Chapter 90: Up Close
Li Er's eyes narrowed. His figure flickered, blurring into an afterimage as he weaved through the storm of slashes.
CLANG!
Lin Feng's Short Blade missed again and again, each strike just grazing Li Er's clothes without harming him in the slightest.
"Heh, is that all you've got? You dare to face me head-on with just that?"
A mocking sneer appeared on Li Er's lips. His body erupted forward, and he unleashed a vicious whip kick aimed at Lin Feng's head.
BAM!
A cold smile touched Lin Feng's face. With a flick of his wrist, he moved his right hand to intercept the attack.
A look of delight flashed across Li Er's face. He thought Lin Feng had given up and was about to retract his leg.
But at that exact moment, a tremendous force surged from Lin Feng's arm, and a piercing pain shot through Li Er's ankle.
Immediately after, Li Er's body was sent flying backward like a rubber ball, shattering a stone tablet before crashing to the ground.
HISS...
Clutching his ankle, Li Er couldn't help but suck in a sharp breath. He looked down to see it was grotesquely swollen, a mass of black and blue from which blood was beginning to seep.
"Well? How does that feel?"
Lin Feng dusted off his hands and started walking toward Li Er with a steady gait. The Short Blade in his hand reflected a grim, cold light under the moon.
Li Er's pupils contracted. He knew Lin Feng was utterly enraged, and now was not the time to hold anything back.
His eyes widened fiercely, his muscles tensed like steel, and his entire body began to radiate a terrifying, murderous aura.
In that instant, it was as if Lin Feng was watching a ferocious beast awaken. His heart skipped a beat, and an involuntary chill shot up his spine, spreading through his entire body.
It was his body's way of warning him that he had encountered a truly formidable opponent.
Li Er's aura was now far more powerful than before.
Lin Feng couldn't help but frown. 'So this guy was still hiding his true strength.'
'But this is good, too. It's a perfect chance to test my own limits.'
At this thought, a look of excitement spread across Lin Feng's face. A fiery warrior's heart began to burn within him, and the temperature of the air seemed to rise abruptly.
Li Er's expression was frosty, his eyes like two sharp swords aimed straight at Lin Feng.
"Kill!"
A furious roar erupted from Li Er's throat. He shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow, charging madly toward Lin Feng. At that moment, he was like a tiger pouncing on its prey, his presence overwhelming.
Lin Feng's expression turned grim. He leaped back abruptly, putting distance between himself and Li Er.
Li Er stomped a foot on the ground, using the force to launch himself into the air. From above, he dove down toward Lin Feng.
The palm strike carried an overwhelming force as it smashed down toward Lin Feng's skull. If it landed, his head would likely burst open.
But in that split second, Lin Feng suddenly dropped low, narrowly dodging the fierce strike. He then pivoted, sweeping his Short Blade in a horizontal arc toward Li Er's waist.
Li Er was stunned. 'How could Lin Feng still react?'
In his desperation, Li Er managed an abrupt stop. Pushing off the tips of his toes, his body shot away like a cannonball, narrowly avoiding the sweep.
Lin Feng brandished his Short Blade, spinning several times in mid-air. The blade traced an intricate arc as it once again slashed toward Li Er.
"Damn it."
Seeing this, Li Er cursed inwardly. He was now in a desperate situation. If he allowed this to drag on, the only outcome would be a crushing defeat.
SWOOSH!
Li Er didn't dare hesitate. He shot upward to dodge the attack, then bent his legs and kicked out at Lin Feng's chest like a hawk diving for a rabbit.
Lin Feng snorted coldly and blocked with his Short Blade.
CRACK!
Li Er's foot landed heavily on Lin Feng's elbow. While the kick was powerful, Lin Feng's own strength was far greater. The impact sent Li Er himself flying backward.
"Cough."
As he flew back, Li Er coughed violently. He could no longer suppress the blood rising in his throat, and a trickle escaped the corner of his mouth. He was clearly seriously injured.
He paid no mind to the blood, struggling back to his feet. His eyes, filled with a venomous light, locked hatefully onto Lin Feng.
"I admit you're strong, but it won't be enough today! I'm going to mince you and feed you to the dogs!"
Pushing off with his legs, Li Er lunged at Lin Feng like a cheetah.
Lin Feng's expression was calm, his gaze indifferent. In the night, his Short Blade refracted a cold, terrifying glint under the moonlight.
He didn't take the offensive. Instead, he played to his strengths, skirmishing with Li Er from a distance.
The two were evenly matched, trading blows back and forth, neither able to gain an advantage.
THUD.
Lin Feng landed a kick on Li Er's shoulder, sending him flying. He crashed to the ground, kicking up a cloud of dust and spitting out a mouthful of blood, his face deathly pale.
Li Er struggled to his feet, swaying for a moment before managing to stand upright.
"Damn bastard."
Li Er cursed, clenched his fists, and threw a punch straight at Lin Feng's face.
With an indifferent gaze, Lin Feng swung his Short Blade, perfectly intercepting the punch.
CRACK!
With a flick of the Short Blade, a crisp crack of breaking bone echoed out. The sharp edge sliced open Li Er's palm, and bright red blood began to drip onto the ground.
Li Er retreated several meters. Staring at his palm, his face contorted in pain, and beads of sweat broke out on his forehead.
He glared at Lin Feng and snarled through gritted teeth, "Lin Feng, I'm going to kill you!"
"Pathetic!"
Lin Feng snorted coldly and pressed forward again. This time, he held nothing back, unleashing his strongest move.
Hatred flared in Li Er's eyes. Unwilling to simply wait for death, he retreated explosively while a terrifying aura erupted from his body.
Lin Feng paused, stunned. Li Er had been hiding such a terrifying level of power. This aura was as deep as an abyss; even among Innate Martial Artists, he would be considered a formidable figure.
"Hahaha, Lin Feng, now you die!"
Li Er roared, the muscles on his arms bulging. He leaped into the air, then slammed both palms into Lin Feng's chest, channeling a terrifying power through them.
THUD.
Lin Feng grunted as he was sent flying. His face flushed red, and a trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth.
Li Er took a step forward, pressing his advantage. He clenched his fists, and a wild aura radiated from his body.
His Inner Strength and physical power combined, creating a unique energy field around him.
RUMBLE!