Though Lin Xiao was deeply embarrassed, his words remained perfectly righteous. "This Eastern Region Grand Competition is filled with talented youths. I believe quite a few of them will be able to use low-grade Black Rank martial skills. This is merely a simple test!"

Tang Yan was also startled inwardly. His speed was fast, and his close combat was strong, but before absolute power, such advantages could not play much of a role.

Even Lin Xiao himself had not realized that, during this exchange with Tang Yan, his state of mind had changed again and again.

At first, he had only wanted to probe Tang Yan's strength.

When Tang Yan asked him to use the strength of Black Rank Fourth Grade, a trace of curiosity and faint contempt had risen in his heart.

When Tang Yan first joined his moves together perfectly, Lin Xiao was shocked by his strength and began to regard him as a true opponent.

When Tang Yan linked martial skills and ordinary moves together without the slightest flaw, Lin Xiao had already acknowledged his strength.

And when Tang Yan's attacks landed precisely on his weaknesses, forcing him to use Fourth Grade strength yet still only fight Tang Yan to a standstill, what filled Lin Xiao's mind was no longer the thought of testing Tang Yan.

It was victory and defeat.

An Earth Rank expert, even if he was only using the strength of Black Rank Fourth Grade, was actually thinking of victory and defeat while exchanging moves with a Black Rank Third Grade martial artist. If word of this spread, it would truly be hard to believe.

"It's about to end. If Father hadn't played unfairly and used a Black Rank martial skill, Tang Yan might really have been able to win," Lin Dongxue thought from the side.

This was not because Lin Dongxue lacked confidence in Tang Yan.

Black Rank Fourth Grade strength, together with a Black Rank martial skill-such a thing would be difficult for even an ordinary Black Rank Fourth Grade martial artist to withstand, let alone Tang Yan, who was only at Black Rank Third Grade.

Sensing the power erupting from Six Shadow Slash, Tang Yan understood that an ordinary attack could not possibly block it.

If he wanted to resist it, he had to use a martial skill.

Should he use Thousand Mountains Fist as his main attack, then wrap his fist in the Heaven and Earth Creation Flame?

Or should he use the immensely powerful Flame Burst Palm?

Tang Yan was confident that either method could suppress Lin Xiao. But even though Lin Xiao was someone he could trust, he did not want to reveal either of those two attacks too early.

Seeing one of Lin Xiao's shadows already close at hand, Tang Yan clenched his teeth and decided to use Thousand Mountains Fist.

Since Lin Xiao had called this martial skill Six Shadow Slash, there should only be six attacks. He would use Thousand Mountains Fist to meet it head-on. Even if Six Shadow Slash had a seventh form, he could still unleash Flame Burst Palm as his seventh punch.

A firm light flashed through Tang Yan's eyes.

Since he had the strength to contend, he would withstand it by force and try!

Bang!

At that instant, the Vortex Dantian spun swiftly. Spiritual Qi burst outward like a surging spring, and a dull sound tore through the air as Tang Yan threw his fist toward Lin Xiao.

After more than a month of training beneath the waterfall, Tang Yan had great confidence in the power of his Thousand Mountains Fist when he went all out.

Even if his opponent possessed Black Rank Fourth Grade strength!

Bang!

One of Lin Xiao's shadows collided with Tang Yan, producing a muffled sound.

The shadow that had charged forward with a straight punch instantly scattered.

"Eh?" Lin Xiao exclaimed in surprise.

In such a short time, the martial skill this little fellow used could actually erupt with such force. Against his Fourth Grade strike, it had not fallen behind in the slightest!

"Again!"

Though he was somewhat surprised, Lin Xiao still believed that Tang Yan would surely lose.

The second shadow raised its fist and rushed toward Tang Yan like a falling star.

Tang Yan did not pause. His body turned once more, and with another bang, the second punch of Thousand Mountains Fist blasted forward without reservation.

Bang!

Another muffled sound rang out, and earth flew through the small courtyard.

Lin Dongxue circulated her True Qi and swept her sleeve, scattering the dirt that flew toward her. She hurriedly looked back at the two in the courtyard, her small mouth slightly parted.

Tang Yan was still full of spirit. His figure had not retreated by even half a step.

This time, they were actually evenly matched again!

"Again!"

Lin Xiao's heart shook. The third shadow carried an even fiercer momentum as it rushed toward Tang Yan with crushing force.

Tang Yan turned against the force once more. The third punch of Thousand Mountains Fist met it head-on, clean and direct.

Bang!

After that sound, Lin Xiao's shadow scattered, while Tang Yan still did not retreat by even half a step.

Lin Xiao found it difficult to describe his feelings at that moment.

The higher the rank of a martial skill, the harder it was to cultivate. From first grasping it to using it as one pleased required bitter effort and repeated tempering.

Yet when Tang Yan displayed it, he had clearly reached the point of using it with complete ease.

Just how many times had this boy practiced to cultivate a Black Rank martial skill to such proficiency?

A monster!

An absolute monster!

Bang!

At the fourth attack, Tang Yan did not retreat half a step.

Bang!

At the fifth attack, they were still evenly matched.

Bang!

After the sixth attack, Tang Yan still showed no sign of defeat.

And Lin Xiao's martial skill had finally finished its course.

Seeing that Lin Xiao did not continue attacking, Tang Yan's heart stirred, and a smile appeared at the corner of his mouth. "City Lord, be careful!"

As he spoke, beneath Lin Xiao and Lin Dongxue's astonished gazes, Tang Yan's body turned slightly, and an extremely fearsome momentum rose from the ground.

Borrowing the force of that turn, Tang Yan threw another punch toward Lin Xiao.

The seventh punch of Thousand Mountains Fist!

Tang Yan's foot landed heavily on the ground. His right fist carried the force of a fierce beast as it blasted toward Lin Xiao.

Lin Xiao narrowed his eyes.

Feeling that sharp and ferocious momentum, he actually sensed danger.

There was no way to avoid it. But if he only used Fourth Grade strength, it was already too late to resist!

Bang!

A terrifying aura suddenly burst from Lin Xiao's body. Tang Yan's punch had only just been thrown when it was forced back by an even stronger power.

Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud!

Only after retreating five steps did Tang Yan steady himself. A thread of blood flowed from the corner of his mouth.

Lin Dongxue stared at the scene before her in shock. Then she sprang up, pointed at Lin Xiao, and cried, "Father, you broke the rules!"

Lin Xiao's face was full of embarrassment.

In that situation just now, he had actually used power beyond Black Rank Fourth Grade.

By the time he remembered that Tang Yan was only at Black Rank Third Grade, his attack had already gone out. Even though he did his utmost to withdraw the force, Tang Yan still suffered a light injury.

"I used my own strength by instinct just now. Tang Yan, are you all right?" Lin Xiao hurriedly took out two Pills and brought them to Tang Yan's mouth.

Tang Yan did not stand on ceremony. He swallowed them at once, and only then did the churning of his Qi and blood settle down.

Though his face was still somewhat pale, there was a trace of excitement in his eyes. "City Lord, I won."

Hearing Tang Yan's words, Lin Xiao's expression grew a little dazed.

A few months ago, this youth had been cursed by all of Yun City as a wastrel.

Yet the strength he displayed today was so astonishing.

"Good! Good! Good!" Lin Xiao praised him three times in a row, then laughed loudly. "With your strength, my Yun City is destined to hold its head high this time!"

"I will do my best," Tang Yan said with a smile.

Lin Dongxue stared at Tang Yan with her beautiful eyes, feeling that this youth was becoming more and more pleasing to look at.

Noticing her gaze, Tang Yan smiled and asked, "Miss Lin, why are you staring at me?"

Lin Dongxue's pretty face reddened slightly, and shyness filled her eyes. Yet those large, apricot-blossom eyes still looked at Tang Yan with a watery brightness as she exclaimed, "You're truly amazing!"

"Miss Lin has outstanding talent and unmatched intelligence. As long as you find a suitable path of cultivation, you will become even more amazing," Tang Yan said seriously.

On Cangyun Mountain, Tang Yan had personally witnessed Lin Dongxue's battle strength rise swiftly. He greatly approved of her comprehension.

"Tang Yan, let's make another bet!" Lin Dongxue suddenly said.

"Oh? What shall we bet on?" Tang Yan asked in puzzlement.

"If you can win first place this time, I'll lose one million taels of silver to you. If you fail to win first place, you take me out to train for half a month. How about it?"

Lin Dongxue had her own little scheme in mind.

Though it was only half a month, under Tang Yan's guidance, her strength would surely rise by another step.