"The Fang Family’s Qilin’er... Fang Han?"

Walking into the living room, Lin Ao’s gaze swept coolly across the hall.

When he saw Fang Han, a flash of surprise crossed his eyes, followed by a cold, provocative smirk that curled his lips.

At the last exchange conference, he had been constrained by his status as one of the Five Prodigies and hadn’t made a move against Fang Han, the Fang Family’s Qilin’er who was a few years his junior.

But unexpectedly, after all that, the two of them had actually run into each other here.

"Lin Ao?"

Seeing Lin Ao appear, Fang Han couldn’t help but frown slightly.

He had originally thought the "distinguished guest from the Lin Family" that Xia Kang mentioned was just an ordinary Lin Clan Member. He never imagined it would be Lin Ao, who was currently in the limelight in Liangshui City.

’The Lin Family must have the same idea as the Fang Family, planning to give Lin Ao a profitable business as well. This just got tricky.’

Sensing Lin Ao’s undisguised provocation, he didn’t back down. A coldness emanated from him.

The atmosphere in the room instantly dropped to a freezing point.

"Lin Ao? The number one of Liangshui City’s younger generation?"

When the old garden master, Xia Yuan, saw Lin Ao, his expression changed slightly. His heart, which had just started to lean one way, wavered again. A troubled look appeared on his face, unsure of whom to choose.

The Fang Family’s Qilin’er, Fang Han, certainly carried significant weight, but the person before him was no lightweight either.

In terms of reputation, he was even more famous than Fang Han. After all, he was the number one of Liangshui City’s younger generation.

"Lin Ao?"

Recognizing the person accompanying Xia Hao, Xia Kang’s face turned ugly. Worry welled up in his heart, and he couldn’t help but look at Fang Han.

He had originally thought that with Fang Han, the Fang Family’s Qilin’er, as his backing, he would easily secure the inheritance rights.

But now that Lin Ao, the number one of Liangshui City’s younger generation, had appeared, the situation had taken a sharp downturn.

"Fang Han, the inheritance rights to the tea garden will go to Xia Hao. You don’t have a problem with that, do you?"

Lin Ao’s gaze was like a cold blade, stabbing straight at Fang Han. His voice wasn’t loud, but it carried a condescending and aggressive pressure.

Xia Hao stood behind Lin Ao, the smug look on his face deepening. He shot a provocative glance at the pale-faced Xia Kang.

The old garden master, Xia Yuan, mumbled, looking at Lin Ao, then at Fang Han. In the end, it all turned into a helpless sigh. He was completely out of ideas.

"Lin Ao, don’t you think you’re being a bit too domineering?"

Faced with Lin Ao’s aggression, Fang Han’s expression remained calm. But deep in his eyes, a sharp glint flashed like a cold star.

The income from the tea garden was related to his "Talent Amplification." Even if he was facing the acknowledged number one of Liangshui City’s younger generation, there was no way he would back down.

"Domineering? So what if I am?"

Lin Ao sneered and slowly stepped forward. The profound momentum of his Late Stage Bone Refining Limit cultivation began to rise, pressing down on Fang Han like an invisible tide.

"In Liangshui City, strength is the greatest truth. Fang Han, did you really think that just because you surpassed Fang Hong to become number one in the Fang Family’s Inner Hall, you have the guts to oppose me?"

His gaze swept over Fang Han, filled with disdain.

"We’ll have to see about that."

Fang Han said coldly.

As the acknowledged number one of Liangshui City’s younger generation, Lin Ao was indeed very strong.

But he didn’t think he was weak either. His growth during this period had already allowed his strength to surpass Fang Hong’s.

Even against Lin Ao, who would win and who would lose would only be known after a fight.

"Arrogant!"

A cold light erupted in Lin Ao’s eyes. Fang Han’s tit-for-tat response had thoroughly enraged him.

As the number one of Liangshui City’s younger generation, he was actually being looked down upon by a youth younger than himself.

If word of this got out, how could he show his face?

"Since you don’t know your own limits, I’ll wake you up today!"

He let out a low shout and spoke no more.

His right hand shot back, and with a sharp CLANG, his signature Bright Silver Long Spear was in his grasp, like a venomous dragon emerging from its cave.

The spear’s shaft vibrated with a low hum, and a cold, murderous aura instantly filled the entire living room.

WHOOSH—!

He pushed off from his feet, the bluestone floor trembling slightly as his figure shot out like an arrow loosed from a bow.

The long spear in his hand transformed into a silver bolt of lightning that tore through the air, aiming straight for Fang Han’s face.

This was the opening move of his famous Breaking Army Spear Technique—Break Array!

The spear’s momentum was incomparably sharp, carrying the tragic intensity of a blood-soaked battlefield, as if it would pierce through any obstacle in its path.

Everyone in the room felt their breath catch. Xia Kang and Xia Hao’s faces turned pale as they subconsciously retreated.

A look of horror also appeared in Old Garden Master Xia Yuan’s cloudy eyes.

"Don’t know my own limits? You think too highly of yourself!"

Fang Han’s voice was mocking, but his eyes were solemn. He didn’t dare to be the least bit careless.

The powerful Qi and blood of his Late Stage of Bone Refining cultivation surged. The Cyan Blade Sword was instantly unsheathed, letting out a clear draconic cry.

The sword light flashed, no longer as ethereal as a gentle breeze, but now possessing the speed and tearing sensation of the Xunfeng.

He unleashed his Mastery Level Xunfeng Swordsmanship with full force. The tip of his sword vibrated, creating several phantom cyan sword shadows that were hard to distinguish from the real one, and met the deadly, cold star of the spear tip with absolute precision.

DING DING DING DING—!

In an instant, the spear tip and sword shadows collided violently, erupting in a continuous, deafening clang of metal.

Sparks flew like raindrops, illuminating their cold, focused faces.

A surging Qi Force exploded out from the center of the two, blowing the tables and chairs in the hall out of place. Teacups clattered, and the calligraphy and paintings on the walls rustled and shook.

Lin Ao’s Spear Technique was fierce and domineering, yet also swift. Every thrust contained the immense power to shatter mountains and split stone, and it carried a brutal killing intent honed on the battlefield, creating an intense pressure.

Fang Han’s Swordsmanship, however, was like a sudden squall—swift, fierce, and unpredictable. He was always able to use Skill Overcomes Force at the most dangerous moments to neutralize the attack.

However, Lin Ao was at the Late Stage Bone Refining Limit, after all. His strength, speed, and explosive power were all faintly a notch above Fang Han’s.

Furthermore, his Spear Technique had already reached the Realm of Perfection, and his attacks were like a relentless, surging tide.

Fang Han was at a disadvantage due to his Cultivation Realm. Although he pushed his Master Level Xunfeng Swordsmanship to its limits, he was still forced to retreat continuously by the frenzied momentum of the spear, creating shallow pits and spreading cracks in the bluestone slabs beneath his feet.

He was clearly at a disadvantage.

"Hmph, you have some skill. No wonder you dared to oppose me. But that’s all there is to it!"

Sensing Fang Han’s strength, Lin Ao was greatly surprised. This person, who was several years younger than him, actually possessed such power.

At Fang Han’s age, he himself had possessed nowhere near this level of strength.

At this thought, the fierce look in his eyes intensified.

The spear’s momentum changed again, becoming like a raging tempest, threatening to completely submerge Fang Han.

’He’s going to lose?’

Xia Kang’s heart leaped into his throat, his face deathly pale.

Judging by the state of the battle, Fang Han was clearly at a disadvantage.

Even though Fang Han was the Fang Family’s Qilin’er, his chances of winning against Lin Ao, the number one of Liangshui City’s younger generation, were slim, just as expected.

"Overestimating himself!"

Xia Hao, on the other hand, wore a look of wild joy.

’Fang Han is no match for Lin Ao. I’m sure he’ll be defeated soon.’

Just when everyone thought Fang Han was about to be defeated—

A sharp glint flashed in Fang Han’s eyes, and his footwork suddenly changed.

SHH!

His body seemed to lose all weight in an instant, becoming erratic and unpredictable, as if he had merged with a gust of wind.

His Great Success Level Gale Step was unleashed.

Lin Ao’s spear thrust, which had been a guaranteed hit, actually grazed the corner of his clothes and stabbed into empty air.