Sihai Group

Chen Feng's kick was as swift as lightning and carried the force of a thunderclap. No one had anticipated his sudden strike, and the crowd collectively gasped in shock. The sheer momentum of his leg sliced through the air with a sharp whooshing sound. Given the sheer power behind the attack, even a sturdy water buffalo would likely suffer shattered bones, let alone an ordinary teenager like Ling Yun.

The sharp-chinned man shook his head slightly. With his keen perception, he could tell that Chen Feng had not unleashed his full strength. Even so, he doubted that Ling Yun's frail frame could withstand such an assault. At best, the boy would lose consciousness; at worst, he would suffer devastating fractures.

A muffled thud echoed through the air. Chen Feng's right leg came to an abrupt halt, mere centimeters from Ling Yun's temple. But it wasn't because he had restrained himself—his foot had been caught. Ling Yun's hand, devoid of any unnecessary movement, had seized his ankle mid-strike, suspending it in place.

For a moment, the air itself seemed to freeze. Every onlooker stood paralyzed in disbelief—including Chen Feng and the sharp-chinned man. No one had expected Ling Yun to block such a strike, not even Ma Ge and his gang, who had already suffered at his hands.

The sharp-chinned man was especially astounded. He knew well that a kick possessed the greatest explosive force in combat, and Chen Feng was particularly skilled in leg techniques. They had once tested his strikes on an impact gauge, and even an ordinary kick of his generated over five or six hundred kilograms of force—a force delivered in an instant.

Yet, Ling Yun had stopped it cold, within a mere few dozen centimeters, without stepping back, without even shifting his posture. He remained as calm as an autumn breeze, as if the feat were effortless.

How immense must his strength be? How sharp his reflexes?

The sharp-chinned man knew, without a doubt, that he himself could never have accomplished such a thing. Even his former instructors in the elite Helen Marine Corps would have been incapable of it.

How could this unassuming teenager surpass a seasoned special forces operative?

Chen Feng's expression darkened. This very kick had felled countless opponents before—opponents who, even at their weakest, appeared far stronger than this slender youth. And yet, this youth had caught it with ease, his gaze indifferent and untroubled.

A battle-hardened veteran, Chen Feng's instincts reacted instantly. Though his right leg was trapped, he did not lose his balance. In midair, his left leg recoiled before snapping forward like a whip, aiming a ruthless strike at Ling Yun's face. If Ling Yun did not release his grip, his features would be brutally rearranged.

Ling Yun's brows furrowed slightly. He had never trained in martial arts, yet his supernatural abilities had long since reshaped his body. His reaction speed, vision, strength, and agility had been elevated beyond human comprehension. No matter how formidable Chen Feng and the sharp-chinned man were, they were still bound by mortal limits.

To Ling Yun, what others saw as blistering speed was nothing more than a slow-motion performance.

His grip on Chen Feng's ankle tightened slightly. With a casual flick of his arm, he moved as if wielding a weapon, swinging Chen Feng's entire body into the air.

A man weighing nearly two hundred pounds, in Ling Yun's grasp, felt as light as a chopstick. In an instant, he was spun into a whirlwind.

Chen Feng struggled to regain control, attempting to plant his foot and break free. Yet, Ling Yun's grasp was unshakable—not painfully tight, yet impossibly firm. No matter how much strength he mustered, he was helpless against the force suspending him.

His surroundings blurred into streaks of motion. Wind roared past his ears. Everything in his field of vision spun relentlessly in circles. And for all his skills and experience, there was nothing he could do.

The sharp-chinned man and the others stood frozen, watching Ling Yun whirl Chen Feng around with ease. An indescribable sensation crept into their hearts—a mix of awe, disbelief, and sheer absurdity.

The sharp-chinned man, in particular, felt a profound sense of powerlessness. He could now see it clearly—this youth had never received formal combat training. His stance was unpolished, his movements lacked any martial refinement. And yet, his raw power, his preternatural speed, and his flawless sense of timing rendered all of Chen Feng's precise techniques utterly meaningless.

In an instant, the expert's flawless offensive had been shattered.

And Ling Yun had done it as effortlessly as swatting a fly.

As Ling Yun continued to whirl Chen Feng around in boredom, he silently counted in his mind. When he reached three hundred, he suddenly halted the motion and released his grip. The immense centrifugal force instantly flung Chen Feng away.

Chen Feng tumbled several meters before staggering to his feet. Thanks to his rigorous training and exceptional physical conditioning, he was not seriously harmed. Ling Yun had not inflicted any real damage—only spun him too fast, too many times. Even so, his vision swam with stars, and a wave of nausea welled up inside him.

With a composed demeanor, Ling Yun pulled the astonished Zhang Yunfeng closer, cupped his fists in an old-fashioned gesture, and said with feigned courtesy, "Many thanks, sir, for going easy on me. The five minutes are up. If there's nothing else, my friend and I shall take our leave."

Clutching his chest, Chen Feng's face turned ashen. He felt an unbearable sense of frustration, and upon hearing Ling Yun's words, nearly spat out a mouthful of blood.

"Wait a moment, Brother Ling Yun," the sharp-chinned man called out.

"What is it? Does this gentleman also wish to test if I can last five minutes against him?" Ling Yun's voice was cool and indifferent.

"Don't misunderstand," the man replied with a wry smile. "With your skills, I wouldn't dare presume to offer you instruction. I merely wish to ask you a question."

"Oh?" Ling Yun eyed the approaching man warily, unsure of his intent.

Drawing close, the sharp-chinned man lowered his voice so that only Ling Yun could hear. "Brother, this isn't martial arts—you possess an extraordinary ability, don't you?"

Ling Yun's heart jolted. This man had keen eyes to discern the truth so quickly. However, he maintained a calm facade. "I don't understand what you're talking about. Extraordinary ability? What nonsense."

The man chuckled softly and continued in a hushed tone. "No need to be wary. Neither Chen Feng nor I bear you any ill will. He merely misjudged your strength, leading to this rather amusing outcome. But I saw it clearly—when you intercepted Chen Feng's kick, you weren't even looking at his leg, nor at the direction of his attack. And yet, you caught his ankle as naturally as breathing. I have undergone professional training, and no matter how honed one's reflexes and senses may be, it is impossible to react to such a swift strike without even watching it. There is only one explanation—you possess an extraordinary ability. Of course, I have other ways to confirm this, but I won't reveal them just yet."

Ling Yun scrutinized the man, surprise flickering in his gaze. He had not expected such astute observation. Indeed, he hadn't needed to see Chen Feng's movements—his ever-present psychic field rendered sight unnecessary. It was through this ability that he perceived the world around him.

After a brief silence, he tactfully steered the conversation away. "I harbor no hostility toward you either. I simply wish to leave peacefully with my friend. Since Mr. Chen stated that I only needed to last five minutes, I believe we've met the conditions, haven't we?"

The sharp-chinned man let out a hearty laugh. "Ling Yun, I have no intention of prying into your secrets. However, I would love to introduce you to someone. I guarantee that once you meet him, you'll be very interested."

"I have no interest in meeting anyone," Ling Yun replied flatly. "Pardon me, but may we leave now?"

The man was momentarily taken aback, then chuckled as though he had come to a realization. Turning to Chen Feng, who was still rubbing his sore chest, he said with a smirk, "Chen Feng, hurry and apologize to our young friend. Don't let him walk away with a bad impression of us."

With a rueful smile, Chen Feng stepped forward. "Brother, you truly have remarkable skills. I nearly had my insides flung out of me just now. I, Chen Feng, have rarely admitted defeat in my life, but today, I must concede—I lost utterly and without dignity."

He extended his hand sincerely. "I was in the wrong. My apologies, Ling Yun. I hope I haven't left an irreparable impression. Though I am a few years older than you, let me ask for your understanding as an elder brother."

Ling Yun had not expected Chen Feng to offer such a genuine apology, free of pretense. From their bearing, it was clear these two men held significant status. That they were willing to lower themselves and show respect to an ordinary student was indeed impressive.

With this in mind, his hostility dissipated. He reached out and shook Chen Feng's hand. "There's no need for formalities. I am merely a student, with no desire for trouble. But since my friend was threatened, I had no choice but to act. If I have offended you in any way, I hope you can overlook it."

Chen Feng chuckled. "No worries—conflict breeds camaraderie. Let me introduce someone. This is my sworn brother since childhood, Zhao Yu. He, too, is a master of martial arts."

Ling Yun shook Zhao Yu's hand and nodded politely. "Mr. Zhao."

Chen Feng's gaze swept over the cowering Ma Ping and his gang. With a calm but commanding tone, he said, "Ma Ping, come here."

At his call, Ma Ping and his lackeys trembled visibly, their steps hesitant and fearful.

Chen Feng pointed to Ling Yun and Zhang Yunfeng. "I keep my word. Since I was defeated by Brother Ling Yun, Ma Ping, even though you are my cousin, you will not trouble them again. You understand the consequences if you disobey."

Ma Ping nodded frantically. "Yes, Cousin. Since you've given the order, I promise I won't provoke them again."

"You may leave now. From this moment forward, I will not intervene in your affairs, nor do I wish for you to seek me out again." Chen Feng's tone was cold, filled with quiet finality.

Ma Ping dared not protest. He and his gang bowed their heads and scurried away like frightened rats.

Ling Yun watched their retreating figures, an inexplicable sense of unease rising within him. Ma Ping and his men had been too subdued, too silent. Even in the face of fear, they should have displayed some resentment—but there was none. It felt unnatural. Moreover, Ma Ping's sluggish, almost lifeless gait as he left sent a faint chill down his spine.

He was about to extend his psychic senses to investigate when Zhao Yu's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Ling Yun, Yunfeng, now that those troublesome fellows are gone, let's have an honest conversation and get to know each other better. You may not be aware, but both Chen Feng and I are senior assistants at the Sihai Group."

"Sihai Group?" Ling Yun showed little reaction, but Zhang Yunfeng gasped in astonishment, his face lighting up with excitement. Ling Yun glanced at him curiously.

"Ling Yun, you've never dabbled in the outside world, so you wouldn't know," Zhang Yunfeng explained eagerly. "The Sihai Group is a colossal financial conglomerate, with operations spanning the entire country and even overseas. It commands assets worth hundreds of billions. But what makes it truly famous isn't its wealth—it's the fact that it holds dominion over the entire underground world of China. In short, Sihai Group is the undisputed leader of the country's hidden forces."

"Oh." Ling Yun nodded absentmindedly, still unable to grasp the full implications of such influence.

"It's not as exaggerated as it sounds," Chen Feng said with a knowing smile. "We simply have connections in the underworld. That said, Sihai Group does have deep-rooted foundations."

Zhao Yu fixed his gaze on Ling Yun and said meaningfully, "The person I wish to introduce you to is none other than the head of Sihai Group—our superior, our leader. Believe me, Ling Yun, once you meet him, you will be very interested."