Chapter 18: Powerless Howls

Qi Tianming immediately adopted a formidable stance as soon as the fight began. His left hand formed the Greater Seizing Hand, while his right assumed the Lesser Seizing Grip. Power surged through his fingers as he combined the two techniques, launching an aggressive attack.

Anyone caught by his grasp would have their joints crushed in an instant.

Although Lin Yang was now an innate grandmaster, he sorely lacked real combat experience, and many martial techniques remained unrefined in his practice. When facing postnatal martial artists, he could simply overpower them with brute force and crush them with ease. But against another innate grandmaster, his lack of practical experience was a severe disadvantage. Rank did not equate to true fighting ability—experience, technique, mastery of martial forms, and the subtlety of execution were all crucial to real combat power.

Lin Yang did not rush to end the fight in a single move. Sizing up Qi Tianming’s strength, he felt this opponent was just sufficient to give him a workout and allow him to accumulate some battle experience.

Lin Yang’s double pupils had now awakened their first-stage power, allowing him to see in the dark, to see at great distances, and to slow his perception of movement. The slow-vision ability enabled him to break down and anticipate his opponent’s attacks, responding with precise countermeasures. If he unlocked the second stage, he would gain x-ray vision, photographic memory, and the ability to copy others’ martial arts.

Qi Tianming’s combination of the seizing technique with sharp, swift footwork made his onslaught appear ferocious and overwhelming to the onlookers.

"Young Master Qi is incredible! I doubt that boy can last much longer before being utterly defeated."

"Serves him right—people like him, so greedy and ignorant, deserve a harsh lesson."

Cao Yanling, too, was thoroughly impressed by Qi Tianming’s display, thinking to herself that he was truly worthy of his reputation as the standout of Luocheng’s younger generation.

Qi Tianming pressed his attack relentlessly. Lin Yang appeared to be on the defensive, pushed back and losing ground, but in truth, he was handling the situation with ease. Qi Tianming, though seemingly dominant, had not gained any real advantage.

With each exchange, Qi Tianming’s shock grew—who was this boy, and how could he be so difficult to deal with? After more than thirty moves, he had not managed to land a single blow.

"Why are you getting slower? Go on, faster. Is this all you’ve got?" Lin Yang called out, taunting him.

"You little bastard, you’ve got a death wish!" Qi Tianming’s anger boiled over, his pride wounded. Up until now, he had held back from using truly lethal moves, but Lin Yang’s words infuriated him. He began targeting Lin Yang’s vital points mercilessly.

Lin Yang sensed that the bout had run its course. Qi Tianming’s techniques had grown stale, and there was no need to prolong the fight. He shifted from fists to claws, imitating Qi Tianming’s own seizing technique, and clamped down on his opponent’s wrist.

A sharp crack sounded.

Qi Tianming screamed in agony as pain shot through his shattered wrist joint. He tried to knee Lin Yang, but Lin Yang seized his knee joint and squeezed—another cry echoed. Then, with a single palm strike, Lin Yang sent Qi Tianming flying into the shop counter.

In an instant, the tables were turned, and Qi Tianming was defeated. The entire crowd erupted in astonishment.

"Did Young Master Qi really lose?"

"How is that possible? He must’ve been careless and was caught by some underhanded trick."

Cao Yanling was left dumbfounded. She had assumed Qi Tianming’s victory was a foregone conclusion, but the outcome was completely reversed.

The ignorant watched for spectacle; the knowledgeable looked for skill. Though her abilities were no match for Qi Tianming’s, Cao Yanling had practiced martial arts herself and could see that Lin Yang had beaten Qi Tianming head-on—it was not a matter of carelessness or underestimation.

The attendants of the pharmacy hurriedly helped Qi Tianming out from behind the counter.

"You bastard, you dare to injure me? I don’t care who you are—you’re a dead man. Just you wait!" Qi Tianming growled, his face twisted in wrath.

"Empty threats from a weakling," Lin Yang retorted, tossing the words over his shoulder as he strode out of the pharmacy.

"Aaah! I’ll kill him! I want him dead!" Qi Tianming roared at the ceiling, consumed by rage.

He had always been proud and had hoped to show off in front of Cao Yanling, only to end up publicly humiliated, his plans turned to dust. Qi Tianming now hated Lin Yang with every fiber of his being, wishing he could tear him apart on the spot.

Lin Yang swaggered out of the shop, the crowd parting before him—no one dared block his way.

Cao Yanling, forgetting all about Qi Tianming’s injuries, remembered that the dragon’s saliva herb was essential for her father’s survival. No matter what, she had to get it. Without hesitation, she ran after Lin Yang.

He had just opened his car door, ready to get in.

"Stop right there!" Cao Yanling rushed out and blocked his path.

"Are you thinking of trying to take it by force?" Lin Yang asked.

"I can’t beat you," Cao Yanling admitted honestly, her voice anxious. "Just tell me—what will it take for you to give me the dragon’s saliva? Name your price."

"I already told you, it’s not for sale. It’s not about money."

Cao Yanling was as frantic as an ant on a hot pan, utterly at a loss. She had never felt so helpless before. Her eyes reddened and she began to cry.

"I’m begging you, please sell me the dragon’s saliva. My father’s life depends on that herb. I beg you," she sobbed, pleading with Lin Yang.

Lin Yang frowned slightly, feeling as though her tears had cast him as the villain.

Qi Tianming, slowly being helped out of the pharmacy by the attendants, caught sight of this scene and felt his heart ache. He hated himself for failing to defeat Lin Yang and seize the dragon’s saliva, which would have instantly won Cao Yanling’s heart.

"I swear, one day I’ll twist that bastard’s head off with my own hands, to vent my fury and avenge Miss Cao!" Qi Tianming vowed through gritted teeth.

"I’ll get down on my knees if you want. Please, be merciful and sell it to me—my family will be forever grateful," Cao Yanling said, making as if to kneel.

"Enough, enough," Lin Yang said, catching her arm and preventing her from kneeling.

"You’ll really sell it to me? Thank you, thank you so much," Cao Yanling cried, her tear-streaked face lighting up with hope.

"I told you, the dragon’s saliva is very important to me too. I won’t sell it. But I can save your father—you don’t need to cry anymore," Lin Yang replied helplessly.

"What? What do you mean?" Cao Yanling was baffled.

"Take me to the hospital. I can save your father; he won’t die, and you won’t need the dragon’s saliva," Lin Yang explained.

"You… you can save my father? How?" Cao Yanling was still confused.

"Why all the questions? Get in my car. Take me to your father’s hospital."

Lin Yang got into his car. Cao Yanling hesitated, torn, but then steeled herself and climbed in after him, thinking that since he still had the herb, she would see what happened at the hospital.

Qi Tianming, watching as Cao Yanling got into Lin Yang’s car, was utterly bewildered.

"What’s going on? Why did Miss Cao get into that bastard’s car?" His face was a mask of confusion.

"He must have said something and used the dragon’s saliva as bait to lure her. Miss Cao could be in danger!" one of the attendants speculated.

"Hurry, get my phone out! I need to call my father and alert the Cao family. Miss Cao is mine—there’s no way I’ll let that bastard take advantage of her!" Qi Tianming roared, eyes wide with fury.