CHAPTER 139: CHAPTER 139: ONE PUNCH

"Number seven versus number nine."

The second round of the competition began. The first match once again featured Li Yun, whose opponent was He Yu, ranked thirteenth on the Winged Tiger List.

WHOOSH!

A gentle breeze stirred. As soon as the instructor’s voice faded, Li Yun’s figure dissolved into a long trail of afterimages, instantly appearing on the arena stage.

"So fast!"

"When did he even get on the stage?"

"Truly worthy of ’Cloud Eagle,’ Senior Brother Li Yun! His speed is demonic. In the entire School, perhaps only Senior Sister Zi Yuan can match his Qinggong cultivation!"

The entire martial arts arena erupted in gasps of astonishment; everyone was amazed at Li Yun’s Qinggong cultivation.

Li Yun snorted lightly, a smirk of satisfaction playing on his lips as his gaze turned to Luo Feng below the stage.

Luo Feng felt Li Yun’s provocative gaze and scoffed.

Li Yun’s every move was as graceful as the wind, his Qinggong cultivation indeed remarkable.

However, compared to my Teng Dragon Steps, his is still a notch below.

"Senior Brother Li, please give me some guidance."

He Yu, a refined-looking young man who knew his strength was inferior to Li Yun’s, spoke with a respectful expression.

Li Yun withdrew his gaze, nodded at He Yu, and said, "Let’s begin."

"Feathers Cloud Sword!"

He Yu drew his sword. With a flick of his wrist, the cold sword blade scattered a shower of frosty light as it stabbed towards Li Yun.

HISSS!

He Yu’s swordsmanship was excellent. The sword light condensed into a single line, emitting only a faint sound of rushing air, like lightning tearing through the night sky, splitting the air with a palpable chill.

Just as the sword tip was about to pierce Li Yun, the situation abruptly changed.

Li Yun took a light step, his body leaning back sharply, parallel to the ground, as he narrowly avoided the sword’s edge.

He Yu’s expression shifted slightly. Just as he was about to retreat, Li Yun suddenly slapped the ground with both palms. His body glided out at an incredible angle, his fingers flicking lightly against He Yu’s wrist.

SWISH!

He Yu felt his wrist go numb; his sword had already flown from his grasp. Then, Li Yun’s palm struck his left shoulder. With a muffled grunt, a trace of blood spilled from the corner of his mouth. He staggered back more than ten steps before falling off the stage!

"Senior Brother Li Yun is truly formidable. He Yu is ranked thirteenth on the Winged Tiger List, already an extraordinary expert, yet he was defeated so quickly."

"Senior Brother Li Yun’s strength isn’t limited to this. He didn’t even use his most powerful Qinggong, the Ling Falcon Step, just now."

"Hmm. It seems that in this qualification challenge, Senior Brother Li Yun is certain to make the Hidden Dragon List! He might even break into the top five!"

Watching Li Yun win so cleanly, the inner courtyard students below the stage whispered among themselves.

In the distance, Zhou Tong, ranked fifth on the Hidden Dragon List, watched Li Yun descend from the stage and clenched his fists. "Heh, this Li Yun kid is somewhat interesting. Nan Xiao, his Qinggong cultivation should be no less than yours."

Nan Xiao, at his side, nodded. "In terms of Qinggong realm alone, he is slightly better than me. However, if we were to meet on the stage, I am confident I could defeat him within twenty moves!"

Zhou Tong wasn’t surprised by Nan Xiao’s words.

Which of the students on the Hidden Dragon List didn’t have a trump card?

Merely outstanding Qinggong cultivation wasn’t enough to qualify for the Hidden Dragon List.

After Li Yun and He Yu’s match concluded, it was Luo Feng’s turn to take the stage again.

This time, his opponent was Yang Xu, ranked fifteenth on the Winged Tiger List.

"My luck is pretty good, to think my opponent is you." Yang Xu, an average-looking young man with very bright eyes, looked at Luo Feng and smiled in satisfaction.

Do I appear that weak? Luo Feng was somewhat speechless.

WHOOSH!

Yang Xu directly drew his sword, his eyes fixed on Luo Feng, and chuckled, "I won’t be as foolish as that big idiot earlier. Your sneak attacks won’t work on me."

"Is that so?"

Luo Feng shook his head, too lazy to explain, and said indifferently, "Then take my punch!"

As soon as his voice fell, Luo Feng’s body lunged forward. He swung his right fist casually, generating a wave of force. His entire arm moved so quickly it was shadowless.

"You dare underestimate me!"

Seeing Luo Feng still not employing any martial arts techniques, Yang Xu’s eyes turned cold. The tip of his sword danced, projecting his Gang Qi three inches, and he fiercely stabbed at Luo Feng.

Luo Feng’s gaze remained calm. Just as the sword blade was about to touch him, he tilted his body and slid past it. Summoning seventy percent of his strength, he punched the sword body, easily sending the opponent’s slender sword flying.

The sword was sent flying. Yang Xu, shocked by the immense force transmitted from his wrist, staggered back several steps. His entire right arm trembled slightly as he stared at Luo Feng in horror.

"Want to go again?" Luo Feng asked indifferently.

Yang Xu glanced at his sword, which had flown ten meters away off the stage. He licked his lips, then turned and cupped his fists at Luo Feng, saying, "Thank you for your leniency, Senior Brother. I lost."

"Luo Feng wins!"

The instructor shot a stunned glance at Luo Feng and announced in a timely manner.

"This Luo Feng actually defeated his opponent with a single punch again!"

"How did he do that? Yang Xu is also at the early stage of the Seventh Level of the Essence Storage Realm, yet he was defeated by a single punch! Incredible."

In the martial arts arena, many people had now taken notice of Luo Feng.

If Luo Feng defeating Teng Chong with one punch was luck, then defeating Yang Xu this time was definitely not that simple.

"Hehe, not bad! Since Lu Xiao Yun left the School, I haven’t seen such a display in a long time."

On the viewing platform, Zi Hongyuan watched Luo Feng’s figure, his eyes flickering with excitement and even a touch of gratification.

"Dean, what’s going on? How can Luo Feng’s casual punch possess such power?"

Zi Hongyuan was a Ninth Level Heavenly Court Realm powerhouse and rarely showed such an expression. The instructors beside him couldn’t help but feel curious and asked.

Zi Hongyuan smiled and said,

"If I’m not mistaken, Luo Feng has cultivated the Tiger Roar Fist to the Reformative Realm! Look at his punches. They appear simple and unadorned, seemingly straightforward, yet they are truly profound and mysterious. The power of his casual punch is not inferior to a Yellow-rank mid-grade martial art!"

HISS...

A series of sharp intakes of breath sounded. Looking at the black-haired young man on the stage, expressions of astonishment appeared on the faces of the surrounding instructors.

Reaching Small Success in a martial art was already very difficult.

Some geniuses, or those who had undergone prolonged comprehension and cultivation, could reach Great Accomplishment!

Reaching the further stage of the Perfect Realm was even more difficult.

As for the Reformative Realm, it was simply impossible to achieve without a monstrous level of comprehension.

"Luo Feng’s comprehension of martial arts is no less than Lu Xiao Yun’s from three years ago. It’s a pity his cultivation is too low. Otherwise, in this year’s New Talent Tournament, our Purple Sun School might have taken the top spot."

Zi Hongyuan looked at Luo Feng and shook his head, his tone tinged with regret.

The instructors beside him nodded in agreement, sighing.

The results of the New Talent Tournament determined the schools’ rankings.

Last year, Purple Sun School ranked fourth, last among the four great schools, and was ridiculed by the others.

...

After Luo Feng defeated Yang Xu, the second round concluded.

Only he, Li Yun, and Zhou Jian remained in their group.

「Finally—」

The competition entered the final round, the third round!

The three drew lots again.

"First match, number three versus number six."

As the instructor’s voice fell, a chorus of boos erupted around the stage, all eyes turning to Luo Feng and Zhou Jian.

News of Luo Feng and Zhou Jian’s clash in the dining hall the day before had already spread like wildfire throughout the school. The nearby students all knew the two had a score to settle.

They had just witnessed Luo Feng’s brilliant performance, defeating two Winged Tiger List experts with only two moves each, making them somewhat eager for this duel.

Under the crowd’s gaze, Luo Feng leaped directly onto the stage and looked coldly at Zhou Jian below. "Zhou Jian, come on up!"

Zhou Jian licked his lips, but his feet didn’t move.

"Zhou Jian, Luo Feng is being so arrogant! Hurry up and teach him a lesson!"

"That’s right, Zhou Jian! You’re the eighth-ranked expert on the Winged Tiger List, and he’s only ranked fifty-eighth. Surely you’re not afraid of him!"

The surrounding students, never ones to miss a good show, began to jeer.

Li Yun also frowned and urged, "Zhou Jian, why aren’t you going up yet?"

"I..."

Zhou Jian opened his mouth but said nothing. His gaze fell on Luo Feng on the stage, a hint of fear flickering in his eyes.

Before the competition began, he had thought Luo Feng only managed to injure him the day before because it was sudden and caught him off guard.

If they were to fight head-on, Luo Feng might not be his match.

However, the reality of Luo Feng defeating two Winged Tiger List experts with two punches each shattered his illusion.

Zhou Jian was certain that if he faced Luo Feng, he wouldn’t fare much better than Yang Xu and the others; the outcome might even be more tragic!

Wiping the cold sweat from his forehead, Zhou Jian seemed to have made a decision. He looked up at the instructor and said, "I... I forfeit!"

As soon as his words fell, the entire stadium was in an uproar.

Many people hadn’t expected Zhou Jian to make such a choice.

Zhou Jian was ranked eighth on the Winged Tiger List, while Luo Feng was ranked fifty-eighth!

Such a choice was tantamount to fleeing.

Many gazes directed at Zhou Jian turned somewhat peculiar.

Luo Feng glanced at Zhou Jian with disdain and said coolly, "You’ve made a smart choice."

Compared to Li Heshan, Zhou Jian didn’t even deserve to call himself a Martial Artist.

Zhou Jian heard the mockery in Luo Feng’s words. His face flushed red, but he was unable to retort.

"Waste!"

Li Yun glared at Zhou Jian, flashed, and leaped directly onto the stage.

Standing ten meters in front of Luo Feng, Li Yun said coldly, "Luo Feng, I didn’t expect you to actually make it to the third round. However, you’ll soon realize this isn’t a good thing for you!"

Li Yun’s tone was icy, and the frigid gleam deep in his pupils was like a sword, making it hard for others to look directly at him.

Watching the two confront each other on the stage, the students in the entire martial arts arena grew ecstatic.

For Luo Feng to reach the final round of a competition filled with so many strong contenders was already remarkably impressive!

However, now his opponent was Li Yun, the top expert on the Winged Tiger List. Many people did not favor Luo Feng.

"Just two months ago, Luo Feng was merely an outer courtyard student from the Silver Moon class. Now, he’s actually able to compete on the same stage as Li Yun, the top-ranked expert on the Winged Tiger List. It’s unbelievable!"

"Indeed. But his luck is terrible, getting grouped with Li Yun."

"After this match, he probably won’t be able to get out of bed for months. What a pity..." a student said, shaking his head.

The students nearby heard the implication in his words and eagerly asked, "Zhou Ping, you’re the school’s walking encyclopedia; do you know something?"

The student named Zhou Ping scratched his head and said in a low voice,

"Don’t you all know? Zhou Jian, Li Yun, and Lin Yun are close friends. Yesterday, Luo Feng offended Lin Yun in the dining hall and also injured Zhou Jian. How could Li Yun let him off? What happened to Li Heshan earlier was clearly Li Yun’s doing! I’m afraid Luo Feng is doomed this time..."

"So that’s what’s going on. Luo Feng is in danger."

"If it were me, I’d just concede early to avoid the beating. Losing to the top expert on the Winged Tiger List isn’t shameful..."

Many students commented.