Feng Lin felt a surge of adrenaline as the overwhelming pressure weighed down on him. The enemy was at the early stage of the third level of Body Refinement, a level above his own.

  A shiver of concern ran through him, but almost immediately, a subtle smile appeared on his face. That idiot had just revealed his own strength without even realizing it.

  Normally, perceiving an opponent’s cultivation was extremely difficult without a specific artifact. In fact, one could only clearly see someone’s level if they were weaker, even within the same realm. However, this man, out of arrogance, had released his aura and exposed his cultivation for all to see.

  Feng Lin quickly regained his composure. This valuable information allowed him to adjust his strategy. He couldn't defeat this opponent head-on, but there were always other ways to turn the situation around…

  Feng Lin analyzed the situation rapidly. His opponent was stronger than him, and even though he had experience and cunning on his side, a direct confrontation would be suicidal.

  He glanced at Liang, weighing the pros and cons. Even though the latter was only at the first stage of Body Refinement, he was still a cultivator. A cultivator who knew how to fight.

  After all, going into town alone to sell goods was risky. One had to be able to defend themselves against thieves or opportunists.

  Feng Lin made a decision. He stepped slightly closer to Liang and, in a low but firm voice, declared:

  — I need your help.

  Liang flinched slightly, but given the urgency of the situation, he nodded, though his gaze betrayed a hint of hesitation.

  Liang remained frozen for a moment before clenching his fists. His eyes darted between Feng Lin and the enemy, clearly hesitating. He knew he was weaker, but he also understood that he had no other choice.

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  Meanwhile, the man from the Zhao Clan stepped forward, his aura still as oppressive as before.

  — You really think you can fight me? he sneered, sweeping his gaze over the two young men.

  Feng Lin didn’t respond immediately. His mind was working at full speed, analyzing the situation. A frontal battle would be suicide. However, an intelligent fight…

  He turned slightly toward Liang and murmured:

  — We need to create an opening. I’ll force him to defend, and you strike at the right moment.

  Liang swallowed hard but nodded.

  The enemy, irritated by their lack of reaction, suddenly advanced.

  — Too bad for you, you’ll die together!

  Without hesitation, Feng Lin leaped to the side and grabbed a stone from the ground. He hurled it with force toward his opponent’s face. The attack was simple but fast.

  The man from the Zhao Clan raised an eyebrow before swatting the stone away with the back of his hand.

  This was the moment.

  Taking advantage of the distraction, Liang lunged forward, striking with all his might.

  The enemy, though arrogant, was no fool. He had sensed Liang’s movement and, with a smooth step, pivoted to intercept the attack. His arm shot out, stopping Liang’s blow before sending him crashing to the ground with a well-placed strike.

  — Pathetic. Did you really think an insect like you could surprise me? he sneered.

  Liang grimaced, the air knocked out of him by the impact, but he wasn’t out of the fight yet. Feng Lin, on the other hand, hadn’t wasted a second.

  This was exactly what he wanted.

  Seizing the moment when the enemy was focused on Liang, Feng Lin dashed behind him, aiming directly at a vital point with all the strength he could muster.

  The Zhao Clan man reacted instantly. Without even turning around, he swung an elbow backward, sending Feng Lin flying.

  — Tch, you’re really annoying.

  Feng Lin rolled several meters before getting back on his feet, a trickle of blood at the corner of his lips. He wasn’t surprised—an opponent at the early stage of the third level of Body Refinement wasn’t someone he could defeat so easily.

  However, even though the fight seemed unbalanced, Feng Lin hadn’t played all his cards yet.

  — I guess I’ll have to use other methods… he murmured to himself.

  His gaze swept over the environment around them. There might be a way to turn the situation around.

  Zhou Han watched the scene from a distance, his face tense with hesitation. Should he flee or stay?

  His instincts screamed at him to escape while the enemy was distracted, but one major problem prevented him: his spatial ring was still in Feng Lin’s hands.

  Without those resources, he was doomed.

  His fingers trembled slightly as he watched Feng Lin and Liang struggle against the Zhao Clan fighter. Why wasn’t that idiot running away?

  The answer suddenly dawned on him.

  If Feng Lin left now, the enemy would chase him after killing Zhou Han.

  Feng Lin wasn’t staying out of altruism but pragmatism—he knew that as long as Zhou Han was alive, he served as the primary target.

  A shiver ran down Zhou Han’s spine. This man was even colder than he had imagined…