Chapter 183 – Just One Step Away

To some extent, both Gao Xu and Duan Xiaofei held valid perspectives.

A Three-Star could never defeat a Four-Star, a lower-rank Professional could never overcome an upper-rank Professional—this had never occurred in recorded history. Even if not an absolute rule, it sufficiently demonstrated the vast chasm between upper and lower ranks.

Gao Xu alone could effortlessly sweep through Xu Qianqian’s entire private army, easily crushing any number of Three-Star Professionals with mere fists and kicks without even drawing his saber, let alone resorting to Demonization. Such measures were entirely unnecessary for him.

Therefore, Su Ming’s ability to contend with a Four-Star Hunter as a Three-Star Hunter without being at a disadvantage was truly remarkable.

However, there were naturally reasons for this.

The overwhelming power of 【Silver Arm】 was indeed a crucial factor, but it was ultimately just a trump card—a sure-kill technique that allowed Su Ming to surpass his limits and inflict damage on an otherwise invincible opponent. It wasn’t what enabled him to face an Upper-Rank Professional head-on.

The true factors allowing Su Ming to rival an Upper-Rank Hunter were his awakened Vision Mark and his Spirit Sense, which had advanced to upper-rank levels.

Without them, Su Ming couldn’t possibly keep up with an Upper-Rank Hunter’s movements.

Without them, Su Ming couldn’t possibly react to an Upper-Rank Hunter’s actions.

Only by reliably reacting to and keeping pace with an Upper-Rank Hunter could Su Ming utilize the power of his right hand—which surpassed his Physical Body’s Rank—to confront them.

Otherwise, Su Ming would merely become a living target, his right hand utterly incapable of matching his opponent’s movements to offer resistance.

Thus, the fact remained: Three-Stars truly couldn’t rival Four-Stars.

Even with a mutated ability like 【Silver Arm】 that possessed rule-breaking power, this held true.

The most important reason Su Ming could contend with an Upper-Rank Hunter was that he himself was an Upper-Rank Professional.

However, he wasn’t an Upper-Rank Hunter—he was an Upper-Rank Sorcerer.

Although Su Ming kept this hidden and had no intention of using Spirit Arts to avoid exposing his identity as a Dual Professional, his exceptional Spirit Power and Spirit Sense as an Upper-Rank Sorcerer still granted him the capability to face an Upper-Rank Hunter of equivalent rank. Combined with the power of his right hand, this created the illusion of the weak overcoming the strong.

And now, Su Ming’s Vision Mark had unconsciously activated.

This caused his Spirit Power to surge throughout his body, while his Spirit Sense dramatically heightened. Li Jing’s astonishingly swift movements seemed to slow down countless times, transforming entirely into slow motion.

His boiling blood cried out.

His feverish body roared.

In this moment, Su Ming saw not only his opponent’s openings but also his own future.

His recent training had clearly not been in vain—Su Ming could feel it vividly and unmistakably.

His Physical Body seemed to have touched a barrier, a limit.

It was only at this instant that Su Ming realized he had unknowingly reached the shackles of his Physical Body, arriving at the peak of a lower-rank Hunter.

The continuous consumption of Red Lithophyte…

The ongoing transformation from the Nightmare Species Bloodline…

These two extraordinary advantages had propelled Su Ming at an unprecedented pace to stand before the gateway of an Upper-Rank Hunter.Now, all that remained was to cross over.

By crossing over, his Physical Body would transcend the mundane, and he himself would break free, reaching the non-human Domain and becoming a true Upper-Rank Hunter.

This feeling, this sudden enlightenment, compelled Su Ming to gather all his strength and focus it into his right hand, as if he wanted to shatter the barrier before him. Following the guidance of his Spirit Sense, he unleashed the most powerful punch he had ever thrown.

A howling sonic boom pierced the air with an ear-splitting screech.

“Boom—!”

The loudest explosion since the start of the battle erupted.

Su Ming’s right fist, as if guided by divine inspiration, suddenly pierced through countless fist shadows and claw lights, landing heavily on Li Jing’s body.

“Pfft!”

Li Jing had been relying on his astonishing speed to circle around Su Ming, seemingly trying to wear him down. He darted back and forth, his claws sharp as sabers, repeatedly striking at Su Ming’s vital points. But before he could react, Su Ming suddenly delivered an ultimate punch, squarely hitting Li Jing, who had just flashed to his side. The blow struck Li Jing’s chest with immense force, causing a whirl of Qi to explode around it as if he had been hit by a heavy impact.

A mouthful of blood immediately sprayed violently from Li Jing’s mouth, and he was sent flying like a cannonball, leaving a trail of blood as he crashed into the wall of the venue.

The wall shattered upon impact, exploding into a shower of rubble and debris.

Li Jing’s figure was buried under countless fragments of stone and tiles, disappearing from sight.

“This…”

The sudden turn of events left the many Upper-Rank Professionals watching the battle in stunned disbelief.

“Just now…?”

Gao Xu and Duan Xiaofei were also taken aback, exchanging a glance with each other.

“Grandpa Li!”

Li Mei and Li Su, who had just struggled to their feet in the distance and were making their way back with difficulty, witnessed Li Jing being struck and sent flying, crashing into the wall and being buried under the debris.

“Good!”

From her vantage point on the ceiling, Xu Qianqian looked down and saw the scene, unable to hold back a cheer.

In front of the entire audience, Su Ming, the enigmatic powerhouse, had openly defeated a veteran Four-Star Hunter.

“Huff…”

Su Ming retracted his fist and exhaled, his scorching body gradually cooling down, and his boiling blood slowly calming. The eerie patterns behind his mask faded one after another, revealing a look of exhilaration.

He wasn’t smiling because he had openly defeated Li Jing, but because he had witnessed his own growth, his own progress, and the Realm he was about to step into.

This intense and thorough battle had made Su Ming clearly aware of his current position and the fact that he was only one step away from becoming an Upper-Rank Hunter.

Even though this step was incredibly distant, having stumped countless prodigies and Geniuses throughout history, preventing them from transcending the Mortal Realm and stepping into the non-human Realm, at the very least, Su Ming had truly touched it.

He believed that with the potential of his Bloodline and the effects of the Red Vein Stone, this step would eventually be taken naturally and effortlessly.

It was for this reason that he smiled, for this reason that he rejoiced.

Of course, to others, it might not seem that way.

“Cough, cough…”

Amid the clatter of rubble and debris, Li Jing struggled to push aside the reinforced concrete and stones pressing down on him. Coughing violently, he staggered to his feet.

“Damn bastard…”Li Jing clutched his chest, his eyes fixed on Su Ming, brimming with Killing Intent and ferocity. Veins bulged at his temples, a clear sign of his extreme fury.

Yet Su Ming’s right fist was not so easily withstood. Blood continuously trickled from the corner of Li Jing’s mouth, and his steps were unsteady and clumsy, forcing him to drop to one knee.

If not for the superhuman physique of Upper-Rank Hunters, this elderly man would have long been severely wounded and unable to rise again.

Su Ming naturally took all of this in.

“It seems you can’t properly teach me a lesson on behalf of the Yun Family Estate, old man,” Su Ming grinned, laughing.

This time, he was genuinely mocking Li Jing, laughing at having directly crushed him.

Unsurprisingly, this greatly provoked the old man’s pride.

“Arrogant and elusive bastard…!?” Li Jing’s bloodshot eyes glared at Su Ming as he let out a low growl. A dangerous Aura suddenly radiated from his body.

Su Ming’s gaze sharpened.

On the ceiling above, Xu Qianqian’s expression also shifted abruptly.

Li Jing, who had suddenly turned perilous, underwent a drastic transformation.

His skin began to darken.

His figure started to swell.

His hands gradually morphed into beast-like claws.

Scales sprouted all over his body as he slowly lost his human form.

Without a doubt, this was Demonization.

Provoked beyond measure, Li Jing had finally unveiled his trump card.

“Heh…” Su Ming’s expression turned grave, but beneath his mask, his lips unconsciously let out a derisive chuckle. His right fist slowly clenched, causing the fingers exposed beyond his gloves to gradually glow with an eerie blue light, tracing out strange, crack-like patterns.

A flame-like, ghostly blue radiance began to ignite.

The sinister patterns behind his mask slowly emerged once more.

Moreover, a Saber abruptly appeared in Su Ming’s hand, gripped tightly.

————「Flame Fang」.

Only now, at this very moment, had Su Ming finally drawn this alchemical weapon.

This meant Su Ming was also preparing to unleash his full power.

Even if using Spirit Art was inconvenient, he intended to employ every means at his disposal beyond it.

Otherwise, he stood no chance against an Upper-Rank Hunter who had undergone Demonization.

An even fiercer battle was about to erupt here and now.

Just as everyone present held their breath, fully focused and ready to witness the clash…

“Enough. Cease this.”

A voice, neither loud nor soft but filled with an undeniable, oppressive authority, abruptly rang out, reaching the ears of everyone present.

Within the venue, a vast and overwhelming Aura manifested, instantly suppressing the entire scene.

“……!?”

Both Su Ming and Li Jing’s expressions changed, and they involuntarily halted their preparations for an all-out fight.

In that very second, several figures appeared.

Their speed was astonishing, as if they moved without a trace, materializing within the venue in an instant.

Their Aura was formidable, and their presence far surpassed that of all other Upper-Rank Professionals present, instantly making them the center of attention in the venue.

Their numbers were few, merely a handful.

But when they appeared, everyone’s expression shifted dramatically. One by one, they leaped down from the surrounding ceilings and bowed their proud heads.

This included Gao Xu and Duan Xiaofei.

Naturally, it also included Xu Qianqian.

Even Xu Yanyan couldn’t help but call out to the one leading the group.

“Grandfather!”

Yes.That person was none other than the current Family Head of the Xu Family, Xu Yongfeng’s father, Xu Qianqian and Xu Yanyan’s grandfather, and one of the few apex figures in Longyao City.

His name was Xu Wen.

A Six-Star Hunter, one of the strongest individuals within Longyao City.

“Greetings, Family Head!”

Gao Xu, Xu Qianqian, and other members of the Xu Family all bowed respectfully.

“Greetings, Family Head Xu!”

The others also lowered their heads, paying their respects to Xu Wen.

At this moment, whether they were core direct descendants of various great Families or Upper-Rank Professionals from major factions, everyone had no choice but to bow respectfully to this old man.

Even Li Jing was no exception. The signs of his Demonization had long vanished without a trace. Despite the blood at the corner of his mouth, the sharp pain in his chest, and his utterly disheveled state, he dared not neglect proper etiquette at this moment.

The old man swept a glance over everyone present before letting his gaze roam across the entire venue.

Taking in the severely damaged state of the venue, Xu Wen snorted coldly.

That single snort made everyone present feel a tightness in their chests.

Su Ming was no different. He felt an overwhelming pressure, as if facing an enraged giant. His shoulders and knees grew unbearably heavy.

“Utterly lacking in restraint!”

Xu Wen reprimanded them thus.

“With a great enemy at our gates and crucial operations imminent, indulging in minor squabbles is one thing, but to let it escalate to this extent—do you intend to tear down my Xu Family?”

The old man’s scolding made everyone bow their heads even lower.

Especially Li Jing, as one of the instigators, cold sweat was already pouring down his forehead.

Fortunately, Xu Wen was not the only one who had made an appearance.

“Hmph!”

Among the handful of prominent figures who had appeared, another old man snorted coldly, his expression deeply unpleasant.

However, his displeasure was not directed at Li Jing, but at Su Ming.

Su Ming noticed the other man glancing at him. The cold glint that flashed in his eyes for that instant sent a chill down Su Ming’s spine.

Though he didn’t know who the man was, judging by his appearance alongside Xu Wen and his demeanor that suggested he was no lesser figure, this person was undoubtedly also a Six-Star Professional.

Moreover, he was likely the Li Family’s Six-Star Hunter.

“Grandfather!”

Xu Qianqian couldn’t help but step forward, seemingly wanting to say something.

But Xu Wen raised his hand, not giving her the chance.

“No need to explain. I saw everything clearly,” Xu Wen declared with a somewhat forceful tone. “No matter the reason, such a fierce conflict at this time is unacceptable.”

Xu Qianqian had nothing to say.

Just as Xu Wen had stated, with a great enemy approaching and everyone present gathered to counter the assault of 『Sin』, such intense infighting now would not only harm harmony but also damage morale.

If either side were to suffer setbacks because of this, it would mean a loss of combat strength—a foolish act of internal strife when external threats loomed.

Thus, Xu Wen shifted his gaze to Li Jing.

“Youngster from the Li Family, after all these years, your skills haven’t improved much, but your tendency to flaunt seniority certainly has,” Xu Wen said coldly. “At your age, still so fond of stirring up trouble—no wonder you’ve never amounted to much.”

Hearing this, Li Jing’s face flushed crimson.

He was only a few years younger than Xu Wen and could be considered a figure from the same generation.But now, Xu Wen had already become a Six-Star Hunter, standing high above, while he was still lingering at the Four-Star level. Getting into a conflict in such a setting and being mocked by Xu Wen made him feel utterly humiliated, his dignity completely crushed under the other’s pressure.

At that moment, the Six-Star Hunter from the Li Family leisurely spoke up.

“I actually think, compared to Li Jing, the young man from the Yun Family Estate is the one with real skill.”

The pinnacle of the Li Family then looked at Su Ming with a smile.

“You’re called Ming Wang, right?”

“Not bad in strength, to have injured Li Jing this badly.”

“I’m a bit curious about you. How about taking off your mask and letting me have a look?”

As soon as these words were spoken, the atmosphere in the entire venue grew heavy.

(End of Chapter)