A Duel of Minds and the Trickster's Gambit

Ling Yun had no time for contemplation. In an instant, the fruits of his half-month of spiritual training erupted, propelling his body several meters to the right through sheer force of will. To any observer, it would have seemed as though he had not moved at all—his figure simply flickered, vanishing from one spot and reappearing elsewhere like a phantom.

A fierce gust of air howled through the narrow alleyway where he had stood a moment before, a razor-sharp force slicing through the silence with a resounding whistle.

In the unseen world beyond ordinary perception, Ling Yun's pupils dilated, and the contrast of black and white sharpened within his vision. Time seemed to slow to an agonizing crawl, revealing the swirling vortex of displaced air—a disturbance at the forefront of which sped a small, copper-colored cylindrical object, no larger than a fingertip joint. Its tip gleamed ominously, and etched into its orange-hued metallic casing were minuscule letters: MIC.

An M5906 automatic pistol round! The image of the bullet flashed through Ling Yun's mind, recalling a military weapons magazine he had once read. A single shot possessed enough force to bring down a full-grown wolf in an instant.

A cold sweat broke out across his back. Someone was trying to kill him—an ambush from the shadows. Had his spiritual training not sharpened his perception, had his instincts not warned him in time, he would have already been struck down.

A voice—low, tinged with surprise—sounded from behind him.

Before he could react, the suppressed pfft of another gunshot reached his ears. The unique sound of a silencer, barely more than a whisper amid the night's quiet, heralded the arrival of a second bullet, aimed straight at his heart.

Ling Yun's fury ignited. This shot was even closer than the last, and he had already maneuvered himself into a corner. To his right was the alley wall; another evasive sidestep would be far more difficult. The unseen assailant was relentless—intent on nothing less than his death.

Gritting his teeth, Ling Yun unleashed the full force of his spiritual power. He pivoted sharply, his palm extending forward, and roared, "Stop!"

Invisible ripples spread outward from his outstretched hand, distorting the air itself. The concentric waves rolled forward, pressing against reality until, mere centimeters from his palm, they came to an abrupt halt.

Suspended midair, the bullet—once a streak of deadly speed—was now frozen in place, its amber casing gleaming under the dim light.

A slow clap followed.

"Impressive. Truly impressive telekinesis. It seems I came to the right place today."

A young man in azure robes stepped out from the far end of the alley. He appeared to be in his mid-twenties, his features strikingly refined—sharp brows, luminous eyes brimming with intelligence. If not for the roguish smirk constantly tugging at his lips, he might have carried an air of solemn dignity.

"You must be Ling Yun," the man mused, sliding his pistol back into his waistband. He strolled forward with a casual ease, as if greeting an old acquaintance. "Your mastery of spiritual force is rather impressive. Precise, controlled. I must admit, I'm impressed. No wonder you dodged my bullets."

Ling Yun's gaze was icy. He plucked the hovering bullet from the air, rolling it between his fingers before clenching his fist. "Who are you? Why did you try to kill me?"

"Me?" The smirk on the azure-robed man's lips deepened, a shadow of self-mockery passing over his eyes. "Just a nobody. A failure no one cares about. A man burdened with an empty reputation. Even you… you never wanted to see me, did you?"

"What the hell are you talking about?" Ling Yun frowned. Was this guy a lunatic?

"You don't remember, do you?" The man chuckled darkly. "No surprise. That's why I had to come find you. Ling Yun, you really know how to put on airs. But I'm not convinced of your strength just yet. Let's put it to the test."

A sudden flash of silver flickered in his eyes.

An esper!

Before Ling Yun could react, an invisible force slammed into his chest with devastating power.

Boom!

His body was launched backward, soaring through the air before crashing into the alley's brick wall. The sheer impact sent an entire section crumbling, burying him under a cascade of shattered stone.

Ling Yun groaned, staggering to his feet amidst the rubble, only to see the azure-robed man streak toward him in a blur. His speed was unfathomable—compared to him, even the martial arts master Chen Feng moved as though trapped in slow motion.

A fist met him head-on, brimming with fury.

The air itself crackled violently, a testament to the sheer force behind the blow. Ling Yun had poured every ounce of his strength into that strike.

The azure-robed man's expression shifted. He had underestimated Ling Yun's reaction time—he hadn't expected such raw power. Mid-charge, he had no time to evade. He was forced to throw his own punch in return, though hastily executed and lacking full force.

BAM!

The clash of fists was like a meteor striking the earth.

A shockwave exploded outward, sending dust and debris spiraling into the night. The impact sent a jolt of agony through both fighters' arms, rattling their bones.

For the first time since awakening his abilities, Ling Yun felt pain—a raw, searing reminder of his mortality.

The azure-robed man, having launched his attack in haste, had been at a disadvantage. The recoil from the collision sent him hurtling backward. He twisted midair, his body seeming weightless as he soared a dozen meters before landing lightly atop a distant wall, his silhouette barely visible against the moonlight.

From the very moment Ling Yun had begun training under Yu Xiu Jie's domain, he had yet to battle a true esper. But within that mystical realm, he had faced countless simulated opponents. Though his experience was limited, he understood one thing—he had to strike while the iron was hot.

His silver eyes glowed as his telekinesis flared, locking onto the azure-robed man mid-fall.

Though the man bore a carefree smirk, his gaze sharpened. "Well now… that's more like it," he murmured, an exhilarated gleam in his eyes. "I was right to come find you, Ling Yun. You're a worthy opponent."

Invisible forces clashed in the air, twisting and warping reality itself. The spiritual energies of two espers collided, manifesting as unseen tempests that howled through the alleyway. Microscopic whirlpools formed, flickering into existence before vanishing in the blink of an eye.

It was a battle of pure will—a silent yet brutal contest of telekinetic dominance.

Step by step, Ling Yun pushed forward, his body straining against an unseen weight. Each footfall felt as though he carried mountains upon his back. The pressure of the opposing force pressed down from all directions, like a vice closing in to crush him.

Amidst the gale of invisible power, the two stood locked in an unspoken struggle. Their garments whipped violently, their hair standing on end. Eyes nearly shut, they moved not by sight, but by instinct—adjusting their strength, their focus, their very essence.

For the first time, the playful light in the azure-robed man's eyes dimmed. A look of true concentration took its place.

This boy… was younger than him by seven or eight years. His raw power was not yet refined, his control still unpolished.

But his spirit…

It carried a weight that could not be ignored.

Step by painstaking step, Lin Yun advanced toward the man in azure robes. As the distance between them narrowed, the immense pressure of their colliding psychic fields compressed further. Both struggled to maintain balance, knowing that the slightest lapse would invite a devastating backlash from the combined forces. 

In truth, the man's psychic field was superior to Lin Yun's. However, having been caught off guard by Lin Yun's initial assault, he had been forced into a defensive stance, putting him at a disadvantage. This precarious equilibrium was only temporary—if their battle of telekinetic wills persisted, Lin Yun would inevitably falter. Recognizing this, Lin Yun employed a bold strategy, advancing despite the crushing force that weighed upon him. While his raw power fell short, his mastery over the psychic field surpassed that of his opponent. He dared to move while maintaining stability, something the other man did not. 

Lin Yun slowly raised a fist and sent it toward the azure-clad man's face. He had already discerned his adversary's lesser control over the psychic field—if he could force him to move, the equilibrium would break, and whoever lost control first would suffer the field's fierce backlash. 

The man's face twisted into a smirk once more, his playful air undiminished. With a sudden sigh, he muttered, "Fine, fine, you win. You're a lunatic—I admit defeat." Without warning, he ghosted backward, vanishing from his position. Instantly, the precarious balance shattered, and the clashing forces erupted like a tempest. 

However, just as the psychic onslaught surged toward him, the man spun deftly, summoning a silver-glowing sphere from his palm. The orb expanded in an instant, enveloping him like a protective cocoon. The unleashed telekinetic energy struck the barrier, sending it hurtling through the air. With a resounding blast, the sphere shattered, dispersing most of the force within it. 

Lin Yun stared in astonishment. He had not anticipated such an extraordinary technique. Though his victory had been achieved through cunning rather than absolute strength, he felt no frustration—his master's domain held countless abilities far beyond his reach. So long as he met his master's rigorous standards, those secrets would one day be his to grasp. 

The man in azure slumped against a tree at the alley's entrance, gasping for breath. Through his fatigue, he let out a wry chuckle. "Lin Yun, you're quite something. I had the upper hand in power, yet I still lost to you. I suppose I have no choice but to admit my respect." 

Lin Yun hesitated. This man didn't seem to harbor true malice, yet he had tried to shoot him. He took a step forward, his voice laced with cold amusement. "Who are you, and why did you try to kill me?" 

Catching his breath, the man reached for his waist, drawing his pistol with a casual smirk. "Lin Yun, you dodged my bullets—what makes you think you need to fear getting shot?" 

Lin Yun remained impassive, watching him warily. What new trick was he about to pull? 

"Still holding a grudge over those two shots?" The man chuckled. "Alright, alright, I'll make it up to you." He suddenly turned the gun on himself, pressing the muzzle to his temple. Before Lin Yun could react, the trigger clicked. 

A muffled pop echoed through the alley. When the smoke cleared, the man stood there, grinning as if nothing had happened. Lowering his gun, he bent down and picked up a golden bullet from the ground. "See? Just a rubber dummy round I whipped up when I was bored. Even if I'd hit you, it wouldn't have done any real harm." 

Lin Yun was momentarily speechless. This man truly had a reckless disregard for consequences. Didn't he realize that even pranks could sometimes turn deadly? 

"You should've figured out who I am by now," the man said as he approached, smiling. "Zhao Yu wanted to introduce us, but you refused to meet me. So I had to come to you instead. Lin Yun, you didn't disappoint—I like you. Let's be friends." He clapped Lin Yun's shoulder with surprising familiarity. 

Lin Yun's eyes widened in shock. He pointed at the man in disbelief. "You… you're the head of the Four Seas Group? The boss of the entire underground world in this country? No wonder Zhao Yu thought I'd be interested in meeting you—you're an Esper!" 

"As real as it gets." The man shrugged, an almost boyish grin on his face. "I know, I don't exactly look the part of a crime lord. No one thinks I do, really. I may be old enough, but I'd rather play around and pull pranks than run a syndicate. It's just… well, no choice, you know? Anyway, today was fun—I really enjoyed our little game." 

With a lighthearted chuckle, he extended his right hand. "My name's Xia Tian." 

Lin Yun sighed, shaking his head before reaching out to clasp Xia Tian's hand. At the same time, he opened his left palm, revealing the bullet he had caught earlier. His voice was filled with exasperation as he said, "Boss Xia, if you're going to play pranks, could you at least do it properly? This bullet isn't rubber—it's real. You almost shot me dead."