C20 Yang Hu's Battle!

"Among these three, one has attained Body Tempering Level Three, while the other two are at Level Two."

Chu Lin gave them a fleeting glance, a touch of resignation in his heart. Their strength didn't even measure up to Yuh Chen's henchmen. Yet, here they were, strutting around Black Wind Gorge as if they owned the place. They were in for a rude awakening.

"If I were in your shoes, I'd be quick to pay respects to Senior Brother Shen," the stocky man barked, nodding toward the lavishly dressed youth beside him with an ingratiating look.

Senior Brother Shen, the subject of his praise, lifted his chin with pride, casting a disdainful look at Chu Lin.

It was probably the servant disciple garb that Chu Lin and Yang Hu wore that fed into his inflated sense of superiority.

Little did they know, the man before them had seen right through their cultivation levels with just a glance. Had they known, their arrogance would surely have faltered.

In the Body Tempering Stage, the pulsations of a Martial Cultivator's Spiritual Energy are subtle. Detecting the exact level of someone close in strength is challenging unless the gap is substantial. Only then might the weaker sense an overwhelming pressure.

Since his last breakthrough, Chu Lin's body had become exceptional in many ways, particularly in psychokinesis and physical prowess—areas where most Martial Cultivators faltered.

Typically, Martial Cultivators absorb Spiritual Energy to enhance their strength, channeling it through martial skills for formidable combat power. They only focus on body refinement in the Body Tempering Stage, where the Spiritual Energy intake is minimal compared to other stages.

Beyond Body Tempering, while refining Spiritual Energy does bolster physical strength, the benefits are marginal. That is unless one forgoes replenishing their Martial Crystal, choosing instead to fortify their body with the energy.

Chu Lin surmised that his extravagant consumption of Spirit Liquid meant his Martial Crystal couldn't fully absorb the immense Spiritual Energy influx, leaving his body to take in the excess.

Of course, Chu Lin was unaware that such a vast amount of Spiritual Energy would likely cause an ordinary Martial Cultivator to burst and perish instantly.

Without exaggeration, Chu Lin felt confident enough in his physical strength to confront Yuh Qing of Body Tempering Level Nine in hand-to-hand combat. However, this confidence was limited to a brawl. If he and Yuh Qing went all out, Yuh Qing wouldn't be easily bested—not to mention the stark disparity between Chu Lin's Level Three and Yuh Qing's Level Nine.

As for psychokinesis, it remained an enigma. Beyond his heightened sensitivity, Chu Lin hadn't noticed any other peculiar benefits.

"Are you deaf?" the burly man snapped, his sleeves flapping as he glared threateningly.

Chu Lin merely smiled and turned away, then casually asked Yang Hu, "Hu, fancy a spar with him?"

Yang Hu's eyes lit up with excitement, recognizing Chu Lin's calm demeanor as a sign of utmost confidence.

The burly man, feeling ignored yet again, shot an angry glance at the purple-clad woman beside him before stepping forward to bellow, "Have servant disciples become so brazen? I'll teach you a lesson!"

Yang Hu's booming shout suddenly cut through the air, drowning out the burly man's words and leaving his opponents momentarily stunned.

The man's face darkened, veins on his forehead throbbing with rage.

He charged at Yang Hu, fists flying, but Yang Hu was quick to retaliate. The two clashed fiercely in a blur of motion.

"Junior Sister Zhu Qi, how long do you think it'll take Wang Loong to end this fight?" Senior Brother Shen asked, watching the fray with a grin.

"Wang Loong's opponent is merely a servant disciple. Though he's new to Level Two, three minutes should suffice," Zhu Qi responded dismissively.

But as the three minutes ticked by, the fight between Yang Hu and Wang Loong only intensified.

Their fists collided, Spiritual Energy clashing with a dull thud. The shockwave forced both combatants to stagger back.

Wang Loong's frustration mounted. The fight was far from the cakewalk Zhu Qi had predicted. Despite sensing Yang Hu's weaker Spiritual Energy, each punch felt like striking iron; Yang Hu remained unscathed, while Wang Loong's fingers tingled with numbness.

Wang Loong couldn't fathom why Yang Hu, a mere servant disciple, possessed such a formidable punch!

What Wang Loong didn't realize was that the water Yang Hu consumed daily had been infused with Spirit Liquid by Chu Lin. Although the concentration of Spirit Liquid in the water was minimal, Yang Hu, exhausted from his daily toils with no time for cultivation, had his muscles absorb all the Spiritual Energy.

"It turns out Outer Court disciples aren't as strong as I thought!" Yang Hu discovered that the Outer Court disciple he had long feared could only manage a draw with him. This realization filled Yang Hu with newfound courage, and as the fight continued, he fought with increasing ferocity, his attacks growing more relentless.

As Yang Hu's spirits soared with each exchange, Wang Loong's sank. The tide of battle swiftly turned in Yang Hu's favor.

"Wang Loong is really losing his edge. To think he's on the verge of defeat by a servant disciple like Yang Hu," Shen Yun muttered, a flicker of displeasure in his eyes. He stealthily drew the curved knife from his belt, intending to step in and assist Wang Loong.

Just then, a light voice reached Shen Yun's ears.

"Shen Yun, Zhu Qi, it's not right for you to interfere with Yang Hu and Wang Loong's duel."

Startled, Shen Yun suddenly recalled a young man who had been spectating from the sidelines all along. He looked up to find Chu Lin across from him, a subtle smile playing on his lips.

With a hint of wariness, Shen Yun slid his drawn knife back into its sheath, clearly intimidated by Chu Lin. He could see the unmistakable mockery in Chu Lin's gaze.

In that instant, Wang Loong screamed in agony. Overwhelmed by Yang Hu's relentless assault, he lost his footing and collapsed. Quick successive blows from Yang Hu left Wang Loong's face rapidly bruising.

Having bested Wang Loong, Yang Hu ceased his attack, sparing him from grave injury.

"Did I actually win?"

Yang Hu gazed at his hands, hardly believing his victory. He had only ever witnessed Chu Lin's prowess, never imagining he himself could defeat an Outer Court disciple.

"Impossible. I've reached Body Tempering Level Two; how could I be defeated by a lowly servant disciple?" Wang Loong's gaze turned vacant, unable to come to terms with his defeat. He feared turning around, dreading the scornful looks from Shen Yun and Zhu Qi, especially Zhu Qi, the girl he had long admired.

With a darkened expression, Wang Loong abruptly looked up at the jubilant Yang Hu, his eyes filled with icy contempt. In a sudden, vicious move, he drew a dagger and lunged at Yang Hu, his voice seething with malice, "Die, you despicable wretch!"