After Lin Li happily obtained the Cultivation Manual inheritance from the ruins, he was like a child with a rare new toy, rushing back to the base in a flurry to study it. What was this Cultivation Manual called again? "Stellar Illuminating the World Formula"—man, just hearing the name sounded utterly domineering. He tried to circulate his energy, and hey, the airflow all around his body started swirling wildly as if under a spell, seemingly connecting and resonating back and forth with the twinkling stars in the sky. Lin Li was thrilled, muttering to himself, "Wow, isn't this Cultivation Manual practically custom-made for me by the heavens? With this thing, I'll definitely beat those turtle-spawn bastards from Dark Star so hard they won't even know which way is up. Sending them scurrying in terror would be getting off easy!"
Just as he was feeling himself, his assistant Xiao Li rushed in frantically as if chased by a ghost, panting and shouting, "Brother Lin, it's a huge disaster! Those scumbags from Dark Star have teamed up with a bunch of small-time gangs and are running wild at one of our Starry Alliance properties! They're acting completely out of line, demanding that we pack up and get out of Jiangcheng today!"
Upon hearing this, Lin Li's eyebrows instantly shot up like antennas, a fierce glint flashed in his eyes, and he sneered, "Heh, they couldn't have picked a better time! I was just fretting over not having an excuse to go cause trouble for them, and here they are delivering themselves right to my doorstep to take a beating—talk about considerate! Xiao Li, quickly notify the brothers, grab your weapons, and follow me. We need to let them know that our Starry Alliance isn't to be trifled with, and none of us are pushovers!"
The group moved like a whirlwind, speeding to the scene of the disturbance. They saw a low-level thug from the Dark Star organization named Scarface Wang standing triumphantly at the entrance like a crab. With a single kick, he flipped over a vendor's stall and cursed loudly, "Starting today, this territory is under the protection of Dark Star! If you know what's good for you, hand over the protection fee immediately, or else you'll be sorry. I'll show you who's boss!"
Lin Li swaggered forward, sneering mockingly, "Well, well, Scarface Wang, take a look at yourself—do you really think you're somebody? What's this, running wild on my turf? Do you think you're all that? You're courting death!"
Scarface Wang turned his head, and upon realizing it was Lin Li, he was stunned for a split second before bursting into arrogant, maniacal laughter as if possessed, "Ha-ha-ha-ha! Isn't this Boss Lin? What, trying to play the hero saving the damsel? Too bad you showed up right on time today—I'll take care of you along with the rest, saving me the trouble!"
Lin Li crossed his arms, looking utterly disdainful as he mocked, "You and what army? You ought to look in a mirror—your face has more scars than flesh, enough to scare a ghost pissing itself in the middle of the night, and yet you still dare to come out here making a fool of yourself? Why don't you just fly up and shoulder-to-shoulder with the sun!"
Scarface Wang's face turned as livid and dark as a pig's liver with rage. Stretching his neck, he roared at the top of his lungs, "Get them, all of you! Beat them to a pulp, and I'll take the blame if anything happens!" At his command, a mob of punks swarmed forward waving clubs like rabid dogs.
A deeply disdainful smile curled the corner of Lin Li's mouth, a smile that seemed to say, "You bunch of small-time punks aren't even worth looking at." Immediately afterward, his figure moved as fast as lightning, and with a "swoosh," he charged straight into the thick of the mob. Showing off his agility, he unleashed the "Stellar Illuminating the World Formula," and instantly his entire body burst with blinding light, glowing like a miniature sun. Every strike whipped up a violent gust of wind, scattering the punks like autumn leaves; they were sent flying in all directions, crashing to the ground completely disoriented.
"With just these third-rate parlor tricks of yours, you dare act arrogant in front of me? You're simply lighting a lantern in an outhouse—looking for death!" Lin Li bantered effortlessly while defending himself.
Seeing this turn of events, Scarface Wang's heart skipped a beat, and he thought in secret shock: When did this Lin Li get so fierce? His strength has improved way too fast! But refusing to admit defeat, he put up a stubborn front: "Hmph, don't celebrate too early! We've barely scratched the surface—this is just the appetizer, and you'll be crying later. If you've got guts, don't run!"
Lin Li rushed right up to Scarface Wang in a few swift bounds, grabbed him by the collar as if he were a little chick, hoisted him straight up, and said fiercely, "Spit it out! What kind of shady business are your Dark Star people cooking up lately? Don't force me to use violence—