And it was at this moment that Lin Feng made his move. Suddenly, he threw a punch towards his opponent's ribs with the speed of a venomous snake striking, embodying the swiftness of thunder. Lin Dao was shocked to discover that Lin Feng had become a Seventh Layer Martial Apprentice.
"When did this guy break through? Last time I saw him he was just Sixth Layer. How could such trash with a First Grade Star talent progress so quickly?"
His mind had not even caught up to why Lin Feng had advanced so swiftly, when he felt a sharp pain in his ribs and found himself screaming as he flew backward in defeat. His control over the Flame Saber waned due to his Star manipulation faltering, causing it to dissipate.
With a single move, Lin Dao was sent flying.
This scene left everyone with their eyes wide open, frozen like statues.
"My God, Lin Dao was knocked away with one move?"
"Such incredible speed."
"How... How could Lin Feng be so fast?"
"It's unbelievable."
With one punch, Lin Dao was defeated. To Lin Feng, this outcome was not surprising at all. In his eyes, even if Lin Dao could employ Star as Soldiers, he was merely playing pretend, far from reaching any true level of sophistication.
However, the details that eluded others were not lost on the Family Head, who was not made of mud. He immediately noticed that though Lin Feng's punch seemed simple, the timing and angle were exquisitely perfect, like a seasoned, shrewd hunter who subdues his prey in the blink of an eye.
"How can this be possible? Lin Feng is just a teenager of fourteen or fifteen. He hasn't even traveled far; how could he display such composure? Facing Lin Dao, who could wield Star as Soldiers, he remained calm in the face of danger, only striking back when pushed."
The Great Elder's eyes flickered with doubt and surprise. Above all, he thought he had just witnessed Lin Feng actually employing Star Body!
"No, that can't be right. Lin Feng, a trash with a First Grade Star talent, couldn't possibly unleash Star as Soldiers. I must have seen it wrong. A blind cat stumbled upon a dead rat – yes, that must be it. He was just lucky to accidentally strike Lin Dao's vital point!"
Lin Dao was both shocked and enraged, feeling the same baffled and bewildering sense of loss as before.
But this time, he felt truly humiliated, beaten by such a nobody in front of so many onlookers. If he called Lin Feng trash and then was taken down in one move, what did that make him?
"Lin Feng, you just got lucky today. Next time, once I've mastered Star as Soldiers, you won't be so fortunate," Lin Dao roared unwillingly.
With those words, many in the crowd came back to their senses, half-believing and half-doubting. Could it really just be luck? Apart from luck, they couldn't understand how a First Grade Lin Feng managed to defeat Lin Dao.
Lin Feng smiled faintly: "Next time? You're not going to bring all your mighty cousins to back you up, are you?"
"You..." Lin Dao's face reddened with rage. He knew Lin Feng was mocking him.
Lin Feng looked around at everyone and spoke indifferently: "Next time, if you still want to trouble me, that's fine. But it won't be so simple. Not just you, Lin Dao, but all of you present, listen up. Insult me behind my back if you must, but don't let me hear it. Otherwise, there won't be a third time, and I, Lin Feng, will not be so patient to play house with you all here."
Despite Lin Feng's calm tone, many felt an inexplicable shiver run down their spine, especially Lin Dao, who could not understand why, but a chill seemed to rise from the depths of his soul, rendering him speechless against Lin Feng's retort.
"Alright, everyone, back to class!"
The Great Elder finally spoke, glancing at Lin Feng but saying no more. Even if Lin Feng was not merely lucky, even if he had unknown techniques up his sleeve, what did it matter? Can a wild chicken that has flown up to a branch truly become a phoenix?
In the end, it's still just a wild chicken, albeit one that flies higher and jumps farther than the others.
A mere First Grade Star, destined to be nothing more than the lowest-level trash for life – a fate decreed by heaven and an unchangeable truth. This naturally meant that Lin Feng would have no chance of becoming the next Family Head of the Lin Family. And to the Great Elder and his faction, that was enough.
...
At the Shen Family residence in Boyang City, a slender figure stood within the Lake Heart Pavilion by Crescent Lake. She was a girl around seventeen years old, tall and graceful, her blue dress trailing on the floor, glowing with brilliance, her eyes brimming with spirit.
She was Shen Bingyan, the young mistress of the Shen Family.
Just a few days ago, she had learned from her father that she was betrothed to the young master of the Lin Family, a family with overall greater strength than her own Shen Family. As a daughter of a large clan, she knew that a woman's role was often just a tool for the family. Nonetheless, she was content, as the young master of the Lin Family matched her status, and, being a decent man without any detestable habits, handsome and charming, he seemed a suitable match for her.
"Sister, I've just heard some news about my future brother-in-law."
Just then, a girl around fourteen or fifteen ran across the lake. This girl, with a pretty countenance, delicate eyebrows, and fetching beauty, had a faint resemblance to Shen Bingyan. She was Shen Ling'er, Shen Bingyan's younger sister.
Though they shared the same parents, she was quite different from her sister. In Boyang City, Shen Ling'er was known as a little terror; even the scions of the city's wealthy families avoided crossing paths with her.
But at this moment, the little devil approached by skimming over the water, and to the uninformed, it might seem as if they were witnessing some unrivalled martial arts expert. In truth, all of this was possible due to Shen Ling'er's Star, a Fourth Grade Flying Fish Star. On land, it made her as light as a swallow, while on water, it became Wave Traversing Light Steps, enabling her to walk on water, a testament to its formidable power.
Of course, possessing a powerful Star was one part, but to execute it to such a degree required significant personal Talent, showing that Shen Ling'er, despite her mischievous nature, was quite gifted in comprehension, certainly much more so than Lin Dao.
Shen Ling'er hastened into the Lake Heart Pavilion and without saying anything else, handed a letter to her older sister.
Shen Bingyan wanted to give her a few words of chastisement – a daughter should be reserved – but before she could speak, Shen Ling'er interjected: "Sister, you better take a look at what this letter says first."