The moment Old Master Xu Yinjie’s voice sounded, everyone who understood the meaning of those four words changed color drastically.

The Lin family was indeed one of the most distinguished great clans in Linlang Prefecture, actually possessing a powerful technique as profound as a Innate Battle Skill. And upon sensing the aura he currently exuded, Xu Xiangqian and the others knew that once this move was unleashed, he would have no equal among those of the same rank.

He Quanming’s expression flickered several times in succession. He shouted loudly, “Yiming, retreat quickly.”

“Yiming, be careful,” He Quanyi also barked sharply right after.

Though they shouted, they dared not interfere in the slightest. This was because they knew deeply the terrifying power of an Innate Battle Skill.

When Yiming was only at the seventh layer of Inner Strength, he could already send He Quanyi flying like a ball; so how immense would the power unleashed by a ninth-layer Inner Strength master utilizing an Innate Battle Skill be?

Although He Quanyi knew that He Yiming held another Innate Battle Skill in his grasp, he absolutely did not want He Yiming to engage in a head-on collision with Lin Taoli at this moment. Absolutely not.

Moreover, deep in their hearts, they harbored another concern: If He Yiming were to suddenly erupt, unleashing that inexplicable full-force strike capable of killing the Golden-Crowned Python, how could Lin Taoli possibly withstand it? If Lin Taoli were killed, the extermination of the He family might well be imminent.

At this moment, He Yiming on the stage narrowed his eyes; his state of mind was in an extremely subtle condition.

The opponent’s Cloud-Rain Seal seemed unchanged, yet an inescapable notion arose within He Yiming’s mind. Furthermore, he realized that even dodging sideways seemed impossible. The opponent’s hand seal appeared to create its own bounded space, subtly sealing off all his escape routes.

Perhaps retreating backward, as advised, was the only viable option.

He faintly seemed to hear his father’s urgent call.

He Yiming did not clearly hear it, for all his focus was fixed upon the opponent’s Cloud-Rain Seal. His eyes seemed to possess the ability to see through every variation.

In this instant, he seemed to have seen through the direction of the Inner Strength flow within the Cloud-Rain Seal; he seemed to have gained some understanding as to why the Cloud-Rain Seal could unleash such unpredictable and ghostly power.

In his sight, there were clear signs of Inner Strength flowing around the outline of the opponent’s body.

When an Innate Battle Skill is pushed to its extreme, it could indeed manifest such formidable might, and this provided him with an opportunity to observe.

Thus, in this moment, his state of mind seemed to sink into this observation, unable to spare any thought for anything else.

Suddenly, a deafening sound crashed through, pulling him slightly out of that peculiar realm.

Vaguely, he seemed to confirm that this must be his father’s voice, but what was his father saying? Why was his voice so urgent and filled with unease?

He gave a slight start, wanting to turn his head to look, but his gaze was locked onto Lin Taoli’s hands, utterly unable to shift.

Subsequently, he heard his uncle’s shout.

“Yiming, be careful.”

Oh, it was telling me to be careful!

He Yiming’s heart filled with warmth and tenderness, and immediately, the suppressed desire to win within him erupted like a mountain torrent.

He Yiming’s gaze was filled with an unyielding, steely resolve. Since his father and uncle cared for him so much, he absolutely could not let them down.

He Yiming, who had initially considered retreating, abruptly changed his mind.

He took a single step forward, facing Lin Taoli’s surging, sea-like formidable momentum, taking a step that seemed almost like a provocation.

Then, he raised both his hands high…

Mountain Cleaver, Thirty-Six Forms, Tenth Stance.

A colossal might erupted from within his body like a volcanic explosion.

His originally somewhat frail body seemed to swell slightly in this moment, filled with power, accompanied by the sound of his bones interlocking like popping beans.

Having cultivated the Bone Refining Art, He Yiming’s control over his own skeletal structure had reached an astonishing level. While practicing the Mountain Cleaver Thirty-Six Forms, he unexpectedly discovered that the enlargement of his physique provided an unusual multiplier effect for this set of techniques.

So, when he resolved to bring glory to his clan, he unhesitatingly employed this technique as well.

In any case, the majesty of the Mountain Cleaver Thirty-Six Forms was so overwhelming that even if others saw it, they would attribute it to a special ability of an Innate Battle Skill and would never suspect anything else.

His palms held high shimmered with a mysterious metallic luster under the sunlight. The vast, boiling momentum was filled with fierce valor, a rugged and untamed aura. A power emanating from him, capable of cleaving mountains and shattering stone, of slaying gods and devouring Buddhas, met Lin Taoli’s Cloud-Rain Seal head-on, not yielding even half a step.

At this juncture, there was not the slightest sound inside or outside the main hall.

It was as if heaven and earth contained only these two figures.

Two vastly different Innate Battle Skills appearing simultaneously in such a minor locale as Taicang County, about to collide in the most intense confrontation before the eyes of all spectators.

Such an event was utterly unimaginable in the past.

As if by mutual agreement, the auras emanating from their bodies slowly climbed, finally reaching their apex.

A fierce roar burst forth—it was unclear whether it came from one or both of them simultaneously. Both figures vanished.

A colossal sound, like the detonation of gunpowder, reverberated, intensely assaulting the ears of the majority of people. The servants gripped their ears in pain, trembling, and a large number collapsed.

The tall stage constructed of wood and stone, struck by an immense force, was torn apart like a piece of thin paper.

Starting from the central point of the two combatants, the entire stage fractured into pieces, yet anyone could see a massive horizontal line running across the stage, from which all the fissures seemed to radiate.

Everyone still capable of standing upright was suddenly seized by the same question: Where were the two of them?

A clear, unrestrained burst of laughter echoed from outside the courtyard wall. A figure lightly vaulted over the wall and strode into the hall in just a few steps. This person was Lin Taoli, but even he appeared utterly disheveled, no less wretched than Xu Xiangqian had been moments before.

Everyone in the hall simultaneously breathed a collective sigh of relief.

Before the final clash, the atmosphere had been so suppressive that everyone was rendered speechless. But now, reflecting on it, they were all drenched in cold sweat.

If something untoward were to happen to such a distinguished guest from the Linlang Lin family in Taicang County, it would surely invite consequences that none of them could bear.

Even the Xu family, seemingly unconnected to the matter, might not escape unscathed.

Several experts glanced at the intact outer wall, wondering inwardly when those two had flown out.

Lin Taoli entered the hall, and Cheng Yanjuan immediately stepped forward, grasping his hand with concern. Lin Taoli smiled faintly, applying a slight pressure with his hand, which finally eased the worry etched on Cheng Yanjuan’s face.

Lifting his head, Lin Taoli called out loudly, “Brother He, that fight was utterly exhilarating; I am overjoyed. What are you doing over there? Aren’t you coming in?”

As his words faded, He Yiming vaulted over the wall from another direction. However, he entered completely bare-chested; his healthy, bronze skin radiated explosive power. Although his stature was somewhat shorter, no one dared to regard him as merely a youth anymore.

Under the gaze of the crowd, He Yiming gave an awkward smile. “Uncle Cheng, please lend me some clothes.”

Cheng Jiahui finally snapped back to reality and quickly arranged for the two of them to change in the back chamber.

When they returned from the back chamber and reassumed their seats, the attitude of the Cheng family members toward He Yiming had completely transformed. Even He Quanming and He Quanyi seemed to have never received such enthusiastic hospitality before.

No one inquired about the outcome of their battle; it was as if the fight had never occurred. But virtually everyone who made eye contact with He Yiming bowed slightly, their eyes openly displaying undisguised reverence.

If He Yiming’s Inner Strength were merely at the eighth layer, these people might have entertained other thoughts. But once they understood that this youth possessed the ninth layer of Inner Strength and mastered an Innate Battle Skill of such immense power, any latent dangerous notions they might have held vanished instantly.

He Yiming and Lin Taoli exchanged glances. Although separated by more than a decade, after this battle, they had unexpectedly forged a profound, indescribable friendship, feeling as if they had met too late.

In truth, during that final strike, He Yiming had subtly held the upper hand, but he restrained himself at the last moment. Although he blasted Lin Taoli away, he did not injure his internal organs, and he accompanied him in flying over the opposite wall, deliberately tearing his own clothes in the process.

Entering bare-chested was undoubtedly uncomfortable, but this manner seemed more fitting for the occasion.

These maneuvers occurred in an instant; even Lin Taoli did not fully grasp them, but he vaguely sensed that He Yiming’s strength seemed to be slightly superior to his own. Of course, he would never point this out. The Linlang Lin family could not afford such humiliation.

In the entire hall, the only person who observed their movements was Old Master Xu Yinjie. Yet, even he could not discern He Yiming’s true depth.

Because even he would never have imagined that He Yiming’s Inner Strength had actually reached the tenth layer.

Just watching the scene now, with everyone in the hall flattering and congratulating Lin Taoli and He Yiming at the center, his heart slowly sank.

New talents continuously emerge in the martial world; had he truly grown old…?

Ps: Still asking for votes ^_^ [bookid=1429437,bookname=《The Strategist Lu Buwei of the Warring States》]