A Fighter reaching the fifth level is capable of projecting their Dou Qi outward. Though the control over precision and force is still lacking, this external projection allows the physical body to unleash immense power.

To offer a concrete example: before cultivating Dou Qi, a person might lift a weight of one hundred jin using pure physical strength. After cultivating Dou Qi, that strength doubles. A fifth-level Fighter capable of projecting their Dou Qi externally, if they exert their strength fully, could certainly lift a thousand jin!

What would the impact of a full-force punch delivered with the strength to lift a thousand jin feel like? For the recipient, it would be no different from being struck by a train.

Yet, a full-force punch delivered by the opulent youth was stopped dead by the two fingers of a red-haired youth standing behind him!

If the red-haired youth behind the richly dressed young man had utilized Dou Qi, it might be understandable. But the surrounding air remained utterly unchanged; he had blocked the full might of a fifth-level Fighter using only physical strength!

Shock! Absolute shock permeated the scene.

Though the richly dressed youth was arrogant and overbearing, he was undeniably intelligent. After testing his strength twice in secret, realizing the opponent’s fingers were immovable—as if cast from solid steel—he knew he had met an unyielding adversary. He immediately relaxed his arm, his face shifting instantly from rage to a smile.

“My esteemed sir, that was merely a misunderstanding!” The richly dressed youth’s voice was remarkably docile, a stark contrast to his previous belligerence.

The surrounding soldiers were utterly dumbfounded. Watching the smiling, opulent youth, a single question arose in all their minds: “Is this truly the overweening Young City Lord?”

Chen Feng slowly released his grip, gesturing with one finger toward the small, thin boy lying on the ground. “I paid for his things!”

With that, he tossed a silver coin down, ignored the others, and turned toward the carriage. He took one step before remembering the carriage was also broken, shaking his head with a wry smile as he walked toward the city gates.

The coachman, Andy, and Judy—he would leave them be. They would surely follow on their own. If they couldn't keep up, so be it. He hadn't planned on staying with them for long anyway.

The richly dressed youth watched Chen Feng’s retreating back, his face filled with admiration. “Did you see that? That is a true master…”

“……” The soldiers collectively remained silent.

Chen Feng hadn't rescued the boy out of excessive pity. Primarily, he noticed a wild glint appearing intermittently in the child’s eyes. He was likely a poor boy from some remote area, hoping only to distinguish himself in the New Talent Selection Trials and make a name for himself. Chen Feng held a certain appreciation for such youths, and a small act of assistance was no trouble at all for him.

The prosperity of Kuta Town was unexpectedly comparable to any city Chen Feng had seen in his previous life: throngs of people, a kaleidoscope of faces, and strange, varied professions, with a constant cacophony of noise.

Though he walked slowly, weaving left and right through the crowds, Judy couldn't keep up behind him. After a short while, she had lost sight of him entirely.

Chen Feng didn't mind. This was his first time in a town of this scale, and he was quite curious.

This place had many shops selling magical equipment and artifacts, and the number of mages was noticeably higher than elsewhere. However, they were mostly low-level mages; it was rare to see anyone above the fourth level.

Chen Feng had never genuinely engaged in combat with a mage, yet he was perfectly aware of the terrifying destructive power of magic. Both the final strike from that ninth-level Archmage and Luo Bo’s furious attack had left indelible impressions upon him.

Chen Feng casually strolled into a magical artifact shop by the roadside. Most items sold here were low-grade magical objects and the necessary ores for practicing magic. There were also some low-level magic scrolls, almost exclusively first-level. Second-level scrolls were quite rare.

As Chen Feng entered, a figure resembling a magic apprentice immediately approached him.

“What can I get for you, young master?” the magic apprentice said with a smile.

“Just looking around,” Chen Feng replied casually, walking toward the surrounding counters.

This magical artifact shop resembled stores from his previous life. Counters lined the perimeter, laden with all manner of items: ores, scrolls, monster pelts, neatly divided into several sections, appearing very organized.

Chen Feng glanced around. The ores here all contained faint magical energy fluctuations, but they were far inferior to the Yellow Jade Mana Crystal in his hand. He shook his head and looked at a few other items—mostly pelts from low-level magical beasts. Hardly anything stirred his interest. Just as he was about to leave, the magic apprentice nearby suddenly lowered his voice: “It seems you are a man who knows quality, young master. Are none of the things here worthy of your attention?”

Chen Feng knew the apprentice had more to say. He remained silent, watching the apprentice calmly.

The apprentice chuckled conspiratorially. “Since you are an astute fellow, I won't beat around the bush. I received a new item just yesterday. I took one look at it, and it’s truly excellent. See…”

Chen Feng inwardly smirked. This was a classic merchant tactic: taking items acquired through normal means, shrouding them in mystery to deliberately pique a customer's interest. Once the hook was set, the purchase was inevitable.

“Not interested!” Chen Feng turned to leave.

“Hey, don’t rush off! You haven’t even seen the item, how can you know you’re not interested? It’s a magical implement!” The apprentice called out urgently as Chen Feng turned away.

“A magical implement?” Magical implements were exceedingly rare and seldom put up for sale. Hearing this, Chen Feng couldn't help but feel a flicker of curiosity and stopped.

Seeing the red-haired youth halt, the magic apprentice’s eyes lit up with excitement. He grabbed Chen Feng’s hand. “It’s a genuine magical implement, the one I saw yesterday!”

Chen Feng asked, “Where is it?”

The apprentice glanced left and right. “Follow me!”

He stepped out of the shop entrance and darted into a narrow alleyway.

Chen Feng understood instantly upon seeing the direction he was heading. The apprentice likely judged him by his young age and peculiar clothing, assuming he carried considerable wealth and planning to lure him into an isolated corner for robbery.

“Hmph!” Chen Feng sneered inwardly, a killing intent flashing in his eyes. He usually disdained such people, but since this one had targeted him, he certainly wouldn't show mercy.

This foolish magic apprentice led Chen Feng through four or five streets into a dark alleyway, finally revealing his true colors.

“Kid, hand over everything valuable you have, or I’ll kill you,” the magic apprentice snarled menacingly.

Chen Feng shook his head, amusement overwhelming him. “I have no money!”

“No money?” The apprentice was clearly taken aback by Chen Feng’s utterly uncooperative response. As a robber, dealing with such defiance was difficult. “No money… then I’ll take your life!”

Chen Feng sighed with mock helplessness. “My life isn’t for sale!” As he spoke, he raised his right hand and casually swept it out. A sharp crack sounded, followed by the apprentice’s scream as his left arm snapped at the elbow!

Only then did the magic apprentice realize he had tried to rob a veritable demon. Clutching his broken arm, he flicked his right wrist, instantly releasing more than ten small earth-yellow spheres while his body scrambled backward, trying to escape toward the side of the alley.

Chen Feng’s pupils constricted sharply as he watched the tiny earth spheres fly toward him!

That… those were instant-cast pseudo-first-level magic!

A mere magic apprentice could not unleash so many earth-elemental magic balls in such a short span. The only explanation was that the man held a true magical implement, capable of firing such a barrage in mere moments.

Neither the magical implement nor the pseudo-first-level magic was what truly held Chen Feng’s attention. What shocked him was how intensely familiar this magical attack felt!

It reminded him of one specific person—Gubolev!

During his very first battle after transmigrating, when he unleashed the Wild Bite attack toward Gubolev, Gubolev had used a magical implement called the ‘Jade Bracelet’ to unleash an attack identical to this one!

The Jade Bracelet! Chen Feng clenched his fists tightly. Because of that item, he had suffered humiliation. The revenge for his broken arm, the hatred for his shattered teeth—they burned like raging fire in his chest, ceaselessly stimulating his mind.

Thud, thud… A series of light impacts sounded as all the pseudo-first-level magic struck Chen Feng’s chest.

Seeing this, the magic apprentice ignored the agony of his severed arm and smirked viciously. He knew the power of these pseudo-first-level spells intimately. When he first acquired the protective gear containing this artifact, he had tested it on a several-hundred-jin boulder; it pulverized the rock in a single blast. Now, striking the red-haired youth directly, his chest ought to be blown to pieces!

“You dared break my arm, so I’ll take your life!” the magic apprentice hissed, trying to say more, when a shadow flashed before his eyes, and his throat was suddenly gripped, lifting his feet clear off the ground!

“Where did this come from?” Chen Feng snatched a shimmering, jade-green bracelet from the intact wrist of the apprentice’s right hand, forcibly suppressing the rage churning within him as he growled.

It was the Jade Bracelet! Chen Feng was certain as he gripped the item. Though he had only glimpsed it during the fight with Gu Bo, with his deepened cultivation, he had replayed that battle in detail. He knew the most about the object that had framed him, and by touch alone, he recognized it immediately.

“Wuh… wuh…” The magic apprentice, throat constricted, couldn't speak. Chen Feng shook his right hand; with a bang, he hurled the apprentice against the wall.

Pfft! The apprentice coughed up a mouthful of blood from the violent impact, wheezing harshly, his chest expanding and contracting like a broken bellows.

Chen Feng stepped forward, planting his foot on the apprentice’s head. His voice was chillingly cold, his eyes blazing with fury and killing intent. He raised the Jade Bracelet in his hand.

“Tell me, where did you obtain this thing!”