153: Chapter 153 Testing

"Instructions are hardly necessary."

"I've merely heard that Student Lin Fan has just broken through to the Grandmaster Realm, and his foundation isn't quite stable yet."

"This is Elder Liu, also a senior veteran of our military district. His external martial arts skills are simply superb."

"I specifically invited him here to offer you some guidance."

"After all, the waters of the Grandmaster Realm run deep. Without a guide, it's easy to go astray or suffer from qi deviation."

As soon as the words were spoken.

Liu Duanshui took a forceful step forward.

Boom!

An oppressive aura instantly erupted, crashing down upon Lin Fan like a collapsing mountain.

The glass cups in the living room shattered instantly.

"I request your instruction."

Liu Duanshui's voice was hoarse, carrying an undeniable air of dominance.

Lin Fan's face paled, his body swaying slightly as if struggling to withstand the pressure.

"Is this appropriate?"

"I've only just broken through; how could I possibly be a match for a senior..."

Lin Fan waved his hands repeatedly, his face full of resistance and fear.

"Just a friendly exchange, we'll stop when necessary."

Major General said with a smile, "Student Lin Fan, no need to be nervous. Elder Liu is very measured in his actions."

"Unless..."

Major General's gaze sharpened.

"You look down on Elder Liu? Or do you think the face of a Major General isn't significant enough?"

This was a blatant ultimatum.

If he refused to fight, it would be disrespectful, and he might even be labeled as 'disrespectful to elders'.

If he fought, with Liu Duanshui's strength, he could severely injure Lin Fan, or even cripple his foundation during the 'exchange'.

No matter the choice, it was a trap.

Lin Fan gritted his teeth, seemingly going through an intense internal struggle before finally sighing in resignation.

"Since the General has said so..."

"Then this junior will make a fool of myself."

He assumed an extremely unorthodox starting stance, circulating his spiritual energy, but it appeared somewhat weak and unfocused.

A classic case of an unstable foundation.

A flicker of disdain passed through Liu Duanshui's eyes.

This is it?

This is the Lin Fan who's been talked up so mysteriously?

It seems the rumors are mostly false. This kid probably got first place relying entirely on those strange and unusual artifacts.

As long as he's not allowed to use artifacts, he's just trash.

"Be careful!"

Liu Duanshui let out a low shout, his figure moving like lightning as he closed the distance in an instant.

A palm shot towards Lin Fan's chest.

This palm strike seemed ordinary, but in reality, it concealed three layers of hidden force. If it landed solidly, it would be enough to shatter Lin Fan's heart meridians.

Lin Fan stumbled back in panic, his foot slipping, narrowly avoiding the palm strike.

Bang!

The palm wind grazed Lin Fan's clothes, and the solid wood cabinet behind him instantly exploded into splinters.

"That was close! Too close!"

Lin Fan patted his chest, a look of lingering fear on his face.

For the next few minutes.

The living room became the stage for a one-sided game of 'cat and mouse'.

Liu Duanshui's attacks were fierce, each move aimed to kill.

Lin Fan, on the other hand, was in a sorry state, barely managing to defend himself, several times being sent flying and knocking over tables and chairs.

But he was like a slippery eel.

Every time he seemed on the verge of being seriously injured, he would always roll away in an extremely clumsy posture, or use the hardest part of his body to take the blow.

Bang!

Another collision.

Liu Duanshui's heavy fist slammed squarely into Lin Fan's shoulder.

Lin Fan let out a muffled grunt, his entire body sent flying back to crash heavily against the wall.

Pfft!

He opened his mouth and spat out a mouthful of blood, his face as pale as paper.

"I give up! I give up!"

"The senior is too powerful! This junior admits defeat!"

Lin Fan slumped to the floor, gasping for breath, looking as if he was on his last legs.

Watching this scene, Major General nodded with satisfaction.

It seemed this kid's strength was only this much.

Although his physical body was a bit stronger than the average Grandmaster, in terms of practical combat experience and skill, he was a complete novice.

Nothing to fear.

Liu Duanshui retracted his fist, a hint of arrogance appearing on his face.

That punch just now, although he had only used seventy percent of his strength, was still enough to put this kid out of commission for several months.

Moreover, he had mixed a trace of a sinister, cold hidden force into the punch's energy, which would slowly corrode the kid's meridians.

Crippled.

This so-called genius was thoroughly crippled.

"I concede."

Liu Duanshui uttered two words indifferently and turned to walk back behind Major General.

However.

He didn't notice.

At the very moment his fist made contact.

Lin Fan's finger had tapped his wrist pulse point with extreme stealth.

That finger tap held no destructive power.

Even the spiritual energy fluctuation was so faint it was almost undetectable.

Only an invisible golden flame, imperceptible to the naked eye, slipped through Liu Duanshui's pores and burrowed deep into the recesses of his meridians.

The S-Rank Talent, the parasitic poison flame of the [Divine Ember Flame].

Colorless, odorless, with an extremely strong incubation period.

Once it erupts, it brings the agony of a burning heart.

"Cough... cough..."

Supported by Qin Feng, Lin Fan struggled to his feet. "Thank you for your guidance, senior."

His voice was weak, but only Qin Feng could feel the terrifyingly strong grip this guy had on his arm.

"Student Lin Fan, rest well and recover from your injuries."

Major General stood up, straightened his military uniform, adopting the posture of a victor.

"For a young person, a little setback is a good thing."

"In the future, keep a lower profile, don't be too ostentatious."

With that, he swaggered out of the villa with Liu Duanshui.

Watching the off-road vehicle disappear from sight.

Lin Fan, who had been pale-faced and on the verge of collapse moments ago, instantly straightened his posture.

He casually wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth—blood he had produced earlier by biting his own tongue.

"Brother Fan, are you alright?"

Qin Feng looked with some concern at Lin Fan's swollen shoulder.

That punch just now was the real deal.

"It's fine, just a flesh wound."

Lin Fan moved his shoulder a bit. Although it hurt, with the monstrous recovery power of the [Indestructible Golden Body], this kind of injury would heal in minutes.

He walked to the window, looking at the receding vehicle, a flicker of golden flame dancing in his eyes.

"Old man, had a good time hitting me, didn't you?"

"Go back and enjoy your remaining time."

"This fire poison will give you quite the trouble."

Seeing the sinister smile on Lin Fan's face, Qin Feng couldn't help but shudder.

He suddenly felt a bit of pity for that Liu Duanshui.

Of all people to provoke, he had to provoke this vindictive Shrewd Merchant.

"Brother Fan, were they here to probe our depths?" Qin Feng asked.

"Mhm."

Lin Fan nodded and turned to sit back on the sofa.

"They wanted to confirm if I'm a threat."

"Now they're reassured."

"A newly advanced Grandmaster with an unstable foundation and mediocre strength is, in their eyes, an ant they can crush anytime."

"That's for the best."

"Only when the hunter believes the prey has no ability to resist will they bare their fangs without restraint."

Lin Fan glanced at the clock on the wall.

Five in the afternoon.

The sun was about to set.

The hour of demons was approaching.

"Pass the order."

"Tonight, full alert."

"The real show is just beginning."

...

In the off-road vehicle.

Major General was in high spirits, humming a tune.

"Elder Liu, how did it feel?"

Liu Duanshui, sitting in the passenger seat with his eyes closed in meditation, gave a faint smile upon hearing the question.

"Strong on the outside, weak within."

"Possesses brute strength but doesn't know how to use it."

"Moreover, after taking that Yin Miasma Palm of mine, his meridians will atrophy by at least thirty percent."

"Forget about progressing further; he'll be lucky to maintain his current realm."

"Hahahaha!"

Major General laughed heartily.

"Good! Excellent!"

"Let's see how arrogant he can be now!"

"Our operation tonight is even more assured."

Liu Duanshui also chuckled.

But for some unknown reason.

He suddenly felt a warmth in his chest.

As if something was burning.

But he paid it no mind.

Thinking it was just his blood and qi surging from the earlier exertion.

Unaware that the seed of destruction had already taken root and begun to sprout deep within his heart.