Chapter Fourteen: The Clash

“Want to leave? Too late. After taking so many spirit herbs, do you think it’ll be that easy to walk away?” With a shout, Uli suddenly appeared in the cave. His clothes were in tatters, and a wound on his head was bleeding profusely.

Uli was nothing like his former self, but his face was twisted with savagery. There was no way he would let Yang Xiao and He Ming walk away with such riches.

“Senior Brother Uli, you’re quick indeed. To think you made it through all the cave’s barriers—I must say I’m impressed.” Yang Xiao couldn’t help but find Uli’s predicament amusing, though he also felt a measure of respect. Uli hadn’t known the locations of the cave’s traps, yet still broke through. Clearly, aside from his boldness, he possessed real skill.

“Enough with the nonsense. I don’t care how you figured out the defenses of this place, but you think you can just run off after reaping the rewards? Not a chance. Are you going to hand them over yourselves, or do I need to take action?” Uli’s eyes glinted with malice and greed; he clearly had no intention of letting the two leave alive.

“Please, Senior Brother Uli, no need for anger. At worst, Yang and I can give you a share of the herbs. We’re fellow disciples, after all. We should stand together, not let those from Baizhu Sect profit instead.” He Ming, cowed by Uli’s imposing presence, pleaded in a low voice. He hoped that for the sake of brotherhood, Uli would show some mercy and not turn this into an internal bloodbath.

“Fine. Hand over your storage pouches, and I’ll let you both leave. I don’t wish to harm my own, after all. You two are just low-level disciples with poor talent—these herbs would be wasted on you. Better to honor me with them, so I can break through and raise our sect’s power.” Uli seemed to relent a little as he addressed He Ming.

“Oh, Senior Brother Uli, you certainly have the nerve. Give you all our storage pouches? He Ming and I spent all day gathering these herbs; we didn’t do it for nothing. If you want a share, you’ll have to pay in spirit stones.” Yang Xiao was unmoved by Uli’s threats.

“Outrageous! Yang Xiao, you must have a death wish!” Uli could restrain himself no longer. Earlier, he’d intended to wait until Yang Xiao handed over the pouch before making his move. Now, with Yang Xiao refusing outright, murderous intent flashed in his eyes.

“Junior Brother Yang, why go out of your way to offend Senior Brother Uli? It seems he’s truly angry this time.” He Ming shook his head helplessly, unable to understand Yang Xiao’s obstinance.

“Don’t be so naive, Brother He. Can’t you see what’s happening? Even if we hand over the herbs, do you think Uli will let us go? We’re far from the sect, and he’s almost certain to kill us to silence us.” Yang Xiao saw the truth clearly. Given Uli’s character, murder was all but assured.

He Ming was still bewildered when Uli sneered coldly, “You’re not stupid, Yang Xiao, but you’ve crossed me one time too many. With no one from the sect nearby, this is the perfect time to act. Of course I won’t let you leave alive. Otherwise, how could I command respect in the future?”

“Then enough talk. Let me see what Senior Brother Uli is truly capable of!” Yang Xiao struck first, unleashing a punch with thunderous force—one of the sect’s two supreme techniques: the Thundercrack Fist. Lightning crackled and danced around his fist, amplifying its power severalfold.

“What a fierce punch!” Uli exclaimed in surprise, but managed to dodge with a swift sidestep.

After repositioning himself, Uli seemed to realize something. “So your cultivation has reached the fourth level, Yang Xiao. No wonder you dare defy me now. But your realm is still beneath mine. Do you really think you can beat me? Pure fantasy.”

He spoke disdainfully, but inside, Uli was shaken by Yang Xiao’s attack. Not only had Yang Xiao struck without hesitation, his speed was likely even greater than Uli’s own. Such a blow could have seriously threatened him. Still, he resolved to be cautious in the coming exchange, keeping a safe distance and giving Yang Xiao no opportunity. Victory was all but certain, for Uli had absolute confidence in his trump card.

Yang Xiao had hoped his sudden attack might catch Uli off guard, but the veteran fighter dodged with ease. Disappointed but undeterred, Yang Xiao realized he would have to be even more cautious—given the gap in cultivation, defeat was a real possibility.

“Your Thundercrack Fist was nothing but a pale imitation, Yang Xiao. My Gale Palm, however, is at mastery. Let me show you its real power.” With that, Uli attacked, hurling a palm strike at Yang Xiao. Air rushed toward his hand, swirling into a vortex before roaring forth.

This time, the force was even greater than before. Clearly, in the past two months, Uli’s technique had advanced by leaps and bounds.

With a grave expression, Yang Xiao dodged and then struck back with another Thundercrack Fist. His body, having undergone the Ninefold Golden Body refinement, was now astonishingly resilient. His punch collided with the outer currents of the Gale Palm, successfully neutralizing its momentum.

“In just two months, you’ve improved this much? You can withstand my Gale Palm with your bare body? Impossible! Even those with higher cultivation than mine dare not meet this move head-on—how did you do it?” Uli was bewildered by Yang Xiao’s newfound strength.

“Want to know? Simple—ask the King of Hell yourself.” Yang Xiao had no interest in Uli’s confusion. Showing no mercy, he flashed behind Uli with blinding speed and unleashed another punch, this time channeling the full power of his lightning mark. A massive arc of electricity gathered around his fist—this blow was meant to end Uli’s life.