Chapter 49: Ji Lin's Power and the Clash Unleashed
A layer of diamond-like crystal encased Huo Yuhao's arms, sparkling with dazzling light, his eyes glinting with a sharp, icy coldness. He clenched his five fingers tightly and struck forward with all his might.
Seeing the attack, Ji Lin gathered his own spiritual energy into his fist and struck straight without a hint of hesitation.
Boom!
The corridor trembled with a heavy, muffled roar, and a wave of compressed air surged between them. Huo Yuhao staggered back three steps, fine cracks appearing along the crystal that enveloped his fist.
Ji Lin, however, only took a single step back, though his fist tingled sharply — the diamond crystal was incredibly solid.
Huo Yuhao lifted his gaze toward his opponent in astonishment. Despite using his signature skill, Ice Empress Claw, he was the weaker party in this direct confrontation.
Under the effect of the skill, Huo Yuhao's physical strength had been tremendously enhanced. Coupled with the boost from the 400,000-year-old Ice Trunk Bone, he should have been able to contend with a warrior of the Offensive Spirit tier.
Yet… he couldn't surpass Ji Lin even slightly.
In truth, Huo Yuhao had no idea just how terrifying Ji Lin's physique was. At this moment, Ji Lin's body was no less than that of an Attack Spirit King.
Since being expelled, Ji Lin had nourished himself with the rarest, most energy-rich foods that strengthened blood and bones, hardened the body, and enhanced physical potential. With the resources provided by Mo Wan, the materials obtained from Di Tian, physical training techniques, and cultivation methods documented in the Demon of Time manual, Ji Lin's physical structure had been fully optimized. He possessed a primal body spirit.
Talent, resources, and diligence — when these three combine, they produce someone like Ji Lin.
Huo Yuhao, on the other hand, had started midway with modest talent, trying to make up for it with effort… How could he compare?
If a "mediocre" person could surpass a "genius" through effort alone, then that genius had never truly been a genius from the start.
Seeing his companion retreat, Wang Dong's spiritual energy surged powerfully. She stepped forward with sudden lightness, her unusually long leg snapping out in a whip-like kick aimed at Ji Lin.
But Ji Lin calmly raised his right hand, catching Wang Dong's ankle at just the right moment. His grip was like a steel ring — once held, it wouldn't let go.
Realizing she couldn't pull her leg free, Wang Dong gathered energy into her other leg, bent her knee, and leapt to try and kick Ji Lin's head.
Ji Lin, however, moved forward in a sudden step, slamming his shoulder into her chest with force. At the same moment, her leg slipped free.
Wang Dong's body flew backward, crashing onto the ground hard.
Ji Lin raised an eyebrow with mild surprise, a sly sideways smile playing on his lips.
"Oh? I thought your chest was flat… Didn't expect your pectoral muscles to be so pronounced."
Wang Dong froze, then her face burned like embers, her heart boiling with embarrassment and anger. Internally, she cursed:
(Pervert… scoundrel!)
Seeing his companion humiliated like that ignited a fiery rage in Huo Yuhao. He stepped forward with blinding speed, his body vibrating like a faint shadow from the velocity, surging toward Ji Lin — the Ghost Steps technique of the Tang Sect.
The Sharingan eye opened, and within its field, Huo Yuhao's movements slowed as if time itself had decelerated, allowing Ji Lin to track his motion with deadly precision.
Ji Lin's cold smile, brimming with confidence, cut through the air:
"Trying to show off your skills in front of me? You're still too young for that."
The moment Huo Yuhao approached, a sudden surge of spiritual energy erupted from Ji Lin's body — a force far surpassing Huo Yuhao's own spiritual power.
Tian Meng, the Ice Worm, rang in Huo Yuhao's mind with clear concern:
"Yuhao, be careful! His spiritual power is far beyond yours. No doubt he's using some kind of spiritual sensing skill."
"Understood, Brother Tian Meng!" Huo Yuhao replied, his tone cautious but steady.
Before he could finish, Ji Lin dashed forward with lightning speed and slapped him squarely across the face.
Smack!
The sharp sound echoed through the corridor. Ji Lin's hand struck Huo Yuhao's cheek with astonishing precision, sending his body flying backward like a tossed puppet.
What just happened? I predicted his attack — so how did I fail to dodge? Huo Yuhao thought, astonished as he soared through the air.
If Ji Lin had chosen to explain the slap, he could have simply said:
"I anticipated your anticipation."
With the Sharingan and his sharp perception, it was easy for Ji Lin to predict Huo Yuhao's moves.
Huo Yuhao's body flew through the air beside Wang Dong, whose eyes widened as she clearly saw the imprint of Ji Lin's red hand across his cheek.
For Huo Yuhao, whose pride was everything, that slap was a knockout blow — a humiliation far harsher than any defeat.
Fury ignited in Wang Dong's eyes. She could not bear what had happened; the storm of anger within her was unstoppable. She had to avenge him, no matter the cost.
She unleashed a flurry of kicks with her long legs, snapping through the air like steel whips. Ji Lin repeatedly raised his arms to block, her strikes raining down on him like relentless sheets of rain — yet his feet did not budge an inch.
Meanwhile, Huo Yuhao had regained his balance. A burning sting flared across his cheek, inflaming his heart with rage. His spiritual awareness trembled under the eruption of emotion within him.
Spiritual light gathered deep in his consciousness. Before him appeared Tian Meng, the Ice Worm, and the Ice Empress.
A sharp gleam lit his eyes as he condensed his spiritual energy toward his chest, emitting a brilliant emerald glow that outlined the bones of his torso clearly.
In a cold, determined voice, he whispered:
"Eternal Freeze Domain—"
But just as he was about to unleash it, a chill breeze swept through his mind, slowing his movements slightly.
Tian Meng's voice echoed sternly in his awareness:
"Yuhao, think carefully. If you use the Eternal Freeze Domain now, you'll put yourself in danger in the upcoming Human Tournament!"
Huo Yuhao's gaze froze, then he slowly calmed his breathing.
Yes… she was right. Using this ability now would only bring trouble.
"So… can I use the Spiritual Shock instead?" he asked quickly.
"No, you cannot," Tian Meng replied firmly.
"The spiritual power of that boy far exceeds yours. If you act recklessly, you risk severe spiritual backlash."
Huo Yuhao bit his lip in frustration, stifling his anger.
"The Eternal Freeze Domain can't be used… nor the Spiritual Shock… then what can I do?"
"Be patient!"
While he deliberated with Tian Meng, Ji Lin had already launched his counterattack.
He blocked Wang Dong's relentless kicks, then suddenly raised his elbow and struck her leg directly.
Wang Dong cried out in shock and fell to the ground from the impact. Pain etched across her beautiful face as she clutched her trembling leg — the blow had been powerful enough to leave her barely able to move.