The moment the exclamation was uttered, everyone present revealed expressions of astonishment.
This Triple Layer Internal Jin was the very essence of the Feilin Gang's cultivation technique. Within the entire gang, only a few had mastered it, all of them high-ranking members.
But how had the fiancé brought by Eldest Miss Luo learned this move?
"Just learning and applying on the fly."
Yang Shifei clenched his left fist, his expression composed as he prepared to fight again.
Li Xiaolin was filled with shock and uncertainty, a trace of unease welling up in his heart.
Initially, he had thought this person was merely an appendage of Eldest Miss Luo, but only now did he realize just how bizarre this individual was.
Not only could he execute his own Triple Layer Internal Jin, but his physique was also incredibly resilient; otherwise, he definitely wouldn't have been able to withstand the internal jin's recoil… Wait, from the beginning, he hadn't been able to sense this person's internal breath. Could it be that he was still just a Body Tempering martial artist?!
In the distance, Chief Constable Tie narrowed his eyes slightly, marveling inwardly.
"…Hmph!"
Li Xiaolin forcefully suppressed the shock in his heart, blue veins pulsing on his arms as he likewise assumed a stance.
"So what if you've learned my Feilin Gang's secret art? Let this old master teach you about the power accumulated over twenty years!"
Bang!
His figure abruptly sank, and a dull tremor instantly emanated from beneath his feet.
As dust and smoke billowed, Li Xiaolin practically shot across the ground, his fists seemingly stirring up a gale.
Yang Shifei raised his arm almost simultaneously, turning sideways to counter-block. As fists and elbows collided, it was as if a fierce wind exploded outwards!
Li Xiaolin retreated a step, the shock in his eyes hard to conceal.
If the previous instance could be called an accident, then after this direct clash, there was no room for doubt.
Even if his opponent's power was still raw, he could skillfully neutralize his own fist's jin. His observational skills and perception were simply beyond reason!
Bang, bang, bang, bang!
In the next moment, the two were once again locked in combat.
Two figures wove through the field, each step shaking the ground, their four hands intertwining, fists and palms constantly crashing together with muffled thuds.
The government soldiers who had initially thought of stepping in had long since stopped, their faces etched with astonishment as they watched the battle escalate.
They clearly hadn't imagined that this man could actually entangle Li Xiaolin in a fight without being defeated.
"This… this person, which hero is he? When did such an unfamiliar young man appear in East City?"
"Look at his steady and solid steps, there's a subtle sense of lifting the heavy as if it were light!"
Whispers spread through the surroundings, but Li Xiaolin, in the center of the field, had no time to pay them any mind.
Because the shock and incomprehension he currently felt, only he truly knew.
—Thump!
Li Xiaolin blocked a whip kick with a horizontal elbow, then flipped his palm to strike at his opponent's chest, only for it to be easily dodged with a sidestep.
Yang Shifei exerted force from his waist and abdomen, abruptly twisting his body to dodge another punch, then parried a shoulder grab.
As the cold energy surged, his emotions felt as if frozen by frost, leaving only the most rational thought and observation.
Even though the close-quarters combat was extremely perilous, his mind became even more focused, comprehending and analyzing his opponent's fist techniques and patterns, observing the key points of force exertion. Gradually, from purely defending, he began to launch counterattacks.
A series of fist shadows flashed out. Li Xiaolin, with his quick eyes and hands, managed to block them in time, but just as he was about to counter, he once again grabbed empty air.
After several failed attempts to seize him, beads of sweat faintly appeared on Li Xiaolin's forehead.
Where did this little monster come from!
In their initial clashes, he could still detect the clumsiness in his opponent's movement techniques and stances. But after merely a few dozen exchanges, he was astounded to find this person becoming increasingly skilled and seasoned, seemingly integrating the Triple Layer Internal Jin into every punch and kick, his offense and defense growing more concise and sharp.
It had taken him years of practice to achieve that!
Swoosh!
Yang Shifei's left palm thrust out sharply, aiming straight for the Feilin Gang leader's throat.
Li Xiaolin's eyes widened in fury, blue veins bulging all over his body. He raised his hand a step ahead to protect himself, simultaneously using the momentum to lift his knee.
But Yang Shifei, as if anticipating it, met the attack with his own knee. Jin erupted, causing both their figures to slide back three zhang.
Both men lowered their stances and stomped on the ground almost simultaneously, gathering jin to explode forth again. Three palm strikes clashed head-on in quick succession, the exchange ending with a direct collision of their Forest-Splitting Fists.
Everyone present felt their breath catch as they saw the two figures retreat rapidly again, only stopping when their backs hit the wall and stone steps respectively.
"…"
Yang Shifei slowly exhaled, his mind clearer and more lucid than ever before, the cold energy within him surging restlessly.
All the techniques flashed through his mind like lightning. His fingers trembled slightly, and muscle groups throughout his body twitched and rippled unconsciously, subtly adjusting his angles of force exertion, intending to evolve the Triple Layer Internal Art to a perfect level.
Opposite him, Li Xiaolin's face was already grave. He wore a somber expression as he settled into a horse stance.
At this moment, he could no longer afford to be careless; he had to exert his full concentration.
Looking at his opponent's emotionless eyes, he couldn't help but feel a jolt in his heart. For the first time, a trace of coldness crept up his spine, as if all his flaws were laid bare, like being stalked by a fierce beast.
If he hadn't been relying on his superior cultivation strength, he might have been defeated in that last exchange. But if the fight continued—
"Again."
Yang Shifei stepped forward, his face impassive, the triple jin hidden within his palm.
The murderous atmosphere caused all the martial artists present to hold their breath, any previous thoughts of disdain long gone from their minds.
Just as Li Xiaolin was bracing himself for the attack, a cool female voice suddenly rang out.
"—Stop."
Everyone paused, startled, and followed the sound to see Luo Xian'er walking down the steps, heading straight towards Yang Shifei.
"This battle ends here."
A slight stir went through the surroundings; the government soldiers were somewhat puzzled.
Looking at the current situation, it was still difficult to determine a winner. Why call a halt now?
Li Xiaolin, oddly enough, felt a measure of relief, but he still sneered, "Eldest Miss Luo, stopping us now, isn't that a bit too disappointing?"
Yang Shifei was equally surprised, watching Luo Xian'er walk to his side.
"Miss Luo, right now…"
"It was my lack of consideration. Your wound has reopened."
Luo Xian'er's eyelashes drooped slightly as she gently lifted his right hand, revealing fresh bloodstains spreading on the gauze.
"Let's return to the residence to tend to your wound first. Practicing martial arts can wait until you're fully healed; it won't be too late."
"…"
Yang Shifei was speechless for a moment. The cold energy in his body subsided slightly, and he couldn't help but smile faintly. "Alright, I'll listen to you."
Luo Xian'er took his hand and, as if no one else were present, walked shoulder-to-shoulder with him out of the training ground, leaving behind a crowd of stunned government officials.
Li Xiaolin: "…"
Huh? This… What?
The Feilin Gang leader stared wide-eyed, still foolishly maintaining his combat stance, watching their departing backs until they were out of sight, his mind a complete blank.
Only when Chief Constable Tie clapped his hands did everyone present snap back to reality.
Li Xiaolin's face gradually fell. He silently lowered his arms, allowing himself to be shackled and cuffed again, and looked up at the sky, speechless.
This was probably the most frustrating fight he'd ever had in his life.
Not only could he not defeat a junior, but he had also lost all face in front of everyone, and even had to watch this pair exchange flirtatious glances right before him.
He had practiced martial arts and fist techniques for thirty years, and suddenly… Sigh… it felt meaningless.
A short while later, the two returned to the Luo Residence by horse-drawn carriage.
Yang Shifei once again stepped into the Luo Residence's pharmacy, looking around with considerable interest.
He had been exhausted the past few days and hadn't carefully observed the room's layout. Now, taking a look, he discovered rows of medicine cabinets, meticulously organized, containing a truly vast assortment of medicinal herbs.
"Young Master, please sit."
A cool female voice sounded from behind him.
Yang Shifei turned around and saw Luo Xian'er had already retrieved two medicine bottles.
He quietly sat down first, watching her earnestly remove the bloodstained gauze for him, and couldn't help but say softly, "Actually, this wound is mostly healed. I didn't even feel it reopen just now. It should only be a superficial injury."
"Since you're injured, it must be treated properly."
Luo Xian'er lifted her gaze to look at him. "Moving your injured arm about, that was reckless."
Yang Shifei felt a bit embarrassed by her gaze. "I was too absorbed in the fight at the time and didn't think about it."
"…Never mind. It was also my lack of consideration."
Luo Xian'er's expression softened slightly. As she gently wiped away the excess bloodstains and helped apply the medicine, she said, "Did you gain any insights from the spar just now? You can discuss them with me. I can also explore them with you."
Yang Shifei looked at her meticulous and gentle movements, his heart trembling. He couldn't help but say,
"I just feel that Miss Luo is truly gentle and considerate."
"…"
Luo Xian'er's hand paused as she applied the medicine.
Yang Shifei inwardly drew a sharp breath, annoyed at himself for speaking so foolishly, and quickly tried to think of how to smooth things over.
But, the stunningly beautiful young woman before him merely sighed softly and gently pinched an uninjured spot of his skin. "You, you're rather like a big boy."
Yang Shifei: "?"
Wait, is that a compliment or a tease?