CHAPTER 162: CHAPTER 162: ANNULMENT OF THE ENGAGEMENT

After returning to the small courtyard, Luo Feng tidied up briefly, opened the courtyard door, and prepared to go out.

As he stepped out of the courtyard door, he looked up and saw a captivating figure standing outside.

The figure’s tight academy uniform perfectly outlined her ample bosom and her long, slender legs—so perfect they could make other girls jealous. Under her light blue short hair, her sapphire-like pupils reflected an arc of light, as enchanting as a pool of azure spring water.

Despite having seen her many times, Luo Feng couldn’t help but be momentarily dazzled.

"Ruolan, why are you here?"

Bing Ruolan raised her head to face Luo Feng, her eyes sparkling with delight. Her face blushed slightly as she giggled, hands behind her back, and said, "Luo Feng, I have some good news to tell you!"

Luo Feng’s mind was as clear as a mirror, but he still asked, "What news?"

A captivating smile curled at the corners of Bing Ruolan’s mouth as she said lightly, "I was just at the square, and Senior Cang Nanyue specifically asked to guide me in my cultivation!"

She took such a huge benefit from me; I wouldn’t have agreed if she hadn’t offered to guide you!

Luo Feng chuckled inwardly but congratulated her warmly, "Congratulations!"

"Luo Feng, thank you!"

It took Bing Ruolan a moment to say this.

Did this girl figure something out?

Luo Feng felt a little nervous. He smiled and said, "Why thank me? It must be because the Senior recognized your talent, and that’s why she is guiding you. I didn’t do anything."

Bing Ruolan didn’t say anything. She stared at Luo Feng for a moment, then slowly stepped forward and laid her head on Luo Feng’s shoulder, whispering softly, "Luo Feng, I’m so happy!"

Bing Ruolan was incredibly smart. So when Cang Nanyue suddenly said she would guide her, she was genuinely delighted.

But after calming down, she didn’t think her talent was enough to truly impress Cang Nanyue.

Then, remembering Luo Feng had been gone for the past ten days, she began to understand what had really happened.

Although she didn’t know exactly what had transpired, convincing a Spiritual Rotation Realm expert to change her mind was no easy feat.

Luo Feng looked at Bing Ruolan’s flushed face; her delicate and lovely demeanor made him smile. The fatigue from his efforts over the past ten days vanished completely.

His hands gently encircled Bing Ruolan’s waist. A faint, seaweed-like fragrance drifted into Luo Feng’s nostrils, blending with the tacit understanding between them.

The sky, the earth, the bamboo forest, the small courtyard—they all composed an exquisite tableau.

Holding the enchanting woman in his arms, Luo Feng looked up at the sky and suddenly said, "Ruolan, after we pass the exam and enter the Golden Palace, let’s go to your family together and cancel your engagement."

Bing Ruolan’s body trembled slightly.

Upon grasping the other meaning behind his words, her cheeks instantly blushed. She felt a bit flustered, but for some reason, an overwhelming sense of joy filled her.

A moment later, Bing Ruolan’s soft, nasal "Mm" sounded in the courtyard.

「A short while later」

Luo Feng and Bing Ruolan arrived at the square.

The academy square was still as bustling as ever.

Cang Nanyue, Zi Yuan, Yang Hong, Xu Mei, and others were already waiting in the middle of the square.

"It’s Luo Feng and Bing Ruolan!"

"Bing Ruolan was actually personally chosen by Cang Nanyue for guidance! I’m so envious!"

"It seems she still has untapped potential."

Luo Feng and Bing Ruolan walked towards the middle of the square under the envious gazes of the crowd.

Cang Nanyue was talking with Zi Hongyuan. Seeing the two approach, she glanced at Luo Feng almost imperceptibly and nodded, saying, "Everyone is here. Let’s go. Red Moon!"

As Cang Nanyue spoke, with a flick of her finger, the Red Moon Sword instantly unsheathed and hovered before her.

This display sparked awe in the surrounding students.

Landing lightly on the sword’s edge, Cang Nanyue turned to Luo Feng and the others, her tone cold, "Follow on your own. If you get left behind, it means we lack affinity, and I can no longer guide you. Let’s move."

The Red Moon Sword blazed with crimson light, letting out a sharp whine as it tore through the air and soared into the clouds.

"My Martial Aunt is a woman of her word. The training has already begun, let’s go!" Zi Yuan said, transforming into a streak of purple wind and chasing in the direction Cang Nanyue had gone.

Luo Feng and the others didn’t dare to delay, each executing their Light Martial Arts, creating sharp whistling sounds as they tore through the air.

「In the wilderness」

WHOOSH, WHOOSH, WHOOSH...

In the wild forest, five figures shot through the air like lightning, their speed so great it created a series of sonic booms.

Not far ahead of the five figures, a speck of red light darted through the clouds.

Since leaving the academy in the morning, Cang Nanyue had traveled nonstop towards the north, with Luo Feng and the other four following closely.

Currently, they were in the Bloodthirsty Wasteland, two thousand miles north of Purple Sun School.

While executing their Light Martial Arts, their vigilant eyes constantly scanned the shadowy corners around them. Each held their weapons, secretly gathering their strength to deal with any sudden dangers.

The Bloodthirsty Wasteland teemed with Demon Beasts. Since none of them, unlike Cang Nanyue, could fly on a sword, the journey was fraught with danger.

Even Luo Feng didn’t dare to be careless.

"When can we stop and rest?" Bing Ruolan asked, wiping the fine sweat from her forehead as she kept pace beside Luo Feng.

From the moment they set off, they hadn’t stopped for even a moment.

Moreover, Cang Nanyue seemed to know their speed limits, always maintaining a tantalizing distance. It felt as if they would be left behind if they slowed even slightly.

Under such circumstances, none of them dared to slack off in the slightest.

However, after continuously using Qinggong to travel two thousand miles, apart from Luo Feng and Zi Yuan, the others were clearly struggling.

Especially Bing Ruolan, whose cultivation was the weakest; she was now drenched in perspiration.

"Our destination is the Ghost Howl Forest," Zi Yuan said.

"Ghost Howl Forest! Doesn’t that mean we still have nearly three thousand miles to go?"

Hearing this, even Xu Mei felt somewhat disheartened. She had also only recently broken through to the mid-stage of the Seventh Level Essence Storage Realm. Fully exerting her Qinggong like this placed an enormous burden on her.

WHOOSH!

Just then, a sharp sound cut through the air as a cyan light shot straight towards Xu Mei.

"Ah!"

Xu Mei, momentarily distracted, was startled and hastily thrust out the sharp sword in her hand.

DING!

The sword’s tip struck the cyan light, producing the clang of metal on metal. The cyan light flickered in mid-air and shot past Xu Mei’s feet.

PUCHI!

Xu Mei let out a muffled groan; a bloody gash had appeared on her ankle. A lizard, about the size of a palm and covered in dark red Scale Armor, appeared in their sight.

"Be careful, it’s a Piercing Armor Gecko!" Zi Yuan exclaimed. The Piercing Armor Gecko was only a Level Two high-grade Demon Beast and not exceptionally powerful, but its Scale Armor was extremely tough. Without infusing one’s attacks with Gang Qi, ordinary swords and sabers couldn’t harm it in the slightest.

"I’ll handle it!"

Luo Feng’s gaze sharpened. In a single stride, he was beside Xu Mei, his saber whistling as it slashed down.

BOOM!

He didn’t use Gang Qi, but the sheer force of his blow directly smashed the Piercing Armor Gecko, which couldn’t dodge in time, into a bloody pulp.

"Is the injury serious?" Luo Feng asked Xu Mei after killing the Piercing Armor Gecko.

Xu Mei looked at Luo Feng gratefully and shook her head. "It’s just a minor injury."

Saying this, Xu Mei’s brow furrowed deeply. She bit her lip and said, "I definitely can’t keep up with you all. You should go on ahead. Otherwise, none of us will be able to complete this training."

Luo Feng firmly shook his head. "Since the five of us came out together, we should naturally return together. Xu Mei, give me your hand."

Xu Mei was startled, then understood Luo Feng’s intention and said hesitantly, "We’re still two to three thousand miles away from Ghost Howl Forest. If you carry me..."

"Enough talk." Luo Feng grabbed Xu Mei’s right hand, helped her up, and said, "Let’s go."

"Luo Feng, what are you doing?"

A cold voice suddenly sounded from above. Cang Nanyue had, at some point, turned back.

Luo Feng looked at Cang Nanyue, pointing at Xu Mei’s right ankle. "Senior, Xu Mei is injured. I will carry her."

Cang Nanyue’s glance swept over Xu Mei’s right ankle. She had initially intended to let them rest, but then she suddenly recalled Zi Hongyuan’s speculation that Luo Feng might have comprehended Grand Momentum.

Zi Hongyuan was known for his prudence. For him to think so highly of Luo Feng, there had to be something extraordinary about the young man.

With an unusual glint in her eyes, Cang Nanyue asked, "Who allowed you to do this? I’ve said I will only guide those who can keep up with me. If she cannot keep up, it means she and I lack affinity. By helping her now, you are defying me. Put her down."

"Luo Feng, you all go on," Xu Mei urged anxiously, not wanting to implicate Luo Feng.

Luo Feng frowned, held onto Xu Mei, and looked at Cang Nanyue with a dignified and composed expression. "A Martial Artist walks a path of dominance, yet cherishes a benevolent heart! Xu Mei is my friend. I said I would help her, and I absolutely will! Cang Nanyue, even if you are a Senior, I will not change my decision."

Having comprehended Grand Momentum, Luo Feng’s conviction as a Martial Artist had grown even firmer. How could he easily alter his will?

"Luo Feng..."

Zi Yuan knew Cang Nanyue’s temper. Hearing Luo Feng’s bold declaration, she felt a surge of admiration mixed with trepidation.

"What did you call me?" Cang Nanyue’s eyes flashed. Looking at Luo Feng, an almost imperceptible smile touched her lips as she said, "You have guts! Are you aware that our destination is the Ghost Howl Forest, and we still have two to three thousand miles to cover?"

"I know," Luo Feng nodded directly.

Cang Nanyue nodded. "In that case, you may help her. However, for the remainder of the journey, there will be no rest. You should consider this carefully."

Luo Feng fell silent.

Cang Nanyue assumed Luo Feng had been cowed by her words and felt a trace of disappointment. Just then, a voice suddenly spoke, startling her.

"No problem. However, I hope I can bring one more person," Luo Feng said.

For the first time, a hint of surprise showed in Cang Nanyue’s eyes. "You also want to bring Bing Ruolan?"

Luo Feng nodded.

Bing Ruolan was only at the early stage of the Seventh Level Essence Storage Realm; she definitely wouldn’t be able to endure the rest of the journey.

Cang Nanyue looked at Luo Feng for a long moment before nodding. "I agree. As long as you can bring them both to the Ghost Howl Forest, I can overlook what happened earlier."

"It’s a deal! Let’s go."

Luo Feng nodded, pulled Bing Ruolan over, spread his arms, and, carrying the two women, executed the Teng Dragon’s Step. Like a great bird, he soared into the distance.

Yang Hong also quickly followed behind.

Zi Yuan looked at Cang Nanyue with a puzzled expression.

In her impression, although Cang Nanyue was strict, she wasn’t so unreasonable.

Unable to figure it out, Zi Yuan shook her small head and, filled with doubt, hurried after them.

"A Martial Artist walks a path of dominance..." What a "Martial Artist walks a path of dominance!" He even dared to call me by my full name!

Watching Luo Feng’s receding figure, Cang Nanyue’s eyes twinkled, and an amused smile spread across her face.

His will is like a blade, his heart unfettered, unbound by worldly things. Such a disposition is rare indeed. This person’s future achievements will be limitless!

He’s just a bit arrogant, though. Let’s see how long you can last...

With a faint smile, Cang Nanyue’s figure transformed into a heaven-spanning streak of light and vanished over the horizon.