Chapter 139: Fierce Clash

Chapter 139: Chapter 139: Fierce Clash

Anying’s figure transformed into three trails of black smoke, attacking from different angles.

Lin Ji did not panic.

The Eye of Insight operated at full capacity, clearly revealing the movement trajectories and energy density of the three smoke trails within his field of vision.

One of them was noticeably more solid than the other two.

It was the true body.

Lin Ji chose not to engage head-on.

He pushed off with his feet, swiftly retreating backward while his hands clenched empty air in front of him.

In his left hand, a pale cyan whirlwind instantly condensed.

In his right hand, several ice-blue ice spears materialized out of thin air.

B-grade·Astral Wind!

C-grade·Ice Spear Technique!

These two copied Skills were now being deployed simultaneously.

The Astral Wind howled forth—not to attack, but to sweep up withered leaves and dust from the ground, forming a chaotic barrier.

The three trails of black smoke plunged into the wind barrier, their speed noticeably slowing.

Now!

Lin Ji swung his right hand.

Several ice spears shot out, not aimed at the three smoke trails, but at the ground ahead and to their sides.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

The ice spears pierced the soil, bursting into clouds of icy mist.

The low temperature rapidly condensed the moisture in the air, spreading fine ice crystals.

As the three trails of black smoke passed through the icy mist, a thin layer of frost began to form on their surfaces.

Their movement speed slowed once again.

Anying’s figure coalesced once more not far away.

Frost clung to his cloak, and his breathing seemed slightly labored.

"Wind and Ice Elements?"

Anying’s hoarse voice carried a trace of surprise.

"The Intelligence didn’t mention you having these abilities."

Lin Ji did not respond.

He simply watched Anying quietly, adjusting his breathing.

The series of actions just now, though appearing effortless, actually demanded extremely high precision in energy control.

Maintaining two Skills of different attributes simultaneously while accurately managing their range and timing was no easy feat.

But he had done it.

Beneath the shadows of Anying’s hood, his gaze grew solemn.

This Lin Ji was far more troublesome than the Intelligence suggested.

Not only was he quick to react and his armor tough, but he also possessed such composite Field Control Skills.

Wind barrier combined with icy mist—it did indeed limit his high-speed movement and Smoke Transformation Concealment to some extent.

"Interesting."

Anying chuckled softly.

"But it’s not enough."

His body dispersed once more.

This time, the black smoke did not split apart but condensed into a straight, linear trail, shooting toward Lin Ji’s face at an even greater speed!

At the forefront of the smoke trail, the faint silhouette of a sharp, black claw took shape.

Lin Ji’s pupils contracted.

So fast!

Without time to think, he raised his left arm, crossing the Bone Blade in front of him to block.

At the same time, his right hand condensed another ice spear—not aimed at the smoke trail, but at his own feet!

The ice spear exploded, sending icy mist billowing upward.

Using the recoil, Lin Ji slid backward.

The black smoke trail grazed past his Bone Blade, scattering a shower of sparks.

A dangerously close call.

Failing to land a hit, Anying’s smoke trail curved sharply in mid-air like a venomous snake turning back, attacking once more.

Lin Ji continued retreating, using Astral Wind to stir up debris as interference and Ice Spear Technique to create icy mist zones for delay.

The two moved rapidly across the open ground at the edge of the swamp—one pursuing, the other evading.

Anying’s attacks were fierce and unpredictable, each one aimed directly at vital points.

Yet Lin Ji’s defense was equally tight, always managing to evade by a hair’s breadth or withstand attacks with his Bone Blade and armor.

The battle had reached a stalemate.

Anying, unable to gain the upper hand despite prolonged attacks, grew increasingly frustrated inside.

He was, after all, an A-grade Talent User, skilled in assassination.

In the past, opponents of this level would often be dealt with in just a few exchanges.

But now, he was being dragged along for so long by an unknown young man.

Moreover, the other party clearly wasn’t using his full strength, merely maneuvering with these low-level Skills.

This made him feel humiliated.

Especially since Xuanbing was watching from behind.

Anying’s eyes turned cold.

He decided to feign an opening.

After another Smoke Transformation assault was forced back by Lin Ji’s ice mist,

Anying’s reforming figure seemed to sway slightly.

His movements hesitated for an instant.

Though he quickly recovered, that opening was enough for anyone sharp enough to notice.

Lin Ji’s eyes flickered.

He had taken the bait.

Lin Ji’s feet pushed off the ground violently. Instead of retreating, he charged forward!

Raising the Bone Blade in his right hand high, he swung it down fiercely toward Anying’s seemingly unsteady form!

Beneath his hood, Anying’s lips curled into a cruel smile.

He had taken the bait.

He pretended to dodge but deliberately slowed his movements by half a beat.

At the same time, his left hand hanging at his side

quietly clenched into a fist, a layer of dark energy gathering at his fingertips.

He only needed to wait for Lin Ji’s Bone Blade to fall, at the moment when his old force was spent and new force had yet to arise,

to pierce Lin Ji’s throat with this long-prepared left hand!

The Bone Blade descended with a whistling sound.

Anying calculated the distance and timing.

Now!

His left hand shot out like a venomous snake, stabbing straight toward Lin Ji’s neck!

Its speed was more than a notch faster than before!

However—

Just as Lin Ji’s descending Bone Blade was about to touch Anying, it abruptly changed direction!

Not a slash, but a sideways sweep!

The broad side of the Bone Blade, carrying a brutal force, slammed hard into Anying’s left wrist as it stabbed forward!

Crack!

A clear sound of bone breaking rang out.

Anying grunted, the intense pain from his left hand causing his movements to freeze.

He had been tricked!

Lin Ji had never intended to slash him; that strike was merely a feint.

The real killing move was this heavy, forceful sweep!

Just as Anying’s left hand was injured and his balance disrupted,

the Astral Wind that Lin Ji had been loosely holding in his left hand finally moved.

Not to attack, but to compress.

A highly compressed, pale green whirlwind instantly formed in his palm.

Then he pressed it fiercely toward Anying’s chest!

At such close range, Anying had no time to use Smoke Transformation again.

Thud—!

A dull impact sound.

Anying was sent flying backward by this compressed wind cannon, crashing heavily into a large tree.

The trunk shook violently, leaves scattering everywhere.

Anying slid to the ground, his cloak disheveled, his hood fallen back.

Revealing a pale, somewhat ugly middle-aged man’s face.

A trickle of blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, and his left wrist was bent at an unnatural angle.

Clearly, he was seriously injured.

"Great!"

"Captain Lin is amazing!"

From the Rose Society side, one of the girls shouted first.

Immediately after, several other girls joined in with cheers.

They had been watching with bated breath, and now, seeing Lin Ji actually injure the terrifying Anying, their morale soared.

Ye Xinglan also breathed a sigh of relief, her gaze toward Lin Ji now holding something more.

Qin Yao’s tense body relaxed slightly, but the vigilance in her eyes remained undiminished.

She knew it wasn’t over yet.

Anying struggled to his feet, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.

His face was terrifyingly dark, his eyes filled with resentment and humiliated rage.

He had actually been tricked by a kid!

And in front of everyone, no less!

This was an utter disgrace!

"I’ll kill you!" Anying growled, black smoke swirling around him once more as he prepared to charge forward again, ignoring his injuries.

"Enough."

A cold, female voice rang out.

It was Xuanbing.

She had somehow appeared beside Anying and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"You’re being countered by him."

Xuanbing’s voice was flat, as if stating a simple fact.

"His Wind and Ice Element Skills, though not high in rank, are cleverly coordinated—specifically designed to restrict your speed and Smoke Transformation."

"Moreover, he’s been holding back this whole time."

"Didn’t you notice?"

"From start to finish, he never went all out!"

"He hasn’t used a single one of his real trump cards!"

Xuanbing’s words poured over Anying like a bucket of cold water.

Anying stiffened, then grew even angrier.

"So what?! I—"