For some reason, when the words "struck by lightning" were mentioned, The Book God's tone became extremely grave, even filled with intense hatred.

"I would never deceive The Book God!"

Ryan Lawson looked completely earnest.

In his mind, this black mist was either The Book God or just a suspicious mass of black fog.

The sun was setting in the west.

Qingfeng Academy was finally dismissed.

Ryan Lawson swaggered out of the academy.

"You little brat, where do you think you're going!"

An angry shout rang out.

A wounded boy wrapped in bandages approached, leading several other youths from the Liu clan.

Ryan Lawson found him somewhat familiar.

Looking closely, wasn't this William York, the one he had beaten up badly just yesterday?

"Just the few of you?"

Ryan Lawson couldn't help but shake his head.

"Ryan Lawson, you can't escape. My brother is waiting for you behind the mountain."

William York's voice was cold and threatening.

That venomous, intimidating glare made it hard for anyone to meet his eyes.

"Hmph, looks like you still haven't learned your lesson!"

Ryan Lawson's expression turned cold, and his figure flickered.

Slap!

A loud slap rang out, and the bandaged William York was sent flying by a single smack.

Ah!

Several nearby Liu clan youths cried out in shock.

Even in this situation, Ryan Lawson dared to make a move—how bold could he be?

Wasn't he afraid of Richard York's retaliation?

"If Richard York wants to find me, let him come himself! Stop playing these games."

Ryan Lawson walked away as if no one else was around.

William York, who had been knocked to the ground by the slap, was completely stunned.

His face was filled with resentment, but when he saw Ryan Lawson's cold and merciless expression, he swallowed the harsh words he was about to say.

"You little brat! How dare you hurt my brother!"

At that moment, from near the back mountain, an angry shout approached rapidly.

Whoosh!

A burly youth in battle armor came running at high speed—it was none other than Richard York, who had reached the Kai Mai stage!

"Heh, you got here pretty fast."

Ryan Lawson stopped in his tracks, looking a bit surprised.

"Ryan Lawson, today I'll show you the difference between a martial apprentice and a Kai Mai stage martial artist. Even if you beg for mercy on your knees, it won't help!"

Richard York's eyes blazed like torches, burning with fury.

Whoosh!

A faint red aura surged from his body, his momentum rising like a tiger about to go berserk, making the Liu clan youths tremble in fear.

"Brother, I want to cripple him!"

Beside him, William York clutched his swollen face, his expression full of venom.

Chapter 005: Kai Mai Achieved

"Brother, I want to cripple him!"

At this moment, William York was full of confidence, glaring at Ryan Lawson with hatred.

"Don't worry. I'll take him down in one move."

Richard York smiled arrogantly, the faint red true energy on his body suddenly flaring up like fire.

Boom!

The ground exploded into a shallow pit as Richard York shot forward, stirring up a fierce gust of wind.

In the next instant, a tall, dark shadow appeared before Ryan Lawson's eyes.

"So fast!"

An ordinary martial apprentice wouldn't even have time to react and would be sent flying by a single blow.

But Ryan Lawson had cultivated the "Heaven's Mandate Creation Art," greatly enhancing his senses. With his spiritual perception unleashed, Richard York's movements in his sight seemed several times slower.

"My brother is a Kai Mai stage martial artist! The gap between a martial apprentice and a martial artist is insurmountable. Ryan Lawson, just wait and see how you beg for mercy!"

William York felt delighted, as if he could already see Ryan Lawson at his mercy.

"Dragon Form Hand!"

Richard York swept his arm, coated in blazing faint red true energy, slashing down like a dragon's shadow, exuding an overwhelming and unmatched might.

"Dragon Form Hand"—the Liu clan's entry-level martial art, far superior to basic techniques, and only those at the Kai Mai stage were qualified to learn it.

"So strong! Richard's 'Dragon Form Hand' has already reached the minor achievement stage."

"This strike is enough to flatten that loser!"

Several Liu clan youths shouted excitedly.

Facing a Kai Mai stage martial artist,

Ryan Lawson dared not be careless. He mustered all his strength to block the attack.

Smack!

A fierce force, accompanied by an aggressive and domineering true energy, surged into Ryan Lawson's body.

"So this is the true energy of the Kai Mai stage? What a domineering palm strike!"

Ryan Lawson's arm went numb, and he staggered back.

Buzz!

Suddenly, the divine vein in his body, like a hidden dragon, emitted a faint blue aura, dissolving and absorbing that true energy.

"Hmm?"

Richard York frowned. His move hadn't managed to take down that kid?

A Kai Mai stage martial artist could communicate with the spiritual energy of heaven and earth, generating true energy within, which possessed tremendous destructive power.

But just now,

His true energy attack had been inexplicably drawn away, as if absorbed by a sponge.

"I'll defeat you in three moves!"

Richard York looked down arrogantly; he hadn't used his full strength in the previous strike.

If he couldn't quickly finish off a body-tempering martial apprentice, it would be a disgrace to a martial artist.

Whoosh!

The faint red true energy from Richard York's hands surged violently, like burning crimson dragon arms, his aura even more ferocious.

Boom! Boom!

Two consecutive attacks kicked up clouds of dust.

This time,

Ryan Lawson's figure only swayed slightly as he withstood the attacks, looking even more relaxed, a faint smile curling at the corner of his lips.

"The Book God's method really works. My divine vein has opened up even more..."

Ryan Lawson was secretly delighted.

Earlier, The Book God had taught him a technique—using the true energy of a Kai Mai stage martial artist to help open up his own divine vein!