C67 Both of Them Were Shocked

"Here!"

In a moment of crisis, Chu Yan's internal cry echoed urgently.

He could pinpoint where Lin Miaoran was coming from, but her speed was overwhelming. Chu Yan's mind could keep up, but his body lagged behind her swift actions.

A long leg shot out, slicing through the air like a whip, sweeping toward Chu Yan.

The air itself seemed to rip apart, turning into a blade-like current that furiously spiraled in every direction.

"It's too fast!" Chu Yan had no time to counter. Almost instinctively, he could only brace his arms in front of his chest.

Bang!

The sound echoed like a war drum being struck.

Chu Yan was hit by Lin Miaoran's sweeping kick, sent flying like a cannonball. With a loud crash, he smashed a wooden dummy several feet away into pieces.

Amidst the fluttering wood chips and fragments, Chu Yan lay on the ground, motionless.

Lin Miaoran touched down and cast a disappointed glance at Chu Yan: "Far below expectations."

She had hoped he might last a bit longer; after all, her standards weren't high – just over ten breaths would suffice.

But to her dismay, he was no different from the rest – a mere silver-plated spearhead, easily toppled with a single strike.

This formidable dragon was nothing more than a loudmouth.

As Lin Miaoran turned to leave the room, a sudden rustling sound stopped her in her tracks.

She turned back, surprised to see Chu Yan shaking off the dust, rising to his feet with a grimace. "The fifth level of the Genuine Force Stage, that's all it is? Not impressive."

Clearly, Lin Miaoran's blow had been far from the casual affair Chu Yan made it out to be. Yet there he was, defiantly tough-talking, occasionally clicking his tongue in disdain.

Seizing the moment, Chu Yan glanced at the hourglass, his heart sinking further.

Only a single breath had passed!

This was the first time he'd encountered someone who could take him down in just one strike.

His opponent was not only incredibly fast but also possessed a strength that was nothing short of astonishing.

Chu Yan was well aware that his physique was far superior to that of his peers in the martial realm, thanks to his robust vitality. This vitality allowed him to heal much quicker than others at his level, even when injured.

Yet, after that kick, the pain that seared through his bones was so intense that he found himself unable to lift his arm.

"No wonder they offer five thousand Spirit Money for enduring a mere thirty breaths. This money is certainly not easy to come by, but—" Chu Yan glanced at Lin Miaoran with a grin spreading boldly across his face, "I've got my sights set on that money!"

Lin Miaoran was momentarily taken aback by Chu Yan's brimming confidence.

Despite his unremarkable looks, she saw in his eyes a familiar and heart-stirring determination.

Never before had someone managed to smile and converse with her after taking a beating.

And no one had ever declared with such conviction, "I've got this in the bag."

A flutter of emotion stirred in Lin Miaoran's chest.

In that moment, she realized that this was the challenger she had been waiting for—the one who could be the catalyst for her breakthrough.

She inhaled deeply, gave him an acknowledging nod, and pointed to the hourglass, signaling: I recognize your worth; let's continue.

"Come on, let's see how you fare against me this time," Chu Yan taunted, though his confidence was a front.

He was well aware that his current abilities were no match for his adversary's speed and strength.

Chu Yan estimated that in a direct confrontation, he'd barely last eight or nine breaths before faltering.

But then, a spark of ingenuity struck him.

"I can't withstand a direct hit, but I can dodge! After all, the contract only requires me to last thirty breaths, not to engage in a toe-to-toe slugfest."

With this revelation, Chu Yan resolved to adapt his strategy.

"This is the perfect opportunity to refine my Seven Stars Windstorm Step!"

As he braced himself, Lin Miaoran launched forward, her legs propelling her toward Chu Yan once more.

Swift as the wind and fierce as fire, Chu Yan had previously misjudged Lin Miaoran's strength. He hadn't anticipated that she would be even stronger than he expected, and that miscalculation had cost him. This time, however, he was ready.

In an instant, he caught a flash of white light from the corner of his eye, sweeping toward him with force.

Again, it was that whip-like kick.

Chu Yan smirked inwardly, executing the Seven Stars Chaotic Wind Steps with precision.

Swish!

Lin Miaoran's leg cut through the air like a blade, but this time, it found only empty space. Chu Yan's retreat was perfectly timed, leaving him a mere palm's distance from the tip of her foot.

Despite any excuses, Lin Miaoran had missed—a first since she'd faced eighteen opponents at Langya Pavilion.

While Lin Miaoran was momentarily taken aback by her miss, Chu Yan had already used the Seven Stars Chaotic Wind Steps to maneuver behind her.

He was acutely aware that the person before him, seemingly frail, was far stronger than he was. Even with his regained cultivation level and increased strength, she was still the superior force.

In such a moment, the wisest course of action was to avoid entanglement. If he could just extend the fight to thirty breaths, victory would be his.

Clearly, Chu Yan had still underestimated Lin Miaoran's capabilities.

Almost immediately, Lin Miaoran caught on to Chu Yan's tactics. She retreated sharply, as if she had eyes in the back of her head, instantly pinpointing Chu Yan's position. Her body, like a battering ram, sent Chu Yan flying once again.

With a thud, Chu Yan's form crashed into a wooden puppet, shattering it, as he felt a tumultuous surge within his chest, leaving him in considerable discomfort.

Yet, under Lin Miaoran's expectant gaze, he sprang up like a carp flipping in the air, rubbing his chest and remarked with feigned nonchalance, "Tsk, feels like a mosquito bite, hardly any strength in it."

Lin Miaoran almost laughed at the sight of him wincing in pain while still trying to play it tough, but she restrained herself.

The resilience of his body had exceeded her expectations, and it was a delightful surprise.

Taking advantage of this brief respite to catch his breath, Chu Yan glanced at the hourglass: Four breaths had already passed!

Lin Miaoran had noticed as well.

In the past ten days, he was the opponent who had lasted the longest against her.

"Don't disappoint me now," Lin Miaoran silently urged, charging at Chu Yan once more.

"Here he comes!" Chu Yan's gaze sharpened as he launched into the Seven Stars Wind Walk again.

Swish!

He swung his long leg in a sweeping arc, but hit nothing but air.

Lin Miaoran, seemingly anticipating this, snapped her elbow forward like a scythe in a swift stab.

And missed again!

A flicker of surprise crossed Lin Miaoran's eyes, yet she quickly zeroed in on Chu Yan's position, her arm extending like a spear, and unleashed a punch.

Swish—Bang!

The air reverberated with a sound reminiscent of cracking leather from her fist.

Lin Miaoran's eyes darted quickly; her third strike had also failed to connect!