Martial Arts Overlord

The unparalleled beauty was none other than Zhou Zhiyun, the dean of Tianlan School. She was the youngest among all the deans, being in her twenties, but rumors had it that she was the strongest among them.

Zhou Zhiyun stepped into the middle of the square, her beautiful eyes scanned the crowd, and she smiled.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the annual New Talents Conference. This year, just like previous years, the competition is divided into two parts—preliminaries and ranking matches. The top four in the ranking matches will be crowned as the four new talents..."

Zhou Zhiyun began to explain the rules of the competition.

The preliminary matches followed a random draw system. The two individuals whose numbers were drawn would step onto the stage and fight until a winner was decided.

Each participant had ten matches. The final rank was decided based on the number of victories.

Only those who ranked in the top four in their group would be eligible to enter the ranking matches and compete for the title of the four new talents.

With the rules explained, Zhou Zhiyun waved her hand. Four beautiful maidens dressed in plain robes stepped forward, each carrying a jade plate covered with a red silk cloth.

"These are the rewards for this year's four new talents. As for what they are, let's wait for the new talents to unveil them."

Zhou Zhiyun's lips curved into a smile, teasing the crowd.

As soon as her words fell, the entire martial arts field erupted into an uproar.

"Rewards! I wonder what this year's New Talents Conference rewards will be."

"Last year, the top talent's reward was a Profound Level lower-tier martial art workbook. I heard that this year's rewards are even better. Could it be a Profound Level middle-tier martial art workbook?"

"Profound Level middle-tier martial art workbook!"

"Or maybe it's an elixir, or even a Spirit Weapon. Although the four schools are powerful, a Profound Level middle-tier martial art workbook isn't something they can just hand out."

"No matter what it is, it's bound to be extraordinary!"

The entire martial arts field was filled with heated discussions, guessing what this year's four new talents' rewards could be.

Even the students participating in the competition were restless.

Many people couldn't take their eyes off the four jade plates.

Listening to the discussions around him, Luo Feng couldn't help but feel a little stirred as well.

Apparently, the rewards for the four new talents were truly extraordinary.

Even a top-tier Yellow Level martial art workbook was worth tens of millions of silver.

Luo Feng had already learned Sky Collapse Fist from a Profound Level lower-tier martial art workbook. If he got another Profound Level lower-tier martial art workbook, his skills would definitely improve even further.

Zhou Zhiyun looked at the eager eyes around her and smiled. "The New Talents Conference has officially begun. I hope you all achieve satisfactory results."

As her words fell, the martial arts field boiled over once again, cheers reaching up to the sky.

Zhou Zhiyun nodded in satisfaction, lightly tapped her toes against the ground, and her enticing figure floated, like a leaf on water, drifting to the highest VIP seat in the spectator stands.

There were three other people in the VIP seats: besides Zi Hongyuan and the dean of the Wanluo School, Zhao Hanshan, there was also a middle-aged man in white.

The middle-aged man was dressed in white as pure as snow. He looked average but gave off a perceptive aura. His eyes were sharp like knife edges, chilling and hard to meet.

The man in white looked at Zhou Zhiyun and remarked calmly, "Zhou Zhiyun, your Floating Style Technique has improved since last year."

Zhou Zhiyun smiled but didn't say anything.

The man in white was Huo Tianqing, dean of the Floating Snow School, known for his inscrutable sabre skills.

Once, the Snow Valley, where the Floating Snow School was located, had a mountain over three hundred meters high. Huo Tianqing had cut it in half with his blade because it was obstructing his view, a story that had become legendary.

With light, graceful steps, Zhou Zhiyun walked over and sat down beside them, turning her gaze to the competitors on the field. She smiled and said, "The students from Floating Snow School this year seem to be of high quality. It's indeed one in ten thousand for Ji Wufa to comprehend the Sword Intent. Congratulations."

A smile appeared on Huo Tianqing's face. "I was also surprised that Ji Wufa was able to comprehend the Sword Intent. However, in terms of cultivation, he's still lacking in comparison to He Qin. It won't be easy for him to take the title of Top Talent. But securing the second position shouldn't be a problem."

Hearing their conversation, Zhao Hanshan raised an eyebrow and laughed. "Huo Tianqing, you're too short-sighted. You're even content with second place."

Huo Tianqing frowned at his words, looked at Zhao Hanshan, and said with a forced smile, "Zhao Hanshan, are you implying that Wan Feng could defeat He Qin and become the top talent of the year?"

"That's not impossible." Zhao Hanshan took a sip of tea and glanced at Zi Hongyuan, a smirk playing on his lips.

Seeing his smug expression, Huo Tianqing had a sudden realization.

"I've heard that Wan Feng had a great fortune recently, could it be true?"

Zhou Zhiyun saw the atmosphere turning tense and decided to steer the conversation. "The competition is about to start."

In the martial arts field, the elder of Tianlan School responsible for the competition had already started the drawing.

"Group one, number three versus number ten."

"Group two, number five versus number seven."

"Group three, number one versus number five."

"Group four, ..."

Upon hearing their numbers, the students walked onto the stage one after another and started their duels.

Luo Feng's number hadn't been drawn yet, so he started observing the fights on the four duel stages.

Interestingly, the first match of the first group was none other than Hu Yitian. His opponent was a Martial Artist with small eyes and late-stage Seventh-Tier Essence Storage Realm cultivation.

"Great Flame Palm!"

The Martial Artist with small eyes knew that his cultivation was inferior to Hu Yitian's. Attempting to seize the initiative, he attacked as soon as he stepped on the stage.

BOOM!

The air was ignited by the friction of the Palm Gang, faintly burning with a fiery light. The palm wind roared towards Hu Yitian.

Hu Yitian stood still, waiting until the palm wind was upon him before swinging his Saber.

BANG!

The bloody Palm Gang was easily shattered by the saber light, and the small-eyed Martial Artist was shocked, retreating several steps.

Taking advantage of the first move, Hu Yitian relentlessly continued his onslaught, wielding his Refined Iron Treasured Saber again and again. Numerous cold flashes of the saber formed a net of blades, completely blocking his opponent's movements.

"I surrender!"

Driven to the edge of the contest stage with nowhere to retreat, the small-eyed Martial Artist had no choice but to admit defeat.

Hu Yitian effortlessly scored the first win.

"'Chaotic Snow Blade' Hu Yitian truly lives up to his name, defeating his opponent in just a few moves."

A round of praise echoed from the audience.

Luo Feng was not surprised. He had just sparred with Hu Yitian yesterday. Hu's saber technique and cultivation were very exquisite. Ordinary Martial Artists in the peak stage of the Seventh-Tier Essence Storage Realm were no match; the latter had not even used his full strength just now.

The martial arts contests on the four stages quickly determined the winners and losers, and the second round began.

"Group two, number four versus number seven."

"Group three, number two versus number three."

...

"Ruolan, it's your turn. Your opponent is also in the late stage of the Seventh-Tier Essence Storage Realm. Be careful."

Luo Feng glanced at the second platform and told Bing Ruolan.

"Okay."

Bing Ruolan nodded, took a step, and gracefully landed on the stage.

Bing Ruolan's opponent was a boy from Tianlan School wearing a jade-colored uniform. He held a fine steel longsword and stood quietly on the stage, his spine straight and imposing. It was clear he was a sword expert.

"I didn't expect my opponent to be a girl. What a stroke of luck." The young swordsman smirked when he saw Bing Ruolan taking the stage.

Bing Ruolan discerned the contempt in his words. Her Daimei furrowed, and she said coldly, "The number one genius in your Tianlan School, He Qin, isn't she also a girl? Let's talk with our swords!"

Bing Ruolan sprung forward, her wrist flicked, and the sharp sword flashed out, piercing through the air in a transparent trajectory towards her opponent.

"Humph! Fall!"

The young swordsman's eyes revealed disdain, his sword trembled, and the crisp sound of the sword's hum echoed throughout the stage. The Sword Shadow transformed into three and met Bing Ruolan head-on.

"Lonely Cloud Three Swords!"

The three sword lights joined and separated, as though they were three and yet one. They were elusive and hard to predict.

SHINK! SHINK! SHINK!

The three swords accurately stabbed toward Bing Ruolan's body, but they hit empty air.

Swept by the sword light, Bing Ruolan's silhouette immediately vanished into thin air, her whereabouts unknown.

"Where did she go?"

The young swordsman was taken aback, looking around confusedly.

Luo Feng, standing below the stage, pointed to his back.

The young swordsman looked back, and there was Bing Ruolan, sword in hand, standing behind him. The three-foot sword point was right in front of his eyes! He was scared and took three steps back.

With a red face, and too embarrassed to continue staying on stage, the young swordsman saluted Bing Ruolan and hurriedly ran off the stage, mortified.

Bing Ruolan effortlessly achieved victory in the first round.

As she stepped off the stage, Bing Ruolan looked at Luo Feng. Her icy demeanor softened slightly, and she smiled. "I was lucky to meet such a careless opponent."

Luo Feng smiled faintly. "He was no match for you to begin with. But, I am surprised that you have advanced your Phantom Phoenix Sky Cloud Dance to the shadow-following step in such a short time."

Bing Ruolan combed her light blue hair behind her ear, pursed her red lips, and said, "I was once the head of the Silver Moon class. Don't you trust me?"

Luo Feng was about to respond when a cold voice suddenly sounded from nearby.

"Both of you, long time no see."

Luo Feng's brows furrowed slightly. The newcomer was Xiao Yu, a student from Tianlan School.

"Xiao Yu, what are you doing here?" Bing Ruolan's face was frosty, and she looked at Xiao Yu coldly.

Xiao Yu approached leisurely, giving them a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "You don't need to be so nervous. This is a school; I won't rashly start a fight."

Luo Feng responded indifferently, "I'm not nervous. So, what do you want?"

Xiao Yu clapped his hands. "Straight to the point! I like people who get to the point! That day in the Misty Swamp, I snatched your mission item. You must have harbored resentment and want revenge, right?"

Luo Feng squinted his eyes. "What do you mean?"

Xiao Yu pulled out his own draw card and laughed. "You are group three, number seven, and I am also in group three, number six! If you want revenge, I'll give you a chance! When we meet later, do you dare to fight me on the stage?"

Perhaps worrying that Luo Feng would refuse, Xiao Yu glanced at Bing Ruolan and sneered, "To flee without fighting is an act of cowardice!"

Bing Ruolan's Daimei furrowed slightly. This man was simply shameless to even utter such words!

Luo Feng, on the other hand, found Xiao Yu's words quite uncharacteristic.

Watching Xiao Yu, Luo Feng noticed that the former occasionally glanced to the side, as if he cared very much about something.

Following his gaze, he saw a slender figure standing there. She had cascading black hair, her eyebrows lightly swept, and possessed an ethereal aura. It was the 'Heavenly Fragrant Woman,' He Qin.

He Qin... Does this have something to do with her?