Chapter 40: Retreat?
Elder Li's expression changed drastically. He had intended to land the roundhouse kick, but Lin Feng's fist was too fast. Elder Li had no time for any other move; he could only retreat.
BANG!
The fist landed solidly on Elder Li's ribs. He grunted, stumbling back a few steps.
"Damn it!"
Elder Li gritted his teeth, his face a mask of resentment. He had suffered a loss from Lin Feng's punch.
"If this is all the strength you have, you can go ahead and die."
Lin Feng watched Elder Li coolly, his tone making it clear he held the man in utter contempt.
Hearing this, Elder Li's face darkened. The blatant humiliation sent him into a rage.
"Fine. Let's see who's truly superior!"
With that, Elder Li charged straight for Lin Feng, no longer as reckless as before.
Each step he took tore through the air with a distinct whoosh, a sound produced only by incredible speed.
Elder Li's figure moved like lightning, appearing before Lin Feng in the blink of an eye.
He lunged for Lin Feng's neck—a vital weak point. A successful grab would undoubtedly be fatal.
A glint flashed in Lin Feng's eyes. He swayed aside, dodging the attack, and used the momentum to grab for Elder Li's wrist.
WHAP!
Elder Li twisted his wrist and swept a roundhouse kick toward Lin Feng's abdomen.
Lin Feng's reaction was just as fast. He took a series of rapid steps, barely evading the kick.
"Heh!"
Seeing his attack miss, Elder Li sneered. His hands danced through the air, instantly creating a cascade of palm afterimages that descended upon Lin Feng.
The sequence was seamless, giving Lin Feng no room to breathe.
Lin Feng was not idle; his hands blurred, intercepting every one of Elder Li's palm strikes.
CLANG! CLANG! CLANG!
A rapid series of impacts rang out as Lin Feng deflected Elder Li's assault.
Elder Li seized the opportunity to press closer, driving an elbow toward Lin Feng's chest.
*Cough, cough!*
The strike was incredibly fast, landing precisely in an opening in Lin Feng's defense. He was forced back two or three steps, coughing twice.
A savage grin appeared on Elder Li's face. His body moved like a viper, coiling toward Lin Feng.
Lin Feng frowned. He was finding Elder Li's fighting style extremely troublesome.
The old man always attacked from unexpected angles, forcing his opponent into a defensive position.
SWOOSH!
Elder Li's fingers left afterimages in the air as he clawed directly at Lin Feng's chest.
Lin Feng quickly backed away to dodge. Although Lin Feng's speed was far greater, Elder Li was by no means slow.
As Lin Feng dodged, Elder Li pursued him relentlessly, intent on finishing him off.
These attacks weren't having much of an effect on Lin Feng, but he still hadn't seen any sign of Su Yanxue.
Every second he wasted here, the odds of Su Yanxue being in danger grew.
Lin Feng took a deep breath. He decided to deal with Elder Li first. Once this nuisance was out of the way, he would resume his search for Su Yanxue.
Elder Li's attacks grew fiercer, crashing against Lin Feng in wave after wave.
Lin Feng's hands moved in a blur, parrying all of Elder Li's strikes.
But as Elder Li's offense grew more frantic, Lin Feng felt the pressure mount. Despite this, an inner calm settled over him.
His opponent's savage expression and flailing fists became sharper in his vision, their movements gradually slowing down.
Elder Li's attacks were fierce, but riddled with openings. Lin Feng had finally found one.
"HAH!"
Lin Feng roared, his fists launching toward Elder Li like cannonballs. A barrage of Fist Seals blotted out the sky, catching Elder Li off guard and forcing him into a desperate defense.
BOOM!
The two forces collided. They both staggered back several steps, creating distance as they glared at one another.
Elder Li's expression was now incredibly grim. He knew he had picked a fight with someone far beyond his league.
He was already using his full strength, yet Lin Feng seemed completely at ease, as if this were just a warm-up.
He knew Lin Feng hadn't shown his true power. Perhaps, he'd never even been taken seriously.
This made the rage in Elder Li's heart burn even hotter. Ever since coming from his sect to the Mortal Realm, he had been revered and respected. When had he ever been so disdained?
"KILL!"
Elder Li bellowed as the Inner Strength in his body erupted. Clenching his fists, he lunged at Lin Feng with a straight punch.
THUD!
The punch slammed into Lin Feng's chest, but he stood firm, as immovable as a boulder.
Almost by reflex, Lin Feng's hand shot up and clamped down on Elder Li's wrist. His other hand, which had been a fist, flattened into a palm and struck Elder Li's chest.
"Hmm?"
After the move, even Lin Feng seemed surprised. He looked down at his hands, a flicker of understanding in his eyes.
'Is this because of the Soul-Sealing Chapter of the Supreme Profound Medical Scripture?'
Lin Feng murmured to himself. He had long been aware of the heaven-defying power of the Supreme Profound Medical Scripture, and he suspected the Soul-Sealing Chapter he cultivated was far more profound than he had initially realized.
This evenly matched battle had finally unlocked the true potential of the Soul-Sealing Chapter.
He could feel his reflexes sharpen and his thoughts clarify—abilities the chapter had not granted him before.
'An unexpected bonus,' he thought.
Seeing his strike fail, Elder Li flexed his arms, the force of it making Lin Feng's hands ache. He continued to attack while backing away, maintaining a safe distance.
As for Lin Feng, he didn't dare let his guard down. After all, Elder Li's martial arts proficiency was undeniably high.
BANG!
Elder Li threw a punch. Not daring to be careless, Lin Feng raised a hand to meet it head-on.
The punch was incredibly powerful, forcing Lin Feng back half a step before he could steady himself.
'How is this kid so strong?!'
Elder Li was utterly astonished. He had never imagined Lin Feng's physical body could be so durable.
*Phew.*
Lin Feng let out a sharp breath. The last exchange had left his blood churning.
'This guy… he was still holding back so much?'
A cold smile touched Lin Feng's lips. He had completely lost patience. It was time to end this.
WHOOSH!
Lin Feng lunged forward, his body appearing like a phantom at Elder Li's side as he struck out with his palm.
But a mocking sneer appeared on Elder Li's face. It seemed he had anticipated Lin Feng's move and was already prepared.
Just as Lin Feng's palm struck, Elder Li blocked with his right arm while his left hand, now a claw, shot toward Lin Feng's waist.
"Hmph!"
Lin Feng snorted. He pushed off the ground, his body floating backward to evade Elder Li's attack. At the same time, he formed a sword finger with his right hand and jabbed toward Elder Li's throat.