Chapter 134: Defeating the Third Heavenly Layer of the Xiantian Realm

Lu Han smiled slightly and said, "I think Young Master Wu has misunderstood. To be honest, I was just weighing my own strength. While I may not be exceptionally powerful, I am certainly far superior to those who are still lingering at the seventh level of the Postnatal Realm at the age of twenty. What do you think, Young Master Wu?"

Lu Han spoke slowly, feigning a look of earnestness.

"Is this kid too bold? Doesn't he know that Wu Yong hates nothing more than people mentioning his cultivation?"

"I've heard of it too. Two years ago in Beast Town, a small mercenary group called the Flame Mercenaries was wiped out by the Bloodthirsty Mercenary Group just because their leader mocked Wu Yong in public."

"I've heard that story as well, and I've also heard that this Wu Yong is particularly jealous of geniuses..."

"Shh, keep your voice down, lest you be heard."

Wu Yong snapped his plum blossom fan shut, his face flushing red. "You ungrateful wretch! Don't think for a moment that having a bit of talent makes you something special. Let me tell you, this is Beast Town, and it is my territory. I despise self-righteous geniuses like you. I specialize in snuffing out geniuses. You lot, cripple him for me, but don't kill him—I want to torture him properly."

"Yes, Young Master," the four men behind Wu Yong replied.

These four were the elite of the Bloodthirsty Mercenary Group. Being absolutely loyal to Wu Qing, the group leader, they were his most trusted men, tasked specifically with ensuring Wu Yong's safety.

Each of these four was considered a powerhouse at the third level of the Xiantian Realm, and it was rumored that they practiced a combined combat technique; when fighting together, they were capable of taking on even a seventh-level Xiantian expert. This was why, despite being only a seventh-level Postnatal practitioner, Wu Yong could act without restraint in Beast Town.

Although Wu Yong was a fool, he was not stupid enough to provoke the experts of the Profound Monarch Realm. Under the protection of these four men, he had committed many heinous acts over the years without facing any consequences.

"He's just a brat at the first level of the Xiantian Realm. It would be too shameful if we all attacked at once," one of them said, stepping forward.

Like the other three, he wore a black robe with a large character for "Blood" embroidered on the chest—the uniform of the Bloodthirsty Mercenary Group.

"Kid, I admire your courage. But it's a pity you had to offend the wrong person. Since you've offended our Young Master, I'll be taking those hands of yours."

The man's aura shifted, revealing the power of the third level of the Xiantian Realm, causing his black robes to flutter without a breeze.

"Don't say I'm bullying you. I'll give you three moves," he said confidently.

Lu Han offered a strange smile. "Are you sure?"

At the same time, Lu Han secretly channeled his "Heavenly Frost Cold Qi," gathering the icy energy into his right palm. Thanks to the mastery of his "Heavenly Garment" technique, although Lu Han was only at the first level of the Xiantian Realm, he was no weaker than someone at the third level.

"Naturally," the man from the Bloodthirsty Mercenary Group said with absolute confidence.

"Then be ready," Lu Han said with a soft shout.

His hand seal shifted rapidly, completing over a dozen gestures in an instant, his palms radiating a piercing chill.

The surrounding crowd scattered, and even Wu Yong and the other three mercenaries stepped back. Wu Yong did not believe for a second that Lu Han could defeat a member of his Bloodthirsty Mercenary Group.

*You asked for this!* Lu Han thought.

"Heavenly Frost—Star-Shattering Palm!" Lu Han shouted silently.

Lu Han lunged forward instantly, the dense, icy energy in his hands seemingly freezing the air around him.

The man's expression changed. He hadn't expected Lu Han to charge so suddenly, and he hurriedly raised a palm to block.

"Boom!"

"Is that all?"

A look of triumph appeared on the man's face. A first-level Xiantian practitioner could not possibly injure him, even with a surprise attack, given the disparity in their cultivation levels.

Suddenly, his expression twisted in horror. A thin layer of frost began to form over his palm, and the temperature in the surrounding air plummeted.

The man practiced a fire-attribute technique. Having spent many years in the Beast Mountains, his combat experience was unquestionable, and a red glow flared around his body.

But it was too late.

"Is that all? Are you sure? The real killing blow was in this palm!" Lu Han said softly.

Lu Han extended his left palm and struck the man's arm.

"Boom!"

"Ah!" the man screamed.

"Snap!" He was instantly sent flying, crashing into a table behind him, which shattered under the impact.

"This..."

The surrounding onlookers were stunned. One of the four strongest third-level Xiantian fighters of the Bloodthirsty Mercenary Group had been defeated by a first-level brat, and it had taken only two strikes.

"Brother Li Wei, you are knowledgeable. With your seventh-level Xiantian cultivation, you must know what just happened. What was that?" someone asked the man standing nearby.

The others looked at him as well, as this Li Wei was quite famous among them.

Seeing the eyes of the crowd upon him, Li Wei said, "The man from the Bloodthirsty Mercenary Group was simply too arrogant and underestimated his opponent. If he hadn't, unless this youth has some greater hidden power, it would be difficult to defeat him with just that technique. Furthermore, this youth is very clever—he utilized his opponent's overconfidence to succeed in a single strike."

"Oh? How so?"

"If I'm not mistaken, the youth used a palm technique, but he used it with both hands simultaneously. The first palm was merely a feint, while the second was the killing blow. Judging by the power, it seems to be no less than a low-grade Profound-tier martial art. Although the first strike caught him off guard, it wasn't enough to defeat him, so while the man thought he had blocked the first hit, the second struck like a storm."

"So that's how it was!" someone nodded.

Li Wei added, "I must say, whether it is his talent in martial arts or his judgment in combat, this youth is a rarity for his age."

Lu Han's hearing had improved significantly; although Li Wei had spoken quietly, Lu Han heard every word clearly, and it was exactly as he had described.

Lu Han had exploited his opponent's arrogance. He hadn't used his full strength for the first palm, but the "Heavenly Frost" energy still put pressure on his opponent, and the rare ice attribute caught him off guard. Just as the opponent thought he had blocked the attack and prepared to counter, Lu Han had his other palm already prepared. This time, Lu Han used his full power, comparable to the third level of the Xiantian Realm. Combined with the "Heavenly Frost—Star-Shattering Palm," which integrated the "Heavenly Frost Cold Qi" and approached the level of a low-grade Profound martial art, the man, caught in a panic, was unable to block and naturally met with defeat.

The other three members of the Bloodthirsty Mercenary Group rushed over to support their comrade and check his injuries.

The man's face was deathly pale, and frost covered his eyebrows and hair; Lu Han's icy energy had already invaded his body.

"Third Brother's arm... it's crippled!" one of them said, his expression darkening after inspecting the arm Lu Han had struck.