Chapter 30: The Scarred Man, A Second-Ring Spirit Transformation Realm Expert

The long sword on Li Ziyuan’s back remained unsheathed. Relying on his agile footwork and his nascent cultivation, he parried and circled among the soldiers. His speed was not extraordinary, yet he always managed to evade attacks at the critical moment, countering with precise, clever strikes.

He threw a punch into a soldier’s chest, causing the man to grunt and stumble backward. He then spun rapidly, kicking another soldier in the abdomen, forcing the man to double over in agony. In just a few swift movements, the soldiers lay scattered on the ground. Li Ziyuan showed no mercy, disabling their limbs with clean, decisive strikes, leaving no room for hesitation.

Ling Feng clapped and cheered, "My brother is so amazing! They dared to bully Mother; beat them to a pulp, beat them until even their own mothers wouldn't recognize them!"

To the common folk of the city, this scene suddenly took on a heroic light. Seeing a boy not yet sixteen possess such strength, courage, and the audacity to stand up against the City Lord’s men, they secretly hoped he might perform a miracle, though they dismissed the thought as quickly as it came. Despite the boy's talent and skill, they did not believe he could truly overcome his adversary.

An elderly woman, leaning on her cane, approached and urged with concern, "Run, child! Once their reinforcements arrive, you won't be able to escape." Many others joined in, begging them to flee.

Though Li Ziyuan possessed a proud spirit, he knew the City Lord they spoke of was no ordinary man. Just as he considered retreating, a group of soldiers surrounded the area, leaving a gap through which a middle-aged man in brown armor stepped out. A prominent scar marred the man’s face. He looked at the fallen soldiers, then at Li Ziyuan, who was staring right back at him. "A bunch of trash," he spat. "Beaten to this state by three brats."

The scarred man brandished his spear, addressing everyone present: "Anyone who lets word of today’s events slip had best beware my spear." The townspeople, terrified, remained silent—a testament to the man’s usual brutality.

*If word spreads that my men were taken down by a mere child, I’ll be a laughingstock,* the scarred man thought. *And this boy in black—to have such talent at his age... he is a threat.*

Li Ziyuan’s expression turned solemn. On the man’s brown armor were two distinct golden patterns—the unmistakable mark of a Spirit-Transformation Realm cultivator.

The scarred man, cautious, probed, "Tell me, little brother, where did you study? Which sect do you hail from?" The onlookers were equally curious; if the boy belonged to a major sect, even the City Lord would not dare offend him.

Li Ziyuan drew his iron sword, *Tiger Roar*, and pointed it at the man. "Guess whether I’ll tell you." He knew that if the man discovered he was from a mediocre sect like the Wind-Spirit Sect, his fear would vanish. His father had taught him never to let others see through his secrets, lest he leave behind an invisible bomb. Gripping his sword, Li Ziyuan narrowed his eyes. "If you’ve got the guts, come and try me."

The scarred man was momentarily stunned. A fifteen-year-old boy, barely out of childhood, dared to speak to a Spirit-Transformation Realm, Second-Ring expert in such a manner. *Could he truly be a disciple of a great sect? He wouldn't have the audacity otherwise. But if I let them go, what becomes of my authority in this city?*

"You arrogant brat, newborn calves aren't afraid of tigers. I’ll teach you a lesson for your grandfather’s sake. Using a weapon on you would only lower my standing." With that, the scarred man sheathed his spear, leaped from his horse, and charged.

Li Ziyuan could not block the assault; the gap between their cultivation realms was too vast. He quickly employed the Cloud-Soaring Steps, narrowly dodging the blow. Seeing a Spirit-Gathering Realm, Second-Ring cultivator evade his punch, the scarred man felt humiliated. He threw another punch, which Li Ziyuan couldn't fully avoid, though he managed to steer clear of a fatal strike.

For a time, Li Ziyuan danced through the onslaught. Occasionally, he narrowly slipped past the man’s fists and kicks, but most landed on him; fortunately, the man was not using his full strength, or Li Ziyuan would not have survived a single blow. Li Ziyuan did not know the true grade of the Cloud-Soaring Steps his father had taught him—had he known it was a Saint-grade technique, he would have been shocked.

The technique lowered his risk, but his luck lay in the scarred man’s arrogance. The man underestimated him, failing to unleash the true power of a Spirit-Transformation expert, much like an adult playing with a child who unexpectedly irritates him.

The crowd whispered, "This boy is unfathomable."
"Perhaps he really is a disciple of a major sect."
"Indeed, indeed."
"The scarred guard hasn't used his full power yet, but he seems agitated."

Li Yue’er watched from the side, her face pale with worry. Seeing this, Ling Feng cried out, "Mother, don't worry about my brother! I'll go help him beat him up!" Before anyone could stop him, Ling Feng charged at the scarred man, completely oblivious to the disparity in their power.

Seeing a red-haired boy rush toward him, the scarred man’s composure shattered. If he couldn't even intimidate a child, where was his authority? "What is wrong with children these days? Are they all unafraid of death?" He delivered a spinning back-kick that sent Ling Feng flying; the boy hit the ground and could not rise.

"Ling Feng!" Li Yue’er rushed to his side.

"It is true—those without humanity have no mercy, not even for a child," Li Ziyuan declared. Seizing the opening, he unleashed a punch. "Flame Dragon Shattering Fist!" A yellow dragon, as thick as a man's thigh, erupted from his right fist. The scarred man, using no technique at all, merely countered with a brute-force earth-colored fist imprint, neutralizing the attack.

"Not bad, brat. But you still haven't realized the gap between us." The man closed the distance in an instant. Before Li Ziyuan could trigger the Cloud-Soaring Steps, the man slammed a fist into him, sending him flying dozens of meters into the stalls, leaving a trail of wreckage.

Li Yue’er raced to Li Ziyuan, who was vomiting blood, his chest bone shattered. Panic consumed her. "Ziyuan, how are you?"

Li Ziyuan felt as though his chest were being torn apart, but he gritted his teeth. "I'm fine... get out of here." Hearing him express concern for her, Li Yue’er felt a warmth in her heart, though the circumstances were anything but romantic.