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"Hehe—I've heard that if you look at this stuff often enough, your self-control just gets better! Want to take a look? It's pretty exciting, you know. Might even help you live longer!" Shawn Young waved a copy of Playboy magazine in his hand, asking the old man with a relaxed grin.
"Uh—I'm a martial artist. I never look at things unrelated to cultivation! Young man, your Flash Strike is pretty good. What's your relationship with Winston Yuan?" The old man didn't even glance at the Playboy, but asked Shawn Young with a calm expression.
"Oh! My Flash Strike was taught by Master Winston. Judging by your attitude, I guess you want to give it a try?" Shawn Young sneered as he looked at the old man.
"Oh! So you're one of Winston Yuan's top students, huh? Heh—looks like I found the right guy!" The old man's silver eyebrows shot up, revealing a sudden, intense fighting spirit.
"Who are you?" Shawn Young sensed the old man's fierce fighting spirit and quickly tossed the Playboy magazine onto the floor.
"Felix Eagleclaw of Huaian!" the old man said slowly.
"Hmm! From the China Dragon-Tiger Leaderboard?" Shawn Young asked, his expression turning serious.
"Fifth!" Felix Eagleclaw replied coldly, the murderous intent in his eyes growing stronger.
"Uh—looks like you're here to kill me!" Shawn Young said, frowning.
"A duel! Life and death left to fate! I want to see just how much Winston Yuan's disciple has really learned!" Felix Eagleclaw said, swinging his hands from behind his back to the front. His hands looked as sharp and thin as eagle talons—dry, sinewy, and almost metallic, with hooked claws glinting silver. Whatever technique he practiced had transformed his hands to look like they were wrapped in metal. Shawn Young could sense the terrifying power in those hands—if Felix caught him, he'd be ripped to shreds. The pain would be excruciating!
As soon as he finished speaking, Felix let out a piercing screech. His figure blurred, moving with ghostly speed and a fierce wind. Hands hooked like claws, he lunged at Shawn Young’s chest with the speed of a shooting star and the force of thunder. Shawn saw the ferocity of the attack and quickly channeled his true energy to protect his heart, dodging to the right.
But Felix seemed to know Shawn would dodge that way. Twisting his body, Felix’s left hand lashed out at an impossible angle, grabbing for Shawn’s right arm—"Riiip!" With a tearing sound, Felix’s claw caught Shawn’s sleeve and ripped off a large piece of cloth. Bloody welts instantly appeared on Shawn’s right arm, sharp pain stabbing through him, along with a numbing weakness.
Shawn was shocked. He realized Felix’s internal force had already penetrated his meridians with that strike. Shawn hurriedly retreated several steps to avoid further harm, but Felix, swift as the wind, kept up the chase. Those terrifying eagle claws came at Shawn’s face, carried by a fierce wind.
Shawn quickly gathered his true energy, stamped his feet, twisted his body, and bent his right elbow with a loud shout. Using the Xingyi style’s "Half-Step Elbow Strike," he swept his elbow at Felix’s attacking claws—"Boom—Boom—" The two forces collided in midair, making a muffled sound.
"Thud—Thud—Thud—" Shawn was knocked back three steps by the powerful force, his chest tight and his breath unsteady. Felix also grunted and retreated a few steps, his unpredictable movement pausing for a moment.
Felix Eagleclaw stared at Shawn Young with hawk-like eyes and said, "Not bad, not bad—the Half-Step Elbow Strike from Xingyi really lives up to its reputation! Young man, you truly have some of Winston Yuan’s skills!"
"Impressive! The technique you’re using must be the legendary Eagle Claw Technique, right?!" Shawn Young rubbed his aching, numb arm, recalling the fierce and mysterious style Winston Yuan had mentioned before.
"That’s right, this is the Eagle Claw School’s Mighty Eagle Claw Technique! Young man, it’s been ages since I’ve faced an opponent like you. You’ve got guts! Let’s go—watch out!" Felix Eagleclaw shouted, his hands flashing out like lightning, attacking Shawn’s throat and chest.
"Damn—that’s ruthless!" Shawn Young hadn’t expected Felix to be so aggressive. He quickly raised his left hand to shield his throat and chest, while his right hand channeled internal force to sweep at Felix’s incoming claw—"Smack!" He deflected the first attack, but Felix had feinted; his hands suddenly changed direction, slithering around Shawn’s right hand like venomous snakes, as sharp and deadly as an eagle swooping down on its prey!
Shawn’s heart raced in shock. He retreated wildly, blocking his chest with his left hand, but still couldn’t avoid the attack—"Riiip!" Felix’s claw struck Shawn’s abdomen, tearing his clothes and leaving a bloody hole. Blood spurted from the wound.
Shawn was alarmed and quickly used the "Dragon’s Tail Whip," raising his right leg and sweeping fiercely at Felix Eagleclaw’s waist. Felix nimbly leaped back, dodging Shawn’s powerful kick.
"Heh heh heh—young man, that move was the Eagle Claw School’s famous ‘Hawk Hunts Rabbit!’ You only got a little hurt, so your skills aren’t bad! You really do have Winston Yuan’s old flair!" Felix said, shaking off the torn cloth from his hand.