I Start with a Mysterious Island

Chapter 155 - 154: If Swearing to Heaven Was Effective, the World’s Population Would Be at Least One-Fifth Smaller

The duel between the two grew more and more intense.

The older of the two was clearly more experienced in combat. His attacks were not only vicious but also came from exceedingly tricky angles.

However, while the younger man couldn’t match his opponent’s combat experience, his reaction speed was far superior.

Every time he faced one of the enemy’s fierce and cunning attacks, he managed to narrowly dodge it and launch a counterattack.

CLANG.

CLANG.

CLANG.

The Spiritual Longsword, glowing with a faint golden Spiritual Light, and the Spiritual Short Saber clashed time and time again. In addition to the resounding metallic collisions, showers of sparks burst from the points of impact.

Wang Jixiong had initially thought he could kill his opponent by relying on his vast combat experience.

But after exchanging over a hundred blows with his opponent, more than half of that initial, surefire confidence had evaporated.

’His reflexes are so fast! He can’t be more than his early twenties... how is he so strong?’ Wang Jixiong’s expression grew grim, his alarm mounting with every clash.

CLANG.

Another trade of blows sent a resounding crash echoing across the silent wilderness.

After this clash, Lin Li and Wang Jixiong each leaped back several meters, putting distance between them.

The non-stop, intense exchange of blows consumed not only Spiritual Energy but also a tremendous amount of stamina.

HUFF...

After they separated, sweat beaded on Wang Jixiong’s forehead as he clutched his Spiritual Short Saber, his breathing somewhat labored.

In contrast to Wang Jixiong’s gasping, Lin Li was in much better shape. Though he was also sweating, he only took a few breaths before his slightly uneven breathing settled.

’This guy is wanted by the Superpower Administration Bureau, and his face was even on TV. I thought he was supposed to be strong! Turns out, he’s a lot weaker than I expected...’

Lin Li had initially been a little nervous about facing this wanted criminal from TV. But after trading over a hundred blows, his mentality had shifted.

’If this keeps up, I’m probably going to die at this young man’s hands,’ Wang Jixiong thought grimly.

Just as he was about to call out and sue for peace, Lin Li—having already concluded that Wang Jixiong’s overall combat strength was far inferior to his own—charged forward. He brandished his Spiritual Longsword, giving his opponent no time to recover.

CLANG.

CLANG.

CLANG.

HUFF... HUFF...

The battle erupted once more. The clash of weapons rang out again and again across the silent wilderness, accompanied by labored gasps.

This time, Lin Li attacked first. Initially, they seemed evenly matched, but as the fight continued, Lin Li gradually gained the upper hand and began to overwhelm Wang Jixiong.

The initial dynamic, where Lin Li had been at a disadvantage and facing constant peril, had now completely flipped.

"Kid, hold on, let’s talk...!" Wang Jixiong cried out in a panic. After narrowly dodging one of Lin Li’s strikes, he leaped backward to create distance and sue for peace.

This second round of combat had completely crushed Wang Jixiong’s confidence. His proposal to talk was a genuine plea for a truce, not a feint to feign weakness and find an opening for a sneak attack like before.

"Talk? Bullshit! You bastard ambushed me from the bushes from the very beginning, trying to kill me. Then you pulled your little tricks and tried to ambush me a second time.

Now that you know you’re no match for me, you want to call a truce and have me let you go? Dream on.

If you have the guts to try and kill someone, you’d better be prepared to be killed when you fail. So just shut up and die!"

Lin Li flatly rejected Wang Jixiong’s plea for a truce and charged forward again.

He wouldn’t be merciful to an enemy who had tried to take his life.

Lin Li surged forward, thrusting his sword straight at Wang Jixiong’s heart.

CLANG.

The Spiritual Longsword, aglow with its faint golden Spiritual Light, was knocked aside by the Spiritual Short Saber in Wang Jixiong’s hand. Immediately after, Lin Li lifted his right foot and kicked him in the stomach.

THUD.

Exhausted from the prolonged fight, Wang Jixiong didn’t have time to react and took the kick right in the gut.

Immense force slammed into his abdomen, and searing pain shot through his entire body. Wang Jixiong’s feet left the ground as he flew backward through the air like a cannonball.

BAM.

Wang Jixiong flew back over twenty meters before crashing into the ground and rolling twice.

The shadow of death loomed over Wang Jixiong. He couldn’t afford to lie on the ground and moan in agony. Enduring the excruciating pain, he scrambled back to his feet the moment he landed.

"Hah... ’Spare a life where you can, and you’ll meet again on good terms.’ Why do you have to push me into a corner?" Wang Jixiong said, wiping a trickle of blood from the corner of his mouth with his left hand.

The look he gave Lin Li was now filled with terror.

If he could have a do-over, he would never have ambushed this young man.

Unfortunately, there’s no cure for regret. What happened, happened. It was too late for second thoughts.

"’Spare a life where you can, and you’ll meet again on good terms?’ Have you been watching too much TV?" Lin Li sneered, his gaze full of contempt for the terror in Wang Jixiong’s eyes.

"With a bastard like you, I think it’s better to cut the weeds and pull up the roots, leaving no trouble for the future... Saves me the headache of you coming back for revenge one day."

"No, no, no... If you’re willing to stop now, I swear to the heavens I will never seek revenge... If I break this oath, may I die a terrible death!" Wang Jixiong pleaded with utmost sincerity.

As he spoke, he raised his left hand and held up three fingers in a swearing gesture, as if to prove the truth of his words.

"Oh, give me a break! Swear to the heavens? If oaths like that actually worked, the world’s population would be at least twenty percent smaller."

Lin Li shook his head. He found this criminal wanted by the Superpower Administration Bureau completely laughable. The things he was doing to save his own skin were as childish as a kindergartener’s tantrum.

"You... I’m already groveling before you, don’t push it too far! Even a cornered rabbit will bite.

If I fight you to the death, even if you manage to kill me, I’ll still take a piece of you with me!"

Seeing that his pleas were useless, Wang Jixiong put on a brave front and roared at the mocking Lin Li.

"Hahaha..." Hearing Wang Jixiong’s empty threat, Lin Li burst out laughing.

"You really are a joke! Do you have any idea what a stark contrast this is to your vicious act from the beginning?"

"You..." Taunted so relentlessly by Lin Li, Wang Jixiong’s face turned a furious, dark red.

...