Martial Arts Overlord

Zhao Hanshan left the martial arts arena with Wan Feng.

As the elder in charge of the draw announced Luo Feng's victory, a collective sigh rippled through the square. Many people were deeply moved by the outcome. Luo Feng, having defeated 'Thunderbolt Spear' Wan Feng, had thoroughly cemented his reputation.

In just a few days, news of this event would likely spread throughout the entire Flowing Cloud Region.

In the audience stands, Luo Tian and Yang Qing, whose hearts had been pounding with anxiety, finally relaxed, proud smiles spreading across their faces. Luo Feng defeating Wan Feng and becoming one of the Four Great Talents was now beyond doubt. Once Luo Feng became one of the Four Great Talents, it would also be a great boon for the family.

While some rejoiced, others harbored malicious intentions.

"Sir, the saber technique Luo Feng just demonstrated... it seems to be the Sky Slayer Fatal Saber of the Demon Sect?"

In a corner of the audience, two gaunt, middle-aged men in grey cloaks sat together, whispering. With nearly one hundred thousand people in the martial arts arena, filled with martial artists of all descriptions, the pair went unnoticed.

The scarred middle-aged man shook his head and sent a voice transmission, "Although this saber technique shares some origins with the Sky Slayer Fatal Saber, it isn't a martial art of the Demon Sect. Instead, it's the Sky Slayer Saber Technique of the Purple Sun School. For this young man to cultivate the Sky Slayer Saber Technique to the sixth stage is truly remarkable. If he is allowed to mature, he will undoubtedly become a formidable enemy to us!"

The other middle-aged man beside him glanced at Luo Feng and sneered, "Fortunately, Elder Gu showed great foresight in sending us here."

The scarred middle-aged man continued via voice transmission, "Say no more. Be careful not to attract unwanted attention. Many experts have come this time. Don't alert the enemy."

The man beside him nodded, and the two ceased their conversation.

The competition continued.

The once thrilling battles now seemed somewhat lackluster, as everyone was still captivated by the intense duel between Luo Feng and Wan Feng.

Not far away, 'Sky Heart Swordsman' Gu Yunfei looked at Luo Feng and remarked to He Qin, "I never imagined Luo Feng would actually defeat Wan Feng. It's no wonder Zi Yuan conceded to him earlier."

He Qin just nodded, not saying anything. She didn't believe it was that simple.

The eighth round of the competition concluded swiftly. Only three individuals remained with perfect winning records: 'Heavenly Fragrant Woman' He Qin, 'Traceless Young Master' Ji Wufa, and Luo Feng.

As the ninth round commenced, Bing Ruolan found herself facing Hu Yidao.

"Luo Feng defeated Wan Feng. Please congratulate him for me," Hu Yidao said to Bing Ruolan with a smile.

Bing Ruolan nodded calmly and replied, "Even though you're Luo Feng's friend, I won't show any mercy."

Hu Yidao chuckled. "Neither will I."

He had observed Bing Ruolan's previous matches. She had perfectly fused her techniques with practical combat application. Although her cultivation was one level lower than his, defeating her would not be easy.

SWOOSH!

Bing Ruolan initiated the attack. Her slender, two-finger-wide sword, wreathed in cold light, thrust unpredictably towards Hu Yidao, like clouds drifting among mountain peaks, leaving no discernible trail.

"Break!"

Hu Yidao's eyes glinted like lightning. At the very last moment, he abruptly drew his saber and surged forward, a cold saber light slashing down.

CLANG!

This slash struck the weakest point in the shifting sword shadows. The brilliant saber light easily tore through the layers of sword shadows, reaching Bing Ruolan in an instant, swift as the wind.

It seems he has also learned quite a bit from our last encounter, Luo Feng mused, observing Hu Yidao's saber technique. Compared to their last encounter, Hu Yidao's saber technique had changed significantly. He remained still unless necessary, but when he moved, it was astounding. The power of his saber technique had ascended to a new level.

However, Luo Feng didn't believe Hu Yidao could defeat Bing Ruolan. Bing Ruolan's 'Phantom Phoenix Sky Cloud Dance,' 'Star-piercing Swordsmanship,' and 'Flowing Cloud Swordsmanship' seamlessly blended motion and stillness, proving incredibly potent in actual combat.

CLANG!

The sword images were shattered by the saber light. Bing Ruolan's figure drifted, leaving a trail of afterimages. She rotated and floated away, flicking her wrist. Her sharp sword struck like an antelope hanging by its horns—a seemingly impossible angle—counter-attacking Hu Yidao's left shoulder.

Forced back several steps by this stroke of genius, Hu Yidao exclaimed, "Excellent swordsmanship!"

Hu Yidao cast aside any underestimation. His Refined Iron Treasured Saber slashed out, creating a field of brilliant saber light. The saber lights crisscrossed, and the temperature across the entire platform plummeted. It was the renowned Snowstorm Saber Technique of the Floating Snow School.

The sharp sword in Bing Ruolan's hand protected her entire body. Her toes tapped lightly and continuously on the platform, her movements as weightless as a phoenix in flight—a captivating sight. This dream-like dance concealed lethal intent. Sword gleams continuously shot towards Hu Yidao, each aimed at an opening in his defense, throwing him into disarray.

"Fourth stage of Star-piercing Swordsmanship: Sunset Penetrates the Star!"

Suddenly, the air on the platform seemed to solidify as Bing Ruolan thrust her sword. This strike was incredibly fast, piercing through the dense saber light and precisely striking Hu Yidao's left shoulder, leaving a shallow tear in his clothing.

Hu Yidao looked at the sword mark on his shoulder, stunned for a moment before coming to his senses. Shaking his head, he put away his Refined Iron Treasured Saber and said with a bitter smile, "I've lost. Are all of you from the Purple Sun School so skilled in Qinggong?"

His attacks were far more powerful than Bing Ruolan's, but her swordsmanship was unpredictable, and her figure was even more elusive, causing all his attacks to miss.

Bing Ruolan sheathed her sword, glanced at Luo Feng below the platform, and said with a faint smile, "I'm no match for Luo Feng."

Hu Yidao glanced at Luo Feng, his expression immediately souring. "Don't even mention him; he's a monster!"

In the ninth round of the competition, Luo Feng encountered 'Sky Heart Swordsman' Gu Yunfei.

"Even though I know you're strong, I still wish to test my skills against you," Gu Yunfei said, taking a light step and landing gracefully on the platform.

Luo Feng nodded. "Let's begin."

WHOOSH!

The moment he was on stage, Gu Yunfei unleashed his full power. An aura of sharpness surged from him as his Yuan Qi erupted. His sword seemed to merge with the air, striking at Luo Feng with the force of a thunderbolt.

Such brilliant swordsmanship! Luo Feng thought with a flicker of surprise. He hadn't fully appreciated it while watching from below the stage. Now, facing Gu Yunfei directly, he understood just how formidable his opponent's swordsmanship truly was.

Not daring to be careless, Luo Feng gathered his Yuan Qi and threw a punch straight ahead. Under the massive impact, the air in front of him vibrated violently. A trace of Gu Yunfei's hidden sword edge was revealed, and Luo Feng's fist struck the tip.

BANG!

Luo Feng's Sky Collapse Fist was incredibly condensed. His tyrannical fist shattered Gu Yunfei's Sword Gang in a single blow. The force traveled along the sword and surged towards Gu Yunfei.

Gu Yunfei's expression changed. He hastily released the hilt, but the impact still sent him flying.

As Luo Feng pressed his advantage, Gu Yunfei's eyes glinted sharply as he declared, "Take this move: Sky Heart Sword!"

As he spoke, Gu Yunfei's black hair billowed though there was no wind, and a piercing aura emanated from his body. Though he held no sword, he exuded an intense sharpness, as if his entire being, from head to toe, had transformed into a treasured blade!

Yuan Qi surged around Gu Yunfei, finally forming a transparent Sword Gang. Man and Gang Qi merged into one, like a streak of lightning shooting forth. Wherever it passed, the platform was torn apart by the Qi Force.

"What a powerful strike! Gu Yunfei had been concealing such a powerful attack!" someone in the audience couldn't help but exclaim.

"It seems he didn't use his full strength when he fought Ji Wufa earlier."

Below the stage, a flicker of movement crossed Ji Wufa's eyes. Gu Yunfei hadn't used this move when they fought; of course, I hadn't gone all out either.

The humanoid Sword Gang arrived in an instant, its momentum incredibly powerful.

Luo Feng's gaze was as sharp as a blade. A dragon's roar echoed. A colossal, black Gang Qi dragon materialized, coiling around him. Each of its scales glinted with a cold light, like countless blades, exuding an imposing, majestic aura.

BOOM!

The humanoid Sword Gang crashed into the colossal dragon. Amidst a deafening boom, intense Qi Force scattered in all directions. Gu Yunfei held on for only a breath before his Sword Gang dissipated, and he was once again sent flying.

Steadying himself, Gu Yunfei straightened his disheveled clothes and looked at Luo Feng. "Your victory over Wan Feng was clearly no accident. You truly possess the strength to contend with the Four Great Talents. I admit defeat."

After Luo Feng defeated Gu Yunfei, the ninth round of the contest drew to a close. Match after match commenced and concluded, and the elimination tournament finally reached its last round: the tenth round.

In the tenth round, Luo Feng's opponent was Chen Wan, a beautiful student from the Floating Snow School. When Chen Wan saw he was her opponent, she playfully stuck out her pink tongue and promptly conceded.

By the eighth match of the tenth round, the crowd witnessed an unexpected pairing. This match was between Zi Yuan and 'Heavenly Fragrant Woman' He Qin.

Both had been among the Four Great Talents of the previous generation's competition. One had been the foremost talent, while the other ranked last among them; the difference in their strength was stark. Everyone had initially assumed Zi Yuan would concede. To their surprise, however, she did not.

"Luo Feng, if you aim to become the foremost new talent, He Qin will be your greatest obstacle. Watch my fight with her carefully," Zi Yuan advised Luo Feng before stepping onto the stage.

Luo Feng instantly understood. Zi Yuan intended to help him probe He Qin's strength; that was why she hadn't conceded.

"Alright."

To be honest, Luo Feng was also quite wary of He Qin. She was the only prodigy from the four great academies who had stepped into the eighth stage of the Hell Realm. Thus far, all of He Qin's opponents had conceded, so she hadn't revealed even a fraction of her true strength. If I can learn more about He Qin's abilities, my chances of winning against her will be greater.

On the platform, the two young women stood fifty paces apart, facing each other. Zi Yuan, with her large eyes and two youthful pigtails, appeared clever and charming, like a flower under the sun, radiating boundless enthusiasm.

He Qin, in contrast, possessed an entirely different aura. Her exquisite features were coolly beautiful. Dressed in a simple gown, she resembled a celestial fairy banished to the mortal realm. A fragrant breeze seemed to trail her, lending her an otherworldly, transcendent quality.

"Zi Yuan, your concession to Luo Feng earlier surprised me greatly," He Qin said, looking at Zi Yuan.

Zi Yuan toyed with a pigtail and giggled. "You'll naturally understand in due time."

A flicker of understanding crossed He Qin's beautiful eyes. Zi Yuan was clearly implying that Luo Feng possessed the strength to defeat her.

"I hope so." He Qin smiled faintly, a spark of interest in her eyes. "It seems you're facing me to allow Luo Feng to gauge my strength. In that case, I won't hold back."

Saying this, He Qin drew her sword. With a slight flick of her fair wrist, the air on the platform silently split into four sections. Those watching from afar had no idea what had just transpired.

Only Luo Feng's eyes flickered the instant He Qin drew her sword. Although he couldn't see them, his formidable Soul Power allowed him to sense that, in that very moment, four sword gleams simultaneously surged towards Zi Yuan.

Zi Yuan's delicate brows furrowed slightly. She instantly drew her sword from its sheath, daring not to show the slightest negligence. Her slender, two-finger-wide sword erupted with a dazzling golden radiance. Illuminated by the golden sword light, four terrifying sword gleams, each over three meters long, became visible. They were already less than three meters away from Zi Yuan!