Chapter 48: Once He’s Broken, He’ll Naturally Speak!

"How dare you lay a finger on my sister..."

Staring at the condescending Zhao Peng, Lin Chen's eyes suddenly flashed with a fierce, brutal glint.

In that instant, the killing intent surging around him was like an endless, raging flood, churning ceaselessly across the vault of heaven. The spiritual energy of the surrounding world was abruptly compressed, emitting shrill, groaning sounds under the immense pressure.

Be it the inner sect disciples or the outer sect elders who had caught up, everyone present sensed a suffocating oppression.

This feeling was utterly bizarre.

Regardless of their cultivation realm or actual combat strength, these onlookers were far superior to this kid.

Why, then, should they feel a shiver of dread in their hearts just because he erupted with killing intent?

Zhao Peng was taken aback at first, but then he realized that this kid was none other than Lin Chen!

"Stop flinging false accusations! Your sister got herself captured—what does that have to do with me?!"

Zhao Peng couldn't help but sneer.

With so many people watching, he would never admit that he had sent men to seize Lin Ning'er.

Such despicable tactics were only meant to be played in the shadows; once brought out into the open, they constituted a cardinal taboo within the sect!

The Lihuo Sect encouraged every disciple to strive forward bravely and challenge stronger opponents, but it absolutely forbade them from using unprincipled means to achieve their ends.

Incidents like capturing a rival's sister to coerce them into submission were things the sect would never tolerate!

In the distance, Xu Kun's expression changed abruptly.

Lin Ning'er had been captured?

No wonder Lin Chen had grown angry to such a terrifying degree.

To Lin Chen, Lin Ning'er was his entire world!

Whoever dared to lay a hand on Lin Ning'er, Lin Chen would slaughter them even if it cost him his life!

It was hardly surprising that he was consumed by such fury.

"Ridiculous! I don't even know you. Why on earth would I capture your sister?"

A thick, murderous intent flashed in Zhao Peng's eyes. "It is you who slandered me the moment you arrived, and even dared to provoke my majesty... Today, no matter what, I must cut you down on the spot. Otherwise, others might mistake me, Zhao Peng, for a pushover!"

Earlier, Lin Chen's roar had been earth-shattering.

Not only the inner sect disciples, but even several outer sect disciples had gathered around to watch.

When they saw that the one clashing with Zhao Peng was Lin Chen, their expressions turned a variety of colors.

"This kid must have grown tired of living, daring to provoke Senior Brother Zhao!"

"Any inner sect powerhouse could crush him to death with a single finger."

Some outer sect disciples muttered among themselves, taking pleasure in his misfortune.

After all, Lin Chen had previously caused the bronze bell to ring five times, leaving all the outer sect disciples filled with resentment.

If you are truly so talented, why are you still merely an outer sect disciple just like the rest of us?

Coupled with the fact that during these past few days, many people had gathered outside his courtyard to provoke him and he hadn't even dared to accept a single fight,

everyone had immediately grown even more convinced that Lin Chen's strength was pitifully weak!

"Lin Chen, make yourself clear. Why would he capture your sister?"

The outer sect elder who had previously tried to block Lin Chen furrowed his brow deeply and stepped forward.

"Once I cripple him, he'll naturally start talking!"

Blazing killing intent flickered in Lin Chen's eyes as he took a fierce step forward and shouted in a low voice, "Tuntun!"

"I'm coming!"

Tuntun let out a cold laugh, its body expanding once again until it towered over three meters tall.

Its torso was rock-hard, and its appearance ferocious.

With a single stride, it stepped down like a giant timber crashing from the sky, shattering the earth beneath it into a spiderweb of cracks!

"You all saw it for yourselves—he provoked me first. If I don't accept this battle, where will I, Zhao Peng, hide my face in the future?"

Zhao Peng roared, "Heiyu, tear them to pieces!"

Not a single person in the arena stepped forward to stop them.

And thus, a bloody battle commenced!

"If I don't pluck every last feather off your bird, I'll acknowledge you as my father!"

Tuntun fiercely unleashed the Dragon Jade Hand, its entire arm hardening like refined steel.

Seeing Heiyu dive toward it, Tuntun braced its stance and swung its arm downward with ferocious force.

A blow delivered straight from the top!

This strike possessed extraordinary momentum and formidable power.

The oppressive force it projected caused several inner sect disciples to slightly change their expressions.

This phantom beast was merely of the third rank; why was its physical strength so astonishingly terrifying?

"Bang!"

A muffled impact rang out as Tuntun's arm was intercepted by Zhao Peng's counter.

Heiyu's body sank abruptly downward—clearly, the force behind the blow was so ferocious that the beast had almost failed to catch it!

A pang of shock rippled through Zhao Peng's heart. This kid indeed possessed some genuine skill!

"Swish!"

Zhao Peng's figure moved like lightning, black flames condensing into a sharp blade within his palm as he slashed toward Lin Chen.

Lin Chen met the attack head-on with a slap of his palm.

"This kid is simply courting death!"

Zhao Peng sneered. This martial technique was known as the Black Flame Blade, a Earth-grade technique.

By condensing the black flames within his body into a blade, its cutting power was terrifying.

Let alone this kid, even those who practiced specialized body-tempering martial arts couldn't withstand it!

However, the very instant the Black Flame Blade hacked into Lin Chen's palm, it unexpectedly emitted the metallic clanging sound of clashing swords and armor!

Sparks of black fire scattered in all directions.

Beneath the gaze of the crowd, Lin Chen wore a fierce expression as he thrust his hand ruthlessly forward.

Having released the Dragon Jade Hand, his arm radiated a crystalline luster and was incomparably sturdy.

Ordinary attacks and means simply couldn't break through it!

"Bang!"

Lin Chen turned his palm into a fist and smashed it heavily against Zhao Peng's chest.

A humming vibration echoed through the air, rippling outward continuously.

Some of the weaker outer sect disciples turned pale, their mouths opening to vomit fresh blood.

It felt as though a giant hammer had struck their hearts with crushing force.

They simply could not withstand the aftermath of that single punch!

Zhao Peng's pupils contracted, but his footwork remained steady as he used the momentum of his retreat to neutralize the power of that punch.

Looking down, he saw a deep fist imprint indented directly into his chest!

A wave of intense pain washed over him.

The corners of Zhao Peng's mouth twitched slightly.

What a vicious punch!

As for Lin Chen, he felt no sense of complacency at having driven Zhao Peng back with a single blow.

Gathering his strength once more, Lin Chen wore a ferocious look as he lunged forward again.

His attacking speed was fast, accurate, and ruthless!

All around, many people exchanged glances, each of them sensing that things were turning ominous.

Zhao Peng's eyes suddenly grew ruthless as he raised his hand to strike at Lin Chen once more.

"Heiyu! Black Flame Blade!"

Zhao Peng bellowed. In perfect accord with his phantom beast's thoughts, spiritual energy converged as they simultaneously unleashed their martial techniques.

Heiyu's massive wings cleaved downward through the air, as if capable of tearing the very void apart.

Black flames rippled along the tips of its wings, growing increasingly fierce!

"Dragon Jade Hand!"

Lin Chen's pupils turned scarlet as he met the attack with the exact same martial technique.

He and Tuntun were jointly confronting Heiyu and Zhao Peng!

"Crack!"

One of Heiyu's wings slashed off half of Tuntun's arm.

Just as the beast took pride in its success, Tuntun's other arm swung around like a club!

"Clang!"

Heiyu was sent flying backward, dizzy and disoriented.

"It's this hand, you stupid bird!"

Tuntun proudly raised its arm, looking immensely pleased with itself.

Yet where the limb had been severed, vines rapidly sprouted anew.

Within mere breaths, it was completely restored to its original state.

Its regenerative capability was nothing short of astonishing!

On the other side, after exchanging a direct blow, Lin Chen and Zhao Peng were both left with tingling, numb arms.

"Boom!"

The ground where the two men fought bore the brunt of the impact, fracturing into massive spiderwebs of cracks.

As Zhao Peng retreated, he gritted his teeth in frustration.

As an inner sect disciple, failing to subdue his opponent after several consecutive attacks made him feel as though he was losing all face!

Yet by this stage in the battle, it was no longer a simple matter of losing face.

Lin Chen's killing intent was soaring to the heavens.

He was determined to cripple Zhao Peng right here and now!