Chapter 8 Rise Again

"Phantom Leg Technique! Du Jie is actually practicing the high-level Body-forging Fist of our Du Family? And Du Fei, who is rumored to be a waste that can't cultivate, now it seems..." The onlookers slightly furrowed their brows, and someone couldn't help but shout out. One must know that while the younger generation of the Du Family often engaged in internal strife, it rarely resulted in loss of life. Yet today, Du Jie had the demeanor of someone who intended to kill, causing many to show faces filled with indignation and pity. As Du Jie's powerful leg approached, a sneer curled up at the corner of Du Fei's mouth. Without dodging or evading, in the astonished gaze of the crowd, he stomped forcefully with his left foot, while his right foot lifted into the air. Then, unflinchingly, his right foot collided with Du Jie's! "Crack..." The impact of their feet colliding resulted in a sound that resembled stone shattering. At the same time, cracks appeared on the blue bricks beneath their feet, clearly unable to withstand the force exerted and hence broke apart. "Body-forging Fist! Fourth level?" The anticipated scene didn't materialize. Instead, this evenly matched collision left the audience stunned, as many were caught off guard. It was widely known that Du Jie had already reached the fourth level of Body-forging Fist two months ago. If Du Fei could match him, it meant that he too possessed at least the strength of the fourth level. Yet just a minute ago, everyone had deemed Du Fei an absolute waste. This dramatic turn of events left many in awe. "This Du Fei is not simple after all!" "Wasn't it said that this kid was a good-for-nothing who couldn't cultivate? How can he have the strength of the fourth level of Body-forging Fist?" Surprise flashed in Du Jie's eyes. However, being extremely confident, he quickly transformed his shock into a sneer, "Even if you, Du Fei, have the strength of the fourth rank, I can still defeat you until you beg for mercy!" "Come again!" Amidst his cold laughter, Du Jie swiftly withdrew his right leg. His entire body then leaned backward, and the moment his palms touched the ground, he used them to spring forward, launching himself at Du Fei. His legs, swift as phantom shadows, continuously delivered flying kicks. "Du Jie has actually cultivated the Phantom Foot Technique to such a degree? It seems Cousin Du Fei is in for some trouble!" Many of the surrounding people had keen eyes and could tell at a glance that Du Jie had cultivated this set of Body-forging Fist to an extremely profound level. Its power could even be compared to some low-tier martial techniques! Martial techniques! Only when one reached the seventh level of Body-forging Fist and had true breath within them could they begin to cultivate these combat techniques. The difference in power between them and the Body-forging Fist was naturally vast. However, facing Du Jie's foot shadow, Du Fei still didn't dodge. Instead, he stepped forward and, with his right hand, slapped down towards the foot shadow! "Smack! Smack! Smack!" The sound of fists and feet colliding continuously resounded. No one could tell how many times they clashed, but at the end, Du Fei's right hand suddenly grasped, catching Du Jie's swinging right foot. With a twist of his wrist and a spin of his body, Du Jie was thrown into the air by Du Fei, then brutally slammed onto the ground like a dead dog! "Splat..." With his chest hitting the ground, a sweet taste rose in Du Jie's throat and blood spurted out. In his eyes, there were expressions of astonishment, fear, and resentment. "You couldn't even defeat a garbage, Young Master Jie, are you worse than trash?" As the cold mocking voice fell, under the shocked gazes, Du Fei showed no courtesy. Pulling back his right hand, he swung his right foot, ruthlessly kicking Du Jie's face. With this kick, Du Jie rolled on the ground like a dead dog, blood staining the floor. However, just as Du Fei was about to continue, a figure suddenly flashed out from the crowd. With a simple gesture, the person helped Du Jie up while casting an indifferent gaze at Du Fei. "Spare someone when you can, Cousin Du Fei, aren't you going a bit too far?" "Du Qing?" Du Fei looked up, his eyebrows involuntarily furrowing. Seeing Du Qing appear, the expressions of the people around them changed, clearly filled with a hint of fear. "Cousin! Avenge me!" Upon hearing this, Du Jie quickly turned his head, his face lighting up with joy, and said with a resentful tone. "With such little ability, instead of diligently cultivating your martial skills, you come out and make a fool of yourself. As expected, you're even worse than trash!" Du Qing frowned, releasing his grip. He then casually patted Du Jie's chest a few times before saying indifferently. Coughing up a mouthful of clotted blood, but seemingly feeling a bit better, Du Jie spat out, "Cousin, I was careless for a moment. But this kid is indeed extraordinary!" "Enough..." Du Qing waved his hand slightly, cutting off Du Jie's following words. Then, with a smirk, his gaze landed on Du Fei, remarking, "Cousin Du Fei, it seems you've become quite skilled in the few days we haven't seen each other. I was wondering why you've been so confident, but now I see you have such skills... Not bad... not bad at all..." Hearing this, the corners of Du Fei's mouth slightly twitched. At this moment, he understood. He wouldn't believe it if they said that Du Qing wasn't the one instigating Du Jie's harassment of Little Ai behind the scenes. It seemed that dealing with Du Jie was a minor issue, but this Du Qing was indeed the bigger problem! "Thank you for the compliment, Cousin Qing..." Du Fei smiled, "My skills, in front of you, are really nothing special. It's just that some people are too much of a waste, which makes me stand out a bit more." "You..." Hearing Du Fei's words, Du Jie's face darkened drastically, turning purple with rage. But even though he was furious, he didn't dare to confront Du Fei again. After all, their recent fight had made it clear to him, even though both he and Du Fei were at the fourth level of Body-forging, there was a significant gap between them. "Hehe... I didn't expect you to have such a sharp tongue, cousin!" Du Qing gave a slight smile, his gaze sweeping over Du Fei before continuing, "According to the Du Family's rules, when the younger generation spar, others shouldn't interfere... However, there's another rule that one shouldn't cause injury... This time, cousin, your actions were quite excessive. I'm afraid it won't be easy to explain to everyone, right?" Explain? Du Fei sneered internally. If sparring meant no injuries, then what's the point of sparring at all? However, Du Fei was no fool. He clearly understood that with Du Qing's current abilities, he was no match for Du Qing. If they really started fighting, the one at a disadvantage would only be himself! In any case, his goal of making a name for himself today had been achieved. There was no need to get entangled with Du Qing any further. Thinking of this, Du Fei smiled gently and said, "Since you think this way, then I must have misunderstood the rules. How do you plan on punishing me? I'll accept it as it comes." Hearing Du Fei's concession, a fleeting coldness passed through Du Qing's eyes, but he soon chuckled lightly, "Why talk of punishment? I don't have that authority... However, I can decide on behalf of both of my cousins. Why don't you apologize and we consider this matter settled? What do you say?" Du Fei tugged at the corner of his mouth, sneering internally. This Du Qing really was cunning. If he were to apologize now, wouldn't he be labeled as someone who bullied the weak and feared the strong? "I'll accept your decision..." With an expressionless face and tone, Du Fei seemed to ponder for a moment before replying softly. Immediately after, he took two steps forward, slightly bowing with hands clasped towards Du Jie, saying, "Cousin Du Jie, I apologize. It was my oversight. Initially, seeing your fierce and powerful demeanor, I assumed you were incredibly strong. However, I didn't expect cousin to be so fragile... In the future, if I ever confront you again, I'll be more careful to not embarrass you too much, and I'll be gentler. So for now, I hope you can be magnanimous and forgive me." "Du Fei! Are you courting death?" Du Jie's face, which had slightly improved in color, instantly turned extremely dark again, flipping from one shade to another, making for quite a sight. "Cousin, do you want another round? Don't worry, I'll be much gentler this time!" Du Fei said with a smile, feigning ignorance. "Psst..." Observing the gradually rising tension, the surrounding members of the Du Family took a sharp intake of cold breath. It's well known that in the talent-rich Du Family, Du Qing was considered an exceptional individual. Even though he was only seventeen, he had reached the seventh level of Body-forging eight years ago. Once someone cultivates to this level and forms the true breath, they are truly on the path of martial cultivation. While Du Qing wasn't on par with the core members of the Du Family, he wasn't far behind either! And for Du Fei, with the strength of the fourth level of Body-forging, to utter words that seemed like a declaration of war, it was indeed astonishing. "Young master..." Though she was somewhat astonished by Du Fei's strength, Little Ai didn't ask much, wearing only a face full of concern. After all, in her eyes, this Du Qing was quite a troublesome character. "Hehehe..." In contrast to the enraged Du Jie, Du Qing, upon hearing these words, displayed little anger. He merely shook his head and chuckled lightly, then with a hint of regret said, "It's good for the young to be spirited, but it's a shame if they can't recognize their own limits... Originally, I didn't want to get involved in this matter. However, since Cousin Du Fei is so arrogant, let me, your elder cousin, teach you a lesson!" As soon as he finished speaking, Du Qing didn't give Du Fei a chance to respond. With a slight tap of his foot on the ground, he had already closed in on Du Fei, extending his right hand with a palm strike aimed at Du Fei's chest. The force of the palm was fierce and its shadow unpredictable, countless times stronger than what Du Jie had demonstrated earlier. Upon seeing Du Qing's instant move, Du Fei's expression turned cold. He didn't even have a chance to react and, acting on instinct, twisted his waist, unleashing the Soft Fist! "Bang..." As their fists collided, Du Fei immediately felt a relentless surge of internal force violently transmitted from Du Qing's palm, causing sharp pain even in his usually resilient skin. Within his bones, there resounded a sound akin to a moan. "Bastard..." With a muffled grunt, Du Fei quickly pushed off with both feet, his toes scraping the ground as he retreated. As he moved back, his body constantly twisted, leaving deep marks on the ground. Only at the end of this movement did he stabilize. However, although he had barely withstood Du Qing's strike, Du Fei felt pain throughout his body. Had he not used the Soft Fist technique to divert the true breath, he might have been crippled by Du Qing this time! After slightly adjusting his posture, Du Fei then lifted his head to look forward. "Du Qing, today you have intended to cripple me, but I swear, in the future, I will do the same to you!" Du Fei swore in his heart.