Chapter 93: Chapter 93: Merely a Lei Lie
""Shi Junior Brother, don’t you think that the trust of everyone matters more than your insignificant secret? Or is there something you’re truly too troubled to speak of?"
Chu Lin subtly shook his head, his smile hiding a needle, subtly guiding everyone’s thoughts.
More and more people looked towards Shi Xiaole.
"The opportunities I’ve gained are my own business. If I wish to speak of it, I will. If I don’t want to speak, then no one shall coerce me. Lei Lie, Chu Lin, you have spare time to frame me, but you don’t care about our current predicament? It seems you’re all very comfortable with the criminal from the Devil Path."
Shi Xiaole touched the hilt of the Qingfeng Sword, his voice low and quiet.
"Bastard!"
Lei Lie roared, shouting: "Since when did it become your place, you little dog, to call Lei by name directly! You have no respect for your elders, slipping and sliding around with your words. As I see it, even if you’re not a demon from the Devil Path, you’re undoubtedly related in some way."
Lei Lie looked menacing but was secretly delighted.
The incident over the Sansen Grass had ignited his desire to kill Shi Xiaole.
After collecting some information, Lei Lie’s vigilance towards Shi Xiaole had grown even more, especially given that he had once offended the young man. He couldn’t rest easy and couldn’t wait to kill him immediately.
Therefore, whenever there was an opportunity, Lei Lie didn’t mind shifting the blame onto Shi Xiaole first, so even if he later killed him secretly, it would minimize the impact.
As for not daring to offend the Golden Phoenix Tower, it was true in the past, but after learning the Essence Refining Great Method, his martial arts growth far surpassed his past, and the possibility of breaking through to the Qi Absorption Realm in the future is extremely high, so why would he need to fear the Golden Phoenix Tower?
Upon hearing Lei Lie’s words, many were inwardly cursing their luck.
"The so-called ’The villain is the first to complain’, Sect Master Lei, why are you so eager to slander me? Unless it’s to distract everyone? The Devil Path culprit is ruthless and cruel. In my view, this seems like the perfect description of you, Sect Master Lei."
One moment people were worried that Lei Lie would erupt, but Shi Xiaole’s comment instantly left everyone stupefied.
"What did you say?"
Lei Lie couldn’t believe that Shi Xiaole had the guts to utter those words. First, he was shocked, then immediately angered, like a raging lion.
"I said you’re the demon from the Devil Path! Dare to deny it?"
Shi Xiaole met his gaze unflinchingly, not stepping back.
Who can’t blame someone for smearing their name?
Shi Xiaole wasn’t a meek lamb, Lei Lie had been targeting him over and over, causing the flame in his heart to rise.
If it was in the past, he would still be wary, but now with a lot of trump cards in his hand, Shi Xiaole doesn’t think Lei Lie could harm him.
Most importantly, he always felt there was something wrong with Lei Lie. Hence, even if Lei Lie didn’t provoke him today, he would have intentionally picked a fight, to test him out.
"You damn cur, don’t push me."
Lei Lie said, suppressing his anger.
"You have a very stinky mouth, maybe a few slaps would refresh it,"
Shi Xiaole casually said, causing many hearts to race.
Boom!
Lei Lie couldn’t hold back any longer. He shouted and threw a Fierce Wind Divine Fist towards Shi Xiaole. He swore that even if he couldn’t kill today, he should at least give him a lesson he would remember for a lifetime.
Shi Xiaole gripped the Qingfeng Sword, ready to make a move, but to his surprise, Yu Fangge had already stepped in to intercept.
Boom Boom Boom.
The burst of Qi and the head-on confrontation between the two sect masters ended with Lei Lie pushing Yu Fangge back several steps, while he himself remained unaffected.
"Sect Master Lei’s ability?"
The expressions changed on many faces.
"Yu Fangge, Leader Lei’s cultivation has progressed to the midstage of the third layer in the Qi Absorption realm. You are not my match. Get out of my way. No one can stop me from teaching this dog with the surname Shi a lesson today."
Lei Lie chuckled maliciously.
Upon hearing this, everyone finally understood.
Considering Lei Lie’s age and talent, reaching a high realm was impossible, but small realm breakthroughs were relatively easy. Besides, he had been stuck at the early stage of the third layer of Qi Absorption realm for several years; it was about time for him to progress.
"Even if you’re the best on Luyan Mountain, if you want to bully the weak, you’ll have to get past me first,"
Yu Fangge said, his face resolute. The hand gripping his sword was, however, trembling.
He had to admit, he was now no match for Lei Lie. If Lei Lie were to harm Shi Xiaole, he would have to be cautious.
"Sect Master Lei, please calm down. At this time, with the murderer still unknown, we mustn’t harm each other,"
"Yes, let’s all calm down."
Seeing the situation escalating, Dong Yinghao, Sect Master of the Iron Sword Sect, along with a few other sect leaders, tried to mediate. Right now, with the Devil Path culprit hiding in the dark, internal fighting would be beneficial to no one.
Lei Lie sneered, saying: "I might spare Yu Fangge, but this dog named Shi, he must either apologize to me publicly today or die. Let it be known if anyone dares to stop me, they will be my enemy!"
An overwhelming, ferocious aura emanated from Lei in waves. His voice boomed like a big bell, causing a temporary deafness to those who were near.
Everyone felt uneasy, aware that this situation would not end well.
"Young Hero Shi, you are after all our junior. Your words earlier were unsuitable. It might be beneficial for everyone if you were to apologize to Sect Master Lei."
Dong Yinghao said seriously, offering a way out.
In the thirteen sects of Mountain Luyan, the Iron Sword Sect was second only to the Changfeng Sect, and Dong Yinghao’s reputation rivalled that of Lei Lie. By right, Shi Xiaole should save face for the other party.
However, today, he had already made up his mind to confront Lei Lie. He said, "Thank you for your kindness, Sect Master Dong, but Lei Lie has repeatedly insulted me, tarnishing my reputation. I can’t just let it go."
The crowd was speechless.
Dong Yinghao was shaking his head secretly. Shi Xiaole is talented and strong, but he is too headstrong. If it comes down to a real fight, he’ll only hurt himself.
"Bastard, I wouldn’t have made it hard for you if you had just apologized obediently. But now it seems, you are wildly arrogant and conceited, you’ve fallen into the Devil’s Path. I have no choice but to make a move."
Repeatedly defied and ignored, the anger in Lei Lie’s heart finally exploded. He walked towards Shi Xiaole step by step, a scornful smirk on his face.
Yu Fangge was just about to intervene, but this time Shi Xiaole had already passed him and said, "Uncle, you don’t have to worry about me. A mere Lei Lie cannot do anything to me."
A mere Lei Lie...
Yu Fangge was speechless. His three direct disciples on the side looked at each other, thinking they had heard wrong.
"Bastard, you’re courting death!"
With a loud roar, Lei Lie made his move.
He swung his large fist forward, and an invisible surge of wind, sharp as thousands of blades, attacked Shi Xiaole from every direction.
Even before the punch arrived, the flowers and grass on the ground were blown about, and shallow marks appeared on the ground.
Clang!
The Green Edge Sword was drawn, Shi Xiaole swung it lightly, and the fierce wind from the punch was instantly split in two.
However, the next moment, these scattered forces were gathered back together under Lei Lie’s punch, and attacked in a more ferocious posture.
With black hair flying, Shi Xiaole was forced to retreat.
No matter what, Lei Lie is a master at the mid-stage of the Qi Absorption Realm with deeper internal power than Shi Xiaole, so in a head-on competition, Shi Xiaole was at a disadvantage.
"Grasping the Wind, Catching Shadows."
Under the urging of his anger, Lei Lie’s attacks were exceptionally swift. His fists struck continuously until they almost left afterimages in the air, too fast for the eye to follow.
Boom boom...
The Fierce Wind Divine Fist, which emphasized speed and momentum, was even more powerful under Lei Lie’s strong internal power. It forced Shi Xiaole on the defensive after just over a dozen moves.
In contrast, Shi Xiaole had been using the Cloud Mist Thirteen Styles repeatedly.
Although his sword techniques were more sophisticated, and he used the Chaotic Intent Realm to create many opportunities, his internal power ultimately fell short, only enabling him to barely resist.
Moreover, Lei Lie was ruthless and more experienced, and he was prepared in advance, so the influence of the Chaotic Intent Realm on him was minimal.
"Bastard, I thought you were very powerful, but it turns out you’re nothing special."
Lei Lie mocked loudly, intentionally provoking Shi Xiaole. He found it satisfying.
"Junior Brother Shi, why make everyone unhappy for the sake of pride? Just apologize quickly."
Chu Lin also tried to persuade him on the side, seemingly speaking kindly.
In fact, the pleasure in his heart was beyond words.
As the once leading figure among the younger generation of Mountain Luyan, Chu Lin couldn’t accept that he was defeated by Shi Xiaole, let alone accept coming in second.
To him, it was a great humiliation.
He originally planned to deal with Shi Xiaole himself. But before that, it was a wonderful thing to see the other party humiliated.
In the clash of punches and sword shadows, Shi Xiaole withstood twenty-six moves from Lei Lie. At this moment, the soreness and numbness in his arms told him he had reached his limit.
"With my current strength, I can’t even take thirty moves from a master in the Qi Absorption Realm."
Shi Xiaole laughed bitterly to himself.
If others knew his thoughts, they would surely curse at him.
A normal Hidden Qi Realm warrior who can fight against a Qi Absorption Realm master is already superior to many talents in the second tier of the Cloud Triangle.
One must know, the gap between each level in the Qi Absorption Realm is much larger than in the Hidden Qi Realm. This makes it increasingly difficult to challenge opponents at higher levels.
As a matter of fact, Shi Xiaole’s ability to hold till now had already caused a great shock to many people around him.
"Fierce Wind Roars!"
Sensing Shi Xiaole’s lack of strength, Lei Lie steeled his heart and gave full rein to his power. Before anyone else could react, he fiercely used his ultimate move.
A pale blue spiral of qi enveloped Lei Lie’s fist and struck at Shi Xiaole like a light drill, accompanied by a sharp whistling sound.
This was the ultimate move in the Fierce Wind Divine Fist. Lei Lie had never used it before, even when facing Yu Fangge. He did this specifically to prevent others from saving Shi Xiaole.
If he didn’t crush this audacious youth today, it would be hard to quell his anger!
"Oh no!"
Yu Fangge, Dong Yinghao and others’ faces changed dramatically, but it seemed too late.
"Even if you use ’A Thread of Life’, you won’t be able to block this punch. That is, unless, you have another new killer move."
Chu Lin looked at Shi Xiaole and laughed, looking exceptionally satisfied.
