Chapter 63 Duel (Part 2)

Yamazaki paused briefly to steady his breathing, suppressing his physical injuries to some extent.

Lin Xing’s attack had truly pushed Yamazaki to his limits. The Nine Yang True Qi continued ravaging Yamazaki’s meridians, significantly diminishing his current combat capability!

Earlier, Yamazaki had underestimated Lin Xing. He acknowledged Lin Xing’s strength, certainly—but assumed his youth and lack of experience rendered him no match for Yamazaki’s seasoned expertise and unique cultivation method. Yamazaki believed that even if he couldn’t kill Lin Xing outright, Lin Xing would at least be powerless against him. Yet Yamazaki was gravely mistaken—Lin Xing was not someone to be taken lightly.

“How does it feel, Yamazaki? Delicious? Your strength has dropped by at least one full level, hasn’t it? Is losing your power exhilarating—or what?” Lin Xing mocked, eyes locked on Yamazaki. He knew the Nine Yang True Qi’s overwhelming nature: once embedded in Yamazaki’s body, it couldn’t be expelled immediately. Only prolonged, undisturbed cultivation could purge it—but would Lin Xing grant him such time? Absolutely not!

Yamazaki’s face flushed alternately green and white with fury; his hatred for Lin Xing ran bone-deep. His glare burned with savage intensity!

“Look at that scowl—why so grim? Did someone in your family just die?” Lin Xing taunted flippantly.

Yamazaki longed to slaughter Lin Xing on the spot—but he knew he lacked the power. He hadn’t possessed it before, and now it was even more impossible.

Though he ached to rip Lin Xing’s mocking mouth apart, Yamazaki remained, after all, a shrewd and calculating veteran—someone who’d spent his life scheming against others. He quickly saw through Lin Xing’s ploy.

Noticing Yamazaki’s sudden calm, Lin Xing inwardly cursed: *Damn! I pushed too far.* His original plan had been to provoke Yamazaki into blind rage, then seize the opening to strike him down. But now Yamazaki had seen right through it.

Yamazaki snorted. “Save your breath—it won’t work on me! Trying to anger me? Not a chance!” He sneered at Lin Xing.

Yet simultaneously, Yamazaki remained on high alert. He’d witnessed Lin Xing’s speed firsthand—the sheer velocity and raw power still sent chills down his spine!

“Figured it out, huh?” Lin Xing gave a faint hum. “Then taste my power again!” He exploded off the ground, hurtling toward Yamazaki like a black shadow!

His right fist clenched tight—he aimed a devastating punch straight at Yamazaki’s head!

Seeing Lin Xing charge like a phantom, a sharp glint flashed in Yamazaki’s eyes. Refusing to underestimate him, he gathered his qi and leapt violently backward! As he retreated, he swung his longsword downward with ferocious force, aiming to cleave Lin Xing’s fist.

Lin Xing dared not meet the blade head-on—his physical body wasn’t yet tough enough. This was Yamazaki’s full-strength slash; a direct hit might sever his hand. Lin Xing had no intention of testing his hand’s durability—not yet! Though his strength was immense, his flesh still couldn’t rival forged steel.

Just before impact, Lin Xing abruptly shifted his fist into an open palm. His hand slid along the flat of Yamazaki’s sword, deflecting the blade aside. At the same instant, his left foot shot upward—aiming a brutal kick at Yamazaki’s sword-wielding wrist!

Yamazaki remained composed. His right foot slammed hard into the ground—propelling his body backward, evading the kick cleanly.

Lin Xing’s kick struck empty air. He spun mid-air, landed smoothly, then pursued Yamazaki like a relentless shadow!

Even Lin Xing felt helpless now. Yamazaki simply refused to engage him directly—this kind of fight was suffocatingly frustrating.

Lin Xing steeled himself, layering on another surge of true qi, and launched another furious assault.

Watching Lin Xing cling to him like a tenacious fly, Yamazaki seethed with both hatred and exasperation. He couldn’t afford a direct confrontation now—but if this stalemate continued, defeat was inevitable!

So Lin Xing pressed the attack relentlessly—while Yamazaki did nothing but retreat!

Chased, battered, and driven to utter desperation, Yamazaki burned with humiliation and impotent rage. He’d never before been hunted down and overwhelmed like this—he couldn’t bear the shame!

By now, their battle had carried them far from the cave!

“All remaining men—into the cave! Kill everyone inside! And some of you—come here and help me eliminate this man!” Yamazaki roared, eyes bloodshot. Desperate and cornered, he suddenly recalled Lin Xing’s evident anxiety over those inside—and issued this ruthless command!

The remaining men split instantly into two groups: one surged toward the cave; the other charged Lin Xing.

Lin Xing leapt back—racing toward the cave to intercept them. “Attack—all of you, attack!” Yamazaki bellowed, crimson-eyed, urging his men forward.

In an instant, Lin Xing was completely surrounded!

He activated his divine technique at full capacity. The Nine Yang True Qi surged wildly and rapidly through his body. Overflowing qi coalesced into an invisible protective barrier enveloping him.

With a thunderous shout, Lin Xing sent a Divine Wind Sect disciple flying with a single palm strike! Simultaneously, he twisted his body—closing in behind another disciple. Pressing his palm against the man’s back, he unleashed a torrent of internal force—shattering his organs and extinguishing his life in an instant.

Lin Xing seized the fallen disciple’s longsword, spun sharply, and met an incoming blade head-on!

The sword shattered! The attacker split cleanly in two—blood spraying violently into the air!

He’d been cleaved straight down the center—sword and all!

“All who stand in my way—die!” Like a god of slaughter, Lin Xing rampaged through the ranks—unstoppable! Several men fell dead in mere seconds!

Lin Xing strode swiftly toward the cave entrance. None dared block his path! Those who tried were cut down instantly by his sword—toppling far away, lifeless, their vital energies severed beyond recovery.

Watching Lin Xing move like an unstoppable deity of carnage—watching his subordinates crumble without landing a single blow—everyone trembled in terror, retreating en masse until no one remained to oppose him!

Witnessing Lin Xing’s terrifying display of divine might—and seeing his men utterly unable to withstand even a single exchange—Yamazaki’s eyes blazed red. He roared, “Attack—all of you, attack! Kill this bastard!” Seizing the brief lull, he’d managed to recover a portion of his strength!

Lin Xing dragged his longsword behind him as he stood before the cave entrance. He fixed Yamazaki with a cold, mocking laugh. “Knowing it’s a death sentence—will they still step forward?” Then his gaze swept over the remaining men.

As his eyes—glinting with concealed frost—passed over them, every man instinctively recoiled a step in fear!

Seeing their cowardice, Yamazaki raged so fiercely his blood seemed to boil. “ATTACK! ALL OF YOU—ATTACK!” he screamed, abandoning all restraint.

Lin Xing merely watched Yamazaki with a cold, contemptuous laugh—as if observing a clown!

In truth, Lin Xing was also seizing the moment to regulate his breathing. That earlier all-out assault had drained some of his true qi. He needed to restore himself to peak condition—fast!

Only at his absolute peak was he truly safe!