CHAPTER 130: CHAPTER 130: WHO IS MORE ARROGANT?

Luo Feng and Bing Ruolan entered the tavern. As soon as they found a place to sit, the local martial artists surrounded them.

"What a display of skill! You managed to kill the Black Dark King Serpent. I, Wu, greatly admire you!" a long-faced martial artist stood out and said with a smile. The others also looked at them, their eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Luo Feng knew these people were curious about how he had killed the Black Dark King Serpent. He clasped his fists in a gesture of greeting and smiled, "It was pure luck. When we crossed the Beiming River, the serpent was already heavily injured."

The crowd nodded in understanding, their eyes reflecting a look of realization. The Black Dark King Serpent was a troublesome adversary even for a mid-stage, seventh-level Essence Storage Realm martial artist. No one believed that Luo Feng and Bing Ruolan, given their age, possessed the strength to kill the serpent.

The long-faced martial artist saw Luo Feng’s calm response and impressive composure, and spoke with the intention of making friends. "This Black Dark King Serpent had been wreaking havoc in the Beiming River, harming many people. Today, you have done a great service by killing it! I am Wu Shan, also known as the ’Breaking River Guest’. May I have the honor of knowing your names?"

Since one doesn’t hit a smiling face, and it always paid to have more friends while navigating the martial world, Luo Feng stood and introduced himself, "I am Luo Feng, from Purple Sun School."

"I am Bing Ruolan, also from Purple Sun School."

"So, you are talented students from Purple Sun School! I am Zhang Lang of Python Tribe!"

"I am Chang Kui, also known as Black Sky Evil."

"I am Ji Yang from Soaring Cloud Eagle."

...

The nearby martial artists introduced themselves one by one. Given their age, around fifteen or sixteen, and attainment of the seventh level of the Essence Storage Realm, they were clearly elite students from the four major schools, with limitless futures. Establishing connections now might be useful to them in the martial world later on.

Luo Feng finally managed to break away from the crowd and ordered a few small dishes for Bing Ruolan. They planned to return to the school after a short rest.

At that moment, the sound of horse hooves could be heard outside. Two youths wearing the uniform of Wanluo School walked into the tavern with confident strides. A few students from Wanluo School already in the tavern ran up to greet them, "Senior Brother Sun, Senior Brother Liu, you’re here!"

The two newcomers nodded and smiled, "We received your message and rushed over immediately. Where is the Black Dark King Serpent?"

"Uh..." The Wanluo students glanced nervously at Luo Feng, their expressions uneasy. They had sent a message asking their schoolmates to come and kill the Black Dark King Serpent, but they hadn’t expected Luo Feng to kill it first.

Seeing their unease, the two arriving youths misinterpreted the situation and said with a smile, "Are you worried we can’t handle the Black Dark King Serpent? Don’t worry, this time we have brought a real expert along!"

No sooner had they spoken than a tall youth strode into the tavern.

"Senior Brother Duanmu!"

Several Wanluo students cried out in surprise. The entire tavern erupted in whispers; the newcomer was obviously well-known in the martial world.

Senior Brother Duanmu...

Hearing the name, Luo Feng’s heart stirred, and he looked up, his eyes resting on the tavern entrance. His gaze hardened when he saw the youth. He had thick lips and square eyes, his face covered in scars from blades and swords. His eyes shone fiercely, a brutal aura emanating from his body. His left sleeve was empty—it was Duanmu Kuang, whose arm Luo Feng had severed!

Duanmu Kuang’s gaze also fell upon Luo Feng. When their eyes met, Duanmu Kuang’s expression turned fierce.

"It’s you!" Duanmu Kuang stepped forward. His imposing presence felt like a sharp sword stabbing right at Luo Feng.

"What a narrow path for enemies to cross." Luo Feng sighed and put down his chopsticks. He looked at Duanmu Kuang with a faint smile. "We really are fated to meet here of all places."

"Luo Feng, do you know Duanmu Kuang?" Bing Ruolan detected the intense killing intent radiating from Duanmu Kuang, causing her delicate brows to furrow.

"We met once when I was completing a school mission. His severed arm was a gift from me," Luo Feng said with a smile, his eyes narrowed.

Bing Ruolan had heard that the Duanmu Family had issued a family-wide pursuit and kill order. Her beautiful eyes flickered, and she instantly understood most of the situation. Her gaze turned icy as she looked at Duanmu Kuang and his companions.

The Wanluo School students, however, were shocked by Luo Feng’s words. They turned to Duanmu Kuang and asked, "Senior Brother, is what he said true?"

When Duanmu Kuang had returned to the school, he had refused to explain how he lost his arm, so no one knew the reason.

Duanmu Kuang looked at Luo Feng and suddenly burst out laughing. "I didn’t expect my luck to be so good today! I came here to kill a Black Dark King Serpent, but I didn’t expect to find you. Luo Feng, last time I was careless, and you severed my arm. Today, we’ll settle both old scores and new! Will you end your own life, or shall I personally kill you?"

As he spoke, a ferocious aura rose from Duanmu Kuang, fierce and brutal.

"Mid-stage, seventh-level Essence Storage Realm!"

The entire tavern buzzed with shocked whispers. Luo Feng glanced at Duanmu Kuang; his aura was much stronger than a month ago. A smile touched Luo Feng’s lips as he said, "No wonder you dare to be so arrogant in front of me; you’ve broken through. However, I think your luck today is terrible."

Duanmu Kuang’s facial scars twitched as he coldly said, "For the past month, I’ve been in secluded cultivation, waiting for this very day. Since you’re so stubborn, I’ll have to take matters into my own hands!"

With a wild howl, Gang Qi surged from Duanmu Kuang’s entire body. He covered the ten-step distance in a single stride and thrust a palm at Luo Feng.

Luo Feng’s eyes were calm as he countered with a punch.

BOOM!

A powerful shockwave swept in all directions, shattering nearby tables and chairs. Some martial artists who couldn’t dodge in time were sent reeling and vomited blood, while others retreated in panic.

THUD! THUD!

Amidst the noise, Luo Feng and Duanmu Kuang were each forced back several steps.

Luo Feng brushed his hands off and sneered, "Duanmu Kuang, you’re not the only one who has gotten stronger. You’re still eight hundred years too early to beat me!"

"You’ve only just entered the seventh level of the Essence Storage Realm, yet you dare to be so arrogant before me. You will undoubtedly die today!"

Duanmu Kuang rushed forward again, yelling, "Senluo Fist!"

The Gang Qi on Duanmu Kuang’s hand morphed into a white skull. Its shrill, piercing howl made one’s blood boil.

Luo Feng did not dodge. Instead, he raised his Yuan Qi to eighty percent and struck out with a punch. "Tiger Roar Fist!"

His Gang Qi twisted and transformed, in the blink of an eye becoming a tiger’s head with wide, angry eyes. It radiated intense heat, causing the air around it to boil like water wherever it passed.

The two fists collided. The surrounding air twisted violently, and everything within a thirty-foot radius of the two men was instantly blasted away.

CRASH! BANG!

Unbelievably, the skull formed by Duanmu Kuang’s Gang Qi was the first to crack, shattering and disintegrating on impact.

PUFF!

Duanmu Kuang spat out a mouthful of blood, disbelief etched on his face as he was sent flying backward.

Luo Feng stood motionless, his robe flowing gently.

The entire tavern was silent. Everyone stared, eyes wide, at the young, saber-bearing youth standing proudly in the center, their faces filled with shock. Duanmu Kuang, an expert at the mid-stage of the seventh-level Essence Storage Realm, had been sent flying and spitting blood from a single punch! What was most unbelievable was that his opponent had only recently reached the seventh level of the Essence Storage Realm!

In a corner of the tavern, a few Wanluo School students huddled together, watching the two in the center and exchanging uneasy glances.

"Is this Luo Feng even human? Senior Brother Duanmu is no match for him!"

"I heard that when Luo Feng was still an outer disciple at Purple Sun School, he defeated Senior Brother Lu Han. He’s extremely fierce!" one man said, licking his lips.

"Should we go up and help Senior Brother?" a long-faced youth asked hesitantly.

"If you want to go, you go. I don’t want to court death." One of them glanced at Luo Feng in fear and shook his head decisively.

"You don’t have to argue. We can’t get past," a calm-eyed youth said, pointing to the side.

Bing Ruolan was standing there.

Duanmu Kuang got up from the ground, his face ashen as he glared at Luo Feng in rage. He couldn’t understand why Luo Feng, who had only recently entered the seventh level of the Essence Storage Realm, possessed Gang Qi that was even denser than his own!

"Duanmu Kuang, do you still feel lucky now?" Luo Feng said with a cold smile, walking towards him step by step.

"Luo Feng, do you really think I’m no match for you?"

Duanmu Kuang’s eyes hardened. His right hand, with two fingers extended, moved slowly upwards from a point two inches below his navel. His face gradually turned red, his red robe billowed though there was no wind, and his aura climbed steadily.

Red Blood Technique... Luo Feng watched Duanmu Kuang’s transformation, his brows furrowing slightly.

BUZZ!

An eerie ripple exploded within Duanmu Kuang’s body. An astonishing aura soared upwards, far exceeding his previous level; it had reached the peak of the mid-stage, seventh-level Essence Storage Realm!

"Hahaha... Exactly! This is our Duanmu Family’s secret technique, the Red Blood Technique! After using it, for an hour, your entire body’s blood will boil, allowing your potential to be pushed to its absolute limit!"

Duanmu Kuang’s skin looked like burning charcoal, and his eyes were as red as blood, like a ferocious beast pushed to the extreme of its rage. As he spoke, Duanmu Kuang drew his sword. With a casual swing, he unleashed a three-foot Sword Gang that carved a huge gash into the ground, making the watching martial artists’ scalps tingle.

"Interesting." Luo Feng was keen to test the true extent of his own strength. The Tiger Soul Saber appeared in his hand, his eyes showing not fear but eager anticipation.

"That Luo Feng actually wants to fight that madman!"

"What is he thinking? After using the Red Blood Technique, Duanmu Kuang’s cultivation has reached the peak of the mid-stage, seventh-level Essence Storage Realm! Even if Luo Feng’s Yuan Qi is somewhat denser, he’s definitely not a match."

"Could it be he has some other trump card?"

The martial artists around felt a mix of admiration and surprise as Luo Feng faced Duanmu Kuang without any sign of fear.

"Luo Feng, I, Duanmu Kuang, earned the title of ’Sword Madman’ in the martial world by killing countless people. I didn’t expect you to be even crazier than I am! Unfortunately, you are going to die here today! Die for me!"

Duanmu Kuang let out a long cry. The red glow on his body surged dramatically, and the sound wave rippled outwards. "Red Blood Overturning Heaven!"

The Three-Foot Green Edge shone with a dazzling, blood-red light. Duanmu Kuang swung his right hand with wide, sweeping motions, unleashing dozens of sword strikes in an instant.

SWISH! SWISH! SWISH...

The incredible sword momentum swept through an area several zhang wide, leaving the tavern floor completely ravaged. Shattered wood surged outwards like a tidal wave. Martial artists nearby who failed to dodge in time were sent flying, spitting blood, as they hastily retreated.

In the chaos, Duanmu Kuang retracted his sharp sword, its tip aimed straight at Luo Feng. The three-foot Sword Gang, brilliant as blood, thrust through the air toward him!