Chapter 266 - 113: Eerie Ancient Tomb

Chapter 266: Chapter 113: Eerie Ancient Tomb

"Besides, I won’t be exploring alone. There are several other experts in the group, and they... probably won’t be willing to bring along a Third Grade who might become dead weight."

His words were blunt, but true.

The two words "dead weight" reached his ears, but Lin Yi didn’t get angry. Instead, he slowly stood up.

He walked to a relatively open space in the center of the study.

He planted his feet shoulder-width apart, facing Zhou Tiankuo, and adopted the most common opening stance for a martial arts spar—shoulders down, elbows dropped. His demeanor was steady, his gaze sharp as a falcon’s, locked on Zhou Tiankuo.

"Uncle Zhou, would you be willing... to trade a few moves?"

Lin Yi’s voice was perfectly calm.

"You want to trade moves with me?"

Zhou Tiankuo was stunned for a moment, then he let out an incredulous laugh.

He acknowledged that Lin Yi was a genius among geniuses, but no matter how talented, he was still just at the Perfection realm of the Third Grade!

He, Zhou Tiankuo, was a genuine Fourth-Grade Martial Artist. He had been cultivating at this level for years and had a profound foundation!

’A Third Grade challenging a Fourth Grade?’

’How could the gap of an entire major realm be overcome so easily?’

Lin Yi didn’t answer. He simply gave a slight nod, the fighting spirit and determination in his eyes saying everything.

"Fine! You’ve got courage!"

A glint flashed in Zhou Tiankuo’s eyes. His interest was piqued, and he felt the urge to test the boy.

He rose abruptly, rounded his desk, and stopped a few steps in front of Lin Yi.

Without another word, the Qi and Blood in his body instantly surged. The aura of a Fourth-Grade Martial Artist erupted, creating an invisible pressure.

He let out a low shout. "Watch yourself!"

Before the words left his mouth, his right fist shot out like a cannonball. Wrapped in a fierce gale, it tore through the air, aimed straight at Lin Yi’s face!

He only used sixty to seventy percent of his strength in this punch, intending it as a test and a show of force, but its speed and power were far beyond what an ordinary Third Grade could block!

But then, something strange happened.

The instant Zhou Tiankuo’s fist was about to touch the tip of Lin Yi’s nose, the target before him abruptly blurred!

Lin Yi’s figure seemed to vanish into thin air, leaving only a faint afterimage behind!

An icy chill shot up the back of Zhou Tiankuo’s neck without warning!

He could even feel the fine hairs on his skin stand on end from the biting wind of a palm strike!

Every muscle in Zhou Tiankuo’s body tensed instantly, his pupils shrinking to pinpricks!

He violently retracted his fist and, in utter shock, forced his body to turn!

He saw that Lin Yi had somehow appeared like a phantom, just half a step behind and to his side!

One hand, shaped into a blade, was hovering steadily just an inch from the vital spot on the back of his neck!

The entire sequence was as fast as lightning, and completely silent!

If it weren’t for the icy palm wind, Zhou Tiankuo wouldn’t have been able to track Lin Yi’s movement at all!

The study fell deathly silent.

Zhou Tiankuo remained frozen in his turned position. A fine sheen of cold sweat beaded on his forehead, and his heart hammered against his ribs. He stared in disbelief at the young man before him, whose expression was as placid as still water.

He opened his mouth to speak, his voice laced with an almost imperceptible dryness and tremor.

"Are... are you sure you’re really at the Perfection realm of the Third Grade?!"

That speed, that Body Technique, that precise grasp of timing—it completely overturned his understanding of a Third-Grade Martial Artist!

’This wasn’t a challenge against a Fourth Grade...’

’This was a complete domination!’

"Absolutely. I am indeed at the Perfection realm of the Third Grade," Lin Yi said, slowly retracting his hand. His breathing was even, as if the astonishing move he’d just performed was nothing more than a casual gesture.

"..." Zhou Tiankuo was silent. The shock in his heart was a raging tsunami that refused to subside.

’What kind of monster is this kid?’

’His speed is simply unnatural!’

He had navigated the worlds of business and the Martial Dao for many years, yet he had never seen such a heaven-defying Third Grade!

’The word "genius" doesn’t even begin to cover it!’

「A few moments later.」

Zhou Tiankuo took a long, deep breath and then exhaled slowly, as if trying to expel all the shock from his system.

The way he looked at Lin Yi had changed completely. It was now filled with an unprecedented gravity and a hint of... awe.

He spoke slowly, his tone firm and decisive.

"Alright! Lin Yi, in three days, you have a spot on the tomb exploration team! I’ll have my butler inform you of the specific time and place."

"Thank you, Uncle Zhou!"

Genuine joy finally lit up Lin Yi’s eyes as he cupped his fist in a formal gesture of thanks.

’This precious opportunity is finally mine!’

...

「For the next two days.」

Lin Yi kept his promise and had a blast with Zhou Meng.

A month of arduous Cultivation at the Provincial City training camp.

Followed by ten full days of life-or-death battles against Demon Beasts deep within the Taihang Mountain Range.

His Spirit had been stretched taut like a bowstring at its limit.

And now, in three days, he would be delving into the third level of that dangerously unpredictable ancient tomb.

These two days served as a much-needed buffer.

He needed to completely relax his tense nerves and get himself into peak condition.

They went to a newly opened movie theater and watched a monster blockbuster with explosive special effects. Zhou Meng shrieked with excitement, and for once, Lin Yi found himself immersed in the film, temporarily forgetting the pressures of his Cultivation.

The next day, they went to the largest amusement park on the outskirts of the city. The weightlessness of the roller coaster, the childish fun of the merry-go-round, and the thrill of the haunted house all allowed Lin Yi to feel a long-forgotten sense of ease and joy—the kind that belonged to an ordinary teenager.

Zhou Meng’s bell-like laughter was strangely infectious, and it seemed to chase away the shadows in his heart.

After two days of fun, Lin Yi felt more refreshed than ever before.

The fatigue and bloodlust accumulated over many days seemed to have been washed clean away.

When night fell again, he sat cross-legged at home. His breathing was long and steady, his mind was clear, and his condition was adjusted to its absolute peak. He quietly waited for the appointed day to arrive.

「Three days later, at dawn.」

The thin mist had not yet fully dissipated, and the first light of dawn was breaking.

Lin Yi arrived promptly before the heavy, ornate gates of the Zhou family’s estate.