C9 Hero Saves the Beauty

"I said, today marks the twenty-first day. We had an agreement to repay the money within fifteen days."

Upon hearing that voice, one could immediately picture a sleazy middle-aged man with a pockmarked face, clad only in underpants!

"But I've already repaid both the principal and the interest to you."

A cool, detached voice responded.

Chu Yi furrowed his brow; the voice seemed vaguely familiar, as if it belonged to someone significant in his memory.

While Chu Yi pondered, the sleazy voice piped up once more.

"True, you've paid back the principal and interest, but you've yet to clear the late fees."

"So now, you owe us... 150,000!"

150,000?

That was no trivial sum.

"How utterly despicable!"

The cool voice now carried a tinge of anger.

"Despicable? Haha, we have even more despicable tricks to show you!"

A hero's rescue?

Chu Yi realized he had stumbled upon the classic, yet beloved, scenario of a hero saving a damsel in distress!

In the past, Chu Yi would have likely just walked away in silence.

He had no choice; the old Chu Yi was so feeble that just about anyone could have taken him down.

But things were different now!

Thanks to his extraordinary soul, he had mastered the basics of the Stellar Combat Body.

This supreme art of body refinement might not make him a Bronze warrior right after the initiation, but it had significantly enhanced his physique.

Now, Chu Yi felt a surge of power within him, confident that he could match even the elite special forces of his former world.

Considering they had to skulk around this neighborhood under the cloak of night, they probably weren't all that formidable.

After sizing up the strength of both parties...

Well, isn't it a young man's duty to be fiery and passionate?

"Stop right there!"

His voice was firm and his demeanor, graceful.

It wasn't an exaggeration to say that Chu Yi had a commanding presence.

Feeling the heat rise to his cheeks under the weak lamplight and the concerned gazes, he cleared his throat.

"Cough, cough, you scoundrels! How dare you commit such heinous acts under the cover of darkness!"

Navigating the treacherous waters of the martial world, one must always protect their own life, often by keeping a low profile.

A group of burly thugs exchanged knowing glances. They could tell at a glance that the person before them was intellectually challenged. If such deeds weren't to be done under the cover of darkness, should they be carried out in the open?

"Go, cripple his limbs and toss him out," one commanded.

Murder was a line they dared not cross. But inflicting grave injuries? That was a different story, and it came with far fewer reservations.

The two lead bald brutes nodded in agreement. In the dim light, their gleaming pates made them the most striking figures in the vicinity. When they moved, Chu Yi had a clear view of their every action.

Seeing that they were indeed coming for him, Chu Yi felt not fear but a mix of nervousness and excitement.

The two bald men positioned themselves on either side of Chu Yi, exchanged a glance, and struck simultaneously. As seasoned antagonists, they were well-versed in "The Self-Cultivation of a Villain" and wouldn't let their guard down, even against someone who appeared feeble like Chu Yi.

Chu Yi's heart raced as they attacked without honor. But in the next instant, as he focused on the two baldies, he noticed their movements slowing down dramatically, as if the playback speed had been reduced to a crawl.

Primordial Spirit!

Indeed, this had to be the work of his own Primordial Spirit. Only his immense Primordial Spirit could produce such an extraordinary effect. With the insight of his Primordial Spirit, not only was their speed drastically reduced, but he could also easily spot the flaws in their movements.

It was like having a superpower!

But then Chu Yi encountered a serious problem. Although he could detect the flaws in their attacks, his physical body just couldn't keep up. Despite his best efforts to move, he still took a solid punch.

However, Chu Yi's own punch landed as well. In an instant, one of the figures was sent flying, crashing to the ground several meters away, spitting out blood. Similarly, Chu Yi staggered back a few steps.

"Come on, let's gang up on him!"

The sleazy middle-aged man's eyes flickered with surprise, but it quickly turned into a sinister glare. Without hesitation, the four figures around him joined forces with the remaining bald thug to launch an assault on Chu Yi.

To Chu Yi, their movements were like slow motion, easily discernible. Regrettably, his body couldn't keep pace with his mind's reactions, and in a short span, he had taken several solid hits. Despite the pain, Chu Yi's enhanced physique allowed him to retain his combat strength.

Seizing a moment between their attacks, Chu Yi executed a sweeping leg kick, toppling an oncoming thug to the ground. Without a second thought, he followed up with a solid punch. While their punches only caused Chu Yi some discomfort, his return blows were nearly lethal.

In just a few minutes, several of the attackers lay scattered on the ground. The greasy middle-aged man watched his henchmen fall with ease, a shadow of dismay crossing his face. As his numbers dwindled, he finally bellowed, "Stand down!"

Hearing their boss's command, the remaining thugs stepped aside, leaving Chu Yi in an eerie quietude. Though the fight was painfully intense, the thrill of his first real battle left him with an inexplicable rush of excitement.

However, as Chu Yi was lost in his reverie, a figure loomed before him. His pupils dilated in shock.

A Bronze-level warrior!

That was the immediate thought that flashed through Chu Yi's mind. His second thought was a grim acceptance of his impending doom. And then—

There was no "then." The punch from the greasy Bronze warrior was already hurtling toward Chu Yi's face. Even with his body's conditioning, a direct hit from a Bronze-level warrior, with the force of a thousand pounds, was not something he could withstand.

Chu Yi's heart sank with bitterness, dreading the outcome he feared most. He hadn't managed to save anyone, and now he was about to pay the price himself. Facing the devastating punch, Chu Yi knew that if he didn't fight back, he would be utterly destroyed.

At that pivotal moment, a fierce glint flashed in Chu Yi's eyes as he suddenly unleashed a power from his body like never before.

Before the greasy middle-aged man's punch could land, Chu Yi's hands were already crossed in an X, having anticipated the point of impact.

Despite Chu Yi's accurate prediction, the man's strength was overwhelming.

Bang!

The punch obliterated all defenses!

Chu Yi's arms felt as if they had shattered, and he watched the world around him blur as he was sent flying backward.

He didn't stop until he crash-landed on the ground, more than ten meters away.

Gritting his teeth against the searing pain in his arms, Chu Yi's expression twisted grimly.

He realized that if his body hadn't been fundamentally enhanced the night before, that punch might have been the end of him.

But what could he do now?

Was this what they meant by reaching the pinnacle as soon as you enter the scene?

Chu Yi was filled with resentment, yet as he saw the Bronze greasy warrior charging at him once more, he knew he was out of options.

Bang!

A figure was sent flying.

Chu Yi watched, stunned, as the Bronze greasy warrior, like him earlier, crashed heavily onto the ground several meters away, spitting blood. The sight was devastatingly pitiful.

The man was a bona fide Bronze Warrior; his looks did not diminish his prowess.

But now...

Chu Yi swallowed hard, struggling to address the poised figure before him, "You..."

The figure turned, giving Chu Yi a penetrating gaze, "If you're not strong enough, don't play the hero..."