Chapter 2: Astonishing

The brilliance on Shen Duo’s face was so unprecedented that Wang Feng was taken aback. He had never seen such an expression on this girl before—resolute, bursting with confidence, as though she had transformed into an entirely different person from the frail, timid figure he had seen only two days ago. At this moment, she stood like a true noble: elegant, composed, gazing down from her lofty peak upon everything before her.

While Wang Feng was still caught in these emotions, a mocking voice came from the street not far away: “Heh, the direct descendant of the Shen family really does have a long life! Even at the edge of the Katla Forest, she wasn’t eaten by a phantom beast. Wang Feng, you’d better stay away from her, kid. Otherwise, you know what will happen…” A sinister laugh echoed in support from behind.

It was Shen Yan who approached—a tall, burly youth whose imposing frame made it hard to believe he was only seventeen. Several others trailed behind him, his usual gang, notorious for their arrogance and bullying along this street. With sly, wicked grins, they strode toward Shen Duo’s dilapidated shack.

A flicker of fear flashed across Wang Feng’s face. He knew all too well the methods of this gang—when they beat someone, they never held back. Although his own talent was decent, and he had already reached the rank of Four-Star Phantom Master, he still had elderly grandparents at home. He couldn’t risk dragging them into trouble because of him.

He bit his lip, cast an apologetic glance at Shen Duo, squeezed her arm in warning to be careful, and had no choice but to slip away.

Shen Duo understood his predicament well and held no grudge against him.

She stepped out of the house, head held high, her sparkling eyes fixed sharply on Shen Yan at the front. There was a blaze of anger in her gaze, but not a hint of retreat.

Shen Yan’s expression faltered for a moment. The frail girl before him seemed somehow different from usual—there was an aura about her that made him almost want to back down. But he quickly dismissed such thoughts. What did it matter if a useless wretch like her looked fierce? He himself was a Five-Star Phantom Master, considered a talented youth in Lock City. Was he supposed to fear a castoff girl exiled from the main city? Besides, they had bullied her plenty before, and her pitiful pleas for mercy were seared into his memory. How could she have changed so much in just two days?

With that, Shen Yan was at ease again, swaggering arrogantly toward her.

Earlier that day, his attempt to collect protection money had been foiled by Shen Yaoyang, who had already claimed this street. When Shen Yan went to confront him, he realized Shen Yaoyang had quietly risen to the rank of Six-Star Phantom Master. Though only one star higher, the gap in strength was considerable. Inevitably, Shen Yan was soundly beaten. Unable to vent his frustration on his superior, he turned to bullying the weak along the street instead. Running into Shen Duo was a stroke of luck—her pitiful appearance when beaten always gave him a twisted sense of satisfaction.

“Useless girl, dressing up so neatly is pointless. Those clothes will be filthy soon enough,” Shen Yan sneered, stroking his chin, where new stubble was beginning to show.

His cronies burst out laughing, one goading, “Boss, make sure you go extra hard on her!”

Shen Duo stared at the boys before her with disgust. All this aggression was just to vent their anger on a defenseless, frail girl—today, she would make them regret it!

She took a step forward, head high, her face cold and unyielding. Locking eyes with Shen Yan, she enunciated each word, “Do you dare accept my challenge?”

What? A challenge? Shen Yan thought he must have misheard—this worthless girl was challenging him? Utterly ridiculous. He laughed three times, then asked derisively, “Are you sure you want to challenge me?”

Shen Duo didn’t answer, simply repeated, “Do you dare accept my challenge?” Her eyes held unwavering resolve.

Ha! Shen Yan had never seen such a fool walk into a trap. On the Sacred Radiance Continent, it was the rule: the lower-ranked could challenge the higher, and the higher could not refuse. The higher-ranked could only challenge the lower with their consent.

Shen Yan crossed his arms, towering over the frail girl. “Useless wretch, since you insist on throwing yourself at me, don’t blame me for what happens.”

Passersby, who had previously ignored the scene, now crowded around to watch the spectacle—the infamous “useless Ninth Miss” of the Shen family, unable to absorb even the faintest phantom energy, was openly challenging someone on the street! It was beyond shocking.

The crowd eyed Shen Yan’s tall, sturdy frame, then looked at Shen Duo’s thin, small figure, shaking their heads. Even if she were a Phantom Master, she wouldn’t be a match for Shen Yan, let alone a powerless, infamous weakling. This was nothing but an exhibition match for him. Some looked at Shen Duo with sympathy, others with contempt or disdain, wondering if the once-timid direct descendant of the Shen family had completely lost her wits. Anyone with the slightest sense would never request such a match.

Despite having no hope for Shen Duo, no one left; all watched with the eager eyes of those expecting a show, staring at the few people surrounded in the center.

Shen Duo paid no heed to the crowd’s expressions. Since they looked down on her, she would make them see her true self today. Her delicate face was set with determination, lips pressed tight in silence. She slowly crouched, bending her right knee and stretching her left, left toe touching the ground, right fist at her waist, left palm extended before her—a classic long-fist stance.

Seeing her assume this formal posture, Shen Yan scoffed, “Today I’ll beat you so badly you won’t know which way is north!”

The crowd erupted in laughter at his words. Shen Yan didn’t hesitate—he raised his fist and lunged at her, aiming a punch straight at her proud, delicate face, contempt and disdain written all over his own.

But in a flash, Shen Duo swiftly dodged, her right hand shifting from a fist to a palm as she slipped past Shen Yan’s side. With a reverse strike, she chopped him at the nape, hitting his carotid artery. As Shen Yan’s mind swam and he staggered forward, Shen Duo lashed out with a kick to his left cheek—her movements nimble and clean, without the slightest hesitation.

The crowd’s eyes widened in disbelief; gasps rippled through those gathered. None could have dreamed that the “useless Ninth Miss” of the Shen family would suddenly become so formidable overnight. The now-unconscious Shen Yan lying on the ground was a Five-Star Phantom Master! In Lock City, that counted as above-average strength. Yet she had knocked him out cold with a single palm and a kick, his face still marked by the imprint of her foot. This meant Shen Duo must now be at least a Six-Star Phantom Master!

Standing in the sunlight, clad in black, her hair tied in a ponytail swaying gently in the breeze, Shen Duo’s cold, delicate face carried a hint of menace, her dark eyes brimming with powerful confidence. At this moment, she was like an angel—or a demon—sending a chill through all who beheld her. Any passerby would never believe that this girl was the once-downtrodden “useless Ninth Miss” of years past.

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