CHAPTER 147: CHAPTER 147: UNPRECEDENTED AND UNREPEATABLE

The entire martial arts arena fell into an eerie silence.

All eyes were fixed on the black-haired young man standing on the platform, saber in hand.

In the stands, the expressions on the faces of the representatives from various factions who had come to watch remained frozen from the moment Lin Yun had been sent flying off the platform, spitting blood.

Mouths agape, eyes wide, their faces were filled with disbelief.

When Lin Yun had unleashed his late-stage, seventh-level Essence Storage Realm cultivation, the vast disparity in strength had convinced everyone that Luo Feng’s defeat was certain.

However, the current situation had drastically exceeded their expectations.

Lin Yun, with his late-stage, seventh-level Essence Storage Realm cultivation and mastery of two formidable Yellow Rank, Peak Grade martial arts, had actually lost!

Moreover, his defeat was decisive and absolute!

"Unbelievable! Luo Feng actually defeated Lin Yun!"

On the highest stand, a group of academy instructors gasped, their faces filled with astonishment.

"Given his growth rate, perhaps in a few years, he too could reach Lu Xiao Yun’s level."

Someone couldn’t help but exclaim. Hearing this, the expressions of those nearby turned grave.

Lu Xiao Yun, once the super genius of Purple Sun School, had swept through all the top experts of the four major academies at the age of sixteen, becoming the number one new talent of that year!

Later, Lu Xiao Yun entered the Sky Sword Pavilion, one of the twelve Golden Palaces, and created countless legends in just two years! Now, he was one of the Ten Great New Dragons of the Flowing Cloud Region! His name alone inspired reverence in countless Martial Artists!

If anyone had compared Luo Feng to Lu Xiao Yun in the past, they would certainly have been met with ridicule.

But now, no one voiced any objection.

The formidable strength Luo Feng had just displayed was the most powerful proof!

"To possess such strength at less than sixteen years of age—he’s truly a formidable young talent!"

"His Sky Slayer Saber Technique is incredibly powerful. He cut through Lin Yun’s Sky Mang Gang Qi with such ease." Recalling the duel between Luo Feng and Lin Yun, someone couldn’t help but comment.

"Indeed. When he used the Sky Slayer Saber Technique just now, his aura seemed to merge with heaven and earth. It startled even me."

"Could it be that his Sky Slayer Saber Technique has reached the sixth level, the ’Slaughter Qi as Sword’ realm?" a middle-aged instructor asked, frowning.

"Don’t make wild guesses. Each level of the Sky Slayer Saber Technique is harder to master than the last, especially the sixth level’s ’Slaughter Qi as Sword’ realm. That involves comprehending a Martial Artist’s ’Momentum.’ How could it be so easy to achieve?"

Zi Hongyuan, who had been silent all this time, looked at the arguing instructors and said with a smile and a shake of his head.

"’Momentum!’"

The instructors’ expressions changed; they were clearly surprised.

Zi Hongyuan nodded, his gaze shifting to the platform as he continued,

"L Luo Feng’s Sky Slayer Saber Technique is still at the fifth level. He must have cultivated some secret technique that stimulates his potential, creating the illusion that his saber technique has broken through to the sixth level."

The other instructors nodded in agreement. "A secret technique! No wonder his saber technique’s power could increase so dramatically in an instant."

"Even if it’s due to a secret technique, defeating Lin Yun with an early-stage, seventh-level Essence Storage Realm cultivation is already an incredible feat." "However, such secret techniques usually have side effects. I wonder if he can still fight today..."

A dozen or so academy elders and senior instructors discussed amongst themselves, their eyes gleaming with excitement.

With the strength Luo Feng had just displayed, he had a high chance of entering the top ten of the New Talent Tournament! He could bring glory to the academy!

「...」

In the martial arts arena, Zi Yuan’s rosy lips were slightly parted as she watched the spirited young man on the platform, her face filled with awe. Her budding chest rose and fell gently.

"Bing Ruolan, it looks like you made the right call."

"I was just guessing." Bing Ruolan unclenched her fists, let out a soft breath, and smiled faintly. A captivating blush spread across her innocent face.

During Luo Feng and Lin Yun’s duel, her heart had been in her throat. Now, relieved, she found her palms were slick with cold sweat.

Lin Yun was carried off for treatment. Luo Feng retracted his gaze, a storm of emotions still brewing in his dark eyes.

Lin Yun’s strength far exceeded my expectations. If I hadn’t cultivated the Bloodthirsty Skill, I might very well have been the one defeated.

Looking towards Elder Chen, who was overseeing the competition, Luo Feng spoke, "Elder Chen, isn’t it time to announce the results?"

"Ah... Yes. Luo Feng challenged Lin Yun and is victorious! He is now ranked second on the Hidden Dragon List!"

Elder Chen, startled back to his senses, gave Luo Feng a profound look and announced loudly.

"HISS... Luo Feng actually won."

"In just two months, he went from a Silver Moon Class student to second place on the Hidden Dragon List! What a meteoric rise! Luo Feng’s growth rate is terrifying!"

"He must have broken Lu Xiao Yun’s record from back then, right?"

"Yes. It took Lu Xiao Yun nearly four months to go from an outer court disciple to getting on the Hidden Dragon List!"

"However, Lu Xiao Yun was first on the Hidden Dragon List at the time, while Luo Feng is only second. Moreover, Lu Xiao Yun later won the New Talent Tournament, becoming the number one new talent. We’ll only know who is truly more outstanding after this year’s New Talent Tournament ends."

"That’s true..."

The outcome of the challenge sent a considerable shockwave through the martial arts arena.

The students of Purple Sun School gazed at Luo Feng on the platform, their eyes shining with admiration.

Luo Feng was undoubtedly the biggest dark horse of this challenge competition.

From fifty-eighth on the Winged Tiger List to second on the Hidden Dragon List in a single leap! Such a legendary feat was, if not unrepeatable, then certainly unprecedented! It was impossible not to be impressed.

Luo Feng ignored the surrounding discussions, directly ascended the largest, central platform, and walked towards the second seat.

"Luo Feng, congratulations."

Bing Ruolan waved, her pretty face slightly flushed, genuinely happy for Luo Feng.

The other Hidden Dragon List students nearby had solemn expressions; Luo Feng’s strength put immense pressure on them.

Luo Feng smiled and nodded to Bing Ruolan before sitting down in the second golden chair.

The competition continued. Next, it was the turn of the students already on the Hidden Dragon List to issue challenges.

The first challenger was Hu Fei, ranked tenth, known as ’Blood Shadow Knife’.

Hu Fei remained seated, his gaze skipping over the top five on the Hidden Dragon List. It swept across the next four, and finally, he sighed helplessly and shook his head.

"I forfeit."

I’ve only just entered the early-stage Essence Storage Realm. Apart from Han Feng, ’Single Stroke Sword,’ who’s ranked ninth, everyone else on the Hidden Dragon List has a deeper cultivation than me. Han Feng’s swordsmanship is too unpredictable, and I’m not confident I can take him on. Better to forfeit directly and avoid embarrassment.

Following him, Han Feng (ranked ninth) and Lin Lang (ranked eighth) also forfeited their challenges.

The top seven on the Hidden Dragon List were all at the mid-stage of the Essence Storage Realm or higher. These two, both at the early stage, had no chance to contend.

"Nan Xiao, who will you challenge?" Elder Chen continued.

Nan Xiao rose from his seat. His gaze swept past the few individuals ahead of him, finally landing on Zhou Tong. He grinned, "Zhou Tong, the others are too strong. How about we go down and have a go?"

Zhou Tong, still fuming from being challenged by Bing Ruolan and ultimately forced to concede, slapped his chair and shot to his feet upon hearing Nan Xiao’s words.

"Bring it on!"

The two leaped down to the platform, facing each other.

SWISH!

Nan Xiao produced a foot-long, blood-red folding fan from his waist. Flicking it open, he smiled. "Zhou Tong, last year we fought, and I lost to you in ten moves. I wonder how it will be this year..."

Zhou Tong snorted. "Enough talk! Make your move!"

The moment his words fell, Zhou Tong charged at Nan Xiao. His arms whirled like windmills, launching a barrage of powerful, heavy strikes.

"Still as impetuous as ever."

Nan Xiao smiled faintly. The instant he finished speaking, his gaze turned sharp and cold.

"Blood Wind Frenzy!"

The blood-red fan danced, weaving up and down, scattering countless bewitching, crimson fan-shadows across the entire platform. The overwhelming aura, like a sky full of fire clouds, seemed to dye half the heavens red.

And with that, Nan Xiao’s figure vanished.

"Break!"

Zhou Tong’s eyes bulged. His charging body suddenly accelerated, massive fists whistling through the air as they rained down.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

Amidst the thunderous impacts, the fan-shadows shattered one after another.

Zhou Tong, like a rampaging bull, charged headlong. His wildly flailing fists roiled the air on the platform. After a moment, Nan Xiao’s figure reappeared.

"HAHAHA... I’ve got you!"

Zhou Tong roared with laughter and lunged, his fists carrying a vicious gale as they smashed down towards Nan Xiao’s head.

This attack was immensely powerful. The force of his fists was like a thunderclap, and the oppressive pressure it generated made the nearby students gasp in alarm. It was incomparably ferocious.

Just as the fists were about to connect, a faint smile touched Nan Xiao’s lips. He neither dodged nor retreated.

POW!

Zhou Tong’s fists struck Nan Xiao, but the figure instantly disintegrated, vanishing without a trace.

Zhou Tong froze, his expression changing drastically. Just as he started to turn, an icy chill prickled the back of his neck.

Nan Xiao materialized behind him, his fan pointed at Zhou Tong. He smiled. "Zhou Tong, you were too careless. I win!"

"You tricked me!" Zhou Tong roared, his face flushed crimson.

Nan Xiao closed his fan with a snap and chuckled. "All’s fair in war. My Shadow Steps technique reached Great Accomplishment a few days ago; it can create illusions indistinguishable from reality."

Watching them, Luo Feng chuckled softly.

In terms of cultivation, Zhou Tong is indeed higher than Nan Xiao. However, strength isn’t judged solely by cultivation level; adaptability is also crucial. Zhou Tong was too reckless and got outplayed by Nan Xiao.

Nan Xiao won the challenge, taking sixth place on the Hidden Dragon List. Zhou Tong dropped to seventh.

It was Bing Ruolan’s turn to challenge again.

Sizing up the individuals ahead of her, Bing Ruolan frowned slightly, then shook her head. "I also forfeit."

The top four on the Hidden Dragon List were Zi Yuan, Luo Feng, Yang Hong (’Twin Sword Guest’ at third), and Xu Mei (’Flower Picking Hand’ at fourth).

I wouldn’t even consider challenging Zi Yuan or Luo Feng. As for Yang Hong and Xu Mei, they’re no pushovers either. I barely managed to defeat Zhou Tong; my chances against those two are even slimmer.

"Xu Mei, who do you wish to challenge?"

Elder Chen’s gaze fell upon Xu Mei, who was beside Bing Ruolan.

Xu Mei was a tall, beautiful young woman. Her lovely eyes swept over the three people ahead of her. After a moment of hesitation, her gaze finally settled on Luo Feng.

"I challenge Luo Feng."

Xu Mei’s decision caused a stir of astonishment in the martial arts arena, but many also understood her reasoning.

Among the top three, Luo Feng’s cultivation was the weakest. Though he had defeated Lin Yun earlier, it was evident he had used some secret technique. Such techniques typically had strict usage conditions, often preventing consecutive use within a day. Challenging Luo Feng now indeed presented a viable path to victory.

Xu Mei rose from her golden chair. Looking at Luo Feng with her beautiful eyes, she smiled sweetly.

"Senior Brother Luo Feng, please forgive this junior sister for taking advantage of the situation."

Luo Feng stood up calmly and returned a slight smile. "It’s no matter. You’ve done nothing wrong."

The rewards for placing in the top three of the qualification tournament are incredibly generous! If I were in Xu Mei’s position, I definitely wouldn’t pass up this opportunity either.