Martial Arts Overlord

Gu Yunfei retrieved his sword, cupped his fist to Ji Wufa, and said, "Your Sword Intent is indeed extraordinary. I am thoroughly impressed!"

He had just unleashed his strongest strike, but in the face of Ji Wufa's Sword Intent, his Hengtian Swordsmanship was still no match for it.

However, every cloud has a silver lining.

After this battle, Gu Yunfei felt he had gained a deeper understanding of the Sword Dao.

With a flash of cold light, Ji Wufa sheathed his sword, his sharp aura retracting. He said calmly, "The fact that you made me draw my sword means you are quite skilled."

Despite Ji Wufa defeating Gu Yunfei, the spectator stands were extremely quiet.

Many people were still immersed in the terrifying Sword Intent from moments ago, still reeling from the shock.

Next to Luo Feng, Xu Mei watched Ji Wufa descend from the high platform and sighed, "Sword Intent is indeed no small matter. 'Sky Heart Swordsman' Gu Yunfei, whose strength surpasses mine, was actually defeated with a single strike."

A thought flickered in her mind, and Xu Mei's beautiful eyes turned to Luo Feng.

He had always given her an impression of being unfathomably deep. After returning from the Ghost Howl Forest, this feeling had grown even stronger.

Among their group, Luo Feng was the only one who might have a chance to contend with Ji Wufa.

Of course, Xu Mei didn't hold much hope for this.

After Ji Wufa defeated Gu Yunfei, the seventh round of the competition quickly concluded.

So far, only five individuals maintained perfect winning streaks.

They were 'Heavenly Fragrant Woman' He Qin, 'Traceless Young Master' Ji Wufa, 'Thunderbolt Spear' Wan Feng, 'Little Purple Sun' Zi Yuan, and Luo Feng.

Aside from Luo Feng, the other four were all Four New Talents from the previous tournament. This caused many people to start taking notice of Luo Feng.

Amidst the crowd's anticipation, the eighth round of the elimination tournament began.

The first five matches were quite exciting, with bursts of cheers erupting from the spectator stands.

In the sixth match, Hu Yidao faced Gu Yunfei.

Both were renowned new talents from the four major academies, and their duel on the platform piqued everyone's interest.

As soon as they stepped onto the platform, Gu Yunfei and Hu Yidao immediately engaged in a fierce battle.

Hu Yidao's Blizzard Saber Technique was sharp and vicious, while Gu Yunfei's Hengtian Swordsmanship was as swift as lightning.

Both combatants were known for their speed. Once they clashed, the entire platform was completely engulfed by flashes of saber light and sword shadows.

Because their techniques were too fast and too unpredictable, the crowd could only catch fleeting glimpses of their afterimages.

"They're too fast! I can't even see their moves clearly," someone in the spectator stands couldn't help but complain.

"Including Luo Feng from Purple Sun School, these three are the biggest dark horses in this year's Rising Star Tournament. I wonder which of these two will win."

Below the platform, Bing Ruolan looked at Luo Feng and asked, "Who do you think will win?"

"Their strengths are nearly equal. If this were a regular spar, it would likely end in a draw. However, Gu Yunfei was just defeated by Ji Wufa's Sword Intent and lost his edge. He probably won't be able to hold on for long," Luo Feng replied calmly, watching the two on stage.

Bing Ruolan nodded thoughtfully.

When two foes meet on a narrow path, the braver one prevails. This is the way of the Swordsman!

With Gu Yunfei's fighting spirit diminished, the power of his Swordsmanship would undoubtedly be affected.

Sure enough, after a short while, the power of Gu Yunfei's Swordsmanship began to wane. Pressed by the saber light, he was forced to the edge of the high platform and had no choice but to concede.

"Seventh match: Zi Yuan of Purple Sun School versus Luo Feng of Purple Sun School."

The announcement from the elder overseeing the lots sent a wave of excitement through the entire martial arts training field.

"It's actually Zi Yuan versus Luo Feng! This is going to be a great show!"

"I heard they fought to a draw not long ago. I wonder if that's true."

"That must be a rumor. No matter what, Zi Yuan was one of the Four New Talents from the previous tournament; her strength is unfathomable. Luo Feng's strength is probably on par with Hu Yidao and Gu Yunfei; he shouldn't be a match for Zi Yuan."

"I don't think so. Currently, aside from the Four New Talents of the previous tournament, only Luo Feng holds an undefeated record! I have a feeling he's not as simple as he seems!"

"Stop arguing. We'll know soon enough by watching."

Luo Feng paid no mind to the surrounding discussions. He looked at Zi Yuan, rubbed his nose, and smiled, "I didn't expect it to be us. We fought to a draw last time. How about we go up and settle the score this time?"

Zi Yuan pursed her red lips and said irritably, "Didn't we already settle the outcome that night?"

"That night?"

Luo Feng's eyebrow twitched, and he looked at Zi Yuan with a half-smile.

Beside them, Xu Mei and Bing Ruolan looked at Zi Yuan, their eyes filled with curiosity.

Only then did Zi Yuan realize belatedly that she had let it slip. Her small face flushed red, and she shot Luo Feng a glare. "It's nothing! Just maintain your condition and teach that scoundrel Wan Feng a lesson later!"

With that, Zi Yuan looked towards the lot-drawing elder and announced loudly, "There's no need to compete. I concede!"

An uproar!

Her words were like a stone cast into a calm lake, instantly sending the entire martial arts training field into a tumult.

"Did my ears deceive me? Zi Yuan, one of the Four New Talents from the previous tournament, actually conceded voluntarily?"

"You heard right. Zi Yuan definitely conceded."

"What in the world is going on?"

If Luo Feng had conceded, the crowd certainly wouldn't have reacted so strongly.

But Zi Yuan, as one of the Four New Talents from the previous tournament, possessed unfathomable strength, even if she ranked lowest among them.

Her conceding to Luo Feng left many in disbelief.

Zi Yuan actually conceded voluntarily...

Elsewhere, He Qin, who had maintained an impassive expression until now, also looked over, her gaze flickering slightly.

During the last Rising Star Tournament, she had fought Zi Yuan and knew her to be highly competitive—definitely not someone who would give up easily.

In the VIP section of the spectator stands, Dean Zhou Zhiyun of Tianlan School looked at Zi Hongyuan and smiled. "Zi Hongyuan, what's going on here?"

Zi Hongyuan had a strong inkling but shook his head, saying, "I also don't know what that girl Zi Yuan is planning."

Beside them, Dean Zhao Hanshan of Wanluo School put down his teacup. With a disdainful smile, he said, "What's so strange about it? Zi Yuan knows she can't compete for a spot among the Four New Talents, so she might as well give up to avoid humiliating herself later. That's very much in the style of your Purple Sun School."

Zi Hongyuan's brow furrowed, and he snorted coldly. "Zhao Hanshan, don't speak too confidently. Be careful you don't bite your own tongue!"

Zhao Hanshan roared with laughter. "Anyone here is qualified to say such things, except you, Zi Hongyuan! Besides Zi Yuan, who else from your Purple Sun School has the strength to contend for a position among the Four New Talents? That Luo Feng? His strength is probably on par with Gu Yunfei's. If he encounters Wan Feng, he will undoubtedly be defeated within three rounds!"

"That's not necessarily true!" Zi Hongyuan retorted, his imposing manner unwavering.

Although he had little confidence in Luo Feng securing a spot among the Four New Talents, he wouldn't lose face by admitting it; one might lose the battle but not the war of presence.

The two were sharply opposed, like needlepoint to wheat awn, and the atmosphere grew increasingly tense. By now, the seventh and eighth matches on the platform had concluded, and the lot-drawing elder's voice rang out once more.

"Ninth match: Wan Feng of Wanluo School versus Luo Feng of Purple Sun School!"

Zi Hongyuan and Zhao Hanshan were momentarily stunned.

Zhou Zhiyun's beautiful eyes glinted slightly, and she pursed her lips into a faint smile. "What a coincidence. It seems you two don't need to argue anymore. Whether Luo Feng truly has the strength to vie for a spot among the Four New Talents will soon be revealed."

Zhou Zhiyun also held some anticipation for Luo Feng.

Zhao Hanshan shot Zi Hongyuan a teasing look and sneered, "I hope he won't be like Zi Yuan, afraid to even step onto the platform!"

Below the platform, Luo Feng glanced in Wan Feng's direction and smiled. "I didn't expect we'd face each other so soon."

Bing Ruolan turned her head to Luo Feng and said, "Luo Feng, Wan Feng is a ruthless character. Yesterday, you publicly humiliated him, so he definitely won't let it slide. You need to be careful."

"I know. Don't worry."

Luo Feng wasn't concerned. In all four major academies, there was now no one who could make him feel intimidated.

Giving his companions a reassuring glance, Luo Feng took a light step and landed on the platform as if he weighed nothing.

Seeing Luo Feng step onto the platform, the atmosphere in the entire martial arts training field erupted with excitement.

If this had been in the morning, the crowd certainly wouldn't have anticipated a match between Luo Feng and Wan Feng so eagerly.

After all, the rumored gap in their strength was too large, and the battle would have been expected to be completely one-sided.

But so far, Luo Feng had maintained his winning streak, and his popularity had gradually surged.

Especially Zi Yuan's voluntary concession to Luo Feng moments ago, which had greatly intrigued many.

Many people were extremely eager to see just what kind of strength a person capable of making Zi Yuan, one of the Four New Talents from the previous tournament, concede, actually possessed.

In the audience seats, Luotian and Yang Qing held their breath, their hearts practically stopping.

For the past half-day, their hearts had been constantly in their throats.

Every time Luo Feng appeared, they would be on edge, breaking out in a cold sweat for him, terrified of seeing him defeated.

Although Luo Feng's achievements so far had already made them very satisfied, what parent wouldn't wish for their child to achieve even greater success?

Fortunately, up to this point, Luo Feng had not suffered a single defeat, winning every match with ease.

But things were different now. Luo Feng's opponent was Wan Feng, the third-ranked New Talent from the previous tournament, whose spear techniques were considered divine!

They had heard rumors about the feud between Purple Sun School and Wanluo School, and coupled with the scene of Yang Hong being severely injured earlier, their hearts pounded relentlessly.

"Brother Tian, can Feng Er win?" Yang Qing asked, gazing at the imposing figure standing tall on the platform, her beautiful eyes revealing deep concern.

Luotian patted Yang Qing's hand and comforted her with a smile, "Feng Er has grown up. He knows how to handle things, so don't worry."

"Mm." Yang Qing nodded.

Although Luotian spoke these words, deep down he wasn't confident at all. As a powerhouse of the Ninth Level of the Heavenly Court Realm, his insight was naturally exceptional. Wan Feng's Shocking Thunder Spear Technique, which had the effect of corroding Gang Qi, was truly formidable. Luo Feng's growth, while astonishing to him, still made the hope of defeating Wan Feng seem very slim at present.

On the platform.

'Thunderbolt Spear' Wan Feng, wielding his twelve-foot silver spear, his aura soaring to the heavens, grinned widely and mocked, "Luo Feng, you actually didn't concede. I don't know whether to call you foolish or arrogant!"

Luo Feng smiled faintly. "You are not yet qualified to make me concede."

Wan Feng's eyes instantly turned cold. "Excessive arrogance is not a good thing! Yang Hong is a prime example."

Luo Feng narrowed his eyes, looked at Wan Feng, and said in a low, serious voice, "So it was you who intentionally injured Yang Hong severely!"

Wan Feng burst into loud laughter. "And so what if I did? You repeatedly offended me in Wind Howl City, and yesterday you publicly shamed me. Today, you will pay with an arm as the price for enraging me!"

"Is that so? That depends on whether you have the ability."

The two stood thirty paces apart, one with icy eyes, the other with a composed expression. An invisible pressure swept out in all directions, and the air in the entire martial arts training field seemed to solidify.