The air turned heavy.
Elder Huang's pressure spread outward like invisible waves, crushing leaves to the ground and forcing the two youths behind him to retreat several steps.
"This is your last chance," Elder Huang said coldly. "Kneel, apologize, and cripple your own arm. I might spare your life."
Zhao Ming's lips curled into a cruel smile.
He had seen this scene many times before.
Those without backing always broke in the end.
Lin Tian looked at Elder Huang.
Then he smiled faintly.
"Is that how justice works in your world?" Lin Tian asked.
Elder Huang snorted. "Justice belongs to the strong."
"Good," Lin Tian replied calmly. "Then we understand each other."
Before anyone could react—
Lin Tian moved.
Crack!
The ground beneath his feet exploded as he launched forward, his body blurring into a streak of motion. The distance of several meters vanished in an instant.
Elder Huang's eyes widened.
"So fast?!"
He raised his arm hurriedly, circulating qi to form a defensive layer.
Boom!
Lin Tian's fist slammed into Elder Huang's forearm.
The impact echoed like thunder.
Elder Huang staggered back three steps, his arm numb from the shock. His expression twisted in disbelief.
"This is impossible," he muttered. "You haven't even entered Qi Condensation!"
Lin Tian didn't answer.
He pressed the attack.
Punch after punch followed—direct, efficient, and merciless. There were no flashy techniques, only pure killing intent refined by instinct.
Elder Huang gritted his teeth and activated a martial skill.
"Iron Bone Guard!"
His qi surged, turning his skin faintly metallic.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Lin Tian's fists struck like a relentless storm. Each blow sent shockwaves through Elder Huang's body, rattling his bones.
The two youths stared in horror.
"He's forcing Elder Huang back…!"
Zhao Ming's face drained of blood.
"How… how is this trash that strong?!"
Elder Huang's breathing grew heavy.
This made no sense.
Lin Tian's movements were too precise. His strength was monstrous. And worst of all—
His eyes.
They were calm.
Not the eyes of a desperate boy gambling his life.
But the eyes of someone testing limits.
"You're hiding something," Elder Huang snarled. "What technique did you steal?!"
Lin Tian ducked under a swing and countered with a knee to the ribs.
Crack!
Elder Huang screamed as he was sent flying, smashing into a tree trunk. Blood sprayed from his mouth.
"I didn't steal anything," Lin Tian said coldly as he walked forward. "You were just too blind to see me."
Elder Huang struggled to stand.
Fear finally crept into his heart.
If this continued, he would lose.
And losing to a village boy…
That was unacceptable.
His eyes flashed with malice.
"So be it," Elder Huang hissed. "If I can't suppress you—"
He reached into his robes.
Lin Tian's pupils shrank.
A talisman.
Before Elder Huang could activate it—
Lin Tian disappeared.
In the next instant, Lin Tian reappeared directly in front of him.
Too close.
Too fast.
Elder Huang barely had time to widen his eyes before—
Crack!
Lin Tian's palm struck his chest.
Not with brute force.
But with compressed power.
Blood Refinement surged.
The shock penetrated straight through Elder Huang's defenses, slamming into his organs.
Elder Huang's body froze.
Then he collapsed.
Silence.
The talisman fell from his limp fingers.
The forest seemed to stop breathing.
Zhao Ming fell to his knees, trembling violently.
The two youths stared as if looking at a monster.
Lin Tian stood over Elder Huang's unconscious body.
He looked down calmly.
"I warned you," he said softly. "Don't cross my line."
He turned his gaze toward Zhao Ming.
Zhao Ming flinched and slammed his forehead to the ground.
"I was wrong! I was wrong! Please spare me!"
Lin Tian stared at him for a moment.
Then—
He kicked.
Crack!
Zhao Ming screamed as his arm twisted unnaturally.
"Consider this interest," Lin Tian said flatly. "If you speak my name again—"
He leaned closer.
"I won't leave you alive."
Zhao Ming nodded frantically, tears streaming down his face.
Lin Tian straightened and exhaled slowly.
His heart pounded, but his mind was clear.
He knew what this meant.
From today onward—
There was no turning back.
The village would not be able to contain him anymore.
And somewhere beyond these mountains…
The real world had already begun to notice.