looked at Xu Xiaodao with eyes that seemed ready to devour him alive.
"Who exactly are you, sir?"
Wary in his heart, Xu Xiaodao spoke up to ask.
"You bastard, you dared harm Lin Mo? Die!"
The middle-aged man had no mood left to introduce himself. With a leap, he charged at Xu Xiaodao to kill him.
"Damn it, even a clay figurine has three parts temper. Do you really think I'm afraid of you?"
Xu Xiaodao was no kind soul either. Though the other man was no weaker than him, at most he was Peak Fourth Rank.
In an instant, the two clashed, fighting with no end in sight.
The people around them hurriedly backed away.
When Peak Fourth Rank martial artists fought, even the aftershock could injure First-grade and Second-grade martial artists.
"Who is this middle-aged man?"
Wang Ling and the others were completely baffled.
But clearly, this middle-aged man had come for Lin Mo.
"Holy shit, isn't that Wang Xiao?"
"Wang Xiao? Who's that?"
"He's the chief director of our River City Martial Artist Building. He oversees martial artist examinations and certifications, so he holds enormous authority."
"That's not right. I remember Director Wang being Fourth-grade. He's already broken through to Peak Fourth Rank?"
"Damn, Xu Xiaodao even dared offend Wang Xiao? Looks like he won't be able to survive in River City anymore."
"..."
Nearly every martial artist here had heard Wang Xiao's name.
After all, he was in charge of Martial Artist Certification examinations.
But not many had actually seen him.
Unless they were elite martial artists, they would never catch his eye.
As for why his strength had suddenly risen from Fourth-grade to Peak Fourth Rank—
Naturally, it was because of Lin Mo. Because he had discovered this genius, the higher-ups had rewarded him.
They had given him an S-Class Enhancement Potion.
It had directly allowed him to break through to Half-Step Fifth Rank, becoming a true Peak Fourth Rank martial artist.
He was only half a step away from entering Fifth Rank!
That was why Xu Xiaodao, also Peak Fourth Rank, had sensed that Wang Xiao was somewhat stronger than him.
"What? He's Wang Xiao?"
Xu Xiaodao, who was locked in fierce combat, naturally heard the discussions around him and was greatly shocked.
How had he provoked Wang Xiao?
Because of Lin Mo?
Could it be... that Lin Mo was someone important to Wang Xiao?
Damn it, what rotten luck!
Xu Xiaodao regretted it bitterly, cursing his misfortune inwardly.
Boom!
He threw a punch and instantly retreated. "Wait a moment!"
"Wait my ass!" How could Wang Xiao listen to his bullshit?
His advancement this time was all thanks to Lin Mo, his lucky star.
But earlier, he had received a call from the Southern Province Commander saying that Lin Mo had suddenly gone into the wilderness.
That had terrified him.
Although Lin Mo's vitality and blood had surpassed 200, and his Combat Power Points had exceeded a thousand, reaching Third-rank Combat Power—
The wilderness was no child's play. Without real combat experience or having seen blood, it was easy for him to meet with an accident.
So Wang Xiao had rushed over without stopping, hoping that Lin Mo would be all right.
Yet what he feared most had come to pass. He had actually heard such news. How could he not be furious?
He had only just unearthed such a genius, and even the Southern Province Commander had lavished praise upon him over the phone.
And now? In the blink of an eye, that genius had been killed by the Wolf King?
He did not believe Lin Mo could survive being hunted by the Wolf King and a small beast tide.
According to Wang Ling, nearly three hours had already passed. If Lin Mo had truly survived, he would have emerged long ago.
At that moment, he only wanted to kill the culprit before him—Xu Xiaodao.
Before Xu Xiaodao could speak, Wang Xiao attacked again.
"Wang Xiao, I respect you as a director of the Martial Artist Building, which is why I wanted to talk things out properly. Don't push your luck."
Xu Xiaodao was angry too. He was, after all, a Peak Fourth Rank martial artist.
Elsewhere, perhaps not, but in River City, his strength was among the very best.
And now, Wang Xiao was simply ignoring him outright.
"Do I need you to give me face? Die!"
Wang Xiao cursed furiously, his attacks becoming even fiercer.
"Damn it, you forced my hand!"
Xu Xiaodao steeled himself. Since the grudge had been formed and it was clearly impossible to settle things peacefully, then he would fight!
In an instant, his aura began to surge wildly.
"Burning vitality and blood? Hmph! You're courting death!"
With one glance, Wang Xiao saw through Xu Xiaodao's condition.
This kid was preparing to risk his life.
Boom!
After gathering his strength, Xu Xiaodao unleashed a punch.
With his vitality and blood burning, his combat power naturally rose several notches, nearly reaching the threshold of Fifth Rank.
He forced Wang Xiao back several steps at once.
Whoosh!
Just as Wang Xiao thought Xu Xiaodao would seize the chance to pounce and kill him, the kid actually turned around and ran.
He did not even look back, clean and decisive!
"Damn it, where do you think you're running?"
Wang Xiao froze for a moment, then moved to pursue.
"Get back here!"
However, in the next second, Xu Xiaodao, who had already fled some distance away, was sent flying back amid a shout.
After crashing heavily onto the ground, he spat out a mouthful of blood.
"You... you're not dead!"
Seeing the person who had suddenly appeared, Xu Xiaodao was dumbstruck, his face full of disbelief.
What shocked him even more was that the other party had severely injured him, even while he was burning his vitality and blood, with just one punch.
"Lin Mo!"
"Little Brother Lin Mo!"
In an instant, Zhang Junjie, Wang Ling, Guo Hong, Wang Xiao, and the others all cried out.
Surprise and joy flooded every face.
"Sorry for making you worry."
Lin Mo smiled at them. But when he saw Wang Xiao, he was visibly startled. "Director Wang, why are you here?"
"Haha, kid, it's good that you're all right. You scared me to death just now."
"Why else would I be here if not for you? The Southern Province Commander gave the order for me to bring you back safely."
Wang Xiao spoke with lingering fear.
Luckily, Lin Mo was fine. If he had truly been killed by the Wolf King, Wang Xiao would have nothing good waiting for him when he returned.
"The Southern Province Commander?"
Hearing this, Lin Mo was startled again, somewhat confused.
"The moment your information was uploaded, it drew the higher-ups' attention. They ordered me to personally send you to the Martial Alliance Training Camp."
Wang Xiao looked around, then leaned closer and whispered into his ear.
"I see. All right! But before that, I'll deal with some personal business first."
With that, Lin Mo looked at Xu Xiaodao lying off to the side, his gaze icy cold.
Before you continue