Chapter 104: The Battle Reaches a Fever Pitch

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*Thud.*

Lu Zhe’s head slammed heavily into the cave wall. He had lost count of how many holes he had broken through, only knowing that he was being pounded relentlessly by Thunder Tiger, completely powerless to fight back.

Looking around, the entire cave was riddled with holes—some caused by Lu Zhe’s collisions, others punched out by Thunder Tiger’s fists as Lu Zhe dodged.

Climbing out from one of the holes he had created, Lu Zhe shook his buzzing head. His mind was foggy from Thunder Tiger’s signature technique, the “Thunder Tiger Sky-Shattering Fist.” All he knew was that he was being flung about without any strength to resist.

*Hiss.*

From directly ahead came the faint whoosh of air. Thunder Tiger, his body wrapped in crackling lightning, swiftly advanced toward Lu Zhe. In an instant, he was in front of him again, flipping his palm and sending Lu Zhe flying once more.

*Thud.*

Along with Lu Zhe’s flight came a spray of blood, which dispersed into a mist before vanishing completely.

*Ah!*

This time, however, Lu Zhe did not slam into the cave wall again. Instead, he flew through the air briefly before crashing onto the ground, sliding some distance before coming to a halt.

Teleporting before him, Thunder Tiger looked down at the seemingly lifeless Lu Zhe on the ground. Frowning, he crouched and reached out with his right hand toward Lu Zhe’s hood, intending to remove it and see his true face.

Suddenly, just as Thunder Tiger’s hand was about to grasp the edge of the hood, Lu Zhe’s left hand shot out like lightning, grabbing Thunder Tiger’s right hand. Rolling on the ground, he clenched his right fist and struck toward Thunder Tiger’s right side.

The abrupt turn of events startled Thunder Tiger, but he was no stranger to surprises. As Lu Zhe seized his right hand and threw a punch, Thunder Tiger’s left hand flashed, accompanied by an afterimage, extending to intercept Lu Zhe’s incoming fist, halting it with sheer force.

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Though his fist was intercepted, Lu Zhe did not cease his assault. With Thunder Tiger’s grip on his fist, Lu Zhe swiftly lifted his right leg and delivered a heavy kick to Thunder Tiger’s right shoulder.

This kick was charged with all his strength; the force was unmistakable. Thunder Tiger emitted a low grunt and was thrown rapidly to Lu Zhe’s left.

Despite the power behind the kick, Lu Zhe was injured and fatigued from their previous exchanges. Thunder Tiger, being a Sovereign-level expert, was not easily moved. After flying about half a meter, he rolled on the ground a few times before coming to a stop.

After kicking Thunder Tiger away, Lu Zhe hurriedly rose to his feet. Thunder Tiger also stood up, and the two faced each other, eyes locked in mutual scrutiny.

Lu Zhe’s body was riddled with wounds, blood trickling down and staining his black cloak with streaks of crimson. Thunder Tiger was in much better condition, save for the recent kick, barely bearing any injuries.

What had been a balanced contest now shifted decisively in Thunder Tiger’s favor, a testament to the overwhelming power of his “Thunder Tiger Sky-Shattering Fist.”

*Pfft.*

Spitting out the tainted blood in his mouth, Lu Zhe wiped the bloodstains from the corner of his lips with his sleeve, his gaze unwaveringly fixed on Thunder Tiger.

Thunder Tiger shook his injured shoulder, satisfied it was unharmed. A faint smile curled the corner of his mouth as he looked at Lu Zhe.

“How is it? My ‘Thunder Tiger Sky-Shattering Fist’ didn’t disappoint, did it?”

Pulling his hood tighter, he rolled up his sleeves and continued, “Your technique is formidable, full of strength—just as the rumors said. Truly admirable.”

Though his words were polite, Lu Zhe’s mind was far from calm. He inwardly groaned.

Lightning-elemental spirit energy was famed for its tremendous offensive power. Under Thunder Tiger’s use and control, it had reached an extreme level, its might unparalleled.

After exchanging dozens, perhaps hundreds, of moves with Thunder Tiger, Lu Zhe knew firsthand that the “Thunder Tiger Sky-Shattering Fist” was not just powerful but blazingly fast. Most daunting was the astonishing speed of Thunder Tiger’s changing fist techniques—over thirty variations within just a dozen or so moves.

While Lu Zhe tried desperately to find a flaw in Thunder Tiger’s technique, his efforts were in vain. No matter how hard he looked, no weakness appeared. If Lu Zhe identified a vulnerability, Thunder Tiger immediately shifted to another form to cover it up, rendering him flawless.

Lu Zhe was overwhelmed and helpless.

*Whoosh.*

Lost in thought, Lu Zhe suddenly saw Thunder Tiger dart forward again. His body bent low like a starving wolf pouncing on prey, and in the blink of an eye, he was before Lu Zhe.

Having witnessed this before, Lu Zhe was unfazed. As Thunder Tiger appeared, Lu Zhe stepped back, swung his body, and punched forward, his fist cutting through the air with a gust.

*Smack.*

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Catching Lu Zhe’s punch, Thunder Tiger’s expression remained unreadable. Gripping Lu Zhe’s arm tightly, he spun midair, bending his left arm and forcefully driving his elbow into Lu Zhe’s left side.

Lu Zhe crouched to dodge the crushing blow and furrowed his brows. Clenching his left fist, he leapt upward and unleashed an uppercut aimed at Thunder Tiger’s jaw.

His eyes quickly glanced downward. Thunder Tiger made no unnecessary moves, merely thrusting his head back sharply, causing Lu Zhe’s uppercut to graze his jaw as it rose.

Though the uppercut was evaded, Lu Zhe did not retract his left arm. Riding the momentum, he slammed his elbow downward into Thunder Tiger’s chest.

*Thud.*

A dull sound echoed between them as Lu Zhe’s elbow struck Thunder Tiger’s chest with heavy force.

*Ugh.*

Thunder Tiger let out a muffled grunt. Then, with lightning speed, his right hand snatched toward Lu Zhe’s head. Suddenly tugging, he yanked Lu Zhe’s wide hood directly off.

Caught off guard by the sudden move, Lu Zhe had no time to react before Thunder Tiger tore off his hood. With a powerful push from his feet, Thunder Tiger’s body was flung backward.

With the hood removed, Lu Zhe’s true face was exposed under the bright daylight. The crowd gasped in shock.

A mere boy, no older than fifteen or sixteen! (Please remember to bookmark and recommend.)