Lu Bingning's attacks grew crazed once more, fiercer than before. She showed no regard for her own Elemental Power or stamina.
As Lu Bingning charged at him with killing intent, Lin Yun dodged frantically, like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. He narrowly avoided each of her attacks; the slightest misstep could result in a devastating blow.
'She's crazy. This damn woman has really lost it.' As he dodged, Lin Yun cursed inwardly. Though this was his plan, Lu Bingning's strength was truly formidable. A cold sweat beaded on his back; it was all too close for comfort.
"Lin Yun, if you're a man, then stop dodging!" Lu Bingning shouted. "I, Lu Bingning, am a woman of my word. If you can take just one of my attacks, I will never bother you again."
Hearing this, Lin Yun had no intention of taking the hit. He continued to dodge relentlessly while retorting, "Lu Bingning, do you take me for a fool? You want me to stand still so you can murder your dear husband?"
"You... you..." The words "murder your dear husband" had come out of Lin Yun's mouth. Lu Bingning's face turned beet red, and she was too flustered to speak.
On the fighting stage, Lu Bingning had descended into a complete frenzy. She struck out with no regard for the consequences, as if nothing but Lin Yun's death could quell the hatred in her heart.
Watching the perilous scenes unfold on the stage, the crowd below secretly admired Lin Yun. He had some serious nerve to dare and tease Lu Bingning.
In Iron Gate Pass, Lu Bingning was definitely one of the few people of the younger generation you absolutely could not afford to offend. Not only was she powerful, but she was also exceptionally beautiful. Countless young men in Iron Gate Pass secretly admired her; even a Prince from the County City had once personally visited Iron Gate Pass to profess his love.
"That Lin Yun kid really is audacious, daring to tease Lu Bingning."
"No kidding. But it looks like he's all talk. I'm afraid Lin Yun's life in Iron Gate Pass is about to get a lot harder."
A few people were discussing this in low voices when a chilling aura washed over them. Their gazes followed it to a young man who was glaring at them with furious eyes. They fell silent instantly.
His strength at the Fourth Layer of the Opening Realm gave him the right to be arrogant. Furthermore, his father was one of the Eight Great Vice Generals of Iron Gate Pass. It was also public knowledge that this young man was deeply infatuated with Lu Bingning.
Now, a faint killing intent flickered in the young man's eyes as he looked at Lin Yun. It was easy to imagine that Lin Yun's words had ignited a murderous rage deep within his heart.
The duel continued. Lu Bingning's frenzied attacks kept missing by a hair's breadth, but Lin Yun wasn't faring too well either. In her fury, Lu Bingning had managed to land a few glancing blows.
Although Lin Yun dodged her direct attacks, he was still caught in the shockwaves of her Elemental Power. The qi and blood in his body were now in turmoil.
"I'm telling you, Lu Bingning, haven't you had enough? Is your love for me really this deep?" Even at this point, Lin Yun's mouth didn't rest; he continued to tease her relentlessly.
Lu Bingning, on the other hand, had stopped talking. She simply responded to Lin Yun with her fists, her pretty face flushed. She actually looked quite cute.
In the stands, Lu Xiong watched the duel between his daughter and Lin Yun, his face dark. "Hmph. Slick-tongued little brat," he muttered coldly.
Hearing this, Lin Xiaotian could only give a wry smile. There was no refuting it; Lin Yun's words were indeed slippery. But even though he didn't know what his son was planning, Lin Xiaotian had a feeling that Lin Yun wasn't teasing Lu Bingning without a purpose.
Time wore on. On the stage, it was always Lin Yun fleeing and Lu Bingning giving chase, with Lin Yun occasionally throwing out a few more teasing remarks.
An hour passed. Lu Bingning's forehead was beaded with sweat. It was clear she had exhausted herself; less than a tenth of her Elemental Power remained.
It wasn't her fault. Lin Yun's taunts had driven her into such a rage that she had completely forgotten about conserving her Elemental Power.
Her speed gradually slowed until she could barely keep up with Lin Yun. Lin Yun, however, looked as if nothing had happened, completely unfazed.
Unable to catch him, Lu Bingning finally stopped. But at that exact moment, Lin Yun also ceased his retreat and turned to face her.
"What's wrong? Giving up the chase?" Lin Yun asked with a smile.
Seeing the look on his face, Lu Bingning suddenly had a bad feeling.
Sure enough, Lin Yun's demeanor shifted. He was no longer running. Instead, he began walking slowly toward Lu Bingning, step by step. "Since you're not chasing anymore," he said lightly, "I guess it's my turn."
Her heart skipped a beat. Being intelligent, she quickly understood. Lin Yun's taunts had all been to provoke her, to make her recklessly expend all her Elemental Power.
Now, with less than a tenth of her Elemental Power left, she had to face the physically monstrous Lin Yun...
"You despicable villain! This was your plan from the very beginning!" the utterly exhausted Lu Bingning shouted at Lin Yun.
Lin Yun didn't deny it. He admitted that Lu Bingning was very powerful. Against her at full strength, he wouldn't have stood a chance.
Lin Yun walked toward Lu Bingning step by step. Lu Bingning, in turn, slowly steadied her breathing. A sly smile suddenly bloomed on her face as she spoke to him.
"Your plan was a success. My Elemental Power is indeed exhausted. But you seem to have forgotten one thing. You're only at the Eighth Layer of Body Refining. Even if I stood here and let you hit me, you couldn't break my defense."
As she spoke, she flashed a cunning smile, looking like a mischievous pixie who had just pulled off a successful prank. She was quite adorable.
Looking at her adorable expression, Lin Yun sighed helplessly to himself. 'Sigh... Just like the old saying goes, it's impossible to be ruthless with a beautiful woman.'
With that thought, Lin Yun smiled slightly. "The Eighth Layer of Body Refining might not be enough, but what about the Ninth Layer of Body Refining?"
As he spoke, the aura of the Ninth Layer of Body Refining emanated from him. The crowd was stunned. Just yesterday, Lin Yun was at the Eighth Layer of Body Refining, but today he was suddenly at the Ninth Layer.
"...Yun'Er broke through. That little rascal didn't even say a word." Lin Xiaotian chided, but a smile spread across his face.
"Ninth Layer of... Body Refining..." Lu Bingning's smile froze, and her whole demeanor wilted.
Pouting, Lu Bingning said sullenly, "You despicable villain. You win. I surrender."
A beauty is a beauty, after all. Instead of scorning her for surrendering, the crowd looked at her with admiration. Cute, beautiful, and even a little proud—none of it diminished Lu Bingning's status in their hearts.
'He actually won...' The young man at the Fourth Layer of the Opening Realm, who had been watching from below, felt the chill in his eyes intensify. A corner of his mouth twitched. He still couldn't believe that Lin Yun, at the Ninth Layer of Body Refining, had actually managed to defeat Lu Bingning, who was at the Fourth Layer of the Opening Realm.