Chapter 33: The Extraordinary Man, Lin Xunfeng
In front of the mountain gate of the Clear Sky Sect, a man and a woman stood side by side.
Both looked rather young.
The man was handsome and refined.
Dressed in a fitted blue robe, his long hair was tied high, and a silver spear rested in his hand.
He exuded the aura of a young general, brimming with vigor and confidence.
The woman had delicate features and wore a long green dress.
Gentle as water, she carried a small bundle on her back.
Her gaze lingered tenderly on the man beside her.
The man in blue was none other than the Martial Champion, Li Yang, while the woman in green was his cousin, Zhao Linglong.
“Cousin, shouting challenges the moment we arrive—wouldn’t that seem improper? Those great sects may have their pride, but this Clear Sky Sect, without Lin Xunfeng, is left with only young disciples. They might be frightened by your reputation and dare not respond,” Zhao Linglong said softly, her voice delicate and pleasant.
Li Yang replied indifferently, “Those who practice martial arts are bound to be competitive. I spoke as I did so that if Clear Sky Sect still has a man among them, he would not avoid battle. Besides, it’s only a spar, not a duel to the death.”
His right hand turned slightly, and the silver spear gleamed coldly under the sunlight.
As they spoke, a large group appeared around the bend of the mountain path.
Seeing this, Li Yang’s lips curved upward, excitement flashing across his handsome face.
Yang Jueding led the group at the front.
He stopped before the mountain gate, his eyes sizing Li Yang up and down.
“You’re surnamed Li, and a Martial Champion at that. Which Li family are you from?” Yang Jueding asked.
In the Great Li Dynasty, martial prowess was revered.
To become a Martial Champion required not only exceptional talent but also immense resources.
No Martial Champion had ever risen from humble origins.
Li Yang lifted his chin and answered proudly, “The Li Family of Linchuan.”
Yang Jueding nodded in realization.
“Ah, the descendant of the Minister of War. If we make you cry in defeat, I wonder—will you go crying to your elders?”
At these words, Li Yang’s smile faded.
His gaze turned sharp as he said coldly, “From Linchuan southward, I’ve challenged eleven sects and none have made me cry. If you can defeat me, I’ll not only forgive the offense but reward you—helping you repair this dilapidated mountain gate of yours.”
“Very well, you said it! Man’er, you go!”
Yang Jueding agreed readily and stepped aside.
Wu Man’er stepped forward immediately.
The moment he stood out, Zhao Linglong frowned slightly.
Li Yang, however, brightened with interest.
“Big fellow, would you consider following me into the army? You could earn glory admired by tens of thousands.”
Wu Man’er scratched his head and replied, “I won’t join the army. I’ll always follow my Senior Brother.”
Li Yang smiled faintly.
“Then let’s have a bout first!”
Wu Man’er nodded and continued walking toward him.
Seeing Wu Man’er’s unrestrained manner, a trace of displeasure flashed in Li Yang’s eyes.
He no longer wished to waste words.
With a sudden step, he darted forward, sweeping his silver spear horizontally.
The weapon tore through the air, aiming straight for Wu Man’er’s waist.
Pa!
Wu Man’er raised his hand and caught the spear.
Li Yang’s face changed slightly, and before he could react, an immense force surged from Wu Man’er’s grip, throwing him off balance and sending him stumbling forward.
When Wu Man’er’s other hand lifted, Li Yang immediately released the spear and leapt backward.
Like a startled sparrow, he landed behind Zhao Linglong—almost falling off the steps.
After regaining his balance, Li Yang looked at Wu Man’er in shock.
The man’s strength was far beyond his imagination.
Never had he encountered someone with such monstrous power.
“What’s your name?” Li Yang asked solemnly, no longer daring to underestimate him.
Wu Man’er grinned honestly.
“My name is Wu Man’er.”
“Wu…? Could it be—”
Li Yang’s expression shifted as if realizing something, but before he could finish speaking, Wu Man’er tossed the silver spear back to him.
When Li Yang caught it, his tiger’s mouth stung sharply.
Such terrifying strength only confirmed his suspicion.
Then Wu Man’er spread his legs, slightly crouched, and drew his right palm to his waist.
Strands of visible energy coiled around him, and his expression changed completely—becoming as cold and imposing as an unyielding mountain.
Sensing the shift in his aura, Li Yang showed no fear.
He gripped his spear with both hands, preparing to face him head-on.
Below the steps, the disciples gathered to watch.
They were all astonished; it was the first time they had seen Wu Man’er like this.
With a fierce shout, Li Yang leapt into the air—rising several zhang high.
Bathed in sunlight, his inner energy enveloped his body and weapon, turning his descending spear into a streak of blinding cold light that made the disciples instinctively blink.
In that same instant, Wu Man’er struck out with his palm.
Nine Heavens Divine Palm!
A thunderous boom filled the ears of everyone present, like tigers and leopards roaring in unison.
The tremendous force swept toward them, making the disciples recoil instinctively.
Cheng Canghai squinted upward—just in time to see Li Yang blasted away by Wu Man’er’s single palm.
Blood sprayed from Li Yang’s body as he was flung through the air like a severed kite, crashing into one of the courtyard’s buildings below.
The roof collapsed amid a cloud of dust, and nearby disciples jumped in fright.
The battle ended in a single move!
Even though Wu Man’er was one of their own, the disciples were still terrified by his power—including Yang Jueding.
Yang Jueding’s heart pounded in lingering fear.
He suddenly felt grateful to Li Qingqiu—had Li Qingqiu not stopped Wu Man’er that day, and if that foolish boy had unleashed the Nine Heavens Divine Palm on him, he would never have withstood it.
A minor injury was nothing—but losing face would have been unbearable.
“Cousin!”
Zhao Linglong cried out in distress.
Lifting her skirts, she ran swiftly down the steps.
Wu Man’er retracted his palm, the energy folding back into his body.
His robe fluttered violently, and his back exuded a majestic aura—a sense of invincibility.
“So this is what superior martial arts are like… truly incredible.”
Zhang Yu clicked his tongue in amazement as he watched, a surge of desire to practice martial arts rising in him—though he quickly suppressed it.
Wu Man’er gazed at the rolling dust below, his icy expression melting into worry.
Turning toward Yang Jueding, he asked nervously, “Did I hit too hard?”
Yang Jueding came to his senses with a jolt.
If the Martial Champion died here, it would mean trouble!
He immediately ran down the mountain, while the others crowded around Wu Man’er, marveling at his strength.
Meanwhile—
Inside the courtyard, Li Dongyue heard the disciples’ chatter.
A look of concern crossed her face.
“Senior Brother, Man’er’s heart is too simple—his strikes are always too heavy. He can’t be allowed to act on his own again.”
Li Qingqiu nodded, though he seemed unconcerned.
He could hear Li Yang’s breathing—rapid but steady.
At least he was alive.
“You go help him,” Li Qingqiu said.
Li Dongyue quickly handed Yuan Li to him, then hurried out.
——
Li Yang dreamed of the battlefield—charging and retreating seven times, unstoppable.
Suddenly, a giant appeared ahead, striking him down with an enormous palm.
He had no power to resist.
Just as he was about to die, he woke with a start.
He gasped for air, instinctively trying to sit up—but a searing pain tore through his body, forcing him to draw a sharp breath and lie back down.
“Cousin! You’re awake!”
Zhao Linglong’s delighted voice came from beside him.
Li Yang turned his head to see her seated by the bed, the setting sun slanting through the window behind her.
It was nearly dusk.
Li Yang gritted his teeth.
“Where am I?”
“In the Clear Sky Sect. A girl named Li Dongyue saved you with her needles,” Zhao Linglong replied.
Seeing him awake, she visibly relaxed.
She sighed in reproach.
“Cousin, you can’t be so reckless again. You’re lucky the people of Clear Sky Sect are kind. Had it been another sect, they might not have treated you at all.”
Though Li Yang was injured, Zhao Linglong bore no grudge.
Instead, she was grateful for Li Dongyue’s aid.
Li Yang gave a bitter smile.
“I wasn’t careless—the fellow was simply too terrifying. Not human at all. It’s said that the Wu Family of Lishan experimented for generations with martial soldiers, bathing newborns in extreme yang-tempering elixirs. Seems they finally succeeded.”
“The Wu Family of Lishan? Weren’t they wiped out thirteen years ago? How are you sure Wu Man’er is one of their descendants?” Zhao Linglong asked in confusion.
Li Yang grimaced, feeling as though his body might fall apart, but forced a smile.
“Because of Lin Xunfeng. My father once said that Lin Xunfeng loved meddling in others’ affairs. He had ties with the Wu Family of Lishan. When he heard of their massacre, he personally went to investigate. Perhaps he found Wu Man’er somewhere.”
Zhao Linglong understood and sighed.
“Lin Xunfeng truly was an extraordinary man. They say when he first entered the martial world, he befriended the Emperor himself in disguise. The Emperor admired him deeply and offered him rank and fortune—but he preferred a life of freedom in the jianghu.”
“Indeed, a remarkable man,” Li Yang murmured.
“Come to think of it, my Li Family also has some connection with him…”
“What kind of connection?” Zhao Linglong asked curiously.
Li Yang merely shook his head, unwilling to explain.
Just then, a voice called from outside, “Hey, are you really a Martial Champion? Do Martial Champions have to study books?”
Li Yang and Zhao Linglong turned to see two young girls peering through the window—Li Sijin and Xu Ning.
It was Li Sijin who spoke, her curious eyes fixed on him.
Li Yang forced a smile.
“Of course. Martial Champions must pass a written exam too, though it’s easier than the scholars’. I spent my youth practicing both martial arts and reading. Unlike you girls, I never had time to play on the mountain.”
He had met the two when climbing the mountain earlier, even asking them for directions.
Li Sijin pressed on.
“Champion Brother, how high does your martial skill rank in the jianghu?”
Li Yang replied, “I’ve defeated many first-rate experts with ease, though I’m still far from reaching the supreme realm.”
“Then doesn’t that mean my Fifth Senior Brother is a supreme expert?” Li Sijin asked excitedly.
Li Yang nodded slightly.
“How old is your Fifth Senior Brother?” he asked, recalling Wu Man’er’s youthful voice.
“He just turned fifteen,” Li Sijin answered, blinking innocently.
Li Yang’s mouth twitched, while Zhao Linglong’s eyes widened, her lips parting in shock.
Li Sijin looked outwardly innocent but inwardly smug.
Xu Ning, knowing her well, tilted her head aside, unwilling to watch her pretense.
Lying on the bed, Li Yang closed his eyes and groaned, “I have disgraced the name of Martial Champion.”