Lin Ming couldn't help but chuckle at the two charging toward him. To him, they were just slightly stronger ordinary people—mere muscle-builders whose bodies hadn't been tempered through true trials. A genuine Body Cultivator unlocked their physical potential, fundamentally different from those refined by Spirit Energy. Besides, these two were just... humans.

Lin Ming swept his leg in a swift Sweeping Leg motion, instantly toppling both attackers.

*Thud!* Xiong Da and Xiong Er crashed to the ground.

"Damn it!" They brushed off the dust and stood up immediately. Their hard-earned muscles hadn't gone to waste—a simple fall barely fazed them.

"Take this punch!" Xiong Da roared, swinging a fist as big as a wok straight at Lin Ming's face. But it was useless. Lin Ming caught it effortlessly with a palm that seemed far too small.

Xiong Da's expression shifted instantly. He'd poured all his strength into that punch, yet Lin Ming blocked it with a calm, almost bored look.

"What? That's all you've got? Don't show off if you lack the skill!" Lin Ming shoved forward. Xiong Da stumbled backward, nearly falling until Xiong Er caught him. Both stared at Lin Ming with wide, fearful eyes.

"Hey! You girly-looking guy over there—you're really annoying!" Lin Ming called out to the effeminate passerby.

"Who you calling girly? Xiong Da, Xiong Er, get him—now!" the man barked. But his shout was cut off by a deafening crack.

*Bang!!* Lin Ming stomped down hard. A jagged fissure split the ground, creeping *crack... crack... crack* right toward the man's feet.

"Eeek!" The effeminate man yelped, scrambling backward on his rear. Xiong Da and Xiong Er paled, rushing to shield their young master while eyeing Lin Ming with a trace of terror.

"Tch, wimps... Wait! Oh crap—I showed off too much." Lin Ming's face suddenly twisted in panic. He grabbed Yuhan He's hand and bolted.

"Eh? Senior, what's wrong? Aren't we teaching that guy a lesson?" Yuhan He asked, flustered by his grip—after all, this wasn't like when she'd held his hand earlier.

"Junior! We gotta run! I showed off too hard—destroying public property means fines!" Lin Ming grimaced as he pulled her along.

He muttered under his breath, "Damn, this street's pavement is so fragile. Not even as tough as the Duel Arena at that hotel."

Yuhan He trailed behind, speechless. "Senior, you really take stinginess to a whole new level."

The crowd erupted as the pair vanished instantly. "Holy crap, that crack! This is bad—Patrol Squad's coming! We're screwed if we stay!"

"Run! Damn, those two are fast. If the troublemakers flee, why shouldn't we?"

Xiong Da turned to his pale-faced young master. "Young master, we should leave too!"

The effeminate man snapped back to reality, trembling. "Y-yes! Get me out of here!"

"Understood!" Xiong Da and Xiong Er each grabbed one of his arms, hoisting him up and sprinting away.

"Patrol Squad's here!" someone yelled. The street emptied in seconds, people scattering like frightened birds.

*Clank... clank... clank.* Ten armored figures marched in, their white Blood Armor matching Bai Yan's design—just duller.

They stared at the fissure: ten meters long, three deep, fifty centimeters wide. Several sucked in sharp breaths. The leader barked, "Who did this?!"

"Captain, no traces of Spirit Energy," a guard reported.

Captain Tiezhu smacked the guard's head. "No kidding! I can see that. That deep footprint—do you think I'm blind?!" He jabbed a finger at Lin Ming's boot print.

"I was just reminding you, Captain Tiezhu," the guard whined, rubbing his head.

Veins bulged on Tiezhu's forehead as he smacked him again. "I told you—stop calling me Tiezhu! That wimpy name? Call me Captain Li Gang! Or just 'Captain' like before!"

"Ow!"

"If it hurts, remember to change your tune! You asked for it!" Tiezhu—no, Li Gang—snarled. He glared at the deserted street. "Damn it, they ran way too fast."

"You two, seal off this crack. Report straight to the City Lord's Mansion. The rest, follow me—we're hunting the culprit!" Tiezhu pointed to two rear guards for the fissure, then motioned the others to move out.

"Yes, Captain!"

"Who the hell did this?! If you're gonna cause trouble, don't run! This is such a hassle!" Tiezhu grumbled at the crack, thick with Grudge, before leading his squad away.

"So... how do we handle this?" Guard A gestured at the fissure.

Guard B pondered, then pulled four signs from nowhere. He scribbled on them and planted them around the crack. "Like this. Done! Let's report and grab drinks."

"Bro, genius! Let's hurry to the report." Guard A gave a thumbs-up.

"Right! Finish fast, drink faster." Guard B beckoned him.

"Let's go!"

They headed for the City Lord's Mansion. After they left, a Black Cloaked Figure appeared near the crack. She read the sign: "Danger: Crack Ahead. Do Not Cross."

"Seriously? That's it?" She facepalmed, utterly speechless. Then she slipped away, moving toward where Lin Ming had fled.

...

Lin Ming and Yuhan He stopped at a park after running a while. He released her hand and scanned the area warily. "Pursuers shouldn't catch up that quickly."

When Lin Ming let go, Yuhan He felt a pang of reluctance. *Senior's hand is so big and rough...* She blushed at her own thoughts.

Lin Ming didn't notice her flushed face. Seeing no pursuers, he found a secluded park bench and sat down.

Yuhan He followed, confused by his next move—he was taking off his shoes?!

"Senior... what are you doing?"