Chapter 28: 1-Minute Duel

Although Zhao Liang and the others were worried, Lin Zhen had made up his mind, and they could not say much. They pulled out their cell phones and began to stream live.

Ye Tiancheng even gave Lin Zhen a thumbs-up, "Lin Zhen, you've got guts. As long as you don't lose too disgracefully in this duel, from now on, you'll be my brother. Breaking an arm is nothing—medical technology can fix that these days, and as for twenty million, it's not a big deal. I'll help you make up for it."

Shi Lei nodded, "I feel the same."

Gao Yan also said, "You really suit my tastes. A martial artist should have this kind of spirit."

Lin Zhen smiled at his teammates, clearly getting their approval.

Perhaps in their eyes, he had no chance of winning, but Lin Zhen knew in his heart that if it were a long fight, he would undoubtedly lose. However, with only one minute, he might have a chance.

In fact, in his previous life, Zhang Huai was Lin Zhen's enemy. He had simulated countless fights with Zhang Huai in his mind and knew very well the current strength of Zhang Huai. He already had a plan.

Taking off his coat and tossing it aside, Lin Zhen was dressed in a tight black vest that showed off his steel-like muscles, grasping the Black Dragon Spear, ready to fight.

Zhang Huai went so far as to take off his shirt completely, revealing a dark mat of chest hair that, combined with his rough face, looked quite intimidating.

The live stream had already begun, and several posts appeared simultaneously.

"Gale vs. Dragon Slayer, Lin Zhen vs. Zhang Huai!"

"Demon Hunter Squad's Seventh-level Warrior Lin Zhen arrogantly challenges War General Zhang Huai. One minute duel to the death—no complaints!"

"Courage, confidence! A leading figure of the young generation in Ice City is about to emerge! One minute of duel!"

Those recording quickly explained the rules of the one-minute duel, eliminating any possibility of denial by either party.

The videos went online and in just a few moments attracted countless martial artists' attention. The comments section was flooded with all sorts of remarks.

However, the majority still thought that Lin Zhen was overconfident. A Seventh-level Warrior challenging a First-level War General had precedence, but the outcomes were all quite similar—defeat for the Seventh-level Warriors.

Even if some won by fluke, they were all renowned geniuses in history.

Although Lin Zhen had taken a custom Genetic Potion with amazing effects, he hadn't yet proven his strength, and was not favored by the public.

After all, having a high physical condition was completely different from actual combat.

Lin Zhen didn't have time to check the internet—his entire focus was on Zhang Huai opposite him.

"Zhang Huai's strongest attack method is his saber skill. I know he practices Blood War Knife Skill, a not-so-perfect skill created long ago at the War God level by a strong one in Dragon Slayer. It is fierce and powerful, though not perfect."

"Zhang Huai is now at the early stages of War General Stage and is quite fierce. Knowing he and I have only one minute to duel, he will definitely not drag the time, aiming to beat me in the shortest time. I am certain he will use the Blood War Knife Skill right from the start, and I need to utilize the advantage of long weapons, stay fully defensive at the beginning, and just surviving half a minute counts as success. Extending it longer isn't realistic since a War General can use Dark Force, with a strength of over a thousand kilograms, which is hard to resist."

Once they had made up their minds, the battle between the two began.

Just as Lin Zhen expected, Zhang Huai sneeringly glanced at Lin Zhen and then fiercely charged.

"You little brat, let me show you the gap between a Warrior and a War General. Don't be so arrogant in your next life!"

His machete, also a product of the technology department and on the same level as Lin Zhen's Black Dragon Spear in terms of value, swung down with the force to split mountains, and the blade shot through the air with a piercing screech.

Lin Zhen shook his Black Dragon Spear and, using the technique of deflecting attacks while attacking, met Zhang Huai head-on.

A sharp sound of metal clashing rang out. Lin Zhen stepped back two steps, his palms slightly numb.

A Peak Level 9 Warrior could exert nearly a thousand kilograms of strength, while anything above that was considered War General level.

Zhang Huai, a First-level War General, although not long into the War General period, had strength exceeding a thousand kilograms because War General Martial Artists are aided by Internal Power.

Lin Zhen, with eight hundred kilograms of strength, could only barely block his opponent, taking advantage of his longer weapon.

Zhang Huai, successful with his strike, laughed aloud, swept up a gleaming cold light with his long saber, and launched a furious assault on Lin Zhen.

"Lin Zhen is in danger!" Shi Lei and the others were getting nervous.

Lin Zhen's initial move was just a probe, and having felt the strength of Zhang Huai, he gained confidence. Although Zhang Huai was strong, he was not invincible.

Taking a deep breath and channeling all his strength into his arms, Lin Zhen brandished his spear like a windmill är. With his waist sunk and stance firm, he didn't retreat half a step again!

"Clang, clang, clang, clang, clang, clang!"

Sparks were flying everywhere, and the scene resembled a blacksmith forging iron. Zhang Huai's blade was fierce but lacked agility, and for a moment, he couldn't break through Lin Zhen's defense.

"Kid! You're just drinking poison to quench your thirst, relying solely on your breath to resist. Once it leaks out, I want to see how you withstand me then, ahahaha!"

Zhang Huai hardened his resolve, his blade attacking more fiercely with each strike. Although this greatly exhausted him, he believed he could last longer than Lin Zhen.

It was only a minute-long battle, and he did not want to drag it on. That would be an insult to his reputation as a War General.

Suddenly, the air around them was filled with power, Lin Zhen's spear stirred the dust, and Zhang Huai's long sword whistled through the air. Both men were going all out. It was a matter of who would falter first.

This intense combat quickly stirred a big wave online.

"Lin Zhen can actually resist a War General."

"It's just temporary. Didn't you see he's not even breathing heavily? Once his momentum is gone, he probably won't last."

"Yes, yes, after all, he's just a Warrior. It's too much of a strain to challenge a War General. But I think Zhang Huai, with his fierce attacks, is exhausting more energy. He probably won't last long either."

"I bet Zhang Huai will kill Lin Zhen within a minute. If he doesn't, I'll live stream myself eating crap!"

"I'm waiting for the above to eat crap."

Twenty-some seconds quickly passed, and Lin Zhen was about to run out of breath.

"Hold on for five more seconds!"

Lin Zhen's face turned red, but he persisted another five seconds on sheer willpower.

Finally, he took a deep breath, and his spear movements slowed down.

"Haha! Kid, you're done. Die!"

Zhang Huai laughed loudly. The half minute of relentless attacks had left him quite worn out. Lin Zhen's defense had the advantage, especially with his longer weapon. But Zhang Huai believed he could hold on a bit longer, and the chance to kill Lin Zhen was right in front of him.

His long sword brought forth a saber light as swift as a shooting star and slashed diagonally.

"Lin Zhen, be careful!" Zhao Liang and the others yelled urgently. From their angle, Lin Zhen was likely unable to block this strike.

Lin Zhen indeed couldn't block anymore, but he still had an ace up his sleeve.

And that was his exceptional nerve response!

Lin Zhen, being a Spiritual Mind Master, already had formidable nerve reactions. After taking the Genetic Potion, his Spiritual Power rose to the Silver Middle Stage. Though he'd just reached the middle stage, his nerve reactions had actually surpassed that of an average junior War General.

At least, better than Zhang Huai's.

So when the blade came slashing, Lin Zhen didn't find it difficult to dodge. As the blade almost touched him, he slightly sidestepped, letting the blade miss him by just a hair!

"Damn! That must've been a fluke!"

Zhang Huai couldn't believe it, his sure-win strike had missed, causing a slight pause in his movements.

Lin Zhen wouldn't miss this opportunity. Exhausted as he was, he still managed to sneak a leg kick aimed at Zhang Huai's shin.

But Lin Zhen seemed to lack strength, and the kick didn't cause much damage. It just caused Zhang Huai pain in his leg, making him retreat several steps and infuriating him even more, while also ticking off another five or six seconds.

"Kid! Lay down, Blood War Severing Seven Slashes!"

Ignoring the fact that he was already running on fumes, Zhang Huai executed the Blood War Knife Skill. His long sword struck from various angles. Lin Zhen had a clear mind and dodged left and right. The approaching blade lights seemed like bullets testing nerve reactions, which were not impossible for Lin Zhen to dodge, and Zhang Huai's blade was not as fast as bullets.

"Swish swish swish swish swish swish swish!"

Lin Zhen's body continuously dodged and twisted, occasionally bending at an exaggerated angle, miraculously avoiding the seven sequential slashes.

The most dangerous slash, even gliding past Lin Zhen's neck, nicked a strand of his hair but did not injure him.

After the seven slashes, Zhang Huai couldn't hold on anymore and had to step back to catch his breath.

Watching the strand of hair fall, Lin Zhen's lips curled into a faint smile.

Another several seconds passed, and there were less than ten seconds left of the minute.