CHAPTER 159: CHAPTER 159: FOUR ACADEMIES’ NEW OUTSTANDING TALENTS ABOUND

Luo Feng left the Medicine Ding Store, planning to fill his stomach before returning to the school.

Having earned seven hundred and fifty thousand taels, he was in a great mood. He went directly to the largest restaurant in Qingfeng Town, Azure Moon Building, and ordered a large table of food and wine for himself.

At this time, many martial artists in the restaurant were engaged in excited conversation, seemingly discussing some significant event.

Hearing his own name by chance, Luo Feng became curious and inclined his ear to listen carefully.

"The Purple Sun School is truly exhibiting a proliferation of talent this year. Luo Feng and Bing Ruolan, two previously unheard-of outer school students, have astonishingly managed to make it among the top ten on the Hidden Dragon List in such a short time."

"What’s so surprising about that? Do you guys know what happened at the Tianlan School recently?" a man deliberately raised his voice, saying.

"What happened? Don’t tell me Heavenly Fragrant Woman He Qin was defeated? That’s not possible, right? She was the leader of the Four New Outstanding Talents in the last term and has also cultivated Earth-grade Martial Arts. There are very few people in the four major schools who can threaten her."

The others were aroused with interest, each expressing their views.

"She wasn’t defeated, but it does involve her."

"Lu Song, don’t keep us in suspense. What happened?"

"Heavenly Fragrant Woman He Qin successfully stepped into the eighth level of the Hell Realm a few days ago!" the martial artist named Lu Song said slowly. Even though his voice was calm, it caused a wave of astonishment in the restaurant.

"He Qin advanced to the eighth level of the Hell Realm!"

"Is it true? She is only sixteen this year!"

"For each major breakthrough—from the Spirit Containing Realm to Essence Storage, then to the Hell Realm, and eventually to the Heavenly Court—a huge chasm must be forged. Only outstanding talents can make it through, a feat often impossible within a few years, or even a decade. To think He Qin, who was still at the late stage of the seventh level of the Essence Storage Realm last year, broke through so quickly was unexpected."

"In this way, of the Four New Outstanding Talents last year, the other three have been left far behind her. Among the students of the four major schools, I’m afraid no one can be mentioned in the same breath as her."

"Yes, the first place in this New Talent Competition is definitely hers! Reaching the eighth level of the Hell Realm at the age of sixteen—her talent is truly stunning. I have been stuck in the sixth level of the God Bravery Realm for two years and still haven’t broken through. I really envy these geniuses."

Listening to the crowd’s conversation, Luo Feng was also taken aback.

He had just fought Duanmu Ji and was well aware of the gap between the seventh level of the Essence Storage Realm and the eighth level of the Hell Realm.

Having comprehended the Grand Momentum, he was confident that he could evenly match an expert at the peak of the Essence Storage Realm. However, if he ran into a martial artist from the eighth level of the Hell Realm, he would have no chance of winning.

It seemed like there was only one step between the peak of the seventh level of the Essence Storage Realm and the eighth level of the Hell Realm, but the gap in strength was extremely significant.

Martial artists at the eighth level of the Hell Realm possessed unimaginably robust Yuan Qi, could project Gang Qi, and perform the Hundred Steps Divine Gang. Every gesture carried destructive power.

Martial artists of the seventh level of the Essence Storage Realm could only passively take a beating when facing martial artists of the eighth level of the Hell Realm.

Zi Yuan would likely not be able to withstand even a single move from Heavenly Fragrant Woman He Qin!

The martial artist called Lu Song, who seemed to know a lot of information, took a sip of wine and continued to speak,

"Apart from Heavenly Fragrant Woman He Qin breaking through to the Hell Realm, the Tianlan School has recently produced another young genius: a beauty named Feng Lingyue, who is only sixteen but already at the late stage of the seventh level of the Essence Storage Realm."

Feng Lingyue!

Hearing this, Luo Feng smiled faintly, and an image of a beautiful, elegant face flashed through his mind.

I didn’t expect that girl to progress so fast.

"The Tianlan School really deserves to be the leader among the four major schools. Talent abounds there. Could it be that all four new talents this year will be claimed by the Tianlan School?" someone exclaimed in awe.

"Humph! There’s no way that’s possible!"

A cold snort suddenly came from a corner of the room, where two young men dressed in white robes, students from the Floating Snow School, were seated.

A young man clad in a white robe, with sharp eyebrows and carrying a saber, said coldly,

"Heavenly Fragrant Woman He Qin is indeed very powerful, but if you dare to make such a bold claim that the Tianlan School will monopolize all four new talents, you might bite your tongue!"

The other man nodded and said, "Our Brother Ji Wufa from the Floating Snow School realized a trace of the Supreme Sword Intent half a month ago! His strength may not be inferior to He Qin’s!"

"Sword Intent!"

"Ji Wufa actually realized Sword Intent!"

Many of the martial artists in the restaurant were sword practitioners and were shocked to hear this.

He actually realized Sword Intent...

Luo Feng, too, was slightly startled but soon resumed his composure.

Although Sword Intent is powerful, it is merely an offshoot of the Grand Momentum and can’t even be compared to tapping on the threshold of the Grand Momentum. Compared to the Grand Momentum, it is far inferior.

Having understood the Grand Momentum, he naturally would not dwell on Sword Intent.

However, what he thought was not what others thought.

"I can’t believe Ji Wufa has actually realized Sword Intent! It’s truly incredible. I once had the privilege of seeing a master who had cultivated Sword Intent practice with his sword. When his sword moved, it instantly split a hundred-zhang mountain in two! I will never forget that power as long as I live!"

"Yes, indeed. The Grand Momentum is elusive; we sword practitioners are content if we can realize even a trace of Sword Intent. Unfortunately, among a million martial artists, it is rare for one to understand Sword Intent. Ji Wufa is truly exceptionally talented."

"I’ve heard rumors that ’Thunderbolt Spear’ of Wanluo School recently stumbled into some ruins and had a fortuitous encounter. His strength has also progressed by leaps and bounds."

"Even Sword Intent has appeared. The outcome of this New Talent Competition is truly unpredictable. It’s interesting to see who will have the last laugh..."

People were endlessly debating.

There were quite a few students from the Purple Sun School in the restaurant. Listening to the discussions, their faces looked somewhat unsightly at this moment.

"Sigh... Since the dark horse Luo Feng emerged in the qualification challenge this time, I originally thought that our Purple Sun School could make a name for ourselves this year. But it turns out that the other schools have made even more startling progress. It seems that we are going to be at the bottom again this year..." a student from the Purple Sun School shook his head and sighed.

The others were visibly downhearted.

Although Luo Feng and Zi Yuan had performed outstandingly in the challenge, they paled in comparison to He Qin, who was at the eighth level of the Hell Realm, and Ji Wufa, who had comprehended Sword Intent.

And the only opponent they might have had a chance to defeat, Thunderbolt Spear, had also had some exceptional adventure.

Sharing in the school’s honor and disgrace, these Purple Sun School students felt a sense of collective responsibility. The thought of losing the competition again this year and becoming the object of people’s ridicule made their faces look quite unpleasant.

Hearing the words of these students, Luo Feng’s expression didn’t change much.

However, it put considerable pressure on him.

He was now a martial artist in the middle stage of the seventh level of the Essence Storage Realm. Although, relying on his strong Soul Power, he could fight beyond his level.

But if faced with a peak martial artist of the seventh level of the Essence Storage Realm who had comprehended Sword Intent, it would be hard to gain the upper hand. Against an eighth-level martial artist of the Hell Realm, there would be no hope at all.

The four major schools brimmed with talent.

When the time came, other dark horses would inevitably emerge. Reaching the top three would not be easy.

My strength is still too weak; I must seize the time to boost my cultivation!

Luo Feng murmured quietly to himself, then, like a gust of wind clearing away clouds, he quickly finished his meal and returned to the school.

By the time he returned to the school, it was already evening.

Luo Feng went straight to the Dean’s residence.

The two-zhang tall, vermilion gate was wide open. As Luo Feng reached the entrance, he suddenly heard a series of sharp cries echoing through the courtyard.

With a flicker of thought, Luo Feng walked straight in.

In the courtyard, a lovely young girl with two braids, dressed in a long skirt with purple fringes, was practicing swordsmanship. Each movement of her sword was accompanied by an imposing cry from her lips.

The young girl was Zi Yuan.

Zi Yuan stepped in the Seven Star pattern, her figure flashing as her sword moved like a dragon. Her posture was like a falling leaf, light yet filled with a deadly intent.

"Splitting Sun Swordsmanship."

Luo Feng recognized that Zi Yuan was practicing the same Splitting Sun Swordsmanship she had used against him.

After watching for a moment, Luo Feng perceived something amiss.

Although he didn’t know much about Splitting Sun Swordsmanship, his comprehension was exceptional. Coupled with his grasp of the Grand Momentum, he had a subtle feeling.

Although Zi Yuan’s sword techniques were flawless in form, there were a few deficiencies in her intent realm, causing the power of her swordsmanship to be reduced by a level.

SWISH! SWISH!

With continuous thrusts of her sword, Zi Yuan’s momentum gradually built to its peak. Just as she was about to strike, a voice came from the side.

"Bend to overturn, divide to straighten; unyielding rigidity can break all things!"

These few simple sentences made Zi Yuan feel as if she had been suddenly enlightened; a gleam of understanding flashed in her eyes.

HUMMM!

The sword edge gently swayed, and a strange wave emanated from Zi Yuan.

With a light cry, Zi Yuan soared into the air, her sword moving like lightning, stabbing towards a large tree several meters away.

SCHIK!

An astounding scene unfolded. The moment Zi Yuan thrust her sword, a blinding golden light erupted from its blade, as bright as the sun, illuminating the entire courtyard as if it were daytime. The large tree was effortlessly penetrated and torn into fragments; its power was astonishing!

What an extraordinary comprehension!

Luo Feng raised an eyebrow. He had merely voiced his own understanding, yet Zi Yuan’s swordsmanship had instantly advanced.

"L Luo Feng, I didn’t expect it to be you."

Zi Yuan retracted her aura. Turning around to see Luo Feng, surprise showed in her beautiful eyes.

The few words spoken earlier, though simple, held profound implications. Most importantly, they had pointed out the shortcomings in her swordsmanship!

She had assumed the speaker was a school tutor or an elder; she never imagined it would be Luo Feng.

Could it be that those few sentences were just casually spoken by him?

Zi Yuan could hardly believe that Luo Feng, with his cultivation, could point out the flaws in her swordsmanship.

With a slight frown, Zi Yuan’s dark eyes darted about. Chuckling, she asked, "Luo Feng, was that you who just spoke?"

Luo Feng touched his nose and nodded. "Yes, I was just speaking casually. Is there a problem?"

It really was just a lucky guess.

Zi Yuan carefully sized up Luo Feng’s expression and let out a sigh of relief.

If Luo Feng could truly discern the shortcomings of her swordsmanship from just a few simple moves, it would be utterly shocking.

With a mischievous glint in her eyes, Zi Yuan put her sword behind her back, walked up to Luo Feng, lifted her small face, blinked, and smiled,

"You just solved a problem that has bothered me for a long time. How should I repay you?"

Luo Feng looked Zi Yuan up and down.

Zi Yuan felt a tingle run through her as he scrutinized her, but not wanting to show weakness, she deliberately puffed out her slightly developed chest.

Unexpectedly...

Luo Feng withdrew his gaze, touched his nose, and shook his head decisively. "Let’s forget about it..."

Zi Yuan, who was thinking about how to tease Luo Feng, heard this and blushed. Biting her red lips, she asked indignantly, "What do you mean?"

"Yuan’er, are you causing trouble again!"

An authoritative voice sounded as Zi Hongyuan came out from the inner courtyard.

"Father, Luo Feng bullied me!"

Zi Yuan went to Zi Hongyuan’s side, puffed out her cheeks, and looked at Luo Feng triumphantly.

Luo Feng felt a bit helpless, not knowing whether to laugh or cry.

Zi Hongyuan shook his head and looked at Luo Feng, asking, "Luo Feng, tomorrow is the day you all leave the school. Have you obtained the Red Flame Golden Crystal?"

"Yes."

Luo Feng nodded, taking out the Red Flame Golden Crystal that he had obtained from Duanmu Ji.

HISS!

Looking at the Red Flame Golden Crystal in Luo Feng’s hand, two sharp intakes of breath suddenly echoed in the courtyard.