Chapter 198: Phantom
"Courting death!"
The old man sneered. He swiftly retracted his right hand, then his left shot out to meet Lin Feng's fist.
BAM!
The two fists collided violently, unleashing a thunderous crack in an instant. The very ground around them was ripped up, flinging dirt three feet into the air.
THUD, THUD, THUD!
Lin Feng stumbled back five consecutive steps before steadying himself. His face was flushed, and the blood roiled within him. He almost couldn't stop himself from spitting out a mouthful of blood.
Lin Feng raised his head, his gaze fixed on the old man, filled with a piercing coldness. His fists were clenched, and his muscles bulged. He loosened every joint in his body, leaving no blind spots within a three-meter radius around him.
The old man's eyes narrowed. Lin Feng had just met his blow head-on. Although he had felt a sharp pain in his own arm, he hadn't thought much of it.
"You're dead today, kid!"
The old man's voice was low. He slowly raised his right hand, its once-withered skin now pulled taut, concealing a formidable power within.
SWOOSH!
The next moment, his right hand shot forward. A faint cyan energy swirled between his fingers, and a powerful sense of crisis welled up in Lin Feng's heart.
The old man's fingers traced a long, illusory arc through the air, striking at Lin Feng like a phantom.
Lin Feng's pupils widened. He threw himself to the side, narrowly dodging the old man's attack.
He was astonished by the old man's speed and power, but the old man was just as surprised.
That last move was one of the martial techniques the old man was most proud of. It was incredibly powerful, yet it had failed. This was proof enough of Lin Feng's extraordinary strength.
He took a deep breath, mobilizing the last of the vital energy in his Dantian. His aura grew stronger and stronger.
"Die for me, kid!"
The old man's body suddenly vanished. He reappeared beside Lin Feng as a streak of black light, his right hand shaped into a claw, swiping viciously at Lin Feng's chest.
His palm was black as ink, glowing with a sinister dark light. His claws whistled through the air, seeming powerful enough to tear right through Lin Feng's body.
Lin Feng's eyes turned icy. Faced with such a sneak attack, he naturally counterattacked without hesitation.
Lin Feng bent his right knee and swept a vicious roundhouse kick toward the old man.
The old man's face twisted into a ferocious snarl as he swung his other arm at Lin Feng.
Lin Feng's expression was grave. He balled his left hand into a fist and, with all his might, smashed it toward the old man's chest.
BAM!
Fist and claw collided, their forces canceling each other out. But while the old man remained perfectly still, Lin Feng was sent sliding back nearly a hundred meters.
The old man's face was terrifyingly grim, his eyes flashing with a ferocious light.
Never in all his years had a junior dared to humiliate him like this, let alone injure him. It was an utter disgrace. He decided he would kill Lin Feng at all costs; otherwise, the hatred in his heart would never be quenched.
"Kid, I'll make you wish you were dead!"
The old man roared and shot toward Lin Feng. His movements were like a phantom, so fast that he was beside Lin Feng in the blink of an eye.
Lin Feng's focus sharpened. He knew the old man was utterly enraged and was using his full strength to kill him, so he didn't dare let his guard down.
The old man formed his hands into claws, which radiated a sinister, ghostly light. If they found their mark, it would surely mean instant death.
Lin Feng gritted his teeth and retreated, simultaneously punching out with both fists to meet the old man's claws.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
In just a few short seconds, the two had exchanged dozens of blows. Their speed was so extreme that it was impossible to follow with the naked eye. All that could be heard was a series of dull thuds as Lin Feng's clothes were torn to shreds.
Lin Feng was sent flying. A trickle of crimson blood seeped from his mouth. His right arm trembled slightly, and the web between his thumb and index finger was numb.
The old man hadn't escaped unscathed, either. The skin on the webs of both his hands had split open, and they were dripping with blood.
'Damn it, how in the world does this kid cultivate? To be able to fight me on even terms at such a young age!'
The old man wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and stared coldly at Lin Feng.
Lin Feng panted heavily. He had just gone through a fierce battle, and his Inner Strength was severely depleted, leaving him mentally exhausted. He watched the old man, his eyes full of apprehension.
He had gained the upper hand in their recent exchange of dozens of blows, but he had still inevitably been lightly injured by the old man.
"You're not getting away today, kid!"
The old man roared and charged at Lin Feng again.
BAM!
The old man's speed was incredible. He was beside Lin Feng in an instant, striking out with his palm.
Lin Feng's eyes narrowed. He shifted his right arm just in time to block the blow. Then, taking advantage of the moment the old man was off balance, Lin Feng lashed out with a roundhouse kick that struck the old man's shoulder.
The old man's body swayed. He stumbled back two steps, his face ashen as he stared at Lin Feng.
He hadn't expected Lin Feng to be able to block his attack.
A hint of delight appeared on Lin Feng's face. He could feel that after his fierce struggle with the old man, although his body was injured, it felt as though he had already recovered some of his strength.
SWISH!
Lin Feng pushed off the ground with his toes, his entire body shooting toward the old man.
At that moment, the old man's expression turned grim, and a cold light flashed in his eyes. He dropped into a low crouch and approached Lin Feng like a nimble cat.
The old man's fingers drew a short blade from his waist, and he slashed at Lin Feng.
Lin Feng sneered. He had long expected the old man to pull a trick like this.
CLANG!
The old man's short blade struck Lin Feng's fist, sending sparks flying. A screech of grinding metal rang out as they were both forced back a step.
"Heh heh, you're too naive, kid!"
The old man grinned, then his figure abruptly accelerated, diving toward Lin Feng.
WHOOSH!
The old man unleashed a continuous flurry of kicks. Their speed was astounding, almost impossible to distinguish.
Lin Feng half-closed his eyes and dodged left and right. The old man's legs seemed to wrap around him like shadows, catching Lin Feng somewhat off guard.
A vicious smile spread across the old man's face as his assault grew even faster. In what seemed like an instant, he had thrown a thousand kicks.
A dense web of afterimages from the kicks enveloped Lin Feng, cutting off all his possible escape routes.
Lin Feng's brow furrowed. He knew that if he didn't do something now, he probably wouldn't be able to hold on much longer.
BOOM!
As the old man's kicks rained down like a furious storm, Lin Feng threw a roundhouse kick to the side, instantly neutralizing the attack. At the same time, he shot backward, putting some distance between them.
"You little bastard! I refuse to believe I can't kill you today!"
The old man's voice was hoarse. Black energy emanated from his body as his aura surged to its peak. He lunged at Lin Feng, claws swinging.
WHOOSH!
Unhurried, Lin Feng dodged to one side, then pushed off his toes and shot backward in retreat.