Chapter 459: Cold Fear
Meanwhile, Li Xi retreated explosively, leaving a deep footprint in the ground with every step back. The veins on his arms bulged violently.
He stared at Lin Feng in horror. After their last clash, he now understood the full extent of Lin Feng's physical defense—a level of resilience that chilled him to the bone.
Although his claws were specially forged Spiritual Artifacts, they couldn't withstand such ferocious attacks. The webbing of his hands had long since been torn open from blocking Lin Feng's forceful blows.
Thin trickles of blood even seeped from the skin, a testament to the power of Lin Feng's last strike.
A cold smile touched the corners of Lin Feng's mouth. Li Xi's claws were indeed Spiritual Artifacts.
But his own Body Technique was bizarre and unpredictable, as nimble as a fish in water. It would be exceedingly difficult for Li Xi to ever catch Lin Feng's ghost-like form.
Lin Feng flipped sideways and shot out a whip-like kick. His leg, covered in Thunder Power, aimed straight for Li Xi's chest.
BANG!
Li Xi scrambled to block, but his arm was already completely numb. The kick sent him skidding sideways several feet, his arm no longer obeying his commands.
Having landed a blow, Lin Feng pressed his advantage, his body shooting toward Li Xi like a cannonball.
BANG!
Li Xi's face was grim as he swung his palms again and again, trying to resist Lin Feng's assault, but it was completely useless.
Lin Feng's moves were powerful and sweeping, with each one aimed to kill. Li Xi was completely overwhelmed.
Although he was at a higher cultivation level than Lin Feng, he was injured. Furthermore, his attack style was geared toward assassination; compared to Lin Feng's direct and ferocious power, it paled in comparison.
THUD!
A kick slammed into Li Xi's abdomen, sending him flying dozens of feet before he managed to stop. Of course, he had intentionally used the force of the blow to create distance.
He could clearly feel that he was at a disadvantage in close quarters. 'If I hadn't done that,' he thought, 'Lin Feng would have continued to press me. I would have been severely injured by then.'
SNAP!
Spreading his arms wide, Li Xi quickly regained his balance. He glared at Lin Feng, his eyes filled with venomous hatred. He never imagined he would be forced into such a corner by a junior.
"Kid, I'll admit you're strong, but you're still not good enough to defeat me!"
Li Xi's voice was ice-cold, his eyes brimming with killing intent.
SWOOSH!
Before the words had even left his mouth, his figure seemed to transform into a wisp of wind, appearing before Lin Feng in an instant. Li Xi no longer dared to hold anything back.
He knew the massive advantage his higher cultivation level once afforded him was now gone. His only chance at victory was to rely on his powerful martial arts and Cultivation Techniques to face Lin Feng head-on.
In an instant, his claws were already raking toward Lin Feng's chest, a cold light glinting off their sharp tips. At such lightning speed, if Lin Feng were even the slightest bit careless, his chances of survival were slim.
Lin Feng's brow furrowed slightly. From their exchange, he had already figured out Li Xi's moves.
He was now most wary of those claws. Since he was fighting Li Xi alone, Li Xi's speed made it fundamentally impossible for him to dodge every attack.
The same was true for Li Xi. Although his own speed was incredibly fast—terrifyingly so, even—he couldn't be as reckless as Lin Feng. During their brief exchange, he had come to a realization: while his own power level was indeed higher than Lin Feng's, he was still the one being forced onto the defensive.
If this continued, his situation would only worsen. He began to circulate the Inner Strength within his body. It was time to use a Secret Technique.
'I have to use my full strength to defeat him.' At that moment, Li Xi stared at Lin Feng with bloodshot eyes.
'This guy is a monster!' he thought. After so many attacks, he had not only failed to take down Lin Feng, but had been beaten back again and again.
Li Xi roared, and the Inner Strength around him erupted violently. A cold light flickered on his claws, a chilling glint like that of a blade that made the heart pound. The very air around him seemed to hiss and sizzle as if being sliced apart.
Li Xi's eyes turned scarlet, his pupils shot through with blood, as if he had become possessed. In that moment, his entire being reached its absolute peak.
BANG! BANG! BANG!...
Countless afterimages streaked through the air as Li Xi's assault reached its zenith.
Lin Feng sidestepped, dodging several of Li Xi's attacks, then swept his right leg out like a spear. The fierce wind from the kick howled, seeming to tear through the very air.
Li Xi retreated hastily, but his claws continued to lash out at Lin Feng relentlessly.
With a low shout, Lin Feng leaped into the air. He spun in place and kicked out viciously with both feet toward Li Xi, the force of the blow causing the air to crackle.
Li Xi retreated rapidly, but he showed no intention of dodging. Instead, he raised both arms and took the full force of Lin Feng's attack head-on.
BOOM!
With a deafening explosion, Li Xi was sent stumbling back several steps. But he seemed completely unfazed, stating indifferently, "Still not good enough!"
"Hmph!"
Lin Feng didn't waste words, merely letting out a cold snort. He took a step, instantly closing the distance to Li Xi. Leaning forward, he unleashed both fists. A tyrannical Fist Gang, carrying an unstoppable momentum, smashed directly toward Li Xi.
Li Xi's body flickered, and with a sideways step, he dodged the two fists.
Then, Li Xi stepped forward, his claws slashing toward Lin Feng with the sound of tearing fabric.
Lin Feng's eyes narrowed as he continuously retreated, dodging Li Xi's assault. Both of them were moving at incredible speeds, covering more than ten meters in a single flash.
Lin Feng's fists rained down on Li Xi like a storm. Li Xi's claws shot out to meet them, but he was unable to land even a single scratch on Lin Feng.
Li Xi retreated. Although Lin Feng was only at the Late Stage of Innate, the toughness of his body was astonishing. Even Li Xi's own hands were starting to ache from the impacts.
Li Xi's body drew an arc through the air, dissipating the force of their exchange as he landed lightly on a treetop.
Lin Feng stood his ground and looked up, a contemptuous smile playing on his lips. He suddenly vanished, reappearing a moment later on the very same branch where Li Xi stood.
BOOM!
Lin Feng's right foot stomped down violently. The thick branch shattered under the force as his figure shot toward Li Xi like an arrow loosed from its string.