Gao Wu: I became the minor villain that the protagonist was about to destroy.

A sharp glint flashed in Baki's eyes: "My chairman and my dad, they're absolutely terrifying when they get angry."

At that moment, Lin Yue appeared silently beside Baki like a ghost, his gaze fixed on the slightly thin man in black robes, his voice calm and even: "Baki-kun, leave this one to me."

Baki glanced at Lin Yue and saw the almost tangible solemnity and fighting spirit in the other's eyes.

Baki shrugged: "Since she's your prey, of course I won't fight you for her."

Then, Baki casually started warming up in front of the two men in black robes—rotating his wrists and ankles, stretching his muscles and bones, as if he didn't take them seriously at all.

This blatant, almost humiliating disregard thoroughly enraged the leader of the black-robed men.

"court death!"

With a low roar, the ground beneath the tall, black-robed man's feet exploded! Fine arcs of purple electricity suddenly shot out from under his cloak, crackling and popping as they coiled around his entire body.

His figure blurred and elongated in the flash of lightning, leaving only a scorched mark and a piercing shriek in the air!

Its speed was so fast that it exceeded the limits of what the naked eye could perceive!

"Bang--!!!"

A heavy, violent explosion suddenly rang out in front of the villa!

The violent shockwave spread wildly in a ring in all directions, causing the flowers and plants in the courtyard to bow down, and shattering the windows of the villa.

It wasn't until the shockwave subsided that the situation on the field became clear.

Baki remained standing, in his punching stance. His fist collided squarely with another fist enveloped in leaping arcs of electricity! At the point of impact, the air itself distorted slightly, unable to withstand the terrifying force, and emitted a groan of unbearable strain.

The hard stone bricks beneath their feet began to crack wildly, spreading outwards like a spiderweb for dozens of meters. In just a moment, the flat ground sank, forming a huge depression.

The first clash of forces, devoid of any fancy moves, seemed to end in a draw.

In that instant, a silver light seemed to flash through the air. Before the black-clad leader could even comprehend what was happening, he felt dizzy and disoriented. At that moment, the whole world seemed to turn upside down.

To the others, it seemed as if Baki had moved, yet it also seemed as if he hadn't moved at all. The black-clad leader began to sway unsteadily, looking as if he was about to collapse.

Chu Yu exclaimed in shock, "Uncle Li, what just happened?!"

Li Bo's expression was equally shocked, because he had only seen a fleeting afterimage; the speed was so fast that it was impossible to guard against.

"Just now, Young Master Baki punched that man in black in the jaw. I estimate that the heavy blow caused his brain to vibrate violently, resulting in a brief period of dizziness."

"If it weren't for the protection of his body by spiritual energy, that attack would probably have crushed him."

Baki stepped forward, his right hand moving like water, and another flash of silver light appeared. Baki's right hand lashed out like a fierce whip, striking the black-clad leader.

All that was heard was a loud "smack," and a ripple that broke the sound barrier was created at the point of impact.

The black-clad leader, who had been in a dazed state, suddenly had clear, lucid eyes.

"Aaaaaah—!!!"

A piercing scream echoed throughout the Chu family's villa.

The black-clad leader's body was tense. Where he had just been struck by Baki's whip, his black robe was torn, revealing his flesh. A clear dark red palm print appeared on the leader's back.

"Ah—!! Huff! Huff! You deserve to die!!"

"BOOM!!"

A violent surge of lightning power erupted from the black-robed leader's body, causing him to double in size. His taut black robe ripped apart, revealing pale purple fur and a ferocious face resembling that of a lion. His body gradually swelled to the size of a small mountain.

Black-robed leader (Lu Che) A-level meridian type

Inherent Trait [Thunder Beast: A traveler dwelling in the Thunder Forbidden Wasteland, possessing a thunderous core, capable of continuously generating large quantities of thunder for its own use. When the trait is activated, it takes on a Thunder Beast form (no half-human, half-beast form), with its strength increased by 3 times and its speed increased by 4 times, and it can control thunder.]

Acquired Trait [Martial Artist - Fist - Blue] [Concealment: Can roughly hide one's aura from detection; ineffective against those 3 ranks higher than oneself.]

【Thunder Furnace Core (Tier 4): A trait gained from the Thunderous Body Forging Technique (out of 4 tiers)】

[Tier 1 - Lightning Cleansing: Through a special breathing technique, electricity is drawn into the body to temper oneself, increasing physical strength by 0.2-0.8 times.]

[Second Tier - Thunderous Purification: Further refines one's internal organs through thunder, allowing them to contain thunderous power. Thunder-type spiritual energy skills are increased by 10%-20%, spiritual energy by 0.6-1.2 times, and physical constitution by 1-5 times.]

[Tier 3 - Thunder Core: Condenses the entire body with lightning and condenses the Qi Sea into a Thunder Core, transforming spiritual energy into thunder spiritual energy. The power of thunder is inexhaustible, increasing thunder-type spiritual energy skills by 15%-25% and physical constitution by 3-6 times]

[Tier 4 - Lightning Transformation: Allows the user to transform into lightning, entering an elemental state, immune to physical damage, and increasing lightning-based psionic skills by 20%-40%]

Baki narrowed his eyes as he looked at the black-clad leader who had transformed into Lei Shi. He assumed a fighting stance and quickly scanned Lei Shi's body, instantly identifying his opponent's weakness.

Suddenly, Lei Shi raised his right hand and slammed it down on the ground, and several bolts of lightning surged out and headed towards Baki.

These lightning bolts might appear incredibly fast to others, but to Baki, everything seemed to slow down.

With a flash, it passed directly through the dense lightning and appeared beneath Lei Shi. Its right foot, now armed, kicked upwards. Lei Shi, sensing the creature below through the surrounding arcs of electricity, raised its right palm and slammed it down on the Baki.

With a loud "bang," the lion's paw and right foot collided violently, and Lei Shi felt a strange force coming from beneath his feet.

Its enormous body suddenly arched backward.

"Impossible! You're just a lowly brat at the third level of the County Earthquake Realm, how could you possibly possess such power!"

Baki scoffed, "I thought you'd be a decent opponent, but it seems I overestimated you."

With a slight push of his feet, Baki leaped into the air and delivered a powerful punch to Lei Shi's chest.

Lei Shi hurriedly gathered spiritual energy in his chest, forming a spiritual energy shield.

"Duang—!!"

"Click!"

Baki's attack failed to break through the opponent's shield, but the enormous impact caused Lei Shi's body to be violently pushed backward.

"Screech—!!!" A deep drag mark was left on the ground, and a small crack appeared on the shield.

"Roar—!!" Lei Shi roared, his body surging with spiritual energy, his fur twisting and turning under the influence of the energy.

"I don't believe it! You have such powerful properties!"

"Lion's Roar!!" (Those targeted by the Lion's Roar have their power reduced by 5%)

"roar--!!!"