Chapter 26

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Chapter 26: Cornered

Lin Yuehua\’s complexion shifted between green and white, her face contorted with rage. She gritted her teeth yet could not utter a word.

Lou Yun cast a disdainful glance at her before turning away, clasping his hands behind his back. Members of the Lin and Wang families slowly approached.

Lou Yun stared at the two individuals for a moment, slightly startled. These two appeared about his own age, at most sixteen or seventeen. At this moment, two pairs of eyes glared viciously at Lou Yun.

What surprised Lou Yun was what his innate senses revealed: these two were merely beginner one-star magical weapons masters!

While Lou Yun didn\’t consider himself exceptionally strong, he was definitely a bit stronger than a beginner one-star magical weapons master. Moreover, the Lin and Wang families certainly had other people; even Lin Yuehua herself was a beginner two-star magical weapons master. There were plenty of suitable candidates. Yet, they had chosen the two weakest.

In that instant, Lou Yun understood. The Lin and Wang families had already written off this match. They intended for him to win!

What Lou Tianzhi had realized now dawned on Lou Yun: they aimed to decide the final victor in the clan head battle.

He understood, but even Lou Tianzhi, the clan head, had no solution. What could he do? His sole focus must be on winning this match.

At the command, the match began!

Lou Yun stood rooted to the spot, coldly eyeing the two opponents across from him. Knowing their intent was to yield, he saw no need to strike first. Frankly, the pair combined likely weren\’t as strong as three Giant Fire Wolves fighting together during his last hunt.

After exchanging a glance, the two opponents bellowed simultaneously. They brandished their magical weapons and charged at Lou Yun.

Through his persistent foundational training during this period, Lou Yun\’s innate senses had sharpened further, even if no obvious external progress was visible.

To Lou Yun\’s eyes now, the opponents\’ quick movements appeared like slow motion. He saw clearly the placement of each of their footsteps, the trajectory of their swinging magical weapons. Naturally, he could easily predict the exact direction and method of their attack.

Only when they were almost upon him did Lou Yun finally move. Like lightning, he shot towards the Wang family member. His leg struck like a thunderbolt, slicing through the air before smashing heavily into the opponent\’s body. With a \"Boom!\", before the man could even cry out, he had crashed to the ground, completely unconscious. Using the rebound force, Lou Yun launched himself into a mid-air somersault, flipping backwards towards the other opponent. While still airborne, he punched squarely at the man\’s face.

\"Aaah!\"

With a shriek, the man hurtled backward, crashing directly into the group of his Lin family clansmen. A cluster of people were knocked down. Though he didn\’t hit the ground, the man was equally knocked out cold, his face a bloody, unrecognizable mess.

Only then did Lou Yun\’s feet touch the ground again. He stood impassively, his gaze fixed on the Lin and Wang families.

One punch, one kick; sending two beginner one-star magical weapons masters flying. This display of strength shook everyone present. Those who hadn\’t witnessed Lou Yun fight before finally believed the rumors to be true. Indeed, the real Lou Yun seemed even stronger than the tales suggested.

Regaining their senses, they remembered Lou Yun had injured their clansmen. Instantly, a chorus of accusations erupted:

\"Kid, how could you be so vicious!\"

\"You didn\’t have any deep-seated grudge! Was such a heavy hand necessary?\"

\"It was supposed to be a sparring match! Stop at the point of contact! And you injured him this badly?\"

Lin Yongdu raised a hand, silencing the accusations. He fixed his cold, flashing eyes on Lou Yun. \"I truly didn\’t expect this. So young, yet your heart is already this malicious.\"

Wang Feng continued, \"Lou Yun, don\’t think a little bit of strength lets you defy all order! Your meager skill means nothing.\"

Hearing the two clan heads, Lou Yun let out a cold laugh. \"How strange. They are beginner one-star magical weapons masters. I am also a beginner one-star magical weapons master. We are equals! Plus, they declared they\’d team up against me! Naturally, I fought with my full strength. How was I to know they were this fragile? But if blame is to be placed, it lies only with you two clan heads! You misjudged things! You chose the wrong people!\"

\"Oh, and about me being vicious? At least I fight openly! Unlike some people, who only dare to sneak around doing shameful things!\"

Lou Tianzhi cut him off. \"Enough, Yun\’er! Say no more. Your blows were indeed a bit heavy. Return now!\"

In truth, Lou Tianzhi felt an immense satisfaction inside regarding Lou Yun\’s actions and words. The frustration bottled up earlier found some release.

Lin Yongdu and Wang Feng were utterly taken aback. Not only was Lou Yun formidable in strength, but his eloquence was also this sharp. They were speechless, choked, finding no words to retort. Trembling with rage, they pointed at Lou Yun, stammering \"Y-you… y-you…!\" repeatedly, unable to form a coherent sentence.

However, the immediate priority was the struggle for the spiritual crystal mine mining rights. Now that the three matches were complete, with each family winning one, it was time for the three clan heads to step into the arena personally.

After briefly instructing their respective clansmen, the three men walked to the center of the grounds. They stood motionless, forming a triangle.

After the previous confrontation, all pretense of civility was gone. With a synchronized flick of their wrists, they drew their magical weapons.

Lou Tianzhi\’s magical weapon level was Advanced two-star, the Autumn Wind Fan, a folding fan that complemented his scholarly attire. With his delicate features, he didn\’t resemble a clan head standing there, but rather a carefree literatus.

Lou Tianzhi gently waved his Autumn Wind Fan and let out a cold laugh. \"I suppose both of you have decided to take me down first. Begin!\"

Lin Yongdu sneered viciously. Without another word, he charged at Lou Tianzhi, magical weapon in hand—a pair of battle-axes.

\"Low-tier moon-grade technique — Linked Mountain Chop!\"

The axes suddenly began to spin violently in Lin Yongdu\’s hands, generating an intense whirlwind that scooped up stones and grit from the ground, fiercely hurtling towards Lou Tianzhi.

A massive mountain abruptly materialized above Lou Tianzhi, crashing down towards him. As Lin Yongdu swung his axes again, a second mountain appeared, piled atop the first, doubling the crushing pressure aiming for Lou Tianzhi.

\"Low-tier moon-grade technique — Wind Rolls Clouds!\"

Lou Tianzhi gave a forceful wave of his Autumn Wind Fan. A fierce gale erupted, even stronger, instantly wrapping around the flying sand and stones. They swirled upwards into the air, coalescing into a huge, gray cloud that reversed course towards Lin Yongdu\’s battle-axes.

\"Whoosh!\"

Amidst the roaring wind, Lin Yongdu involuntarily narrowed his eyes. The power driving his axes noticeably waned. The two mountains were caught, impossibly suspended mid-air by the gray cloud. No matter how hard Lin Yongdu gritted his teeth and poured weapon spirit power into his axes, he couldn\’t force the mountains down another inch.

Lou Tianzhi\’s expression, however, remained unnervingly calm. It was clear he still held something back.

At the same time, on the sidelines, Wang Feng bellowed. He swung his magical weapon, a long staff, aiming a sweeping blow at Lou Tianzhi\’s midsection.

Though Lou Tianzhi was locked in a direct confrontation with Lin Yongdu, the corner of his eye never lost track of Wang Feng\’s movements.

Hearing the distinctive whooshing sound of Wang Feng\’s staff cutting through the air, Lou Tianzhi abruptly thrust his Autumn Wind Fan upwards. The gray cloud, responding to his will, surged upwards violently, flipping the two mountains entirely away.

Instantly, Lou Tianzhi snapped the fan shut and reversed its grip, pointing the tip directly towards the incoming long staff.

The weapon arrived at that exact moment. The tip of the Autumn Wind Fan met the tip of the whirling staff with a touch as light as a dragonfly skimming water. Yet, the force transmitted was immense. Wang Feng felt a distinct tremor jolt through his staff, traveling up the shaft into his hands. A sudden numbness made him nearly lose his grip.

\"Well done!\" Lou Yun couldn\’t help but shout in admiration.

Today was truly a revelation for Lou Yun. His Second Uncle\’s mastery of weapon techniques and deployment of the Autumn Wind Fan\’s power was breathtaking.

The three combatants swiftly became enmeshed in a close melee, essentially Wang Feng and Lin Yongdu teaming up against Lou Tianzhi.

Lou Tianzhi was individually stronger than each, but under the dual assault, time wore on him. Both his physical stamina and internal spiritual energy were being drained alarmingly fast.

His initial strategy had been to focus on eliminating one opponent first. To his chagrin, Lin and Wang coordinated seamlessly. Whenever one faced immediate danger, the other was always there to intervene. Lou Tianzhi, though, refused to yield. Clenching his teeth, he persisted, desperate to win this duel.

Finally, his spiritual energy almost exhausted, Lou Tianzhi couldn\’t dodge Lin Yongdu\’s double axe strike in time. The Autumn Wind Fan was hit hard. The impact sent him stumbling forward several steps. Simultaneously, Wang Feng capitalized, lunging after him and bringing his staff down with crushing force towards Lou Tianzhi’s back.

Lou Tianzhi sensed the blow, but his momentum still carried him forward. Dodging was impossible. He desperately tried to twist sideways. It wasn\’t enough. The staff slammed heavily onto his back. The sheer force drove him face-first onto the ground.

As he fell, a bitter smile touched Lou Tianzhi\’s lips. He had lost.

Pushing himself up with his hands, Lou Tianzhi struggled to rise. He opened his mouth to concede defeat. But the tremendous impact had jarred his internal organs. The words caught in his throat – instead, he coughed, spraying a mouthful of blood onto the ground.

The outcome was clear at this point, even without words. To every spectator, Lou Tianzhi was clearly finished – he had lost the duel.

If the bystanders could see it, Lin Yongdu and Wang Feng certainly could. By all rights, they should have paused, allowing Lou Tianzhi to speak or retreat from the fight.

Their reaction was shocking. They merely exchanged a swift glance, a subtle nod passing between them. Despite Lou Tianzhi\’s incapacity, they both brandished their magical weapons and lunged at him anew!

As they leaped, Lou Tianming screamed in horrified realization: \"No! They mean to kill Tianzhi!\"

Indeed, the killing intent radiating from Lin Yongdu and Wang Feng was palpable. Faces contorted with savagery, they raised their weapons high, channeling every last ounce of their power, aiming to strike down Lou Tianzhi.

Had his cultivation been intact, Lou Tianming would have rushed in instantly. Powerless, his only recourse was a shouted warning. He desperately hoped his cry would spur their Third brother, Lou Tianlei, to intervene.

But Lou Tianlei seemed stone-deaf. His gaze remained riveted on the scene. His posture mirrored his earlier tension – fists clenched, body leaning forward unconsciously, trembling slightly. His anxiety was evident.

Lou Tianming couldn\’t wait for his Third brother. Flickering weakly into his hand came his Sky Crystal Spear. His frail body strained as he raised the spear. With the last vestiges of his strength, he hurled the weapon towards Lou Tianzhi before collapsing to the ground, spent.

Sadly, his strength was too depleted. Though the Sky Crystal Spear wobbled through the air towards Lou Tianzhi, its power faded. After a feeble pulse of light, it vanished completely before reaching its target.

Lin Yongdu\’s battle-axes and Wang Feng\’s staff were descending upon the fallen Lou Tianzhi. Lou Tianming let out a howl of despair and shut his eyes.

At that absolute brink, Lou Yun\’s furious roar suddenly split the air: \"Fusang Fire!\"