CHAPTER 148: CHAPTER 148: CHALLENGING THE FIRST!

Luo Feng stepped onto the stage.

With a light sway of her skirt, Xu Mei elegantly landed across from Luo Feng.

As soon as she took the stage, Xu Mei issued a sharp cry, pursuing Luo Feng to close the distance.

"Hehe, not bad. If Xu Mei can suppress Luo Feng’s Sky Slayer Saber Technique and prevent him from releasing his Saber Gang, she might be able to win."

On the grandstand, an Elder of the School watched Xu Mei’s actions with a look of approval.

Watching the rapidly approaching Xu Mei, Luo Feng wore a bitter smile. He didn’t reach for the Tiger Soul Saber and stood still.

Once she was within five steps of Luo Feng, Xu Mei abruptly stopped her charge, her aura suddenly sharpening.

"Falling Flower Finger!"

Her jade-like index finger erupted with Gang Qi, attacking Luo Feng with Thunder Power and producing a piercing shriek.

Luo Feng raised his eyebrows slightly and casually threw a punch.

BANG!

Two Gang Qi forces, one hard and one soft, collided. Xu Mei’s sharp finger force was instantly shattered.

"Such profound Yuan Qi!"

Xu Mei’s expression changed slightly. She was about to retreat when a low shout suddenly exploded nearby.

"Thunder Rush Shock Cloud Step!"

Upon shattering Xu Mei’s finger force, Luo Feng stomped on the stage, sending a surge of hidden force from the ground toward Xu Mei.

BOOM!

The stage under Xu Mei’s feet began to tremble violently, and large cracks spread rapidly. The tremendous force caused her to grunt as her body flew towards the edge of the stage.

WHOOSH!

Just as Xu Mei was about to fall off the stage, Luo Feng caught up to her in one step, grabbed her right hand, dispersed the force, and helped her land securely on the stage.

Startled, Xu Mei’s full chest heaved slightly, her cheeks flushing like a sunset glow.

After a moment, she regained her composure, gave Luo Feng a grateful glance, cupped her fists, and said, "Thank you, Senior Brother, for saving me. Your cultivation is profound, and I, Xu Mei, am deeply impressed. I admit defeat."

If Luo Feng hadn’t acted in time, she would certainly have made a fool of herself in front of everyone today.

"It was nothing."

Luo Feng smiled faintly and said no more.

This scene was somewhat unexpected for everyone.

They had all assumed Luo Feng’s strength would be significantly diminished after using his secret technique. Unexpectedly, it seemed to have no effect at all. He had defeated Xu Mei, ranked fourth on the Hidden Dragon List, in just a few moves.

"Senior Brother Luo Feng is such a good person. If it weren’t for him, Senior Sister Mei would have been humiliated."

"Mm-hm. He’s not only powerful, but he also lacks Lin Yun’s ostentatious arrogance. If I had known, I would have joined the Silver Moon class too..."

"Hehe, Li Hua, with those love-struck eyes of yours, are you worried people don’t know what you’re thinking? Unfortunately, you probably don’t stand a chance. Bing Ruolan is one of the school’s three great beauties; you’d have to get past her first."

...

Low murmurs of discussion arose from the stands. Luo Feng’s act of saving Xu Mei had won him the goodwill of many.

Lin XiaoXiao sat in a corner of the martial arts arena.

Her cultivation had just reached the peak of the sixth-level God Bravery Realm. Eliminated in the second round of the competition, she could only watch the matches from the stands.

Listening to the discussions around her, she gazed at the high-spirited, black-haired youth on the stage, her fingers twisting tightly together, her face somewhat pale, her gaze complex...

Xu Mei’s challenge against Luo Feng had failed, and both returned to their respective seats.

It was now the turn of Yang Hong, ranked third on the Hidden Dragon List, to issue a challenge.

Yang Hong glanced at Luo Feng, then shook his head with a bitter smile. "I forfeit the challenge."

He had also wanted to challenge Luo Feng. However, after seeing Xu Mei defeated so decisively—and knowing his own strength was only marginally greater than hers—how could he dare?

This was not surprising to the crowd. Their gazes fell upon Luo Feng once more, their interest rekindled.

Now it was Luo Feng’s turn to challenge. Ranked second on the Hidden Dragon List, his target could only be one person: Zi Yuan, who had ranked fourth among the Four Great New Talents of the previous year!

One was a renowned master from the last New Talent Conference, a prominent figure on the list. The other was a newly risen genius whose fame was rapidly spreading!

The mere thought of this confrontation was exhilarating!

Hearing Elder Chen’s inquiry, Luo Feng frowned slightly.

My goal was to defeat Lin Yun and enter the top three of the Hidden Dragon List. Now that this wish has been fulfilled, I have no intention of challenging Zi Yuan further.

"I..."

Just as he was about to forfeit his right to challenge, Luo Feng felt a tug on his sleeve. It was Zi Yuan.

Zi Yuan’s alluring red lips were pursed high, and her large, sparkling eyes gazed at Luo Feng, full of expectation.

Understanding Zi Yuan’s intention, Luo Feng couldn’t help but give a wry smile.

This girl, Zi Yuan...

On the grandstand, Dean Zi Hongyuan watched the two of them and shook his head helplessly.

An elder beside him chuckled. "Ever since Zi Yuan became one of the Four Great New Talents, no one has dared to challenge her for a year. She certainly won’t let Luo Feng off easily this time. However, I’m also eager to see them duel."

"Mm. I wonder if Luo Feng will agree." Zi Hongyuan nodded, a hint of anticipation in his expression as well.

In the center of the martial arts arena, Zi Yuan saw Luo Feng still hesitating. Her eyes darted, and she said with a playful smile, "Luo Feng, your goal is to be in the top three of the New Talent Conference. I was fourth in the last New Talent Conference. You’ll only have a chance if you defeat me."

Luo Feng pondered for a moment, then nodded, stood up, and declared, "I challenge Zi Yuan!"

Zi Yuan had a point. Only by fighting her could he truly gauge the strength of the Four Great New Talents. Besides, Zi Yuan had spoken up for him when Lin Yun provoked him earlier; he didn’t want to disappoint her.

BOOM!

The moment Luo Feng’s words fell, the entire martial arts arena erupted, cheers soaring to the heavens.

A duel between Zi Yuan, one of last year’s Four Great New Talents, and Luo Feng, the biggest dark horse of this qualification tournament—this was undoubtedly the most climactic battle of the day!

The atmosphere in the entire martial arts arena reached an unprecedented level of fervor.

In the middle of the martial arts arena, ’Twin Sword Guest’ Yang Hong looked at the two on the stage and asked Xu Mei beside him, "Xu Mei, you’ve fought Luo Feng. Who do you think will win?"

Xu Mei’s gaze shifted to Luo Feng, her delicate brows knitting slightly. She shook her head and said, "It’s hard to say."

"You think that highly of Luo Feng?"

A flash of surprise crossed Yang Hong’s eyes.

Xu Mei’s words clearly implied that Luo Feng could pose a threat to Zi Yuan, one of the Four Great New Talents! Given Luo Feng’s early-stage seventh-level Essence Storage Realm cultivation, this was already incredibly astounding.

Xu Mei turned back and smiled. "Yang Hong, you’ve fought me; you know my strength. Although Luo Feng’s cultivation is low, his Yuan Qi is extremely robust, surpassing that of an average mid-stage seventh-level Essence Storage Realm martial artist. I couldn’t even last three moves against him. If he were to use his Sky Slayer Saber Technique, he could defeat me with a single slash."

Yang Hong drew in a sharp breath and exclaimed, clicking his tongue, "Good thing I didn’t challenge him then."

Luo Feng and Zi Yuan ascended the stage one after the other.

"Luo Feng, it’s only been two months since we last met on the second floor of the Martial Arts Hall. Your current strength is already enough to contend with me. Your progress is truly astonishing."

Zi Yuan—one of last year’s Four Great New Talents and first on the Hidden Dragon List—gazed at Luo Feng with sparkling eyes, a bright smile on her face.

Luo Feng smiled faintly. "I also didn’t expect to face you so soon."

Zi Yuan’s red lips quirked, her long eyelashes fluttered. She smiled at Luo Feng and said, "I’ll be mindful of my power. Be careful."

As her words fell, the joyful expression on Zi Yuan’s face abruptly transformed. Her eyes became solemn and chilling. An immense, terrifying pressure swept out in all directions, erasing any trace of her previous girlish demeanor.

SWISH!

With a flash of movement, Zi Yuan initiated the attack. Her delicate white hand formed a vertical palm, pale purple Gang Qi gathering in its center as she struck out at Luo Feng.

High-grade Yellow Level Martial Art: Purple Extreme Palm!

BANG!

The palm’s afterimage transformed into a long purple rainbow, whistling as it shot towards Luo Feng.

ROAR!

Luo Feng’s shoulders trembled, and a nearly imperceptible tiger’s roar echoed across the stage. His Gang Qi manifested as a ferocious tiger as he met the incoming palm wind with a punch.

BANG!

The opposing Gang Qi forces collided, and both combatants retreated several steps.

"Such pure fist art! Now, try my Splitting Sun Swordsmanship!"

Once in combat, Zi Yuan seemed to transform, shedding her usual innocent and delicate demeanor. Her small face was alight with exhilaration. She slapped her scabbard, and a sword shimmering with cold light instantly fell into her hand.

SWISH!

As the sword light flashed, the entire martial arts arena seemed to be split in two. The sword light, concealed within a dazzling brilliance like the sun, silently pressed towards Luo Feng.

"Impressive swordsmanship!"

Luo Feng’s gaze sharpened. He let out a long cry, and the Tiger Soul Saber landed in his palm. A somber saber light howled forth.

BOOM!

The dazzling golden Sword Qi and the pitch-black, eerie Saber Gang collided. A layer of the martial arts arena’s surface was instantly blasted away. Luo Feng retreated two steps and steadied himself.

"Myriad Splitting Sun Swords!"

Zi Yuan’s expression became utterly serious. Employing Seven Star footwork, her figure flickered continuously across the stage, her movements untraceable. Only golden sword lights could be seen assailing Luo Feng from all directions.

Luo Feng’s gaze also grew intent. A vortex of Qi stirred beneath his feet, and eight Qi Dragons, baring fangs and brandishing claws, ascended. His figure instantly vanished from everyone’s sight.

CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG! CLANG...

Intense sounds of colliding sabers and swords exploded repeatedly. Gang Qi crisscrossed wildly. The entire stage was instantly rendered unrecognizable, torn to shreds.

Everyone in the martial arts arena was dumbfounded.

All traces of the two combatants had vanished from the stage. Only fierce Saber Gang and Sword Qi flashed continuously, each wave of energy more potent than the last. The aftershocks of every exchange made the surrounding students tremble with fear!

The five-meter-high stage was instantly razed to the ground!

"This... This is the most intense duel I’ve ever seen! Compared to this, the previous duels were simply insignificant. Too terrifying!"

A student from the Purple Sun School, looking at the obliterated stage, couldn’t help but suck in a sharp breath.

"Senior Sister Zi Yuan’s Seven-Star Flowing Cloud Step and Splitting Sun Swordsmanship are both peak-grade Yellow Level martial arts, and she has reached the Great Accomplishment stage in them. For Luo Feng to fight her and not be at a disadvantage is astounding!"

"Don’t forget, Luo Feng’s cultivation is only at the early-stage seventh-level Essence Storage Realm. If he, like Senior Sister Zi Yuan, were also at the late-stage seventh-level Essence Storage Realm, his strength would be terrifying beyond imagination!"

"The Purple Sun School has produced another monster!"

BOOM!

Suddenly, the pitch-black Saber Gang and the golden Sword Qi violently collided. With a tremendous crash, the remnants of the stage instantly disintegrated, and two figures shot out from the swirling dust.

Everyone focused their gaze. Luo Feng and Zi Yuan stood twenty paces apart, on opposite sides of where the stage had been.

The five-meter-high platform that once stood between them had collapsed into a pile of rubble.

"Impressive! Luo Feng, I’m going all out now. Be careful!"

Zi Yuan’s sparkling eyes were now incredibly solemn, yet held a trace of excitement. Luo Feng’s strength had far exceeded her expectations!

With a low cry, the sword in Zi Yuan’s hand hummed and vibrated, projecting a golden Sword Gang extending over six meters that thrust through the air towards Luo Feng.

"Splitting Sun Domination!"