Chapter 169: Pressure
Lin Feng extended one hand and suddenly struck out with a Palm Blade. It glowed with a dazzling golden light as it chopped directly onto Zhou Hu's massive fist.
BAM!
Their strike ended in a stalemate. Zhou Hu was stunned. He hadn't expected Lin Feng's power to be so formidable. 'What is this Lin Feng's cultivation level, exactly?'
'How can an Ancient Martial Artist at the Mid Stage of Innate fight me on equal footing, and even start to suppress me?!'
Lin Feng's expression was icy, the Palm Blade in his hand growing ever more ferocious. He was using his full strength this time, and Zhou Hu could feel the pressure mounting.
BAM!
The blur of Zhou Hu's fist clashed repeatedly with the Palm Blade. The powerful gusts of wind they generated made even the towering ancient trees rustle, and beads of sweat dotted Zhou Hu's forehead.
He felt his right arm growing numb. He could barely take it anymore.
Zhou Hu grew anxious. 'This can't go on,' he thought. 'A battle like this is too draining, and I'm gradually losing the upper hand.'
BAM!
Zhou Hu's steps faltered, the power in his fist dissipating completely. Lin Feng seized the opportunity and slammed a punch into Zhou Hu's ribs.
The force of the punch sent Zhou Hu flying. He crashed heavily to the ground, his impact shattering the hard rock and creating a large crater.
COUGH, COUGH.
Zhou Hu coughed violently, unable to stop himself from spitting up a mouthful of blood. His face was pale as he glared at Lin Feng, the venom in his eyes and the hatred in his heart intensifying.
"You've really pissed me off now!"
Wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth, Zhou Hu got to his feet, his gaze filled with chilling killing intent.
BOOM!
He stomped the ground, his body launching toward Lin Feng like a cannonball.
THUD!
Zhou Hu put his all into this move. His chest heaved violently, and it was clear the attack had caused him immense pain as well.
Lin Feng's eyes sharpened. The Inner Strength in his body surged wildly, and a hint of killing intent flickered in his gaze.
Instead of defending, he charged straight at Zhou Hu. The air swirled around them as the two figures slammed violently into each other.
"Kid, you're not worthy of clashing head-on with me!"
With a furious bellow like that of a tiger, Zhou Hu's arms suddenly bulged, the blood visibly pumping beneath his skin!
BAM!
Another muffled bang echoed out. Both men were sent reeling by the massive impact, spitting blood from the backlash. But in the next instant, they were charging madly at each other again.
Neither could gain an advantage in the collision. It was a battle of attrition, and Lin Feng was beginning to feel the exhaustion.
A flash of delight crossed Zhou Hu's eyes. 'The kid's power is terrifying, but he's still young, and his actual cultivation is low,' he thought. 'I just need to tie him down. If I can drag this out, victory will be mine!'
BANG!
Their confrontation grew increasingly fierce, the violent collisions kicking up clouds of dust throughout the valley.
Finally, as a hint of fatigue showed in Lin Feng's form, Zhou Hu seized the opportunity and shot forward.
His massive, fan-like hand moved unpredictably, cutting straight through the layers of dust and appearing before Lin Feng in an instant.
Zhou Hu grinned savagely. His palm was less than an inch from Lin Feng's neck!
Lin Feng's eyes narrowed as he sensed the danger. 'If this blow lands,' he knew, 'it's all over!'
"Don't even think about it!"
Unflustered by the danger, Lin Feng tapped his toes against the ground and shot backward, narrowly dodging Zhou Hu's vicious palm strike.
"Hahaha... you think you can escape?"
Zhou Hu laughed arrogantly and gave chase. This time, he was clearly much faster than Lin Feng.
In the blink of an eye, he was behind Lin Feng, his fist blasting toward his shoulder. The Inner Strength imbued in the punch was terrifying.
Lin Feng's brow furrowed. He could clearly sense the threat from Zhou Hu's fist. 'If that punch lands,' he thought, 'I'll definitely break a bone!'
Without hesitation, Lin Feng stomped on the ground again. The hard mountain rock instantly fractured, spiderwebbing with cracks.
BOOM!
A visible ripple of energy spread out from under Lin Feng's feet. He used the explosive force to launch himself forward fifteen or twenty feet.
Zhou Hu's attack hit nothing but air. Seizing the opening, Lin Feng launched a whip kick.
Like an iron rod, Lin Feng's right leg carried immense power, creating a series of sonic booms as it whipped through the air toward Zhou Hu.
BAM!
Lin Feng's whip kick slammed viciously into Zhou Hu's crossed arms, sending his body flying!
But Lin Feng didn't pause. He continued to sprint forward, his figure moving like lightning and leaving a trail of afterimages in Zhou Hu's vision.
SWOOSH!
Lin Feng leaped nearly ten feet into the air, his incredibly fierce kick sweeping down viciously toward Zhou Hu on the ground below!
The attack was incredibly fast and came at a strange, cunning angle that caught Zhou Hu completely off guard. If it landed, he would surely be crippled! Even so, he managed to lift his head and cross his arms, blocking the fatal blow with his elbows.
BAM!
With a muffled thud, Zhou Hu was sent flying by the kick. His massive body slid backward for several meters before he regained his footing. By now, his arms were completely swollen and trembling faintly.
Zhou Hu's eyes were filled with astonishment. He had indeed underestimated Lin Feng, but now that astonishment had turned to pure rage. A bloodthirsty red glint flickered in his eyes.
"You're courting death!"
Zhou Hu roared and lunged. This time, he was truly furious!
He knew the situation was crystal clear. If he didn't counterattack now, the only possible outcome was defeat and death.
Zhou Hu unleashed all the Inner Strength in his body without holding anything back. It converged in his hands, causing them to glow with a golden-yellow light.
The veins on his arms bulged and his muscles swelled, creating a terrifying sight.
FWOOSH!
He took a single stride forward, sending rubble flying, and brought both hands clapping down toward Lin Feng's head.