Time's Up

They arrived at the training grounds.

Hoshino Kannon and Gu Chenan stood at a slightly further distance.

Fang Yuanyuan and the rest of the Owls had been waiting there.

Meanwhile, Hua Liran was warming up in the center of the training grounds.

Everyone was quite curious about Lin Yu's martial skills.

When Hoshino Kannon had recommended Lin Yu to join the Black Owls, she didn't give much introduction to his abilities.

However, according to the people from the Suhang Squad, Lin Yu's skills were quite impressive.

To become one of the Twelve Owls, strength was the most crucial evaluation criterion.

This was also the reason why everyone looked down on Gu Chenan compared to Lin Yu.

Because they couldn't understand how a famous rich young master could be so formidable.

Behind the training grounds.

Hoshino Kannon had been in a low mood since her earlier verbal clash with Lin Yu.

"What's wrong?" Gu Chenan asked softly.

Hoshino Kannon pursed her lips and turned her head. "I did want to kill you before, but now..."

Before she could finish, Gu Chenan smiled slightly and raised his finger to her lips.

"No need to explain, I trust you."

Hoshino Kannon's eyes widened, and she swallowed hard before nodding vigorously.

"Thank you~"

Smack!

Gu Chenan playfully slapped her round, full bottom and teased, "Don't thank me. As far as I'm concerned, Lin Yu is just a pure idiot. I don't care what he says, and I won't take it to heart."

"Mm." Hoshino Kannon nodded, feeling warmth in her heart.

If the earlier incident made Hoshino Kannon feel that Lin Yu was even more disgusting than she had imagined, then Gu Chenan was several times more gentle than she had expected.

This made Hoshino Kannon feel deep down that Lin Yu was a complete scumbag compared to Gu Chenan.

Hoshino Kannon even doubted if she had been blind at the time.

Back then, she had thought Gu Chenan was a scumbag rich brat, while Lin Yu was a righteous gentleman.

But now it seemed the opposite was true!

At the same time, the other Owls noticed Gu Chenan patting Hoshino Kannon's bottom.

They glanced at the pair behind them and shook their heads.

"What's the point? If they want to flirt, they should go to their room. What are they doing here?"

"Exactly, and this Gu Chenan doesn't seem to have any sense of crisis. Does he really think he can last two hours against Sister Hua?"

The group discussed, their words full of dissatisfaction.

Not long after, Lin Yu entered the training grounds.

Fang Yuanyuan immediately gestured impatiently, "Hurry up, hurry up, let's get this over with and clock out."

Lin Yu nodded and walked to the center of the training grounds, nodding to the qipao-clad Hua Liran in greeting.

"Sister Hua."

Hua Liran smiled slightly, raising a finger and beckoning. "Let's start. I can't wait any longer."

As she spoke, Hua Liran stuck out her tongue and licked her lips. "Don't hold back against me."

Lin Yu's pupils dilated, and he instinctively swallowed hard.

The humiliation he had felt after being insulted by Hoshino Kannon and Gu Chenan was instantly forgotten, leaving only the desire to fiercely exchange blows with Hua Liran.

"My apologies, Sister Hua."

Lin Yu clasped his hands in salute.

In the next second, he stepped forward, and his figure flickered as he instantly charged towards Hua Liran.

Including Fang Yuanyuan, everyone raised their eyebrows at the sight.

That speed was quite impressive!

As Lin Yu's figure grew larger in Hua Liran's eyes, just as his fist was about to strike her body, Hua Liran grabbed Lin Yu's chin with one hand and seamlessly leapt up, her long, beautiful legs emerging from beneath her qipao to fiercely kick towards the back of Lin Yu's head.

Lin Yu was startled.

Hua Liran's speed was so fast that he hadn't anticipated it, and he felt a sudden gust of wind behind his head.

Lin Yu immediately raised his arms and turned around.

Bang!

A dull thud echoed.

Lin Yu skidded for several meters before finally regaining his balance.

At the same time, a sharp pain shot through his arms.

The speed and power of that kick left Lin Yu in shock.

If he had been any slower in reacting, a kick to the back of his head would have either killed him or left him a vegetable.

This was the true strength of the Twelve Owls...

Lin Yu shook his arms and his gaze grew determined.

"How's that? Still holding up? You can surrender if you can't take it anymore. I'll go easy on you," Hua Liran smiled seductively.

"I'm fine, Sister Hua. Please continue."

Lin Yu's voice was filled with fighting spirit.

Witnessing this scene, the others couldn't help but comment.

"Sister Hua's kick just now was meant to kill Lin Yu. There's no need for such lethal force in a sparring match..."

"Heh, you know Sister Hua's personality. Besides, I think Lin Yu's skills are decent. He should be able to last two hours."

Fang Yuanyuan's indifferent gaze also brightened when Lin Yu confidently said, "Please continue, Sister Hua."

She gained a sliver of respect for Lin Yu.

Facing a formidable opponent without fear and growing braver in battle - that was the mark of talent.

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Hua Liran's figure and Lin Yu's figure rapidly intertwined.

The two exchanged blows, creating a dizzying display.

However, the others could also see that although it appeared evenly matched, Hua Liran was firmly suppressing Lin Yu.

Hua Liran could anticipate and evade any of Lin Yu's moves before he made them.

But Lin Yu couldn't detect Hua Liran's techniques at all, only reacting to block or defend after she had already struck.

Time trickled away amidst their back-and-forth exchanges and the occasional dull impacts.

Soon, only ten minutes remained before the two-hour mark.

Seeing the time was almost up, Hua Liran raised an eyebrow and smiled at Lin Yu.

"It's almost over. Can you still keep going?"

At this point, Lin Yu was already panting heavily, his stamina drained from constantly defending against Hua Liran's relentless onslaught.

But he knew time was running out, so he nodded firmly. "Of course."

"Heh."

Hua Liran smiled. "Good. Then I'll use my full power. I hope you don't collapse before time runs out."

"What?!"

Lin Yu's eyes widened in shock.

Was Hua Liran saying she hadn't used her full power until now? That couldn't be possible!

Before his astonishment could subside, Hua Liran's figure accelerated again, her form like a gracefully dancing butterfly as she spun.

In an instant, one slender, beautiful leg shot forth with a piercing whistle.

Lin Yu reacted swiftly, crossing both arms in front of his face.

Thud!

Another dull impact, but louder than any before.

Lin Yu felt a searing pain in his arms, as if they were broken, causing him to grit his teeth.

The sheer force of that kick was immense, sending Lin Yu sliding across the ground until he slammed hard into the training ground wall.

Lin Yu's throat filled with the taste of iron as fresh blood surged up.

But he gritted his teeth and swallowed the blood defiantly.

At that moment, Secretary Wan Ke stood up.

"Time's up."