Lin Ao looked at Xiao Fan rushing toward him and took a deep breath. He had not expected to encounter Xiao Fan this early, nor to clash with him like this.
It was far too soon compared to the original timeline, so early that he had not even had time to cultivate that technique.
In the original novel, as the great villain, Lin Ao possessed supreme techniques. He searched the world for different martial arts, risking his life to strengthen himself, determined to wipe out the protagonist’s group. He eventually cultivated to a realm none of them could reach, the True Martial Realm.
In this world, the cultivation hierarchy was Martial Artist, Acquired Realm, Innate Realm, Grandmaster Realm, Great Grandmaster Realm, 9th stage Great Grandmaster Realm, and finally True Martial Realm.
Back then, that “Lin Ao” believed he was invincible. He suppressed the protagonist’s group completely, yet no matter what he did, he could never kill them.
Every time he was about to succeed, something would suddenly change. Then the protagonist’s group would grow stronger again and return to trouble him.
In the end, Xiao Fan, Lin, Ye, and Chu joined forces, and the great villain “Lin Ao” died.
Lin Ao let out a sigh. It seemed fate had let him believe he was free, only to have him die again just a few days later.
Right now, Lin Ao could only rely on his experience and old instincts to fight Xiao Fan. After all, he had not even cultivated inner force yet.
He struggled to dodge Xiao Fan’s attacks. He could predict where the next strike would land, but without a supporting technique, no matter how clearly he saw or how accurately he predicted, it was useless. His body kept taking Xiao Fan’s heavy punches, each one delivered without restraint.
Xiao Fan roared, “Die! Die, you insect!”
He had already fallen into madness, venting his revenge on Lin Ao. He wanted to slowly torture the man in front of him to death.
Lin Ao protected his vital points, gritting his teeth as he searched for an opportunity. Even if I die, I’ll land one punch on you.
Xiao Fan threw another punch. Because he wanted to prolong the torture, he grew careless. He pulled back some of his strength and speed, and that gave Lin Ao his chance.
Lin Ao growled, “I told you, even if I die, I’ll hit you once!”
He took Xiao Fan’s punch head-on. With his left hand, he tightly grabbed Xiao Fan’s arm, and with his right, he slammed a punch into Xiao Fan’s face with all his strength.
The punch struck Xiao Fan squarely. A large amount of golden energy burst out from Xiao Fan’s body and rushed toward Lin Ao, pouring into him and merging with his body.
Xiao Fan reacted and kicked Lin Ao hard in the stomach, sending him flying to Gu Wanqing’s feet.
Gu Wanqing shouted, “Lin Ao!”
She and Liu Nian, their eyes red, threw themselves over him.
Xiao Fan touched his nose.
There was blood. That damned Lin Ao had actually injured him.
His eyes filled with venom and cruelty. He rushed forward, grabbed Gu Wanqing and Liu Nian from the ground, and flung them aside.
He cursed, “Damn it! Damn it! Damn it! Who are you trying to impress in front of me? You dare call me a clown and injure me? Do you even know who stands before you? I am Xiao Fan, Dragon Gate Leader!”
He kicked Lin Ao on the ground over and over, kicking him with the intent to kill, venting the fury in his heart.
With every kick Xiao Fan delivered, the golden energy around him dissipated faster and rushed toward Lin Ao. It was as if Lin Ao was madly plundering the golden energy that leaked from Xiao Fan’s body.
The more Xiao Fan’s golden energy faded, the crazier his eyes became.
At the same time, red energy also began to seep out from Lin Ao’s body. It attacked the golden layer around Xiao Fan, trying to invade his body.
Xiao Fan laughed wildly, “Gu Wanqing, watch closely. The man you chose is a useless waste! Hahaha!”
He did not realize anything was wrong with his condition.
He continued laughing, “Hahaha! Die! Die!”
Gu Wanqing and Liu Nian struggled to their feet and rushed forward, trying to stop him.
Xiao Fan shouted, “Get out of my way!” He showed no mercy. His eyes were filled only with fanaticism and madness. With one punch, he sent both women flying.
He turned back toward Lin Ao, intending to finish him. “Die!”
Xiao Fan gathered all his strength, preparing to deliver a fatal blow with his kick.
But just as he launched it, a hand stopped his leg in midair.
It was Lin Ao.
With one hand, he had blocked Xiao Fan’s full-force strike.
Xiao Fan screamed in agony as Lin Ao clenched his fingers tightly around his leg.
Lin Ao grabbed Xiao Fan’s leg with one hand and covered his own face with the other, laughing in a way that was both manic and disturbingly twisted. It sent chills down everyone’s spine.
He said in a low voice, “Xiao Fan, Xiao Fan. Are you really that eager to see me dead?”
His grip tightened again, and Xiao Fan’s screams grew even more miserable.
The screams drew everyone’s attention.
Not far away, Elder Hong frowned. Why did the Dragon Gate Leader seem so pathetic? How could the dignified Dragon Gate Leader be restrained like this?
Elder Hong struck Uncle Gu with one palm, sending him flying, then leapt over to rescue Xiao Fan.
He arrived before Lin Ao and brought his palm down toward his head. Lin Ao threw Xiao Fan aside and met the strike with his own palm.
The strength of a Great Grandmaster was indeed not to be underestimated. Their clash stirred violent winds all around them.
Elder Hong frowned in surprise. Something was wrong. He had not sent Lin Ao flying with that palm. Lin Ao had actually withstood it.
Gu Wanqing and Liu Nian looked at Lin Ao’s status panel at the same time. Their eyes widened. The original display had vanished, leaving only one line.
[Madman Mode: One Minute.]
At this moment, Lin Ao seemed to have become that ultimate boss again. His eyes were filled with destruction and fury.
He stared at Xiao Fan and said, “Xiao Fan, sorry to keep you waiting. Even if it’s only 1 minute, it’s enough for me to kill you.”
His eyes were brimming with madness.
With a single punch, he forced back Elder Hong, a Great Grandmaster, and then leapt toward Xiao Fan.