CHAPTER 333: CHAPTER 332: A DAZZLING SWORD, A TERRIFYING BLADE

After bidding farewell to Hu Yitian and the others, Luo Feng and Bing Ruolan mounted their Six-leg Demon Horses, hastening their journey.

「The next morning.」

The two arrived at Qingfeng Town.

"We’re finally back. I didn’t feel it when I was at the academy before, but now I find this place the most beautiful."

Seeing the familiar scenery, Bing Ruolan’s small face lit up with a smile.

Luo Feng nodded, a similar sentiment in his heart. It has been three months since we last left the academy.

The two rode towards the academy.

As the silhouette of the academy came into view in the distance, more students from the Purple Sun School gradually appeared.

"Senior Brother Luo Feng, Senior Sister Bing Ruolan, you’re back!"

The nearby students, upon seeing them, all focused their gazes, filled with reverence.

Both were now among the Four Great New Talents, and Luo Feng was even the foremost among them in the Flowing Cloud Region, admired by many.

In front of so many people, Bing Ruolan felt too shy to share a horse with Luo Feng. She dismounted, her face flushing as she nodded to the people around them.

Luo Feng, unbothered by the surrounding stares, also dismounted.

"Luo Feng, you’re finally back."

A tall figure strode quickly towards them; it was Flower Picking Hand Xu Mei. Beside her stood a tall young man, Twin Sword Guest Yang Hong.

Noticing their unusual expressions, Luo Feng asked, "Has something happened?"

Twin Sword Guest Yang Hong looked somewhat solemn, his gaze lowered, saying nothing.

Xu Mei pursed her lips, then smiled faintly. "A loss is a loss. There’s nothing shameful about it."

Then, looking at Luo Feng, she said, "Traceless Young Master Ji Wufa came looking for you. He said he’s here to challenge you as agreed."

Luo Feng recalled the agreement he had made with Ji Wufa at the New Talent Conference. He nodded and asked, "Where is he?"

"He’s been standing in the academy square for three days."

Luo Feng turned to head towards the academy. "I’ll go meet him."

Xu Mei quickened her pace to catch up with Luo Feng, reminding him, "Luo Feng, you must be careful. Ji Wufa’s strength has greatly increased in the past few months! Two days ago, Yang Hong and I joined forces but were still defeated by a single strike of his sword!"

"A single strike?" Luo Feng paused, glancing at Xu Mei and Yang Hong.

Both Yang Hong and Xu Mei had made significant progress during this time. Yang Hong had reached the late stage of the eighth level Hell Realm cultivation, while Xu Mei, though slightly behind, had reached the mid-stage of the eighth level Hell Realm cultivation.

Xu Mei nodded, her expression grim. "He has reached the peak of the eighth level Hell Realm, and his Sword Intent has achieved Great Accomplishment. Both his speed and strength are terrifying."

Yang Hong looked frustrated. "Although I hate to admit it, his swordsmanship is truly impressive. I didn’t even see how he moved before I lost. Luo Feng, you must be careful when you face him!"

"No worries." Luo Feng smiled faintly, then turned and headed towards the academy square.

"Look, Senior Brother Luo Feng is going to the academy square!"

"Could it be that he’s going to confront Ji Wufa? After three months, the two New Talents are clashing again! This is big news! Quickly, inform the others!"

"I watched Ji Wufa duel Senior Sister Xu Mei and Senior Brother Yang Hong two days ago. Ji Wufa won with a single sword strike; his strength has improved dramatically compared to the New Talent Conference! Will Senior Brother Luo Feng be alright?"

"Han Min, why are you boosting his morale and dampening ours? Ji Wufa has improved, but does that mean Senior Brother Luo Feng hasn’t?"

"I’m just worried about Senior Brother Luo Feng..."

Seeing Luo Feng walking towards the academy square, the nearby people erupted in discussion.

「A short while later.」

Luo Feng arrived at the academy square.

In the middle of the square stood a cool-faced young man, holding a sword, his posture erect.

The young man stood there casually, yet an icy aura emanated from him, as sharp and piercing as a sword’s gleam. It was none other than Ji Wufa, the number one genius of the Floating Snow School!

As if sensing something, Ji Wufa opened his eyes, his sharp gaze landing on Luo Feng.

Instantly, a wave of keen Sword Qi surged forth. Many students were forced to retreat repeatedly, their faces pale.

Just his gaze felt like a blade at their throats!

"Luo Feng, you’re finally here. I told you I would come to challenge you again!"

As his voice fell, Ji Wufa’s aura intensified. Within a three-foot radius around him, an invisible force seemed to pulverize the falling leaves.

News spread quickly. By now, hundreds of people had gathered in the square. Everyone who heard the news rushed over, including many academy elders.

Luo Feng had comprehended the Grand Momentum, and Ji Wufa was a rare genius who had comprehended Sword Intent!

Everyone wanted to see what level of strength the two geniuses had reached after three months.

Luo Feng strode into the middle of the square and said directly, "I knew you would come. Let’s begin."

Ji Wufa’s hair danced in the wind, his aura sharp. With his hand on his sword hilt, he resembled a drawn sword. He said coldly, "This time, you are bound to lose!"

Luo Feng looked at him and laughed. "You have indeed made great progress. Unfortunately, the gap between us has only widened."

Ji Wufa’s face darkened. He sneered, "After you take a blow from me, I hope you still have the courage to say that."

CLANG!

The sword was drawn, its cold edge reflecting in Ji Wufa’s eyes like winter snow. A chilling aura spread, and the temperature of the entire square seemed to plummet.

The moment Ji Wufa grasped his sword, it felt as if the entire space in the square converged at its tip. The intense sense of crisis made many people’s palms sweat.

"Such a strong Sword Intent! Even from this distance, I feel like I’m under its edge."

"Ji Wufa’s Sword Intent has improved so much since the New Talent Conference. Coupled with his cultivation at the peak of the eighth level Hell Realm, it’s terrifying!"

"Two days ago, Senior Sister Xu Mei and Senior Brother Yang Hong were defeated by this very sword strike. I wonder how Senior Brother Luo Feng will defend against it."

The people in the academy, unaware of the events in Red Maple Lead, felt the keenness of Ji Wufa’s Sword Intent and grew worried.

If Luo Feng were also defeated by Ji Wufa, the Purple Sun School’s hard-won position as the head of the four great academies would become a laughingstock.

Xu Mei and Yang Hong were extremely tense. They had fought Ji Wufa before and knew all too well how terrifying his power was. Now, his aura was even stronger than when they had faced him.

"Don’t worry. Luo Feng can handle it," Bing Ruolan asserted.

Seeing Bing Ruolan’s confidence, Xu Mei and Yang Hong were both taken aback.

At this moment, Ji Wufa made the first move.

"Sword’s Tip Condenses Snow!"

Ji Wufa’s presence reached its peak. With a piercing glare, he thrust his sword forward.

This sword strike was incredibly fast and condensed to the extreme. The sword’s tip seemed hidden in the void, leaving only an intimidatingly cold Sword Qi lunging towards Luo Feng.

SWISH!

Where the Sword Qi passed, the air condensed into snowflakes, as if space itself were freezing, creating an illusion of inescapability.

The entire square fell silent. Everyone stared wide-eyed, awestruck by the brilliance of this sword light.

Luo Feng slowly exhaled, the Fury Flame Knife gradually drawing from its sheath.

"Slash!"

Just as the Sword Qi was about to strike, Luo Feng slashed out with his knife.

As the blade fell, a crimson saber light shot into the sky in the onlookers’ vision, dyeing half of it red. The stunning Sword Qi was powerless against the saber light and was instantly swallowed.

SWOOSH!

The saber light flashed, landing three feet from Ji Wufa’s feet.

BOOM!

The ground trembled, and scorching air swirled. Ji Wufa grunted and retreated more than ten steps, blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

Looking to the side, Ji Wufa’s gaze suddenly froze.

On the square lay a massive gash, dozens of meters long, looking as if it would cleave the entire plaza in two.

CLANG!

The Fury Flame Knife returned to its sheath. Luo Feng looked at Ji Wufa and said, "You lose."

Ji Wufa seemed not to hear Luo Feng’s words. Staring at the sword in his hand, he stood there, dazed.

He had contemplated defeat, but he never imagined it would be so absolute; he hadn’t even been able to withstand a single exchange against Luo Feng.

Gasps rippled through the square. Everyone stared dumbfounded at the terrifying gash; even the academy elders were too shocked to speak.

One strike!

Only one strike was required to defeat Ji Wufa, who had comprehended Sword Intent, without the slightest suspense.

"He’s far too powerful!"

Xu Mei and Yang Hong stood with their mouths agape, taking a long time to recover.

Ji Wufa, the man who had defeated both of them with a single sword strike, was himself defeated by Luo Feng in one blow. Just how powerful was he?

Bing Ruolan looked at Luo Feng, the focus of everyone’s awe in the square. She felt a surge of pride for him. A smile touched her lips as she said, "At the summit in Red Maple Lead, Luo Feng defeated two young master-level experts consecutively, and... he already entered the Ninth Heavenly Court Realm several days ago!"

"Ninth Heavenly Court Realm! And he defeated two young master-level experts!"

Xu Mei and Yang Hong gasped, speechless, their shock beyond words.

A moment later, Xu Mei looked at Luo Feng with envy and admiration.

"In half a year, he went from being a Silver Moon class student to the foremost new talent. Such progress is unheard of in the history of the Purple Sun School. Luo Feng has created a miracle..."

Luo Feng didn’t give the crowd much opportunity to speculate. After defeating Ji Wufa, he bid farewell to Bing Ruolan, Xu Mei, and the others, and walked towards his small courtyard.

Originally, I planned to escort Bing Ruolan back to the academy and then head to Dayang City. Worried she might notice, I decided to leave tonight instead. Once I move against Duanmu Ji, the Duanmu Family and I will be mortal enemies. This journey is too dangerous; I don’t want to involve Bing Ruolan.

Back in his small courtyard, Luo Feng changed his clothes and then went into the yard to cultivate.

Standing in the middle of the courtyard, Luo Feng’s posture was like a sword. Though he hadn’t drawn the Fury Flame Knife, an indomitable, sharp aura radiated from him.

Ji Wufa’s Sword Intent was indeed formidable. If I hadn’t reached the Ninth Heavenly Court Realm, defeating him would not have been easy. However, I also gained some insights from this exchange. I want to integrate them into my Grand Momentum while the feeling is still fresh.

Sitting cross-legged, Luo Feng slowly exhaled a turbid breath and gradually closed his eyes.

「Two hours.」

「Four hours.」

「Eight hours.」

As the sun set, casting long shadows, the sky gradually darkened. Luo Feng’s muscles pulsed continuously, and the surrounding air vibrated in unison.

RUSTLE... RUSTLE...

The leaves in the small courtyard seemed drawn by an invisible force, spiraling upwards and hovering in mid-air.

SWISH!

Luo Feng suddenly opened his eyes. His bright gaze was like a flash of lightning, exuding an overwhelming sharpness that made it impossible to look at him directly.

CHIK!

Wherever his gaze landed, the leaves floating in mid-air were instantly shredded, their cuts perfectly smooth, as if sliced by a sharp blade.